Reading have fallen to their joint-lowest position in the Championship attendance table, with crowds plummeting to their lowest since a return to the second tier in 2002.

Over the course of their 23 home matches this season, the Royals have averaged 12,761- their poorest in over two decades.

Only Barnsley, Preston, Blackpool, Peterborough, Luton, and Bournemouth have averaged lower crowds than Reading this season- all of which have grounds with smaller capacities than the 24,161 that can fit inside the SCL Stadium.

This is a drop of three positions from the last full season that permitted crowds, 2018/19, in which the Royals sat 15th with an average attendance of 14,991.

Since returning to the Championship in 2002/03, the club have spent all but the last four seasons in the top half for attendances, even breaking into the top 10 in 2004/05, 2008/09 and 2011/12.

Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest are top of the attendance charts this season, both averaging more than 27,000 per week.

Overall, the division has seen a decrease in crowds, against what many expected considering fans were starved of attending live events during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For example, in 2018/19 12 of the sides averaged crowds of more than 20,000- with Aston Villa and Leeds United both topping the 30,000 mark.

Nottingham Forest also topped 28,000- more than 1,000 per match more than they are getting now.

There are many reasons for crowds fluctuating, pandemic or no pandemic, such as form and crowd interest.