James Earnshaw

Reading legend Jimmy Quinn has called on owner Dai Yongge to 'sort out' the off-field issues to allow manager Ruben Selles to 'take us forward.' 64-year-old Quinn enjoyed a prolific playing and managing spell with the Royals in the 1990s, scoring 71 goals in 182 matches in the third and second tiers. Following the departure of Mark McGhee, Quinn and Mick Gooding stepped up as joint player-managers from 1994 until 1997- famously taking the club to the Division One play-off final and the brink of the Premiership in 1995.

Former Reading midfielder Ovie Ejaria has been linked with a move to Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday following a training period last season. The 26-year-old, who played almost 150 times for the Royals and both impressed and frustrated in equal measure, mutually terminated his contract early in January due to injuries and club expenditure. He had not appeared since November 2022, a period of over 12 months at the time of his departure, and cut a mysterious figure in Berkshire.

Sunderland Under-21, managed by Reading legend Graeme Murty, were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in the PL2 play-off final on Sunday. Murty, who captained the Royals into the Premier League in 2006 and made more than 300 appearances in a decade at the club, moved to Wearside after departing Glasgow Rangers. Finishing seventh in the normal season, the Black Cats beat Wolves, West Ham and Reading on route to the final. Almost 2,500 turned out at the SCL Stadium last week for Murty's homecoming, with the majority leaving heartbroken as the Wearsiders snatched a 120th-minute in a 4-3 thriller.

Former Reading goalkeepers Alex McCarthy and Joe Lumley are officially Premier League players after Southampton beat Leeds United in Sunday's Championship play-off final. Adam Armstrong's goal in the first half was enough for a 1-0 win in the Saints' favour, sealing an immediate return back to the top flight. 34-year-old McCarthy, who rose through the ranks in Berkshire to make over 75 appearances for the Royals, failed to make a league appearance until April but played in the last five regular matches and all three of the playoff games for Russell Martin's side.

Reading are one of 28 EFL sides commended for their matchday experience with Silver EFL Family Excellence status. The EFL’s Family Excellence Scheme assesses the family experience provided and rewards them with Gold, Silver and Bronze status for the quality of their match experience across a range of touchpoints including ticket purchase, matchday entertainment, accessibility, facilities and communications.  Clubs are visited twice throughout the season by independent family assessors and then awarded their rating.

Reading have released details for two pre-season friendlies this summer- including one supporters can watch. With the EFL campaign only just finishing, thoughts have already turned to next season and attempts to get prepared despite off-field issues remaining uncertain. After almost two months of exclusive negotiations, Dai Yongge remains the owner of the club, causing difficulties in planning for next season. However, second tier opponents have been confirmed for July.

Barnsley have appointed former Cheltenham Town manager Darrell Clarke on a two-year deal. The 47-year-old has two EFL promotions under his belt, with Bristol Rovers and Port Vale, having managed over 600 matches since 2010. The Tykes sacked Scot Neill Collins ahead of the play-offs after finishing sixth, eventually losing to Bolton Wanderers in the play-offs.

Former Reading youngster James Henry has been released after seven years at rivals Oxford United following their promotion to the Championship. 34-year-old Henry- born and raised in Woodley- rose through the ranks with him hometown club and made 18 first team appearances, scoring four times. However, struggling to force his way into a side in the Premier League, the midfielder made a name for himself in the EFL, most notably with spells at Millwall and Bolton. Joining Oxford in 2017, Henry went on to play 260 times for the U's and scored twice in 18 appearances for 2023/24.