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Independent on Sunday (August 5) -Book of the Week: This account of Reading's first season in the Premiership after rising without trace from the League's bargain basement deserves a wider audience than it will probably get, given the tribal nature of football fans. Stuart Roach, a journalist and lifelong fan, was granted access all areas, and all personnel, and the format he devised - a match-by-match march through the season, with a commentary on each game by a different player, club official, fan, even the captain's wife - works very well. When Reading play Manchester United, their American winger Bobby Convey says: "It's like playing Fifa 06 on the PlayStation." Their chairman, John Madejski, stressing his own local roots, observes: "Premiership football clubs are becoming the fashion accessory of the super-rich." Taken together, these accounts shine a light into every corner of the club in a way that more conventional histories rarely achieve. Engrossing stuff, whoever you support. --Independent on Sunday, Simon Redfern
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Genuine fairytales are rare in modern sport... Reading FC's story is one of them. When Reading won promotion to the Premiership in 2006, most critics expected them to go straight back down. Surely these small-town pretenders could never mix it with the big-money aristocrats of the world's toughest league? But the Royals proved the critics wrong in thrilling style - finishing just outside the European placings in an amazing, triumphant 2007. Reading Between The Lines is the gripping inside story of how they did it, by the people who made it happen. BBC journalist Stuart Roach was granted full access to the club's players and staff, from their first game in the top flight to the final whistle, nine astonishing months later. The result is a unique, behind-the-scenes account of a never-to-be-forgotten campaign. Steve Coppell, John Madejski, leading players, backroom staff and fans all contribute to this fascinating, sparklingly funny and moving diary of a Season of Dreams.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
With Reading F.C.s somewhat unexpected rise to the Premiership[unexpected except for the clubs real supporters that is],it was inevitable that the club and its remarkable team would become the focus of much attention following its first ever season in the top flight.
Fortunately Stuart Roach has paid his footballing dues to the team he supports experiencing all the highs and lows of following a "proper" town club over many seasons ,[albeit from a somewhat privilaged position].His naturally biased perspective on this once in a lifetime season is both pleasing and refreshing[the author shares the same opinions on referees,opposing managers,and players as most of his intended audience],and it is this attitude that makes his book so compelling to Reading supporters[like myself]
There are some genuinely revealing interviews with players,back room staff,Mr Madjeski himself,as well as a rather charming interview with the authors 8 year old son on being a match mascot at Liverpool.
Any Reading fan ,old or new will get something from this book,and the longer you have followed Reading F.C. the more poignant and unbelievable much of it seems.
Several minor criticisms are that i wish the author had made more effort to include sizeable imput from Reading supporters[the genuine footsloggers,or the fanzine writers],as this would have helped remove the slight "whiff" of corporatism that permeates within the book[constructive criticism is nowhere to be seen anywhere,and issues such as price hikes on season tickets and admission prices should have at least been covered]
Also it would have been interesting if the author had made some comments about the general medias attitude to the club,as much of what was said during the season by some pundits was so laughably wide of the mark,that it deserved a fitting put down!
Overall ,though,Reading Between The Lines is a superb[if slightly whitewashed],account of Reading F.C.in the most famous season in its long history[note i never said "best" season....That was the previous one!!],and is an essential read for anyone who wants to relive some of those amazing events.
Fortunately Stuart Roach has paid his footballing dues to the team he supports experiencing all the highs and lows of following a "proper" town club over many seasons ,[albeit from a somewhat privilaged position].His naturally biased perspective on this once in a lifetime season is both pleasing and refreshing[the author shares the same opinions on referees,opposing managers,and players as most of his intended audience],and it is this attitude that makes his book so compelling to Reading supporters[like myself]
There are some genuinely revealing interviews with players,back room staff,Mr Madjeski himself,as well as a rather charming interview with the authors 8 year old son on being a match mascot at Liverpool.
Any Reading fan ,old or new will get something from this book,and the longer you have followed Reading F.C. the more poignant and unbelievable much of it seems.
Several minor criticisms are that i wish the author had made more effort to include sizeable imput from Reading supporters[the genuine footsloggers,or the fanzine writers],as this would have helped remove the slight "whiff" of corporatism that permeates within the book[constructive criticism is nowhere to be seen anywhere,and issues such as price hikes on season tickets and admission prices should have at least been covered]
Also it would have been interesting if the author had made some comments about the general medias attitude to the club,as much of what was said during the season by some pundits was so laughably wide of the mark,that it deserved a fitting put down!
Overall ,though,Reading Between The Lines is a superb[if slightly whitewashed],account of Reading F.C.in the most famous season in its long history[note i never said "best" season....That was the previous one!!],and is an essential read for anyone who wants to relive some of those amazing events.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
This is a well-researched tome which no self-respecting fan either of Reading (football club) or reading (the actual activity of reading) should be without.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
This is a great insight into the emotions and atmosphere connected with Reading's historic first season in the Premiership, with contributions from the players themselves as well as Steve Coppell, John Madejski and fans.
This is not only a great book for Reading fans who want to reflect on a fantastic season, but will be an excellent keepsake for years to come.
Graeme Murty gets the book off to a great start with his own personal insight into mickey taking within the Reading FC dressing room - this is stuff which is not usually accessible to fans so that is just one of many reasons why this is an excellent account of last season for Reading fans.
This is not only a great book for Reading fans who want to reflect on a fantastic season, but will be an excellent keepsake for years to come.
Graeme Murty gets the book off to a great start with his own personal insight into mickey taking within the Reading FC dressing room - this is stuff which is not usually accessible to fans so that is just one of many reasons why this is an excellent account of last season for Reading fans.
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