Reading Roars!

I was fond of the Jazz Club in Reading. It was different and, well, classier than most other clubs in town. The floor was shiny, the bar was well-stocked and the live entertainment was pretty good. I remember standing in the middle of the floor, with lights swirling all around me (like being a goldfish, I imagined, with thermoluminescent plankton whizzing around the bowl). It also felt safe, with no (and excuse my snobbery) chavs or (and excuse my use of language) pissheads.

How times have changed.

Now I hear of a late-night shooting at The Arches Club, the venue which has replaced the Jazz Club, of a 25 year old male. He was shot by a handgun five times, taking four hits in the chest, after up to 10 men stormed past bouncers into the club. At the time of writing, the victim is in a critical condition.

Unfortunately, these incidents happen. It was described by the club as “isolated”, yet I recall other killings in the town – at Matrix (see comments) and Mango clubs (I was at Mango when it happened, and was later questioned by police. It wasn’t me, I should add).

Let’s hope that when the gunners next return to Reading, it will be Arsene Wenger’s men instead.

Another defeat against another (I would argue) inferior side, on this occasion at home to Blackburn Rovers.

Reading’s Harper put the home side ahead four minutes before half time, and Doyle could have doubled the score just before the interval.

Blackburn’s former Champions League winner (not with Blackburn, of course, but with the 2004 Porto side managed by you-know-who) Benni McCarthy scored from a header in the 65th minute and David Bentley blasted a second in the 83rd minute, exploiting a zombified Reading defence.

I almost choked on my Caipirinha when I saw Bentley’s winner during the television highlights. Blackburn seemed to have too much freedom.

Reading slumped to a 3-2 loss away to Newcastle, missing an opportunity to go third in the Premiership table.

The Royals were a goal down after 23 minutes, but Harper replied with two, the first in the 37th minute and the second  shortly after.  However, Newcastle bounced back, with Obafemi Martins converting a 57th minute penalty and midfielder Belozoglu Emre winning his side three points with a late goal.  How annoying.

You know, last year I was thinking: what if my two favourite football clubs, Reading and Barcelona, were to meet in competition?  And by that I mean a midweek European encounter, rather than a pre-season friendly?  What if Ronaldinho came to the Renaissance, and Kitson conquered the Nou Camp?  What was the likelihood of the blaugrana and Royals ever facing each on the pitch, outside the virtual world of Pro Evolution Soccer 6?

Well…Reading are now close, very close to a coveted Champions League berth, falling outside only because of goal difference.  The somewhat unglamourous Thames Valley team is making significant strides toward the competition regularly contested by Milan, Bayern and Europe’s other Royals, Real Madrid.  Reading and Barça may well meet next season (of course, Reading would have to pre-qualify first, but let’s worry about that later).

On to the technical stuff.  Reading are 6th in the Premiership this evening due to a fourth successive win, this time over visitors Bolton.  Kevin Doyle headed in John Oster’s cross after 32 minutes to make it a 1-0 victory.

You can read the BBC match report for full details.