We’ve played Reading a rather incredible 110 times including encounters in such prestigious competitions as the Division 3 South Cup and the Football League Trophy. Our first meeting was in the inaugural season of the Third Division when we lost 2-1 at Cassio Road before drawing seven days later 0-0 at Elm Park.
In all competitions we’ve won 43 games, drawn 22 and lost 45, scoring 160 goals and conceding 171, although, thanks to Nigel Bannister, officially this stat is recorded as 172. Down in Berkshire we’ve won just 9 times, drawing 10 and losing 36. Their record is equally as bad when they come to Hertfordshire.
Because we’ve met them so many times there are some truly impressive high scoring encounters. We’ve beaten them by a margin of 5 goals twice, most recently a 5-0 League Cup win in 1977. They have put 6 goals past us on three previous occasions, the last time being at Elm Park in 1964.
Back in January at the Madjeski Stadium (easily my least favourite name for a ground in the entire league, even sponsored stadiums are preferable) we went down 4-0 in temperatures of -4 on a Friday night. It was one of Judas’ real low points, probably only beaten by the Sheffield United home display. To amuse ourselves in the away end we celebrated Reading’s goals as if they were our own though this was possibly just to keep warm.
Reading’s form has been shocking, not just since Judas took over, but for the majority of the year. They rather emulated us from the previous season in their capitulation towards the end of the 08/09 campaign. Since Mr.Integrity took over things have only got worse, with last weekend’s loss to Peterborough a new low. At home they haven't won since beating Wolves 1-0 on Jan 27, the game after they put 4 past us, unless you count the League Cup victory over Burton Albion. Therefore, we really should approach this game with some hope.
I don’t think I really need to bother telling you about the connections between the clubs. Instead, could I make a couple of suggestions for chants tomorrow? “Where’s your integrity” , “You’re getting sacked in the morning”, “Loyalty, you’re having a laugh” and a loud rendition of Tommy Smith’s song would be good along with other more predictable ones. Bring it on!
