Ahead of the new Sky Bet League One season, which will kick-off in August, we're taking a look at the seven new teams who will feature in the third tier of English football next season.
Up first are Reading Football Club, who will be playing in the third tier of English football for the first time since 2002 following their relegation from the Championship in May.
The Royals were docked six points for financial troubles last season, and were unable to claw those points back as they succumbed on the penultimate day of the season. Former Reading player Noel Hunt was the man who finished the season in charge of the club, with Paul Ince - who had been manager since May 2022 - sacked in April after a bad run of results.
This season will be the first time ever Fleetwood Town and Reading will have met, and both sets of fans won't have long to wait to see when they will met in the 2023/24 season, as fixtures will be released on Thursday 22 June 2023 at 9am!
Reading Football Club was formed in 1871 by a group of young townsmen, most notably Joseph Edward Sydenham who met with his co-founders to form the club at the Bridge Street Rooms.
The club’s first match was played two months later on 21 February 1872, where Reading played out a 0-0 draw against Reading School at the Reading Recreation Ground (now King’s Meadow).
In 1925-26 Reading won the Championship of Division Three (South). Promotion was assured on the last day with a thrilling 7-1 victory over Brentford. In an amazing ten game FA Cup run in 1926-27, Reading reached the Semi-Finals for the first time, bowing out to eventual winners Cardiff at Molineux.
The 2005-06 season was an unforgettable one for the Royals. A record-breaking 106 points, 99 goals, and a 33 match unbeaten run saw them promoted to the Premier League.
Steve Coppell was their manager during that memorable season, and it was a tight group who stayed strong and finished a highly creditable 8th in the Premier League the following year, just a disallowed goal away from European qualification.
Brian McDermott revived the club in 2010, reaching two FA Cup Quarter-Finals, the Play-Off final of 2011 and then enjoyed an extraordinary run of form the following season – 15 wins in 17 games – to bring the Championship title back to Reading.
Where next for Reading FC? Will they bounce back at the first time of asking? Reading are currently 10/1 to win the Sky Bet League One title, with odds are 6/5 for the Royals to finish in the top six.
You can read more about our opponents Reading FC on their official website HERE!