1871

Mark McGhee and Colin Lee transformed Reading's fortunes in the mid 90s. Jimmy Quinn scored 40 goals in 1993-94 as Reading went up as champions into what is now the Championship - and went close to pr...

Reading FC have sacked Paul Ince and replaced him with former Royals striker Noel Hunt. We assess what the change could mean to Reading's survival hopes.
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Mark, Johnny and special guest Matthew Batten give their verdict on Reading's two Easter games. We also look ahead to the Royals' remaining five games and announce our 1871 podcast quiz champion.
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In part 2 of our Reading FC Top 100 series, Mark and Johnny continue their countdown of their all time favourite Reading players.
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This is the 1871 podcast's 100th episode. To celebrate, Mark and Johnny select a Reading FC Top 100, including their favourite 25 Royals players each, 10 memorable Reading games, 5 memorable Reading s...

Marcus Hahnemann was part of the record breaking 106 Reading team that secured promotion to the Premier League. He discusses his time at Reading and gives his thoughts about the six point deduction.
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We discuss Reading's 6 point deduction and look ahead to the Royals' remaining 7 games. We are joined by Dylan Kerr, who has transformed the fortunes of Marumo Gallants in South Africa and gives his v...

We are joined by Liverpool and Republic of Ireland legend Ray Houghton, who talks about his two seasons at Reading.
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We look back at Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bristol City and the latest situation with the Royals. We also bring you our second Reading FC quiz (including 10 questions about this season). Test your Royals ...

Our special guest is Bob Lenarduzzi, the first Canadian to play for Reading. He played in the same Reading side as Royals legends Steve Death and Robin Friday. Lenarduzzi went on to play for Vancouver...

Steve Coppell joins us for a chat about his time as Reading manager and the legendary 106 side. He also discusses his time as a player with Manchester United and England and his introduction to manage...

Mark Roach, former Royals left back Dylan Kerr and Reading fan Johnny Hunt discuss the current Royals team and the latest with Dylan in South Africa. We are also joined by a Marumo Gallants player.
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With Reading in with a chance of promotion to the Premier League in the 1995, Mark McGhee and his assistant Colin Lee suddenly left in controversial circumstances to join Leicester City. Lee is our sp...

The 1871 podcast focuses on Reading FC Women on this episode, with special guest Lynsey Hooper - who is the lead WSL reporter for Sky Sports.
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In a bonus episode, we discuss whether it is time for Paul Ince to go. Do Reading need a change of manager now or should they wait until the end of the season - and, if the club does make a change, wh...

Former Royals striker Leroy Lita was part of the historic Reading 106 promotion team that went on to enjoy such a successful first season in the Premier League.
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Former Royals striker and current Reading U23s manager Noel Hunt joins us for a chat about his time as a player with Reading, his role as Under 23s manager, the current Reading side - and how he learn...

We take a look at how things stand for Reading in the Championship and chat to our special guest, former Royals physio Jon Fearn. Jon talks about his time at Reading and Chelsea, Martin Allen, the 106...

We look back at Saturday's defeat against Millwall and chat to Reading FC's head of commercial Tim Kilpatrick, who answers our questions about the current state of the club, how Reading FC engage with...

Test your Reading FC knowledge with our 1871 quiz! Answer 21 questions about Reading FC in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s. A maximum of 50 points is available. 1871 podcast co-host Johnny Hu...

Our guests for this episode are Reading Royals assistant general manager Dakota Procyk and creative director Jak Kerley. Reading Royals are an ECHL ice hockey team based in Reading, Pennsylvania. We f...

We look back on last night's 1-0 home defeat against Sheffield United and look ahead to Saturday's game against Millwall and Reading's remaining games this season.
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We talk to the Reading Chronicle's Royals reporter James Earnshaw about Reading's 5-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, the latest update regarding the 6 point deduction, what is likely to happen with Paul Inc...

Paul Holsgrove's first season with the Royals was one of the most memorable in the club's history. Having won promotion the previous season, Reading finished second in the 1994-95 season but missed ou...

The former Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell, who played against Reading and has played under Keith Curle during the ex Royals defender's managerial career, gives a fascinating insight into the per...

Chris Casper came through the Manchester United youth ranks with the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville and broke into United's first team. He went on to sign for Reading, but his p...

Brian McDermott is one of only two managers to have won promotion to the Premier League as Reading FC manager, but at the peak of his managerial success he was hiding his battle with alcohol and depre...

The 1871 Podcast is back for Series 2. In this first episode of the new series, Dylan Kerr talks about being inducted into the Reading FC Hall of Fame and his new role in South Africa. The lads also d...

The 1871 podcast returns with a first anniversary episode on Monday, February 20 - with ex Royals boss Brian McDermott as the special guest. Brian will discuss his latest project and give his verdict ...

It's a year since the 1871 podcast launched - and we will be returning on Monday, February 20 for a special anniversary episode with legendary ex Reading FC boss Brian McDermott, former Royals left ba...

The final series 1 episode and a catch up with Dylan Kerr. The 1871 podcast launched in February and soon moved from weekly to daily episodes - with this being the 74th and last series 1 episode. Mark...

Former Royals striker and current Reading Under 23s manager Noel Hunt reveals why he couldn't play in the legends game, talks about his playing days with Reading and reveals how he is helping to prepa...

Alex Blissett, 13-year-old Alfie Blissett and 10-year-old Lily Blissett are part of three generations of loyal Royals. We chat to them about their favourite memories of supporting Reading - and get th...

Lewis Collins signed for Reading as a 15-year-old and started coming through the youth ranks at the same time as players including Tom McIntyre and Luke Southwood. He progressed to the Under 21s, but ...

Brendan Carr, a Royals fan for many years, played a key role in the creation of the Reading FC anniversary exhibition at Reading Museum. He talks about how the exhibition came about, what fans can see...

Simon Cox and Ibrahima Sonko talk about Saturday's legends game. They chat about what it was like to play in the game, the occasion, being reunited with former team mates, which players impressed them...

Saturday's legends game finished 8-5 in favour of Brian McDermott's 2012 side. We've invited six of the Reading fans who were at the game to tell us what they made of it. They also give us their views...

Reading broke the record for most wins from the start of a season in 1985-86, when they won their first 13 games. We look back on the record breaking run and some memorable games that season, includin...

Brian McDermott's 2012 side came out on top with an 8-5 win in today's 150th anniversary game - here's what some of the fans made of the game and the occasion.
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There were plenty of goals in the 150th anniversary game, with Steve Coppell's 106 side taking on Brian McDermott's 2012 title winners. We bring you a post match report.
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We bring you an update from the first half of the legends game between Steve Coppell's 106 side and Brian McDermott's 2012 Championship title winners.
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We continue our build up to the 150th anniversary game between Steve Coppell's 2005-6 record breaking side and Brian McDermott's 2011-12 title winners.
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Pat 1 of our build up to the Steve Coppell v Brian McDermott legends game at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
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We preview Saturday's 150th anniversary legends game between a Steve Coppell side representing the 106 team that won the Championship in 2006 and a Brian McDermott side representing the 2012 title win...

Blackpool's Jake Daniels announced on Monday that he is gay. We are joined by Tom Williams, from Proud Royals, who talks about what the organisation stands for.
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Simon Cox came through the youth ranks at Reading and was at the club during the 106 season, then returned as a senior player and was part of the side that reached the FA Cup semi-final in 2015. He ta...

Nicky Forster joined Reading in 1999 and went on to make more than 200 appearances, scoring 67 goals. He was part of the promotion side in 2002 but left Reading just before the Royals' 2005-6 Champion...

Reading FC Women finished eighth in the WSL last season, with the highlight of the campaign a victory against the WSL champions Chelsea. We look back at the 2021-22 campaign.
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We choose our greatest Reading FC manager from the last 50 years. We also look at the two club owners who played a significant role in the club's history over the last five decades.
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Andy Halls, a Royals fan and Sun journalist, gives us some inside information about Paul Ince and the legends game next Saturday. He also talks about supporting Reading and gives his views on the curr...

Robin Friday is a Royals legend - and is also the name of a song by Reading band Mirror Pictures that you might have heard at home games. Mark and Olly chat about music and being Royals fans - and Mar...

Former Chronicle Sports Editor Roger Ware, who has supported the Royals since 1950, returns for a chat about the Record Breaking Royals, the Simod Cup triumph, the John Madejski era, Uri Geller and mo...

Mike and Grace Kearney have been familiar faces at Reading FC for more than 40 years. Mike had two spells with the Royals as a striker and Grace has been involved with Reading in various roles over th...

Kevin Doyle had a whirlwind first two seasons at Reading. He was part of the 106 side that won the Championship title and finished eighth in the Royals' first season in the Premiership. He talks about...

Reading FC's season has been a turbulent one, with plenty of lows and not much to lift the spirits of the fans. Mark and Johnny look back at Saturday's final game at Luton and the season as a whole - ...

After selecting our greatest Reading XI from the last 50 years, we focus on choosing the greatest Royals captain and player from the past five decades. Will Martin Hicks, Ady Williams, Phil Parkinson ...

John Salako had already played for Crystal Palace, Coventry, Fulham, Charlton and England before joining Reading in 2001. He talks about how the move to the Madejski Stadium came about, his time with ...

Injuries meant that John Mackie missed the 2001 play-off final defeat and the dramatic final game of the season at Brentford that secured promotion a year later, but he did line up in Reading's League...

Roger Ware first watched Reading in 1950 and has been a fan ever since. He went on to become sports editor of the Berkshire Chronicle, which became the Reading Chronicle. Roger talks about some of the...

Mark Nicholls joined Reading on loan from Chelsea the day before New Year's Eve in 1999. He played seven games for the Royals, scoring three goals. Reading wanted to sign him and he wanted the move, b...

Tony Rougier is one of the unluckiest players in play-off final history, scoring an own goal in the 2001 final as Reading missed out on promotion. Tony talks about that game and the own goal - and als...

Jeff Hopkins joined Reading in 1992 and went on to make more than 150 appearances for the Royals. He joins us for a chat about his time at Elm Park - including the 1993-94 season and just missing out ...

We complete our countdown to choosing the Greatest Reading XI from the last 50 years, by selecting our two forwards in the starting 11. Taken from Mark and Johnny's shortlists and fan nominations, we ...

Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Smith seems a somewhat unlikely guest for a Reading FC podcast. But when you consider that he knows the likes of Royals legends Steve Coppell, Wally Downes, Alan Par...

Comedian Sam Michael is a Reading fan - and reveals he was once 'forced' to live in Swindon. He talks about his love of the Royals and comedy and how he sometimes combines the two.
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Simon Church worked his way through the youth ranks, reserve team football and loan spells away from Reading before finally getting his chance with the Royals, scoring 24 goals in 122 appearances. He ...

Martin Hicks made 603 appearances for Reading - a record that is unlikely to be surpassed. He won the Division 4 title in 1979, captained the Record Breaking Royals side that won Division 3 in the 198...

Brian McDermott took Reading back up into the Premier League 10 years ago. He joins us for a chat about his time at the club and gives his verdict on the changes he would like to see implemented under...

STAR - Supporters Trust At Reading - was set up to represent the fans to the club. STAR's Paula Martin joins us for a chat about the organisation and its aims. We also talk about Paul Ince, the curren...

We continue our countdown to choosing the greatest Reading XI from the last 50 years by selecting the greatest midfielders to have represented Reading since 1972.
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Legendary Reading FC goalkeeper Steve Death won four player of the season awards during his time at Elm Park and still holds the record for 1,074 minutes without conceding a goal. His daughter Alexand...

Tom Jones joined Reading from Swindon in summer of 1992 and went on to make 91 appearances, scoring two goals. He chats to former team-mate Dylan Kerr about his four seasons at Elm Park, including the...

Lloyd Owusu joined Reading from Sheffield Wednesday in 2003 and made 46 appearances for the Royals, scoring 10 goals. He talks about his time at Reading and playing in the same side as the likes of Da...

Former Royals defender Keith Curle joins us for a chat about his time at Reading, playing alongside Martin Hicks, the Simod Cup win in 1988, relegation and being quicker than Michael Gilkes!
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Wally Downes had a key role to play in the Royals' 106 season and the club's progression to the Premier League. He talks about his time at Reading and his infamous clash with Neil Warnock.
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We look back at today's amazing 4-4 draw against Swansea - and talk to author Stuart Kane about iconic former Reading striker Robin Friday.
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We continue our countdown to choosing the greatest Reading XI from the last 50 years by selecting the greatest defenders to have represented Reading since 1972.
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Simon Sheppard was best known as Shaka Hislop's understudy during his time at Reading, although he did make more than 20 appearances for the Royals. He recalls his time at Elm Park with his former tea...

Ibrahima Sonko was known to Royals fans as 'Superman'. He talks about his struggle to find a club after moving to England from France and his time at Reading FC. He'll be back again soon for part 2 - ...

Brighton & Hove Albion CEO Paul Barber discusses how to run a successful football club. We make some comparisons with the situation Reading FC currently find themselves in and what Brighton have done ...

Ivar Ingimarsson joins us for a chat about his successful time at Reading FC, including the record-breaking 106 season and the Royals' first season in the Premier League.
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Wally Downes was unable to join us for this episode, so Mark and Johnny discuss the contribution he made to Reading and also chat about Paul Ince and the current Reading side.
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We start our countdown to choosing the greatest Reading XI from the last 50 years by choosing the greatest Reading goalkeeper from the last 5 decades.
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Jamie Cureton chats about his time at Reading, including THAT goal at Brentford to clinch promotion.
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Dave Beasant talks about his time as goalkeeping coach at Reading FC.
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Martyn Ware of Heaven 17 fame joins his old pal Dylan Kerr for a chat about Reading FC, Lucas Joao, Sheffield Wednesday, music and what Dylan was really like as a young lad growing up in Yorkshire!
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Seven-year-old Heidi Barker reveals why Paul Ince ducked out of being 'egged' - and talks about football and her fundraising efforts for Alzheimer's Research.
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Our guest is legendary former Royals midfielder Simon Osborn, who played for Reading during the 1994-95 season. The Royals finished second that season, but a restructure meant that only the champions ...

Dylan Kerr was worshipped by Reading fans during his time at Elm Park for his exciting style of play and character. In our second Sunday Special episode, Dylan talks about his career as a player and m...

Nigel Gibbs joins us for a chat about his two spells at Reading FC. He discusses his progression to assistant manager under Brian McDermott and his return to the Royals. He also gives his views on the...

Stuart Lovell joined Reading as a 12 year old and went on to form a prolific goalscoring partnership with Jimmy Quinn that produced 62 goals in the 1993-94 promotion season. He looks back on his Royal...

Reading's new central defender Terell Thomas discusses what prompted his move to Reading, his thoughts about trying to secure a place in the starting XI and what the future might look like for him. No...

Martin Allen became Alan Pardew's assistant manager at Reading FC in January 2000 and turned a relegation-threatened side into promotion contenders - paving the way for the success that was to follow ...

Graham Nickless is the guest for our first Sunday Special episode. Royals fan Graham has reported on Reading FC for nearly 50 years, for Bracknell News, the Reading Evening Post and national media. He...

Andy Bernal was David Beckham's personal manager. The former Royals defender talks about his time at Reading FC, taking cocaine, the experience of looking after one of the world's biggest icons and hi...

Shaka Hislop, who was part of the Reading FC side that won promotion in 1994 then just missed out on a place in the Premiership in 1995, talks about his time with the Royals.
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Title-winning Royals midfielder Lawrie Sanchez - who went on to score Wimbledon's winning goal in the 1988 FA Cup final - joins Mark, Dylan and Johnny for a chat about playing for his local club, Read...

Royals legend Graeme Murty talks about his time at Reading, including his penalty that earned the Royals the record for most points in a season. He also discusses the current side's battle against rel...

Natasha Dowie chats to Dylan, Mark and Johnny about her career to date and her season so far with Reading FC Women.
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Kevin Bremner is a true Reading FC legend. He scored one of the goals as the Royals won 2-0 at Newport to break the record for most wins at the start of the season in the 1985-86 season and was a key ...

1871

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Remembering Mark McGhee's reign as Reading manager

Reaction to Noel Hunt replacing Paul Ince

Reaction to Reading's 2-1 defeat at Preston

Reading FC Top 100 - Part 2

EPISODE 100: Our Reading FC Top 100 - Part 1

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