Reading end 135-year wait for top-flight football with late Leicester City draw _(Image: Chris Forsey)_
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On this day 19 years ago, Reading ended a 135-year-wait to reach the top-flight of English football...and in emphatic style.
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Returning to the second tier in 2002 and pushing for promotion for the next three years, including a failed play-off attempt, the opening day of 2005/06 and a 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle, showed little sign that this was to prove an especially special campaign.
Fast-forward to March 25 2006, the 40th matchday of 46, and Reading secured promotion to the Premiership with a 1-1 draw at mid-table Leicester City.
Having lost just twice all season, including an unbeaten run of 33 matches, the Royals secured promotion at the Walkers Stadium as Leeds United and Watford dropped points, making Steve Coppell's side's lead unassailable.
Iain Hume opened the scoring for the Foxes in the first-half before Kevin Doyle levelled the scores with five minutes remaining, a third straight draw for the leaders.
Celebrations went long into the night, this despite the side having six matches left to play, an international break to navigate and the clocks to put forward.
Returning with a 5-0 rout over Derby County, which sealed the title, the Royals remained unbeaten and set the record points haul of 106, which is still yet to be beaten in the second tier.
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Following two years in the Premiership, and a failed attempt to bounce straight back, Coppell departed in 2009 but his side remain heroes among men.
Stephen Hunt was a vital Royal at that time, with younger brother Noel's time to come in the club's second title win in 2011/12.
It is Noel who now looks to guide the club back to the Championship, his side sat eighth with nine matches remaining while battling a near-impossible off-field battle in which Reading's EFL future is in doubt.