Reading 4 Plymouth 3

[Ark Royal]

Saturday 21st December 1985
READING 4 Horrix (65 pen), Senior (79, 80), Bremner (83) PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 3 Hodges (10), S. Cooper (44 pen), Clayton (48)
READING: Westwood, Peters, Bailie, Beavon, Hicks, Wood, Rogers, Horrix, Senior, Bremner, Gilkes (Burvill 51)
PLYMOUTH: Crudgington, Nisbet, L. Cooper, Goodyear, McElhinney, Summerfield, Hodges, Coughlin, S. Cooper, Clayton, Nelson. Sub: Rowbotham
Att: 8512

(I posted the above details so that people do not waste their time argung that Reading scored four goals in the last 26 seconds to clinch the win)

Your memories? Discuss.

[Franchise FC]

Remember :

- loads of people leaving when we were three down
- the petrified body language of Plymouth defenders after we'd scored the FIRST
- Kevin Bremner 'winning' the penalty (no two match ban a la Eduardo)
- not being able to talk for the whole of the next day

Didn't remember :

- that we had to hold out for a full 7 minutes once we'd taken the lead

[Dirk Gently]

Your memories? Discuss.

On the South Bank that day as Plymouth took us apart - although we weren't that bad, really - just letting in sloppy goals. South Bank crowd getting extremely critical and fractious. I got into major argument with a bloke next to me who was extremely critical and negative - as was the style mid-80's, we nearly came to blows, but as each Plymouth goal went in my arguments in favour of the team were looking more and more optimistic.

Second half started and we were soon 3-0 down, but Andy Rogers (ex-Plymouth, ISTR) was playing well, continually causing trouble, and we never looked out of the game - there was a real feeling that we'd win it, but only if we had enough time, we certainly weren't a beaten team at any stage. We always had it in us to win the game.

Can't remember the actual goals, but remember Rogers with the ball by the corner flag and having his shins hacked at by an Argyle player who was immediately booked, and from the free kick the Argyle player did exactly the same and was sent off - I think we'd pulled a couple of goals back by then, though.

When the 4th went in I ended up hugging and dancing around with the bloke I'd nearly been fighting with 45 minutes earlier.

[Royal Rother]

- not being able to talk for the whole of the next day

I twice read that as WALK - some weird celebrations I thought.

I don't really retain specific memories of match events from days gone my but I do remember that it was one of the best times of my life. First great shag, birth of kids, Reading's comeback against Plymouth, they're all right up there...!

[Tony Le Mesmer]

This was the 1st game i was allowed to go to without an adult.

i was 13 and my Mum would only let me go if i sat in C stand. Considering she took me to the Bristol City riot just a couple of years before im surprised she let me go at all!

I remember that one fan done his Cruciates in celebrating on the Southbank, the EP ran an article on it. So many people left at 3 down. come on, where are you?

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

A Plymouth supporting friend came with me.

At half time he returned from the C Block toilets, saying we're gonna lose, I've just seen Michael Foot!!

[rodnich]

Saturday 21st December 1985
READING 4 Horrix (65 pen), Senior (79, 80), Bremner (83) PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 3 Hodges (10), S. Cooper (44 pen), Clayton (48)
READING: Westwood, Peters, Bailie, Beavon, Hicks, Wood, Rogers, Horrix, Senior, Bremner, Gilkes (Burvill 51)
PLYMOUTH: Crudgington, Nisbet, L. Cooper, Goodyear, McElhinney, Summerfield, Hodges, Coughlin, S. Cooper, Clayton, Nelson. Sub: Rowbotham
Att: 8512

(I posted the above details so that people do not waste their time argung that Reading scored four goals in the last 26 seconds to clinch the win)

Your memories? Discuss.

Thats some fast shootin!

[Barry the bird boggler]

[Gordons Cumming]

Did Bremner play the whole game?

[Isaac Hunt]

Still rates as the best game i've ever seen.

Remember my Dad turning to me at 0-3 and saying "we're gonna win this".

[Thaumagurist*]

It was my first Reading game. All I can remember of that game was being crushed against the South Bank barriers 4 times that day. Was fun.

[Gordons Cumming]

It was my first Reading game. All I can remember of that game was being crushed against the South Bank barriers 4 times that day. Was fun.

From that day on you were hooked.

Good choice.

[TFF]

So many people left at 3 down. come on, where are you?

I was on my way out of the ground, left the Southbank and was walking across the Tilehurst End when we got the pen. Decided to stay and see the match through to the end. Good times.

As above, I don't remember there being so much time left after our fourth.

[Riseley]

All I can remember is that we were a proper football club in those days and had no need for jester hats or a players car park large enough for Hummers. Glen Burvill for Gilkes was a strange one and I think I almost came to blows with a young Dirk over the merits of such a move.

[wolsey]

Glen Burvill for Gilkes was a strange one and I think I almost came to blows with a young Dirk over the merits of such a move.

I remember being confused by that at the time, but didn't he come on and do well?

He may not have been the match winner, but he had one of his best performances that day (not that's saying a great deal) and I don't think that the substitution and the comeback were necessarily coincidental.

[SeniorRoyal]

Was the crowd really only just over 8500 ? I remember a lot of Plymouth fans as it was a top of the table clash.Must have been a lot a Xmas shoppers that day who missed the best Reading fight back.
Kevin Bremner's best ever game for Reading,and a legend for one performance.

[Dirk Gently]

....Kevin Bremner's best ever game for Reading,and a legend for one performance.

That's a whole other discussion. How about away at Newport?

[royalsmudge]

First season I went, with my Dad and his workmates, tears in my eyes at half time, Dad's mate repeating "Have Faith" we can win this. Elation at full time, car crash on the way home writing off our vile sky blue Vauxhall Viva.
I'd have taken that at the start of the day

[Dirk Gently]

And you try telling the kids of today that - they won't believe you ........

[royalsmudge]

I was 8 and have no recollection of the game at all other than the scoreline and the late fightback.
A good season to start supporting the club, probably not as good as anyone starting in 2005/6 though.
They are in for some dark(er) days ahead I would imagine, hopefully not as dark as some the older supporters have had though.