From Ovie Ejaria's brace at Fulham to Nick Blackman's free-kick at Brentford. Charlie Adam's celebration at Craven Cottage to Deniss Rakels' last-gasp winner at the Valley. Every supporter has standout memories of big matches, big away ends and big moments on their travels to London.

However, these have been few and far between for supporters in recent years as Reading look to end a wait of over two years for a league win in London as a sold-out away contingent are following the club to Leyton Orient on Saturday.

(Image: James Earnshaw)

Always among the most popular days in the calendar for supporters, a relatively short hop into the capital brings with it late departure times, plenty of stunning pubs and an ease of travel that brings supporters out in their thousands.

However, despite the popularity of these trips, the football is often the most disappointing aspect of the day.

In the last decade, the Royals have won just seven league matches in London out of 32 trips, losing 16.

Should the Royals fail to win at Brisbane Road on Saturday, a group where the club have not tasted victory since 1993, the run of winless league visits will need to stretch into a third season.

Earlier in the month, over 2,500 supporters travelled to Charlton Athletic and saw the side pick up a respectable point in a 0-0 draw, but the Addicks and O's both beat Ruben Selles' side last year.

Although Reading won 4-0 at Millwall in the Carabao Cup last summer, you have to stetch back to August 2022 for a league win in the capital, again coming at the Den as Naby Sarr's header put Paul Ince's Reading top of the Championship for a short while.

You have to go back to 2016-2019 for a longer run of league matches without a win in London, the Royals losing on six and drawing three of their nine visits in the Championship.

In this time, the club won 17 away matches elsewhere around the country.

Somewhat ironically, the most prolific spell in the past decade was during a Covid-19 hit couple of seasons, Reading winning on three of their seven trips to London across 2019/20 and 2020/21.

So as thousands prepare to head to the 'Big Smoke' perhaps it is those standout memories, which are few and far between, the stunning boozers and array of transport options that keep fans going back in their droves.

It is certainly not the result if recent trips are anything to go by.

Never the less, over 1,100 Royals will pack out the away end in East London on Saturday and cheer on Noel Hunt's side as they look to bounce back from last week's disappointing 3-1 defeat to Stockport County and avenge last season's last-minute defeat to Ritchie Wellens' side.

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