As the clock ticks down to the coronation of King Charles III, it looks as though Reading are set to return to where they found themselves 60 years ago for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.

Where were they for Her Majesty's grand occasion in 1953?

Reading Chronicle:

Where were Reading in 1953?

Under the stewardship of former Chelsea and Swindon defender Arthur Smith, who took over from the popular Ted Drake in 1952, Reading spent the 1950s meandering in the Third Division.

Having spent all-bar five seasons in the third tier since their entry to the Football League in 1920, earning promotion to the Second Division from 1926 until 1931, it is where they would remain until relegation in 1970.

Drake departed for Chelsea in June 1952, having taken the club to second in the league, but Smith could only back it up with an 11th-place finish in 1952/53.

With the coronation in June 1953, the Biscuitment could not get much more mid-table than that come the royal event.

Backing it up with an eighth-place in 1953/54, the club would come no higher than fourth under Harry Johnston or Roy Bentley before being aquainted with Division Four under Jack Mansell in 1971/72.

Reading Chronicle:

Where are Reading now?

Fast-forward to present day and the Royals are at their lowest point for over 20 years as relegation to the third tier has been confirmed over Coronation weekend.

Winless in 12, the final day meeting with Huddersfield has been rendered meaningless and the side return to a league they called home for 40 successive years from 1931 until 1971.