The 2020-21 campaign was a season of soaring ambition and near-miss for Reading as The Royals secured a very strong 7th-place finish in the Championship, just missing the coveted play-off spots by a whisker. Leading the charge was the clinical striker Lucas João, whose 19 goals proved crucial in a campaign built on attacking flair under Veljko Paunović. Though ultimately falling short of promotion, it was a standout year that offered the faithful a genuine taste of Premier League ambition, leaving behind a lasting sense of 'what if' that remains a defining memory for the club's supporters.