[mschofield]

Just had a great day at the game (the game was nice, a tidy 2-1 preseason win) and thought this would be a spot for travelling Yanks (and hey, anyone really) to wax poetic about what I believe is one of the nicest outfits in professional sports.
My deal is that I'm stuck working in London over the weekend, but had a couple hour window free on a Saturday afternoon (okay, I made one) so I popped down to see the game. Of course, on the way, I stopped by willhill with one of those handwritten slips that you never believe they're going to honor, but they did, 60 pds to me. Hopped on the wrong train, took at hour from waterloo (paddington, paddington, always remember paddington) so arrived in Reading at 3:05. By the time I'd reached the Madjeski, the game was 25 minutes deep, and i got into an argument trying to pay for a ticket, while the Reading folks kept saying, "just go in, no charge."
It was more than simply not charging, though. Spoke to six or seven team employees, and they were all just happy, thrilled to have the new season start. Just charming.
Place was empty, which I wasn't expecting, but it was a friendly, but allowed me to take a seat next to the corner flag that convey would be working in the second half, right on the field, almost felt like goal-keeping again. Wonderful.
the team looked pretty sharp (though Reading is going to have issues in the middle. I didn't think so until this game, but once the players wearing single digits came on the field, they were carving the middle of the field open pretty easily. Still, the backline looked good, Murty and Shorey especially so, I thought. Seol is a very nice player, Convey was at great and Doyle and Kitson were working very well together.
Left the game feeling a bit chilly, so I went into the mob scene at the club store for a sweatshirt, They were on sale two for one, so my little son now also has one. Added a nice little practice jersey to that and bobs and bobbings and the total was 60 pds, so free. Caught a shuttle back, hopped on the right train, which meant 35 minute ride. and back to work in time to actually get everything done. Anyhoo, others?

[prvev]

I've been over both of the last two years, last year I went to the Palace game, a 3-2 win with Sonko scoring the winner on a header in the last minutes. Very good, exciting game. The year before I went to the home Gillingham win with Kitson scoring a hattrick (all in the first half hour) and a bad loss to Watford in the League Cup. All were great experiences, except the loss (which was still good other than the loss). Unfortunately I doubt I'll be making it over this year.

Good result today beating Feyenoord. They only lost 1-0 to Chelsea, and Bolton lost 3-1 to another Dutch side, AZ. Oh, and Boro lost to Feyenoord when they played, so by the transitive property, we shouldn't even have to play Boro. 3 points to Reading!

[Mr.Matt]

I was at the Feyenoord game as well, taking advantage of working in Basingstoke over the summer. My family had a great time, and so did I. Sorry you missed most of the first half, since the team looked solid before they started all of the substitutions in the second half.

I am now trying to plan my travel schedule to the U.K. to allow me to attend more games. I hope they have a few more midweek games--maybe a cup replay or two will help out.