Reading FC fans have reacted emotionally to the news that the club's upcoming match with Luton Town has been postponed over a Covid outbreak.
The Select Car Leasing Stadium was anticipating a bumper crowd of more than 20,000 fans in celebration of the club's 150th anniversary, but the festiviteis have now been rescheduled for February 12 clash with Coventry City.
The new date has been chosen as it's the closest home game to the anniversary of the club's first competitive fixture, played against Reading School on February 21, 1872, at the Reading Recreation Ground (now King’s Meadow).
The special event has been highly anticipated with Reading fans taking to social media to express their emotions after news of the postponement.
One said: "Gutted but the right decision."
While another added: "It must be heartbreaking for Reading FC staff who I know have worked hard to give fans a day to remember and celebrate. But their safety could not be guaranteed. A wise and correct decision."
Others meanwhile put a positive spin on events, with a fan joking: "No more defeats to ruin the Christmas build up."
And: "In brighter news, Reading FC won't lose this weekend."
Such a shame that our 150th celebration match has had to be postponed but unfortunately it’s not surprising with the latest COVID situation.
— Elm Park Royals (@ElmParkRoyals) December 15, 2021
Obviously hope everyone is well very soon.
…..😩 pic.twitter.com/lK7115evlU
Gutted but the right decision. Official confirmation Saturday’s game is off 👇 #readingfc https://t.co/aUmUrnBQes
— Courtney Friday (@cfridayjourno) December 15, 2021
It must be heart breaking for the #ReadingFC staff who I know had worked so hard to give the fans a day to celebrate and remember. But their and our safety could not be guaranteed. A wise and correct decision
— Equality (@Yourrrs) December 15, 2021
Such a shame this Saturday has had to be postponed but it did feel some what inevitable. Very disappointing nevertheless, especially on the game we were celebrating 150 years of #readingfc 😵😢
— Tom Maynard (@ttmaynard) December 15, 2021
No more defeats to ruin the Christmas build up 🤩#readingfc https://t.co/pDm3qJ5k5U
— micah (@m1871e) December 15, 2021
In brighter news. #ReadingFC won't lose this weekend.
— Matheus (@MaffRoyal) December 15, 2021
In a classy touch from Reading's intended opponents on Saturday, Luton Town wished Royals well as they look to recover from this wave of positive Covid cases.
❌ 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 ❌
Reading informed the EFL that they would be unable to fulfil the fixture at the Select Car Leasing Stadium due to a number of positive COVID-19 cases in their squad.
Best wishes to those affected 🙏
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) December 15, 2021
Assuming the Covid situation clears up in time, Reading are set to play their next game away at Peterborough on Boxing Day.
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