Elm Park was a football stadium in the West Reading district of Reading, Berkshire, England, and the long-time home of Reading Football Club. Opened on 5 September 1896, it hosted its first competitive fixture against a London XI that same day — a match abandoned due to a torrential downpour with Reading leading 7–1. Over the following century, Elm Park became deeply woven into the fabric of the club and its supporters.
The ground witnessed some of the club’s greatest moments, including a record attendance of 33,042 for an FA Cup tie against Brentford in February 1927 and a memorable 1996 FA Cup run that brought Manchester United to West Reading. After the Taylor Report mandated all-seater grounds, converting Elm Park proved impractical — its fully seated capacity would have been only around 9,000 — and Reading relocated to the newly built Madejski Stadium for the 1998–99 season. Demolition of Elm Park began in October 1998, and 128 residential dwellings now occupy the site.
Stats at a Glance
- Team: Reading FC
- Location: West Reading, Reading, Berkshire, England
- Opened: 5 September 1896
- Closed: 3 May 1998
- Demolished: October 1998
- Record Attendance: 33,042 (vs Brentford, FA Cup, 19 February 1927)
- Final Capacity: approximately 14,800 (all-seater era)
- Years in Use: 102 years
A Century of Football in West Reading
Elm Park served Reading FC for over a century, surviving two World Wars and countless promotions and relegations. The ground’s four stands — including the Norfolk Road Stand, the South Bank terrace, the Tilehurst End, and the Town End — gave it an intimate, old-fashioned atmosphere that supporters cherished. The record gate of 33,042 remained a testament to its Victorian-era scale, when fans could pack terraces to densities unthinkable by modern standards.
The ground hosted an FA Cup semi-final and regularly welcomed top-flight opposition. A 1996 FA Cup tie against Manchester United generated gate receipts exceeding £110,000, underscoring how Elm Park could still punch above its weight right to the end of its life.
Final Seasons and Legacy
Reading’s last competitive match at Elm Park took place on 3 May 1998, a 1–0 defeat to Norwich City. A pre-season friendly against Sheffield Wednesday — won 3–0 — served as the ground’s sentimental farewell before the wrecking crews moved in that October. The housing estate built on the site kept the Elm Park name, preserving at least a trace of the ground’s identity.
Today Elm Park lives on in photographs, supporter memoirs, and the broader culture of English football nostalgia. Its 102-year lifespan makes it one of the longer-serving grounds of the English Football League era, a reminder of the era when clubs and their stadiums were inseparable parts of a neighbourhood’s identity.
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Elm Park FAQs
When did Elm Park open and close?
Elm Park opened on 5 September 1896 and hosted its last competitive match on 3 May 1998, after which Reading FC moved to the Madejski Stadium. Demolition began in October 1998.
What was the record attendance at Elm Park?
The ground’s record attendance was 33,042, set on 19 February 1927 during an FA Cup tie between Reading and Brentford, which Reading won 1–0.
What replaced Elm Park after it was demolished?
The site was redeveloped into a housing estate of 128 residential dwellings. The estate retained the Elm Park name, keeping a small connection to the stadium’s long history.
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