It’s Coming Home, It’s Coming Home….
35 YEARS after one of the most famous days in Reading FC’s history, the original Simod Cup trophy is coming home to Reading this week and will be on display for fans to enjoy at Reading Museum.
Former Reading FC player Jerry Williams who came on as a substitute at Wembley and made 309 Royals appearances will have the cup in his hands again when he has the honour of placing it on its exhibition plinth on Thursday October 26. The trophy will be exhibited alongside Reading FC Academy Manager and first Reading goalscorer of the final Michael Gilkes cup winner’s medal - which currently forms part of the museum’s Windrush exhibition hosted by the Reading Caribbean Association Group.
Reading FC famously clinched the Simod Cup on 27 March 1988 with a resounding 4-1 victory over Luton Town. Tens of thousands of Royals fans made the pilgrimage to Wembley Stadium that day to witness their team hoist the cup, creating a cherished moment in the club's history.
Jerry Williams will be joined by Council Leader Jason Brock and long-time Royal’s season ticket holder, Councillor John Ennis, who both came up with the idea of exhibiting the Simod Cup at Reading Museum while attending the Reading away game at Cambridge last month.
Councillor Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council Leader, said:
“The Simod Cup holds a very special place in the hearts of all Reading fans, and we are thrilled to be able to bring the trophy home during Black History Month, alongside Michael Gilkes winners’ medal.
“Cllr Ennis and myself thought it would be a wonderful thing for fans to see the original trophy return to Reading 35 years after that Wembley win, and I’m grateful to all involved in making it happen. Fans now have the opportunity to visit the Cup in person, which will hopefully bring back some cherished memories. Indeed, Cllr Ennis has already told me about the £25 he won in a bet on the result.”
"Football continues to transcend boundaries and bring communities together. Reading FC remains a huge part of our town’s life and soul, and this is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the club’s rich history as one of the oldest established clubs in the English league, and provide a much needed morale boost at what is undoubtedly a challenging time for supporters.”
Notes to editors
The Simod Cup was brought to Reading Museum in Partnership with the National Museum of Football with the agreement of the English Football League (EFL). It will be on show in the Story of Reading Gallery, Reading Museum from 27 October to 23 December 2023.
The Windrush Lives Exhibition is on until 4 November 2023 at Reading Museum - a unique display of treasured local family keepsakes and pictures of the Windrush generation and their descendants who made Reading the place it is today.
For further information visit Reading Museum's website at www.readingmuseum.org.uk
Media opportunity: The media are invited to a private preview event on Thursday 26 October from 4.30pm-5pm in the Story of Reading Gallery. Please contact amanda.mcdonnell@reading.gov.uk by 25 October if you would like to attend.