The 2021-22 campaign delivered a turbulent, heart-stopping fight for survival for Reading as The Royals ultimately clung onto their Championship status with a dramatic 21st-place finish. The club's struggles were compounded by a painful six-point deduction for breaking the EFL’s financial rules and a mid-season managerial change that saw Veljko Paunović depart, with Paul Ince stepping in as interim boss. Despite the chaos, talismanic attacking midfielder John Swift was the undisputed star, whose 11 crucial league goals and league-leading 13 assists anchored the side in their desperate battle to avoid the drop. It was a nervy, unforgettable year defined by the team's resilience and a hard-fought escape that secured the club's place in the second tier for another season.