We take on Reading at The Mem tomorrow for what will be the 84th league meeting between the sides with Rovers having won 30 of the past 83 encounters and Reading 35. Eighteen games have ended all square, while Rovers have scored 117 goals and Reading 123.
The first meetings took place in 1920/21 and on 4th December 1920 Reading were 2-1 winners at their Elm Park ground, while Rovers were 3-2 winners in the return fixture at Eastville, just a week later.
Last season’s games saw the sides draw 1-1 at The Mem, on 7th November 2023 while Reading were 2-0 winners back at their place on 9th April 2004. Earlier this season a Sam Smith goal at The Madejski Stadium saw Reading run out 1-0 winners.
As for managerial/coaching connections, Mark McGhee appeared in 45 games for Reading and managed the Berkshire outfit from 10th May 1991 – 14th December 1994 and was manager of Rovers from January until December 2012.
Jeff Hopkins, who played for both clubs, was one of four joint caretaker managers of Reading following the departure of McGhee and the quartet were in charge for just 20 days!
There’s a long list of players who have turned out for both clubs. As well as current Rovers striker Chris Martin and defender Clinton Mola, that list includes; Mikkel Andersen, David Byrne, Allan Cockram, Jamie Cureton, Keith Curle, Scott Davies, Colin Gordon, Andy Gurney, Nicky Hammond, Len Hodges, Scott Howie, Sammy Igoe, Anssi Jaakkola, Francis Joseph, David John Lee, Joe Lumley, Roy McCrohan, Mark McKeever, Johnny Petts, Nicky Platnauer, Jason Roberts, Stuart Taylor, Sam Walker and Bobby ‘Shadow’ Williams.
Among the post war Rovers players to have made their Rovers league debut against Reading are; Harry Bamford, Lance Carr, Vic Lambden, Idris Lewis, Jack Pitt, Barry Watkins, John Weare, Cliff Baker, Ken Wookey, Bill Roost, Anthony James, Phil Roberts and Carl Gilbert, Jon Hallworth, Tim Carter, Denis Bailey, Ian Hazel, Andy Gurney, Andy Thomson and Justin Richards.
Fixtures against Reading always bring back memories of our 6-0 win at The Madejski Stadium on 16th January 1999.
After a fairly even, and goalless, first half, Player Manager Ian Holloway helped his side crush their hosts after the break, watched by coach Garry Thompson who was on board for his first games as one of Holloway’s two coaches (Gary Penrice was the other).
Jamie Cureton opened the scoring in the 49th minute, added a second from the penalty spot eight minutes later, and completed his hat trick with 63 minutes on the clock. He wasn’t finished, though, and scored his, and Rovers’, fourth on 70 minutes. Jason Roberts completed the scoring with goals in the 88th and 90th minutes.
Later in their careers, Cureton and Roberts would play for Reading, while home goalkeeper Scott Howie would later play for Rovers. Former Rovers midfielder Andy Gurney, who had made his Gas debut against Reading, was making his Reading debut against Rovers, while Andy Thomson was making his Rovers debut that day!
You don’t need me to tell you that, following Monday’s home defeat by Stevenage, our league One status hangs by a thread. Let’s just hope that the team selected for this game gives us a performance to be proud of inj our final home game of the season.
It won’t be easy, as Reading, in spite of their off field problems, come to The Mem in seventh place and sit outside of the play off positions only on goal difference.
If you voted for your Player and Young Player of the Year, please remember that presentations will be made prior to kick off. In addition, Byron Anthony will be presented with his legacy cap.
We all have to lift ourselves after Monday’s performance, so let’s hear some noise for the boys tomorrow.
UTG