The Chinese food box served at non-league Reading City
Reading City's Chinese food box got more than 20,000 likes on Twitter

Reading City has been put on a football's food map thanks to a social media prank.

Barney Sweeney's joke about the club serving Chinese food caused a social media frenzy.

It was liked thousands of times after the picture was retweeted by Footy Scran, an account with more than 439,000 followers which invites fans to take pictures of the best - and worst - food on sale at football matches.

Reading City, who play in the ninth tier of English football, had the likes of 1,000 to 2,000 in less than a year, according to the club's treasurer.

Vicky Pyke shows off the Chinese food box on sale at non-league Reading City
Vicky Pyke shows off the Chinese food box on sale at non-league Reading City

If we don't jump on this, someone else will.

Thai red curry, noodles, spring rolls, pak choi and chicken balls were added to the matchday menu shortly after.

A picture of the food, cooked by chairman Martin Law, received more than 20,000 likes and is now on sale at every home game.

Simon Johnson, manager of the Combined Counties League club, said that a lot of people hadn't heard of Reading City before this happened.

Reading City fans enjoying Chinese food which is on sale at the non-league club
Reading City make about £4 for each box of Chinese food they sell

It wouldn't have happened if it weren't for my friend Barney.

He thought it would be funny to send a picture of a big box of Chinese food and say "look what they're serving at Reading City".

Thousands of people were reacting in a positive way on social media, so we had to start a club. The first game after the joke was filled with people asking for a Chinese because they had seen it on social media.

Some people think we are more famous for food than for football.

Reading City's Rivermoor Stadium
Reading City's average league gate in 2021-22 was 112

It has been great for the club. Since we started selling it, we've seen a lot of new people.

There was a man from Cornwall who wasn't sure if he would watch us or not. The food made him pick us.

A fan asked if he could get a box ready for the end of the game so he could bring it home.

The food being cooked by chairman Martin Law
The food is cooked fresh at Reading City by chairman Martin Law

Reading City makes about four dollars from each food box.

The players sometimes have leftover food in the dressing room.

I have attempted it. I don't think it's a good idea for the team to eat it before a match. They might be slowed down by it.