On the way back from the game - City.

[Row Z Royal]

even I was at Newcatle away that night (Tuesday in December iirc, excellent turnout too). Think I met Bigfoot in the concourse at HT that night(?). With Alan Partridge and Floyd (?).

Hazy, happy memories.

It was a Wednesday.

[Jerry St Clair]

FWIW re: H/T

Newcastle 2006 > Man City 2011

We'll win the League
At Ewood Park
We'll win the league at Ewood Park
And we'll do it for Peter Mate.
We'll win the league at Ewood Park

[St Pauli]

Still, this was a memorable day out at the end of another excellent cup run. The half time rave in the concourse will long be remembered, brilliant scenes! The players had a huddle with McD at the end before coming over to us and you’d hope hew as saying “12 more performances as resilient as this and we’ll be at Wembley anyway, lads”. Fortunately for us, we won’t be facing such expensive class again this season.

+1! The beer shower and the tribute to Armstrong were great, as was 'Brian, give us a song' to Mcermott's double and his reply with 'He's our Georgian international...'

anyone got any video of the half time frolics?

Bill Oddie followed by pints flying everywhere had me in stitches for the first ten minutes of the 2nd half, i stank of booze!

Personally i didn't think McAnuff looked fit but City's performance shows just how poor a season the Prem is.

LOLoving the FLTLR hate!

LOL completely forgot he Bill Oddie chants! Legendary!

[PEARCEY]

City fans really don't like us now. Thing is I've always liked them in the past and I'm sure they are by and large a good lot but some of their messageboard stuff is way out. They are saying how much noise there was in their North stand. Really? They were very quiet...until they scored. Fair play their fans on either side of the Reading fans made up for it and it was a good atmosphere but up until the goal they were very quiet where I was sitting in the home end. Lol at saying the Reading fans were really quiet. I could hear you loud and clear singing before the game and various chants throughout the match. What are some of them on?
Still. I hope they beat Man Utd.

[floyd__streete]

even I was at Newcatle away that night (Tuesday in December iirc, excellent turnout too). Think I met Bigfoot in the concourse at HT that night(?). With Alan Partridge and Floyd (?).

I was there. You were fortunate enough to meet me a matter of hours before I almost got myself in a fight, ended up going back to my hotel room and throwing my clothes into the bin before vomiting everywhere.

[Jerry St Clair]

even I was at Newcatle away that night (Tuesday in December iirc, excellent turnout too). Think I met Bigfoot in the concourse at HT that night(?). With Alan Partridge and Floyd (?).

I was there. You were fortunate enough to meet me a matter of hours before I almost got myself in a fight, ended up going back to my hotel room and throwing my clothes into the bin before vomiting everywhere.

Your visit is still reminisced about in the Northumberland Constabulary canteen.

[RoyalBlue]

Returning to the City game itself, I'm really surprised that there aren't a lot more positive reports/comments on this thread about the team's performance.

When the team was announced I have to say that I feared that we might be on the wrong end of a big score. Afterall, a rookie (albeit talented) keeper, a young midfielder as a stand in right back and a much older midfielder having to play at centre back. How wrong was I!

I really enjoyed the pressure City exerted because of the fantastic way that the whole team defended against it. At the same time we did look as though we could pose a real threat on the break. Kebe had them worried and McAnuff (really can't understand why he has taken so much stick over his performance) also seemed to be able to beat opponents with relative ease. As the game wore on I really began to think that we could get at least a replay and might even perform some daylight robbery to stun them towards the end. On reflection a set piece was probably the only way they were ever going to score.

When we did go a goal down and had to take the game to them, I thought we looked even better and came pretty close to equalising on a couple of occasions. On another, the ball fell to Legs in a central position no more than 25 yards out and, from where we were stood behind the goal, it looked like there was a gaping hole in the defence and a fantastic opportunity for a shot that might well have beaten Hart. Unfortunately he seemed to freeze at that point and eventually opted to pass the ball on again. If only the ball had fallen to the much maligned Howard, I'm sure he would have gone for the shot and would probably have pulled it off. I would have loved the celebrations at that point.

On Sunday, McDermott proved that he has created something that the Sheikh with all his wealth has been unable to procure - a fantastic and genuine team spirit. Every single player out there was giving his all for the rest of the team. Whenever someone got caught out or made a mistake, there was a team mate covering and able to rescue the situation. That fantastic spirit was epitomised by the recovery run (more like a sprint) that Shane Long made right back deep into his own half, towards the end of the game when City quckly counter-attacked with many of his older/slower/knackered team mates out of position. He ended up playing as a defender and held up the City progress long enough for other players to get back into position.

It's been a long time since I've been that proud of a team's performance. It was a pleasure to be able to cheer and applaud them at the end, despite the disappointment of the defeat. The support, particularly in the lower tier where we were, was something to be really proud of too. There were only a few minutes immediately after City scored that we were unable to make ourselves heard above the home fans. Apart from that, the team and City must have been fully aware of our presence.

[prostak]

You know something, you're alright when you don't mention the M word, Royalblue.

[RoyalBlue]

You know something, you're alright when you don't mention the M word, Royalblue.

Don't start me off!!

That's the difference in being a supporter of the team, as opposed to a supporter of the club aka business!

[URZZZZZZZZ]

Thought that article on the OS was a fair reflection of the day...

This was the big one, the game that everyone eagerly anticipated in the wake of our cup heroics at Goodison Park, and the one that had given many a Royals fan sleepless nights in the week preceding it. Having secured my ticket and the free coach travel, I found my attempts to take my mind off the game futile, Sunday just couldn't come quickly enough. The potential for the Royals to get to Wembley, the chance to watch our boys play against a selection of the best players in the World, and perhaps the most exciting aspect, travelling up in convoy with over 1,800 of my fellow fans.

I decided to arrive early on Sunday in an attempt to soak up the atmosphere, and deduced that if I arrived an hour before we were due to depart at 10:45am, I would be one of the first at the stadium. How wrong I was, for when I arrived the sight down Shooters Way was one of hundreds of Royals all eagerly anticipating the trip and soaking up the atmosphere that was building by the person. It was from this moment forward that I realised that regardless of what happened on the pitch from 4:45 onwards, this was going to be a memorable occasion.

As more and more of the scheduled fourty three coaches arrived from various different contractors, more and more fans began to arrive, and at 10 o'clock the first passengers boarded their coach. The inevitable yet calm surge began, and it wasn't long until a queue the length of the South Stand had formed. Everyone was eager to secure their seat, and begin their trip to Eastlands as soon as possible.

Having climbed aboard our portal for the day Coach Seven, we embarked on our 418 miles round trip to Manchester. Following an excitable first fifteen minutes, a sense of the magnitude of the trip we faced overcame the coach. I turned from my perch at the front of the coach to see several supporters getting some shut eye and the majority reclining and listening to a personal stereo system or reading a book. This should not be misconstrued as having the makings of a hotel transfer on a Saga holiday however, I feel that Number 13 was just ensuring that by kick off, it would have full energy to cheer the lads on!

The stop off on the journey was perhaps oddly a part of the trip that I was looking forward to in the days leading up to the game. Perhaps the sight of seeing thousands of fans bedecked in Reading merchandise but not at a sporting venue was a novelty that does not come about all too often. Norton Canes was the venue for the stoppage, with the Royals fans proudly displaying their colours to the slightly bewildered onlookers who had stopped off for a quiet lunch on their travels. Following the half hour stop, the as always impeccably behaved Reading fans, were on their way once again.

Within no time we had reached Manchester, and as we got closer and closer to the stadium we were attracting attention from the increasing number of City fans who were walking to the ground. After a trip of approximately four and a half hours we had our first sight of the City of Manchester Stadium. The legacy of the Commonwealth Games from nine years ago, it was a modern stadium but with a difference. The canopy styled roof and the spiralling walkways to the upper tiers were impressive features that are rarely seen at a sporting venue.

We disembarked our coach and proudly displayed our colours as we circumnavigated the stadium to soak up the atmosphere. Big screens displayed highlights from recent City games in communal areas that allowed fans the chance to rest their legs and savour victories from the recent past. We decided not to take advantage of this opportunity however, having spent the majority of the last five hours sitting down on the coach. It was clear that not only was this the home of an established Premier League club, but perhaps the home of a European super power in the making. It made me, and I'm sure the majority of the Reading fans, hungry to dine at England's top table once again in the Premier League.

We entered the stadium and collected our thoughts as the noise levels began to rise from both sets of supporters. News had got around that the ties' winner would have the unenviable task of facing City's fierce rivals Manchester United in the semi final, surely a further incentive for both teams to claim victory.

As the players entered the field of play we were greeted with City's traditional rendition of 'Blue Moon' which is synonymous with the club. It was the last we heard from City fans however as the Royals got off to a positive start and quietened our hosts. A brief stint of the City fans performing their adopted 'Poznan' dance was the only time their fans found their voices until their goal. It has to be said that our Number 13 performed just as admirably as our eleven men on the pitch.

The full time whistle blew and it just wasn't to be for Reading. One of the best rearguard displays you will see from a Royals side, and a team performance that rightfully earned the respect from pundits and fans alike. As the manager perfectly put in his post match talk to his players, "This is where we want to be", and who would write us off from gate crashing the play-offs now?

We left the stadium with our heads held high, and managed to find our coach amongst the hoards of Royals. We began our journey feeling as though we were indeed members of the Royal family, due to our police escort and disregard of the traffic lights at several interchanges. A pit stop at Warwick Services was our only stoppage on what was a clear trip back to the Madejski Stadium.

Upon arrival we were presented with one more final scene which will be etched in my mind for the foreseeable future. At 11:45 pm, just hours shy of the beginning of the working week, the sight of hundreds of Royals, defiant in the face of our cup exit. making their way to their vehicles. There was no shame in loss on the day, in fact I feel the cup run has once again galvanised the team to the extent that we can make another push for the play-offs. As we pulled away from the stadium and saw the Reading Team Coach carrying our heroes arrive, I knew there was still plenty to play for this season.

[Mr Angry]

Thought that article on the OS was a fair reflection of the day...

This was the big one, the game that everyone eagerly anticipated in the wake of our cup heroics at Goodison Park, and the one that had given many a Royals fan sleepless nights in the week preceding it. Having secured my ticket and the free coach travel, I found my attempts to take my mind off the game futile, Sunday just couldn't come quickly enough. The potential for the Royals to get to Wembley, the chance to watch our boys play against a selection of the best players in the World, and perhaps the most exciting aspect, travelling up in convoy with over 1,800 of my fellow fans.

I decided to arrive early on Sunday in an attempt to soak up the atmosphere, and deduced that if I arrived an hour before we were due to depart at 10:45am, I would be one of the first at the stadium. How wrong I was, for when I arrived the sight down Shooters Way was one of hundreds of Royals all eagerly anticipating the trip and soaking up the atmosphere that was building by the person. It was from this moment forward that I realised that regardless of what happened on the pitch from 4:45 onwards, this was going to be a memorable occasion.

As more and more of the scheduled fourty three coaches arrived from various different contractors, more and more fans began to arrive, and at 10 o'clock the first passengers boarded their coach. The inevitable yet calm surge began, and it wasn't long until a queue the length of the South Stand had formed. Everyone was eager to secure their seat, and begin their trip to Eastlands as soon as possible.

Having climbed aboard our portal for the day Coach Seven, we embarked on our 418 miles round trip to Manchester. Following an excitable first fifteen minutes, a sense of the magnitude of the trip we faced overcame the coach. I turned from my perch at the front of the coach to see several supporters getting some shut eye and the majority reclining and listening to a personal stereo system or reading a book. This should not be misconstrued as having the makings of a hotel transfer on a Saga holiday however, I feel that Number 13 was just ensuring that by kick off, it would have full energy to cheer the lads on!

The stop off on the journey was perhaps oddly a part of the trip that I was looking forward to in the days leading up to the game. Perhaps the sight of seeing thousands of fans bedecked in Reading merchandise but not at a sporting venue was a novelty that does not come about all too often. Norton Canes was the venue for the stoppage, with the Royals fans proudly displaying their colours to the slightly bewildered onlookers who had stopped off for a quiet lunch on their travels. Following the half hour stop, the as always impeccably behaved Reading fans, were on their way once again.

Within no time we had reached Manchester, and as we got closer and closer to the stadium we were attracting attention from the increasing number of City fans who were walking to the ground. After a trip of approximately four and a half hours we had our first sight of the City of Manchester Stadium. The legacy of the Commonwealth Games from nine years ago, it was a modern stadium but with a difference. The canopy styled roof and the spiralling walkways to the upper tiers were impressive features that are rarely seen at a sporting venue.

We disembarked our coach and proudly displayed our colours as we circumnavigated the stadium to soak up the atmosphere. Big screens displayed highlights from recent City games in communal areas that allowed fans the chance to rest their legs and savour victories from the recent past. We decided not to take advantage of this opportunity however, having spent the majority of the last five hours sitting down on the coach. It was clear that not only was this the home of an established Premier League club, but perhaps the home of a European super power in the making. It made me, and I'm sure the majority of the Reading fans, hungry to dine at England's top table once again in the Premier League.

We entered the stadium and collected our thoughts as the noise levels began to rise from both sets of supporters. News had got around that the ties' winner would have the unenviable task of facing City's fierce rivals Manchester United in the semi final, surely a further incentive for both teams to claim victory.

As the players entered the field of play we were greeted with City's traditional rendition of 'Blue Moon' which is synonymous with the club. It was the last we heard from City fans however as the Royals got off to a positive start and quietened our hosts. A brief stint of the City fans performing their adopted 'Poznan' dance was the only time their fans found their voices until their goal. It has to be said that our Number 13 performed just as admirably as our eleven men on the pitch.

The full time whistle blew and it just wasn't to be for Reading. One of the best rearguard displays you will see from a Royals side, and a team performance that rightfully earned the respect from pundits and fans alike. As the manager perfectly put in his post match talk to his players, "This is where we want to be", and who would write us off from gate crashing the play-offs now?

We left the stadium with our heads held high, and managed to find our coach amongst the hoards of Royals. We began our journey feeling as though we were indeed members of the Royal family, due to our police escort and disregard of the traffic lights at several interchanges. A pit stop at Warwick Services was our only stoppage on what was a clear trip back to the Madejski Stadium.

Upon arrival we were presented with one more final scene which will be etched in my mind for the foreseeable future. At 11:45 pm, just hours shy of the beginning of the working week, the sight of hundreds of Royals, defiant in the face of our cup exit. making their way to their vehicles. There was no shame in loss on the day, in fact I feel the cup run has once again galvanised the team to the extent that we can make another push for the play-offs. As we pulled away from the stadium and saw the Reading Team Coach carrying our heroes arrive, I knew there was still plenty to play for this season.

How many cliches are in that article!! I counted 4 in the first sentence.

[RoyalJames101]

+1 made my day and a video of the whole thing was taken.

Hurry up and upload this

[SLAMMED]

Are you all still on the way back from the game?

[Alan Partridge]

even I was at Newcatle away that night (Tuesday in December iirc, excellent turnout too). Think I met Bigfoot in the concourse at HT that night(?). With Alan Partridge and Floyd (?).

I was there. You were fortunate enough to meet me a matter of hours before I almost got myself in a fight, ended up going back to my hotel room and throwing my clothes into the bin before vomiting everywhere.

'Excuse me mate but you are the loudest person we've had in this stadium'

That was a good night, 'No drinks on the dancefloor'

[readingbedding]

It made me, and I'm sure the majority of the Reading fans, hungry to dine at England's top table once again in the Premier League.

phucking hell...

[Jerry St Clair]

That was a good night, 'No drinks on the dancefloor'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmkW4gV-rNI

[Big Foot]

even I was at Newcatle away that night (Tuesday in December iirc, excellent turnout too). Think I met Bigfoot in the concourse at HT that night(?). With Alan Partridge and Floyd (?).

Hazy, happy memories.

I was there and may or may not have met you. Afraid a day's drinking in Newcastle + being 17 at the time = not a crystal clear recollection.

[Big Foot]

FWIW re: H/T

Newcastle 2006 > Man City 2011

We'll win the League
At Ewood Park
We'll win the league at Ewood Park
And we'll do it for Peter Mate.
We'll win the league at Ewood Park

Show me the way to Barcelona...

[FLTLR]

Still have a lot of dislike for Peter Mate after he badmouthed me in Hope Tap on a Friday evening prior to whoever Reading were playing the following day at Madejski Stadium. Sorry mate, you're the professional footballer, I'm not. It's that simple fella.

[Big Foot]

On Page 2...

I hate FLTLR.

Thoughts?