Reading played their football at Elm Park from 1896 till 1998, however despite being there for over 100 years there doesnt seem to be much to talk about !!
We wouldn’t normally mention events as recent as 1986 but apparently this was the year a groundsman inadvertently sprayed the pitch with weedkiller during pre season preparations and actually killed all of the grass …. ooopsss
The picture below, taken from a 1970’s Football review, shows Elm parks grass in a bit better condition !!
The text on the picture reads as follows;
“Elm Park has a capacity attendance of 27,000 with seating for 3,160 and a record ‘gate’ recorded in February 1927 when 33,042 spectators watched an FA Cup fifth round tie against Brentford. the palying surface measures 112 yards by 77 yards. inset: reading defender and captain John Hulme.”
The picture above is available for sale (along with loads more Reading football memorabilia) on our main site Footybits, a link to which is at the top of this page.