James Earnshaw

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

February proved a hectic month for Reading, with seven fixtures to cram in as the season began to enter its final stages. 1,400 supporters made the short hop to Oxford for the reverse Thames Valley Derby, this one moved forward to a 12.30pm kick-off at the request of Thames Valley Police. Falling behind in the first half to Mark Harris’ strike, many feared the worst. However, the Royals dug in at the Kassam Stadium and were rewarded with an own goal 15 minutes from time to ensure the spoils were shared yet again with the Us.

Reading Football Club and its supporters have been represented in Parliament today as Sarah Turner, Chair of the Supporters Trust at Reading [STAR] was asked to give her verdict on the incoming Independent Regulator for football. Mrs Turner answered questions on the Football Governance Bill, which is pushing for independent regulation in the game. Since becoming chair of STAR, Sarah has been crucial in the current off-field battles with Dai Yongge. The legislation has already had first and second readings in the House of Commons, but Sarah was one of several figures called upon to give their input to politicians, including Reading East MP Matt Rodda and former Minister for Sport, Tracey Crouch.

Reading legend Ady Williams was among the 600+ strong crowd at Bottom Meadow, Sandhurst, to witness the Royals lift the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup. Noel Hunt's Under-21s beat Marlow 2-1, a repeat of the first-ever final in 1879, with goals from Jeremiah Okine-Peters and Adrian Akande. This is the second Senior Cup title since 2022, with Reading beating Ascot United 4-0 in Hunt's debut campaign in charge. Williams, a Bracknell native, rose through the youth ranks to make over 300 appearances for his boyhood team over two spells.