Join us this weekend for a late night clash as we host Woodcote FC to get our Under 23’s Thames Valley Premier League Premier Division campaign underway. This marks the start of a new chapter for our Under 23s, as Manager Sheldon Baptiste and Assistant Manager Mimi Olaide look to start off the season positively,

Woodcote face a new challenge this season also, as they return to the TVPL after three seasons in the Hellenic League and another in the North Berks League. This will be the first league meeting between the sides since a comprehensive 3-0 victory back in September 2019 for our young Cityzens.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Woodcote FC was initially formed 100 years ago, and following reformation after the Second World War, they have been in existence ever since.

The club has seen many variations of success over the years, such as winning in cups such as the Junior Cup in 1974, or the Intermediate Cup in 1976. They also reached the Final of the Senior Cup in 1982. In addition to this, success in the league has been a regular feat, becoming Champions of the Reading Combination League – 1976 – and North Berks League Champions in 1981. Successive promotions in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2007 have also taken the club up the ranks from Division 4 to the Senior Division of the Reading League.

Woodcote and Stoke Row Football Clubs merged in 2001, lasting for 20 years before the name reverted back to Woodcote FC. Under management of the current Club Chairman, the First Team have gained great success, twice winning the Berkshire Trophy Centre Senior Cup (2010 + 2011) and four-time runners up in the Senior Division of the old Reading Football League consecutively (2010-13).

In the 2020-21 season, the club took part in Division 2 (South) of the Hellenic League, however the pandemic restricted their first season. The following year, Woodcote completed a historic double, winning the Hellenic Division 2 East and the Oxford Intermediate Cup.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Whilst this is the first meeting between Woodcote FC and our Under 23s since the name revert, the two sides have met previously, with our head-to-head league record showing two losses and a victory for us. 

Games were scheduled for the 2020/21 season, however were subsequently voided due to the pandemic. In our first two meetings with then Woodcote Stoke Row, the Cityzens faced two difficult yet hard-fought meetings: a 4-1 loss away at the Woodcote Recreation Ground, and a 5-1 defeat at the Atrium.

However, our most recent meeting saw the Cityzens come away with a 3-0 win, so we’ll be hoping for more of the same at the Rivermoor in the upcoming fixture.

TICKETS

PRICES ARE:

Adults: £3

Concession: £1

Cash and Card is accepted on the turnstiles.

THE RIVERMOOR

Address: The Rivermoor Stadium, Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, RG30 6AY

GETTING HERE

By Car:  Take the A4074 towards Reading. 

Go through the roundabout with Kwik-Fit on your left-hand side and continue straight on to Cow Lane.  When you get to the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Portman Road, before continuing to Wigmore Lane. There will be a Shell Petrol Station on your left hand-side.

At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Oxford Rd/A329 before turning right on to Scours Lane. Reading City Football Club will be signposted.

Once you’ve turned on to Scours Lane, continue straight on under the railway bridge and then take a right to enter The Rivermoor which is clearly signed.

Parking: Parking is available on site here at The Rivermoor at no extra cost on a first come first served basis, there are 80 spaces available to park in the ground. In the event that the club car park is full, then additional car parking is available at the Reading Retail Park, where you are permitted a maximum stay of 3 hours.

Postcode for Additional Parking: RG30 1PR

Leave the Rivermoor and drive back up Scours Lane until you reach the junction with the A329, then turn left. Continue straight on at the roundabout before turning right to enter Reading Retail Park.

It’s roughly a 5-10 minute walk back to the Rivermoor.

Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway stations to The Rivermoor are Reading West & Tilehurst, both of which are served by regular services operated by Great Western Railway from the much larger Reading Station and are within walking distance from the Rivermoor.

Reading West is also served by services from destinations including Basingstoke & Newbury whilst Tilehurst is also served by services from destinations including Didcot & Oxford.

Bus: The nearest bus stop to the ground is Norcot Junction and is served by the 16 and 17 Reading Bus service which travel between Central Reading and Tilehurst every 10 minutes. More details on the bus route/s here.

 

FACILITIES

The Rivermoor has some of the best facilities for a non-league football ground with parking on site, disabled access and more including:

• Licenced bar
• Kitchen serving hot and cold food
• Disabled access to pitch side
• Toilets
• Standing and seated covered areas to watch the match
• Cash and Card payments taken on the gate and in the bar