Favourite Reading game?

[South Coast Royal]

Crossing over from the thread about that Plymouth game 40 years ago (and I think we may have done this before but it is the time of year for reminiscing and when we haven't been doing so well lately it seems right to remember the good times) what is your favourite?

There have been quite a few but Tranmere 1 Reading 3 was the one for me in 1995.
Not only did it set up the Bolton game at Wembley but also made us believe that we might even make it to the top level of English football, something that many of us brought up on mainly 3rd division football could never imagine happening.

Not only was it a significant game but the performance on the day was just outstanding.
Tranmere playing at home would have been slight favourites but they were hardly in it as Reading played such free-flowing football and might even have scored more.
With two smallish strikers there was never a thought of hoofball as the ball moved along the ground between midfielders and strikers and the defenders gave the ball to midfielders rather than launch anything into no-man's land; it was FSB football at its best even if he had left by then.

The locals didn't object to us parking across their driveway and they wished us well after the game-the wheels remained on the car and we drove to Warrington and listened to the later stages of Man Utd failing to beat West Ham meaning that Blackburn became champions despite losing at Anfield.
A great day shared with my brother and daughter and the drive back down to Bournemouth seemed to take no time at all-I think we possibly had celebratory fish and chips in Reading when I dropped my brother off but I might be imagining that because IIRC it was a Sunday and the shop might well not have been open in those days

8-0 v Southport, 5-7 v Arsenal, 6-0 v West Ham, 3-2 v 'Boro etc. but the Tranmere game is the one for me.

[Millsy]

Wolves 2-1
1-0 down, southbank silent. My lads let rip with "F**k off Mark McGhee" chant that catches onto a deafening chorus from what seemed like the entire Southbank. Then Archie happened.

Closely followed by

Bolton 3-2
...beating Bolton with JQ in goal. Immature cocky teenagers we were, but we goaded the **** out of some very angry northeners that day, in return for them doing the same at Wembley earlier.

Happy days.

[Tinpot Royal]

Wolves 2-1
1-0 down, southbank silent. My lads let rip with "F**k off Mark McGhee" chant that catches onto a deafening chorus from what seemed like the entire Southbank. Then Archie happened.

This, close the thread!

[Sutekh]

Doing Middlesbrough 3-2 after looking utter pants for half an hour was rather good.

Most games v WBA at home too.

Sockgate.

[Snowflake Royal]

The three games above, plus the 3-0 vs Wolves the previous year with that Quinn goal.

[windermereROYAL]

Reading 3 Liverpool 1 Reading 3 Spurs 1 Reading 6 West Ham 0

[windermereROYAL]

Crossing over from the thread about that Plymouth game 40 years ago (and I think we may have done this before but it is the time of year for reminiscing and when we haven't been doing so well lately it seems right to remember the good times) what is your favourite?

There have been quite a few but Tranmere 1 Reading 3 was the one for me in 1995.
Not only did it set up the Bolton game at Wembley but also made us believe that we might even make it to the top level of English football, something that many of us brought up on mainly 3rd division football could never imagine happening.

Not only was it a significant game but the performance on the day was just outstanding.
Tranmere playing at home would have been slight favourites but they were hardly in it as Reading played such free-flowing football and might even have scored more.
With two smallish strikers there was never a thought of hoofball as the ball moved along the ground between midfielders and strikers and the defenders gave the ball to midfielders rather than launch anything into no-man's land; it was FSB football at its best even if he had left by then.

The locals didn't object to us parking across their driveway and they wished us well after the game-the wheels remained on the car and we drove to Warrington and listened to the later stages of Man Utd failing to beat West Ham meaning that Blackburn became champions despite losing at Anfield.
A great day shared with my brother and daughter and the drive back down to Bournemouth seemed to take no time at all-I think we possibly had celebratory fish and chips in Reading when I dropped my brother off but I might be imagining that because IIRC it was a Sunday and the shop might well not have been open in those days

8-0 v Southport, 5-7 v Arsenal, 6-0 v West Ham, 3-2 v 'Boro etc. but the Tranmere game is the one for me.

Why would a 5-7 defeat after leading 4-0 be a favourite?

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Crossing over from the thread about that Plymouth game 40 years ago (and I think we may have done this before but it is the time of year for reminiscing and when we haven't been doing so well lately it seems right to remember the good times) what is your favourite?

There have been quite a few but Tranmere 1 Reading 3 was the one for me in 1995.
Not only did it set up the Bolton game at Wembley but also made us believe that we might even make it to the top level of English football, something that many of us brought up on mainly 3rd division football could never imagine happening.

Not only was it a significant game but the performance on the day was just outstanding.
Tranmere playing at home would have been slight favourites but they were hardly in it as Reading played such free-flowing football and might even have scored more.
With two smallish strikers there was never a thought of hoofball as the ball moved along the ground between midfielders and strikers and the defenders gave the ball to midfielders rather than launch anything into no-man's land; it was FSB football at its best even if he had left by then.

The locals didn't object to us parking across their driveway and they wished us well after the game-the wheels remained on the car and we drove to Warrington and listened to the later stages of Man Utd failing to beat West Ham meaning that Blackburn became champions despite losing at Anfield.
A great day shared with my brother and daughter and the drive back down to Bournemouth seemed to take no time at all-I think we possibly had celebratory fish and chips in Reading when I dropped my brother off but I might be imagining that because IIRC it was a Sunday and the shop might well not have been open in those days

8-0 v Southport, 5-7 v Arsenal, 6-0 v West Ham, 3-2 v 'Boro etc. but the Tranmere game is the one for me.

I agree on Tranmere, certainly best away performance I've seen; they had the best home record in the league (20 or so wins out of 23) but as above we were just outstanding that day. .and yes also remember listening to Man U messing up the prem league on the radio on the way back....think that was the game when Ferguson accused West Ham of "trying too hard".

The 4-0 at Blackpool the previous season was also memorable although not the pressure of a play off game.

[Sutekh]

Crossing over from the thread about that Plymouth game 40 years ago (and I think we may have done this before but it is the time of year for reminiscing and when we haven't been doing so well lately it seems right to remember the good times) what is your favourite?

There have been quite a few but Tranmere 1 Reading 3 was the one for me in 1995.
Not only did it set up the Bolton game at Wembley but also made us believe that we might even make it to the top level of English football, something that many of us brought up on mainly 3rd division football could never imagine happening.

Not only was it a significant game but the performance on the day was just outstanding.
Tranmere playing at home would have been slight favourites but they were hardly in it as Reading played such free-flowing football and might even have scored more.
With two smallish strikers there was never a thought of hoofball as the ball moved along the ground between midfielders and strikers and the defenders gave the ball to midfielders rather than launch anything into no-man's land; it was FSB football at its best even if he had left by then.

The locals didn't object to us parking across their driveway and they wished us well after the game-the wheels remained on the car and we drove to Warrington and listened to the later stages of Man Utd failing to beat West Ham meaning that Blackburn became champions despite losing at Anfield.
A great day shared with my brother and daughter and the drive back down to Bournemouth seemed to take no time at all-I think we possibly had celebratory fish and chips in Reading when I dropped my brother off but I might be imagining that because IIRC it was a Sunday and the shop might well not have been open in those days

8-0 v Southport, 5-7 v Arsenal, 6-0 v West Ham, 3-2 v 'Boro etc. but the Tranmere game is the one for me.

Why would a 5-7 defeat after leading 4-0 be a favourite?

Closet Arsenal fan

[windermereROYAL]

Crossing over from the thread about that Plymouth game 40 years ago (and I think we may have done this before but it is the time of year for reminiscing and when we haven't been doing so well lately it seems right to remember the good times) what is your favourite?

There have been quite a few but Tranmere 1 Reading 3 was the one for me in 1995.
Not only did it set up the Bolton game at Wembley but also made us believe that we might even make it to the top level of English football, something that many of us brought up on mainly 3rd division football could never imagine happening.

Not only was it a significant game but the performance on the day was just outstanding.
Tranmere playing at home would have been slight favourites but they were hardly in it as Reading played such free-flowing football and might even have scored more.
With two smallish strikers there was never a thought of hoofball as the ball moved along the ground between midfielders and strikers and the defenders gave the ball to midfielders rather than launch anything into no-man's land; it was FSB football at its best even if he had left by then.

The locals didn't object to us parking across their driveway and they wished us well after the game-the wheels remained on the car and we drove to Warrington and listened to the later stages of Man Utd failing to beat West Ham meaning that Blackburn became champions despite losing at Anfield.
A great day shared with my brother and daughter and the drive back down to Bournemouth seemed to take no time at all-I think we possibly had celebratory fish and chips in Reading when I dropped my brother off but I might be imagining that because IIRC it was a Sunday and the shop might well not have been open in those days

8-0 v Southport, 5-7 v Arsenal, 6-0 v West Ham, 3-2 v 'Boro etc. but the Tranmere game is the one for me.

Why would a 5-7 defeat after leading 4-0 be a favourite?

Closet Arsenal fan

So am I but getting beat by them all the time still hurts. especially the semi, if we`d beaten them we sure as hell would have beaten Villa in the final.

[Dirk Gently]

Beating Palace 3-2 in the first half of the 106 season.

Doyle 26, Lita 68, Sonko 87.
Johnson 29, Morrison 47.

Simply a game that had everything - you were literally afraid to take your eyes off it for a second because there was so much going on. 1-o0 up then 2-1 down, Doyle's missed penalty, Lita's overhead kick and a winning bullet-header from Sonko 3 minutes from time.

[grey_squirrel]

Reading 0 Arsenal 2
Fred May Testimonial 2/10/74. My first game

Reading 5 Tranmere 0
Robin. Enough said!

Reading 7 Barnsley 0
Sat 2 rows in front of Michael Parkinson

Reading 4 Plymouth 3

Reading 4 Luton 1
How can anyone omit this one!

Reading 2 Bolton 1
21/4/1995

Tranmere 1 Reading 3
14/5/1995

Reading 2 Wigan 1
16/5/2001 L2 P/O Semi. Never felt or heard the MadStad shake like that ever!

Reading 3 Middlesbrough 2
First Prem game

Reading 6 West Ham 0

Probably more but off the top of my head

[Esteban]

The Simod Cup semi-final vs Coventry

Reading 3-3 Forest (a brilliant come back from 3-1 down and that Steve Stone miss)

Tranmere 1-3 Reading in the play-off semi-final

Reading 1-0 Brentford (a random Saturday afternoon game, Ady Williams scored with a bullet header from a corner. Felt like we were turning things around post Burns though, so sticks in the memory)

Brentford 1-1 Reading (Promotion!)

Reading 2-1 Sheff U (Gunnarsson's headed winner at the end - superb)

Liverpool 1-2 Reading in the FA Cup

[South Coast Royal]

Crossing over from the thread about that Plymouth game 40 years ago (and I think we may have done this before but it is the time of year for reminiscing and when we haven't been doing so well lately it seems right to remember the good times) what is your favourite?

There have been quite a few but Tranmere 1 Reading 3 was the one for me in 1995.
Not only did it set up the Bolton game at Wembley but also made us believe that we might even make it to the top level of English football, something that many of us brought up on mainly 3rd division football could never imagine happening.

Not only was it a significant game but the performance on the day was just outstanding.
Tranmere playing at home would have been slight favourites but they were hardly in it as Reading played such free-flowing football and might even have scored more.
With two smallish strikers there was never a thought of hoofball as the ball moved along the ground between midfielders and strikers and the defenders gave the ball to midfielders rather than launch anything into no-man's land; it was FSB football at its best even if he had left by then.

The locals didn't object to us parking across their driveway and they wished us well after the game-the wheels remained on the car and we drove to Warrington and listened to the later stages of Man Utd failing to beat West Ham meaning that Blackburn became champions despite losing at Anfield.
A great day shared with my brother and daughter and the drive back down to Bournemouth seemed to take no time at all-I think we possibly had celebratory fish and chips in Reading when I dropped my brother off but I might be imagining that because IIRC it was a Sunday and the shop might well not have been open in those days

8-0 v Southport, 5-7 v Arsenal, 6-0 v West Ham, 3-2 v 'Boro etc. but the Tranmere game is the one for me.

Why would a 5-7 defeat after leading 4-0 be a favourite?

I put that one in because to score so many against Arsenal was exceptional bearing in mind how badly we have done against them over the years.
It still gripes that the ref didn't send off their centre-back, as he should have done as we would have won.

Having said that, the cup game at Highbury before promotion where we lost 3-0 was a good performance and showed that at that time we were a team on the up.

Two other top performances that I have dragged up from the depths of memory:-

1964 Top division side Fulham 1 Div 3 Reading 3
1967Top division side Arsenal 1 Div 3 Reading 0
Those were both League Cup games when the top sides still put out their first team.
The Arsenal game we were cheated by the ref once more but for that Fulham game we were just so good on the night against Bobby Robson, Johnny Haynes & co.

Lastly from me that week when we won away at Brighton and then away at Southampton was a bit special on our way to the Premier League again.

[mikey_1871]

Has to be the 2-1 Wigan playoff semi for me! What a noise!

[Armadillo Roadkill]

Derby County 1 Reading 2 14th February 2015 FA Cup Fifth round.

A34 closed. M1 closed. Ended up driving up the A1 and A14. Took 5 hours. Never thought we'd get there in time - it just seemed impossible. With fifteen minutes to go we're still on the A52 - Brian Clough Way. Ran from the car park. Got into the ground with two minutes to kick-off. My son missed out on a match day McDonalds. It was a Valentine's Day miracle.

Derby started like peak period Barcelona - the first fifteen minutes we feared a blood-bath.

Reading start to create chances.

Stephen Warnock correctly sent off for a second yellow on his debut.

Denied a 100% certain penalty.

Hal Robson-Kanu scores with a beautiful curled finish.

Jessie Lingaard scuffs his shot which bounces off Darren Bent to make it 1-1.

Pogrebnyak denied at point blank range.

With 8 minutes to go, HRK puts Yakubu through, who takes one touch to reache the edge of the area, and with his second touch slides it into the net.

The ultimate FA Cup away day.

[Snowflake Royal]

The 95 PO Final was an epic game where I fell in love with football. Bit of a heartbreaker though.

[Snowball]

My history only starts at 2006 but I think my favourite game was Liverpool 1-2 in the FA cup replay: brilliant Gunnarson? nutmeg, then cross for Shane to score the winner.

What was the game where McAnuff dribbled the length of the pitch but didn't score?

SockGate!!!! ( I LOVED Jimmy Kebe)

[John Smith]

Nottingham Forest 3-4 Reading - 9th April 2011

End to end, the lead chopping and changing, then Si Church with an injury time winner. Sunny day on the river too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kls4AqEOciQ

[AthleticoSpizz]

My history only starts at 2006 but I think my favourite game was Liverpool 1-2 in the FA cup replay: brilliant Gunnarson? nutmeg, then cross for Shane to score the winner.

What was the game where McAnuff dribbled the length of the pitch but didn't score?

the same game iirc