Reading FC's official supporters group Club 1871 has called on fans to rally behind defender Jeriel Dorsett after he faced ironic cheers from some sections of the crowd. The plea follows the team's emphatic 5-0 victory over Mansfield on Wednesday night, which secured Reading's first League One win of the campaign. This news was reported by Reading Today Online.
Jeriel Dorsett, who started at left-back in the match, endured a difficult opening period but delivered a significantly improved performance after the break. Club 1871, based in the South Stand of the Select Car Leasing Stadium, released a statement after Saturday's win addressing the reaction. The group stated it did not want negative fan behavior to overshadow the important result.
What did Club 1871 say about supporting players?
Club 1871 was explicit in its message to the fanbase. "That's not what we set up 1871 for," the group said regarding the ironic cheers directed at players. The statement acknowledged Dorsett's challenging start to the season but stressed collective support. "Dorsett has had a tough start in these games but we gotta get behind the players," they added.
The group directly called on supporters in the South Stand, particularly those situated near the drummer, to set a positive tone. They were asked to 'lead by example' and help drown out any negativity with vocal support for the team. The statement concluded with a powerful affirmation of belonging: "Jeriel Dorsett. He's one of our own."
What is Reading FC's current league position?
The context for this fan discussion is a mixed start to the 2026/27 season for Reading. As of September 6, 2026, the team sits 14th in the League One table with 4 points from three matches, recording one win, one draw, and one loss. Their recent form reads Win-Draw-Loss. The attack has shown promise, scoring 8 goals, while the defense has conceded 4, giving Reading a positive goal difference of +4. However, they trail early leaders Huddersfield Town by 6 points. Fans can track the evolving standings throughout the season.
What is next for Reading FC?
Attention now turns to the next challenge, an away fixture against Oxford United on September 8. Oxford currently occupies 15th place, making it a closely contested local encounter. The team will be looking to build momentum from the Mansfield victory and string together positive results. The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on the club's fixtures page.
The statement from Club 1871 framed the support as a long-term commitment. "This is OUR club and we need to support them through the good and bad as we have seen over the years," it read. It ended with a forward-looking note: "Saturday we go again, let's get back to supporting the team and driving them on to victory." The call for unity highlights the role fans play in the team's environment, especially for developing players like Dorsett. Supporters can view the current squad list online. Reading travels to face Oxford United on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
