Harborough Town boss 'delighted with 'surreal' FA Cup draw against Reading

Mitch Austin, manager of non-league Harborough Town, has called on Reading fans to 'show us the Reading of old' in preparation for next month's FA Cup Second Round draw.

The Bees, of the seventh tier and playing out of Market Harborough in Leicestershire, defeated Tonbridge Angels to reach the Second Round for the first time ever.

Reading's victory over Fleetwood Town has set up an intriguing tie between the former Premier League side and traditional non-league outfit on Sunday, December 1 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Reacting to the news on the club channels, Austin has asked supporters to get the stadium 'rocking' and show the world 'the Reading of old' despite the ongoing ownership crisis.

"When it was announced and said Reading versus Harborough Town, that is surreal," Austin told Bees Radio. "I remember watching Reading in the Premier League myself and we are little old Harborough. The draw is a good draw.

"I think they’re in a bit of turmoil and I hope the fans back them on the day because we are a little non-league club. I believe they have some issues with their chairman which they’re not overly happy about but let’s try and support us and make it a day for the non-leaguers and try to get as many in there rocking and remind us of the Reading of old because they were a really big Premier League team.

"Apart from Birmingham and Bradford, there weren’t many biggies left and we were running out but I’m delighted."

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and only the Sir John Madejski Stand is open for home supporters.

The First Round tie against Fleetwood attracted the lowest crowd for a competitive game on a weekend since the stadium opened in 1998.