Elm Park (stadium)

Elm Park was a football stadium located in Reading, Berkshire, England. It served as the home ground of Reading Football Club from 1896 until 1998. The stadium was located near the centre of Reading, contributing to matchday congestion.

Elm Park's capacity varied over the years, reaching a peak of around 33,000 in the 1920s. By the time of its closure, its capacity had been reduced to around 14,800 due to safety regulations and the introduction of all-seater stands.

The stadium was characterized by its tight pitch and aging facilities. It featured a covered East Stand (the home stand), an open South Bank, a covered West Stand (the away stand), and the Tilehurst End (another home stand). The stands were a mixture of terracing and seating.

Towards the end of its lifespan, Elm Park was considered outdated and unsuitable for a club with ambitions of playing in higher divisions of English football. The club moved to the purpose-built Madejski Stadium (now Select Car Leasing Stadium) in August 1998.

Following Reading's departure, Elm Park was demolished and redeveloped into a housing estate. A small plaque marks the location of the former centre circle. The location is now a residential area, and little remains to indicate the former presence of the stadium. Elm Park holds a significant place in the history of Reading Football Club and is fondly remembered by many of its supporters.