Reading F.C.

Formation and gradual rise (1871–1991)

Reading were formed on 25 December 1871, following a public meeting at the Bridge Street Rooms organised by Joseph Edward Sydenham, who would go on to be club secretary. The early matches were played at Reading Recreation Ground, and later the club held fixtures at Reading Cricket Ground, Coley Recreation Ground and Caversham Cricket Ground. The switch to professionalism in 1895 resulted in the need for a bigger ground and, to this end, the club moved again, to the purpose-built Elm Park on 5 September 1896. In 1913, Reading had a successful tour of Italy, prompting the leading sports newspaper Corriere della Sera to write, "Without doubt, Reading FC are the finest foreign team seen in Italy". Attilio Fresia moved to Reading as a result of the tour, becoming the first Italian to play in English football.

Reading were elected to the Football League Third Division South of the Football League in 1920. The club were promoted to the Second Division, following a Third Division South title win in 1926. Reading's best performance in the FA Cup came in 1926–27 when they lost to eventual winners Cardiff City at Wolverhampton in the semi-final, a placement the club would not match again until 2015, when they lost to holders Arsenal in the semi-final. The attendance at the 1–0 victory over Brentford in the fifth round set a new attendance record for Elm Park, at 33,042 people. This remains the highest attendance at a Reading home match.…

League

Second Division / Championship (level 2) Champions: 2005–06, 2011–12 Third Division South / Third Division / Second Division (level 3) Champions: 1925–26, 1985–86, 1993–94 Runners-up: 2001–02 Fourth Division (level 4) Champions: 1978–79 Promoted: 1975–76, 1983–84 Cup

Full Members' Cup Winners: 1987–88 London War Cup Winners: 1941 Third Division South Cup Winners: 1938