COLLECTED: 150 Years of Reading FC

Through a unique gathering of ephemera, images, and mementos, COLLECTED: 150 Years of Reading FC tells the story of Reading Football Club’s incredible journey, from a group of young townsmen playing on Kings Meadow to the heights of the national game.

With expert interpretation provided by the Club’s community of historians, the exhibition is designed to appeal to fans both old and new, as Reading marks the 150th anniversary of its football club, making it one of the oldest surviving clubs in the Football League.

Star objects bring this history to life, including never-before-seen photographs from the Club’s history, loans from iconic players, and a range of items from the personal collection of legendary Reading FC chairman, Sir John Madejski. A match worn shirt from Reading FC icon Robin Friday is just one of the unique items on show in the 150th anniversary exhibition.

The exhibition reflects the important ways the club contributes to the life of our town, with an account of the vital work its Community Trust does in Reading today. The exhibition includes results of recent picture research into the early history of the women’s game in Reading, as well as pinpointing some of the key historical moments of the emergence of people of colour in the professional game.

In producing the exhibition, Reading Museum has worked closely with the Supporters Trust at Reading (STAR). The Museum is hugely grateful to STAR, Select Car Leasing and Business Moves Group for their generous sponsorship, which has made this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the Club’s history possible.