Last week, we asked you simply: What have you missed most about football?
Clearly the appeal of making the journey to Madejski Stadium is about much more than just 22 players kicking a ball for an hour and a half…
It’s about emotion, the rollercoaster ride. It’s about the hopes of being there for the big moments. And it’s about socialising, community, family.
Here are some of the replies we got on Twitter and Facebook…
Just being able to go watch reading home or away win lose or draw and support the team knowing that when im there watching you can just enjoy it with your mates and all other troubles in your life can go away for a couple hours
— Will Sumner (@willsumner09) May 20, 2020
Football is massively important for mental health!
Lost my dad in ‘98, he was in to F1 and never really took interest in football. Then my step father started bringing me to Reading. First game we lost 1-0 to Northampton - but I was hooked. 20+yrs later #ReadingFC has been integral to the bond I have with him as my father figure pic.twitter.com/CNVwVCflTe
— Pedro‼️ (@PictonPedro) May 21, 2020
I lost my Dad on VE Day.
— Helen Bullen (@PAN1F) May 20, 2020
I miss seeing my friends in the Lower West and being able to hug them. Football would be a welcome distraction from the pain I am going through right now, as it was when I lost my Mum 18 years ago 💙💙
Coming back home to Reading catching up with friends watching the game and an escape from day to day life in Ireland i really miss it but we will do it all again one day and what a day that will be 😊
— Johnny Hunt (@Huntyroyal) May 20, 2020
These pic.twitter.com/J0TYvDDDPx
— vicci elliot (@viccielliot) May 20, 2020
In 2008, UoR gave me a new home. Since 2009, @ReadingFC has been home on Saturdays. It's a familiar place to see current/old/new friends. It's a community. It's a band of travelling brothers/sisters. It embraces & unifies young & old. It's respite after a bad day/week. Home 🔵⚪
— Priy D Mistry (@priydmistry) May 20, 2020