Reading FC fans evaluate rivalry with opponent Swindon Town

I won't finish the song often heard sung in Reading away ends up and down the country, but it is certainly not complimentary to tonight's opponents Swindon Town.

The Robins visit Berkshire, along with over 1,000 travelling fans, for what is the first competitive meeting between the sides since 2002.

One of the three clubs often referred to as a rival, along with Oxford United and Aldershot, talk has turned to the level of animosity between the clubs ahead of the EFL Trophy clash.

From hatred to not thought about at all, and plenty in-between, we asked Reading fans what they thought of Michael Flynn's Swindon.

Can’t you dislike them equally?

— EPR (@ElmParkRoyals) October 9, 2023

Both hate each other more than us, but I’ve always disliked Swindon more for no other reason than I think Oxford is a nice city.

— Greg Double (@Dubstep1988) October 9, 2023

Honestly, for me personally I've never viewed either as Rivals, We've never played Swindon in my Lifetime and We've only played Oxford twice in my Life

I've never really seen it as a rivalry because I've just never seen it at all really

Always felt we were a Rival-less club pic.twitter.com/lj2OhV57hV

— Maze (@CMaze26) October 9, 2023

I reckon this depends on your vintage as a Reading fan - as someone from the mid '80's when Oxford United were in the big league and Swindon weren't really talked about - the big rivals were Aldershot, I recall the "you're so loud you sound like Aldershot" chant as a youngster

— Fab (@fallum) October 9, 2023

Oxford dislike us, Swindon don't care. Both hate eachother more. On balance and with the league being how it is this season it has to be Oxford.

— Chaz (@Chaz_Reynolds) October 9, 2023

Actually Aldershot were more of a rival than either of them. Oxford and Swindon see each other as local rivals, but not Reading.

— Paolo (@Skeptichead) October 9, 2023

When I started watching the Royals it was Oxford and I still consider them to be the bigger rivals. I know people who support Swindon and they don't consider Reading as rivals at all.

— Rob Molloy (@Dobchecks) October 9, 2023

Neither. We don’t have any local rivals and that’s fine, we don’t have to attempt to create a rivalry.

— Matt Jones (@Matt__Jones) October 9, 2023

There is only one answer to this question: Aldersh*t.

— ajb1871 (@RDG1871) October 9, 2023