View source for Reading Town F.C.

{{distinguish|Reading F.C.|Reading City F.C.|Reading United AC}}
{{Short description|Association football club in England}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname    = Reading Town
| image       = Reading Town logo.png
| image_size  = 250px
| fullname    = Reading Town Football Club
| nickname    = The Town
| founded     = {{Start date and age|1966}} (as Lower Burghfield)
| dissolved   = {{Start date and age|2016}}
| ground      = [http://stable.toolserver.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Scours_Lane&params=51_27_56.20_N_1_00_42.81_W_region:GB_type:landmark Scours Lane],<br /> [[Reading, Berkshire]]
| capacity    = 2,000 (162 seated)
| chairman    = Natalie Newby
| manager     = Tranell Richardson
| league      = 
| season      = [[2014–15 Hellenic Football League|2014–15]]
| position    = [[Hellenic Football League|Hellenic League]]<br />Premier Division, 17th

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| pattern_la2 = _yellow_stripes|pattern_b2=_yellow_stripes|pattern_ra2=_yellow_stripes
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'''Reading Town Football Club''' were a semi-professional English [[association football|football]] club in the [[Hellenic Football League|Hellenic League]] Division One East, based in [[Reading, Berkshire]]. It was affiliated to the [[Berks & Bucks Football Association]].<ref name="hlclubinfo">{{cite web |url=http://www.hellenicleague.co.uk/club_details/reading.html |title=Uhlsport Hellenic Football League &#124; Club Details &#124; Reading Town |publisher=Hellenicleague.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127093542/http://hellenicleague.co.uk/club_details/reading.html |archive-date=27 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The club previously played in the [[Combined Counties Football League]], but with the agreement of the leagues involved, swapped places with [[Badshot Lea F.C.|Badshot Lea]] in time for the start of the 2008–09 season.

==History==
The club was formed in 1966 as '''Lower Burghfield''' and started life in the [[Reading Football League|Reading Combination League]].<ref name="hist">{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/readingtownfootballclub/a/history-17859.html |title=History – Reading Town Football Club |publisher=Pitchero.com |date=3 May 2003 |access-date=2 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121034539/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/readingtownfootballclub/a/history-17859.html |archive-date=21 November 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In the early 1980s they were the Premier Division Champions on four occasions, with the 1983–84 season seeing them not just win the league, but three league cup competitions too.<ref name="hist"/> The next season saw them move to the [[Reading Football League|Reading & District League]] where they finished as runners-up in the Premier Division and went on to win the Reading Senior Cup.<ref name="hist"/> The 1985–86 season saw them once again finish as runners-up in the Premier Division, but this time around they had to settle for runners-up in the Reading Senior Cup.<ref name="hist"/> During their time in the Reading leagues the club changed its name several times, being known as '''XL United''', '''Vincents United''' and finally '''Reading Garage'''.<ref name="fchd1">{{fchd|name=I T S READING TOWN|id=ITS-REAT}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/readingtownfootballclub/51947/Home |title=Homepage &#124; Reading Town Football Club &#124; Reading Town Football Club |publisher=Clubwebsite.co.uk |access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref>

In 1989–90 they joined the Premier Division of the [[Chiltonian League]], and changed their name from Reading Garage to '''I T S Reading'''.<ref name="fchd1"/> In 1993–94 they changed their name to Reading Town and relocated to their final home of Scours Lane.<ref name="ghop2">{{cite web|last=Bernard |first=Rob |url=http://worldgroundhoptwo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/reading-town.html |title=Hopping all over the World Two: Reading Town |publisher=Worldgroundhoptwo.blogspot.co.uk |date=13 June 2012 |access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref> The 1994–95 season saw the team win the Premier Division Championship, and gain promotion to the [[Combined Counties Football League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regions_2/SouChilt.htm |title=Website created using 350pages at www.350.com |publisher=Nonleaguematters.net |access-date=2 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213043/http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regions_2/SouChilt.htm |archive-date=4 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Their first season in the Combined counties league the club finished midtable but went on to win the Berks & Bucks FA Senior Trophy, beating [[Lambourn Sports F.C.|Lambourn Sports]] in the final.<ref name="nlmcomcount">{{cite web |url=http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regs1SthB/ComCou78.htm |title=Combined Counties League 1978–2002 |publisher=Nonleaguematters.net |access-date=2 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927113325/http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regs1SthB/ComCou78.htm |archive-date=27 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="bbcup">{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/cups/berksbuckssummary.htm |title=Football Club History Database – Berks & Bucks County Cups |publisher=Fchd.info |access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref> Floodlights were installed the following season and the team reached the final of the Berks & Bucks FA Senior Trophy again, but were beaten in final by [[Abingdon United F.C.|Abingdon United]].<ref name="hist"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/abingdonunited/a/history-26977.html |title=History – Abingdon United Football Club |publisher=Pitchero.com |access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref> That season also saw the club enter the [[FA Vase]] for the first time, where they reached the 4th Round, before succumbing to beaten semi-finalists [[Banstead Athletic F.C.|Banstead Athletic]].<ref name="fchd">{{fchd|name=READING TOWN|id=READINGT}}</ref>

The 1997–98 campaign saw the club finish as runners-up in the league, losing out to [[Ashford Town F.C.|Ashford Town]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.combinedcountiesleague.co.uk/honours1.htm |title=Official CCFL Web Site |publisher=Combinedcountiesleague.co.uk |access-date=2 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629033516/http://www.combinedcountiesleague.co.uk/honours1.htm |archive-date=29 June 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> That season also saw them enter the [[FA Cup]] for the first time in their history, entering at the preliminary qualification round, where they were knocked out by [[Waterlooville F.C.|Waterlooville]].<ref name="fchd"/> At the start of 2001–02 season Town appointed former Manchester United and England star [[Neil Webb]] as Manager.<ref name="ghop2"/> However Webb was unable to transfer his success as a player to the management role and after a poor start to the season he resigned in November.<ref name="hist"/>

Twenty-three-year-old Colin Millard was made the manager for the 2002–03 campaign Town, and stayed with the club until the end of the 2006–07 to become Assistant manager at [[Bracknell Town F.C.|Bracknell Town]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/football/s/2010402_millard_quits_town_ |title=Millard quits Town – Football – Sport – getbracknell – Bracknell Forest Standard |publisher=getbracknell |date=4 May 2007 |access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> The club then appointed Neil Goff and Glenn Goudie as joint managers of the club for the 2007–08 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/s/2012882_local_nonleague_football_roundup |title=Local non-league football round-up – Sport – getreading – Reading Post |publisher=getreading |date=20 July 2007 |access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> Goff was the former assistant manager of Reading Town when Millard was in charge; Goudie's previous role at the club was the goalkeeping and defensive coach, he was also the former manager of Royal Mail FC in the [[Reading Football League]].<ref name="hist"/> In September 2007 Millard resigned as Assistant Manager at Bracknell Town and was re-appointed as Manager, with Goudie and Goff reverting to the position of Joint Assistant Managers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/football/s/2015057_nonleague_millard_makes_town_comeback |title=Non-League: Millard makes Town comeback – Football – Sport |publisher=gethampshire |date=14 September 2007 |access-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420050152/http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/football/s/2015057_nonleague_millard_makes_town_comeback |archive-date=20 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In June 2008 Reading Town moved across leagues to join the Premier Division of the [[Hellenic Football League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hellenicleague.co.uk/archive/08_09/reading.html |title=Uhlsport Hellenic Football League &#124; Reading Town News &#124; Season 2008/09 |publisher=Hellenicleague.co.uk |date=1 November 2007 |access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> The first season in the new league saw the club finish eighth, and win the [[Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy]] again, when they beat [[Newport Pagnell Town F.C.|Newport Pagnell Town]] in the final 2–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/goalpost/s/2049833_town_celebrate_cup_victory |title=Town celebrate cup victory – Goalpost – Football – Sport – getreading – Reading Post |publisher=getreading |date=29 April 2009 |access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> The next season saw the club become runners-up of the Hellenic League Floodlit Cup and the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy, but gained some consolation by winning the Southern Combination Cup for the first time.<ref name="200910stats">{{cite web|url=http://www.hellenicleague.co.uk/stats/0910stats.html |title=Uhlsport Hellenic Football League &#124; Statistics &#124; Season 2009–2010 |publisher=Hellenicleague.co.uk |date=1 November 2007 |access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref><ref name="sccup">{{cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/goalpost/s/2071086_rees_double_inspires_final_victory |title=Rees double inspires final victory – Goalpost – Football – Sport – getreading – Reading Post |publisher=getreading |date=14 May 2010 |access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref>

At the end of season Colin Millard resigned and was replaced by former [[Henley Town F.C.|Henley Town]] boss Roddy Slater.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/goalpost/s/2071418_roddy_wants_readingbased_players |title=Roddy wants Reading-based players – Goalpost – Football – Sport – getreading – Reading Post |publisher=getreading |date=28 May 2010 |access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> Roddy's stint in charge lasted only one season and he resigned at the end of 2010–11 to be succeeded by Mark Bartley.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/roundup/articles/2011/05/17/52117-mark-bartley-confirmed-as-reading-town-manager/?mode=print |title=Mark Bartley confirmed as Reading Town manager / Reading Chronicle / Sport / Roundup |publisher=Readingchronicle.co.uk |date=17 May 2011 |access-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421043904/http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/roundup/articles/2011/05/17/52117-mark-bartley-confirmed-as-reading-town-manager/?mode=print |archive-date=21 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Under Mark Bartley the club went on to win the Hellenic League Supplementary cup, beating [[Highmoor Ibis F.C.|Highmoor Ibis]] 4–3 in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hellenicleague.co.uk/match_reports/april/2804.html |title=Uhlsport Hellenic Football League &#124; Match Reports &#124; 28April 2012 |publisher=Hellenicleague.co.uk |access-date=3 February 2013 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> At the end of the season Bartley resigned due to not wanting to work on a smaller budget for the following season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/articles/2012/06/07/60102-bartley-explains-reading-town-departure/ |title=Bartley explains Reading Town departure / Reading Chronicle / Sport / Football |publisher=Readingchronicle.co.uk |date=7 June 2012 |access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> Michael Butcher was appointed as Bartleys replacement but only lasted till January 2013 when he quit as manager and former manager Colin Millard took over. In June 2013 Millard's appointment was made permanent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Butcher quits as Manager of Reading Town |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/goalpost/s/2128192_michael_butcher_quits_as_manager_of_reading_town_ |work=getreading.co.uk |date=31 January 2013 |first=David |last=Wright}}</ref>

In February 2016, Reading Town were closed down by owners [[Battersea and Wandsworth TUC]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Football community stunned as Reading Town FC are closed down|url=http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/14275142.Football_community_stunned_as_Reading_Town_FC_are_closed_down/|website=readingchronicle.co.uk|publisher=[[Reading Chronicle]]|access-date=16 February 2016|date=13 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Troubled Reading Town resign from the Hellenic League|url=http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-five-and-below/15047/troubled-reading-town-resign-from-the-hellenic-league/|website=thenonleaguefootballpaper.com|publisher=[[The Non-League Paper]]|access-date=16 February 2016|date=15 February 2016}}</ref>

==Stadium==
[[File:Scours.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Scours Lane]]
Reading Town played their home games at Scours Lane Stadium, in the Tilehurst area of the town.

The stadium has a capacity of 2,000, of which 162 is covered seating.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/readingtownfootballclub/a/ground-info-17890.html |title=Ground Info – Reading Town Football Club |publisher=Pitchero.com |access-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118004344/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/readingtownfootballclub/a/ground-info-17890.html |archive-date=18 January 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The record attendance for a Reading Town game is 1,067 against [[AFC Wimbledon]] at Scours Lane on 3 May 2003.<ref name="hlclubinfo"/>

Scours Lane is the second-highest capacity football stadium in Reading, next to [[Madejski Stadium]], home of [[EFL League One]] side [[Reading F.C.|Reading]]. The ground is now used by [[Reading City F.C.]]

==Honours==

===League honours===
*'''[[Combined Counties Football League]] Premier Division ''':<ref name="fchd"/>
** Runners up (1): 1997–98
*'''[[Chiltonian League]] Premier Division ''':<ref name="fchd"/>
** Champions (1): 1994–95
*'''[[Reading Football League|Reading & District League]] Premier Division ''':<ref name="hist"/>
** Runners up (2): 1984–85, 1985–86
*'''[[Reading Football League|Reading Combination League]] Premier Division ''':<ref name="hist"/>
** Champions (4): 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84

===Cup honours===
*'''Berks & Bucks FA Senior Trophy''':<ref name="hist"/><ref name="bbcup"/>
** Winners (2): 1995–96, 2008–09
** Runners up (3): 1996–97, 2009–10, 2013–14
*'''Reading Senior Cup''':<ref name="hist"/>
** Winners (1): 1984–85
** Runners up (1): 1985–86
*'''[[Hellenic Football League]] Floodlit Cup''':<ref name="200910stats"/>
** Runners-up (1): 2009–10
*'''[[Hellenic Football League]] Supplementary Cup''':<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/s/2113048_piercy_the_hattrick_hero_in_thrilling_final |title=Piercy the hat-trick hero in thrilling final – Football – Sport – getreading – Reading Post |publisher=getreading |date=2 May 2012 |access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref>
** Winners (1): 2011–12
*'''Southern Combination Cup''':<ref name="sccup"/>
** Winners (1): 2009–10

==Records==
*'''Highest League Position''':<ref name="fchd"/> 2nd in Combined Counties Football League Premier Division 1997–98
*'''[[FA Cup]] best performance''':<ref name="fchd"/> First qualifying round 1999–00, 2000–01
*'''[[FA Vase]] best performance''':<ref name="fchd"/> Fourth round 1996–97, 2011–12
*'''Highest Attendance''':<ref name="hlclubinfo"/> 1,067 Vs [[AFC Wimbledon]] 3 May 2003.<ref name="hlclubinfo"/>

==Former players==
# Players that have played/managed in the football league or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
# Players with full international caps.
*{{flagicon|NIR}}[[Pat McCoy (footballer)|Pat McCoy]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}}[[Stuart Beavon (footballer born 1958)|Stuart Beavon]]
*{{flagicon|BUL}}Asen Valchev
*{{flagicon|ENG}}[[George Friel]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}}[[Graham Lewis (footballer)|Graham Lewis]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}}[[Marcus Richardson]]
*{{flagicon|SLE}}[[Sam Bangura]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}}[[Ben Gladwin]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}}[[Jamie Fairchild]]

==Former coaches==
# Managers/Coaches that have played/managed in the football league or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
# Managers/Coaches with full international caps.
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Neil Webb]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121219123652/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/readingtownfootballclub/ Official website] (archived 19 December 2012)
*[http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/goalpost Reading Town F.C. news] at ''[[Reading Post]]''

[[Category:Sport in Reading, Berkshire|Football]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1966]]
[[Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Reading]]
[[Category:Defunct football clubs in Berkshire]]
[[Category:Combined Counties Football League]]
[[Category:Hellenic Football League]]
[[Category:Chiltonian League]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in England]]
[[Category:2016 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Works football clubs in England]]