The 150th anniversary season was not the fun-filled rollercoaster we were all hoping for but that does not mean it was without its moments.

Join us for the next 10 days as we reccount the season, month-by-month, in which the supporters have endured enough ups and downs to last a lifetime.

 

December

What is supposed to be the season of goodwill, and usually a festival of football, turned out to be a very damp squib for Reading fans this Christmastime. The Royals backed up the 2-3 win over Swansea City with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Hull City on the opening weekend of the month.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

A game devoid of any quality, Tom Holmes popped up in first half stoppage time to score an overhead kick and give his boyhood club the lead. It took just five minutes after the restart for the Tigers to level the scores when a long punt forward hit the heels of Dejan Tetek and Malik Wilks fired a strike low past Luke Southwood.

A trip to the Hawthorns followed and an overall low-key affair was settled by a Callum Robinson finish on the hour mark. The game was marred by a Covid-19 outbreak as four Baggies players tested positive, however the EFL deemed the game able to go ahead. This proved potentially costly as Reading had their own outbreak in the week following, forcing three matches to be postponed- although a rumoured Christmas party trip to Manchester certainly got tongues wagging.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

The game against Luton Town had been scheduled next, and more than 24,000 tickets had been sold as it was chosen to be the celebratory 150th anniversary match. The visit of the Hatters and league leaders Fulham, as well as the trip to Peterborough United, were all postponed and rearranged for a date in the New Year.

By the time another match day would come around the club would have as many as three games in hand on some around the, yet they still ended the year in 21st and three points clear of relegation.

 

Join us tomorrow for the nadir, January.