Despite a poor start, which saw them 23rd in the table at one point, Reading went on to win 17 of 23 games in the second half of the season, securing the Championship title and ensuring promotion back to the Premier League.

On 2 June Reading announced that long time defender and club captain Ívar Ingimarsson[2] was being released, along with David Mooney, Abdulai Bell-Baggie, Danny Joyce, James Rowe and Erik Opsahl.

On the same day Reading announced the signings of Australian youth internationals, and brothers, Cameron and Ryan Edwards from Perth Glory and the Australian Institute of Sport respectively, as well as confirming that Mikele Leigertwood would be joining from Queens Park Rangers for a substantial fee[2] upon the opening of the transfer window.

[3] On 13 July the official squad numbers[4] were released for the season along with Jobi McAnuff being named the new club captain[5] following Matt Mills' departure.

On 25 July Reading announced that Bongani Khumalo had joined them on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and would take the number 26.

On 2 June Reading announced that they would be partaking in a pre-season trip to Slovenia to play a two games between 11 and 20 July, but the opponents had yet to be confirmed.

The Reading XI's second pre-season game was against Swindon Supermarine and they won 3–0 with goals from Brett Williams, Michael Cain and David Murphy.

Reading then brought on substitute Mathieu Manset who scored a quickfire double in the 86th and 89th minutes to level the game and share the points.

On 9 August it was announced that Reading's first round League Cup game against Charlton Athletic at The Valley was postponed after police advice, along with a host of other football fixtures including the International friendly between England and the Netherlands, due to the ongoing 2011 London riots.

Reading signed defender Joseph Mills from Southampton on a free transfer on 20 August and followed it with the signature of Kaspars Gorkšs from Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed amount on the 24th.

7 days later Reading hosted Doncaster Rovers at home and managed to holt their losing streak by winning 2–0 thanks to goals from Simon Church and Adam Le Fondre's first for the club.

On 27 September Reading announced that midfielders Jake Taylor and Brian Howard had joined Exeter City and Millwall respectively on loan.

Reading started October with a 0–0 home draw against Middlesbrough on 1st and followed it up 10 days later with an away win at Burnley thanks to a Jem Karacan goal in the 9th minute of injury time.

Reading's first game of November was an away trip to Nottingham Forest which the lost 1–0 after a 75th strike from Marcus Tudgay, this ended an 8-game unbeaten run.

[11] On 12 January 2012 Reading announced the signing of Republic of Ireland U21 international Karl Sheppard from Shamrock Rovers on a free transfer.

Watford took the lead through a Shaun Cummings own goal after 29 minutes, but Jimmy Kebe fired home the equaliser on 42 to see the sides in level at half time.

The deal see Madejski stay on as chairman until 2014, and provide Brian McDermott and Nick Hammond with funds to spend during the January transfer window.

[13] 21 January saw Reading lose at home to another promotion contender, Hull City when Robbie Brady scored the only goal of the game after 66 minutes.

[16] Two days later Jason Roberts scored on his debut against Bristol City, converting his saved penalty on 58 minutes after Louis Carey had been shown a straight red card.

[19] February started off for Reading with the Postponement of their Championship game against Doncaster Rovers due to a frozen pitch at the Keepmoat Stadium.

On 22 February, after rumours linking him with the vacant Wolves job, Brian McDermott signed a new contract with Reading keeping him at the Madejski Stadium until 2015.

[27] On 24 February, it was confirmed that Mathieu Manset had joined Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua on loan until 30 June 2012.

Noel Hunt's first half goal and Ian Harte's superb free kick saw Reading come away with another three points, and meant that they had won all four games played in February.

This victory extended their unbeaten run to 10 games and moved them 3 points clear of West Ham United in second place.

[35] On 24 March, Reading got back to winning ways with a 3–1 home victory over Blackpool, with the goals coming from Ian Harte and Alex Pearce in the first half and Mikele Leigertwood in the second.

Reading then travelled to Brighton & Hove Albion on 10 April, and secured a narrow 1–0 victory after a deflected Ian Harte free kick in the 14th minute.

With West Ham United's 1–1 draw against Bristol City the same evening, Reading were automatically promoted to the Premier League.

[40] Four days later their 2–2 draw with Crystal Palace, coupled with Southampton's 2–1 defeat at Middlesbrough, ensured they would be promoted as division champions.