“Ask any Reading fan where they wanted to finish and no doubt they would have said: ‘Don’t care as long as we still have a club’”

Another turbulent season in Berkshire, but one that ends with a long-awaited takeover

Jun 08, 2025

Sunday 8 June 2025

If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.

THE SCARF MY FATHER WORE 2025-26 CALENDAR: Having been to all 56 County games this season, I’ve taken thousands of photos. I’ve put together calendars for next season, featuring some of my favourite photos from the last year, plus some other County bits and bobs. £10 each. Get in touch if you’d like one.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Reading supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Sunday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Vicci Elliot, Supporters’ Trust At Reading treasurer, joins us today for a look back at the Royals’ campaign.

County did the double over Reading this season. As you can see from the photos above, I was at both games. In fact, for the first time in my life, I’ve been to every single County game this season – all 56 of them! I’ve written a book about my adventures this season. If you’d like to support the publication by having your name printed in the book (along with a signed copy and a ticket to the book launch) drop me an email.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Impact Pro Clean. A big thank you to Nigel. If you need any exterior cleaning services, you’ll get a 15% discount by quoting “County”. Call 07709 883239 or email impactprocleanltd@gmail.com.

Thanks also to Mick from Gooding & Co Estate Agents for sponsoring our Reading content on the website.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 253.75 miles

Total steps so far: 418,084

Total raised so far: £2,312

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

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Photo credit: Reading FC

Best moment of 2024-25?

That has to be the long-awaited sale of the club in May. It was a long time coming after lots of false dawns. Rob Couhig split the fanbase throughout the drawn-out process with some of the moves he made – such as court cases etc - but despite having to deal with a stubborn Chinese man he finally gave us the result we wanted. Early communications from him are very positive and we look like we’re entering an exciting new chapter.

Worst moment of 2024-25?

It feels like the times we thought would be the worst turned out to be not that bad overall. We lost our manager Rubén Sellés to Hull in December, but step forward Noel Hunt who seemed to strengthen the bond between the players. We wondered where the goals would come from after selling Sam Smith to Wrexham, but then we started getting lots of penalties!

Personally I think it was the midweek defeat at Burton in January. We were 2-0 down, fought back to 2-2, only to concede in injury time. Burton were in the relegation zone at the time.

Funniest moment of 2024-25?

Amadou Mbengue joining Club 1871 for a sing-song during the first few minutes of a home game. It epitomised the bond between fans and players that had been missing for so long.

The Birmingham Boasters and the Wrexham Wazzocks seem to have annoyed a lot of fans in League One this season. Which one are you most glad to see the back of?

I must admit I dislike them both equally.

Birmingham only did it by spending so much money. Come on, over £25m is crazy. The attitude of some of their fans was appalling. Look at some of the bigger clubs to have dropped down to League One recently – Ipswich, Sunderland etc. They took a few years to get back up. Without the huge outlay Birmingham may have been the same.

Don’t get me started on Wrexham. Again, money talks, but how many of their ‘fans’ would be there if it wasn’t for Hollywood connections. What happens when the bubble bursts and the Americans realise they can’t just keep throwing money at it.

Reform have been making a lot of noise recently. Based on this season, what’s in most need of reform at Reading, on or off the pitch?

We seem to be moving into a period where we’re seeing reform on and off the pitch. With the new ownership I’m hoping lessons will have been learned and that moving forward finances will be managed better. As stated before, things are already improving with better communication to the fans etc.

Reform will be needed on the pitch – due to financial issues and a transfer embargo we only have six senior players under contract. Hopefully we’ll be able to tie down the core of last season’s squad on new deals, and with some sensible transfers we could mount a serious push for the title. Along with developing the next generation of young players, the future is bright.

Four Four Two had you down to finish 16th, EFL pundit Gabriel Sutton thought you’d finish 7th, while the Opta supercomputer predicted you’d be 11th. You finished 7th. Discuss.

Ask any Reading fan where they wanted to finish and no doubt they would have said: “Don’t care as long as we still have a club.” Realistically the goal was to get as many points as possible as you never knew if or when the EFL would dock us some. It’s the first season for three years we haven’t had any deductions. I would have happily taken 20th on goal difference but to still be in with a shout of a play-off place on the final day was amazing. We ultimately fell short with our performance that day and couldn’t overtake Orient but still so proud to finish 7th.

County put four past Reading in October (Photo credit: Mike Petch)

County 4 Reading 1 in October. Reading 1 County 3 in January. Thoughts?

I’m trying to forget about both of those games. Next question please.

Probably our worst performances all season. Of the six teams to finish above us, we only failed to get a point from yourselves and Orient.

Best and worst away days of 2024-25?

Best away day has to be Bristol Rovers. Proper old-school ground and being our last away trip of the season it was inflatable day (we didn’t have to smuggle them in, unlike Burton the year before). Brilliant fun and the sun shone. Topped off with a good 2-0 win, which sadly condemned Rovers to relegation so we won’t get to visit next season.

Blackpool has to be the worst – a long Tuesday evening trip for a 3-0 defeat. Grotty away end and we never win there.

Which Reading player is most deserving of his couple of weeks on the beach this summer?

Every single player deserves the beach this summer. They’ve all played more minutes than they should have due to lack of numbers etc. But one in particular has to be our midfield wizard Lewis Wing. He played every single minute of every single league game this season.

Never mind Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+, a TV production company have just made Reading: The Story of 2024-25. Which channel would it be most suited for?

I think it would have to be split across two channels. The off-field torment would be suited to a horror channel – after the watershed of course. On the pitch, however, that’s a tale for the Hallmark channel. A true story of a group of boys pulling together in the face of turmoil: a lack of stability, possibly not being paid, players being sold around them, fans chipping in for travel, yet still going out and getting the results on the pitch. A true tale of the underdogs prevailing but failing at the last minute!

And finally, apologies for darkening the mood, but you’ve only got 30 seconds to live. Putin’s pressed the red button and we’re all about to die. You can have one last moment of pleasure, watching a single Reading goal from this season. What you sticking on?

No competition. It has to be Lewis Wing at home to Crawley. Our Lewis doesn’t score tap-ins. Whenever he picks up the ball outside the box you just know there is something special coming. It says something when the majority of goals in your club’s goal of the season competition are all by the same player and all are screamers.

➡️ Any Reading fans joining us today? As stated above, I’ve written a book having watched every County game home and away this season. There’s obviously two big chapters on Reading included (home and away). Also, as I celebrated my 40th birthday this season, I’ve written about my four decades as a County fan as well, which I’m hoping will be an enjoyable read for anyone who supports a lower league club. There’s memories of beating four Premier League clubs as County reached the Coca-Cola Cup semi-finals in 1996-97, the club’s rise from the National League North to the brink of the Championship over the last few years, and the tale of a trip to Blackpool 20 years ago when me and my mates had a run-in with armed police after a day on the ale…

If you’d like to support the book, click on the link below to become a paid subscriber and I’ll post you a signed copy with your name printed inside once it’s published.

Get your house looking good for BBQ season!

The weather’s been absolutely scorching this week. If you’re thinking of popping a BBQ or two into the diary, you might want to spruce up your house before having everyone over. Impact Pro Clean offers a complete exterior cleaning service, including the following:

Gutter Cleaning
Driveway Cleaning
Roof Cleaning
Render Cleaning
Upvc Cleaning
Graffiti Removal
Brickwork Cleaning
Moss & Algae Removal

And, if you quote “County” when booking a job, you’ll get a 15% discount!

➡️ Call 07709 883239 or email impactprocleanltd@gmail.com.

5 questions with Mick from Gooding & Co Estate Agents

What’s been the best moment with your business so far?

Exchanging on the first property we sold, soon after setting up the business.

What’s your plans for the business in the future?

Probably going into lettings at some point.

What would you like to promote to The Scarf My Father Wore readers?

We’re proud to have been voted best agent in RG2 for the last two years by allAgents, which is the largest review site in the UK for estate agents. We pride ourselves on hard work, honesty and delivering excellent customer service, to make every client’s experience as stress free as possible.

If you could choose your dream house to live in, anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Paros. A beautiful Greek island.

What’s the best thing about working in Reading?

Reading is steeped in history, it’s very easily accessible from most places in the UK and it has a nice vibe in the town.

➡️ For further details visit goodingandco.uk.

Photo of the day

Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading

County fans in full voice after going 3-1 up at Reading back in January thanks to Jack Diamond’s cool finish.

Today in SK

🍴 Food and drink

Enjoy a delicious Sunday roast at The Crown (SK2) or The Three Tunnes (SK7) with homemade Yorkshire puddings and all the trimmings. 12pm - 6pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Crown Inn (SK6), and The Cross Keys (SK8) and Flute & Firkin (SK12). Pop in for some food or a few drinks today.