The Tilehurst End - A Reading FC Podcast

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 busy division, but somebody has to sort the wheat from the chaff!

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song.

Thank you to Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30. 

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social
Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Did you enjoy this episode of the podcast? Please consider dropping a few quid into our tip jar on Buy Me a Coffee or supporting TTE on Patreon. We’re hugely grateful for anything you can spare.

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 to Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30. 

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social
Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Did you enjoy this episode of the podcast? Please consider dropping a few quid into our tip jar on Buy Me a Coffee or supporting TTE on Patreon. We're hugely grateful for anything you can spare.

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 Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30. 

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social

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, and how hard will Ehibhatiomhan be to replace?

Please note - Ross discusses suicide during the Mr Vegas section. Please listen or skip as best fits your situation.

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song.

Thank you to Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30. 

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social
Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

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 Amazon in mid-August! 

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song.

Thank you to Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30. 

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social
Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

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 song.

Thank you to Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30. 

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social
Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

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 victory over Mexico in the Azteca.

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song.

Thank you to Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30.

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social
Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

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 group discusses how the tournament is going down in the host nation, and their hopes for the United States as the knockout rounds get underway.

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song

Thank you to Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30. 

Find the Friggin Soccer Show on Youtube @thefrigginsoccershow

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social
Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

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 and Alec give insight on the process that brought the team back to Reading. 

And as always, there’s time for a World Cup wander, with one-word reviews on the docket.

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song

Thank you to Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30. 

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social
Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

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 challenging slate of teams on the fixture list for 2026/27.

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song

Thank you to Siren Brewing - Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30. 

Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend 
Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social
Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas