If 1992 was an annus horribilis for our late monarch Queen Elizabeth II back- 2023 will certainly go down as one for Reading Football Club.

Suffering relegation to the third tier for the first time in over 20 years, an FA Cup exit at the hands of a non-league side and not to mention the off-field shenanigans that come with being run into the ground by a negligent owner.

But with a New Year dawns new hope. A hope for a better future, and most certainly a better year to look forward to.

Take a look below at five things that could happen for Reading Football Club in 2024.

Reading Chronicle:

1. Another relegation, or the great escape?

Unfortunately, it can't all be positive. Sat adrift in the League One relegation zone, the plausibility of a back-to-back relegation cannot be written off, and a trip to the fourth tier for the first time in over 40 years. With half a season still to play, there is still every chance that Ruben Selles' side can claw their way back out of the red and into the black, but form will need to considerably improve as we enter the final bend.

Reading Chronicle:

2. A Wembley trip

Something Reading supporters have been spoilt with in the last 20 years, the Royals have made three trips to the New Wembley since opening in 2008.

Unsuccessful in all cases, this does not always have to be the case. Now out of the League Cup and the FA Cup, all eyes turn to the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and a tie with Brighton and Hove Albion Under-21s later this month.

Reading's only Wembley win, the 1988 Simod Cup final, came at a time where the club were struggling in the league and were ultimately relegated. Luton Town lifted the EFL Trophy back in 2009, the same year they were relegated out of the Football League altogether. 

It has been a miserable few years, but 30,000 Royals watching the team lift a trophy at the national stadium would be light relief from the day-to-day struggles.

Reading Chronicle:

3. Oxford United away

For the first time since 2001, Reading are in the same division as one of their rivals.

Heading towards the likes of Swindon Town (and god forbid, Aldershot Town), Oxford are challenging to move further away from the Royals and into the Championship.

Nearly 15,000 turned out for the first Thames Valley Derby for 19 years (22 years in the league) as the spoils were shared.

In February, it is the turn of Reading fans to travel to Blackbird Leys and the Kassam Stadium for what promises to be a feisty afternoon of local sporting action.

4. Another Purple Turtle party

One of the highlights of the season, and this took place before the season had even begun, hundreds crammed into the iconic town centre venue for a pre-season get-together.

Joined by Ruben Neves (I mean, Selles!), his coaching staff and the Amazons, it was all topped off with the launch of the third kit, in celebration of the town's most loved bar.

A chance for like-minded supporters to get together, have a few drinks and forget the woes of the club for a few hours, it was much needed and was a roaring success.

Reading Chronicle:

5. A new owner

The biggest item on everyone's wish list this Christmas, unfortunately not even Santa Claus himself has any say over whether the Chinese businessman Dai Yongge decides to play ball and walk away from the club.

Running it into the ground, he has almost single-handedly taken the club from the brink of the Premier League to the brink of League Two in seven years, picking up embargoes, points deductions and winding-up petitions along the way.

Whatever the fate of the on-field side, losing Yongge in 2024 would make it a successful year.