Having played matches at Reading Recreation Ground, Reading Cricket Ground, Coley Park, and Caversham Cricket Ground, Reading Football Club moved to Elm Park in 1896 where they played until 1998 when the brand new Madejski Stadium became the club's magnificent home ground.

Here, some of Reading's former players and managers share their memories of Elm Park.

Ron Blackman: "For many people, the Big Freeze of 1947 meant frozen pipes and a shortage of coal. I remember it for my first visit to Elm Park, when I came as an amateur to play in a Football Combination game against Spurs reserves.

"The pitch was rock hard and icy and I was glad to hear the final whistle. A month later manager Joe Edelston signed me as a professional. I was with the Club for the next seven years, a happy time in my life with many lasting memories.

"I have always had a soft spot for Elm Park. It had a good playing surface, but was inclined to get heavy in very wet weather (not too good for heading the leather balls in those days!).

"Although the average gate was around 16,000, when Plymouth visited for a promotion battle in March 1952, some 28,000 managed to get in, with hundreds left outside. The atmosphere was electric, Reading winning 2-0 with goals from Dennis Simpson and Johnny Brook, who at that time was doing his National Service in the Army Catering Corps."

Maurice Evans: "I started work at Elm Park as a ground staff boy in July 1952. My father had been an ardent Reading fan and he used to bring me to watch them from 1946, so I had grown up with them. I idolised the players, they had been my heroes and in my eyes they could do no wrong. I can still name the team: Marks, Wicks, Moyse, Lewis, Brice, Johnston, Simpson, Edelston, Blackman, Henley and Bainbridge. My favourites were Marks, Lewis, Brice and the great Ronnie Blackman. I have never seen anyone better in the air even to this day.

"I can remember quite a few funny things that happened to me as a manager. In one match I was sat on the bench and we were taking some terrible stick from the crowd and one fan shouted to me "Get Kearns off, Evans". But I never liked taking off goalscorers so there was no way. Ollie crashed one in to make it one each, and then another one hit him on the backside and as the goalkeeper the wrong way! I just had to stick two fingers up but only because Ollie had scored two of course.

"Yes, Reading Football Club and particularly Elm Park will always live on in my memory, after all, 26 years is a long time. I could write a book about it!"

Lawrie Sanchez: "My main memory of Elm Park is making my debut for Reading, ironically, at home against Wimbledon. The date will always remain with me, October 1, 1977, twenty-one days short of my 18th birthday. At the time I was in my final year at Presentation College, literally a long ball form Elm Park, studying for my A levels."

Neil Webb: "You get quite a view of Elm Park from the top of the floodlights in the Tilehurst End. Believe me, I know after I had to climb up there for my initiation ceremony after joining Reading as an apprentice at the age of 15 in 1979. That first summer was a glorious one as we painted and scrubbed the ground and generally made nuisances of ourselves. Then the following summer unbelievably I made my debut for Reading at just 16 years old."

Trevor Senior: "I have some great memories especially running to the South Bank on evening matches after scoring. Thinking quickly of matches that come to mind are my hat-tricks against Colchester and Stockport in my first season, the latter in under five minutes. And my hat-trick against Chesterfield when returning to the pitch with six stitches in a head wound. Another night I will never forget was playing against New Zealand with one of my heroes, George Best, what a night!

"Undoubtedly the best match at Elm Park I was involved with, was the match against Plymouth Argyle on December 21, 1985. Three nil down just after half time, and what a comeback to win 4-3. It was a terrific match!"

Royals fans recall their memories of Elm Park

Jon Jordan: "In the past decade or so, Reading have enjoyed the most successful period in their history. Football is changing and a modern stadium is an important part of that change. The atmosphere in Elm Park is created by the players and fans. A new atmosphere will be created at the Madejski Stadium and Elm Park memories will come with me."

Peter Honeybone: "A time which stands out for me was my first floodlit match when we played a team from France. I stood on the South Bank and looked in awe at the line of lights along the top of the main stand, the way they were before the introduction of the four pylons. The pitch seemed like a green stage, and the play so much quicker. I shall remember the great times and the disappointments I have had at Elm Park."

Christine Wicks: "My memories of Elm Park are of joy, sadness and also playing at the sacred ground. I played for the Reading Ladies in the 70s. The thrill of playing on Elm Park was great. Also in my early years I won a competition to have a tour of the round and meet the players. Dick Spiers said he was surprised to see a girl had won and who knew so much about football! I will miss Elm Park but it doesn't matter where Reading play, Elm Park will always have a place in my heart."

Daniel Keel: "The humour, sarcasm and clever songs mixed with the frequent motivational and deafening roar from the South Bank has provided a great proportion of the entertainment for me which is generated by Elm Park. I will miss the confined and intense atmosphere produced by this small ground but look forward to the new Madejski Stadium with one wish - that it will produce the same exciting environment that Elm Park has produced for the last 102 years."