Every season, the Reading City Football Club Youth Academy continues to flourish and this season is no different.
Right across the club our youngsters have been enjoying a fantastic season with several pieces of silverware already secured and now there’s a chance to add even more.
Our Under 11 Royals who compete in the Peter Houseman Youth Football League have enjoyed a brilliant cup campaign in the Peter Houseman Youth League Under 11 Trophy League Cup and now look forward to playing in the final a week on Sunday, the final will take place at Hampshire FA’s impressive Winklebury facility, which is also home to our friends at Basingstoke Town.
The Journey to the Final
The Peter Houseman Youth Football League Cup operates in a similar format to the Champion’s League, where each team is entered into a preliminary group stage with teams being drawn randomly.
Our youngsters began their cup campaign in October 2024 they topped Group G with two wins from two against Hampshire based Berg Youth U11 Maroon & Atalanta Sports (U12) Sunday Girls.
The competition rules state that once each group has completed their games the top 2 teams will move to the trophy
competition and the bottom 2/3 teams to the plate competitions.
As a result of topping their group our youngsters progressed to the Cup Group Phase where the initial nine groups featuring a combined total of thirty-three teams became a total of 5 groups with a combined total of fifteen teams.
Our youngsters were drawn in Group C alongside Sherborne St John U11 Tigers, Oakley Youth U11 Tornadoes and Woolton Hill Argyle U11. Where once again they topped their group with three wins from three.
Our Under 11 Royals then progressed through the knockout stages of the Peter Houseman Youth League Under 11 Trophy League Cup with a Quarter-Final win against Basingstoke Colts U11 Storm, before seeing off near-neighbours and local rivals AFC Aldermaston U11 in the Semi-Final here in West Reading to set up next sunday’s final against Chineham Tigers U11 Amber.
For anyone who’d like to go and support our youngsters in Winklebury next Sunday, your support would be much appreciated by everyone at the club.
Please see the below supporters information provided by the Peter Houseman Youth League.
Key Information – Spectators
- All spectators are welcome, there is plenty of space however limited seating in certain areas. Spectators are allowed to
bring seats if required - No smoking, vaping, alcohol or other substances are allowed to be consumed within the stadium
- For spectators standing behind goals, we ask that you stand behind your own goal. If spectators do stand behind the
opposition goal, they will be asked to move if any attempt is made to distract the goalkeeper. - Entry costs for Under 16s is Free, Adults are £3 and Seniors are £1. We are able to take Cash or Card on the gate.
- Hampshire FA provide a range of hot and cold snacks and drinks available at the kiosk. They are able to take Cash or Card.
- We ask that all spectators comply with these rules and treat the Hampshire FA staff and PHYL team with respect at all
times. - Abuse will not be tolerated and we will take whatever action is necessary to protect the people in the stadium
- Spectators are asked to arrive no earlier than 30 minutes prior to kick off, to allow us to manage the incoming teams and
referees/assistants. - Parking may be limited on site, so we recommend parking at the Leisure Centre car park (by Milestones Museum) and
walking through the underpass and directly into the stadium. - Prior to each game, PHYL will identify if photography is allowed for each team and advise the respective coaches who will
be responsible for communicating this to their spectators. If consent is given, any photos or videos are taken during the event, these must not be shared on social media. - There will be final programmes available on the PHYL website, please visit www.phyl.co.uk or look for the QR codes as you enter the stadium.
