READING Football Club played Reading School this afternoon in a rematch of the club’s first ever fixture, which took place on February 21, 1872.
Hosted by Reading School on behalf of the Old Redingensians Association, the game forms part of the celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Reading FC.
The match itself was as authentic as possible with the first half played under the set of laws used by the Football Association in 1872.
There were no penalty area, no nets, 13-a-side, no substitutes and line-outs for throw-ins.
After each goal the teams switched ends and when the ball went into touch, the first player to touch the ball was awarded the throw. Throw-ins had to be taken one-handed, at right-angles, travel a minimum of six-yards and had to touch the ground before being played.
The second half was played based on the modern laws of the game.
Limited edition replica shirts, close in colour and design to the Royals first ever strip, were also worn with an embroidered date of the club’s first ever competitive victory against Reading School, October 16, 1872.
Full report in next week’s edition of Reading Today, Wednesday March 2.
