As another season comes to an end, the Reading Chronicle were tasked to create an A-Z of the Royals' 2023/24 campaign.

Take a look below.

Reading Chronicle:

A- Abandonment

A historic day for all the wrong reasons, the club's woes were laid bare for all to see in January when thousands invaded the pitch against Port Vale and refused to budge until the game was called off. Given a suspended deduction and winning the rescheduled match, no real damage was done, and the footballing world applauded as Reading stood up for itself.

B- Banners

From day one until the very end, a wide range of witty and emotional banners have been on display supporting the club and protesting against the owner.

C- Coverage

The club has not been in the news more than it has for the past 12 months. And unfortunately, not the headlines supporters want to read. However, it has pleased many to see the entire footballing world and community sit up and take notice of the struggles.

D- Dai Yongge Out

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the season remains the fact that Yongge remains in charge. With talks ongoing, it has almost been a calendar year since it became clear that the Chinese businessman was either unable or unwilling to fund the club anymore. For the club to move forward, this summer needs to bring change.

E- EFL

It wouldn’t be Reading without another year of EFL punishments. For issues varying from HMRC, salaries and pitch invasions, the club have now lost 18 points at the hands of the EFL. This makes Dai Yongge one of the club’s bogey teams over the seven years of his ownership.

F- FA Cup exit

Reading fell at the second-round hurdle, not making the third round for the first time in over 20 years. Exiting at the hands of non-league Eastleigh, the fallout was less negative than it would have been were it not used as another platform to show the world what is happening to the club, again earning lots of support from big names in the sport.

G- Goals…plenty of them!

Reading scored 98 goals across the 2023/24 season, the most since the record-breaking promotion of 2005/06. Four players ended on double-figures, three of which arrived in the summer.

Reading Chronicle:

H- Holmes

After 16 years playing for his boyhood club, 2023/24 marked the end of an era as Tom Holmes departed for Luton Town. After an emotional final bow against Blackpool, the defender made sure to say it is a ‘see you later’ not ‘goodbye.’

I- Ipswich Town

Premier League newbies Ipswich were taken all the way to penalties back in August as Ruben Selles’ youngsters showed their worth in the Carabao Cup. Having already cruised past a strong Millwall side 4-0 at the Den, the entertaining 2-2 draw with Ipswich proved the squad were capable of good things.

J- January window

One that will live long in the memory, and for all the wrong reasons. Nelson Abbey, Tom McIntyre and Tom Holmes all departed- with various degrees of deceit from above- which caused distress amongst the fanbase and the club as a whole. For the future, Taylan Harris and Caylan Vickers could go on to be big misses and are players many supporters will keep an eye on.

K- Knibbs

Another popular summer addition, Knibbs finished in the top three of the Player of the Season poll and enjoyed a career-high 16-goal tally. His fan favourite status was enhanced with his tweet following a 3-1 win over Carlisle United in February, hitting back at Cumbrian’s boss Paul Simpson’s pre-match words.

Reading Chronicle:

L- Lewis Wing

The Player of the Season, by unanimous decision, midfielder Wing has made quite the impression in his debut campaign. From classy passing to long-range rockets, the former Middlesbrough midfielder cemented his place as a cult figure for his Purple Turtle appearance.

M- Mark Bowen

A man who has taken up a multitude of roles both on and off the field for Reading, it is safe to say that Bowen’s summer recruitment in an uncertain summer will go down as a memorable one. Constantly battling the issues above, the former manager and full-back represented the club commendably in the most difficult of circumstances. He and his team need an uninterrupted campaign to progress the club forward.

N- Noel Hunt

The former fan favourite striker is certainly making his mark in coaching back with the club, leading the Under-21s to a sixth-place finish in the entire country as well as a second Berks and Bucks Cup in three years. All of this was done while his players were being cherry-picked for the first-team or other clubs, but the stream of exciting prospects seems busier than ever before. Long may that continue.

O- Own goals

Reading benefitted from eight own goals in 2023/24, more than double the previous highest in the last 30 years. Twinned with the four players hitting double figures, it is no surprise to see the club score so many goals.

P- Port Vale

A word must be saved for our newfound friends in Burslem. For the way they supported the Reading protest, despite leaving them out of pocket and with a wasted day of travel, will forever leave a piece of them close to Royal hearts.

The hope was that the next time the sides meet could be a celebration, but unfortunately, the Valiants were relegated. A statue of legendary boss John Rudge should be up at Vale Park by the time the sides meet again, £10,000 of which was contributed to by Reading supporters. A strong bond was formed.

Q- Question marks

Ultimately after the longest 12 months of our lives, we are still left with more questions over the club’s future than answers.

R- Ruben Selles

A special singular mention for the gaffer. From 10 points adrift in November and many calling for his head, the turnaround was miraculous, and hats have been well and truly doffed across the footballing community. The next key question mark is to see how the Spaniard does without his arms and legs tied behind his back.

S- Sell Before We Dai

A tireless group of volunteers have raised the profile of the club’s plight no end and continuously ensured the Royals are at the forefront of any football-wide discussions. Creatively keeping the club’s battle in the press, this bunch are owed a drink or two when we come out on the other side.

Reading Chronicle:

T- Trophy

It was a return to the Bristol Street Motors Trophy for the first time in over 22 years and in an entertaining fashion. Hitting Exeter for nine, Swindon and Arsenal for five, it ended on a whimper with penalty defeat to Brighton. Time to do it all again next season.

U- Unbelievable away support

On average, almost 1,200 supporters travelled the length and breadth of the country to follow Reading last season. Up almost 400 on the 2022/23 campaign, new grounds were lapped up after a decade of trips to QPR, Preston and Hull. Again, long may it continue.

V- Victory

We may not have yet won the war, but it is safe to say 2023/24 proved a victory in the battle. There were spells where it didn’t look like the club would make it this far, which thankfully appear to be in the distance now, hence the large celebrations on the final day.

W- Worst finish

Despite the overall positives of turning around the poor start and ensuring the Royals didn’t drop into the fourth tier, it cannot go unsaid that 2023/24 was the club’s lowest finish since 1989. As D-Ream sang, things can only get better.

X- X

Formerly known as Twitter, not a day has gone by without a social media meltdown for one reason or another. Roll on the future and a quieter season (fingers crossed).

Y- Yazmine Delarose

It’s been a long time since the wives and girlfriends attempted to take up the mantle left by the ‘Royals Family’ of yesteryear, but Lewis Wing’s Spag Bol queen might be the one to bring back the feel-good, family vibes at the SCL Stadium.

Z- ZZZ (or lack of it)

Supporters will have lost count of the amount of sleepless nights suffered throughout this season, with fears over the very existence of the football club. It cannot continue.