Reading Town

Reading Town FC is a former a non-league club from the county town of Berkshire, and not to be mistaken for their more illustrious neighbours Reading FC. The club was formed in 1966 as Lower Burghfield, eventually folding in February 2016.

As Lower Burghfield the team began life playing in the Reading Combination League, going on to win the Premier Division on four occasions in the 1980’s prior to moving to the Reading & District League in 1984.

The side ended as Premier Division runners-up in 1984-85 and again in 1985-86, while the club played under several guises such as XL United FC, Vincents United FC and Reading Garage FC.

Another change of name, to Reading Town ITS, followed in 1989 as the club joined the Chiltonian League, where they enjoyed steady progress. In 1993 they took on their present title and moved to Scours Lane. 

In 1994-95 Town lifted the Premier Division title and won promotion to the Combined Counties League. Former England star Neil Webb had a spell as Manager during the 2000-01 season, but he could not replicate his personal career success on the pitch.

For the start of the 2008-09 season, Town moved sideways in the football pyramid to take up a place in the Hellenic League under manager Colin Millard. The team lifted the Berks & Bucks FA Senior Trophy in 2008-09, after previously winning the competition in 1995-96.

Roddy Slater had a spell as manager before being replaced by Mark Bartley at the end of the 2010-11 season.  In 2011-12, the side reached the fourth round of the FA Vase, replicating a run from 1996-97.

Bartley lasted one season at the helm before departing because of a disagreement over the team budget with Michael Butcher taking his place. Former manager Millard returned to the position in January 2013.

 

Town were relegated from the Premier Division at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season after two previous poor league campaigns. Tranell Richardson arrived as the new Town manager.

The side lasted in Division One East until February 2016 when Battersea and Wandsworth TUC, the owners of Scours Lane, closed the club down, having agreed a deal with Highmoor Ibis FC to move in. That club would later be retitled Reading City FC.

My visit

Tuesday 22nd May 2012

I had the day off after finishing my night shifts at work. Fixtures were very thin on the ground, but I spotted that the Reading Senior Cup Final was to be played at the Madejski Stadium that evening. 

While that as my main focus, I also decided to pop into a couple of grounds before hand for some photo opportunities. The weather was perfect for walking and photography.

I had been to Burnham, from where I caught a bus to Maidenhead. I then boarded a train, which conveniently stopped at Tilehurst station, which was the nearest to Town's home ground. 

Originally I'd intended to walk there along the Thames path, but time would have been tight. The walk along Oxford Road was pleasant enough before I turned down Scours Lane, which had light industry before the railway bridge. 

At the other side stood the ground entrance, but to my disbelieve all was locked up, with the metal railed perimeter fence a long way from the grounds walls. It looked like my only view was going to be the one I'd snatched when passing on the train.

I wasn't going to give in that easily so I set off down the lane to try and get in at the far end. It was flanked by a couple of kennels and a yard for a fairground rides. The Thames path was stunning scenery, especially on such a lovely afternoon, but it didn't offer me any access.

When I walked back round and found the main gate was now open with a white transit van parked up near the ground entrance. The padlock wasn't shut but it held the gate closed. 

I went inside to find the groundsman painting the lines on the pitch. I shouted across and asked for permission to snap away, and he said it was fine. I've lost count of how many times groundsmen have come to my rescue on such ventures.

Scours Lane was a pretty decent venue with lots of room, especially between the goal line and the fence around the pitch. The playing area looked large. At the entrance end stood the changing rooms, offices and a clubhouse. 

Along virtually the full width of the pitch there was a cover with a couple of steps of terracing, with two rows of seats towards one end. A small cover stood well back down one side, with a modern seated stand opposite it. The rest of the ground was made up of flat open grass and hard standing.

I said my thank you and made my way out to catch the number seventeen bus round the corner on the main road. I had intended to go to Palmer Park Stadium, the home of Highmoor Ibis, but I decided a pint and a meal was a far more sensible option.

I'm glad I made the effort to go out of my way to Scours Lane. Maybe I would return for an FA Vase game against Scarborough Athletic in the future?