Reading manager Ruben Selles has urged fans to show their support in the FA Cup second round clash with Harborough Town later this month.
The Royals took on Fleetwood Town in the opening round last weekend, securing a 2-0 win in front of just 3,685 fans. This was a figure vastly down on previous weeks, when 12,843 were in attendance in their 1-0 League One victory over Bristol Rovers the previous week.
There’s no doubting that it’s been a turbulent time for Reading supporters over the past few years. The situation surrounding Dai Yongge’s ownership has been well documented, with several point deductions seeing the club slip to the third tier for the first time since 2002.
Despite their off-field troubles, the Berkshire-based side boasted the fifth highest average attendance in League One last season. However, the figure against Fleetwood was their lowest crowd for a Saturday fixture since moving to the Select Car Leasing Stadium in 1998.
Ruben Selles Hoping For Bigger Turnout For Second Round
Reading’s reward for beating Fleetwood in the first round is a clash against non-league Harborough Town. This represents an excellent opportunity to progress to the third round and the opportunity to secure a financially rewarding tie against higher league opposition.
It’s a game in which Selles is hoping to see a bigger turnout that mirrors their normal excellent home support. Speaking to media, via The Reading Chronicle, the 41-year-old said:
“The FA Cup is always exciting, and I think it is good that we are playing at home. It is still far away from us, but I think it will be a good moment for us.
“Hopefully we will get more of a crowd in the stadium than the last FA Cup game and when the moment arrives, we will be there and ready to beat them. It is going to be a competitive game for sure and we will need to be ready to beat them.”
Writer’s View
Reading are heavy favourites heading into the clash with Harborough. It is a game that is almost certain to be televised and as such, could prove a potential banana skin. Upsets are something which the FA Cup has been built on in its long history and Ruben Selles will be keen to avoid making the headlines for the wrong reasons. A good home support could prove pivotal to that. Reading did offer discounted ticket prices of £15 for an adult against Fleetwood but reducing these further could see more people tempted to attend.
Head of Writing
