MATCHWATCH : West Ham United U21

[Greatwesternline]

Only 1.247 (246 away) fans there tonight, making it our lowest Mad Stad crowd ever.

Previous record was 1.561 against Leyton Orient in this competition back in December 1999.

Given how much people claim to care about the continued existence of a club when it is about to disappear, and will sing Reading till I die on repeat all evening, it often surprises me how low the interest is in going to actually watch.

Youths will spend hours on social media commenting all things RFC, but won't pay £7 to go and watch the actual live action. This is cheaper than the cinema or buying a couple of pints in the pub. What else are people doing on a Tuesday night that is more interesting?

You get about 200 watching Walthamstow on a Tuesday night in the Isthmian league, level 8, and tickets cost more than RFC EFL trophy games.

I get people aren't interested in the tournament, but I'm surprised there aren't more people just looking for something cheap to do in their spare time, which this definitely is.

[Royals and Racers]

So a win next week and we`re through to the next stage, odd to see Tomas Soucek playing at that level, seemed to put in a shift though.

How do you work that out ? Surely 3 teams can finish on 6 points. West Ham beat Swindon and Swindon beat MK Dons then if will be on GD

[windermereROYAL]

So a win next week and we`re through to the next stage, odd to see Tomas Soucek playing at that level, seemed to put in a shift though.

How do you work that out ? Surely 3 teams can finish on 6 points. West Ham beat Swindon and Swindon beat MK Dons then if will be on GD

Yea thanks, can`t see that hammers team beating Swindon.

[Mr Angry]

We need Swindon to do us a favour!

They don't lose to either West Ham and MK Dons, whilst we beat MK Dons, would mean we go through with Swindon.

[Clyde1998]

Only 1.247 (246 away) fans there tonight, making it our lowest Mad Stad crowd ever.

Previous record was 1.561 against Leyton Orient in this competition back in December 1999.

Given how much people claim to care about the continued existence of a club when it is about to disappear, and will sing Reading till I die on repeat all evening, it often surprises me how low the interest is in going to actually watch.

Youths will spend hours on social media commenting all things RFC, but won't pay £7 to go and watch the actual live action. This is cheaper than the cinema or buying a couple of pints in the pub. What else are people doing on a Tuesday night that is more interesting?

You get about 200 watching Walthamstow on a Tuesday night in the Isthmian league, level 8, and tickets cost more than RFC EFL trophy games.

I get people aren't interested in the tournament, but I'm surprised there aren't more people just looking for something cheap to do in their spare time, which this definitely is.

I recognise folk will struggle to make any game played at 19:00 on any weekday evening, as people have to get back from work, etc. - made worse if you don't live in Reading specifically.

That said, we managed to get 2,517 against Arsenal U21s and 1,560 against Charlton in 2023-24 (deducting away fans); 2,777 against West Ham U21s and 1,693 against Newport in 2024-25 (again deducting away fans).

That West Ham game last season did take place in the August school holidays, so that's maybe a bit incomparable. However, we had 1,001 home fans last night - down over 500 from the Charlton game and nearly 700 on the Newport one. I wonder what the Milton Keynes game will get, given our games against U21 teams have typically had higher crowds than games against EFL teams.

The Swindon games are an obvious example of how people can make the games if they can be bothered - we had 4,686 home fans in 2023 and 1,004 made the trip earlier in the season (and that would've been much higher had we received the allocation). More travelled to Swindon than turned up at home last night (I know Swindon took place in the school holidays).

Also worth mentioning, we had 2,656 home fans for a game against Colchester in the same competition in 2001-02 (don't have the kick-off time to hand). There's no chance our fanbase has shrunk in that time and I doubt the competition has changes in importance either.

Last night's crowd has to be more than people not being bothered by the competition, but no doubt people would suddenly be really interested if we ended up playing at Wembley in the final (or played a side like Swindon again).

[Clyde1998]

So a win next week and we`re through to the next stage, odd to see Tomas Soucek playing at that level, seemed to put in a shift though.

How do you work that out ? Surely 3 teams can finish on 6 points. West Ham beat Swindon and Swindon beat MK Dons then if will be on GD

Yea thanks, can`t see that hammers team beating Swindon.

I can't either, but I don't know if Swindon deliberately played stronger side against us than they would for a typical game in this competition due to it being a local derby (and what happened in this competition previously).

[Greatwesternline]

Only 1.247 (246 away) fans there tonight, making it our lowest Mad Stad crowd ever.

Previous record was 1.561 against Leyton Orient in this competition back in December 1999.

Given how much people claim to care about the continued existence of a club when it is about to disappear, and will sing Reading till I die on repeat all evening, it often surprises me how low the interest is in going to actually watch.

Youths will spend hours on social media commenting all things RFC, but won't pay £7 to go and watch the actual live action. This is cheaper than the cinema or buying a couple of pints in the pub. What else are people doing on a Tuesday night that is more interesting?

You get about 200 watching Walthamstow on a Tuesday night in the Isthmian league, level 8, and tickets cost more than RFC EFL trophy games.

I get people aren't interested in the tournament, but I'm surprised there aren't more people just looking for something cheap to do in their spare time, which this definitely is.

I recognise folk will struggle to make any game played at 19:00 on any weekday evening, as people have to get back from work, etc. - made worse if you don't live in Reading specifically.

That said, we managed to get 2,517 against Arsenal U21s and 1,560 against Charlton in 2023-24 (deducting away fans); 2,777 against West Ham U21s and 1,693 against Newport in 2024-25 (again deducting away fans).

That West Ham game last season did take place in the August school holidays, so that's maybe a bit incomparable. However, we had 1,001 home fans last night - down over 500 from the Charlton game and nearly 700 on the Newport one. I wonder what the Milton Keynes game will get, given our games against U21 teams have typically had higher crowds than games against EFL teams.

The Swindon games are an obvious example of how people can make the games if they can be bothered - we had 4,686 home fans in 2023 and 1,004 made the trip earlier in the season (and that would've been much higher had we received the allocation). More travelled to Swindon than turned up at home last night (I know Swindon took place in the school holidays).

Also worth mentioning, we had 2,656 home fans for a game against Colchester in the same competition in 2001-02 (don't have the kick-off time to hand). There's no chance our fanbase has shrunk in that time and I doubt the competition has changes in importance either.

Last night's crowd has to be more than people not being bothered by the competition, but no doubt people would suddenly be really interested if we ended up playing at Wembley in the final (or played a side like Swindon again).

I think competing with a Champions League night of fixtures has a lot to do with it. Despite how much the masses claim to "care", they'd rather stay in and watch some Champions League than watch Reading play an EFL trophy game.

I do think there is very little depth to RFC home support.

[Orion1871]

Given how much people claim to care about the continued existence of a club when it is about to disappear, and will sing Reading till I die on repeat all evening, it often surprises me how low the interest is in going to actually watch.

Youths will spend hours on social media commenting all things RFC, but won't pay £7 to go and watch the actual live action. This is cheaper than the cinema or buying a couple of pints in the pub. What else are people doing on a Tuesday night that is more interesting?

You get about 200 watching Walthamstow on a Tuesday night in the Isthmian league, level 8, and tickets cost more than RFC EFL trophy games.

I get people aren't interested in the tournament, but I'm surprised there aren't more people just looking for something cheap to do in their spare time, which this definitely is.

I recognise folk will struggle to make any game played at 19:00 on any weekday evening, as people have to get back from work, etc. - made worse if you don't live in Reading specifically.

That said, we managed to get 2,517 against Arsenal U21s and 1,560 against Charlton in 2023-24 (deducting away fans); 2,777 against West Ham U21s and 1,693 against Newport in 2024-25 (again deducting away fans).

That West Ham game last season did take place in the August school holidays, so that's maybe a bit incomparable. However, we had 1,001 home fans last night - down over 500 from the Charlton game and nearly 700 on the Newport one. I wonder what the Milton Keynes game will get, given our games against U21 teams have typically had higher crowds than games against EFL teams.

The Swindon games are an obvious example of how people can make the games if they can be bothered - we had 4,686 home fans in 2023 and 1,004 made the trip earlier in the season (and that would've been much higher had we received the allocation). More travelled to Swindon than turned up at home last night (I know Swindon took place in the school holidays).

Also worth mentioning, we had 2,656 home fans for a game against Colchester in the same competition in 2001-02 (don't have the kick-off time to hand). There's no chance our fanbase has shrunk in that time and I doubt the competition has changes in importance either.

Last night's crowd has to be more than people not being bothered by the competition, but no doubt people would suddenly be really interested if we ended up playing at Wembley in the final (or played a side like Swindon again).

I think competing with a Champions League night of fixtures has a lot to do with it. Despite how much the masses claim to "care", they'd rather stay in and watch some Champions League than watch Reading play an EFL trophy game.

I do think there is very little depth to RFC home support.

Well yeah. Have you seen the amount of Liverpool fans on General Football?

[AthleticoSpizz]

Given how much people claim to care about the continued existence of a club when it is about to disappear, and will sing Reading till I die on repeat all evening, it often surprises me how low the interest is in going to actually watch.

Youths will spend hours on social media commenting all things RFC, but won't pay £7 to go and watch the actual live action. This is cheaper than the cinema or buying a couple of pints in the pub. What else are people doing on a Tuesday night that is more interesting?

You get about 200 watching Walthamstow on a Tuesday night in the Isthmian league, level 8, and tickets cost more than RFC EFL trophy games.

I get people aren't interested in the tournament, but I'm surprised there aren't more people just looking for something cheap to do in their spare time, which this definitely is.

I recognise folk will struggle to make any game played at 19:00 on any weekday evening, as people have to get back from work, etc. - made worse if you don't live in Reading specifically.

That said, we managed to get 2,517 against Arsenal U21s and 1,560 against Charlton in 2023-24 (deducting away fans); 2,777 against West Ham U21s and 1,693 against Newport in 2024-25 (again deducting away fans).

That West Ham game last season did take place in the August school holidays, so that's maybe a bit incomparable. However, we had 1,001 home fans last night - down over 500 from the Charlton game and nearly 700 on the Newport one. I wonder what the Milton Keynes game will get, given our games against U21 teams have typically had higher crowds than games against EFL teams.

The Swindon games are an obvious example of how people can make the games if they can be bothered - we had 4,686 home fans in 2023 and 1,004 made the trip earlier in the season (and that would've been much higher had we received the allocation). More travelled to Swindon than turned up at home last night (I know Swindon took place in the school holidays).

Also worth mentioning, we had 2,656 home fans for a game against Colchester in the same competition in 2001-02 (don't have the kick-off time to hand). There's no chance our fanbase has shrunk in that time and I doubt the competition has changes in importance either.

Last night's crowd has to be more than people not being bothered by the competition, but no doubt people would suddenly be really interested if we ended up playing at Wembley in the final (or played a side like Swindon again).

I think competing with a Champions League night of fixtures has a lot to do with it. Despite how much the masses claim to "care", they'd rather stay in and watch some Champions League than watch Reading play an EFL trophy game.

I do think there is very little depth to RFC home support.

nearly 3.5k at Lincoln (ok, it was Man U) and nearly 2.5k at Harrogate (v ‘uddersfield), looks like we were the lowest attendance of last night.

Down to some of us here I guess

[Clyde1998]

I recognise folk will struggle to make any game played at 19:00 on any weekday evening, as people have to get back from work, etc. - made worse if you don't live in Reading specifically.

That said, we managed to get 2,517 against Arsenal U21s and 1,560 against Charlton in 2023-24 (deducting away fans); 2,777 against West Ham U21s and 1,693 against Newport in 2024-25 (again deducting away fans).

That West Ham game last season did take place in the August school holidays, so that's maybe a bit incomparable. However, we had 1,001 home fans last night - down over 500 from the Charlton game and nearly 700 on the Newport one. I wonder what the Milton Keynes game will get, given our games against U21 teams have typically had higher crowds than games against EFL teams.

The Swindon games are an obvious example of how people can make the games if they can be bothered - we had 4,686 home fans in 2023 and 1,004 made the trip earlier in the season (and that would've been much higher had we received the allocation). More travelled to Swindon than turned up at home last night (I know Swindon took place in the school holidays).

Also worth mentioning, we had 2,656 home fans for a game against Colchester in the same competition in 2001-02 (don't have the kick-off time to hand). There's no chance our fanbase has shrunk in that time and I doubt the competition has changes in importance either.

Last night's crowd has to be more than people not being bothered by the competition, but no doubt people would suddenly be really interested if we ended up playing at Wembley in the final (or played a side like Swindon again).

I think competing with a Champions League night of fixtures has a lot to do with it. Despite how much the masses claim to "care", they'd rather stay in and watch some Champions League than watch Reading play an EFL trophy game.

I do think there is very little depth to RFC home support.

nearly 3.5k at Lincoln (ok, it was Man U) and nearly 2.5k at Harrogate (v ‘uddersfield), looks like we were the lowest attendance of last night.

Down to some of us here I guess

Luckily Barnet had 433 (including 93 Brighton U21 fans) to prevent us from being the lowest.

[Hound]

Given how much people claim to care about the continued existence of a club when it is about to disappear, and will sing Reading till I die on repeat all evening, it often surprises me how low the interest is in going to actually watch.

Youths will spend hours on social media commenting all things RFC, but won't pay £7 to go and watch the actual live action. This is cheaper than the cinema or buying a couple of pints in the pub. What else are people doing on a Tuesday night that is more interesting?

You get about 200 watching Walthamstow on a Tuesday night in the Isthmian league, level 8, and tickets cost more than RFC EFL trophy games.

I get people aren't interested in the tournament, but I'm surprised there aren't more people just looking for something cheap to do in their spare time, which this definitely is.

I recognise folk will struggle to make any game played at 19:00 on any weekday evening, as people have to get back from work, etc. - made worse if you don't live in Reading specifically.

That said, we managed to get 2,517 against Arsenal U21s and 1,560 against Charlton in 2023-24 (deducting away fans); 2,777 against West Ham U21s and 1,693 against Newport in 2024-25 (again deducting away fans).

That West Ham game last season did take place in the August school holidays, so that's maybe a bit incomparable. However, we had 1,001 home fans last night - down over 500 from the Charlton game and nearly 700 on the Newport one. I wonder what the Milton Keynes game will get, given our games against U21 teams have typically had higher crowds than games against EFL teams.

The Swindon games are an obvious example of how people can make the games if they can be bothered - we had 4,686 home fans in 2023 and 1,004 made the trip earlier in the season (and that would've been much higher had we received the allocation). More travelled to Swindon than turned up at home last night (I know Swindon took place in the school holidays).

Also worth mentioning, we had 2,656 home fans for a game against Colchester in the same competition in 2001-02 (don't have the kick-off time to hand). There's no chance our fanbase has shrunk in that time and I doubt the competition has changes in importance either.

Last night's crowd has to be more than people not being bothered by the competition, but no doubt people would suddenly be really interested if we ended up playing at Wembley in the final (or played a side like Swindon again).

I think competing with a Champions League night of fixtures has a lot to do with it. Despite how much the masses claim to "care", they'd rather stay in and watch some Champions League than watch Reading play an EFL trophy game.

I do think there is very little depth to RFC home support.

Not exactly news that though is it? Been discussed to death. Half the people on here seem to support other teams half the time

[AthleticoSpizz]

I think competing with a Champions League night of fixtures has a lot to do with it. Despite how much the masses claim to "care", they'd rather stay in and watch some Champions League than watch Reading play an EFL trophy game.

I do think there is very little depth to RFC home support.

nearly 3.5k at Lincoln (ok, it was Man U) and nearly 2.5k at Harrogate (v ‘uddersfield), looks like we were the lowest attendance of last night.

Down to some of us here I guess

Luckily Barnet had 433 (including 93 Brighton U21 fans) to prevent us from being the lowest.

the Barnet figures weren’t published……and besides, they don’t get many more for a league game

[Clyde1998]

nearly 3.5k at Lincoln (ok, it was Man U) and nearly 2.5k at Harrogate (v ‘uddersfield), looks like we were the lowest attendance of last night.

Down to some of us here I guess

Luckily Barnet had 433 (including 93 Brighton U21 fans) to prevent us from being the lowest.

the Barnet figures weren’t published……and besides, they don’t get many more for a league game

Bottom of their match report : https://barnetfc.com/match-report-barne ... ghton-u21s

[AthleticoSpizz]

Yeah thanx, I don’t dig thaaaat deep tbf

[MR. CYNICAL]

Given how much people claim to care about the continued existence of a club when it is about to disappear, and will sing Reading till I die on repeat all evening, it often surprises me how low the interest is in going to actually watch.

Youths will spend hours on social media commenting all things RFC, but won't pay £7 to go and watch the actual live action. This is cheaper than the cinema or buying a couple of pints in the pub. What else are people doing on a Tuesday night that is more interesting?

You get about 200 watching Walthamstow on a Tuesday night in the Isthmian league, level 8, and tickets cost more than RFC EFL trophy games.

I get people aren't interested in the tournament, but I'm surprised there aren't more people just looking for something cheap to do in their spare time, which this definitely is.

I recognise folk will struggle to make any game played at 19:00 on any weekday evening, as people have to get back from work, etc. - made worse if you don't live in Reading specifically.

That said, we managed to get 2,517 against Arsenal U21s and 1,560 against Charlton in 2023-24 (deducting away fans); 2,777 against West Ham U21s and 1,693 against Newport in 2024-25 (again deducting away fans).

That West Ham game last season did take place in the August school holidays, so that's maybe a bit incomparable. However, we had 1,001 home fans last night - down over 500 from the Charlton game and nearly 700 on the Newport one. I wonder what the Milton Keynes game will get, given our games against U21 teams have typically had higher crowds than games against EFL teams.

The Swindon games are an obvious example of how people can make the games if they can be bothered - we had 4,686 home fans in 2023 and 1,004 made the trip earlier in the season (and that would've been much higher had we received the allocation). More travelled to Swindon than turned up at home last night (I know Swindon took place in the school holidays).

Also worth mentioning, we had 2,656 home fans for a game against Colchester in the same competition in 2001-02 (don't have the kick-off time to hand). There's no chance our fanbase has shrunk in that time and I doubt the competition has changes in importance either.

Last night's crowd has to be more than people not being bothered by the competition, but no doubt people would suddenly be really interested if we ended up playing at Wembley in the final (or played a side like Swindon again).

I think competing with a Champions League night of fixtures has a lot to do with it. Despite how much the masses claim to "care", they'd rather stay in and watch some Champions League than watch Reading play an EFL trophy game.

I do think there is very little depth to RFC home support.

No, I'm a season ticket holder of over 50 years, only ever watch RFC, wouldn't watch a champions league game if you paid me.
Why would you expect people to turn up in their masses to watch us play West Ham u21's in an irrelevant lower league competition?
I actually watched the game on Sky as it was a cheaper more convenient option than having to buy a ticket and make a 100 mile round trip on a Tuesday night. The fact that Sky broadcast these games probably contribute to the low turnouts. This pointless competition is one too many in an already congested fixture list in the modern era.
And no, I won't be tempted by a Wembley final or a game against Swindon, my only wish is a return to the championship, where, remember, we've been and sometimes higher, almost all this century!

[Extended-Phenotype]

Not remotely arsed about the early cup games. I have little idea what half of these cups even are. Managers don’t care about them (why would they, when the league is life and death?) - so if they fling a bunch of third stringers at a Tuesday evening shite-o’clock kick-off to squeak through to the next round: great. But I’ll get interested around the same time the club does (quarters? Semis?).

Very few people will be able to go to every game. It amazes me how people can get value out of a season ticket tbh (even every other Saturday seems like a tall order to me). First round of the Wet Wipes Cup against the U21s of a shitty club on a school night kicking off 10 minutes after I get home from work? Nah.

[Lower West]

How do you work that out ? Surely 3 teams can finish on 6 points. West Ham beat Swindon and Swindon beat MK Dons then if will be on GD

Yea thanks, can`t see that hammers team beating Swindon.

I can't either, but I don't know if Swindon deliberately played stronger side against us than they would for a typical game in this competition due to it being a local derby (and what happened in this competition previously).

Holloway has assembled an extremely strong squad this season. Enough depth not to have to field academy players. As was the case back in 2023.

[Greatwesternline]

I recognise folk will struggle to make any game played at 19:00 on any weekday evening, as people have to get back from work, etc. - made worse if you don't live in Reading specifically.

That said, we managed to get 2,517 against Arsenal U21s and 1,560 against Charlton in 2023-24 (deducting away fans); 2,777 against West Ham U21s and 1,693 against Newport in 2024-25 (again deducting away fans).

That West Ham game last season did take place in the August school holidays, so that's maybe a bit incomparable. However, we had 1,001 home fans last night - down over 500 from the Charlton game and nearly 700 on the Newport one. I wonder what the Milton Keynes game will get, given our games against U21 teams have typically had higher crowds than games against EFL teams.

The Swindon games are an obvious example of how people can make the games if they can be bothered - we had 4,686 home fans in 2023 and 1,004 made the trip earlier in the season (and that would've been much higher had we received the allocation). More travelled to Swindon than turned up at home last night (I know Swindon took place in the school holidays).

Also worth mentioning, we had 2,656 home fans for a game against Colchester in the same competition in 2001-02 (don't have the kick-off time to hand). There's no chance our fanbase has shrunk in that time and I doubt the competition has changes in importance either.

Last night's crowd has to be more than people not being bothered by the competition, but no doubt people would suddenly be really interested if we ended up playing at Wembley in the final (or played a side like Swindon again).

I think competing with a Champions League night of fixtures has a lot to do with it. Despite how much the masses claim to "care", they'd rather stay in and watch some Champions League than watch Reading play an EFL trophy game.

I do think there is very little depth to RFC home support.

No, I'm a season ticket holder of over 50 years, only ever watch RFC, wouldn't watch a champions league game if you paid me.
Why would you expect people to turn up in their masses to watch us play West Ham u21's in an irrelevant lower league competition?
I actually watched the game on Sky as it was a cheaper more convenient option than having to buy a ticket and make a 100 mile round trip on a Tuesday night. The fact that Sky broadcast these games probably contribute to the low turnouts. This pointless competition is one too many in an already congested fixture list in the modern era.
And no, I won't be tempted by a Wembley final or a game against Swindon, my only wish is a return to the championship, where, remember, we've been and sometimes higher, almost all this century!

I think my messages came across as critical. They were more of an observation around what people do in their spare time. Clearly for many the commute to Mad Stad is a long one. I'm more surprised about the people who live within walking distance of the ground. Or who increasingly live in the town centre. For £7- £10 you can have an evening of entertainment at the ground, which I'm surprised is not taken up more.

I live in East London so do not go to these games but do go to Tuesday night Walthamstow games, and the attendances are around 200, purely because people are looking for something to do and watching footy for £10 is something to do. And the population of Walthamstow is much smaller than Reading and the football is not much better than Sunday league.

[South Coast Royal]

From my own experience a lot of Reading fans who go to Saturday games live some way from the ground.
Around where I sit there are 4 from Didcot and one from Honiton another lives near Brentford's ground so any evening games are far from easy.

I grew up two roads away from Elm Park and, possibly because I was young, I would go to Reserves games in midweek as it was easy but now it would be a 150 mile round trip so even for some League games I don't make it but, in line with the other poster ,I watch nearly all games on TV especially first team away games.

The non first team games never used to be on any TV channel but with streaming it would be interesting to know how many people watch games in that way.

[Snowflake Royal]

I think competing with a Champions League night of fixtures has a lot to do with it. Despite how much the masses claim to "care", they'd rather stay in and watch some Champions League than watch Reading play an EFL trophy game.

I do think there is very little depth to RFC home support.

No, I'm a season ticket holder of over 50 years, only ever watch RFC, wouldn't watch a champions league game if you paid me.
Why would you expect people to turn up in their masses to watch us play West Ham u21's in an irrelevant lower league competition?
I actually watched the game on Sky as it was a cheaper more convenient option than having to buy a ticket and make a 100 mile round trip on a Tuesday night. The fact that Sky broadcast these games probably contribute to the low turnouts. This pointless competition is one too many in an already congested fixture list in the modern era.
And no, I won't be tempted by a Wembley final or a game against Swindon, my only wish is a return to the championship, where, remember, we've been and sometimes higher, almost all this century!

I think my messages came across as critical. They were more of an observation around what people do in their spare time. Clearly for many the commute to Mad Stad is a long one. I'm more surprised about the people who live within walking distance of the ground. Or who increasingly live in the town centre. For £7- £10 you can have an evening of entertainment at the ground, which I'm surprised is not taken up more.

I live in East London so do not go to these games but do go to Tuesday night Walthamstow games, and the attendances are around 200, purely because people are looking for something to do and watching footy for £10 is something to do. And the population of Walthamstow is much smaller than Reading and the football is not much better than Sunday league.

There can't be many people who live within easy walking distance.