If Reading wasn't a new town it should have been.
Reading is a very old town - much older than Brighton. I'd distinguish between the town and the club. I quite like the town, I've been there a lot. Three of my friends, at some point, have lived in the place so I've spent lots of weekends there. I also used to go to WOMAD when it was based in Reading and have visited countless times for work.Always thought it was a pleasant day out.
The club on the other hand... plastic team in a plastic stadium. I used to like going to Elm Park, a proper football ground but the current one is just awful. Love them to go down