Richardson returns to Wigan as Reading look past Trophy setback to the league
Thursday 15 October 2026 · By Claire Denholm
Leam Richardson goes back to Wigan Athletic on Saturday (15:00) as Reading head coach, and he does so with his side in good form in League One, even if midweek brought a setback in the EFL Trophy.
Richardson managed Wigan from 2017 to 2022, according to Reading Today, and BBC Sport has marked the occasion with a “Back to Wigan” audio feature. His current side arrive as the division’s top scorers, with 22 goals in nine league games.
The most recent of those came in a 5–1 win at MK Dons last Saturday. Paddy Lane opened the scoring, an own goal by Cohen Bramall doubled the lead, Kyreece Lisbie scored twice and Jacob Brown added a fifth. Reading Today noted that it was the Royals’ first away league win of the season.
The week before had brought individual recognition, too. Richardson was named League One Manager of the Month for September and striker Jack Marriott took the Player of the Month award on 9 October.
Marriott remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Richardson said earlier this month that the striker would be out for “a number of weeks”, and the goals at MK Dons from Lisbie and Brown showed how the squad has responded to his absence.
On Tuesday night, a much-changed Reading side lost 2–0 at home to Chelsea Under-21s in the EFL Trophy. Chizaram Ezenwata scored twice in four minutes in the first half, on 21 and 25 minutes, in front of a crowd of 1,667, according to BBC Sport.
The result is unlikely to cause too much concern, with the league the clear priority. Reading are sixth on 15 points, four behind leaders Plymouth Argyle, and are unbeaten in four league games.
Saturday’s trip carries some emotion for Richardson, but Wigan’s position adds pressure on the hosts. Gary Caldwell’s side are bottom of the table with four points and only five league goals, and Reading’s attacking quality will make them favourites.
After Wigan, the Royals host Leyton Orient on Wednesday 21 October (20:00) and Barnsley on Saturday 24 October. A trip to Plymouth on Saturday 31 October (12:30) rounds off the month.
With Marriott still out, the coming weeks could be a chance for Lisbie to take on more responsibility in attack.
With goals coming from all over the pitch, Reading look well placed to keep climbing. Richardson will hope his return to Wigan is a happy one.
The Madejski Stadium — officially the Select Car Leasing Stadium — is Reading Football Club’s home by Junction 11 of the M4. Opened in 1998 after the move from Elm Park, it is a compact all-seater bowl of 24,161. Three sides are single-tier; the West Stand is two-tiered and holds the tunnel, dugouts and hospitality. Visiting supporters almost always sit in the South Stand, behind the goal, with a usual allocation of about 2,100–2,300 that can rise towards 4,300 when demand is high.
Check your ticket for the exact block. Standard away seating is R30–R32 in the South Stand, nearest the West Stand. Larger allocations can add GU1–GU3 in the upper West corner. Enter at Gate 10 for the South Stand, or Gate 11 if you are in the upper West. Wheelchair users also use Gate 10; accessible bays sit in R30–R32. Turnstiles usually open 90 minutes before kick-off. Stewards in blue jackets will point you to your block if the signs are unclear.
The stadium sits south of the town, not in a pub-heavy neighbourhood. The Fan Zone outside the Sir John Madejski (East) Stand opens about 90 minutes before kick-off and is generally open to visiting fans as well as home supporters. Expect a large screen, food and drink, and a chance to settle before you walk round to the away gates. Inside, concourse kiosks open at the same time and close after half-time. Prices are typical of the Championship; cashless payment is common. There is a family area in the visiting end — no adult without a child, and no child without an adult — if your club has sold tickets there.
By car the postcode RG2 0FL (or RG2 0GH for the stadium car parks) takes you to the site. Matchday parking on site is limited and often prioritised for disabled supporters and families with young children, so book early if it is offered. Many away coaches are directed to a designated coach park; follow police and club signage rather than improvising a drop-off. Reading station is about three miles north. On most match days a shuttle bus runs between the station and the ground; allow extra time after full-time when queues build.
The bowl is steep enough that views from the South Stand are good, with decent leg room for a 1990s build. You sit close to the pitch. A video screen sits in the south-east corner above the away section. The ground is all-seated and you are expected to remain seated during play. Acoustics are better than many new grounds, so a noisy away following carries. Home noise often comes from the East Stand and from Club 1871 in the remainder of the South Stand, which uses a safe-standing style area on the home side of that end.
The North Stand is the Eamonn Dolan Stand, named after the late academy manager, and is the main home end with the Fun Zone behind it for younger Royals. The West Stand faces the hotel that is built onto the stadium. Dugouts sit in front of the West Stand, so the goals are correctly placed: one in front of the Eamonn Dolan Stand, the other in front of the South Stand where you will be. After the final whistle, away supporters are usually held briefly. Follow stewards to coaches or the shuttle rather than cutting across home exits. Keep an eye on the club’s visiting supporters guide for the specific fixture, as allocation and gate numbers can change with demand.