With the regular season at an end, Reading took part in a five match tour of Italy at the instigation of former player Willy Garbutt, who had by then moved to Italy and was coaching Genoa. Even though Reading had finished in a modest eighth place in the Southern League, the English professional game was far in advance of the amateur Italian teams, so they were expected to comfortably defeat their opponents. The Biscuitmen won four of the games as expected but fell to a surprising 2-1 loss against Casale. The 'Chronicle' offered some reasons for the shock setback whilst summing up the tour:

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Italian Tour of the Reading FC: Some Impressions

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Reading have concluded their highly enjoyable tour of Italy and have returned home.

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To general surprise, Reading were beaten at Casale 2-1. As some explanation of this must be set the constant travelling and feasting, while the team was shuffled about considerably (star players Ted Hanney and Allen Foster were rested, along with skipper Jack Smith) Another drawback was that the ground was very small, being only two yards wider than the penalty area. The refereeing was also far from satisfactory. 

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However, against Vercelli, the champions of Italy, Reading made no mistake, scoring no fewer than six goals to nil. 

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The concluding match was at Turin against All Italy, when Reading won by 2-0. Nine of the players had represented Reading's opponents at Vercelli, the team being completed by the Genoa left-back and inside-right. 

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The Reading directors (Messrs. Blandford, Maker, Clacy and Knowland) who participated in the trip, and the players, speak highly of the hospitality extended to them and of the excellence of the arrangements for their convenience and enjoyment.

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A 'Chronicle' man, who has interviewed several of the participants in the trip, was informed that football in Italy at the present time is about equal to the South-Eastern League. The Italian players have not yet fallen into the idea of the game as it is played in England, but they undoubtedly possess material which only needs developing to make them first class players. What they want is to be taught the finer points of the game. The referee does not understand the game as the English referee does and allows rough play to go on when it should be checked. The rough play was, perhaps, the only drawback to the tour, for the Italian player has a firm idea of the necessity of going for the man, but doubtless with experience this will tone down. Had the referees been strict, Reading would have had a considerable number of penalty kicks. The Italian players could not understand Reading's quick passing; they said it seemed as if the ball was tied to the players' feet with string, so great was their control of it.

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The attendances were not so big as anticipated, but in Italy they do not cater for the working classes. Two francs (1s. 8d.) was the lowest price for admission in most places, though in one or two places the minimum was less. Generally the prices ranged from 1s. 8d. to 4s. The stadium at Turin, where the international was played, is a splendid place, covering the area of three football fields. There were 15,000 spectators present, but the stadium was so large it looked as if there were only 300 present.

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Reading's victory over Vercelli by 6-0 gave general satisfaction to the other Italian clubs, because Vercelli had been unbeaten for a considerable period. There was great desire that Reading should win by half a dozen goals, and they succeeded in doing so. The Reading men were naturally keen following their defeat at Casale, and playing with a good deal of determination, they were the better side throughout. Reading led by 3-0 at half-time and scored three more in the second half. 'Billy' Garbutt motored 100 miles to see the game, and left again immediately it was over.

Before the matches with All Italy and Vercelli were played, the British flag with the Reading borough arms was presented by the Reading team, who were presented with the Italian flag with the arms of the town of which they played. Everywhere large crowds assembled at the stations and received the Reading players with the greatest enthusiasm, and the hospitality of the Italians was unbounded. At Genoa the team met many English friends. In the Genoa team four English players figured, and it is interesting to note that against three of these Bailey had played in England when he represented Oxford City.

The general form of the Reading men was very good, though, of course, the holiday spirit was not lacking, Jack Smith, Stevens and Hanney being stalwarts of the defence. The forwards were able to do some fancy work, Bailey and Foster proved successful marksmen, while general pleasure was afforded by Lofthouse, who, though somewhat on the small side, was energetic and consistently clever all through the series. 

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The best show of football during the tour was during the first half against All Italy. Some beautiful play was seen in that period, but in the second half the terrific heat was too much for the players. The lady spectators were all provided with fans. 

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The banquet at Genoa was of a sumptuous character and was greatly enjoyed. Another pleasant function was the repeat at the station restaurant at Turin. Much gratification is expressed to Mr. Goodley, who spent his week's holiday with the party and was invaluable in facilitating the arrangements and pointing out the sights.

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A Milan paper, giving an account of Reading's match with the Milan club, whom they defeated by 5 goals to 0, says the English team created a great impression. Without doubt, says the 'Corriere della Sera,' Reading are the finest foreign team seen in Italy. Milan, especially in the first half, were obliged to be on the defensive at all times. The Englishmen played such an intense game and showed such marvelous passing that they soon had the Milanese at their mercy. After two minutes' play Reading scored their first goal and were 4-0 up by 35 minutes. In the second half  the Reading men were feeling the effects of the heat, but they managed to score a fifth goal a few minutes after the restart. The Milanese then made desperate attempts to score but Reading had proved themselves to be the masters. 

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The party reached Reading about 5.45 on Tuesday afternoon, after travelling practically from 1.45 on the previous day, a journey  of 28 hours. They were tired but very delighted with the experience.

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