We’re hurtling down the M4 when the conversation turns to the painful subject of well...pain. In the driver’s seat is Supporters Trust at Reading, STAR’s, very own Roger Titford, kindly taking the time out of his day to give the Reading Chronicle’s new sports reporter an extensive and exhaustive tour of Reading the town - and of course - Reading the football club.

Departing the Royals’ Bearwood training base and en-route to the site of former Elm Park stadium, pain is on the lips of Roger. Pain. It seems an unfortunately common emotion around football in these parts.

“We’ve lost four play-off finals now, all in different, mad, horrible ways,” Roger explains with a wry chuckle. “The first one in 1995, we were 2-0 up with a penalty. Missed the penalty, missed the rebound, finished 2-2 and we lost in extra time. The next one we were 2-1 up in extra-time, clear favourites, then scored an absolute freak own goal, heads went down and we let in another the next minute - that’s 2004. Then we had the Swansea one where everything went wrong in the first half, we nearly got it back but didn’t. And then we lost to Huddersfield on penalties. 

“When we’ve had what looked like success, it’s turned to failure.”

Pain. It’s an indelible aspect of football and Reading fans appear to know that better than most. 

Travelling west to Swansea on Saturday, it felt as if it might be another painful chapter in the club’s recent history after a chastening week in which they dropped 11 points: six deducted by the EFL, and another five lost in the draw with Nottingham Forest and defeat to Sheffield United.

Reading Chronicle: Scott Dann leads a dejected set of Reading players off the pitch after defeat to Sheffield United. Image by: JasonPIX.Scott Dann leads a dejected set of Reading players off the pitch after defeat to Sheffield United. Image by: JasonPIX.

One win in seven. Swansea on the other hand? Just two defeats in their last nine. And then of course, there was history to contend with. Approaching the weekend, Reading’s most recent victory over Swansea had come all the way back in September 2008, failing to beat the Swans in their 16 meetings since. 

The set-up certainly wasn’t promising. And it got significantly less promising after just three minutes when Swansea grabbed the lead, slicing Reading open with the ease of a side that holds the power and weight of history - and form. Jamie Paterson latched onto a Korey Smith through ball before rounding Luke Southwood and finishing into the empty net - despite Andy Yiadom’s last-ditch attempts.

Another day of pain. 

But here’s the thing about pain. And more importantly, here’s the thing about football: it’s temporary, the pain that is. It might linger, it might feel like it’s attached to yout. But pain isn’t guaranteed. Sometimes in football, it might seem like it is, but it can’t be. Otherwise what happened on Saturday would have gone from unlikely to downright impossible.

On Saturday, Reading could’ve given in to the pain that seemed to be engulfing them, a thumping defeat potentially on the cards. But 90 minutes later the Swansea.com Stadium was largely empty. Except for one corner packed full of Reading supporters.

This was to be no day of pain, this would be a day of joy. It took Tom Dele-Bashiru less than two minutes to get Velijko Paunovic’s side back on level terms following Paterson’s opener. Then, on the half-hour mark Danny Drinkwater played a quick ball over the top of the hosts’ defence. Andy Carroll, starting for the first time in a Reading shirt, raced onto it, cut inside, and finished expertly into the bottom corner to make it 2-1. 

Reading Chronicle: Reading celebrate Andy Carroll's first half goal. Image by: JasonPIX.Reading celebrate Andy Carroll's first half goal. Image by: JasonPIX.

If the first half started badly, the second wasn’t much better, Ryan Manning volleying brilliantly over the head of Southwood and into the back of the net. But as the pain threatened to cloud Reading once again, they responded. Dele-Bashiru, a constant menace in south Wales, weaved his way through the Swansea defence before firing his shot off the base of the post. Following up was Drinkwater to restore Reading’s lead and immediately turn a moment of pain into one of joy.

By full time it was the home side who were feeling the lows that only football can bring as Reading held on to provide the entire club with a much-needed lift. When the Royals were officially handed their six-point deduction, they were heading into a crucial run of three games in ten days. Velijko Paunovic told his players that the eyes of the world were now fixed on them, analysing their reaction. They needed their next win - and quickly - to turn the tide of negativity. It took till the third attempt, but they got there.

It probably shouldn’t have happened. The form guide wouldn’t approve and it seemed even less likely after two minutes of action. But it did happen. Because in football it can. That’s what’s so special, that’s why we put up with the pain - because when the joy comes - and it always will come eventually - it’s something that can not be described.

Reading Chronicle: Danny Drinkwater is mauled by his teammates after making it 3-2 at Swansea. Image by: JasonPIX.Danny Drinkwater is mauled by his teammates after making it 3-2 at Swansea. Image by: JasonPIX.

Football has always been a central part of life. And invariably that means that pain - and joy - has come with it. I’ve cried from pain and I’ve cried from joy. The pain hurts but the joy...well, it makes it all worth it. 

Growing up in Seattle, Washington, football wasn’t felt about in the same way. There wasn’t the same emotional commitment, which admittedly, would have made the pain duller. But the joy wouldn’t be anywhere close to the same.

Raised as a Chelsea supporter by my father, every week my mood was determined by football results. It seemed strange to my friends and community in Seattle. You know what? Strange is probably the wrong word. It seemed crazy to them. But four years ago I moved to England and it immediately felt like who I was, clicked with the people and culture around me. This is somewhere where football is central...to pretty much everything. All across the country, people care so incredibly deeply about their club. And it’s something I connected with on an intrinsic level that can hardly be explained - only felt.

Reading Chronicle: A much younger Benjy with much longer hair alongside his grandfather at the 2009 FA Cup Final. Image by: JasonPIX.A much younger Benjy with much longer hair alongside his grandfather at the 2009 FA Cup Final. Image by: JasonPIX.

I may not be a Reading supporter but I can sincerely promise you one thing: I will care about your club. I understand how important it is to all of you, and I will care deeply as well.

It’s a massive understatement, but football clubs are important. And being a part of something so powerful and emotive comes with responsibility.

I had the privilege of covering Charlton Athletic over the past three years, and in that time the club went through four owners, supporter protests, transfer embargoes, and a promotion and relegation. I saw a lot in that time and I saw a club nearly go extinct. But through all of that, I primarily saw just how much the club means to its community.

So if there’s one thing I can promise all of you, it’s that I care. I care about Reading. I care about the club and I care about the community that revolves around it. Because I know how much you care, and because I know how important your club is.

I don’t know everything about Reading, and I’m certain I will never know it all. But I am learning every day and I’m excited to do so. Excited to learn what makes this club special and what makes this town special.

Reading Chronicle: A cohort of travelling supporters celebrate Reading's win in Wales. Image by: JasonPIX.A cohort of travelling supporters celebrate Reading's win in Wales. Image by: JasonPIX.

I’m excited to meet as many of you as possible, talk to those in every corner of the Reading world, and become a part of this community. I’ll do my best to bring my own unique perspective on the club in a way that’s both interesting and enjoyable for you all - with as much added fun as we can sneak in. But while I hope to, in part, entertain and inform, I will always do everything I can to find and share the stories that you, the fans, need and have a right to know.

I’m beyond thrilled to be here. Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@BenjyNurick) or by email at benjy.nurick@newsquest.co.uk. Anytime, day or night, I will be thrilled to chat football - that is a guarantee.