In celebration of Reading Football Club's 150th anniversary, The Reading Chronicle spoke with 15 figures from the Reading community, past and present, to find out above all one thing: What makes Reading FC special?
Roger Titford
Supporters Trust At Reading Treasurer
1964-Present
Appearances: ~1,250
Despite our very long history – the oldest league club in the south – we have never changed our club name or our basic blue and white colours. And we’re the only fans in the land who know what a Simod is (or was)!
I haven’t lived within 20 miles of Reading since 1977 but I keep coming back because it’s like an anchor in my life and my past. When we’re good, we’re great and we set some amazing records. The sarcastic wit of our fans is top-notch – who else would embrace David Brent to the tune of Terry and Julie?!
Stand-out memory:
So many, going back so far. Here’s one from 2001: the play-off semi-final second leg against Wigan. Capacity crowd. We were losing 0-1 for most of the game but right at the end, we equalised and then got an injury-time penalty. It was saved. Oh no. Nicky Forster slid the rebound in from a tight angle. OH YES! I swear the East Stand literally vibrated up and down in the fan frenzy that followed. No need to mention the play-off final, of course.
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