We have an exciting Derby Night clash under the lights here in RG30 for you all to look forward too as our Under 18s return home for the first time in thirty five days!
A win against our near-neighbours Thatcham Town will put us two points off the top spot, so please come along and support our future stars. Be our twelfth man and roar us over the line!
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Thatcham Town Football Club was founded in 1894, originally known as Thatcham before “Town” was added in 1974. The club played at various locations before moving to Lancaster Close in 1949, and later to Waterside Park in 1992, now called the Mettal Stadium (as of 2023). The club joined the Reading Temperance League in 1896, winning their first title in 1905/06. They became founding members of the Hellenic League in 1953, winning several titles over the years. Thatcham later joined the Wessex League, won the title in 1995/96, and earned promotion to the Southern League in 2006. Their best finish came in 2010/11 when they reached the play-off semi-finals.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Our Under 18s have an impressive record against Thatcham Town so will go into this Derby with confidence.
Having already met this season in league action at the Mettal Stadium, our youngsters beat our West Berkshire counterparts 1-2.
We also met in the FA Youth Cup this season in which our combined squad featuring members of our Under 18s and represenatives of club partner John Madejski Academy’s Football Performance Programme progressed to the Second Round Qualifying with a 4-0 win.
Coming in to Tuesday night’s game, our young Cityzens are unbeaten in five. Last time out they won 2-6 at the 1878 Stadium against Burnham on Monday 6th January.
Thatcham are well-rested having last been in action on Monday 9th December when they faced us in an Allied Counties Youth Football League Central Division Clash which we won 1-2.
TICKETS
Admission for our Under 18s fixtures is:
Adults £5
Under 16s £2
Any Under 16 that plays for Reading City will get free entry with a paying adult. Please wear club colours!
Reading City Football Club Season Ticket Holders and Club Members get 50% off admission for our Under 18s League matches, just show your season ticket or membership at the turnstiles.
Cash only at the turnstiles!
THE RIVERMOOR STADIUM
Address: The Rivermoor Stadium, Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 6AY
GETTING HERE
By Car: Take the A4 to Reading.
Then take a left at the first set of traffic lights at Langley Hill, At the top of Langley Hill you’ll come to a roundabout where you’ll see the Water Tower public house on your left-hand side.
Continue straight on over the roundabout and travel through the centre of Tilehurst before taking a right turn into Norcot Road.
This turning is at the crossroads just past the Asda Petrol Station on your left-hand side, continue straight on down Norcot Road and then take a left on to the A329 Oxford Road before taking the first right on to Scours Lane. You’ll see Reading City Football Club sign-posted.
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 to 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 in 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:
- Licensed bar
- Kitchen serving hot and cold food
- Disabled access to pitch side
- Toilets
- Standing and seated covered areas to watch the match
- Card payments in the bar