We are looking forward to taking on our friends at Westwood Wanderers on Tuesday evening! Pre-season is where the scorelines don’t count, It’s all about building for the new campaign and this fixture gives both clubs the chance to build on our community!
Tilehurst has always had a strong connection to football so come along and support two of your local teams.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Founded in 1972 and based in Tilehurst, Westwood Wanderers have built a proud legacy in senior grassroots football. Originally known as Westwood United, the club rose through the ranks of the Reading League (now Thames Valley Premier League) before cementing their place in the Premier Division.
Rebranded as Westwood Wanderers in 2019, the club now has a permanent home at Denefield School and continues to thrive on and off the pitch. Their recent success includes winning the 2023–24 Thames Valley Premier League and completing a historic treble in 2024/25.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
In 1989, during our Highmoor years the club was a founder member of the Reading League (now known as Thames Valley Premier League) along with Tuesday night’s opponents who were known as Westwood United at the time.
Throughout the 90s and mid 00’s the two clubs would regularly go head-to-head before our first team secured their status at Step 5 at the end of the 2011-12 season.
Our Reserves side however have continued to play Westwood Wanderers with the two teams competing in the Thames Valley Premier League’s Premier Division.
Westwood Wanderers managed by former Cityzen Devonn Reid will be hoping their 2025/26 season is just as historic as their 2024/25 campaign which saw them secure the treble winning their second Thames Valley Premier League Premier Division title along with the Berkshire Trophy Centre’s Senior Cup and the Berkshire & Buckinghamshire Football Association’s Charles Twelfree Trophy.
At the 2025 Berkshire Football Awards organised by Football in Berkshire, Devonn Reid received the Manager of the Season (Men’s Game) Award in recognition of his achievements leading his side to a historic achievement.
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
With both clubs serving the Tilehurst Community, it should come as no surprise that a number of players have represented both clubs over the years.
Westwood Player/Manager Devonn Reid represented the Cityzens during our 2019/20 campaign and had also represented the club during our Highmoor days.
Some other names who have represented both clubs are Josh Blackwood, Kai Stubbs-Alleyne, Nathan Jones, Nathan Porter and Tristan Campbell. New signing Ashleigh Artwell also made a number of appearances for Westwood Wanderers last season.
Westwood youngsters Lucas Turner and Jude Johnson are also players who spent time coming through the ranks in the Reading City Youth Academy.
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.
DENEFIELD SCHOOL
Denefield School, Long Lane, Reading, RG31 6XY
ADMISSION
There will be no admission fee for this fixture.
