The Tilehurst End - A Reading FC Podcast

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

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 their predictions for the small tournament going on in Ross’ back yard. 

Thanks one last time to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod all these years!
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

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 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 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 sponsoring the pod
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

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 version of Dingwang.

Article mentioned: https://shorturl.at/uSSkL

Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod
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