FA Cup Qualifying Rounds
When qualifying rounds were first introduced in 1888-89 teams were divided into ten regional groups, or Divisions, with the winner of each group proceeding to the First Round Proper or the Intermediate Round (from 1900-01). This regional structure explains why certain opponents, such as Southampton and Swindon, appear repeatedly during this period. The results of the final qualifying rounds for the Divisions involving Reading were as follows:
| 1888-89 | IX | Old Brightonians | 5 | Marlow | 2 |
| 1889-90 | X | Old St Paul's | 0 | Clapton | 6 |
| 1890-91 | IX | Ipswich Town | 1 | 93rd Highland Regt | 4 |
| 1891-92 | VIII | Clifton Association | 0 | Luton Town | 3 |
| 1892-93 | VIII | Marlow | 1 | Swindon Town | 0 |
| 1893-94 | VIII | Swindon Town | 0 | READING | 2 |
| 1894-95 | VIII | Southampton St Mary | 5 | Warmley | 1 |
| 1895-96 | VIII | Southampton St Mary | 3 | Uxbridge | 0 |
| 1896-97 | VIII | Southampton St Mary | 8 | Swindon Town | 2 |
| 1897-98 | VIII | Southampton | 8 | Bristol E Rovers | 1 |
| 1898-99 | VIII | Bristol City | 3 | READING | 2 |
| 1899-00 | IX | READING | 7 | Chesham Town | 1 |
| 1900-01 | IX | READING | 2 | Richmond Association | 0 |