Biscuitmen to Royals...

[seahawk10]

In trying to learn more of the history of RFC I was wondering what was the reason for changing our clubs nickname? How did the fans react to it back then? It was changed in the 70's right? I imagine a great deal have only known us as Royals (like myself). Also what is a good book to buy that explains the history of RFC?

[AthleticoSpizz]

we don't make biscuits anymore

we are The Royal County (Windsor &Eton are The Royalists)


Biscuits and Royals

[Readingfanman]

Biscuitmen came from Huntley and Palmers in Reading , who suprsingly made biscuits. It changed basically becasue the factory shut down , Royals got picked in the local paper and has stuck since.

[Behindu]

Biscuitmen referred to the Huntley and Palmers factory that was based in the town and made very famous biscuits. It shut, so it was thought the name was no longer relevant.

Don;t recall the move being too popular and to behonest it made no sense, nicknames aren't supposed to be 'current' and there is nothing wrong with a quirky, archaic name (for example you may be shocked to hear they no longer store guns and ammunition at The Arsenal).

Several good history books, most recent is Alan Sedunary's book but also check out those by David Downs.

[Dirk Gently]

Try this for the best, most recent, book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heaven-Earth-Of ... 793&sr=1-4

[Behindu]

About to appear in paperback I hear (if it hasn't already)

Also worth looking out Roger Titford's book Rusty Tin, Shining Plastic which is all about capturing the feel of the transition from EP to the Mad Stad in words and pictures. A great record of a key time in our history.

[cheeryoleary]

we don't make biscuits anymore

Did you know that if you search for biscuit manufacturers in the Reading area on http://www.yell.co.uk you find one entry:

Thomas Tunnock Ltd
Bishop House North, Bath Rd, Taplow, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 0NX
Tel: 01628 666080

http://www.tunnock.co.uk/contact.htm

[AthleticoSpizz]

looks like a distribution office address to me


Lorries do make it South, past Hadrians Wall these days

[seahawk10]

Thanks everyone! Good information, I will be on the lookout on ebay uk for each of those books. And on amazon uk. Any other inexpensive book outlets that I may be missing? That damn exchange rate...

[Fluff]

"The greatest footballer you never saw"
about Robin Friday

[SpaceCruiser]

Another book you might like to look out for is the Pictoral history of Reading. i.e. a book full of pictures of Reading FC from the start (i.e. 1871) to 1998. Dunno if it's still in print.

[Forbury Lion]

"The greatest footballer you never saw"
about Robin Friday

Fantastic book, Amazon have 3 copies left in stock: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greatest-Footba ... 215&sr=1-1

[Forbury Lion]

we don't make biscuits anymore

Evening Post did have a story about the return of biscuits to Reading, I can't remember the story details other than they talked about Bath Olivers being John Lennon's favourite.

[woody61]

Some of us still prefer 'biscuitmen'. Those that aren't cringing royalists.

[torbayroyal]

I have been a Reading fan for over 40 years now and I still enjoy a nice Biscuit with a cup of tea!!!

do I win a prize?

[Great Knolly]

We're not Berkshire FC. We're Reading FC. I've always hated "Royals".

Maybe it's time the papers asked us to come up with another name, though, to be honest, nothing springs to mind. The town is becoming too diverse to sum it up in one word.

[Top Flight]

Biscuitmen referred to the Huntley and Palmers factory that was based in the town and made very famous biscuits. It shut, so it was thought the name was no longer relevant.

Don;t recall the move being too popular and to behonest it made no sense, nicknames aren't supposed to be 'current' and there is nothing wrong with a quirky, archaic name (for example you may be shocked to hear they no longer store guns and ammunition at The Arsenal).

Several good history books, most recent is Alan Sedunary's book but also check out those by David Downs.

Also they don't sell Toffees anymore in the scouse village of Everton.

[SpaceCruiser]

We're not Berkshire FC. We're Reading FC. I've always hated "Royals".

Maybe it's time the papers asked us to come up with another name, though, to be honest, nothing springs to mind. The town is becoming too diverse to sum it up in one word.

But we are the capital of Berkshire and the only professional club in Berkshire. So by default we are Berkshire!

[Great Knolly]

What happens if Windsor FC get a sugar daddy and end up in League Two.

[SpaceCruiser]

Reading would still be the capital of Berkshire.