Reading

Kit History

1872 a

1891-1892 a

1897-1898 a

1903-1904 m

1904-1906 e l m

1906-1908 m

1908-1911 l m

1911-1914 a m

1914-1915 m

1920-1924 a

1924-1925 m

1925-1926 a m

1926-1927 m

1927-1929 a

1929-1934 a m

1934-circa1937 a

1937-1938 f

1938-1939 a f

October 1941 f

Feb1942-1943 f

1946-1947 a f

1947-1948 a

1948-1953 a

1953-1954 a

1954-1955 a

1955-1957 a

1957-1958 a

1958-1959 a

1959-1963 a

1963-1965 a

1965-1969 a

1969-1974 a k

1974-1976 a

Umbro

1976-1977 j

Bukta

1977-1978 a

Bukta

1978-1979 a h j

Bukta

1979-1981 a h j

1981-1982 a g h

mid 1982-1983 a g h

Umbro

1983-1984 a

Patrick

1984-1985 j

Patrick

1985-1987 a h

Patrick

1987-1989 a h

Matchwinner

1989-1990 h

Matchwinner

1990-1991 b h

Matchwinner

1991-1992 d

Brooks

1992-1993 a

Pelada

1993-1994 a

Pelada

1994-1995 b

Pelada

1995-1996 b i

Mizuno

1996-1998 b

Mizuno

1998-1999 b

Mizuno

1999-2001 a

Kit@

2001-2003 b

Kit@

2003-2004 c

Puma

2004-2005 c

Puma

2005-2006 c

Puma

2006-2008 c

Puma

2008-09 c

Background

reading 1909-10 The meeting that led to the formation of Reading FC was held in the Bridge Street Rooms under the chairmanship of one JE Sydenham, who became the club's first Honorary Secretary. Their first colours were navy and white hooped jerseys. After 22 years of playing friendly fixtures and competing in local cup competition, the club became founder members of the Southern League in 1894. A year later Reading FC turned professional.

Reading's career in the Southern League was undistinguished but they did win the Second Division in 1911 and held on to their place until the outbreak of the First World War. As a result, Reading were one of the clubs chosen en bloc to form the new third Division in 1920. In 1926 the club won the Third Division (South) championship and took their place in Division Two. The following season they reached the FA Cup semi-final, losing to Cardiff City who went on to win the competition. Reading's glory was, however, shortlived and in 1931 the club was relegated.

For the next 27 years Reading would languish in Division Three (South). When the regional divisions were scrapped in 1958, Reading were placed in Division Three and remained there until being relegated to Division Four in 1971. The old dark blue and white stripes were replaced by royal blue and white hoops immediately before the Second World War, with the broader hoops that were to become associated with the club first appearing in 1948. Plain white shirts were adopted for a while in the 1950s and an all sky-blue strip appeared in the 1960s, following the success of Coventry City who made a similar change.

In 1969 manager Jack Mansell ordered a return to the traditional blue and white hoops but in 1971, the club's centenary season, the "Royals" were relegated to Division Four. In 1976 they won promotion only to drop back again the following seasons. In 1979, Reading won the Fourth Division championship for the first time.

The season of 1982-83 almost saw Reading go out of business. Relegated back to Division Four and facing a financial crisis, plans were made to sell off their Elm Park ground and merge the club with Robert Maxwell's Oxford United to form a new club to be known as Thames Valley Royals. These threats were warded off and with former player, Roger Smee installed as chairman, a new manager and new colours of sky blue, dark blue and white, the Royals won promotion in 1984. Two seasons later, in 1986, the club won the Third Division title and returned to Division Two after an absence of 55 years.

Once again the club's success was shortlived and after two seasons Reading were relegated once again. In 1990, the club was bought by John Madejski who set about revitalising the club and injecting a sense of ambition. The hooped shirts were restored in 1992, partly due to pressure from supporters and in 1994 the "Biscuitmen" (a rather whimsical reference to one of the town's traditional industries) won promotion to Nationwide Division One (formerly Division Two) and then a place in the play-offs in 1995 after finishing in second place. Because of the reduction in the size of the Premier League, only two promotion places were available: in any other season Reading would have won automatic promotion to the top flight.

In 1998 Reading were relegated to Nationwide Division Two, a misfortune offset by the move into the brand new Madejski Stadium in 1999. In 2002, the club returned to Nationwide Division One and the following season once again qualified for the play offs. Steady consolidation was rewarded when, in 2006, the club ran away with the Coca Cola Championship title to take their place in the Premiership, the first time Reading had played in the top level. They stayed in the top level for two seasons but on the final day of the 2007-08 season they were relegated on goal difference.

Historical Football Kits

Kit History

Background

Sources