With the season done and dusted, the club have already awarded their official honours with Lewis Wing deservedly picking up Player of the Season and Femi Azeez awarded the Vice President's trophy.
Having witnessed all 55 first-team matches this season, I decided to have a bit of fun and set up my own alternative awards.
From categories including best away day to best player to interview, take a look below at 10 made-up honours below.
Most interesting to interview- Sam Hutchinson
Never one to wheel out pre-prepared interview answers, the experienced midfielder was always a fun player to speak to purely because you never knew what was going to come out. Put forward to speak after the Shrewsbury Town capitulation, his final act for the club was a forthright interview in which he addressed ‘so many problems’ at the club.
In his first season at the club, working under Paul Ince, the Sheffield Wednesday favourite even sat in on one pre-match press conference to get a better understanding of how it works, presumably with half an eye on moving into coaching in the future. Always polite and a good laugh, his spell will forever be tinged by a fateful afternoon in Shropshire.
Most improved player- Clinton Mola
23-year-old Mola arrived to little fanfare in September and immediately came into the team for a short cameo during a 1-0 defeat to Cambridge United. Playing 266 minutes across the first 18 matches available, his flank was regularly targeted, and the former England youngster looked incredibly short of the standard required.
However, he went on to appear in every game from the turn of 2024 and, barring one or two below-par performances went from strength to strength. Reading announced last week that he is departing following the end of his contract, and the greatest compliment any player can get is that supporters have been left disappointed that the fullback will leave.
"To use a video game analogy, this match was the especially boring level that you really wish you could skip rather than having to play through."@simfrombucks' take on a dull game, problems with #ReadingFC's back four and another impactful protest.https://t.co/6GtnHddM5O
— The Tilehurst End (@TheTilehurstEnd) September 30, 2023
Most forgettable moment- Reading 0-0 Burton Albion
20 shots, seven on target, and 64 per cent possession would sound like a positive showing in a bottom-half League One match. However, very few will remember a great deal of action from an early season draw against Burton. The only memorable spell was a 10-minute break as the players were taken off the pitch due to a barrage of tennis balls being launched onto the pitch for the second consecutive match. Reading only failed to score in two more league matches until the end of the season.
Best opposition player- Aaron Collins
Wales international Collins was League One Player of the Season last year, so he was always one to watch when Reading prepared to play his sides. Failing to score in 90 minutes at the SCL Stadium for Bristol Rovers but forcing David Button into a pair of good saves, the 26-year-old made up for lost time by slamming a hattrick against the Royals for new side Bolton Wanderers on Easter Monday.
Best match- Exeter City 0-9 Reading
Yes, it was a much-changed team and yes, it was a competition that many supporters mainly gave little thought too, but if you can’t enjoy a club-record victory in any competition then you will never be happy. From start to finish, the Royals bossed the tie and rather than taking their foot off the gas at the end, they pressed their foot onto the Grecians’ neck even stronger. To top it all off, it was fate that exactly 1,871 supporters were there to enjoy the spectacle.
Best parking- Shrewsbury Town
As all members of the media will vouch for, there is very little else the media give much else thought to other than the availability of car parking, food on offer and the view from the press box. Although the 3-2 defeat the Croud Meadow was harrowing and far and away the lowest point of the season, the journalist in me was very happy with the ease of entering and exiting the ground, wanting to make as fast a return to Berkshire as possible on that particular afternoon.
Tell you what, I'm so proud to be #readingfc. Have just got off the phone to John Rudge, who is absolutely 'blown away' by the support and wanted to thank you all, with over £4,100 contributed toward his statue at #pvfc. Hopefully, a bond between the two clubs to last a long time
— James Earnshaw (@james_e1871) January 15, 2024
Best away fans- Port Vale
Many brought more to the SCL Stadium than Port Vale, but the Valliant’s must win the title for the way they acted when the club were at their lowest. Invading the pitch after 16 minutes and causing the match to be abandoned in protest against Dai Yongge, this was on the cards judging by social media from the days leading up to the game, yet hundreds travelled down anyway.
Having had their own ownership struggles in the past, Vale supporters were more than sympathetic and hearing them join in with the Reading fans will stick with me forever. There is nothing stronger than the football family when it pulls together.
Hundreds more travelled down for the rearranged fixture, which they lost on a cold midweek, but Royals fans showed their appreciation by donating almost £10,000 to a fund to build a statue of legendary manager John Rudge, and Rudge himself was given a standing ovation during his half-time appearance. Unfortunately relegated, hopefully, it won’t be long before they’re back up as there will forever be a bond between the two sets of supporters.
Best away day- Carlisle United
It’s a close call between Carlisle and Wycombe, with the trip to Adam’s Park bringing the first league away win for 378 days but taking over 1,400 to Cumbria and winning so comfortably made the mammoth journey worthwhile. Due to the sheer number of miles, many made a weekend of the trip and the Saturday evening in the town centre was like Friar Street with the number of Royals supporters enjoying themselves.
🔵 Former #Readingfc striker Dave Kitson leads the march off towards the stadium, followed by a coffin. @SellBeforeWeDai @STARReading @TheTilehurstEnd pic.twitter.com/HyKdQBnUOA
— Fair Game (@FairGameUK) October 28, 2023
Protest of the season- Portsmouth march
It is sad that there have even been enough protests to be able to have an award for the best. A day that will live long in the memory of those in attendance, it will always be remembered as the day Reading shutdown the A33.
Starting at Blue Collar Corner in the town centre, it was hard to gauge interest before turning up but by 12.30 almost 2,000 supporters rocked up with their banners and voices to make their statement. Brilliantly organised by Sell Before We Dai, and backed by Reading Borough Council, it felt like everyone was together. This town was not going to lose its club quietly.
One for next season- Mamadi Camara
On the fringes for the last few seasons, 20-year-old Camara looked set to break through this season before injuries cost him playing time. Looking impressive on the final day against Blackpool, he left supporters wanting more for the new campaign.
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