Reading's FA Cup victory over MK Dons on Saturday marks the lowest attendance for a competitive fixture on the weekend since the move to the SCL Stadium in 1998.
Entering at round one for the first time in over 20 years, the narrow 3-2 win sets up a trip to National League Eastleigh in round two.
A match set for a ticket scramble with a small away allocation, that was not the case in RG2 on Saturday as just 4,325 braved the rain and cold.
Many had complained at the ticket price, with the club charging £15.
Over 600 had travelled from Buckinghamshire, with League Two MK Dons pushing the Royals all the way.
In total, this was the lowest crowd for 15 months as last season's Carabao Cup defeat to Stevenage was attended by 4,230.
However, no match held on a weekend has seen fewer fans attend since the 1998 move from Elm Park.
With scarce attendance figures from the previous ground, especially the case in cup competitions, it is the lowest crowd on record for a weekend fixture.
Last time Reading played in the FA Cup first round, @JamieCuro got the only goal of the game against Welling United in 2001 💫 #readingfc pic.twitter.com/HC4L8IQnXM
— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) November 3, 2023
For a point of comparison, first-round clashes against the likes of Welling United, Halifax Town and Grays Athletic all around 6,000.
On the whole, home crowds have been dropping for the last decade, matching the side's demise on the field.
The home average is currently 12,436 in League One, among the highest in the division.
This season is set to mark an increase in travelling support, with the Royals averaging over 1,000 per trip to date.
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