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2008–09 Reading F.C. season

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Reading F.C.
2008–09 season
ChairmanJohn Madejski
ManagerSteve Coppell
Football League Championship4th
(play off Semi-Finals)
FA CupThird Round vs Cardiff City
Football League CupThird Round vs Stoke City
Top goalscorerLeague: Kevin Doyle 18
All: Kevin Doyle 18
Highest home attendanceSouthampton 23,121
Lowest home attendanceBlackpool 16,514

Reading Football Club played the 2008–09 season in the Football League Championship, having been relegated on the final day of the 2007–08 Premier League season. Despite a strong start to the season, especially at home, Reading were unable to secure promotion at the first attempt; a poor run of form in 2009 saw Reading win just 5 of their last 17 league games, the Royals finishing 4th in the league. Reading were defeated 3–0 on aggregate by Burnley in the play-off semi-finals.

Review and events

See also: The Football League 2008–09

Pre-season

Reading opened their pre-season with an away game against Didcot Town, winning 9-0,[1] with nine different scorers, including a fan who won the opportunity to play at a charity auction. After further away wins at Forest Green Rovers (2-0),[2] Havant & Waterlooville (1-0)[3] and MK Dons (2-1),[4] Reading went on a three-game friendly tour of Sweden, winning their three games against FC Trollhättan (4-1)[5] in which Leroy Lita scored all four, against Lerkils IF (1-0)[6] and against Halmstads BK (3-1)[7] in which new signing Noel Hunt scored for the first time, ultimately scoring two. Reading's last friendly, and only home friendly, was against Aston Villa, and finished 1-1.[8] It was Reading's only pre-season game that they did not win.

August

Reading's league campaign began with a 0–0 draw at promoted Nottingham Forest. In a game of few chances, Kevin Doyle came closest for the Royals, glancing a header goalwards from a Stephen Hunt cross, that Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith did well to tip on to the crossbar.

Two days later, the Royals enjoyed their first victory of the season, as a late Noel Hunt goal, on his competitive debut for Reading, secured a 2–1 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge in the 1st round of the League Cup. James Henry had opened the scoring for Reading in the first half, with his first goal for the club, tapping home after Shane Long had beaten the Dagenham goalkeeper to a cross.

Reading's first home league match followed on 16 August, a game the Royals deservedly won 2–0, Ibrahima Sonko crashing home two headers, one in each half, both from Stephen Hunt corners.

A week later, the Royals lost a thrilling game 2–4 against Charlton Athletic. Matt Holland and Andy Gray's penalty gave the Addicks a 2–0 lead but Ibrahima Sonko kept up his scoring form with a thumping header before half-time. Stephen Hunt's retaken penalty completed the comeback for Reading, but further goals for Luke Varney and Hameur Bouazza gave Charlton all three points.

The Royals returned to the Madesjki on 26 August with a thumping 5–1 victory over Luton Town in the League Cup 2nd Round. Noel Hunt opened the scoring after nodding in brother Stephen Hunt's cross. Soon later it was the other way around, Noel Hunt sliding in a cross and Stephen Hunt slotted home. Alex Pearce, Jem Karacan and James Henry all got their first goals for the club. A consolation for Luton was scored by Ryan Charles.

September

The month started at Portman Road, Ipswich. Reading's bad away form continued as The Royals lost 2–0 to the hands of Ipswich Town. The game was followed up by the biggest win of the season, so far, as Reading forced six passed Sheffield Wednesday. The Royals were 2–0 up within 10 minutes, Kevin Doyle scoring them both. André Bikey got the third on the half hour mark. Noel Hunt got the fourth on the fiftieth minute. Doyle scored his third of the game and two minutes later Reading were 6–0 up. It stayed that way until the end of the match.

Watford. Reading came to Watford sitting fourth in the Championship. Reading took the lead on the 13th minute. The goal was scored by no-one! The goal was not claimed for by any Reading player. Watford soon went 2–1 up and an 89th minute spot kick was turned in by S. Hunt.

Reading played a cup side in the League Cup as the Royals headed to Stoke to play the Premier League side Stoke City. Reading battled hard only losing to the Premier League side on spot kicks, 4–3, after a 2–2 draw.

Reading played Swansea City and a 4–0 win set up a game with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Royals went 1–0 up when an own goal by Wolverhampton Wanderers started off a hammering for Wolves. André Bikey made it 2–0 and Kalifa Cissé made a Reading win a game to forget for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

October

Burnley came to Reading. Reading won the game 3–1. The Hunt Brothers scored two and Shane Long made it 3–0. Burnley scored a goal, but it was too little to late. Away days. Reading lost to the hands of Preston North End 2–1. Mix ups saw a loss come to Reading's hands.

A home game to Doncaster Rovers followed. The Royals only won 2–1. This happened after Reading going 1–0 up, then Doncaster scored. One minute later the Royals scored to win the match.

A draw to Queens Park Rangers in front of the Sky Sports cameras at home, 0–0, and a loss, 1–0, away to Burnley rounded off a bad month for the Royals, home and away.

November

Reading returned to winning ways at Ashton Gate as the Royals opened November with a 4–1 win away to Bristol City. Kevin Doyle (twice) and Noel Hunt scored from close range, before Kalifa Cissé added Reading's fourth, smashing the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal from outside of the penalty area. Reading's excellent home form continued the following weekend, Doyle (2) and Noel Hunt again got on the scoresheet in a 3–0 victory over Derby County.

The Royals secured a third successive victory at Bramall Lane the following weekend, Kalifa Cissé opening the scoring in the 5th minute, before a Kevin Doyle header, just before half-time, completed a 2–0 win at Sheffield United. Reading then lost to Southampton at home 2–1. The Royals' 1st home defeat of the season so-far. Kébé scored his 1st Reading goal. The Royals then headed off to Wales to play Cardiff City. Reading went 1–0 and 2–1 down. At 1–1, Reading were down to 10 men as André Bikey got sent off. Reading's scores were Kevin Doyle and Brynjar Gunnarsson in a 2-all draw.

December

Reading were playing Coventry City at home in front of the Sky Sports Cameras. The Royals went 1–0 down, but came back to win 3–1. Reading won 1–0 at Barnsley and at home to Blackpool. A late rally by Reading help them win 2–0 at home to Norwich City. Reading moved into 2nd as Reading won 3–1 at then 2nd place Birmingham City.

Reading then had a home draw, 1–1, to Cardiff City. The Welsh side went 1–0 in the 89th minute, but Reading's keeper Adam Federici scored in the 6th minute of injury time. Reading then drew 1–1 at Southampton.

January

Reading met Cardiff City for the third time in six weeks in the FA Cup third round, and a largely second-string side were defeated 2–0 at Ninian Park, to end the Royals' eight-match unbeaten run. The Royals returned to the Madejski Stadium for the first league match of the calendar year, completing a 4–0 victory over Watford. Chris Armstrong opened the scoring with his first ever goal for Reading, before Kevin Doyle, Noel Hunt and Leroy Lita, back from Norwich, added to the tally. A 2–0 defeat at Welsh side Swansea City followed, to end a run of 9 league matches unbeaten for Reading, before league leaders Wolves were beaten 1–0 at the Madejski Stadium, the game decided by a second-minute own-goal scored by Wolves' Neill Collins. The result closed the gap between Wolves and Reading, in 2nd place, to two points. January ended with a goalless draw at Loftus Road, as Reading and Q.P.R. drew 0–0 for the second time this season.

February

On the 6th of the month it was revealed that Bobby Convey had left the club by mutual consent.[9] A second consecutive 0–0 draw followed, as the Royals were held at home by Preston. On 13 February it was revealed that Ivar Ingimarsson would be out injured for the rest of the season, scheduled for surgery on a knee cartilage problem. Reading's goal drought continued two weeks later, at home to Bristol City, as the Royals lost 2–0, a second home defeat of the season. Nottingham Forest visited the Madejski Stadium on 28 February, as the Royals slumped to a second straight home defeat, and a sixth consecutive game without scoring.

March

Reading secured a first win in five games under floodlights at Hillsborough, defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2–1, Kevin Doyle heading home from a corner, and Shane Long scoring the winner with nine minutes left.

The Royals headed to Home Park, Plymouth to play Plymouth Argyle. Reading went 1–0 down, but Alex Pearce scored two minutes later. Argyle went 2–1 up and in the 80th minute, Jimmy Kebe scored, through the keepers legs.

Reading played Charlton Athletic, at home, next. Reading drew 2–2 with two goals from young Irish striker Shane Long. However the Royals were denied victory by a last gasp equaliser. Reading next lost to Ipswich Town 1–0. The Royals went 1–0 down just 1 minute after the break. That meant the Royals went into a three match winless run with renewed purpose.

However, that was forgotten in midweek as they won 1–0 at Doncaster Rovers, thanks to a late Dave Kitson winner eight minutes from time. Kitson had returned to the club on loan, as did Glen Little.

The Royals ended the month with successive goalless draws, against Crystal Palace, eventually dropping into 4th place after Sheffield United's win over Barnsley.

April

The first game of April was away to Coventry City which ended in bore draw of 0–0. Both teams creating very little in another disappointing performance from the Royals.

On 10 April 2009, Sheffield United travelled to the Madjeski for an evening game in a real six-pointer with both teams needing the win to help secure that valuable play-off place. It ended in Reading losing 1–0 with Brian Howard scoring a scrappy goal on the hour mark.

On 13 April 2009, the Royals travelled to Bloomfield Road to face Blackpool and after taking a 2–0 lead, eventually drew 2–2. Jem Karacan scored his first goal of the season and league goal for the Royals.

A goalless draw with Barnsley at home meant Reading had now gone 7 home games without a win. However, the Royals showed a return to form on the following Tuesday night with a 2–0 win at Derby County, Dave Kitson and Shane Long the goalscorers.

With results having gone their way at the weekend, Reading went into their Monday night game with Norwich City knowing that only a win would keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive. Shane Long inspired Reading to a 2–0 win with both goals, both of them headers from Jimmy Kebe crosses. Reading, 4th, needed to win going into a clash with Birmingham City, 2nd. Reading lost 2–1 and Birmingham went up. Reading need to win to go up to the Premier League at the first attempt, and Sheffield United didn't win against Crystal Palace. United drew 0–0. If the Royals had won they would have gone up on Goal-Difference.

May

André Bikey was sent off as Reading lost the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Burnley by a single goal. Bikey was sent off for a stamp on Robbie Blake, minutes after pulling back Burnley striker Steve Thompson to gift the Clarets the winning penalty, scored by Graham Alexander. Burnley advanced to the final at Wembley three days later as Reading lost the second leg 2–0, goals from Martin Paterson, and Thompson, sealing Burnley's win. Hours after Burnley winning the game Steve Coppell resigned as Manager of the club.

Squad

First-team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK United States USA Marcus Hahnemann
2 DF Scotland SCO Graeme Murty[10]
3 DF Scotland SCO Chris Armstrong[11]
4 MF Mali MLI Kalifa Cissé[12]
6 MF Iceland ISL Brynjar Gunnarsson
7 MF Czech Republic CZE Marek Matějovský
8 FW England ENG Leroy Lita
9 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Kevin Doyle
10 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Stephen Hunt
11 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Noel Hunt
12 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Dave Mooney
14 MF Mali MLI Jimmy Kébé[13]
15 MF England ENG James Harper
16 DF Iceland ISL Ívar Ingimarsson
17 FW England ENG Dave Kitson
18 DF Nigeria NGA Sam Sodje[14]
21 MF Turkey TUR Jem Karacan[15]
No. Pos. Nation Player
22 DF England ENG Liam Rosenior
23 DF Cameroon CMR André Bikey
24 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Shane Long
25 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Bennett
26 DF Scotland SCO Alex Pearce[16]
27 MF England ENG James Henry
29 DF England ENG Michael Duberry
31 DF England ENG Dan Harding
32 GK Australia AUS Adam Federici
33 DF England ENG Scott Golbourne
34 MF Iceland ISL Gylfi Sigurðsson
35 FW Wales WAL Simon Church[17]
36 GK Denmark DEN Mikkel Andersen
37 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jay Tabb[18]
42 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Julian Kelly
52 MF England ENG Glen Little

Reserve/Academy squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
19 MF England ENG Hal Robson-Kanu[19]
28 MF England ENG Michail Antonio
30 MF Australia AUS Oliver Bozanic
38 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Scott Davies[20]
39 FW England ENG Nicholas Bignall
No. Pos. Nation Player
40 MF England ENG Tom Hateley
41 GK England ENG Ben Hamer
43 DF England ENG Daniel Spence
49 GK England ENG Alex McCarthy

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
5 DF Senegal SEN Ibrahima Sonko (to Stoke City)
20 MF Ivory Coast CIV Emerse Fae (to OGC Nice)
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF United States USA Bobby Convey (Released)
37 FW Iceland ISL Viktor Illugason (to Valur)

Transfers

In

Date Position Nationality Name From Fee
23 July 2008 FW Republic of Ireland Noel Hunt Scotland Dundee United Undisclosed[21]
21 August 2008 FW Republic of Ireland Dave Mooney Republic of Ireland Cork City Undisclosed[22]
26 August 2008 DF Scotland Chris Armstrong Sheffield United £500,000[23]
28 October 2008 MF England Michail Antonio Tooting & Mitcham Undisclosed[24]
19 January 2009 DF Republic of Ireland Jay Tabb Coventry City Undisclosed[25]

Out

Date Position Nationality Name To Fee
20 June 2008 MF England Glen Little Portsmouth Free[26]
18 July 2008 FW England Dave Kitson Stoke City £5,500,000[27]
7 August 2008 DF England Nicky Shorey Aston Villa Undisclosed[28]
29 August 2008 DF Senegal Ibrahima Sonko Stoke City £2,000,000[29]
29 January 2009 MF Ivory Coast Emerse Fae France Nice Undisclosed[30]

Loans in

Date from Date to Position Nationality Name From
29 January 2009 End of season loan[31] DF England Dan Harding Ipswich Town
8 March 2009 End of season loan[32] MF England Glen Little Portsmouth
10 March 2009 End of season loan[33] FW England Dave Kitson Stoke City

Loans out

Date from Date to Position Nationality Name To
10 June 2008 six-month loan[34] MF France Emerse Faé France Nice
17 June 2008 Season long loan[35] GK England Ben Hamer Brentford
23 July 2008 Season long loan[36] MF Republic of Ireland Scott Davies Aldershot Town
21 August 2008 Three month loan[37] MF England Hal Robson-Kanu Southend United
27 August 2008 One month loan[38] FW Wales Simon Church Wycombe Wanderers

Released

Date Position Nationality Name Joined Date
6 February 2009[39] MF United States Bobby Convey United States San Jose Earthquakes 10 February 2009[40]
15 May 2009[41] DF Republic of Ireland Alan Bennett Brentford 30 July 2009
15 May 2009[41] DF England Michael Duberry Wycombe Wanderers 10 July 2009
15 May 2009[41] DF England Scott Golbourne Exeter City 2 July 2009[42]
15 May 2009[41] GK United States Marcus Hahnemann Wolverhampton Wanderers 17 June 2009[43]
15 May 2009[41] MF England Tom Hateley Motherwell 13 August 2009[44]
15 May 2009[41] FW England Leroy Lita Middlesbrough 3 August 2009
15 May 2009[41] DF Scotland Graeme Murty Southampton 5 August 2009[45]
15 May 2009[41] DF England Daniel Spence
28 May 2009[46] DF Nigeria Sam Sodje Charlton Athletic

Competitions

Competition Started round Current
position / round 		Final
position / round 		First match Last match
League Championship — 4 (Playoffs) 10 August 2008 3 May 2009
Football League Cup 1st round — 3rd round 12 August 2008 23 September 2008
FA Cup 3rd round — 3R 3 January 2009 3 January 2009

Updated to match played 26 April 2011
Source: Competitions

Championship

Main article: 2008–09 Football League Championship

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
46 21 14 11 72 40  +32 77 12 5 6 40 17  +23 9 9 5 32 23  +9

Last updated: 8 April 2011.
Source: Reading FC

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAAHHAAAHAHAAH
ResultDWLWLWDWWWLWDLWWWLDWWWWWDDWLWDDLLWDDLWDDLDDWWL
Position145106846333333433333333322222222332333334555444
Source: BBC Sport
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Fixtures & Results

10 August 2008 1 Nottingham Forest 0–0 Reading City Ground
13:15 BST (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 21,571
Referee: Stuart Atwell
16 August 2008 2 Reading 2–0 Plymouth Argyle Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Sonko 13', 49' Report Attendance: 19,202
Referee: Richard Beeby
23 August 2008 3 Charlton Athletic 4–2 Reading The Valley
12:45 BST (UTC+1) Holland 25'
Gray 41' (pen.)
Varney 68'
Bouazza 71'		 Report Sonko 45'
S Hunt 53' (pen.)
Sonko Red card 84'		 Attendance: 20,020
Referee: Lee Mason
30 August 2008 4 Reading 4–2 Crystal Palace Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Harper 18'
Doyle 65', 67', 89'		 Report Carle 38' (pen.)
Soares 64'		 Attendance: 20,441
Referee: Clive Penton
13 September 2008 5 Ipswich 2–0 Reading Portman Road
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Stead 63'
Walters 84'		 Report Attendance: 21,366
Referee: Keith Hill
17 September 2008 6 Reading 6–0 Sheffield Wednesday Madejski Stadium
20:00 BST (UTC+1) Doyle 5', 9', 62'
Bikey 30'
N Hunt 50', 64'		 Report Attendance: 18,159
Referee: Andy Woolmer
20 September 2008 7 Watford 2–2 Reading Vicarage Road
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Smith 57'
O'Toole 64'		 Report Eustace 13' (o.g.)1
S Hunt 87' (pen.)		 Attendance: 14,761
Referee: Stuart Atwell
27 September 2008 8 Reading 4–0 Swansea City Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1) N Hunt 19'
Doyle 26', 90'
S Hunt 40'		 Report Attendance: 20,093
Referee: Scott Mathieson
30 September 2008 9 Wolves 0-3 Reading Molineux Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Report Hennessey 4' (o.g.)
Bikey 71'
Cissé 89'		 Attendance: 24,302
Referee: Rob Shoebridge
4 October 2008 10 Reading 3–1 Burnley Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1) N Hunt 4'
S Hunt 52'
Long 64'		 Report McCann 89' Attendance: 18,621
Referee: Kevin Friend
18 October 2008 11 Preston North End 2–1 Reading Deepdale
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Ingimarsson 54' (o.g.)
Elliott 81'		 Report S Hunt 27' (pen.) Attendance: 12,316
Referee: Nigel Miller
21 October 2008 12 Reading 2–1 Doncaster Rovers Madejski Stadium
20:00 BST (UTC+1) Bikey 18'
Doyle 76'		 Report Van Nieuwstadt 74' Attendance: 17,924
Referee: Darren Deadman
25 October 2008 13 Reading 0–0 QPR Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 20,571
Referee: Chris Foy
28 October 2008 14 Burnley 1–0 Reading Turf Moor
19:45 GMT Blake 81' Report Attendance: 11,538
Referee: Martin Haywood
1 November 2008 15 Bristol City 1–4 Reading Ashton Gate
15:00 GMT John 90+3' Report Doyle 14', 47'
N Hunt 16'
Cissé 54'		 Attendance: 18,296
Referee: Jonathan Moss
8 November 2008 16 Reading 3–0 Derby County Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT N Hunt 20'
Doyle 68', 75'		 Report Attendance: 18,724
Referee: Scott Mathieson
15 November 2008 17 Sheffield United 0–2 Reading Bramall Lane
15:00 GMT Report Cissé 5'
Doyle 44'		 Attendance: 25,065
Referee: Michael Oliver
22 November 2008 18 Reading 1–2 Southampton Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Kébé 57' Report Wright-Phillips 14', 49' Attendance: 23,121
Referee: Lee Probert
25 November 2008 19 Cardiff City 2–2 Reading Ninian Park
19:45 GMT Routledge 10'
McCormack 41' (pen.)		 Report Doyle 16' Bikey Red card 30'
Gunnarsson 50'		 Attendance: 17,154
Referee: Peter Walton
1 December 2008 20 Reading 3–1 Coventry City Madejski Stadium
20:00 GMT N Hunt 32', 62' Cissé 37' Report Fox 26' Attendance: 16,803
Referee: Kevin Wright
6 December 2008 21 Barnsley 0–1 Reading Oakwell
15:152 GMT Report Kebe Red card 36'
Gunnarsson 63'		 Attendance: 11,938
Referee: Clive Oliver
9 December 2008 22 Reading 1–0 Blackpool Madejski Stadium
20:00 GMT Ingimarsson 27' Report Hendrie Red card 30' Attendance: 16,514
Referee: Jarnail Singh
13 December 2008 23 Reading 2–0 Norwich City Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT S Hunt 84' (pen.) Long 86' Report Attendance: 19,382
Referee: Trevor Kettle
20 December 2008 24 Birmingham City 1–3 Reading St Andrews
12:45 GMT Phillips 60' Report N Hunt 12'
Doyle 65'
Cissé 81'		 Attendance: 19,695
Referee: Mike Dean
26 December 2008 25 Reading 1–1 Cardiff City Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Federici 90+6' Report Chopra 89' Attendance: 22,770
Referee: Andy Hall
28 December 2008 26 Southampton 1–1 Reading St Mary's Stadium
15:00 GMT McGoldrick 74' Report Long 84' Attendance: 20,142
Referee: Phil Crossley
10 January 2009 27 Reading 4–0 Watford Madejski Stadium
12:45 GMT Armstrong 38'
N Hunt 66'
Doyle 67'
Lita 88'		 Report Attendance: 18,072
Referee: Andy D'Urso
17 January 2009 28 Swansea City 2–0 Reading Liberty Stadium
15:00 GMT Scotland 44'
Orlandi 89'		 Report Rosenior Yellow card 75' Yellow-red card 80' Attendance: 15,197
Referee: F Graham
27 January 2009 29 Reading 1–0 Wolves Madejski Stadium
20:00 GMT Collins 2' (o.g.) Report Collins Red card 90+3' Attendance: 23,009
Referee: John Booth
31 January 2009 30 QPR 0–0 Reading Loftus Road
15:00 GMT Report Attendance: 17,120
Referee: John Moss
7 February 2009 31 Reading 0–0 Preston North End Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Report Attendance: 19,570
Referee: Mike Jones
21 February 2009 32 Reading 0–2 Bristol City Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Report Adebola 26'
Rosenior 48' (o.g.)		 Attendance: 22,462
Referee: Andy Penn
28 February 33 Reading 0–1 Nottingham Forest Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Report McGugan 61' Attendance: 21,196
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
3 March 2009 34 Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Reading Hillsborough Stadium
19:45 GMT McAllister 44' Report Doyle 56'
Long 81'		 Attendance: 19,268
Referee: Andy Hall
7 March 2009 35 Plymouth Argyle 2–2 Reading Home Park
15:00 GMT Gallagher 20'
Mackie 56'		 Report Pearce 22'
Kebe 80'		 Attendance: 14,014
Referee: Anthony Bates
9 March 2009 36 Reading 2–2 Charlton Athletic Madejski Stadium
20:00 GMT Long 46' (pen.), 66' Report Bailey 16'
Hudson 85'		 Attendance: 17,875
Referee: Anthony Taylor
14 March 2009 37 Reading 0–1 Ipswich Town Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Report Stead 47' Attendance: 20,592
Referee: Michael Oliver
17 March 2009 38 Doncaster Rovers 0–1 Reading Keepmoat Stadium
19:45 GMT Report Kitson 82' Attendance: 10,393
Referee: Paul Taylor
21 March 2009 39 Crystal Palace 0–0 Reading Selhurst Park
17:20 GMT Report Rosenior Yellow card 35' Yellow-red card 71' Attendance: 14,567
Referee: Andy D'Urso
4 April 2009 40 Coventry City 0–0 Reading Ricoh Arena
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 17,281
Referee: Tim Kettle
10 April 2009 41 Reading 0–1 Sheffield United Madejski Stadium
17:30 BST (UTC+1) Report Howard 59' Attendance: 20,756
Referee: Keith Friend
13 April 2009 42 Blackpool 2–2 Reading Bloomfield Road
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Southern 31'
Campbell 66'		 Report N Hunt 10'
Karacan 24'		 Attendance: 7,722
Referee: Tim Kettle
18 April 2009 43 Reading 0–0 Barnsley Madjeski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 19,240
Referee: R. Beeby
21 April 2009 44 Derby County 0–2 Reading Pride Park Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Report Kitson 56'
Long 73'		 Attendance: 31,345
Referee: C. Webster
27 April 2009 45 Norwich City 0–2 Reading Carrow Road
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Report Long 68', 78' Attendance: 25,041
Referee: C. Oliver
3 May 2009 46 Reading 1–2 Birmingham City Madejski Stadium
13:15 BST (UTC+1) Matejovsky 61' Report Fahey 19'
Phillips 60'		 Attendance: 23,879
Referee: Howard Webb
Notes
  • In Reading's match at Watford, John Eustace apparently scored an own goal for Reading, giving Reading the lead. However, replays show that the ball passed the line, but didn't go in between the posts. It was given by referee Stuart Atwell on the say so of his assistant Nigel Bannister who flagged for the goal.
  • The game was delayed by 15 minutes after the Reading team bus broke down on the M1.

Playoffs

Semi-Finals
Main article: 2008–09 Football League Championship § Playoffs
9 May 2009 1st Leg Burnley 1 – 0 Reading Turf Moor
17:20 BST (UTC+1) Alexander 84' (pen.) Report Bikey Red card 90+4' Attendance: 18,005
Referee: Martin Atkinson
12 May 2009 2nd Leg Reading 0 – 2
(0 – 3 agg.)		 Burnley Madjeski Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Report Paterson 51'
Thompson 58'		 Attendance: 19,909
Referee: Mike Riley

League table

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
2 Birmingham City (P) 46 23 14 9 54 37 +17 83 Promotion to the Premier League
3 Sheffield United 46 22 14 10 64 39 +25 80 Qualification for Championship play-offs
4 Reading 46 21 14 11 72 40 +32 77
5 Burnley (O, P) 46 21 13 12 72 60 +12 76
6 Preston North End 46 21 11 14 66 54 +12 74
Updated to match(es) played on 3 May 2009. Source: The Football League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

FA Cup

Main article: 2008–09 FA Cup
3 January 2009 Third Round Cardiff City 2–0 Reading Ninian Park
15:00 GMT McCormack 58'
Ledley 83'		 Report Attendance: 12,448
Referee: Anthony Taylor

Football League Cup

Main article: 2008–09 Football League Cup
12 August 2008 First Round Dagenham & Redbridge 1–2 Reading Victoria Road
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Taiwo 66' Report Henry 25'
N Hunt 89'		 Attendance: 2,360
Referee: Andy Penn
26 August 2008 Second Round Reading 5–1 Luton Town Madejski Stadium
20:00 BST (UTC+1) N Hunt 11'
S Hunt 15'
Pearce 54'
Karacan 55'
Henry 76'		 Report Charles 80' Attendance: 7,498
Referee: Dean Whitestone
23 September 2008 Third Round Stoke City 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4 – 3 p)		 Reading Britannia Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Pericard 8'
Sidibe 49'		 Report Henry 45+1' (pen.), 75' Attendance: 9,141
Referee: Lee Mason
Penalties
Fuller soccer ball with check mark
Lawrence soccer ball with check mark
Whelan soccer ball with check mark
Buxton soccer ball with red X
Pericard soccer ball with check mark		 soccer ball with check mark Bikey
soccer ball with red X Henry
soccer ball with check mark Sigurðsson
soccer ball with check mark Long
soccer ball with red X Lita

Player details

Appearances

No. Pos Nat Player Total Championship FA Cup League Cup Play-offs
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK United States USA Marcus Hahnemann 35 0 32 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
2 DF Scotland SCO Graeme Murty 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
3 DF Scotland SCO Chris Armstrong 41 1 40 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
4 MF Mali MLI Kalifa Cissé 39 5 24+12 5 0 0 2 0 0+1 0
6 MF Iceland ISL Brynjar Gunnarsson 30 2 13+14 2 0 0 1 0 2 0
7 MF Czech Republic CZE Marek Matějovský 25 1 11+11 1 1 0 0 0 2 0
8 FW England ENG Leroy Lita 12 1 6+4 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
9 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Kevin Doyle 42 18 39+2 18 0 0 0 0 1 0
10 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Stephen Hunt 49 7 41+5 6 0 0 2 1 0+1 0
11 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Noel Hunt 39 13 27+10 11 0 0 2 2 0 0
12 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Dave Mooney 2 0 0 0 0 0 0+2 0 0 0
14 MF Mali MLI Jimmy Kébé 44 2 38+3 2 0+1 0 0 0 2 0
15 MF England ENG James Harper 36 1 28+6 1 0 0 2 0 0 0
16 DF Iceland ISL Ívar Ingimarsson 29 1 26 1 0 0 2+1 0 0 0
17 FW England ENG Dave Kitson 12 2 9+1 2 0 0 0 0 0+2 0
19 DF England ENG Liam Rosenior 44 0 42 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
21 MF Turkey TUR Jem Karacan 17 2 15 1 1 0 1 1 0 0
22 DF Cameroon CMR André Bikey 28 3 23+2 3 1 0 1 0 1 0
24 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Shane Long 43 9 11+26 9 1 0 3 0 2 0
26 DF Scotland SCO Alex Pearce 21 2 13+3 1 1 0 2+1 1 1 0
27 MF England ENG James Henry 11 4 3+4 0 1 0 3 4 0 0
29 DF England ENG Michael Duberry 30 0 27 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
31 DF England ENG Dan Harding 5 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
32 GK Australia AUS Adam Federici 18 1 14+1 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
33 DF England ENG Scott Golbourne 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
34 MF Iceland ISL Gylfi Sigurðsson 3 0 0 0 0+1 0 0+2 0 0 0
35 FW Wales WAL Simon Church 2 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 1 0
37 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jay Tabb 11 0 6+3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
42 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Julian Kelly 11 0 4+3 0 1 0 3 0 0 0
52 MF England ENG Glen Little 9 0 5+3 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0
Players who appeared for Reading no longer at the club:
17 MF United States USA Bobby Convey 9 0 3+3 0 1 0 2 0
31 DF Senegal SEN Ibrahima Sonko 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 0

Last updated: 22:55, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

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