2008–09 Reading F.C. season

Reading F.C.
2008–09 season
Chairman	John Madejski
Manager	Steve Coppell
Football League Championship	4th ; (play off Semi-Finals)
FA Cup	Third Round vs Cardiff City
Football League Cup	Third Round vs Stoke City
Top goalscorer	League: Kevin Doyle 18; All: Kevin Doyle 18
Highest home attendance	Southampton 23,121
Lowest home attendance	Blackpool 16,514

Reading Football Club played the 2008–09 season in the Football League Championship, having been relegated on the final day of the 2007–08 Premier League season. Despite a strong start to the season, especially at home, Reading were unable to secure promotion at the first attempt; a poor run of form in 2009 saw Reading win just 5 of their last 17 league games, the Royals finishing 4th in the league. Reading were defeated 3–0 on aggregate by Burnley in the play-off semi-finals.

Review and events

Pre-season

Reading opened their pre-season with an away game against Didcot Town, winning 9-0,[1] with nine different scorers, including a fan who won the opportunity to play at a charity auction. After further away wins at Forest Green Rovers (2-0),[2] Havant & Waterlooville (1-0)[3] and MK Dons (2-1),[4] Reading went on a three-game friendly tour of Sweden, winning their three games against FC Trollhättan (4-1)[5] in which Leroy Lita scored all four, against Lerkils IF (1-0)[6] and against Halmstads BK (3-1)[7] in which new signing Noel Hunt scored for the first time, ultimately scoring two. Reading's last friendly, and only home friendly, was against Aston Villa, and finished 1-1.[8] It was Reading's only pre-season game that they did not win.

August

Reading's league campaign began with a 0–0 draw at promoted Nottingham Forest. In a game of few chances, Kevin Doyle came closest for the Royals, glancing a header goalwards from a Stephen Hunt cross, that Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith did well to tip on to the crossbar.

Two days later, the Royals enjoyed their first victory of the season, as a late Noel Hunt goal, on his competitive debut for Reading, secured a 2–1 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge in the 1st round of the League Cup. James Henry had opened the scoring for Reading in the first half, with his first goal for the club, tapping home after Shane Long had beaten the Dagenham goalkeeper to a cross.

Reading's first home league match followed on 16 August, a game the Royals deservedly won 2–0, Ibrahima Sonko crashing home two headers, one in each half, both from Stephen Hunt corners.

A week later, the Royals lost a thrilling game 2–4 against Charlton Athletic. Matt Holland and Andy Gray's penalty gave the Addicks a 2–0 lead but Ibrahima Sonko kept up his scoring form with a thumping header before half-time. Stephen Hunt's retaken penalty completed the comeback for Reading, but further goals for Luke Varney and Hameur Bouazza gave Charlton all three points.

The Royals returned to the Madesjki on 26 August with a thumping 5–1 victory over Luton Town in the League Cup 2nd Round. Noel Hunt opened the scoring after nodding in brother Stephen Hunt's cross. Soon later it was the other way around, Noel Hunt sliding in a cross and Stephen Hunt slotted home. Alex Pearce, Jem Karacan and James Henry all got their first goals for the club. A consolation for Luton was scored by Ryan Charles.

September

The month started at Portman Road, Ipswich. Reading's bad away form continued as The Royals lost 2–0 to the hands of Ipswich Town. The game was followed up by the biggest win of the season, so far, as Reading forced six passed Sheffield Wednesday. The Royals were 2–0 up within 10 minutes, Kevin Doyle scoring them both. André Bikey got the third on the half hour mark. Noel Hunt got the fourth on the fiftieth minute. Doyle scored his third of the game and two minutes later Reading were 6–0 up. It stayed that way until the end of the match.

Watford. Reading came to Watford sitting fourth in the Championship. Reading took the lead on the 13th minute. The goal was scored by no-one! The goal was not claimed for by any Reading player. Watford soon went 2–1 up and an 89th minute spot kick was turned in by S. Hunt.

Reading played a cup side in the League Cup as the Royals headed to Stoke to play the Premier League side Stoke City. Reading battled hard only losing to the Premier League side on spot kicks, 4–3, after a 2–2 draw.

Reading played Swansea City and a 4–0 win set up a game with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Royals went 1–0 up when an own goal by Wolverhampton Wanderers started off a hammering for Wolves. André Bikey made it 2–0 and Kalifa Cissé made a Reading win a game to forget for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

October

Burnley came to Reading. Reading won the game 3–1. The Hunt Brothers scored two and Shane Long made it 3–0. Burnley scored a goal, but it was too little to late. Away days. Reading lost to the hands of Preston North End 2–1. Mix ups saw a loss come to Reading's hands.

A home game to Doncaster Rovers followed. The Royals only won 2–1. This happened after Reading going 1–0 up, then Doncaster scored. One minute later the Royals scored to win the match.

A draw to Queens Park Rangers in front of the Sky Sports cameras at home, 0–0, and a loss, 1–0, away to Burnley rounded off a bad month for the Royals, home and away.

November

Reading returned to winning ways at Ashton Gate as the Royals opened November with a 4–1 win away to Bristol City. Kevin Doyle (twice) and Noel Hunt scored from close range, before Kalifa Cissé added Reading's fourth, smashing the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal from outside of the penalty area. Reading's excellent home form continued the following weekend, Doyle (2) and Noel Hunt again got on the scoresheet in a 3–0 victory over Derby County.

The Royals secured a third successive victory at Bramall Lane the following weekend, Kalifa Cissé opening the scoring in the 5th minute, before a Kevin Doyle header, just before half-time, completed a 2–0 win at Sheffield United. Reading then lost to Southampton at home 2–1. The Royals' 1st home defeat of the season so-far. Kébé scored his 1st Reading goal. The Royals then headed off to Wales to play Cardiff City. Reading went 1–0 and 2–1 down. At 1–1, Reading were down to 10 men as André Bikey got sent off. Reading's scores were Kevin Doyle and Brynjar Gunnarsson in a 2-all draw.

December

Reading were playing Coventry City at home in front of the Sky Sports Cameras. The Royals went 1–0 down, but came back to win 3–1. Reading won 1–0 at Barnsley and at home to Blackpool. A late rally by Reading help them win 2–0 at home to Norwich City. Reading moved into 2nd as Reading won 3–1 at then 2nd place Birmingham City.

Reading then had a home draw, 1–1, to Cardiff City. The Welsh side went 1–0 in the 89th minute, but Reading's keeper Adam Federici scored in the 6th minute of injury time. Reading then drew 1–1 at Southampton.

January

Reading met Cardiff City for the third time in six weeks in the FA Cup third round, and a largely second-string side were defeated 2–0 at Ninian Park, to end the Royals' eight-match unbeaten run. The Royals returned to the Madejski Stadium for the first league match of the calendar year, completing a 4–0 victory over Watford. Chris Armstrong opened the scoring with his first ever goal for Reading, before Kevin Doyle, Noel Hunt and Leroy Lita, back from Norwich, added to the tally. A 2–0 defeat at Welsh side Swansea City followed, to end a run of 9 league matches unbeaten for Reading, before league leaders Wolves were beaten 1–0 at the Madejski Stadium, the game decided by a second-minute own-goal scored by Wolves' Neill Collins. The result closed the gap between Wolves and Reading, in 2nd place, to two points. January ended with a goalless draw at Loftus Road, as Reading and Q.P.R. drew 0–0 for the second time this season.

February

On the 6th of the month it was revealed that Bobby Convey had left the club by mutual consent.[9] A second consecutive 0–0 draw followed, as the Royals were held at home by Preston. On 13 February it was revealed that Ivar Ingimarsson would be out injured for the rest of the season, scheduled for surgery on a knee cartilage problem. Reading's goal drought continued two weeks later, at home to Bristol City, as the Royals lost 2–0, a second home defeat of the season. Nottingham Forest visited the Madejski Stadium on 28 February, as the Royals slumped to a second straight home defeat, and a sixth consecutive game without scoring.

March

Reading secured a first win in five games under floodlights at Hillsborough, defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2–1, Kevin Doyle heading home from a corner, and Shane Long scoring the winner with nine minutes left.

The Royals headed to Home Park, Plymouth to play Plymouth Argyle. Reading went 1–0 down, but Alex Pearce scored two minutes later. Argyle went 2–1 up and in the 80th minute, Jimmy Kebe scored, through the keepers legs.

Reading played Charlton Athletic, at home, next. Reading drew 2–2 with two goals from young Irish striker Shane Long. However the Royals were denied victory by a last gasp equaliser. Reading next lost to Ipswich Town 1–0. The Royals went 1–0 down just 1 minute after the break. That meant the Royals went into a three match winless run with renewed purpose.

However, that was forgotten in midweek as they won 1–0 at Doncaster Rovers, thanks to a late Dave Kitson winner eight minutes from time. Kitson had returned to the club on loan, as did Glen Little.

The Royals ended the month with successive goalless draws, against Crystal Palace, eventually dropping into 4th place after Sheffield United's win over Barnsley.

April

The first game of April was away to Coventry City which ended in bore draw of 0–0. Both teams creating very little in another disappointing performance from the Royals.

On 10 April 2009, Sheffield United travelled to the Madjeski for an evening game in a real six-pointer with both teams needing the win to help secure that valuable play-off place. It ended in Reading losing 1–0 with Brian Howard scoring a scrappy goal on the hour mark.

On 13 April 2009, the Royals travelled to Bloomfield Road to face Blackpool and after taking a 2–0 lead, eventually drew 2–2. Jem Karacan scored his first goal of the season and league goal for the Royals.

A goalless draw with Barnsley at home meant Reading had now gone 7 home games without a win. However, the Royals showed a return to form on the following Tuesday night with a 2–0 win at Derby County, Dave Kitson and Shane Long the goalscorers.

With results having gone their way at the weekend, Reading went into their Monday night game with Norwich City knowing that only a win would keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive. Shane Long inspired Reading to a 2–0 win with both goals, both of them headers from Jimmy Kebe crosses. Reading, 4th, needed to win going into a clash with Birmingham City, 2nd. Reading lost 2–1 and Birmingham went up. Reading need to win to go up to the Premier League at the first attempt, and Sheffield United didn't win against Crystal Palace. United drew 0–0. If the Royals had won they would have gone up on Goal-Difference.

May

André Bikey was sent off as Reading lost the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Burnley by a single goal. Bikey was sent off for a stamp on Robbie Blake, minutes after pulling back Burnley striker Steve Thompson to gift the Clarets the winning penalty, scored by Graham Alexander. Burnley advanced to the final at Wembley three days later as Reading lost the second leg 2–0, goals from Martin Paterson, and Thompson, sealing Burnley's win. Hours after Burnley winning the game Steve Coppell resigned as Manager of the club.

Squad

First-team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	USA	Marcus Hahnemann
2	DF	SCO	Graeme Murty[10]
3	DF	SCO	Chris Armstrong[11]
4	MF	MLI	Kalifa Cissé[12]
6	MF	ISL	Brynjar Gunnarsson
7	MF	CZE	Marek Matějovský
8	FW	ENG	Leroy Lita
9	FW	IRL	Kevin Doyle
10	MF	IRL	Stephen Hunt
11	FW	IRL	Noel Hunt
12	FW	IRL	Dave Mooney
14	MF	MLI	Jimmy Kébé[13]
15	MF	ENG	James Harper
16	DF	ISL	Ívar Ingimarsson
17	FW	ENG	Dave Kitson
18	DF	NGA	Sam Sodje[14]
21	MF	TUR	Jem Karacan[15]


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
22	DF	ENG	Liam Rosenior
23	DF	CMR	André Bikey
24	FW	IRL	Shane Long
25	DF	IRL	Alan Bennett
26	DF	SCO	Alex Pearce[16]
27	MF	ENG	James Henry
29	DF	ENG	Michael Duberry
31	DF	ENG	Dan Harding
32	GK	AUS	Adam Federici
33	DF	ENG	Scott Golbourne
34	MF	ISL	Gylfi Sigurðsson
35	FW	WAL	Simon Church[17]
36	GK	DEN	Mikkel Andersen
37	MF	IRL	Jay Tabb[18]
42	DF	IRL	Julian Kelly
52	MF	ENG	Glen Little

Reserve/Academy squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
19	MF	ENG	Hal Robson-Kanu[19]
28	MF	ENG	Michail Antonio
30	MF	AUS	Oliver Bozanic
38	MF	IRL	Scott Davies[20]
39	FW	ENG	Nicholas Bignall


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
40	MF	ENG	Tom Hateley
41	GK	ENG	Ben Hamer
43	DF	ENG	Daniel Spence
49	GK	ENG	Alex McCarthy

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
5	DF	SEN	Ibrahima Sonko (to Stoke City)
20	MF	CIV	Emerse Fae (to OGC Nice)


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
17	MF	USA	Bobby Convey (Released)
37	FW	ISL	Viktor Illugason (to Valur)

Transfers

In

Date	Position	Name	From	Fee
23 July 2008	FW	Noel Hunt	Dundee United	Undisclosed[21]
21 August 2008	FW	Dave Mooney	Cork City	Undisclosed[22]
26 August 2008	DF	Chris Armstrong	Sheffield United	£500,000[23]
28 October 2008	MF	Michail Antonio	Tooting & Mitcham	Undisclosed[24]
19 January 2009	DF	Jay Tabb	Coventry City	Undisclosed[25]

Out

Date	Position	Name	To	Fee
20 June 2008	MF	Glen Little	Portsmouth	Free[26]
18 July 2008	FW	Dave Kitson	Stoke City	£5,500,000[27]
7 August 2008	DF	Nicky Shorey	Aston Villa	Undisclosed[28]
29 August 2008	DF	Ibrahima Sonko	Stoke City	£2,000,000[29]
29 January 2009	MF	Emerse Fae	Nice	Undisclosed[30]

Loans in

Date from	Date to	Position	Name	From
29 January 2009	End of season loan[31]	DF	Dan Harding	Ipswich Town
8 March 2009	End of season loan[32]	MF	Glen Little	Portsmouth
10 March 2009	End of season loan[33]	FW	Dave Kitson	Stoke City

Loans out

Date from	Date to	Position	Name	To
10 June 2008	six-month loan[34]	MF	Emerse Faé	Nice
17 June 2008	Season long loan[35]	GK	Ben Hamer	Brentford
23 July 2008	Season long loan[36]	MF	Scott Davies	Aldershot Town
21 August 2008	Three month loan[37]	MF	Hal Robson-Kanu	Southend United
27 August 2008	One month loan[38]	FW	Simon Church	Wycombe Wanderers

Released

Date	Position	Name	Joined	Date
6 February 2009[39]	MF	Bobby Convey	San Jose Earthquakes	10 February 2009[40]
15 May 2009[41]	DF	Alan Bennett	Brentford	30 July 2009
15 May 2009[41]	DF	Michael Duberry	Wycombe Wanderers	10 July 2009
15 May 2009[41]	DF	Scott Golbourne	Exeter City	2 July 2009[42]
15 May 2009[41]	GK	Marcus Hahnemann	Wolverhampton Wanderers	17 June 2009[43]
15 May 2009[41]	MF	Tom Hateley	Motherwell	13 August 2009[44]
15 May 2009[41]	FW	Leroy Lita	Middlesbrough	3 August 2009
15 May 2009[41]	DF	Graeme Murty	Southampton	5 August 2009[45]
15 May 2009[41]	DF	Daniel Spence
28 May 2009[46]	DF	Sam Sodje	Charlton Athletic

Competitions

Competition	Started round	Current position / round	Final position / round	First match	Last match
League Championship	—	4 (Playoffs)		10 August 2008	3 May 2009
Football League Cup	1st round	—	3rd round	12 August 2008	23 September 2008
FA Cup	3rd round	—	3R	3 January 2009	3 January 2009

Updated to match played 26 April 2011
Source: Competitions

Championship

Results summary

Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
46	21	14	11	72	40	+32	77	12	5	6	40	17	+23	9	9	5	32	23	+9

Last updated: 8 April 2011.
Source: Reading FC

Results by round

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44	45	46
Ground	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	H	A	A	H	H	A	A	A	H	A	H	A	A	H
Result	D	W	L	W	L	W	D	W	W	W	L	W	D	L	W	W	W	L	D	W	W	W	W	W	D	D	W	L	W	D	D	L	L	W	D	D	L	W	D	D	L	D	D	W	W	L
Position	14	5	10	6	8	4	6	3	3	3	3	3	3	4	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	3	3	2	3	3	3	3	3	4	5	5	5	4	4	4

Source: BBC Sport
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Fixtures & Results

10 August 2008 1	Nottingham Forest	0–0	Reading	City Ground
13:15 BST (UTC+1)		Report		Attendance: 21,571 Referee: Stuart Atwell

16 August 2008 2	Reading	2–0	Plymouth Argyle	Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1)	Sonko 13', 49'	Report		Attendance: 19,202 Referee: Richard Beeby

23 August 2008 3	Charlton Athletic	4–2	Reading	The Valley
12:45 BST (UTC+1)	Holland 25' Gray 41' (pen.) Varney 68' Bouazza 71'	Report	Sonko 45' S Hunt 53' (pen.) Sonko 84'	Attendance: 20,020 Referee: Lee Mason

30 August 2008 4	Reading	4–2	Crystal Palace	Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1)	Harper 18' Doyle 65', 67', 89'	Report	Carle 38' (pen.) Soares 64'	Attendance: 20,441 Referee: Clive Penton

13 September 2008 5	Ipswich	2–0	Reading	Portman Road
15:00 BST (UTC+1)	Stead 63' Walters 84'	Report		Attendance: 21,366 Referee: Keith Hill

17 September 2008 6	Reading	6–0	Sheffield Wednesday	Madejski Stadium
20:00 BST (UTC+1)	Doyle 5', 9', 62' Bikey 30' N Hunt 50', 64'	Report		Attendance: 18,159 Referee: Andy Woolmer

20 September 2008 7	Watford	2–2	Reading	Vicarage Road
15:00 BST (UTC+1)	Smith 57' O'Toole 64'	Report	Eustace 13' (o.g.)¹ S Hunt 87' (pen.)	Attendance: 14,761 Referee: Stuart Atwell

27 September 2008 8	Reading	4–0	Swansea City	Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1)	N Hunt 19' Doyle 26', 90' S Hunt 40'	Report		Attendance: 20,093 Referee: Scott Mathieson

30 September 2008 9	Wolves	0-3	Reading	Molineux Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1)		Report	Hennessey 4' (o.g.) Bikey 71' Cissé 89'	Attendance: 24,302 Referee: Rob Shoebridge

4 October 2008 10	Reading	3–1	Burnley	Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1)	N Hunt 4' S Hunt 52' Long 64'	Report	McCann 89'	Attendance: 18,621 Referee: Kevin Friend

18 October 2008 11	Preston North End	2–1	Reading	Deepdale
15:00 BST (UTC+1)	Ingimarsson 54' (o.g.) Elliott 81'	Report	S Hunt 27' (pen.)	Attendance: 12,316 Referee: Nigel Miller

21 October 2008 12	Reading	2–1	Doncaster Rovers	Madejski Stadium
20:00 BST (UTC+1)	Bikey 18' Doyle 76'	Report	Van Nieuwstadt 74'	Attendance: 17,924 Referee: Darren Deadman

25 October 2008 13	Reading	0–0	QPR	Madejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1)		Report		Attendance: 20,571 Referee: Chris Foy

28 October 2008 14	Burnley	1–0	Reading	Turf Moor
19:45 GMT	Blake 81'	Report		Attendance: 11,538 Referee: Martin Haywood

1 November 2008 15	Bristol City	1–4	Reading	Ashton Gate
15:00 GMT	John 90+3'	Report	Doyle 14', 47' N Hunt 16' Cissé 54'	Attendance: 18,296 Referee: Jonathan Moss

8 November 2008 16	Reading	3–0	Derby County	Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT	N Hunt 20' Doyle 68', 75'	Report		Attendance: 18,724 Referee: Scott Mathieson

15 November 2008 17	Sheffield United	0–2	Reading	Bramall Lane
15:00 GMT		Report	Cissé 5' Doyle 44'	Attendance: 25,065 Referee: Michael Oliver

22 November 2008 18	Reading	1–2	Southampton	Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT	Kébé 57'	Report	Wright-Phillips 14', 49'	Attendance: 23,121 Referee: Lee Probert

25 November 2008 19	Cardiff City	2–2	Reading	Ninian Park
19:45 GMT	Routledge 10' McCormack 41' (pen.)	Report	Doyle 16' Bikey 30' Gunnarsson 50'	Attendance: 17,154 Referee: Peter Walton

1 December 2008 20	Reading	3–1	Coventry City	Madejski Stadium
20:00 GMT	N Hunt 32', 62' Cissé 37'	Report	Fox 26'	Attendance: 16,803 Referee: Kevin Wright

6 December 2008 21	Barnsley	0–1	Reading	Oakwell
15:15² GMT		Report	Kebe 36' Gunnarsson 63'	Attendance: 11,938 Referee: Clive Oliver

9 December 2008 22	Reading	1–0	Blackpool	Madejski Stadium
20:00 GMT	Ingimarsson 27'	Report	Hendrie 30'	Attendance: 16,514 Referee: Jarnail Singh

13 December 2008 23	Reading	2–0	Norwich City	Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT	S Hunt 84' (pen.) Long 86'	Report		Attendance: 19,382 Referee: Trevor Kettle

20 December 2008 24	Birmingham City	1–3	Reading	St Andrews
12:45 GMT	Phillips 60'	Report	N Hunt 12' Doyle 65' Cissé 81'	Attendance: 19,695 Referee: Mike Dean

26 December 2008 25	Reading	1–1	Cardiff City	Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT	Federici 90+6'	Report	Chopra 89'	Attendance: 22,770 Referee: Andy Hall

28 December 2008 26	Southampton	1–1	Reading	St Mary's Stadium
15:00 GMT	McGoldrick 74'	Report	Long 84'	Attendance: 20,142 Referee: Phil Crossley

10 January 2009 27	Reading	4–0	Watford	Madejski Stadium
12:45 GMT	Armstrong 38' N Hunt 66' Doyle 67' Lita 88'	Report		Attendance: 18,072 Referee: Andy D'Urso

17 January 2009 28	Swansea City	2–0	Reading	Liberty Stadium
15:00 GMT	Scotland 44' Orlandi 89'	Report	Rosenior 75' 80'	Attendance: 15,197 Referee: F Graham

27 January 2009 29	Reading	1–0	Wolves	Madejski Stadium
20:00 GMT	Collins 2' (o.g.)	Report	Collins 90+3'	Attendance: 23,009 Referee: John Booth

31 January 2009 30	QPR	0–0	Reading	Loftus Road
15:00 GMT		Report		Attendance: 17,120 Referee: John Moss

7 February 2009 31	Reading	0–0	Preston North End	Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT		Report		Attendance: 19,570 Referee: Mike Jones

21 February 2009 32	Reading	0–2	Bristol City	Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT		Report	Adebola 26' Rosenior 48' (o.g.)	Attendance: 22,462 Referee: Andy Penn

28 February 33	Reading	0–1	Nottingham Forest	Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT		Report	McGugan 61'	Attendance: 21,196 Referee: Neil Swarbrick

3 March 2009 34	Sheffield Wednesday	1–2	Reading	Hillsborough Stadium
19:45 GMT	McAllister 44'	Report	Doyle 56' Long 81'	Attendance: 19,268 Referee: Andy Hall

7 March 2009 35	Plymouth Argyle	2–2	Reading	Home Park
15:00 GMT	Gallagher 20' Mackie 56'	Report	Pearce 22' Kebe 80'	Attendance: 14,014 Referee: Anthony Bates

9 March 2009 36	Reading	2–2	Charlton Athletic	Madejski Stadium
20:00 GMT	Long 46' (pen.), 66'	Report	Bailey 16' Hudson 85'	Attendance: 17,875 Referee: Anthony Taylor

14 March 2009 37	Reading	0–1	Ipswich Town	Madejski Stadium
15:00 GMT		Report	Stead 47'	Attendance: 20,592 Referee: Michael Oliver

17 March 2009 38	Doncaster Rovers	0–1	Reading	Keepmoat Stadium
19:45 GMT		Report	Kitson 82'	Attendance: 10,393 Referee: Paul Taylor

21 March 2009 39	Crystal Palace	0–0	Reading	Selhurst Park
17:20 GMT		Report	Rosenior 35' 71'	Attendance: 14,567 Referee: Andy D'Urso

4 April 2009 40	Coventry City	0–0	Reading	Ricoh Arena
15:00 BST (UTC+1)		Report		Attendance: 17,281 Referee: Tim Kettle

10 April 2009 41	Reading	0–1	Sheffield United	Madejski Stadium
17:30 BST (UTC+1)		Report	Howard 59'	Attendance: 20,756 Referee: Keith Friend

13 April 2009 42	Blackpool	2–2	Reading	Bloomfield Road
15:00 BST (UTC+1)	Southern 31' Campbell 66'	Report	N Hunt 10' Karacan 24'	Attendance: 7,722 Referee: Tim Kettle

18 April 2009 43	Reading	0–0	Barnsley	Madjeski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1)		Report		Attendance: 19,240 Referee: R. Beeby

21 April 2009 44	Derby County	0–2	Reading	Pride Park Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1)		Report	Kitson 56' Long 73'	Attendance: 31,345 Referee: C. Webster

27 April 2009 45	Norwich City	0–2	Reading	Carrow Road
19:45 BST (UTC+1)		Report	Long 68', 78'	Attendance: 25,041 Referee: C. Oliver

3 May 2009 46	Reading	1–2	Birmingham City	Madejski Stadium
13:15 BST (UTC+1)	Matejovsky 61'	Report	Fahey 19' Phillips 60'	Attendance: 23,879 Referee: Howard Webb

Notes

In Reading's match at Watford, John Eustace apparently scored an own goal for Reading, giving Reading the lead. However, replays show that the ball passed the line, but didn't go in between the posts. It was given by referee Stuart Atwell on the say so of his assistant Nigel Bannister who flagged for the goal.
The game was delayed by 15 minutes after the Reading team bus broke down on the M1.

Semi-Finals

9 May 2009 1st Leg	Burnley	1 – 0	Reading	Turf Moor
17:20 BST (UTC+1)	Alexander 84' (pen.)	Report	Bikey 90+4'	Attendance: 18,005 Referee: Martin Atkinson

12 May 2009 2nd Leg	Reading	0 – 2 (0 – 3 agg.)	Burnley	Madjeski Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1)		Report	Paterson 51' Thompson 58'	Attendance: 19,909 Referee: Mike Riley

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
2	Birmingham City (P)	46	23	14	9	54	37	+17	83	Promotion to the Premier League
3	Sheffield United	46	22	14	10	64	39	+25	80	Qualification for Championship play-offs
4	Reading	46	21	14	11	72	40	+32	77
5	Burnley (O, P)	46	21	13	12	72	60	+12	76
6	Preston North End	46	21	11	14	66	54	+12	74

Updated to match(es) played on 3 May 2009. Source: The Football League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(O) Play-off winner; (P) Promoted.

FA Cup

3 January 2009 Third Round	Cardiff City	2–0	Reading	Ninian Park
15:00 GMT	McCormack 58' Ledley 83'	Report		Attendance: 12,448 Referee: Anthony Taylor

Football League Cup

12 August 2008 First Round	Dagenham & Redbridge	1–2	Reading	Victoria Road
19:45 BST (UTC+1)	Taiwo 66'	Report	Henry 25' N Hunt 89'	Attendance: 2,360 Referee: Andy Penn

26 August 2008 Second Round	Reading	5–1	Luton Town	Madejski Stadium
20:00 BST (UTC+1)	N Hunt 11' S Hunt 15' Pearce 54' Karacan 55' Henry 76'	Report	Charles 80'	Attendance: 7,498 Referee: Dean Whitestone

23 September 2008 Third Round	Stoke City	2–2 (a.e.t.) (4 – 3 p)	Reading	Britannia Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1)	Pericard 8' Sidibe 49'	Report	Henry 45+1' (pen.), 75'	Attendance: 9,141 Referee: Lee Mason
	Penalties
	Fuller Lawrence Whelan Buxton Pericard		Bikey Henry Sigurðsson Long Lita

Player details

Appearances

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		Championship		FA Cup		League Cup		Play-offs
No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK		Marcus Hahnemann	35	0	32	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
2	DF		Graeme Murty	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
3	DF		Chris Armstrong	41	1	40	1	0	0	1	0	0	0
4	MF		Kalifa Cissé	39	5	24+12	5	0	0	2	0	0+1	0
6	MF		Brynjar Gunnarsson	30	2	13+14	2	0	0	1	0	2	0
7	MF		Marek Matějovský	25	1	11+11	1	1	0	0	0	2	0
8	FW		Leroy Lita	12	1	6+4	1	1	0	1	0	0	0
9	FW		Kevin Doyle	42	18	39+2	18	0	0	0	0	1	0
10	MF		Stephen Hunt	49	7	41+5	6	0	0	2	1	0+1	0
11	FW		Noel Hunt	39	13	27+10	11	0	0	2	2	0	0
12	FW		Dave Mooney	2	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	0	0	0
14	MF		Jimmy Kébé	44	2	38+3	2	0+1	0	0	0	2	0
15	MF		James Harper	36	1	28+6	1	0	0	2	0	0	0
16	DF		Ívar Ingimarsson	29	1	26	1	0	0	2+1	0	0	0
17	FW		Dave Kitson	12	2	9+1	2	0	0	0	0	0+2	0
19	DF		Liam Rosenior	44	0	42	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
21	MF		Jem Karacan	17	2	15	1	1	0	1	1	0	0
22	DF		André Bikey	28	3	23+2	3	1	0	1	0	1	0
24	FW		Shane Long	43	9	11+26	9	1	0	3	0	2	0
26	DF		Alex Pearce	21	2	13+3	1	1	0	2+1	1	1	0
27	MF		James Henry	11	4	3+4	0	1	0	3	4	0	0
29	DF		Michael Duberry	30	0	27	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
31	DF		Dan Harding	5	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
32	GK		Adam Federici	18	1	14+1	1	1	0	2	0	0	0
33	DF		Scott Golbourne	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
34	MF		Gylfi Sigurðsson	3	0	0	0	0+1	0	0+2	0	0	0
35	FW		Simon Church	2	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0	1	0
37	MF		Jay Tabb	11	0	6+3	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
42	DF		Julian Kelly	11	0	4+3	0	1	0	3	0	0	0
52	MF		Glen Little	9	0	5+3	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0
Players who appeared for Reading no longer at the club:
17	MF		Bobby Convey	9	0	3+3	0	1	0	2	0
31	DF		Ibrahima Sonko	3	3	3	3	0	0	0	0

Last updated: 22:55, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

Starting 11

No.	Pos.	Name	MS
1	GK	Marcus Hahnemann	35
19	RB	Liam Rosenior	44
16	CB	Ívar Ingimarsson	28
29	CB	Michael Duberry	30
3	LB	Chris Armstrong	40
14	RM	Jimmy Kébé	40
15	CM	James Harper	30
4	CM	Kalifa Cissé	26
10	LM	Stephen Hunt	43
11	CF	Noel Hunt	29
9	CF	Kevin Doyle	40

Goal Scorers

Place	Position	Number	Name	Championship	League Cup	Total
1	FW	19	Kevin Doyle	18	0	18
2	FW	11	Noel Hunt	11	2	13
3	FW	24	Shane Long	9	0	9
4	MF	10	Stephen Hunt	6	1	7
5	MF	4	Kalifa Cissé	5	0	5
6	MF	27	James Henry	0	4	4
7	DF	31	Ibrahima Sonko	3	0	3
	DF	22	André Bikey	3	0	3
			Own Goal	3	0	3
10	FW	17	Dave Kitson	2	0	2
	MF	14	Jimmy Kébé	2	0	2
	MF	6	Brynjar Gunnarsson	2	0	2
	DF	26	Alex Pearce	1	1	2
	DF	21	Jem Karacan	1	1	2
15	GK	32	Adam Federici	1	0	1
	DF	16	Ívar Ingimarsson	1	0	1
	MF	15	James Harper	1	0	1
	FW	8	Leroy Lita	1	0	1
	MF	7	Marek Matějovský	1	0	1
	DF	3	Chris Armstrong	1	0	1
			TOTALS	72	9	81

Disciplinary Record

Number	Nation	Position	Name
Number	Nation	Position	Name	Championship		FA Cup		League Cup		Total
19		DF	Liam Rosenior	8	2	0	0	0	0	8	2
22		DF	André Bikey	4	1	1	0	1	0	6	1
10		MF	Stephen Hunt	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
3		DF	Chris Armstrong	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
7		MF	Marek Matějovský	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
11		FW	Noel Hunt	4	0	0	0	1	0	5	0
21		MF	Jem Karacan	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
9		FW	Kevin Doyle	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
6		MF	Brynjar Gunnarsson	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
15		MF	James Harper	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
4		MF	Kalifa Cissé	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
29		DF	Michael Duberry	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
24		FW	Shane Long	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
14		MF	Jimmy Kébé	2	1	0	0	0	0	2	1
26		DF	Alex Pearce	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
37		MF	Jay Tabb	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
16		DF	Ívar Ingimarsson	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
27		MF	James Henry	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
			TOTALS	60	4	1	0	4	0	65	4

Team kit

Reading's kit for the 2008–09 season is manufactured by Puma, and the main sponsor is Waitrose.

2008–09 home colours

2008–09 away colours

2008–09 third choice colours

References

"Royals hit nine to sink Didcot". readingfc.co.uk. 15 July 2008. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
"Royals edge out Forest Green". readingfc.co.uk. 16 July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
"Royals edge past gutsy Havant". readingfc.co.uk. 16 July 2008. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
"Royals see off MK Dons". readingfc.co.uk. 19 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
"Lita scores four in friendly win". readingfc.co.uk. 25 July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
"Long goal sees off Lerkils". readingfc.co.uk. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
"Royals see off Halmstads 3–1". readingfc.co.uk. 30 July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
"Karacan nets in Villa draw". readingfc.co.uk. 4 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Murty was born in Nunthorpe, England, but qualified to represent Scotland internationally through his parents and made his international debut for Scotland in 2004.
Armstrong was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and but chose to represent Scotland, qualifying through his grandmother. Armstrong represented Scotland in 2007.
Cissé was born in Dreux, France, but qualified to represent Mali internationally and made his international debut for Mali in March 2008, having previously represented them at U-20 level.
Kébé was born in Vitry-sur-Seine, France, but qualified to represent Mali internationally and made his international debut for Mali in 2004.
Sodje was born in Greenwich, England, but also qualified to represent Nigeria and represented Nigeria in 2005.
Karacan was born in Lewisham, England, but also qualifies to represent Turkey internationally through his father and has represented Turkey at every youth level.
earce was born in Oxford, England, but qualified to represent Scotland and the Republic of Ireland internationally through his parents and made his international debut for the Scottish U-21 side in May 2008, going on to represent Ireland at full international levelin September 2012.
Church was born in High Wycombe, England, but also qualifies to represent Wales through his grandparents and made his international debut for the Welsh U-21 side in August 2007 before making his full international debut for Wales in May 2009.
Tabb was born in Wandsworth, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland and represented Ireland at U-21 level in 2005.
Robson-Kanu was born in Ealing, England, and represented England at U-19 and U-20 level, but also qualified to represent Wales through his grandmother and made his international debut for the Welsh U-21 side in May 2010 before making his full international debut for Wales five days later.
Davies was born in Aylesbury, England, but qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally. Davies was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad to face Germany on 10 February 2009, but was an unused substitute.
"Dundee Utd sell Hunt to Reading". BBC. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Reading sign Cork striker Mooney". BBC. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Reading complete Armstrong signing". BBC. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Reading complete deal for Antonio". BBC. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Reading bring in midfielder Tabb". BBC. 19 January 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Portsmouth land Reading's Little". BBC. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Stoke seal £5.5m Kitson transfer". BBC. 18 July 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Aston Villa sign Shorey and Young". BBC. 7 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Stoke sign Reading defender Sonko". BBC. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Fae makes Nice switch permanent". BBC. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Ipswich loan Harding to Reading". BBC. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Winger Little returns to Reading". BBC. 8 March 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Kitson returns to Reading on loan". BBC. 10 March 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
Dall, James (1 August 2008). "Fae seals Nice loan". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
"Brentford recruit Hamer and Mills". BBC. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Aldershot sign Starosta and Davies". BBC. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Robson-Kanu returns to Southend". BBC. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Church relished Wycombe loan deal". BBC. 27 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Reading part company with Convey". BBC. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
Almond, Elliott (10 February 2009). "Quakes seal deal with Convey". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
"Reading axe Murty and Hahnemann". BBC. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
"Exeter make double swoop". Sky Sports. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
"Wolves draft in keeper Hahnemann". BBC Sport. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
"Well deal-in midfielder Hateley". BBC Sport. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
"Murty completes Southampton move". BBC Sport. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
"Defender Sodje to leave Reading". BBC. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] "Royals hit nine to sink Didcot". readingfc.co.uk. 15 July 2008. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.

[2] "Royals edge out Forest Green". readingfc.co.uk. 16 July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.

[3] "Royals edge past gutsy Havant". readingfc.co.uk. 16 July 2008. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.

[4] "Royals see off MK Dons". readingfc.co.uk. 19 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.

[5] "Lita scores four in friendly win". readingfc.co.uk. 25 July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.

[6] "Long goal sees off Lerkils". readingfc.co.uk. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.

[7] "Royals see off Halmstads 3–1". readingfc.co.uk. 30 July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.

[8] "Karacan nets in Villa draw". readingfc.co.uk. 4 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 September 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.

[9] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[10] Murty was born in Nunthorpe, England, but qualified to represent Scotland internationally through his parents and made his international debut for Scotland in 2004.

[11] Armstrong was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and but chose to represent Scotland, qualifying through his grandmother. Armstrong represented Scotland in 2007.

[12] Cissé was born in Dreux, France, but qualified to represent Mali internationally and made his international debut for Mali in March 2008, having previously represented them at U-20 level.

[13] Kébé was born in Vitry-sur-Seine, France, but qualified to represent Mali internationally and made his international debut for Mali in 2004.

[14] Sodje was born in Greenwich, England, but also qualified to represent Nigeria and represented Nigeria in 2005.

[15] Karacan was born in Lewisham, England, but also qualifies to represent Turkey internationally through his father and has represented Turkey at every youth level.

[16] rce was born in Oxford, England, but qualified to represent Scotland and the Republic of Ireland internationally through his parents and made his international debut for the Scottish U-21 side in May 2008, going on to represent Ireland at full international levelin September 2012.

[17] Church was born in High Wycombe, England, but also qualifies to represent Wales through his grandparents and made his international debut for the Welsh U-21 side in August 2007 before making his full international debut for Wales in May 2009.

[18] Tabb was born in Wandsworth, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland and represented Ireland at U-21 level in 2005.

[19] Robson-Kanu was born in Ealing, England, and represented England at U-19 and U-20 level, but also qualified to represent Wales through his grandmother and made his international debut for the Welsh U-21 side in May 2010 before making his full international debut for Wales five days later.

[20] Davies was born in Aylesbury, England, but qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally. Davies was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad to face Germany on 10 February 2009, but was an unused substitute.

[21] "Dundee Utd sell Hunt to Reading". BBC. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[22] "Reading sign Cork striker Mooney". BBC. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[23] "Reading complete Armstrong signing". BBC. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[24] "Reading complete deal for Antonio". BBC. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[25] "Reading bring in midfielder Tabb". BBC. 19 January 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[26] "Portsmouth land Reading's Little". BBC. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[27] "Stoke seal £5.5m Kitson transfer". BBC. 18 July 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[28] "Aston Villa sign Shorey and Young". BBC. 7 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[29] "Stoke sign Reading defender Sonko". BBC. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[30] "Fae makes Nice switch permanent". BBC. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[31] "Ipswich loan Harding to Reading". BBC. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[32] "Winger Little returns to Reading". BBC. 8 March 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[33] "Kitson returns to Reading on loan". BBC. 10 March 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[34] Dall, James (1 August 2008). "Fae seals Nice loan". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 October 2020.

[35] "Brentford recruit Hamer and Mills". BBC. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[36] "Aldershot sign Starosta and Davies". BBC. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[37] "Robson-Kanu returns to Southend". BBC. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[38] "Church relished Wycombe loan deal". BBC. 27 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[39] "Reading part company with Convey". BBC. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

[40] Almond, Elliott (10 February 2009). "Quakes seal deal with Convey". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

[Reading_axe_Murty_and_Hahnemann-41] "Reading axe Murty and Hahnemann". BBC. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.

[Exeter_make_double_swoop-42] "Exeter make double swoop". Sky Sports. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

[Wolves_draft_in_keeper_Hahnemann-43] "Wolves draft in keeper Hahnemann". BBC Sport. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

[Well_deal-in_midfielder_Hateley-44] "Well deal-in midfielder Hateley". BBC Sport. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

[Murty_completes_Southampton_move-45] "Murty completes Southampton move". BBC Sport. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

[46] "Defender Sodje to leave Reading". BBC. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.