The Tilehurst End - A Reading FC Podcast

Reading start brightly but fade away into a disappointing stalemate at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane. Is it just a slow start, or is it a sign of things to come this season? Ben and Ross discuss with the benefit of a few days' worth of hindsight. 

Plus in an extremely hefty mailbag, the boys discuss ways Leam Richardson could shake up his stuttering Royals team, and whether anybody from the cup sides could break into the s...

Reading take a 3-1 lead in their season opener courtesy of Jack Marriott, again. The old woes come back to haunt the team though and the Royals give up three unanswered goals to lose 4-3.

Ben and Ross discuss a disappointing result on day one of League One, as well as dissecting the penalty shootout victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the Vertu Trophy.

Plus, after a mailbag, the quiz returns with Ross testing Ben on the last time Rea...

Peter and Ross interview Reading FC players Nat Cowell and Sarah Thompson as the pair continue their pre-season. The duo give insight on last season and the revenge matches they’re most looking forward to in 2026/27!

Plus, there’s discussion of the pathway at Reading with Nat coaching the under-16s, and the new players Sarah is most looking forward to playing with at the club in 2026/27.

Season tickets are just £75, ava...

It now IS the season preview. That’s what the title means. 

It’s here! The EFL League One season has dawned upon us like Gandalf and the Rohirrim. How do Ben and Ross expect Reading to do this season, and will Ross re-up his prediction of a second-placed finish?

Elsewhere in the division, the pair discuss the movers and shakers, and just whether a team will crack 100 points for the third year running. It’s a ...

It’s not the season preview. That’s what the title means. You’ll be getting that on Saturday! Instead, Ross interrupts Ben’s Greek holiday to discuss the League Cup win over new League One side Bromley. 

The boys debate where the mistakes were made in the Bromley goal, but have lots of good things to say about Reading’s wide options.

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song.

Thank you...

Ross speaks to Alan Clements, author of Magic Hat: Madejski, McGhee and Reading Football Club. The book tells the story of the early 1990s in RG2, and comes well endorsed by multiple members of The Tilehurst End staff!

Learn about the process of writing the book and the interviews that made it possible. 

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song.

Buy the book on Amazon at https://amzn.eu/d/0dZEUQ54

Thank you to Sir...

A rush of Reading news besets the boys this week, both on and off the field. There’s a recap of the preseason friendlies with Newport County and Woking - both of which Ben attended. Then off the field, Reading release a new kit and announce a new front-of-shirt sponsor: gambling site Mr Vegas. 

And in horse news, Long Kelvin leaves RG2 and English shores altogether, signing with Danish club Horsens. Is this good business...

Ben speaks to broadcaster and author Josh Lewin about his new book Rescuing the Royals. Josh was given exclusive access to the club during the 2025/26 season to cover the ups and downs, and the people behind the players.

Learn about the ideas and events from last season that make up the book, and get an overly open perspective on Reading owner Rob Couhig from a writer with a pre-existing relationship. 

The book is out on Amazo...

Reading drop a preseason friendly 1-0 to La Liga team Getafe, but put together a decent performance, leaving much to discuss. Ben and Ross discuss the recent Josh Stokes transfer, the win against Farnborough and more, after watching the friendly together. 

Plus, the boys engage in a little therapy in the World Cup Waffle. Apologies for sound quality issues on the audio version!

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme ...

New faces keep coming through the door in Berkshire as Udoka Godwin-Malife and Jacob Brown join the squad, while John Coleman replaces Rob Kelly in the coaching staff. Ben and Ross discuss it all, and pledge to give Leam Richardson a fair shake of the stick in 2026/27. Is a strategy beginning to take shape?

The World Cup wander becomes a World Cup waffle this week, as the boys have much to talk about a day after England’s vic...

Kyreece Lisbie is here, and the boys are back to talk about it. Ben and Ross discuss how the pacey winger could affect Reading’s style of play in the upcoming season. There’s also time for discussion on Kelvin Abrefa’s new contract, Derrick Williams’ retirement and a listener mailbag. 

On this week’s World Cup wander, Shawn and Charles from Maine’s The Friggin Soccer Show join the pod. The g...

Ben and Ross discuss recent developments in RG2, including the letter to season-ticket holders from Rob Couhig and the re-signing of Andy Rinomhota to bolster Reading’s midfield.

In a special middle segment, Ross interviews Rick Catania and Alec Lundberg about the recent news that Reading Women are moving back under the official club umbrella. Serving as co-managing partners of the new chapter of the women’s team, Rick ...

Peter and Ross interview the Royals' head of women's football Emma Hopkins in a special episode of the women's update! With the wonderful news that the women's team will be returning to the Reading FC name and environs (namely the SCL!), Emma gives insight on how the changes will improve the program for women and girls at Reading FC. 

Emma discusses how the youth pathway supports the women's team, and gives her take on a chall...

OK, so we didn’t mean to take a break but we’re back now! With a 2025/26 season review feeling redundant, the boys dig into some recent news and give their opinion on One Royal’s pros and cons.  

Matt Ritchie’s retirement and return rumours regarding Yakou Meite pique Ben and Ross’ interest. And with World Cup fever in the air, the boys finish the pod by opening a pack of stickers and discussing t...

Managing director Neil Peters joins The Tilehurst End to discuss the new One Royal initiative at the club. Neil gives a detailed interview on the process that led to One Royal.

Ben and Ross ask about the changes to the loyalty points, and speak to some fan concerns about elite members receiving more points for games.

Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme...

Reading FC chairman Rob Couhig joins the podcast to give an end-of-season update on the team. Ben and Ross quiz Rob on the recent results, his first season as Royals owner and, of course, on how his dogs are getting on.

Rob discusses club infrastructure challenges and hopes for summer recruitment, while also being open on his frustrations and favourite moments from season one. 

Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for ...

It’s not gone well in the last week, has it? Reading completed a turgid three-game run with a loss on the road to beach-bound Doncaster Rovers. Ben and Ross discuss the very shape of that Yorkshire beach and try to work out what the shape on the field was, with Paudie O’Connor ranging upfield.

There’s a bulging mailbag to go through as well, and Ross pre-empts the Player of the Season discussion with a themed vers...

The Royals concede late twice over Easter weekend and leave themselves with a lot to do to make the playoffs. Ben and Ross dissect the duo of games with fairness… and a little frustration.

The mailbag leads the boys into a discussion of whether Kamari Doyle should return next season after his loan spell, and will a quiz on Steve Coppell’s career finally be enough to topple Ben’s winning streak on the newly named ...

It’s 20 years since the 106 season and 15 years since Wimb started The Tilehurst End! Ben and Ross bring on the founder for a breakdown of the Wigan Athletic game and a walk down TTE memory lane.

With the 106 season celebration coming up, Ross quizzes his (said with love) older compatriots on their memories from the campaign, and the lineup from the promotion-winning game in Leicester City.

Thanks as always to our friends at ...