2008–09 Reading F.C. season

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.

Reading F.C.
2008–09 season
ChairmanJohn Madejski
ManagerSteve Coppell
Championship4th
(play off Semi-Finals)
FA CupThird round vs Cardiff City
League CupThird round vs Stoke City
Top goalscorerLeague: Kevin Doyle 18
All: Kevin Doyle 18
Highest home attendance23,121 vs Southampton
(22 November 2008)
Lowest home attendance16,514 vs Blackpool
(9 December 2008)

Review and events edit

Pre-season edit

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 edit

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 Hamer 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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 2–2 draw.

December edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

As of match played 12 May 2009
No. Name Nationality Position Date of birth (Age) Signed from Signed in Contract ends Apps. Goals
Goalkeepers
1 Marcus Hahnemann   GK (1972-06-15)15 June 1972 (aged 36) Fulham 2002 301 0
32 Adam Federici   GK (1985-01-31)31 January 1985 (aged 24) Torres 2005 18 1
36 Mikkel Andersen   GK (1988-12-17)17 December 1988 (aged 20) AB 2007[10] 2009[10] 0 0
49 Alex McCarthy   GK (1989-12-03)3 December 1989 (aged 19) Academy 2007 0 0
Defenders
2 Graeme Murty  [a] DF (1974-11-13)13 November 1974 (aged 34) York City 1998 339 2
3 Chris Armstrong  [b] DF (1982-08-05)5 August 1982 (aged 26) Sheffield United 2008[11] 41 1
16 Ívar Ingimarsson   DF (1977-08-20)20 August 1977 (aged 31) Wolverhampton Wanderers 2003 235 12
18 Sam Sodje  [c] DF (1981-04-09)9 April 1981 (aged 28) Brentford 2006[12] 8 1
19 Liam Rosenior   DF (1984-07-09)9 July 1984 (aged 24) Fulham 2007[13] 2010[13] 63 1
22 André Bikey   DF (1985-01-08)8 January 1985 (aged 24) Lokomotiv Moscow 2007 [14] 2010[14] 73 7
25 Alan Bennett   DF (1981-10-04)4 October 1981 (aged 27) Cork City 2007 0 0
26 Alex Pearce  [d] DF (1988-11-09)9 November 1988 (aged 20) Academy 2006 25 2
29 Michael Duberry   DF (1975-10-14)14 October 1975 (aged 33) Stoke City 2007[15] 2008[15] 54 0
31 Dan Harding   DF (1983-12-23)23 December 1983 (aged 25) on loan from Ipswich Town 2009[16] 2009[16] 5 0
33 Scott Golbourne   DF (1988-02-29)29 February 1988 (aged 21) Bristol City 2006 6 0
42 Julian Kelly   DF (1989-09-06)6 September 1989 (aged 19) Academy 2008 11 0
43 Daniel Spence   DF (1989-10-22)22 October 1989 (aged 19) Academy 2007 0 0
Midfielders
4 Kalifa Cissé  [e] MF (1984-01-09)9 January 1984 (aged 25) Boavista 2007[17] 2010[17] 64 6
6 Brynjar Gunnarsson   MF (1975-10-16)16 October 1975 (aged 33) Watford 2005 111 10
7 Marek Matějovský   MF (1981-12-20)20 December 1981 (aged 27) Mladá Boleslav 2008[18] 2011[18] 39 2
10 Stephen Hunt   MF (1981-08-01)1 August 1981 (aged 27) Brentford 2005 173 20
14 Jimmy Kébé  [f] MF (1984-01-19)19 January 1984 (aged 25) Lens 2008[19] 2010[19] 49 2
15 James Harper   MF (1980-11-09)9 November 1980 (aged 28) Arsenal 2001 356 23
19 Hal Robson-Kanu  [g] MF (1989-05-21)21 May 1989 (aged 19) Academy 2007 0 0
21 Jem Karacan  [h] MF (1989-02-21)21 February 1989 (aged 20) Academy 2007 17 2
27 James Henry  [i] MF (1987-07-09)9 July 1987 (aged 21) Academy 2004 12 4
28 Michail Antonio  [j] MF (1989-01-08)8 January 1989 (aged 20) Tooting & Mitcham United 2008[20] 2010[20] 0 0
30 Oliver Bozanic   MF (1989-01-08)8 January 1989 (aged 20) Central Coast Mariners 2007 2009 0 0
34 Gylfi Sigurðsson   MF (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 19) Academy 2008 3 0
37 Jay Tabb  [k] MF (1984-02-21)21 February 1984 (aged 25) Coventry City 2009[21] 2011[21] 11 0
40 Tom Hateley   MF (1989-09-12)12 September 1989 (aged 19) Academy 2006 0 0
52 Glen Little   MF (1975-10-15)15 October 1975 (aged 33) on loan from Portsmouth 2009[22] 2009[22] 123 6
Forwards
8 Leroy Lita  [l] FW (1984-12-28)28 December 1984 (aged 24) Bristol City 2005 100 32
9 Kevin Doyle   FW (1983-09-18)18 September 1983 (aged 25) Cork City 2005 163 56
11 Noel Hunt   FW (1982-12-26)26 December 1982 (aged 26) Dundee United 2008[23] 2011[23] 39 13
12 Dave Mooney   FW (1984-10-30)30 October 1984 (aged 24) Cork City 2008[24] 2011[24] 2 0
17 Dave Kitson   FW (1980-01-21)21 January 1980 (aged 29) loan from Stoke City 2009[25] 2009[25] 159 62
24 Shane Long   FW (1987-01-22)22 January 1987 (aged 22) Cork City 2005 115 18
35 Simon Church  [m] FW (1988-12-10)10 December 1988 (aged 20) Academy 2007 2 0
39 Nicholas Bignall   FW (1990-07-11)11 July 1990 (aged 18) Academy 2008 0 0
Out on loan
38 Scott Davies  [n] MF (1987-07-09)9 July 1987 (aged 21) Academy 2004 0 0
41 Ben Hamer   GK (1987-11-20)20 November 1987 (aged 21) Academy 2006 0 0
Left during the season
3 Nicky Shorey   DF (1981-02-19)19 February 1981 (aged 28) Leyton Orient 2001 296 12
17 Bobby Convey   MF (1983-05-27)27 May 1983 (aged 25) D.C. United 2004 112 8
20 Emerse Faé  [o] MF (1984-01-24)24 January 1984 (aged 25) Nantes 2007[26] 2010 (+1)[26] 11 0
31 Ibrahima Sonko   DF (1981-01-22)22 January 1981 (aged 28) Brentford 2004 136 8
43 Viktor Illugason   FW (1990-01-25)25 January 1990 (aged 19) Breiðablik 2007 0 0
  1. ^ Graeme Murty was born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England, but qualified to represent Scotland internationally through his parents, making his international debut for Scotland in 2004.
  2. ^ Chris Armstrong was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, but qualified to represent Scotland internationally through his grandmother, making his international debut for Scotland B in 2007.
  3. ^ Sam Sodje was born in Greenwich, England, but also qualified to represent Nigeria internationally through his parents and made his international debut for Nigeria in 2004.
  4. ^ Alex Pearce was born in Wallingford, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland and the Republic of Ireland internationally through his parents and has represented Scotland at youth and U-21 level. He would, however, later be called up and make his full international debut for the Republic of Ireland in September 2012.
  5. ^ Kalifa 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.
  6. ^ Jimmy Kébé was born in Vitry-sur-Seine, France, but qualified to represent Mali internationally and made his international debut for Mali in 2004.
  7. ^ Hal 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.
  8. ^ Jem Karacan was born in Lewisham, England, but also qualifies to represent Turkey internationally through his father and has represented Turkey at every youth level.
  9. ^ James Henry was born in Reading, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally through his parents and has represented Scotland at youth level. However, he would later represent England at youth level.
  10. ^ Michail Antonio was born in Wandsworth, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally, going on to make his debut for Jamaica in 2021.
  11. ^ Jay Tabb was born in Tooting, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally, and represented Ireland at U-21 level in 2005.
  12. ^ Leroy Lita was born in Kinshasa, DR Congo, but qualified to represent England, representing England at U-21 level.
  13. ^ Simon 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.
  14. ^ Scott Davies was born in Aylesbury, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and has represented them at youth and U-21 level.
  15. ^ Emerse Faé was born in Nantes, France and represented them at U-17 and U-21 level, but also qualified to represent the Ivory Coast internationally and made his international debut for Ivory Coast in March 2005.

Out on loan edit

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
38 MF   IRL Scott Davies (at Aldershot Town until end of the season)
No. Pos. Nation Player
41 GK   ENG Ben Hamer (at Brentford until end of the season)

Left club during season edit

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 DF   ENG Nicky Shorey (to Aston Villa)
17 MF   USA Bobby Convey
20 MF   CIV Emerse Fae (to OGC Nice)
No. Pos. Nation Player
31 DF   SEN Ibrahima Sonko (to Stoke City)
37 FW   ISL Viktor Illugason (to Valur)

Transfers edit

In edit

Date Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
23 July 2008 FW   Noel Hunt Dundee United Undisclosed [23]
21 August 2008 FW   Dave Mooney Cork City Undisclosed [24]
26 August 2008 DF   Chris Armstrong Sheffield United £500,000 [11]
28 October 2008 MF   Michail Antonio Tooting & Mitcham Undisclosed [20]
19 January 2009 MF   Jay Tabb Coventry City Undisclosed [21]

Loans in edit

Start date Position Nationality Name From End date Ref.
29 January 2009 DF   Dan Harding Ipswich Town End of season [16]
8 March 2009 MF   Glen Little Portsmouth End of season [22]
10 March 2009 FW   Dave Kitson Stoke City End of season [25]

Out edit

Date Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
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 out edit

Start date Position Nationality Name To End date Ref.
10 June 2008 MF   Emerse Faé Nice six-month loan [31]
17 June 2008 GK   Ben Hamer Brentford Season long [32]
23 July 2008 MF   Scott Davies Aldershot Town Season long [33]
21 August 2008 MF   Hal Robson-Kanu Southend United Three months [34]
27 August 2008 FW   Simon Church Wycombe Wanderers One month [35]

Released edit

Date Position Nationality Name Joined Date Ref
6 February 2009 MF   Bobby Convey San Jose Earthquakes 10 February 2009 [36][37]
15 May 2009 DF   Alan Bennett Brentford 30 July 2009 [38]
15 May 2009 DF   Michael Duberry Wycombe Wanderers 10 July 2009 [38]
15 May 2009 DF   Scott Golbourne Exeter City 2 July 2009 [38][39]
15 May 2009 GK   Marcus Hahnemann Wolverhampton Wanderers 17 June 2009 [38][40]
15 May 2009 MF   Tom Hateley Motherwell 13 August 2009 [38][41]
15 May 2009 FW   Leroy Lita Middlesbrough 3 August 2009 [38]
15 May 2009 DF   Graeme Murty Southampton 5 August 2009 [38][42]
15 May 2009 DF   Daniel Spence [38]
28 May 2009 DF   Sam Sodje Charlton Athletic [43]

Competitions edit

Overview edit

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Championship 10 August 2008 3 May 2009 Matchday 1 4th 46 21 14 11 72 40 +32 045.65
Championship Play-offs 9 May 2009 12 May 2009 Semifinal Semifinal 2 0 0 2 0 3 −3 000.00
FA Cup 3 January 2009 3 January 2009 Third round Third round 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00
League Cup 12 August 2008 23 September 2008 First round Third round 3 2 0 1 9 4 +5 066.67
Total 52 23 14 15 81 49 +32 044.23

Last updated: 12 May 2009
Source: Competitions

Championship edit

Results summary edit

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 edit

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAAHHAAAHAHAAH
ResultDWLWLWDWWWLWDLWWWLDWWWWWDDWLWDDLLWDDLWDDLDDWWL
Position145106846333333433333333322222222332333334555444
Source: BBC Sport
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Fixtures and results edit

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 Town 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.)
S Hunt   87' (pen.)
Attendance: 14,761
Referee: Stuart Atwell
Note: 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.
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 Wolverhampton Wanderers 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 Queens Park Rangers 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
Note: The game was delayed by 15 minutes after the Reading team bus broke down on the M1.
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 Wolverhampton Wanderers Madejski Stadium
20:00 GMT Collins   2' (o.g.) Report Collins   90+3' Attendance: 23,009
Referee: John Booth
31 January 2009 30 Queens Park Rangers 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

Playoffs edit

Semi-finals edit
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 edit

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 winners; (P) Promoted

FA Cup edit

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 edit

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 edit

As of match played 12 May 2009

Appearances edit

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

Starting 11 edit

No.
Pos.
Nat.
Name
MS Notes
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 edit

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

Disciplinary record edit

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

References edit

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