It’s been a frustrating start to 2025 for Simon Johnson and his Cityzens as the cold and wet weather has seen their first two games of the year postponed, tomorrow’s visit of Bedfont Sports tomorrow will therefore hopefully be their first game of 2025.

Please note that due to the contuining freezing temperatures, we would advise you to check our website and/or social media platforms before setting off for tomorrow’s game in the event that it is postponed.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Bedfont Sports Club was founded in 2002, transforming a derelict site into a thriving football facility. Led by Chairman Dave Reader, the club quickly progressed from local leagues to the Combined Counties League in 2008/09 and eventually Step 4 of the Isthmian League. Significant upgrades, including floodlights and 3G pitches, made their ground one of the best in Middlesex. The club now boasts 25 junior teams, a girls’ section, and multiple senior teams. Following the passing of Dave Reader in 2020, his legacy continues through the club’s community efforts and growth.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

We have only faced Bedfont Sports four times previously,in those four meetings, Simon Johnson’s side have  secured just one win, suffering two defeats and one game ended all square.

The most recent encounter was earlier this season in a thrilling seven goal thriller which ended 3-4 on the road in West London, giving Simon Johnson his first win over the eagles, in what would be a huge statement having sadly lost to the West London in last season’s play-off semi final to narrowly miss out on promotion to Step 4.

Simon Johnson’s Cityzens are well rested coming into this game, having not played since Saturday 28th December in which they drew 1-1 with Wallingford & Crowmarsh. Bedfont Sports however were most recently in action on Tuesday night in the Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup and won 4-0 against North Greenford United.

Their away record has seen them loose their last two on the road having suffered a 3-1 defeat to Virginia Water, followed by a 2-1 defeat to Wokingham Town, so they’ll be looking to ensure they don’t loose three consecutive away games.

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Following our historic success last season, the majority of our first team squad sadly departed RG30 for pastures new leaving Simon Johnson with a momentous challenge to rebuild the squad over the summer.

One player to depart was Tyler Robinson who was signed by Bedfont Sports, having been a part of our attack scoring a number of goals throughout the season, Johnson will know how much of a threat his former forward poses. Tyler also scored a hat-trick in Bedfont’s 4-0 win on Tuesday evening.

TICKETS

Prices are:

• Families (X2 Adults, X2 Children): £16
• Adults: £8
• Concession: £4
• Under 16: £4
• Under 5:  Go FREE with paying adult

We recommend purchasing your tickets online to reduce delays at the turnstiles. Purchase yours online now

For our Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North games, we are delighted to be able to offer the following discounts on admission to the Rivermoor:

Free Entry

Reading City Football Club is proud to work with Tickets for Troops and the Defence Discount Service to offer free entry to our brave Armed Forces Veterans & active Armed Forces Service Personnel along with their families.

We are also proud to work with Blue Light Tickets and Blue Light Card to offer free entry to supporters who work in the emergency services, NHS, social care sector along with their families.

Our Armed Forces, Emergency Services, NHS & Social Care Sector Heroes do so much for us both at home and around the world, we wanted to do our bit to say thank you for their service.

Discounted Entry

With so many Premier League and English Football League clubs, located in or around the Thames Valley Region we’re offering anyone with a Season Ticket for a club competing in the 2024/25 Premier League or English Football League, 50% admission for our First Team Games.

Reading City Football Club is proudly partnered with Her Game Too, as we believe that football should be for all. To celebrate our partnership with Her Game Too we offer anyone with a Season Ticket for a Women’s Super League or Women’s Championship club 50% off entry.

To redeem our free or discounted entry offers just show your Blue Light Card or Season Ticket for a Premier League or English Football League club to our turnstile operators.

THE RIVERMOOR

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

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 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 taken on the gate and in the bar