It’s been a long wait but Simon Jonson’s Cityzens return to action this Saturday as our pre-season schedule kicks off in RG30 against Cove FC, and we’re buzzing to be back!
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Cove Football Club nicknamed the Wasps, were founded in 1897 by a group of friends, and began playing behind a local pub before moving to Cove Green, where they remained until 1973. The club enjoyed success in the Surrey Leagues, winning several trophies, including three consecutive league titles.
In 1973, Cove moved to their current home, Oak Farm Stadium, to join the Hampshire Leagues, quickly winning Division 4 and Division 3. However, travel difficulties led to their withdrawal, and they returned to the Combined Counties League (CCL) in 1980, winning the League Cup.
In 1990, Cove entered the Vauxhall League (now Isthmian League), achieving strong finishes under manager Chick Botley. Financial constraints forced their withdrawal and failed attempts to join the Wessex League meant a return to the CCL, where success dwindled.
A revival came in 2009 under manager Koo Dumbuya, leading to wins in the Southern Combination Cup and CCL League Cup. After his departure, Anthony Millerick took over in 2012 and brought further success, including an Aldershot Senior Cup win and a 3rd-place league finish.
From 2014–2016, administrative missteps and financial limitations led to player and management departures, culminating in relegation to CCL Division One—the club’s first relegation in over a century.
A restructuring followed in 2016 under new chairman Salvatore Diprima, aiming to rebuild the senior side and reconnect with the youth system. However, instability and poor performance led to further struggles. By 2019, Cove were relegated to Step 7 (Hampshire Premier League), the lowest point in the club’s history. Manager Josh Taylor resigned, and Joe Lawler was appointed to lead the rebuild.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This will be the first time that our First Team have met our Hampshire based opponents.
The two clubs have however crossed paths previously, during the 2022/23 FA Youth Cup campaign, our FA Youth Cup squad in collaboration with club partner John Madejski Academy’s Football Performance Programme took the sting out of the Wasps with a commanding 9-0 victory at the Rivermoor in the Preliminary Round of the tournament.
Competing at Step 6 in Division One of the Velocity Wessex Football League, our visitors finished their 2024/25 campaign in tenth place with fourteen wins, 9 draws and fifteen defeats from thirty eight games.
For the third consecutive season, Nathan Connolly was Cove’s top goalscorer with nineteen goals in 27 appearances during 2024/25. Our opponents haven’t currently released any squad information ahead of the new season, so it’s unknown if their star-striker will be leading the line on Saturday.
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
Former Cityzen Will Okine-Peters featured in Black & Yellow last season, making twenty-eight appearances in which he notched seventeen goals and may well run out against his former side, Simon Johnson however is all too aware of the threat Will poses.
The talented young player who can play either as a Centre-Forward or Winger, is a graduate of club partner John Madejski Academy’s Football Performance Programme and initially signed for the Cityzens ahead of the 2020/21 season. Having impressed in his debut season in Blue & White, Will signed on again for the 2021/22 season before going on to have spells with Andover Town, Hanwell Town, Hythe & Dibden’s Under 18s & 23s as well as running out for Portsmouth University.
With Cove not publicly revealing details regarding players they’ve retained, we’re unsure if we’ll have an Okine-Peters reunion.
PRE-SEASON COVERAGE
Prior to pre-season commencing a decision has been made that we will not publish our pre-season friendly results or provide match day updates.
Pre-season friendlies give us an opportunity to build team chemistry, fitness and for Simon Johnson and his management team to implement their playing style & therefore the results don’t matter.
THE ATRIUM HEALTH CLUB
The Atrium Health Club (Next to the Rivermoor Stadium), Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 6AY
This summer the Atrium will once again become our home, away from home whilst the hallowed turf at the Rivermoor Stadium – The proud home of Reading City Football Club and the beating heart of our football community is prepared for another busy campaign, as we host an average of 60 games every season!
TICKETS
Admission to the Atrium is free of charge.
GETTING HERE
By Car: Leave the M4 at Junction 12 and take the A4 towards 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 and keep going until you pass the Rivermoor. The Atrium will be signposted ahead, and the pitch will be across the road from the car park.
Parking: Parking is available on site at The Atrium on a first come first served basis. 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 Atrium 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 Atrium.
Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway stations to The Atrium 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 Atrium.
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 Atrium is Norcot Junction and is served by the 16 and 17 Reading Bus service which travel between Central Reading and Tilehurst every 10 minutes. Thanks to our partnership with Reading Buses, it’s now even easier to know when to get off as we’ve been added to their onboard announcements, just listen out for ‘Use this stop for Reading City Football Club’.
More details on the bus route/s can be found here.
