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Reading rivals earn first Championship return in 25 years with Bolton victory
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Reading's local rivals Oxford United are going to be playing in a division higher than the Royals for the first time in a quarter of a century after the U's won the League One play-off final. Des Buckingham's side cruised to a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with former Reading triallist John Murphy netting twice. Oxford, who drew 1-1 with Reading in both Thames Valley Derby's this season, were last in the second tier back in 1998/99, finishing 23rd. This was the last time the U's were in a division higher than Reading, who ended the 20th century 11th in the third tier.
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Reading youngster banishes Wembley nightmare by leading Crawley to promotion
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Reading youngster Liam Kelly banished his Wembley curse by leading Crawley Town to promotion into League One. The 28-year-old played nearly 100 times for the Royals and starred in the 2017 Championship play-off final under Jaap Stam, scoring his penalty in the shootout but ultimately losing out to Huddersfield Town. Relegated out of the EFL with Rochdale next season, the Republic of Ireland youth star has been a shining light for Crawley this season, scoring in the play-off semi final win over MK Dons and earning Man of the Match.
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Reading Review of the Season: April sees safety confirmed at a canter
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April proved another hectic month, with six fixtures, but supporters enjoyed being able to focus purely on the football with former CEO Nigel Howe heading up the ongoing ‘exclusive negotiations’ for a takeover. Bolton Wanderers inflicted a heavy defeat on Reading on Easter Monday, beating the defence at will and looking every bit a Championship team in a 5-2 victory. Lincoln City, chasing down the play-offs on the back of a 13-game winning streak, visited the SCL Stadium for the first time and were fortunate to walk away with a point in what was an impressive Reading performance. Freddie Draper put the Imps ahead late on, against the run of play, but Tyler Bindon rose highest to head an equaliser and keep the points tally ticking towards safety. Safety was all-but assured following an emotional 2-0 win over Bristol Rove
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Reading defender nominated for Player of the Season ahead of play-off semi-final
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Reading defender Michael Stickland has been nominated for PL2 Player of the Season as the Royals look for play-off glory. 20-year-old Stickland captains Noel Hunt's Under-21s, having lifted the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup and preparing for Monday's semi-final tie with Sunderland. The winner will visit either Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
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Reading Review of the Season: March brings crucial victories at the bottom
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After being hit with the two point deduction at the end of February, nobody could have complained had the players downed tools and accepted their fate of relegation to League Two. But the staff, players and supporters aren’t like that at Reading. It was a fresh challenge, and one taken head on. More than 1,400 supporters made the mammoth trip to Carlisle for the first match of the month, with Carlisle boss Paul Simpson’s words still ringing in their ears. ‘It’s not everyone who has broken the rules, they have,’ said the former Oxford United favourite, admitting to mind games in his post-match comments.
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Dave Kitson Column: The challenges of being a parent
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I’m a parent, so I know how demanding parenting can be. I am full of admiration for anyone who has to juggle working and looking after children, for example. Yes, we want the best for our children, but parenting is not without its challenges. Including cost. My own children are growing up fast and, since I started coaching last year, I’ve seen less of them. I’ve really enjoyed the one-to-one and team coaching sessions I’ve done since I launched The Dave Kitson Academy in November – but I’ve been getting a lot of feedback from parents, asking if I will be putting on more group sessions.
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'May the best team win' Reading coach on upcoming reunion with 'good friend'
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Reading Under-21s boss Noel Hunt is looking forward to going head-to-head with 'good friend' Graeme Murty in Monday's PL2 semi-final against Sunderland. Legendary Royal Murty played more than 300 times for the club and was captain when Irishman Hunt arrived at the club in 2008. Both Championship winners with the club in 2006 and 2012 respectively, supporters cannot wait to give Murty a heroes reception at the SCL Stadium when he brings his Sunderland side to Berkshire for the right to play Chelsea or Tottenham in the PL2 final.
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Reading protests 'bought everyone so close together' says star midfielder
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Reading midfielder Charlie Estcourt believes the protests throughout the season 'brought everybody so close together' when looking back at a 'rollercoaster' campaign. 25-year-old Estcourt, a popular Academy graduate who returned to the club last year after three years away, has spent most of the season on pundit duty for BBC Berkshire alongside her commanding performances in the Women's Championship. Born and raised in the town, Estcourt provided a heartfelt assessment of the season on the radio and delved into the protests against Dai Yongge in particular.
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What became of Reading's four January exits as season's come to an end
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In a controversial January transfer window, with some players sold before alerting boss Ruben Selles, Reading lost five first-team players for little value in what looked to be a tough battle to stay in League One. One sold player, namely Tom Holmes, returned immediately from Luton Town to play for his boyhood club on loan for the rest of the season. With hindsight, supporters need not worry as the Royals finished a comfortable nine points clear of the relegation zone, and that was taking into account a fresh points deduction. Take a look below at how the four January exits have fared in their first half-seasons away from Berkshire.
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EFL confirm transfer window dates as Reading prepare squad for new season
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The EFL have confirmed the dates for next season's transfer window, with the summer period for transfers officially opening in less than a month. Always a popular period for supporters, full of intrigue and anticipation over which exciting prospect will join their team to improve it. Reading remain under embargo and cannot sign players for a transfer or loan fee, including wage contributions for temporary additions.
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