Today marks 14 years to the day since Reading first sealed promotion to the top flight of English football, after a 1-1 draw away at Leicester City.
Steve Coppell took his side to the Walkers Stadium knowing that a win would guarantee Reading’s first promotion to the top tier in the 135-year history of Reading FC.
Ultimately, with results elsewhere going Reading’s way – promotion would have been secured no matter the result.
Despite this, Kevin Doyle’s late leveller remains one of the most iconic goals in Reading FC’s history.
In the early stages of the game, it was the hosts who looked the more likely to score – with Marcus Hahnemann having to be at his best to deny both Ian Hume and Matty Fryatt.
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The hosts continued to exert pressure on a nervous Royals side and ultimately took the lead when Hahnemann could do little to deny Hume’s effort from just inside the area.
Leicester nearly doubled their lead before the break – when Gudjonsson hit the woodwork from a speculative free kick.
Hahnemann had to be switched on shortly afterwards after Gudjonsson tried his luck from nearly 50-yards out, forcing a stop from the American stopper.
Ultimately though, Coppell’s men stayed in the game and levelled late on.
Ivar Ingimarsson rose highest to meet a corner from midfielder James Harper, flicking it into the path of Kevin Doyle who nodded in the equaliser from close range.
Reading held on for a point and ultimately secured the earliest ever promotion to the top tier of English football.
After the game, jubilant Royals fans partied in the away end – joining the players in celebrating one of, if not the most memorable afternoons in the history of Reading Football Club.
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