Goal From Lane Earns First League Win

30 August 2025
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Paddy Lane swept home the only goal of a scrappy game to secure Reading's first league victory of the season against a Vale side also seeking their first win of the season. Lane had a steady game playing wide on the right, but mid-way through the second half produced a moment of true quality. Drifting inside, he found the top corner with his left foot from the edge of the box leaving Vale 'keeper Gauci rooted to the spot. It was a superb strike by the Royals new signing, which demonstrated he possesses a valuable asset, particularly for a wide player, the ability to strike the ball well with either foot.

The opening phase of the game was particularly scrappy, littered with misplaced passes by two sides still struggling to embrace the challenge of adjusting to an influx of new signings. Ahmed was getting forward to good effect. His persistence and direct running were causing the Vale defence problems. He delivered a couple of good crosses which might have produced an early goal. The first fizzed across the six-yard box eluding outstretched legs, and the second was wasted when O'Mahony tried to hit across the line of flight of the ball and missed the ball completely. A better option would have been, given the distance from goal and the pace of the cross, to attempt to deflect the ball past Gauci. Read More...
MATCH REPORT: Reading 1 Port Vale 0

The Greatest (and Worst) January Signings in Reading History

28 August 2025
By Hob Nob Anyone?

The January transfer window is always a gamble. For Reading FC, it’s brought in everything from game-changing additions to signings we’d all rather forget. With budgets tight and pressure high, January deals can be a turning point—or a total misfire.

Over the years, some winter arrivals have slotted in and instantly lifted the team. Others showed promise but faded fast. And a few… well, you’d be forgiven for thinking they never arrived at all. Just as fans place the odd football bet on a last-minute signing turning into a saviour, so too do clubs hedge their season’s hopes on a bit of mid-season magic.

So who makes the cut on both ends of the spectrum? Let’s take a look.

Hits that Made a Difference

Dave Kitson (2003)

One of the best bits of business Reading ever pulled off in January. Signed from Cambridge United for around £150,000, Kitson quickly became a fan favourite with his intelligent play and knack for goals. His contributions were key in Reading’s 2005–06 Championship-winning season, and he went on to score over 50 goals for the club.

Kitson was the classic lower-league gamble that paid off in full. Smart scouting, low risk, high reward—and proof that January doesn’t always mean panic buys.

Kevin Doyle (2005)

Technically a summer agreement but officially finalised in January, Doyle arrived for a reported £78,000 from Cork City. What followed was one of the most cost-effective signings in the club’s history. Doyle’s energy, goals, and tireless pressing helped define the Steve Coppell era, particularly during the club’s record-breaking promotion season.

He brought a Premier League work rate with Championship humility. Every fan knew he gave 100%, every week.

Michael Hector (Loan – 2014)

Though his best spell came slightly later, Hector’s arrival in January 2014 helped to shore up a shaky defence and gave Reading some much-needed stability. After returning from a loan spell, he slotted into the first team and became one of the more consistent performers in an otherwise forgettable campaign.

His form would eventually earn him a big-money move to Chelsea, showing that January can also serve as a launchpad for players with something to prove.

Misses We’d Rather Forget

Emerse Faé (2008)

There was hope around Faé’s arrival from Nantes. A versatile midfielder with international pedigree, he looked the part on paper. But his time at Reading was cut short by illness, form issues, and off-field concerns. He played only a handful of matches and left fans wondering what might have been.

He wasn’t a disaster—but certainly a letdown.

Royston Drenthe (2014)

By the time Drenthe landed at Reading, his best days were behind him. Signed to inject creativity and flair, he delivered little more than frustration and flicks in non-threatening areas. While his ability was never in doubt, the attitude and consistency simply weren’t there.

On paper, he brought a touch of glamour. In practice, it felt like we were always waiting for him to show up.

Jure Travner (2015)

Yes, he did exist. The Slovenian left-back signed in January 2015 but made zero league appearances. His time at the club remains a mystery to many fans—a name you might see on a squad list and wonder, “Was that a Football Manager regen?”

It’s hard to rate someone who never played, but that in itself tells you enough.

Final Thoughts

January will always be a tricky window. There’s rarely time to bed players in, and the market often feels like a race against the clock. But sometimes, a well-judged move can spark a run of form, steady the ship, or even win promotion.

Reading’s January record is a mixed bag, but it’s produced enough highs to keep us hopeful each time it rolls around. Whether it’s a bargain from the lower leagues or a Premier League castoff looking for redemption, the next hidden gem—or costly misfire—might just be one deadline day away.

Let’s just hope it’s more Kitson than Travner.

Royals Through To League Cup Third Round

26 August 2025
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading eased their way into round three of the Carabao Cup with a solid performance against a determined Wimbledon side. A superb strike from Liam Fraser gave Reading the lead midway through the first half, but the lead only lasted minutes when slack defending following a corner allowed Beigel to head home unchallenged from close range at the far post. An even contest was settled when Reading scored the crucial second goal with a slick counter-attack twenty minutes from the end. Doyle turned sharply on the halfway line to lose his marker and made a typically penetrating run at the Dons defence before slipping a well-timed pass out wide to Garcia. Garcia drilled in a perfect ball across the box for second half substitute to calmly beat Wimbledon 'keeper McDonnell.
MATCH REPORT: Reading 2 AFC Wimbledon 1

Doyle In After Knibbs Departure

05 August 2025
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have completed the loan signing of Kamari Doyle from Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion. The arrival of Doyle on a season long loan follows the departure of Harvey Knibbs last week.

Doyle is a 20 year old midfielder who comes to Reading looking for regular game time. He came through the youth set-up at Southampton and made his Premier League debut at the end of the 2022/2023 season, coming on as a late substitute in a 3-1 away defeat against his current club. After failing to make another league appearance he left for Brighton in January 2024 but failed to play for his parent club and instead has spent loan spells at Exeter City and Crawley. Last season he impressed at both clubs in League One. After being a regular for Exeter, and scoring 4 goals, he joined Crawley directly from Exeter when his loan expired and made a further 21 league appearances scoring seven times. Doyle looks a great prospect and comes at a time where Reading's squad was looking thin after recent departures and the opening 0-2 League defeat at Lincoln City on Saturday.

The news follows the disappointment of Harvey Knibb's departure to Charlton Athletic just as the new League season was set to kick-off. Knibb's was a huge player for Reading, always guaranteed in the starting eleven, and will certainly be missed. Knibbs moves up a division to further his career and clearly get a much improved contract above what the Royals could offer. Knibbs joined Reading in the summer of 2023 and went on to make 100 appearances in all competitions, including 85 league starts. Knibbs was both creator and scorer - finding the net 32 times.

Last week the Royals also confirmed the the signing of Paddy Lane, who made his debut off the bench on Saturday at Lincoln. Lane joins Reading on a three year contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2028. The 24 year old wide player has previously played for Hyde, Farsley, Fleetwood and Portsmouth.

Reading Start Season With Defeat At Lincoln

02 August 2025
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading started the new 2025/2026 League One season with a disappointing 0-2 away defeat at Lincoln City:

Fan Opinion: Lincoln 2 Reading 0 - Read More