2008–09 Reading F.C. season

Reading F.C.

2008–09 season
Chairman	John Madejski
Manager	Steve Coppell
Championship	4th (play off Semi-Finals)
FA Cup	Third round vs Cardiff City
League Cup	Third round vs Stoke City
Top goalscorer	League: Kevin Doyle 18 All: Kevin Doyle 18
Highest home attendance	23,121 vs Southampton (22 November 2008)
Lowest home attendance	16,514 vs Blackpool (9 December 2008)
Home colours Away colours Third colours

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

Review and events

See also: The Football League 2008–09

Pre-season

Reading opened their pre-season with an away game against Didcot Town, winning 9–0, 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), Havant & Waterlooville (1–0) and MK Dons (2–1), Reading went on a three-game friendly tour of Sweden, winning their three games against FC Trollhättan (4–1) in which Leroy Lita scored all four, against Lerkils IF (1–0) and against Halmstads BK (3–1) 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. 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 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

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 2–2 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. 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

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	2009	0	0
49	Alex McCarthy		GK	(1989-12-03)3 December 1989 (aged 19)	Academy	2007		0	0
Defenders
2	Graeme Murty		DF	(1974-11-13)13 November 1974 (aged 34)	York City	1998		339	2
3	Chris Armstrong		DF	(1982-08-05)5 August 1982 (aged 26)	Sheffield United	2008		41	1
16	Ívar Ingimarsson		DF	(1977-08-20)20 August 1977 (aged 31)	Wolverhampton Wanderers	2003		235	12
18	Sam Sodje		DF	(1981-04-09)9 April 1981 (aged 28)	Brentford	2006		8	1
19	Liam Rosenior		DF	(1984-07-09)9 July 1984 (aged 24)	Fulham	2007	2010	63	1
22	André Bikey		DF	(1985-01-08)8 January 1985 (aged 24)	Lokomotiv Moscow	2007	2010	73	7
25	Alan Bennett		DF	(1981-10-04)4 October 1981 (aged 27)	Cork City	2007		0	0
26	Alex Pearce		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	2008	54	0
31	Dan Harding		DF	(1983-12-23)23 December 1983 (aged 25)	on loan from Ipswich Town	2009	2009	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		MF	(1984-01-09)9 January 1984 (aged 25)	Boavista	2007	2010	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	2011	39	2
10	Stephen Hunt		MF	(1981-08-01)1 August 1981 (aged 27)	Brentford	2005		173	20
14	Jimmy Kébé		MF	(1984-01-19)19 January 1984 (aged 25)	Lens	2008	2010	49	2
15	James Harper		MF	(1980-11-09)9 November 1980 (aged 28)	Arsenal	2001		356	23
19	Hal Robson-Kanu		MF	(1989-05-21)21 May 1989 (aged 19)	Academy	2007		0	0
21	Jem Karacan		MF	(1989-02-21)21 February 1989 (aged 20)	Academy	2007		17	2
27	James Henry		MF	(1987-07-09)9 July 1987 (aged 21)	Academy	2004		12	4
28	Michail Antonio		MF	(1989-01-08)8 January 1989 (aged 20)	Tooting & Mitcham United	2008	2010	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		MF	(1984-02-21)21 February 1984 (aged 25)	Coventry City	2009	2011	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	2009	123	6
Forwards
8	Leroy Lita		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	2011	39	13
12	Dave Mooney		FW	(1984-10-30)30 October 1984 (aged 24)	Cork City	2008	2011	2	0
17	Dave Kitson		FW	(1980-01-21)21 January 1980 (aged 29)	loan from Stoke City	2009	2009	159	62
24	Shane Long		FW	(1987-01-22)22 January 1987 (aged 22)	Cork City	2005		115	18
35	Simon Church		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		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		MF	(1984-01-24)24 January 1984 (aged 25)	Nantes	2007	2010 (+1)	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

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. 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

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. 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

Main articles: List of English football transfers summer 2008 and List of English football transfers winter 2008–09

In

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

Loans in

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

Out

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
18 July 2008	FW		Dave Kitson	Stoke City	£5,500,000
7 August 2008	DF		Nicky Shorey	Aston Villa	Undisclosed
29 August 2008	DF		Ibrahima Sonko	Stoke City	£2,000,000
29 January 2009	MF		Emerse Fae	Nice	Undisclosed

Loans out

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

Released

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

Competitions

Overview

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

Main article: 2008–09 Football League Championship

Results summary

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

Last updated: 8 April 2011.
Source: Reading FC

Results by round

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

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

Fixtures and results

Nottingham Forest v Reading

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

Reading v Plymouth Argyle

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

Charlton Athletic v Reading

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

Reading v Crystal Palace

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

Ipswich Town v Reading

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

Reading v Sheffield Wednesday

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

Watford v Reading

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.

Reading v Swansea City

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

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Reading

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

Reading v Burnley

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

Preston North End v Reading

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

Reading v Doncaster Rovers

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

Reading v Queens Park Rangers

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

Burnley v Reading

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

Bristol City v Reading

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

Reading v Derby County

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

Sheffield United v Reading

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

Reading v Southampton

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

Cardiff City v Reading

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

Reading v Coventry City

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

Barnsley v Reading

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.

Reading v Blackpool

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

Reading v Norwich City

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

Birmingham City v Reading

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

Reading v Cardiff City

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

Southampton v Reading

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

Reading v Watford

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

Swansea City v Reading

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

Reading v Wolverhampton Wanderers

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

Queens Park Rangers v Reading

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

Reading v Preston North End

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

Reading v Bristol City

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

Reading v Nottingham Forest

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

Sheffield Wednesday v Reading

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

Plymouth Argyle v Reading

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

Reading v Charlton Athletic

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

Reading v Ipswich Town

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

Doncaster Rovers v Reading

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

Crystal Palace v Reading

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

Coventry City v Reading

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

Reading v Sheffield United

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

Blackpool v Reading

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

Reading v Barnsley

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

Derby County v Reading

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

Norwich City v Reading

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

Reading v Birmingham City

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

Semi-finals

Main article: 2008–09 Football League Championship § Playoffs

Burnley v Reading

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

Reading v Burnley

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

League table

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

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

FA Cup

Main article: 2008–09 FA Cup

Cardiff City v Reading

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

Main article: 2008–09 Football League Cup

Dagenham & Redbridge v Reading

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

Reading v Luton Town

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

Stoke City v Reading

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

As of match played 12 May 2009

Appearances

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

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

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

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