Reading supporters went out of their way to applaud our players at the end of Sunday's FA Cup quarter final with Aston Villa, thanking them for an historic run in this season's competition.

Our players repaid the favour by returning the applause to the Madejski Stadium faithful, and this FA Cup run has seen a strong bond between the supporters and Brian McDermott's team.

Brian said afterwards, "Our supporters know when the players are giving their all and trying to win games. They will turn up, support and get behind the team when they see that on the pitch."

This season's cup run was our best in 83 years, and it is also worth noting that the standard of our opposition was incredibly high as we faced three Premier League sides and one of the top teams in the Championship - not once did we face a lower league team.

We now face Derby County on Wednesday in a bid to maintain our excellent League form that has taken us to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship form table.