Supporters and Rivalries
See also: M4 derby and Supporters' Trust At ReadingIn 2001, Reading became the first football club to register their fans as an official member of their squad, giving the "player" registered with squad number 13 as 'Reading Fans'.
Before going out of business in 1992, Aldershot were Reading's biggest rivals. There was a strong rift between the two sets of fans, with fighting between fans occurring on several occasions. Strong feelings remain between fans of Reading and fans of Aldershot Town, the refounded club in Aldershot. With Aldershot Town rejoining the league in 2008, it remains to be seen whether this traditional rivalry will be reestablished.
Since Aldershot's exile, Reading's main local rivalries have been with Oxford United and Swindon Town. When the three teams had shared a division, their rivalry was referred to as the "Didcot Triangle". However, the rivalry between Oxford and Swindon is stronger than between either of the two and Reading, partly due to them both spending their recent history in lower divisions than Reading.
In 2012, a report showed that Reading's main rivals were Aldershot Town, followed by Swindon Town and Oxford United.
In July 2012, local band 'Violet Class' recorded a song in tribute to the Royals, entitled 'Biscuitmen'.
Read more about this topic: Reading F.C.
Famous quotes containing the word supporters:
“No Government can be long secure without a formidable Opposition. It reduces their supporters to that tractable number which can be managed by the joint influences of fruition and hope. It offers vengeance to the discontented, and distinction to the ambitious; and employs the energies of aspiring spirits, who otherwise may prove traitors in a division or assassins in a debate.”
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881)