The 2018–19 season was Reading's 148th year in existence and sixth consecutive season in the Championship,[1] and covers the period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.
Season review
Pre-season
On 18 May 2018, Reading announced that they would be taking part in a six-day pre-season training camp in Bad Erlach, Austria, with two friendlies scheduled to be played against as yet un-confirmed opposition.[2] The EFL Cup first round draw took place on 15 June 2018, in Vietnam, drawing Reading at home against Birmingham City.[3][4]
Transfers and contracts
Reading announced their first summer signing on 17 May 2018, Andy Yiadom signed a four-year contract with Reading, officially joining his new club on 1 July after the expiration of his Barnsley contract.[5] Reading's second summer signing was announced on 5 June, with David Meyler signing a two-year contract, with the option of an additional year, on a free transfer from Hull City upon the conclusion of contract with them on 30 June.[6] The following day, Reading announced that John O'Shea had signed a one-year contract to commence on 1 July 2018.[7]
On 20 June, Reading announced that Andrija Novakovich had signed a new two-year contract with the club, and that he would spend the next season on loan at Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard.[8] Two days after, it was announced that goalkeeper Lewis Ward had also extended his contract with the club until the summer of 2020.[9] On 2 July, Reading announced that youngsters Jamal Balogun, Andre Burley, Cameron Green, Adam Liddle, Akin Odimayo, Moroyin Omolabi and Jazz Wallace had all signed their first professional contracts with the club, whilst goalkeeper Luke Southwood had also signed a new two-year contract.[10]
On 30 June, Reading played their first pre-season fixture away at Eastleigh. The Royals lost the fixture 2–1, with the National League side scoring a late winner through Ben Williamson. Prior to this, Paul McCallum had put the hosts ahead in the first half, before Leandro Bacuna's equaliser. Reading played two different teams composed of first team players in either half.[23]
On 7 July, Reading faced League One outfit AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow. Former-Royals loanee Kwesi Appiah put the hosts ahead, before Joe Pigott doubled their advantage just before the break. Adrian Popa and Sam Smith levelled the game with two goals in five minutes following the restart. Egli Kaja restored Wimbledon's lead, with Kane Crichlow wrapping up a 4–2 victory for the Dons with six minutes to play. As with the Eastleigh fixture, Reading fielded separate teams in either half.[24] A 0–0 draw with Premier LeagueFulham followed a week later at the Recreation Ground in Aldershot. Twenty-one different players featured for Reading.[25]
As part of the club's training camp in Bad Erlach, Austria, the Royals faced Turkish giants Beşiktaş in Graz, as part of the Turks' preparation for their Europa League campaign. Ryan Babel and Oğuzhan Özyakup put Beşiktaş into a two-goal lead in the second half, before Sam Smith and Mark McNulty levelled the contest in the final ten minutes.[26] On the 20 July, Reading faced former Russian champions Rubin Kazan in Ilz with the sides playing out a 0–0 draw.[27]
On 28 July, Reading played their only home match of pre-season with the visit of Crystal Palace. The Premier League side won 4–0, with goals from Alexander Sørloth, Wilfried Zaha (two) and James Tomkins, rounding of a winless pre-season for Reading.[28]
August
Reading opened the season with a 2–1 home defeat against Derby County on 3 August. Reading opened the scoring in the 52nd minute through Jón Daði Böðvarsson, before Mason Mount equalised in the 60th minute and Tom Lawrence scored a last minute header to seal the victory for Derby County.[Report 1] Reading's second game of the season saw them travel to Nottingham Forest on 11 August. A single Hillal Soudani goal in the 68th minute saw the host emerge victorious, and Reading dropping to the foot of the table.[Report 2] On 14 August Reading hosted Birmingham City in the First Round of the EFL Cup, with goals from Yakou Méïté and John Swift securing Reading's first win of the season and their place in the Second Round of the League Cup.[Report 3]
On 15 August, Axel Andrésson signed a new contract with Reading until the summer of 2020, and then immediately joined Norwegian OBOS-ligaen club Viking FK on loan until the end of their season.[29]
On 17 August, goalkeeper Liam Driscoll joined Hungerford Town on an emergency loan after Jökull Andrésson was ruled out for a couple of week due to injury in a prior game.[30]
On 20 August, Reading announced the signing of winger Josh Sims on a season-long loan deal from Southampton.[31]
On 31 August, Reading announced that Saeid Ezatolahi had joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Rostov,[32] and that Liam Moore had signed a new five-year contract, keeping him at Reading until the summer of 2023.[33]
September
A 2–1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on 1 September means Reading suffer their most winless season in their 147-year history despite Liam Moore's late header in the 78th minute.
On 12 September, Reading confirmed that Brian Tevreden had left the club to become Chief Executive at K.S.V. Roeselare, with Gianluca Nani taking over as Sporting Director.
October
On 3 October, Reading announced that Yakou Méïte had signed a new contract with Reading, until the summer of 2022.[35]
Paul Clement was sacked as manager on 6 December,[42] with U23 manager Scott Marshall taking temporary charge of the first team,[43] and Gabriel Osho being recalled early from his loan deal with Aldershot Town.[44] The following day, 7 December, Gianluca Nani left the club by mutual consent less than three months after joining Reading.[45]
On 6 February, Salisbury announced that Liam Driscoll had joined them on loan, replacing follow Reading youth keeper James Hillson who'd moved to Arsenal on loan.[72]
On 10 February, Vito Mannone joined Minnesota United on loan terms which run until 1 January 2020.[73]
On 12 March, Ryan East signed a new contract, until the summer of 2021, and made his first team debut against Leeds United.[77]
April
On 17 April, Reading announced that Macron would be the team's new kit supplier for three seasons beginning at the start of the 2019–20 season.[78]
May
On 10 May Reading announced that they had offered new contracts to Tyler Frost, Adam Liddle, Ramarni Medford-Smith, Adam Desbois, Marcel Elva-Fountaine and Roberto Nditi and a first professional deal to Imari Samuels. Reading also confirmed that first team members George Legg, Anssi Jaakkola, Paul McShane, Danzell Gravenberch, Callum Harriott and Joey van den Berg would all leave the club following the completion of their contracts at the end of June, with John O'Shea retiring from football. Also leaving the club would be youngsters Jamal Balogun, Cameron Green, Moroyin Omolabi, Joel Rollinson, Ademola Shokunbi, Jazz Wallace, Jacob Pemberton, James Hillson. Shamar Moore, Terrance Saydee, Khalid Simmo and Thomas Stevens.[79]
On 28 May, youth team goalkeeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke agreed to sign a professional contract which Reading, until the summer of 2023, to commence the summer after his 17th birthday. On the same day, Claudio Osorio, Nelson Abbey and Malachi Talent-Aryeetey agreed to sign professional terms with the club once they turn 17.[83]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Source: Sky SportsArchived 25 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results[142] (R) Relegated Notes:
^ abcThe transfers of Yiadom, Meyler & O'Shea were announced prior to the completion of the transfer. The players officially joined the club on 1 July 2018.
^Andy Yiadom was born in Holloway, England, but qualified to represent Ghana and made his international debut for Ghana in January 2017. He previously represented England at C level.
^Liam Moore was born in Loughborough, England, but qualified to represent Jamaica, and made his international debut for Jamaica in March 2021.
^Garath McCleary was born in Oxford, England, but qualified to represent Jamaica and made his international debut for Jamaica in February 2013.
^Callum Harriott was born in Norbury, England, but qualified to represent Guyana, making his international debut for Guyana in March 2019.
^Liam Kelly was born in Basingstoke, England, but qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland through his parents, representing the Republic of Ireland at U19 and U21 level.
^Jost Barrett was born in Oxford, England, but qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland, representing the Republic of Ireland at U16, U17, U19 and U21 level.
^Yakou Méïte was born in Paris, France, but qualified to represent the Ivory Coast, representing the Ivory Coast at U17, U20 and U23 level.
^Sone Aluko was born in Hounslow, England, but qualified to represent Nigeria and made his international debut for Nigeria in May 2009. He previously represented Nigeria at U20 and U23 level and England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level.
^David Edwards was born in Pontesbury, England, but qualified to represent Wales and made his international debut for Nigeria in November 2007. He previously represented Wales at U21 level.
^Tiago Ilori was born in Hampstead, England, but qualified to represent Portugal through his mother, representing Portugal at U18, U19, U20, U21 and U23 level.
^Birmingham City were deducted 9 points for failure to comply with the EFL profitability and sustainability rules.[140]
^Brentford were awarded a 1–0 win over Bolton due to Bolton's inability to hold the fixture.[141]
