The Royals' ascent: Reading reach top flight after 135-year wait

Arise Reading. After 135 years the Royals have finally ascended to the top flight for the first time.

The striker Kevin Doyle, a bargain signing from Cork City last June, scored the goal five minutes from time that earned Reading a 1-1 draw at Leicester City and the point that assured their promotion to the Premiership.

Watford's surprising home defeat by Millwall and the failure of Leeds United to beat Stoke City at home, left Reading sure of a place in the Championship's top two.

John Madejski, the club's chairman, said: "It doesn't get better than this - it's fantastic. It's the fulfilment of a dream. This is what we set out to do, and here we are."

Madejski, the founder of Auto Trader magazine, took over as chairman in 1990, saying: "I owe a lot to Reading and I am proud of it - I want to make my own contribution." He loves classic cars but he took Reading out of a bygone age by moving them from Elm Park to the impressive, new Madejski Stadium and installing Steve Coppell as manager.

The club left behind its old nickname of the Biscuitmen and took on the guise of the Royals.

Now, 16 years on, Reading are joining the aristocracy.