Rival Watch

[katweslowski]

I don't think Oxford really care about us and vice versa, there was zero spice in our two fixtures against each other in League One

I certainly saw "spice" at the home game. In fact outside the ground itself I saw someone get knocked out during a fight - thankfully they got up after a few seconds but were really disorientated

In town also was trouble, with groups fighting, resulting in 13 people being charged

If there is any suggestion the two groups don't care then firstly I don't think that's correct, and secondly, it may be only because we've barely played each other in years, so in a way it's a rivalry/derby which may have laid dormant.

[grey_squirrel]

It is correct that the real local rivalry has only ever been between Oxford and Swindon.

Our historical rivalry was / is Aldershot.

[Sutekh]

I don't think Oxford really care about us and vice versa, there was zero spice in our two fixtures against each other in League One

I certainly saw "spice" at the home game. In fact outside the ground itself I saw someone get knocked out during a fight - thankfully they got up after a few seconds but were really disorientated

In town also was trouble, with groups fighting, resulting in 13 people being charged

If there is any suggestion the two groups don't care then firstly I don't think that's correct, and secondly, it may be only because we've barely played each other in years, so in a way it's a rivalry/derby which may have laid dormant.

Wycombe you’d think would be “a derby” but it’s wetter than the seaside in July. Brighton and Bournemouth were possibly the nearest thing to a derby we had in recent decades but they both managed to get ambition, half decent managers and owners with loads of money all co-ordinated at the same time, so that was the end of them.

It’s been so long since proper competitive fixtures with Swindon and Aldershot that I can’t remember if anyone particularly cared then either. But maybe next season we’ll find out.

[katweslowski]

It’s been so long since proper competitive fixtures with Swindon and Aldershot that I can’t remember if anyone particularly cared then either. But maybe next season we’ll find out.

I went to the Maidenhead vs Aldershot game a few years ago, when Reading were NOT playing and it was non-league day. There was a significant police presence in Reading as it was known a large number of Reading fans were going - which was evident in the ground. Aldershot were singing "we hate the Reading" and songs like that.

I agree about Wycombe - absolutely spice-less. They're an odd club and I hate "attendance watch", but it baffles me how they have 3000-ish home games for a play off semi final with empty seats everywhere.

Brighton was always a great game, and so was Portsmouth. I think there has historically been some "beef" with Fulham.

[Mr Optimist]

For older fans, sadly that includes me, that are 50+, Oxford and Swindon are historically big local rivals along with Aldershot, and fans of those clubs of similar ages I’m sure would agree. The Didcot Triangle!

Oxford and Swindon rivalry has grown in to their main one through playing each other more regularly than us in the last 25 years, that’s all.

If all three clubs are in the 3rd division next year it should be fun for TVP and it will be nice to have some local spicy atmospheres back.

I was praying for Harvey Knibbs to score an equaliser for Charlton against Ipswich on Tuesday night to send them down, but they still have a glimmer of hope left. They should beat Wednesday at home but their last game is away at Millwall who they will be hoping have nothing meaningful to play for by then.

[Stranded]

Oxford aren't down yet though are they.

Yes they are 6pts behind Charlton but their GD is only 2 worse.

They face Wednesday next, which you would expect any team in their situation to win - well you would expect any team to win. Whilst Charlton face play-off chasing Hull.

So could easily go to the last day with Oxford knowing a win will keep them safe if Charlton lose.

[tidus_mi2]

Oxford aren't down yet though are they.

Yes they are 6pts behind Charlton but their GD is only 2 worse.

They face Wednesday next, which you would expect any team in their situation to win - well you would expect any team to win. Whilst Charlton face play-off chasing Hull.

So could easily go to the last day with Oxford knowing a win will keep them safe if Charlton lose.

It's a very realistic scenario that they stay up despite needing to win both their games and Charlton only needing a point which seems bizarre, if Millwall have anything riding on the final day I think Oxford are oxf*rd.

Looking at the fixtures it seems it could very easily be a three way tussle for 2nd between Ipswich, Millwall and Southampton.

[Crowbar6753]

Been watching Reading since 1979 and it was always Swindon, Oxford and Aldershot in that order with both Bristol teams and Cardiff as also notables back in the day. The atmosphere at stadiums was always better then mainly due to terracing i guess and the older stadiums.
There was something about a derby game at the Manor ground, County ground and the Rec in Aldershot!! in the 70s and 80s all pretty tasty affairs with much hatred.
I guess time and being apart has watered down the rivalries however, as someone mentioned above a fews seasons back together again should rekindle the rivalries and judging by the games against Swinedon recently in the mickey mouse cup a league fixture could really be a fun game to watch.

[tidus_mi2]

Been watching Reading since 1979 and it was always Swindon, Oxford and Aldershot in that order with both Bristol teams and Cardiff as also notables back in the day. The atmosphere at stadiums was always better then mainly due to terracing i guess and the older stadiums.
There was something about a derby game at the Manor ground, County ground and the Rec in Aldershot!! in the 70s and 80s all pretty tasty affairs with much hatred.
I guess time and being apart has watered down the rivalries however, as someone mentioned above a fews seasons back together again should rekindle the rivalries and judging by the games against Swinedon recently in the mickey mouse cup a league fixture could really be a fun game to watch.

I do think we should just embrace rivalries if there is something there, West Ham back when they nicked Pardew was a bit one-sided and Warnock was always a panto villain.

Could theoretically have a bit of a local beef with Bournemouth but I know they get a bit of stick for "forcing" rivalries with us and Southampton, Bristol is just down the M4.

Don't think rivalries will emerge which in a way is a shame because we very rarely are in the same division as our historical rivals.

[Crowbar6753]

Been watching Reading since 1979 and it was always Swindon, Oxford and Aldershot in that order with both Bristol teams and Cardiff as also notables back in the day. The atmosphere at stadiums was always better then mainly due to terracing i guess and the older stadiums.
There was something about a derby game at the Manor ground, County ground and the Rec in Aldershot!! in the 70s and 80s all pretty tasty affairs with much hatred.
I guess time and being apart has watered down the rivalries however, as someone mentioned above a fews seasons back together again should rekindle the rivalries and judging by the games against Swinedon recently in the mickey mouse cup a league fixture could really be a fun game to watch.

I do think we should just embrace rivalries if there is something there, West Ham back when they nicked Pardew was a bit one-sided and Warnock was always a panto villain.

Could theoretically have a bit of a local beef with Bournemouth but I know they get a bit of stick for "forcing" rivalries with us and Southampton, Bristol is just down the M4.

Don't think rivalries will emerge which in a way is a shame because we very rarely are in the same division as our historical rivals.

Its funny that over the years other than Aldershot who really dropped down and out of the leagues, us, Swindon and Oxford have had periods of good times in the top flight only to be dragged back down again to what is arguably our natural levels (Div1) however, due to our infrastructure and Cat1 status maybe we should consider the Championship as our natural level? up for debate i guess.
But interesting to see us all coming back together again if Swindon can pull their socks up and do well in the playoffs.

[grey_squirrel]

I’ve posted recently on this subject but will embellish.

Knowing personally Oxford and Swindon fans, who have been proper fans for over 50 years, they laugh at the notion that they are bothered about Reading being their local ‘rivals’. They have deep rooted dis-like of each other, but not us, even and notwithstanding, in Oxfords case, the TVR escapade.

It seems some younger posters in here try to dream up some hostility with them due to geographical distance, but occasional fisty-cuffs does not equal rivalry. The same way, that in recent years, Wycombe and Bournemouth have sited the same with us.

[Clyde1998]

I’ve posted recently on this subject but will embellish.

Knowing personally Oxford and Swindon fans, who have been proper fans for over 50 years, they laugh at the notion that they are bothered about Reading being their local ‘rivals’. They have deep rooted dis-like of each other, but not us, even and notwithstanding, in Oxfords case, the TVR escapade.

It seems some younger posters in here try to dream up some hostility with them due to geographical distance, but occasional fisty-cuffs does not equal rivalry. The same way, that in recent years, Wycombe and Bournemouth have sited the same with us.

I think rivalries are only 'real' when they emerge organically through shared competition. We haven't played most of our 'local' sides much over the past 20-30 years, so can't really expect there to be much of a rivalry with any of them.

Since reaching the second tier in 2002-03, we've played Oxford four times; Swindon twice.

Oxford and Swindon have played each other much more than either have played us and have generally been at the same level for much longer since Oxford joined the league. They're going to see each other as bigger rivals than they see us.

Of course, we could quite quickly build up a rivalry with either if we start playing regularly again.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Possibility of an inaugural trip to Salford (up to 3rd) next season as they beat already promoted Bromley last night

[Whore Jackie]

Possibility of an inaugural trip to Salford (up to 3rd) next season as they beat already promoted Bromley last night

Yep, really hoping they complete the three coming up automatically and Cambridge miss out. There's still 5 teams in that battle for fifth:
Salford, Cambridge, Notts County, Swindon or Grimsby. Cambridge probably still in pole position with matches against Barrow (H) and Crewe (A).

[stealthpapes]

Possibility of an inaugural trip to Salford (up to 3rd) next season as they beat already promoted Bromley last night

I went.

Yeah, good luck getting away tickets for that one.

[Clyde1998]

Possibility of an inaugural trip to Salford (up to 3rd) next season as they beat already promoted Bromley last night

I went.

Yeah, good luck getting away tickets for that one.

Bromley's another people will struggle to get tickets for - they have an allocation of about 500.

[Stockport Royal]

Possibility of an inaugural trip to Salford (up to 3rd) next season as they beat already promoted Bromley last night

I went.

Yeah, good luck getting away tickets for that one.

Might be a home end job, everyone welcome to have their tickets delivered to my house if needed, fees apply.

[windermereROYAL]

WBA deducted 2 points to put them on 50 points, that`ll piss off the Poxford lads.

[tidus_mi2]

WBA deducted 2 points to put them on 50 points, that`ll piss off the Poxford lads.

Why? It'll give them another team they can catch.

[AthleticoSpizz]

WBA deducted 2 points to put them on 50 points, that`ll piss off the Poxford lads.

Why? It'll give them another team they can catch.

as if it needed saying, oxf*rd would’ve hoped for more.
As is, for oxf*rd, welcome to Reading next seaso’ oxf*rd