36 years ago today...

[Franchise FC]

Remember the Argyle fans giving it large and totally out singing us!! Oh how that changed in the last 20 mins my most memorable Reading game of all time, followed by the Wolves game where Archie scored two stoppage time goals to win 2-1. Very similar in many ways, just a few less goals...

At least I was at that Wolves game and it was a rare outing by Mrs Zip to a Reading game.
A real shame there is no footage of the Plymouth game

That was the year of the TV strike (cameramen, I think), although I thought it was over by the time of the Plymouth game

[Zip]

Remember the Argyle fans giving it large and totally out singing us!! Oh how that changed in the last 20 mins my most memorable Reading game of all time, followed by the Wolves game where Archie scored two stoppage time goals to win 2-1. Very similar in many ways, just a few less goals...

At least I was at that Wolves game and it was a rare outing by Mrs Zip to a Reading game.
A real shame there is no footage of the Plymouth game

That was the year of the TV strike (cameramen, I think), although I thought it was over by the time of the Plymouth game

Yes it was and I think it was over by then.

[The Cube]

That was the year of the TV strike (cameramen, I think), although I thought it was over by the time of the Plymouth game

Typical right-wing lying propaganda. It wasn't a strike, it was because the TV companies weren't prepared to meet football's asking price and terms for coverage.

[grey_squirrel]

I’ve posted on numerous threads about this before, but I always enjoy a step back in nostalgia about this one and that season.

In many ways the swagger and confidence of that season’s team was very reminiscent of the 106 team, although obviously wholly different in style and technique. The team picked itself. There were egos but the desire of the team outweighed the needs of the few. Something present day over paid mercenaries have absolutely no clue about.

The greatest game? In my 55 years of support? Yes. Undoubtedly. Sure we’ve spanked more teams, probably achieved “greater/bigger” results, but the clinical and animalistic desire to win that game was immeasurable. Every player on the pitch played that second half like their life depended on it. Not like our lot today.

Anyway additional recollections

Crowd. Only 8,700? Of which 2,500 were Plymouth yet the South Bank was a steaming cauldron of partisan passion, even in the first half.

Still at 0-3, Plymouth also hit the crossbar 5 minutes into the second half.

Plymouth singing jingle bells relentlessly all first half.

The killer instinct, annihilation and destruction of Plymouth in that 20 minute period was unsurpassed.

I’m sure we were 21 points clear after the Xmas/NY fixtures and remember Des Lynam and the Beeb not even bothering to show us top in their Football results round up saying “it’s not worth mentioning Reading” For once that brought a smile to my face!

And finally, Max. He sadly didn’t play for us for long. He didn’t win this game on his own but fought every game to the death. I remember his last game for us. Ipswich away. The pitch was amassed with Ipswich supporters chucking coins at us, yet he waded thru them to applaud us.

[Zip]

That was the year of the TV strike (cameramen, I think), although I thought it was over by the time of the Plymouth game

Typical right-wing lying propaganda. It wasn't a strike, it was because the TV companies weren't prepared to meet football's asking price and terms for coverage.

Yeah if you say but Franchise is not right wing.

[AthleticoSpizz]

I’ve posted on numerous threads about this before, but I always enjoy a step back in nostalgia about this one and that season.

In many ways the swagger and confidence of that season’s team was very reminiscent of the 106 team, although obviously wholly different in style and technique. The team picked itself. There were egos but the desire of the team outweighed the needs of the few. Something present day over paid mercenaries have absolutely no clue about.

The greatest game? In my 55 years of support? Yes. Undoubtedly. Sure we’ve spanked more teams, probably achieved “greater/bigger” results, but the clinical and animalistic desire to win that game was immeasurable. Every player on the pitch played that second half like their life depended on it. Not like our lot today.

Anyway additional recollections

Crowd. Only 8,700? Of which 2,500 were Plymouth yet the South Bank was a steaming cauldron of partisan passion, even in the first half.

Still at 0-3, Plymouth also hit the crossbar 5 minutes into the second half.

Plymouth singing jingle bells relentlessly all first half.

The killer instinct, annihilation and destruction of Plymouth in that 20 minute period was unsurpassed.

I’m sure we were 21 points clear after the Xmas/NY fixtures and remember Des Lynam and the Beeb not even bothering to show us top in their Football results round up saying “it’s not worth mentioning Reading” For once that brought a smile to my face!

And finally, Max. He sadly didn’t play for us for long. He didn’t win this game on his own but fought every game to the death. I remember his last game for us. Ipswich away. The pitch was amassed with Ipswich supporters chucking coins at us, yet he waded thru them to applaud us.

nice analogies Squirrel, was at that Ipswich game 86/87, our highest ever finish to a season, trapped in our hamster cage, made myself a few quid

[From Despair To Where?]

I think the games I remember most from that season were the 4-2 win against Chesterfield followed by the 1-0 win against Derby, wins 10 and 11 iirc.

I also have quite vivid memories of the home defeat against Darlington where we scored 2 ogs and the game against Gillingham where Deano scored a superb shoulder high volley.

[Franchise FC]

I think the games I remember most from that season were the 4-2 win against Chesterfield followed by the 1-0 win against Derby, wins 10 and 11 iirc.

I also have quite vivid memories of the home defeat against Darlington where we scored 2 ogs and the game against Gillingham where Deano scored a superb shoulder high volley.

For your most memorable games you might have included Bolton rather than Derby

[Barney]

I’ve posted on numerous threads about this before, but I always enjoy a step back in nostalgia about this one and that season.

In many ways the swagger and confidence of that season’s team was very reminiscent of the 106 team, although obviously wholly different in style and technique. The team picked itself. There were egos but the desire of the team outweighed the needs of the few. Something present day over paid mercenaries have absolutely no clue about.

The greatest game? In my 55 years of support? Yes. Undoubtedly. Sure we’ve spanked more teams, probably achieved “greater/bigger” results, but the clinical and animalistic desire to win that game was immeasurable. Every player on the pitch played that second half like their life depended on it. Not like our lot today.

Anyway additional recollections

Crowd. Only 8,700? Of which 2,500 were Plymouth yet the South Bank was a steaming cauldron of partisan passion, even in the first half.

Still at 0-3, Plymouth also hit the crossbar 5 minutes into the second half.

Plymouth singing jingle bells relentlessly all first half.

The killer instinct, annihilation and destruction of Plymouth in that 20 minute period was unsurpassed.

I’m sure we were 21 points clear after the Xmas/NY fixtures and remember Des Lynam and the Beeb not even bothering to show us top in their Football results round up saying “it’s not worth mentioning Reading” For once that brought a smile to my face!

And finally, Max. He sadly didn’t play for us for long. He didn’t win this game on his own but fought every game to the death. I remember his last game for us. Ipswich away. The pitch was amassed with Ipswich supporters chucking coins at us, yet he waded thru them to applaud us.

nice analogies Squirrel, was at that Ipswich game 86/87, our highest ever finish to a season, trapped in our hamster cage, made myself a few quid

The Ipswich game At the end of the game, me and my mate Nigel (RIP) climbed the fences as the coins were being pelted at us.
Great day. Great season. Great memories.

[From Despair To Where?]

I think the games I remember most from that season were the 4-2 win against Chesterfield followed by the 1-0 win against Derby, wins 10 and 11 iirc.

I also have quite vivid memories of the home defeat against Darlington where we scored 2 ogs and the game against Gillingham where Deano scored a superb shoulder high volley.

For your most memorable games you might have included Bolton rather than Derby

I am thinking of the Derby game where it kicked off on Norfolk Rd afterwards but you're right, I'm getting mixed up, it was our first home game after securing promotion. As I said previously, my memories of actual incidents for that season and era in general aren't that vivid any more. I suppose there's no video documentation to keep them fresh.

[Franchise FC]

I think the games I remember most from that season were the 4-2 win against Chesterfield followed by the 1-0 win against Derby, wins 10 and 11 iirc.

I also have quite vivid memories of the home defeat against Darlington where we scored 2 ogs and the game against Gillingham where Deano scored a superb shoulder high volley.

For your most memorable games you might have included Bolton rather than Derby

I am thinking of the Derby game where it kicked off on Norfolk Rd afterwards but you're right, I'm getting mixed up, it was our first home game after securing promotion. As I said previously, my memories of actual incidents for that season and era in general aren't that vivid any more. I suppose there's no video documentation to keep them fresh.

Sadly, for both of us, it's an age thing.

Anyone that's old enough to have been there, probably can't remember yesterday, let alone 1985

[South Coast Royal]

For your most memorable games you might have included Bolton rather than Derby

I am thinking of the Derby game where it kicked off on Norfolk Rd afterwards but you're right, I'm getting mixed up, it was our first home game after securing promotion. As I said previously, my memories of actual incidents for that season and era in general aren't that vivid any more. I suppose there's no video documentation to keep them fresh.

Sadly, for both of us, it's an age thing.

Anyone that's old enough to have been there, probably can't remember yesterday, let alone 1985

Newbies.

[Franchise FC]

I am thinking of the Derby game where it kicked off on Norfolk Rd afterwards but you're right, I'm getting mixed up, it was our first home game after securing promotion. As I said previously, my memories of actual incidents for that season and era in general aren't that vivid any more. I suppose there's no video documentation to keep them fresh.

Sadly, for both of us, it's an age thing.

Anyone that's old enough to have been there, probably can't remember yesterday, let alone 1985

Newbies.

Oh, how I wish

[Sutekh]

The 13 league games were:

1. 17 Aug 85: Reading 1-0 Blackpool - att. 3,410 (Williams)
2. 24 Aug 85: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Reading (Senior)
3. 26 Aug 85: Reading 3-2 Bristol Rovers - att. 3,649 (Bater og, Hicks, Horrix)
4. 31 Aug 85: Cardiff City 1-3 Reading (Senior 3)
5. 07 Sep 85: Reading 2-1 Walsall - 3,793 (Brazier og, Senior)
6. 14 Sep 85: Rotherham United 1-2 Reading (Rogers, White)
7. 17 Sep 85: Brentford 1-2 Reading (Peters, Senior)
8. 21 Sep 85: Reading 2-0 Swansea City - att. 5,346 (Horrix, Senior)
9. 28 Sep 85: Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Reading (White)
10. 02 Oct 85: Reading 4-2 Chesterfield - att. 6,669 (Senior 3, Williams)
11. 05 Oct 85: Reading 1-0 Bolton Wanderers - att. 8,164 (Wood)
12. 12 Oct 85: Newport County 0-2 Reading (Beavon, Bremner)
13. 19 Oct 85: Lincoln City 0-1 Reading (Senior)

Game 14 was a 2-2 draw at home to Wolves (Bremner, Senior) in front of 13,465 spectators on 23 Oct 85. Equaliser for Wolves in about the 85th minute I think after Reading had hit back from being 1-0 down.

Just for the record the Derby game was on 26 Apr 86.

[Zip]

The 13 league games were:

1. 17 Aug 85: Reading 1-0 Blackpool - att. 3,410 (Williams)
2. 24 Aug 85: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Reading (Senior)
3. 26 Aug 85: Reading 3-2 Bristol Rovers - att. 3,649 (Bater og, Hicks, Horrix)
4. 31 Aug 85: Cardiff City 1-3 Reading (Senior 3)
5. 07 Sep 85: Reading 2-1 Walsall - 3,793 (Brazier og, Senior)
6. 14 Sep 85: Rotherham United 1-2 Reading (Rogers, White)
7. 17 Sep 85: Brentford 1-2 Reading (Peters, Senior)
8. 21 Sep 85: Reading 2-0 Swansea City - att. 5,346 (Horrix, Senior)
9. 28 Sep 85: Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Reading (White)
10. 02 Oct 85: Reading 4-2 Chesterfield - att. 6,669 (Senior 3, Williams)
11. 05 Oct 85: Reading 1-0 Bolton Wanderers - att. 8,164 (Wood)
12. 12 Oct 85: Newport County 0-2 Reading (Beavon, Bremner)
13. 19 Oct 85: Lincoln City 0-1 Reading (Senior)

Game 14 was a 2-2 draw at home to Wolves (Bremner, Senior) in front of 13,465 spectators on 23 Oct 85. Equaliser for Wolves in about the 85th minute I think after Reading had hit back from being 1-0 down.

Just for the record the Derby game was on 26 Apr 86.

Yeah I didn’t go to any of the first 13.....but went to the 14th where Wolves ended our run.

[LUX]

I am thinking of the Derby game where it kicked off on Norfolk Rd afterwards but you're right, I'm getting mixed up, it was our first home game after securing promotion. As I said previously, my memories of actual incidents for that season and era in general aren't that vivid any more. I suppose there's no video documentation to keep them fresh.

Sadly, for both of us, it's an age thing.

Anyone that's old enough to have been there, probably can't remember yesterday, let alone 1985

Newbies.

I think us really old puns’ favourite ever team was the 75-76 team. Friday, Death, Minty Murray, Hetzke, Peters, Youlden, Hiron, Henderson, Stuckey, Nelson, Dunphy, to name eleven of them. Finished third in Division 4.

Agreed SCR?

106 team next favourite.

[AthleticoSpizz]

The 13 league games were:

1. 17 Aug 85: Reading 1-0 Blackpool - att. 3,410 (Williams)
2. 24 Aug 85: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Reading (Senior)
3. 26 Aug 85: Reading 3-2 Bristol Rovers - att. 3,649 (Bater og, Hicks, Horrix)
4. 31 Aug 85: Cardiff City 1-3 Reading (Senior 3)
5. 07 Sep 85: Reading 2-1 Walsall - 3,793 (Brazier og, Senior)
6. 14 Sep 85: Rotherham United 1-2 Reading (Rogers, White)
7. 17 Sep 85: Brentford 1-2 Reading (Peters, Senior)
8. 21 Sep 85: Reading 2-0 Swansea City - att. 5,346 (Horrix, Senior)
9. 28 Sep 85: Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Reading (White)
10. 02 Oct 85: Reading 4-2 Chesterfield - att. 6,669 (Senior 3, Williams)
11. 05 Oct 85: Reading 1-0 Bolton Wanderers - att. 8,164 (Wood)
12. 12 Oct 85: Newport County 0-2 Reading (Beavon, Bremner)
13. 19 Oct 85: Lincoln City 0-1 Reading (Senior)

Game 14 was a 2-2 draw at home to Wolves (Bremner, Senior) in front of 13,465 spectators on 23 Oct 85. Equaliser for Wolves in about the 85th minute I think after Reading had hit back from being 1-0 down.

Just for the record the Derby game was on 26 Apr 86.

Yeah I didn’t go to any of the first 13.....but went to the 14th where Wolves ended our run.

get outta town you Jonah, oh, you already have……stay away

Still have the big Courage pennant regaling all of those 13 wins hanging in the garage.

[Zip]

The 13 league games were:

1. 17 Aug 85: Reading 1-0 Blackpool - att. 3,410 (Williams)
2. 24 Aug 85: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Reading (Senior)
3. 26 Aug 85: Reading 3-2 Bristol Rovers - att. 3,649 (Bater og, Hicks, Horrix)
4. 31 Aug 85: Cardiff City 1-3 Reading (Senior 3)
5. 07 Sep 85: Reading 2-1 Walsall - 3,793 (Brazier og, Senior)
6. 14 Sep 85: Rotherham United 1-2 Reading (Rogers, White)
7. 17 Sep 85: Brentford 1-2 Reading (Peters, Senior)
8. 21 Sep 85: Reading 2-0 Swansea City - att. 5,346 (Horrix, Senior)
9. 28 Sep 85: Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Reading (White)
10. 02 Oct 85: Reading 4-2 Chesterfield - att. 6,669 (Senior 3, Williams)
11. 05 Oct 85: Reading 1-0 Bolton Wanderers - att. 8,164 (Wood)
12. 12 Oct 85: Newport County 0-2 Reading (Beavon, Bremner)
13. 19 Oct 85: Lincoln City 0-1 Reading (Senior)

Game 14 was a 2-2 draw at home to Wolves (Bremner, Senior) in front of 13,465 spectators on 23 Oct 85. Equaliser for Wolves in about the 85th minute I think after Reading had hit back from being 1-0 down.

Just for the record the Derby game was on 26 Apr 86.

Yeah I didn’t go to any of the first 13.....but went to the 14th where Wolves ended our run.

get outta town you Jonah, oh, you already have……stay away

Still have the big Courage pennant regaling all of those 13 wins hanging in the garage.

I was living in Thatcham at the time and was a Trainee Deputy Manager at Bejam in Newbury. Bloody hated that job.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Sadly, for both of us, it's an age thing.

Anyone that's old enough to have been there, probably can't remember yesterday, let alone 1985

Newbies.

I think us really old puns’ favourite ever team was the 75-76 team. Friday, Death, Minty Murray, Hetzke, Peters, Youlden, Hiron, Henderson, Stuckey, Nelson, Dunphy, to name eleven of them. Finished third in Division 4.

Agreed SCR?

106 team next favourite.

Can remember that team but preferred 1978-79 that's when I started going regularly

[grey_squirrel]

The Wolves game recollections

Unsurprisingly I think we all turned up expecting a win. Wolves we’re in turmoil. Had overseas owners (the Bhattis) who they despised and wanted shot of. They were allocated the E stand only (the town end was mostly us) and displayed a ‘BHATTIS OUT’ protest banner throughout the game.

I think this was back in the days of Mike Lewis’ “creative accounting”. 13,000 in the ground yet the whole of Reading was deserted that evening.

We had more than our slice of luck during the run and Lady Luck was always going to desert us at some stage and this was the night. I remember the disappointed vividly but runs do always end unpredictability.

I fortunately swerved Walsall away thereafter but foolishly ventured to Gigg Lane (Bury) the next away game. We lost 3-1 It was dank, dreary and miserable and that just wasn’t our performance. The players obviously thought we’d done enough.