Reading send message to departing manager with impressive win over promotion rivals _(Image: PA)_
On this day in 1994, Reading recorded an impressive 4-2 victory over promotion rivals Wolves in their first match since the controversial exit of manager Mark McGhee.
The former Scottish playing legend with the likes of Aberdeen and Celtic took over as player-manager in 1991 and over the following couple of seasons built a strong side in the third tier.
Winning the Division Three title in 1993/94, the Royals took to the First Division like a duck to water and set about a promotion charge to the new Premier League.
Challenging at the top end of the table from early on, with the likes of Jimmy Quinn, Shaka Hislop and Simon Osborn catching the eye, vultures were circling for the young, up-and-coming boss.
Marred in controversy, with Sir John Madejski under the impression that McGhee was remaining at Elm Park, the Scot departed in December to join Premier League strugglers Leicester City, to the uproar of the Royals faithful.
On this day, 30 years ago, Elm Park was packed to the rafters as Wolverhampton Wanderers visited.
Set against the backdrop of a fervent atmosphere and under the control of a team of player-managers, including Mick Gooding and Quinn, Graham Taylor's side took the lead through England international Steve Bull.
Reading hit back through Osborn and took the lead before the break through Quinn.
Quinn found the net again on the hour mark, this time in his own net to draw those in Old Gold level.
However, current Academy manager and club legend Michael Gilkes put the hosts back ahead almost instantly and was on hand to grab his brace with two minutes remaining to put the result beyond doubt and seal a memorable day in the recent history of Reading.
Come May, the Royals would finish a remarkable second place- enough for automatic promotion to the top-flight any other year, but infamously lost to Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium 4-3 in the final.
Wolves would finish fourth and lose to Bolton in the semi-final and McGhee, who was relegated and sacked by the Foxes within a year, would end up at Molineux by 1995.
[Wolverhampton Wanderers FC](/topics/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/)