Looking forward: From Cambridge to Derby

Part Two of our Look Forward to the 2023-24 season as Reading compete in League One

CAMBRIDGE UNITED

STADIUM

Cambridge United have played at the Abbey Stadium since its construction in 1932. The Abbey currently holds a capacity of 8,127 and the South Stand, which houses the away supporters, was opened in 2002.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Cambridge United 3-1 Reading (10 September 2002) – A cup upset in the First Round of the 2002-03 League Cup as then First Division Reading were knocked out by Third Division Cambridge United, with future Royal Dave Kitson on the scoresheet for the hosts. Arsenal loanee Matthew Upson scored his only goal for the Royals in the 3-1 defeat.

A FEW CLUB LINKS

Reading Academy graduate Sam Smith was Cambridge’s top scorer last season, with 14 goals in all competitions. Former Royals Dave Kitson and Luke Chadwick both had spells with the Cambridgeshire outfit, while Royals favourite Jimmy Quinn managed Cambridge between 2006 and 2008.

THE MANAGER

Manager Mark Bonner has been in charge at the Abbey since 2020, having been with the club in various roles since 2011. Bonner led Cambridge to promotion out of League Two in the 2020-21 season, guiding the U’s to the third tier for the first time since 2002, after finishing as runners-up to Cheltenham Town.

2022-23 SEASON

Cambridge maintained their League One status during the 2022-23 season, finishing in 20th place after a 2-0 win against Forest Green Rovers on the final day. In securing survival in the third tier, the U’s are set to spend a third successive season at this level.

CARLISLE UNITED

STADIUM

Carlisle United play their home matches at Brunton Park, which opened in 1909. The ground can accommodate 17,949 supporters, including the 7,000 capacity East Stand, where away fans are usually positioned. Brunton Park is the largest non-all-seater stadium in England.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Reading 2-2 Carlisle United (8 May 1982) – Our last meeting with Carlisle United came in the Third Division, back in the 1981-82 season. A 2-2 draw at Elm Park was enough to see Carlisle promoted to the Second Division, while the Royals finished 12th.

A FEW CLUB LINKS

Former Royals striker Glenn Murray represented Carlisle between 2004 and 2007. Murray was born in Maryport, just 25 miles from Carlisle, in Cumbria, and joined Reading on loan from Crystal Palace in 2014. The Royals also signed defender Ian Harte from Carlisle United in 2010.

THE MANAGER

Carlisle-born Paul Simpson took charge at Brunton Park in February 2022, having previously had a stint at his hometown club as player-manager between 2003 and 2006. Upon joining The Cumbrians, Simpson steered the club to League Two safety, having taken the job with the team in 23rd place in the fourth tier.

2022-23 SEASON

Carlisle finished in 5th place in League Two. The Blues faced Bradford City in the play-offs, winning 3-2 on aggregate and setting up a clash at Wembley with Stockport County. Carlisle fell behind, but snatched a late equaliser through substitute Omari Patrick, taking the game to extra-time, where they won on penalties to confirm their place in League One for the 2023-24 season.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

STADIUM

Charlton Athletic have played at The Valley since 1919. The ground has a capacity of 27,111 and its South Stand – the Jimmy Seed Stand – seats the away fans. The Southeast London side spent seven years away from The Valley between 1985 and 1992, due to stadium safety concerns.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Charlton Athletic 0-1 Reading (11 July 2020) – Reading were 1-0 winners the last time these sides met. In a tight Sky Bet Championship affair, the Royals scored the only goal of the game through George Puscas’ penalty in the third minute.

A FEW CLUB LINKS

Former Reading defender Terell Thomas rejoined the Addicks in 2022, having been with the club’s academy as a youngster. Former Royals manager Nigel Adkins was also previously in charge at The Valley, having managed Reading between 2013 and 2014.

THE MANAGER

Manager Dean Holden has been in charge at Charlton since December 2022. Holden had previously taken the reins at Oldham Athletic and Bristol City, also performing caretaker manager duties at Stoke City, following the sacking of Michael O’Neill.

2022-23 SEASON

Charlton Athletic spent their third successive season in League One during the 2022-23 season, finishing in 10th place. Dean Holden’s side also reached the quarter-final of the EFL Cup, being knocked out by eventual winners Manchester United.

CHELTENHAM TOWN

STADIUM

Cheltenham Town play at their home ground of Whaddon Road, having played their since 1932. Whaddon Road holds a capacity of 7,066 spectators, with away supporters positioned in the Hazlewoods Stand, which was opened in 1963.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Reading 2-1 Cheltenham Town (20 January 1998) – Then First Division Reading were 2-1 winners against Conference Cheltenham Town thanks to goals from Trevor Morley and Martyn Booty in an FA Cup Third Round replay at Elm Park. The 2023-24 season will see the first league meeting between these two sides.

A FEW CLUB LINKS

Recently released Reading goalkeeper Luke Southwood spent the 2022-23 season on loan with the Robins, with Academy graduate Sean Long currently on the books at Whaddon Road. Former Reading striker Sam Smith had a spell on loan with the Gloucestershire outfit in 2021.

THE MANAGER

Former Bournemouth and Burnley midfielder Wade Elliot has been in charge at Whaddon Road since June 2022, after Michael Duff left to join Barnsley. Elliot, who had previously held a coaching role on Duff’s staff, has had coaching spells with Bristol City and Stoke City.

2022-23 SEASON

Cheltenham Town finished in 16th place during the 2022-23 season, securing their League One status for another season. Under Elliot, the team were undefeated against the high-flying Ipswich Town, also securing impressive results against Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers to maintain their place in the third tier next season.

DERBY COUNTY

STADIUM

Derby County play their home matches at Pride Park, the largest stadium in League One with a capacity of 33,597. Pride Park opened in 1997 and replaced Derby’s old home of the Baseball Ground, where the Rams had played since 1895. Pride Park hosted a senior England international friendly in May 2001, with England running out 4-0 winners against Mexico.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Reading 2-2 Derby County (3 January 2022) – Reading’s last meeting with Derby County was a 2-2 draw in the Sky Bet Championship. Junior Hoilett fired Reading into an early lead, adding a second just after half-time, before Derby fought back late on with goals from Colin Kazim-Richards and Curtis Davies to snatch a point. The Rams were relegated that season as Reading survived.

A FEW CLUB LINKS

The Royals and the Rams have shared a number of players down the years. Academy graduates Nathan Tyson and Ben Hamer had spells with Derby County later in their careers, while the likes of Matej Vydra, Grzegorz Rasiak and George Evans also played for both teams. Nick Blackman made the move from Berkshire to the East Midlands in 2016.

THE MANAGER

Former Rotherham United Manager Paul Warne took over at Derby County in September 2022, following the departure of interim manager Liam Rosenior. Warne spent six years with Rotherham, guiding them to three promotions to the Championship, with two relegations in between.

2022-23 SEASON

Derby County were hoping for an immediate return to the second tier, following their Championship relegation in the previous season. The Rams went 15 games without defeat in the middle of the season, eventually finishing in 7th place, missing out on the play-off places by just one point.