Elm Park, Reading: Old Grounds Remembered (IX)

[jdrobbo]

Here’s the latest ground in the series and another fitting one, with Burnley traveling to Reading’s Select Car Leasing (‘Mad Stad’/ Madejski) Stadium in the FA Cup this weekend.

I remember Elm Park but never visited. I recall a 2-2 draw there in the 90s and I also recall Carl Asaba and Shaka Hislop regularly causing problems for teams at both ends of the pitch.

Please share your memories of games there or anecdotes of your trips to Elm Park!

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[jdrobbo]

PREVIOUSLY…

1. Burnden Park, Bolton Wanderers: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77997

2. Boothferry Park, Hull City: viewtopic.php?style=2&t=78030

3. Ninian Park, Cardiff City: viewtopic.php?t=78417

4. Millmoor, Rotherham: viewtopic.php?t=78578

5. Baseball Ground, Derby Co: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=78841

6. Leeds Road, Huddersfield Town: viewtopic.php?style=2&f=2&t=79024&p=246 ... d#p2469426

7. Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough: viewtopic.php?style=2&f=2&t=79157

8. Victoria Ground, Stoke City: viewtopic.php?style=2&f=2&t=79220&p=247 ... d#p2475503

[ClaretTony]

A dump but the only Reading ground we've actually won a league game at on my first visit in 1980/81. Remember going once and being 1-0 up at half time and losing 5-1.

[Guller Bull]

Was there for a game in the 90s Think it might would have been 94?

Not the safest ground to get off. Bit like Luton was at that time, lots of rat runs and ambush points.

[IanMcL]

Thanks for this JDRobbo

This is my 'Home Town' and the first match I attended was as an 8 or 9 year old, taken by my sisters boyfriend. (He took me to West London away matches on the coach, as well. Good guy I owe a lot to)

I lived on the Southcote council estate, so the route was a run through Prospect Park. Bit scary when dark, as a young lad!

Those were the days when you could just walk around, so changed ends at half time! There's a novelty!

Also the ground where I was able to stand with the Burnley fans and wear my Claret and Blue scarf. 1965 FA Cup.

On a slightly different note, one of the pics shows roof advertising with Cooks Houses being advertised.

When I got married, my first home with my now deceased wife was a Cooks house in Ainsdale Crescent! Number 11 to be precise! A very nice house badly decorated by me, until I got the hang of painting and decorating.

Back to Elm Park, I used to go on a Sunday morning to train with an old pro, Jimmy Wheeler. He used to go to my school but years before, obviously. It was good and bad. I used to run down the wing and cross and that was fine. Then he told the full back off for letting me go past him. "Never let a winger past you. If he beats you - clog him."

So he did! Ouch!

Thanks again.

[Woodleyclaret]

We lived in Berkshire for many years and I never saw a win there for us Before the Arabs arrived I went to watch Man City play in a cup game what seemed then to be an annual event.

[Dazzler]

A dump but the only Reading ground we've actually won a league game at on my first visit in 1980/81. Remember going once and being 1-0 up at half time and losing 5-1.

The first time we played at Elm Park was the 1930/31 season.

[dougcollins]

Elm Park is not a place you would miss.

Even their 'new' ground is preferable.

[AfloatinClaret]

... Remember going once and being 1-0 up at half time and losing 5-1.

That was in the mid 80's - 83 or 84? - And was the first Burnley, or indeed any other professional football match I'd been to in the best part of ten years. Despite the result it got me back into the habit and I spent the next few years watching Burnley play and generally lose, at ****-hole grounds all over the SE of England.
The other memory I have of that game was of ten or a dozen Burnley fans repeatedly clambering over a fence into the no-mans-land triangle between us and the Reading fans to incite a growing number of opposing, but like minded souls, only to be returned from whence they came by the fairly limited number of police officers on duty. Late in the game a senior officer entered the away end to explain that he did not have sufficient numbers to prevent trouble when it kicked off and requesting that anyone who didn't want a fight move to the right hand side of the stand; whereafter he positioned his limited number of officers in a line to protect us. When the Burnley boot boys next crossed the divide, they discovered that not only were there no police turning them back before they 'did' the Reading fans, but there were also none there to stop the Reading hoons from coming in the opposite direction. Having decided upon a tactical withdrawal (or perhaps just run away?) back over the fence, they sought shelter amongst the rest of the Burnley fans - we're only talking of a hundred-odd - but that police line turned them back and pointed to the open exit gate and they were last seen running out of that with perhaps five times the number of Reading fans chasing after them.
I've no doubt that any one time members of the Suicide Squad will remember that event very differently, but that's what it looked like from where I was standing.

[CleggHall]

Was in digs Connaught road 63-64 near Elm Park whilst at Reading University. Regular attender at mid-week matches. Saw Clarets draw there 1-1 in FA Cup 1965 and can recall seeing Jimmy Wheeler play (IanMcL), they had a Jimmy Walker too!

[IanMcL]

Was in digs Connaught road 63-64 near Elm Park whilst at Reading University. Regular attender at mid-week matches. Saw Clarets draw there 1-1 in FA Cup 1965 and can recall seeing Jimmy Wheeler play (IanMcL), they had a Jimmy Walker too!

They certainly did! He was captain. A Scot who started at the front and worked his way back to full back, at the end of his career. He played until about mid thirties, I think. Old for that time.

Used to watch them both.

There was also an eternal team member Maurice Cook. Wing half. I have his autograph about a million times!

[Cheshireclaret]

I went in 94 or 95 (probably) and it was a proper feisty affair off the pitch! It was 0-0 and Shaka Hislop had what I still say is one of the best performances from a keeper I can remember seeing before or since!

From memory it was hosing down and the terrace had no lid on it. My old man had his umbrella with him and had it confiscated on the way in. ‘It’s a potential offensive weapon, Sir’ was the reason given and his reaction to their decision to confiscate said brolly, probably made them think they’d made the right decision!!!

[IanMcL]

I went in 94 or 95 (probably) and it was a proper feisty affair off the pitch! It was 0-0 and Shaka Hislop had what I still say is one of the best performances from a keeper I can remember seeing before or since!

From memory it was hosing down and the terrace had no lid on it. My old man had his umbrella with him and had it confiscated on the way in. ‘It’s a potential offensive weapon, Sir’ was the reason given and his reaction to their decision to confiscate said brolly, probably made them think they’d made the right decision!!!

Yes. Bit like the Bee Hole End!

[IanMcL]

We lived in Berkshire for many years and I never saw a win there for us Before the Arabs arrived I went to watch Man City play in a cup game what seemed then to be an annual event.

The year Manchester City won the league with Bell, Lee, Summerbee etc, Reading got a draw in the FA Cup as a 3rd Div team. Went to Maine Road and got slaughtered!
Six or seven.

[ecc]

Was truly a grim ground.

[IanMcL]

Was truly a grim ground.

Victorian original.

[Dazzler]

The year Manchester City won the league with Bell, Lee, Summerbee etc, Reading got a draw in the FA Cup as a 3rd Div team. Went to Maine Road and got slaughtered!
Six or seven.

The 7-0 slaughter was the replay at Elm Park

[IanMcL]

The 7-0 slaughter was the replay at Elm Park

You are right. Memory refreshed. 00 at Maine Road.
Probably blotted out the fact I saw the 7 goals at Elm Park!

[IanMcL]

They certainly did! He was captain. A Scot who started at the front and worked his way back to full back, at the end of his career. He played until about mid thirties, I think. Old for that time.

Used to watch them both.

There was also an eternal team member Maurice Cook. Wing half. I have his autograph about a million times!

Didn't mean Maurice Cook (must be a mind blip as I was thing about the houses). Maurice Evans is the man. Ever present.

[Claret1205]

I was at the 0-0 in 1994 (been to Reading 3 times & still not seen a goal).

Don’t remember much about match except Chris Vinniconbe getting his jaw broken courtesy of a ridiculous challenge from an Aussie full back they had.

[ClaretPope]

Went to the FA Cup match in 1965. Travelled down by train overnight and watched Winston Churchill's funeral procession in central London in the morning then went to Reading for the match; had a complimentary ticket from Adam Blacklaw.

[IanMcL]

The 7-0 slaughter was the replay at Elm Park

Recollections
of the 0 0 at Maine Road.

https://www.citytilidie.com/latest/read ... nd-196768/

[strayclaret]

Went down midweek for a League Cup match, in 1974. Pre match went into the social club under the main stand, Reading fan got gobby and took a right hander for his troubles.
We were behind the goal and for some reason it was decided to open the segregation fence shortly after Keith Newton scored what became the winner. We were run at by a group of nutters and low and behold I saw same lad now tumbling down the terrace having taken another
Post match we stood out waiting for the Mimms coach to pick us up, that was certainly challenging also.
If this was the same match (someone correct me if I am wrong), our busses were arrested at Cannock services for nicking pork pies from the food counter and escorted to the nearest police station and had our names taken. No CCTV in those days and as far as I know nothing came of it.
Happy days I am not sure but I went straight to work

[EarbyClaret]

I was at the 0-0 in 1994 (been to Reading 3 times & still not seen a goal).

Don’t remember much about match except Chris Vinniconbe getting his jaw broken courtesy of a ridiculous challenge from an Aussie full back they had.

I remember that - Andy Bernal - right in front of the dugouts

It remains one of the worst challenges I've ever seen

[ClaretTony]

I remember that - Andy Bernal - right in front of the dugouts

It remains one of the worst challenges I've ever seen

I knew he was an Aussie but for the life of me I couldn’t recall his name.

[NL Claret]

Went in 1993 I think it was, lost 2-1, vague memories, Hislop was in goal for them. Went on a coach from Rawtenstall that also picked up in Waterfoot and Bacup. There were a fair few characters on there, quite a few weren’t on the return journey shall we say. The police kept a close eye on our coach after the game. Ended up kicking off with 2 coaches of City fans at Hilton Park, the back window of the coach got put through.

[aclaretinstevenage]

Went to the August 1993 2-1 defeat. Got to the ground and Jimmy Mullen was heading back to the team bus to get Marlon Beresford's boots which he had left on the behind when he got off and the coach had moved to the coach park!

The Manager wasn't happy!

[Noblelight]

Elm Park was my haunt as a young lad, my first game was in 1981, when Burnley won 3-1. I stood on the South bank for that game. I then spent the next few years on the Tilehurst end. Was stood on there when we lost 5-1 with Wayne Biggens scoring our goal.
UTC

[Noblelight]

There was another lad who stood on there with a Burnley hat on most weeks as well

[Culmclaret]

As with CT and Noblelight my first visit was in April 81. Our season was petering out but this game gave us a foretaste of a better season to come with our youngsters shining. Micky Phelan’s great strike was the pick of our goals with Steve Taylor sealing the win with a simple tap in near the end. We actually scored all four goals with Brian Laws beating Alan Stevenson with a neat finish!. The following season saw two future England interntionals score. Trevor Steven’s brilliant shot cancelling our Neil Webb’s first half drive. In 84/85 we totally capitulated after going in 1-0 up at the break. We’d played with a strong wind in the first half, but in the second the goals just blew into our net one after another. All right in front of the disgruntled Claret faithful. We were lucky to lose only 5-1 in the end. In that season Reading had changed from their familiar royal blue and white hoops to light blue and white stripes with black shorts prompting one of our less than sober fans to rail against the f***ing Argies for the entire second half. Not a great ground but I liked it in a funny way

[LeadBelly]

As per ClaretPope, my first visit was to the January 1965 cup game when we were first tier and (I think) Reading were 3rd tier.

I traveled down by supporters coach so missed the televised coverage of Churchill's funeral. It was a tough game for us away to the underdogs and ended 0-0.We won the replay 1-0 but I remember nothing of that game which I almost certainly attended.

I moved to north Hampshire in 1996 and visited the ground a few times- although not to watch games. They had a regular football-related quiz night there a few times per season (for fund-raising) before they moved to the new stadium (a couple of years later) and I participated with a few work-mates who had Reading FC connections.

There's a housing estate there now of course though the road through it is named called Elm Park.

[Stayingup]

Coincidence that Elm Park shoukd crop up. I watched an episode of Flog It and a woman sold a 1934?? Programme of a match between Reading and Arsenal played at Elm Park. They were the biscuitmen then of course.

[LeadBelly]

Coincidence that Elm Park shoukd crop up. I watched an episode of Flog It and a woman sold a 1934?? Programme of a match between Reading and Arsenal played at Elm Park. They were the biscuitmen then of course.

Aye, Huntley and Palmers make 'em like biscuits aughta be.
Once a huge factory near the centre of Reading but closed mid 70's (a Liverpool factory lasted a bit longer). So fair enough they moved on, albeit "The Royals" is a bit pretentious.

[Noblelight]

I think they are called the Royals as they are in the Royal county of Berkshire

[gtclaret]

A dump but the only Reading ground we've actually won a league game at on my first visit in 1980/81. Remember going once and being 1-0 up at half time and losing 5-1.

I remember that game,I think your favourite manager John Benson was on charge at that time

[ClaretTony]

I remember that game,I think your favourite manager John Benson was on charge at that time

It was Benson for the 1-5 game

[sjb]

As with CT and Noblelight my first visit was in April 81. Our season was petering out but this game gave us a foretaste of a better season to come with our youngsters shining. Micky Phelan’s great strike was the pick of our goals with Steve Taylor sealing the win with a simple tap in near the end. We actually scored all four goals with Brian Laws beating Alan Stevenson with a neat finish!. The following season saw two future England interntionals score. Trevor Steven’s brilliant shot cancelling our Neil Webb’s first half drive. In 84/85 we totally capitulated after going in 1-0 up at the break. We’d played with a strong wind in the first half, but in the second the goals just blew into our net one after another. All right in front of the disgruntled Claret faithful. We were lucky to lose only 5-1 in the end. In that season Reading had changed from their familiar royal blue and white hoops to light blue and white stripes with black shorts prompting one of our less than sober fans to rail against the f***ing Argies for the entire second half. Not a great ground but I liked it in a funny way

That Trevor Steven goal came after some brilliant footwork out on the left by Tommy Cassidy. It was like he had the ball on a string with superb close control before crossing for Trevor to hammer home. I can picture it as though it was yesterday.

[dougcollins]

I think they are called the Royals as they are in the Royal county of Berkshire

'Thames Valley Royals', anyone?

[Newchurch Claret]

Thanks for these great pictures. I was there in 1993 having travelled up from London, where I was at University, with a mate who was a Reading fan. We got beat. 1-0 I think. Very quiet drive back!

[Noblelight]

Ah yes, Robert Maxwell wanted to merge Reading and Oxford United together to form Thames Vally Royals. Neither set of fans thought it was a good idea.

[jdrobbo]

Thanks for these great pictures. I was there in 1993 having travelled up from London, where I was at University, with a mate who was a Reading fan. We got beat. 1-0 I think. Very quiet drive back!

My pleasure. Check out the other grounds too!

[TheOriginalLongsider]

I remember something about pricing. I think away fans kids prices were more than the home fans so loads of families just went in the Reading end and were escorted around to the away end.

[scamander]

I was there when Gilkes scored the winner - looked it up and that was 1993! Seem ro remember Daley Thompson training with them or something??

My Dad told me to wear a suit, so I did. We drove up (we are from the south) and he managed to get a parking space in a church near the ground. It was closed for parking but he made out we were arriving for a funeral so they let us in.

[Culmclaret]

The 1993 game was utterly forgettable. Mark Monington was our no 11 which is probably all you need to know! Our second visit in 1993 was the first league outing of our infamous jade and black kit!

[THEWELLERNUT70]

I went there in 1993, a 1-0 defeat

[Pearcey]

I went in 91 to watch England U-21’s vs Turkey u21’s. Shearer bagged a brace. David James in goal. Chris Vinnecombe and Damian Matthew also started.

[IanMcL]

Aye, Huntley and Palmers make 'em like biscuits aughta be.
Once a huge factory near the centre of Reading but closed mid 70's (a Liverpool factory lasted a bit longer). So fair enough they moved on, albeit "The Royals" is a bit pretentious.

Nothing quite like dipping a Huntley & Palmer's Butter Osborne in your tea!

Yes Reading were the town of Beer, Biscuits and Seeds.

Huntley & Palmers were sold and the HQ was Liverpool.

Simmonds Bewery sold to Courage and then they were absorbed. The site is now largely, The Oracle shopping Centre. Suttons Seeds had another operation in Torquay. Eventually they too, left the town.

So no options for Nicknames! As described in a later post, The Royals is because of Royal Berkshire.

[LeadBelly]

I had a good recce around Reading this last summer and noticed this remnant of the biscuit empire is still there

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