new royal

[royal mariner]

Thanks for the info guys, looking forward to fixtures being released then I can choose games I can get too. Anyone know the date new tops are on sale?

Dale

[MouldyRoyal]

Typically around the end of July or some such.

Welcome by the way.

Not sure how much you know about our squad so here is a brief, brief round up of some of the notable persons in the squad. Whether they are still here next year very much depends.

Keepers:
Alex McCarthy - young English lad, great shot stopper, poor kicker. Possibly will get poached by a Prem team. Came through academy.
Adam Federici - Aussie and our current no1 that is probably getting usurped by McCarthy, much to his Mrs' chagrin. Has only ever played pro for Reading

Defenders:
Chris Gunter - Welsh RB, lots of pace but rather poor positioning. Signed from Forest last summer.
Stephen Kelly - Irish RB, currently playing LB under Adkins. Less pacey but more defensively solid. Signed in Jan from Fulham.
Shaun Cummings - Another RB, who is unfortunately down the pecking order now. Underrated imo. Was a Chelsea trainee. Amusing chant.
Adrian Marriapa - Jamaican CB who was one of our best players this season. Quick (for a CB). Signed from Watford last summer.
Sean Morrison - Giant young CB- raw but looks to have a good future. Amusing chant.
Alex Pearce - CB POTS in our champ winning season but has fallen out of favour with management for his refusal to sign a new contract. Academy grad whose best foot is his head.
Ian Harte - Veteran LB whose left foot is the proverbial wand. Just been released so not sure why I am mentioning him.
Nicky Shorey - LB at his second stint at the club. Attitude problems? Also released.

Midfielders:
Jobi McAnuff - Jamaican winger and club captain. Has been a bit of a scapegoat as his leadership style is not vocal.
Jimmy Kebe - God amongst men and part time winger. Does what he wants.
Garath McCleary - Another Jamaican winger signed from Forest last summer. Bags of pace, should do well next season.
Hal Robson-Kanu - Welsh winger and academy graduate. Has had a good season scoring 8 goals in the prem.
Jem Karacan - Turkish CM and academy graduate. Work rate and the occaisional wonder strike.
Danny Guthrie - CM signed from Newcastle last summer. Had falling outs with previous manager but has had a lot of playing time since Adkins took over. Self-proclaimed pass-master. Might leave.
Mikele Leigertwood - Another of this season's scapegoats. Antiguan DCM, great at breaking up play, less good at passing the ball.
Daniel Carrico - Portugese DCM from Sporting. Barely played yet is the focus of a lot of threads here.

Strikers:
Jason Roberts - Been injured for most of this season but was instrumental in getting us promoted. Fitness will be a concern.
Pavel Pogrebnyak - Russian forward that has not had the best of seasons. Likely to leave.
Adam Le Fondre - A cheap punt that came good. Great off the bench but not impressed fully when playing 90mins.
Noel Hunt - Irish Striker who has just been released after 5 years at the club. Work rate and great leap for a shortarse.

yes, we need a LB

[Ian Royal]

Hi everyone, im after some information from you all if you could help. Having followed Grimsby town for the last 20 years myself and a few fellow mariners have decided to take a year out from following our team, many reasons have made us decide this but the main one being frustration with the team.
We haver all decided to follow a championship team for next season chosen at random, this will include attending games home and away buying merchandise, pretty much what we would have done with our own team.
I have pulled Reading fc out of the hat and to be honest im quite excited by the prospect of being a royal for a year. what I would like to know are your thoughts and some info on the team, manager, players coming in and out as I don't really know much about the club. Also best stand to seat during match days, pubs to have a pre match pint etc. If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated.

Dale

Sorry if posted in wrong section

Welcome to the club, sounds like a laugh to get away from a club you've lost a little love for. Hopefully you'll see us as your second club when you return to your true love!

I have fond memories of playing Grimsby in the 90s, if only for the "Grimsby town is full of fish" song, which always tickled me for some childish reason. I seem to remember your lot giving some good banter.

As for what we can tell you, with a new owner, an even newer manager, and a relegation from the top flight, it's all up in the air right now. But I'm sure plenty of others will give you some ideas. They probably won't even come close to a consensus though.

[6 Million Dollar Man]

Are you planning on travelling from Grimsby for the home games? I pity your mate who drew out Yeovil!

Anyway, welcome aboard. It wasn't that long ago that Reading v Grimsby was a fixture in what is now the Championship, so good luck with the BlueSq season

[royal mariner]

Hi everyone, im after some information from you all if you could help. Having followed Grimsby town for the last 20 years myself and a few fellow mariners have decided to take a year out from following our team, many reasons have made us decide this but the main one being frustration with the team.
We haver all decided to follow a championship team for next season chosen at random, this will include attending games home and away buying merchandise, pretty much what we would have done with our own team.
I have pulled Reading fc out of the hat and to be honest im quite excited by the prospect of being a royal for a year. what I would like to know are your thoughts and some info on the team, manager, players coming in and out as I don't really know much about the club. Also best stand to seat during match days, pubs to have a pre match pint etc. If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated.

Dale

Sorry if posted in wrong section

Welcome to the club, sounds like a laugh to get away from a club you've lost a little love for. Hopefully you'll see us as your second club when you return to your true love!

I have fond memories of playing Grimsby in the 90s, if only for the "Grimsby town is full of fish" song, which always tickled me for some childish reason. I seem to remember your lot giving some good banter.

As for what we can tell you, with a new owner, an even newer manager, and a relegation from the top flight, it's all up in the air right now. But I'm sure plenty of others will give you some ideas. They probably won't even come close to a consensus though.

Thanks for the warm welcome,
I don't really see it as loosing a little love for my club I kind of feel like I need a bit of excitement in my football life I see it as having a mistress which the wife doesn't know about
I also have fond memories of playing reading back when we were in the second tier (which seems a long time ago now)

[royal mariner]

Are you planning on travelling from Grimsby for the home games? I pity your mate who drew out Yeovil!

Anyway, welcome aboard. It wasn't that long ago that Reading v Grimsby was a fixture in what is now the Championship, so good luck with the BlueSq season

Yeah planning on travelling from Grimsby for games, not sure on best way to travel just yet, there was only five of us who have decided to do this, we drew Leicester, Qpr, Watford, Doncaster and Reading I think I got on of the best teams if im honest.

[6 Million Dollar Man]

If you come by train, there are good connections from Birmingham to Reading. Or via London, get the tube to Paddington, and Reading is only 25 minutes away.

Is there a prize for the team followed that finishes highest, or goes furthest in the FA Cup?

[royal mariner]

If you come by train, there are good connections from Birmingham to Reading. Or via London, get the tube to Paddington, and Reading is only 25 minutes away.

Is there a prize for the team followed that finishes highest, or goes furthest in the FA Cup?

Thanks for train info.

We haven't set a prize for winner, but we have set a forfeit for finishing lowest in the league.... tattoo of club crest paid for by the team finishing highest in the league

[Elm Park Kid]

Are you planning on travelling from Grimsby for the home games? I pity your mate who drew out Yeovil!

Anyway, welcome aboard. It wasn't that long ago that Reading v Grimsby was a fixture in what is now the Championship, so good luck with the BlueSq season

Yeah planning on travelling from Grimsby for games, not sure on best way to travel just yet, there was only five of us who have decided to do this, we drew Leicester, Qpr, Watford, Doncaster and Reading I think I got on of the best teams if im honest.

So you're going to be traveling down from Grimsby on your own every other weekend to come and watch Reading? Poor soul

[loyalroyal4life]

Thanks for the info guys, looking forward to fixtures being released then I can choose games I can get too. Anyone know the date new tops are on sale?

Dale

Lets just hope it is not a shocker like last seasons

[scumbag]

Sit (stand) in block Y25/Y26 of the East Stand (adjacent to the away fans) if you like a jot of atmosphere. Welcome.

[LightwaterRoyal]

Yeah planning on travelling from Grimsby for games, not sure on best way to travel just yet, there was only five of us who have decided to do this, we drew Leicester, Qpr, Watford, Doncaster and Reading I think I got on of the best teams if im honest.

You will most likely end up paying for your mates Rangers tattoo come this time next year then.

[LightwaterRoyal]

Welcome.

Team - Difficult to say at this moment. We'll know more about how things are shaping up at the end of the summer, for the moment our strengths probably lie with our wingers. In Robson-Kanu, Kebe, McAnuff, and McCleary we have 4 guys who should tear things up next year. We have plenty of technically quite proficient players in midfield, but do lack size and stature. Fortunately with a new manager hopefully better style of football is coming which will allow us to get the best out of them. Our current POTS is Adam Le Fondre, a player I'm sure you know a bit about from his time in the lower leagues. If we keep him he should get >20 goals next year.

Manager - We sacked Brian McDermott in March after a bad run of results that left us 4 points from safety. While many neutrals have pointed out the ruthlessness in this decision, many of us believe it was the right one given the overly direct style of football we'd been playing over the last couple of years. Nigel Adkins has been looking to instill a more fluid style, and while the results haven't picked up performances certainly have done..and we're cautiously optimistic for further progression next season. As you'll find opinions on this subject are very much split across the fanbase, so expect a few heated deb8s over the coming months.

Transfers - Your guess is almost as good as ours. We've got a relatively new owner with fresh ideas, and a new manager, so most of us aren't sure what to expect this summer. Expect a few European players to come in though, given that's where our scouting network has focused this season.

Stadium - A bit isolated so not too many pubs in the vicinity. Your best bet is to either go in the Jazz Cafe before the game, which is part of the stadium complex, or go to a pub in town and get the bus to the stadium after. The East Stand is the most vocal of the stands, sit there if you're looking for the most authentic experience.

Academy - This is the most exciting part of the club atm. We've got some excellent younger players, such as Dominic Samuel, Jordan Obita, and Aaron Tshibola..all of whom are England Youth Internationals, as well as an U18 team that finished 2nd in the Elite League this season. Much of the new investment is going into that, and given we have a manager who has shown in the past that he gives youth a chance this is probably where the main theme for next season lies.

It's never dull following Reading, so prepare yourself for 12 months of drama, despair, frustration, and occasional elation.

Finally (this is a tradition of all newcomers to HNA).... F*ck off newbie

Very good post Winchester. Glad you got to him first before he was greeted by The Siege and quit being a Reading fan after only 20 minutes

[TFF]

mariner,

you and your m8s are fukkin idiots. But fair play, this could be epic.

Is there a thread on your own club forum where you'll all be sharing your experiences? If not, I'm pretty sure they'd all be welcome to register on here if you keep them over on General Football. It'd be interesting to get an "insider's" view from some of our rivals next season. We've already got a Watford fan or two somewhere on here.

Of course I'm biased but I think you've landed the best messageboard, if not the best team for next season. I'm reasonably certain you won't be sporting a new tattoo by next May. Nor do I think you'll be putting your hand in your pocket. I reckon Leicester will have a good tilt at finishing highest next season. Donny have to be favourites of your lot to finish lowest but Watford might have problems raising a team if the loanees are cracked down on.

Hope you enjoy the ride...

[AthleticoSpizz]

Yep


Play this one out to the Non League Paper

I may even start to look out for Grimsby's results and take in a game or two of theirs at Aldershot

[Royal Rads]

Are you planning on travelling from Grimsby for the home games? I pity your mate who drew out Yeovil!

Anyway, welcome aboard. It wasn't that long ago that Reading v Grimsby was a fixture in what is now the Championship, so good luck with the BlueSq season

Yeah planning on travelling from Grimsby for games, not sure on best way to travel just yet, there was only five of us who have decided to do this, we drew Leicester, Qpr, Watford, Doncaster and Reading I think I got on of the best teams if im honest.

Ouch to the dude who got QPR, gonna be a fun filled season of selling your best players for him.

On another note, welcome to Reading, though this season just gone was a rather horrific one in terms of performance you've come in at a good time, new manager + hopefully a bit of cash (or at least not having to sell our best players anymore to fund the club) means should be joining just in time for another promotion push, just be prepared for a fun filled summer of Gylfi and Doyle rumours and us getting linked to almost every free agent possible and fingers crossed the emergence of the one known as Carrico.

Got to commend you on your dedication to this though, I thought travelling from close to Brighton was a pain, well in mate.

[AbovetheI]

atmosphere

[Barry the bird boggler]

Grimsby Town. Scene of quite possibly the greatest own goal ever - Alan Pouton from the halfway line

[Big Foot]

Grimsby Town. Scene of quite possibly the greatest own goal ever - Alan Pouton from the halfway line

Whenever I think of Grimsby I think of this.

[soggy biscuit]

This should have been done as a trade in. We have a fair few I would happily see visiting Grimsby instead of Readigh for a season