James Earnshaw

Former Reading favourite Garath McCleary has signed a one-year extension with local rivals Wycombe Wanderers. The 37-year-old joined the Royals in 2012 and spent the next eight years in blue and white hoops, making nearly 300 appearances and famously scoring in the club's 2015 FA Cup semi-final. Departing Berkshire during the Covid-19 pandemic, denied a chance to say goodbye to supporters, the winger returned to the SCL Stadium in March and received a standing ovation.

Reading Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen, has been hit with a Football Association misconduct charge for allegedly breaching betting regulations. The Norwich City playing legend and Wales international ended his career at the SCL Stadium but has taken up a series of off-field roles, including first-team manager and his current Head of Football Operations title. Now seen as the face of the club's day-to-day running, Bowen has been key in recruitment and practises since his return in 2022. However, he has until next Friday (June 7) to respond to the governing body after being charged with misconduct for placing 95 bets between 2022 and 2024.

Reading are in the race for Sheffield Wednesday winger Malik Wilks, according to reports. 25-year-old Wilks rose through the ranks at Leeds United but managed just one appearance, proving himself in more recent years with the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday. Scoring once in 18 appearances for the Owls last season, the pacey forward failed to appear in the final few months of the campaign and will want to gain more minutes next season.

Newcastle United have released former Reading midfielder Jeff Hendrick, with the 32-year-old not featuring for the Magpies for almost three years. Enjoying a successful career for clubs such as Derby County and Burnley, as well as 79 caps for the Republic of Ireland, the energetic midfielder moved to Tyneside in 2020 under Steve Bruce.

There is potential for Reading to be broadcast live on ITV next season after Sky Sports and the terrestrial broadcaster agreed a domestic coverage deal for EFL football. The new deal starts in January 2025, commencing with the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and runs until the end of the 2026/27 season. ITV will jointly broadcast a select number of games also available on Sky Sports. 

Wycombe Wanderers favourite Garath McCleary has penned a one-year extension with the club. The 37-year-old winger, who played nearly 300 times for near-neighbours Reading, moved to Adams Park in 2020 and has continued to impress as he approaches 40. Contributing five goals and five assists in 49 appearances last season, the Jamaica international could tick into 200 club appearances in the next 12 months as he currently sits on 167.

As another season comes to an end, the Reading Chronicle were tasked to create an A-Z of the Royals' 2023/24 campaign. Take a look below. A- Abandonment A historic day for all the wrong reasons, the club's woes were laid bare for all to see in January when thousands invaded the pitch against Port Vale and refused to budge until the game was called off. Given a suspended deduction and winning the rescheduled match, no real damage was done, and the footballing world applauded as Reading stood up for itself.

Some eagle-eyed Reading fans were quick to try and correct European giants Bayern Munich and jump to Steve Coppell's defence for a slip-up at today's unveiling of Vincent Kompany. The Manchester City legend ended his two-year spell in charge of Burnley this morning to move to Germany giants Bayern Munich. A playing icon, the former central defender impressed with Belgian club Anderlecht but after moving to Burnley he caught the eye. Romping to the Championship title with 101 points, the Clarets were dubbed by many as one of the best teams in the history of the second division.

Research has found that Reading fans travelled 4,190km this season – the 55th most in the country. The research- conducted by Bonuscodebet.co.uk- examined the total distances travelled by supporters of all 92 teams in the English football pyramid during the 2023/24 season, with Tottenham Hotspur covering the least ground at 2,858km – the only club below the 3,000km mark. The 92 sides travelled a combined total of 467,074km this season – the equivalent of more than 11,000 marathons.