After winning the League One play-off final, Reading’s local rivals Oxford United will play in a higher division than the Royals for the first time in 25 years.
At Wembley Stadium on Saturday, Des Buckingham’s team easily defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-0. John Murphy, a former Reading trialist, scored twice in the victory. Oxford was last in the second tier in 1998/99, finishing 23rd. This season, Oxford drew 1-1 with Reading in both Thames Valley Derby games. The U’s were never higher than Reading, who finished the 20th century in the 11th spot in the third division.
Oxford dropped into the National League in 2006, while Sir John Madejski led Reading to unprecedented heights and their first-ever Premier League season in their new surroundings. The teams will put this derby on hold for at least one season while they compete in their separate divisions. This season marked the first time the teams have faced off competitively since 2004.
Finished 19th in League Two is Swindon Town, the third team in the storied ‘Didcot Triangle’ rivalry.
