And so, it begins.....

Space 2005. Lots of it, in our penalty area at the JJB Stadium, Wigan. A 3-1 defeat ended the Premiership dream again, as for the fifth season running Reading supporters went into the final game of the season with our league status for the following campaign undecided. After such an abject failure in the last three games of the season, manager Steve Coppell promised a summer clear-out and has been as good as his word.

The departure of fans favourites Nicky Forster and Andy Hughes to Championship rivals was a necessity to fund the 1 million arrival of Leroy Lita from Bristol City. Striking options were strengthened with the arrival of Kevin "Missis" Doyle from Cork City and his team mate Shane Long. Steve Hunt, arriving from Brentford, may have passed Lloyd Owusu, Paul Brooker and Ricky Newman going in the opposite direction down the M4. Brynjar Gunarsson has signed from Watford to strenghten the midfield and free-agent Chris Makin is set to join to give us cover at the back. In the goalkeeping deaprtment, Graham Stack has arrived on loan to challenge Hahnemann for the goalkeeper's jersey with Jamie Young going out on 'work-experience', joining League Two side Rushden & Diamonds on a loan basis. Old heads Martin Keown and Les Ferdinand were released and Dean Morgan has joined Luton Town. The fun starts on Saturday August 6th with a Coca-Cola Championship home fixture against Plymouth Argyle.