Reading football club prepares for its 150th Anniversary
Reading FC is the oldest league club in the south of England
Last updated 19th Jan 2021
Reading Football club has unveiled plans to celebrate its 150th anniversary next season. As well as a commemorative shirt, there'll be a fan mural for the west stand, and what the club is describing as an 'exciting legacy project' to engage primary school children in the town.
Reading Football Club was founded in late 1871 when a group of young townsmen met in Gun Street to kick off the club. James Simonds was the President and Joseph Sydenham, the Secretary.
The club says its aim is to rekindle memories and evoke old emotions, engage with their fans, their community, grow the bond between the club and its town and celebrate 150 years of Reading Football Club together.
In a statement the club said:
"We are the oldest League club in the south of England. So, throughout the 2021-22 season, we are all looking forward to recognising our heritage, reminiscing about the rollercoaster we and our football-following ancestors have ridden during the course of this club’s rich history, and celebrating its 150th anniversary season in style!"
Anniversary plans
Mural artist Chris Rutterford is busily painting the portraits of supporters for a 150th anniversary mural which will adorn the West Stand at the Madejski from the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
A Royals 150 microsite is in the final stages of design – giving fans and the local community an ideal place to immerse themselves in the club's long, rich history and keep up to date with all that is scheduled for 2021-22.
Next week, the club will officially launch a legacy project which they say is specifically designed to engage Royals fans within local primary school education!
The club is also planning a commemorative shirt for the season, and today they revealed a new club badge to mark the occasion.