2008–09 Reading F.C. season
| 2008–09 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | John Madejski |
| Manager | Steve Coppell |
| Football League Championship | 4th (play off Semi-Finals) |
| FA Cup | Third Round vs Cardiff City |
| Football League Cup | Third Round vs Stoke City |
| Top goalscorer | League: Kevin Doyle 18 All: Kevin Doyle 18 |
| Highest home attendance | Southampton 23,121 |
| Lowest home attendance | Blackpool 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
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.
|
|
Reserve/Academy squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Transfers
In
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 July 2008 | FW | 
|
Noel Hunt |  Dundee United
|
Undisclosed[21] |
| 21 August 2008 | FW |
|
Dave Mooney | Cork City
|
Undisclosed[22] |
| 26 August 2008 | DF |
|
Chris Armstrong | Sheffield United | £500,000[23] |
| 28 October 2008 | MF | 
|
Michail Antonio | Tooting & Mitcham | Undisclosed[24] |
| 19 January 2009 | DF |
|
Jay Tabb | Coventry City | Undisclosed[25] |
Out
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 June 2008 | MF |
|
Glen Little | Portsmouth | Free[26] |
| 18 July 2008 | FW |
|
Dave Kitson | Stoke City | £5,500,000[27] |
| 7 August 2008 | DF |
|
Nicky Shorey | Aston Villa | Undisclosed[28] |
| 29 August 2008 | DF | 
|
Ibrahima Sonko | Stoke City | £2,000,000[29] |
| 29 January 2009 | MF | 
|
Emerse Fae |  Nice
|
Undisclosed[30] |
Loans In
| Date from | Date to | Position | Nationality | Name | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 January 2009 | End of season loan[31] | DF |
|
Dan Harding | Ipswich Town |
| 8 March 2009 | End of season loan[32] | MF |
|
Glen Little | Portsmouth |
| 10 March 2009 | End of season loan[33] | FW |
|
Dave Kitson | Stoke City |
Loans Out
| Date from | Date to | Position | Nationality | Name | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 June 2008 | 6-month loan[34][deprecated source] | MF |
|
Emerse Fae | Nice
|
| 17 June 2008 | Season long loan[35] | GK |
|
Ben Hamer | Brentford |
| 23 July 2008 | Season long loan[36] | MF |
|
Scott Davies | Aldershot Town |
| 21 August 2008 | Three month loan[37] | MF |
|
Hal Robson-Kanu | Southend United |
| 27 August 2008 | One month loan[38] | FW | 
|
Simon Church | Wycombe Wanderers |
Released
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | Joined | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 February 2009[39] | MF | 
|
Bobby Convey | San Jose Earthquakes
|
10 February 2009[40] |
| 15 May 2009[41] | DF |
|
Alan Bennett | Brentford | 30 July 2009 |
| 15 May 2009[41] | DF |
|
Michael Duberry | Wycombe Wanderers | 10 July 2009 |
| 15 May 2009[41] | DF |
|
Scott Golbourne | Exeter City | 2 July 2009[42] |
| 15 May 2009[41] | GK |
|
Marcus Hahnemann | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 17 June 2009[43] |
| 15 May 2009[41] | MF |
|
Tom Hateley | Motherwell | 13 August 2009[44] |
| 15 May 2009[41] | FW |
|
Leroy Lita | Middlesbrough | 3 August 2009 |
| 15 May 2009[41] | DF |
|
Graeme Murty | Southampton | 5 August 2009[45] |
| 15 May 2009[41] | DF |
|
Daniel Spence | ||
| 28 May 2009[46] | DF | 
|
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
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
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  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 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 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 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  75'  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 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 35' 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
| 9 May 2009 1st Leg | Burnley | 1 – 0 | Reading | Turf Moor |
| 17:20 BST (UTC+1) | Alexander 84' (pen.) |
Report | Bikey 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 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
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
| 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  Lawrence Whelan Buxton  Pericard |
Bikey Henry Sigurðsson Long 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 | USA
|
Marcus Hahnemann | 35 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | SCO
|
Graeme Murty | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | SCO
|
Chris Armstrong | 41 | 1 | 40 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | MF |  MLI
|
Kalifa Cissé | 39 | 5 | 24+12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 6 | MF |  ISL
|
Brynjar Gunnarsson | 30 | 2 | 13+14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | MF |  CZE
|
Marek Matějovský | 25 | 1 | 11+11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | FW | ENG
|
Leroy Lita | 12 | 1 | 6+4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | IRL
|
Kevin Doyle | 42 | 18 | 39+2 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | IRL
|
Stephen Hunt | 49 | 7 | 41+5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | IRL
|
Noel Hunt | 39 | 13 | 27+10 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | FW | IRL
|
Dave Mooney | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | MLI
|
Jimmy Kébé | 44 | 2 | 38+3 | 2 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | ENG
|
James Harper | 36 | 1 | 28+6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | ISL
|
Ívar Ingimarsson | 29 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | ENG
|
Dave Kitson | 12 | 2 | 9+1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | ENG
|
Liam Rosenior | 44 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 21 | MF |  TUR
|
Jem Karacan | 17 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | DF |  CMR
|
André Bikey | 28 | 3 | 23+2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | IRL
|
Shane Long | 43 | 9 | 11+26 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | SCO
|
Alex Pearce | 21 | 2 | 13+3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2+1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | ENG
|
James Henry | 11 | 4 | 3+4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | DF | ENG
|
Michael Duberry | 30 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 31 | DF | ENG
|
Dan Harding | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 32 | GK |  AUS
|
Adam Federici | 18 | 1 | 14+1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | DF | ENG
|
Scott Golbourne | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | MF | ISL
|
Gylfi Sigurðsson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | FW | WAL
|
Simon Church | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 37 | MF | IRL
|
Jay Tabb | 11 | 0 | 6+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 42 | DF |  EIR
|
Julian Kelly | 11 | 0 | 4+3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 52 | MF | 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 | USA
|
Bobby Convey | 9 | 0 | 3+3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 31 | DF | SEN
|
Ibrahima Sonko | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Last updated: 22:55, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
Starting 11
Goal Scorers
Disciplinary Record
Team kitReading's kit for the 2008–09 season is manufactured by Puma, and the main sponsor is Waitrose.
References
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
