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
Football League Championship4th
(play off Semi-Finals)
FA CupThird Round vs Cardiff City
Football League CupThird Round vs Stoke City
Top goalscorerLeague: Kevin Doyle 18
All: Kevin Doyle 18
Highest home attendanceSouthampton 23,121
Lowest home attendanceBlackpool 16,514

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. Position Player
1 GK Marcus Hahnemann
2 DF Graeme Murty[10]
3 DF Chris Armstrong[11]
4 MF Kalifa Cissé[12]
6 MF Brynjar Gunnarsson
7 MF Marek Matějovský
8 FW Leroy Lita
9 FW Kevin Doyle
10 MF Stephen Hunt
11 FW Noel Hunt
12 FW Dave Mooney
14 MF Jimmy Kébé[13]
15 MF James Harper
16 DF Ívar Ingimarsson
17 FW Dave Kitson
18 DF Sam Sodje[14]
21 MF Jem Karacan[15]
No. Position Player
22 DF Liam Rosenior
23 DF André Bikey
24 FW Shane Long
25 DF Alan Bennett
26 DF Alex Pearce[16]
27 MF James Henry
29 DF Michael Duberry
31 DF Dan Harding
32 GK Adam Federici
33 DF Scott Golbourne
34 MF Gylfi Sigurðsson
35 FW Simon Church[17]
36 GK Mikkel Andersen
37 MF Jay Tabb[18]
42 DF Julian Kelly
52 MF 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. Position Player
19 MF Hal Robson-Kanu[19]
28 MF Michail Antonio
30 MF Oliver Bozanic
38 MF Scott Davies[20]
39 FW Nicholas Bignall
No. Position Player
40 MF Tom Hateley
41 GK Ben Hamer
43 DF Daniel Spence
49 GK 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. Position Player
5 DF Ibrahima Sonko (to Stoke City)
20 MF Emerse Fae (to OGC Nice)
No. Position Player
17 MF Bobby Convey (Released)
37 FW Viktor Illugason (to Valur)

Transfers

In
Date Position Nationality 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 Nationality 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 Nationality 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 Nationality Name To
10 June 2008 6-month loan[34] MF Emerse Fae 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 Nationality 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 roundCurrent
position / round		 Final
position / round		 First match Last match
League Championship — 4 (Playoffs) 10 August 20083 May 2009
Football League Cup 1st round — 3rd round 12 August 200823 September 2008
FA Cup 3rd round — 3R 3 January 20093 January 2009

Updated to match played 26 April 2011
Source: Competitions

Championship
Main article: 2008–09 Football League Championship

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

Fixtures & Results
10 August 2008 1Nottingham Forest0–0ReadingCity Ground
13:15 BST (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 21,571
Referee: Stuart Atwell
16 August 2008 2Reading2–0Plymouth ArgyleMadejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Sonko  13', 49' Report Attendance: 19,202
Referee: Richard Beeby
23 August 2008 3Charlton Athletic4–2ReadingThe 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 4Reading4–2Crystal PalaceMadejski 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 5Ipswich2–0ReadingPortman Road
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Stead  63'
Walters  84'		 Report Attendance: 21,366
Referee: Keith Hill
17 September 2008 6Reading6–0Sheffield WednesdayMadejski 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 7Watford2–2ReadingVicarage 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 8Reading4–0Swansea CityMadejski 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 9Wolves0-3ReadingMolineux Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Report Hennessey  4' (o.g.)
Bikey  71'
Cissé  89'		 Attendance: 24,302
Referee: Rob Shoebridge
4 October 2008 10Reading3–1BurnleyMadejski 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 11Preston North End2–1ReadingDeepdale
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 12Reading2–1Doncaster RoversMadejski Stadium
20:00 BST (UTC+1) Bikey  18'
Doyle  76'		 Report Van Nieuwstadt  74' Attendance: 17,924
Referee: Darren Deadman
25 October 2008 13Reading0–0QPRMadejski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 20,571
Referee: Chris Foy
28 October 2008 14Burnley1–0ReadingTurf Moor
19:45 GMT Blake  81' Report Attendance: 11,538
Referee: Martin Haywood
1 November 2008 15Bristol City1–4ReadingAshton 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 16Reading3–0Derby CountyMadejski Stadium
15:00 GMT N Hunt  20'
Doyle  68', 75'		 Report Attendance: 18,724
Referee: Scott Mathieson
15 November 2008 17Sheffield United0–2ReadingBramall Lane
15:00 GMT Report Cissé  5'
Doyle  44'		 Attendance: 25,065
Referee: Michael Oliver
22 November 2008 18Reading1–2SouthamptonMadejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Kébé  57' Report Wright-Phillips  14', 49' Attendance: 23,121
Referee: Lee Probert
25 November 2008 19Cardiff City2–2ReadingNinian 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 20Reading3–1Coventry CityMadejski Stadium
20:00 GMT N Hunt  32', 62' Cissé  37' Report Fox  26' Attendance: 16,803
Referee: Kevin Wright
6 December 2008 21Barnsley0–1ReadingOakwell
15:152 GMT Report Kebe  36'
Gunnarsson  63'		 Attendance: 11,938
Referee: Clive Oliver
9 December 2008 22Reading1–0BlackpoolMadejski Stadium
20:00 GMT Ingimarsson  27' Report Hendrie  30' Attendance: 16,514
Referee: Jarnail Singh
13 December 2008 23Reading2–0Norwich CityMadejski Stadium
15:00 GMT S Hunt  84' (pen.) Long  86' Report Attendance: 19,382
Referee: Trevor Kettle
20 December 2008 24Birmingham City1–3ReadingSt Andrews
12:45 GMT Phillips  60' Report N Hunt  12'
Doyle  65'
Cissé  81'		 Attendance: 19,695
Referee: Mike Dean
26 December 2008 25Reading1–1Cardiff CityMadejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Federici  90+6' Report Chopra  89' Attendance: 22,770
Referee: Andy Hall
28 December 2008 26Southampton1–1ReadingSt Mary's Stadium
15:00 GMT McGoldrick  74' Report Long  84' Attendance: 20,142
Referee: Phil Crossley
10 January 2009 27Reading4–0WatfordMadejski Stadium
12:45 GMT Armstrong  38'
N Hunt  66'
Doyle  67'
Lita  88'		 Report Attendance: 18,072
Referee: Andy D'Urso
17 January 2009 28Swansea City2–0ReadingLiberty Stadium
15:00 GMT Scotland  44'
Orlandi  89'		 Report Rosenior  75'  80' Attendance: 15,197
Referee: F Graham
27 January 2009 29Reading1–0WolvesMadejski Stadium
20:00 GMT Collins  2' (o.g.) Report Collins  90+3' Attendance: 23,009
Referee: John Booth
31 January 2009 30QPR0–0ReadingLoftus Road
15:00 GMT Report Attendance: 17,120
Referee: John Moss
7 February 2009 31Reading0–0Preston North EndMadejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Report Attendance: 19,570
Referee: Mike Jones
21 February 2009 32Reading0–2Bristol CityMadejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Report Adebola  26'
Rosenior  48' (o.g.)		 Attendance: 22,462
Referee: Andy Penn
28 February 33Reading0–1Nottingham ForestMadejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Report McGugan  61' Attendance: 21,196
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
3 March 2009 34Sheffield Wednesday1–2ReadingHillsborough Stadium
19:45 GMT McAllister  44' Report Doyle  56'
Long  81'		 Attendance: 19,268
Referee: Andy Hall
7 March 2009 35Plymouth Argyle2–2ReadingHome Park
15:00 GMT Gallagher  20'
Mackie  56'		 Report Pearce  22'
Kebe  80'		 Attendance: 14,014
Referee: Anthony Bates
9 March 2009 36Reading2–2Charlton AthleticMadejski Stadium
20:00 GMT Long  46' (pen.), 66' Report Bailey  16'
Hudson  85'		 Attendance: 17,875
Referee: Anthony Taylor
14 March 2009 37Reading0–1Ipswich TownMadejski Stadium
15:00 GMT Report Stead  47' Attendance: 20,592
Referee: Michael Oliver
17 March 2009 38Doncaster Rovers0–1ReadingKeepmoat Stadium
19:45 GMT Report Kitson  82' Attendance: 10,393
Referee: Paul Taylor
21 March 2009 39Crystal Palace0–0ReadingSelhurst Park
17:20 GMT Report Rosenior  35'  71' Attendance: 14,567
Referee: Andy D'Urso
4 April 2009 40Coventry City0–0ReadingRicoh Arena
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 17,281
Referee: Tim Kettle
10 April 2009 41Reading0–1Sheffield UnitedMadejski Stadium
17:30 BST (UTC+1) Report Howard  59' Attendance: 20,756
Referee: Keith Friend
13 April 2009 42Blackpool2–2ReadingBloomfield 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 43Reading0–0BarnsleyMadjeski Stadium
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 19,240
Referee: R. Beeby
21 April 2009 44Derby County0–2ReadingPride Park Stadium
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Report Kitson  56'
Long  73'		 Attendance: 31,345
Referee: C. Webster
27 April 2009 45Norwich City0–2ReadingCarrow Road
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Report Long  68', 78' Attendance: 25,041
Referee: C. Oliver
3 May 2009 46Reading1–2Birmingham CityMadejski 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.

Playoffs
Semi-Finals
Main article: 2008–09 Football League Championship § Playoffs
9 May 2009 1st LegBurnley1 – 0ReadingTurf Moor
17:20 BST (UTC+1) Alexander  84' (pen.) Report Bikey  90+4' Attendance: 18,005
Referee: Martin Atkinson
12 May 2009 2nd LegReading0 – 2
(0 – 3 agg.)		BurnleyMadjeski 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
Main article: 2008–09 FA Cup
3 January 2009 Third RoundCardiff City2–0ReadingNinian Park
15:00 GMT McCormack  58'
Ledley  83'		 Report Attendance: 12,448
Referee: Anthony Taylor

Football League Cup
Main article: 2008–09 Football League Cup
12 August 2008 First RoundDagenham & Redbridge1–2ReadingVictoria Road
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Taiwo  66' Report Henry  25'
N Hunt  89'		 Attendance: 2,360
Referee: Andy Penn
26 August 2008 Second RoundReading5–1Luton TownMadejski 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 RoundStoke City2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4 – 3 p)		ReadingBritannia 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 TotalChampionshipFA CupLeague CupPlay-offs
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Marcus Hahnemann 350320001020
2 DF Graeme Murty 1000100000
3 DF Chris Armstrong 411401001000
4 MF Kalifa Cissé 39524+12500200+10
6 MF Brynjar Gunnarsson 30213+142001020
7 MF Marek Matějovský 25111+111100020
8 FW Leroy Lita 1216+41101000
9 FW Kevin Doyle 421839+218000010
10 MF Stephen Hunt 49741+5600210+10
11 FW Noel Hunt 391327+1011002200
12 FW Dave Mooney 2000000+2000
14 MF Jimmy Kébé 44238+320+100020
15 MF James Harper 36128+61002000
16 DF Ívar Ingimarsson 291261002+1000
17 FW Dave Kitson 1229+1200000+20
19 DF Liam Rosenior 440420000020
21 MF Jem Karacan 172151101100
22 DF André Bikey 28323+23101010
24 FW Shane Long 43911+269103020
26 DF Alex Pearce 21213+31102+1110
27 MF James Henry 1143+40103400
29 DF Michael Duberry 300270001020
31 DF Dan Harding 5030000020
32 GK Adam Federici 18114+11102000
33 DF Scott Golbourne 2000002000
34 MF Gylfi Sigurðsson 30000+100+2000
35 FW Simon Church 20000+100010
37 MF Jay Tabb 1106+30000020
42 DF Julian Kelly 1104+30103000
52 MF Glen Little 905+3000000+10
Players who appeared for Reading no longer at the club:
17 MF Bobby Convey 903+301020
31 DF Ibrahima Sonko 33330000

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

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