The Egg chasers relegation

[Hendo]

I think a few seasons ago it used to make the pitch really bad. But now, I am not so sure, it certainly isn't on the same level as it was 10 years ago,

[bobby1413]

They pay £150,000 a year to destroy the pitch, costs £500,000 to relay the special plastic enhanced pitch, where's the value

Does it really destroy the pitch though? At least as much as you think it does.

If it does, then so what? I couldn't give a hoot about the state of the pitch - why is everyone* so obsessed by this?

I really think if/when Irish leave, people will look back and regret the fact that Reading no longer has a professional, decent quality rugby team. Especially if we end up with a deep green, perfect grass pitch and still end up losing 3-0 to Rotherham on a shitty winter's evening.

The value may not be financially, although considering those coming to watch the rugby (including St Patricks day crowd), will spend their money on the beer/food/etc... the money for buses getting to the ground, people entering the Reading area all helps the town's economy.

It helps promote the town, similar to Reading Festival, WOMAD when it was here - I can't see any downside to them being in the MadStad, including the fact they apparently "destroy the pitch".

[muirinho]

They pay £150,000 a year to destroy the pitch, costs £500,000 to relay the special plastic enhanced pitch, where's the value

Where on earth do those figures come from? They pay £600,000 per year AND share the costs for the pitch repair/relay every year.

We'll be lucky if renaming the stadium brings in the same amount.

[Royal Ginger]

I'd speculate that they may also pay a percentage of the utilities, maintenance and other bills as well as providing catering revenue.

There's very little upside for Reading in this, it is a negative thing.

[Royal Ginger]

Oh and slightly off topic, but why doesn't the MadStad host music concerts? I remember the Chilli Peppers played after the 106 season. Other stadiums host big concerts, particularly in the summer break which doesn't effect the pitch as it's relayed or whatever.

In terms of revenue it would be great I think

This one's in my field. Reading is considered to be within the London catchment area for large gigs, and a stadium gig is more expensive and difficult to put on vs a night or two in the O2 unless you have Wembley/Twickenham levels of capacity.

[AthleticoSpizz]

They also give funds and a lot of resources to the three teams youth set-ups within the town.

[One8Seven1*]

They pay £150,000 a year to destroy the pitch, costs £500,000 to relay the special plastic enhanced pitch, where's the value

Where on earth do those figures come from? They pay £600,000 per year AND share the costs for the pitch repair/relay every year.

We'll be lucky if renaming the stadium brings in the same amount.

Well Derby signed a £7m 10 year deal with Ipro, so no, we wont be lucky to match that. We can certainly match Derby's and/or better it.

[muirinho]

They pay £150,000 a year to destroy the pitch, costs £500,000 to relay the special plastic enhanced pitch, where's the value

Where on earth do those figures come from? They pay £600,000 per year AND share the costs for the pitch repair/relay every year.

We'll be lucky if renaming the stadium brings in the same amount.

Well Derby signed a £7m 10 year deal with Ipro, so no, we wont be lucky to match that. We can certainly match Derby's and/or better it.

That was one of the biggest deals ever outside the Premier League. They are a bigger club than us. There is no reason to suppose we would be able to get the same amount. We'll see.

[One8Seven1*]

Reading, like Derby, are viewed as a top end Championship club. We're very much of a muchness. It's not exactly Burton compared to Derby, it's almost like-for-like. There is no reason Reading couldn't negotiate a similar deal.

[Maneki Neko]

top end

[bobby1413]

I think 2-3 years back we were seen as top end, and even just before our all of our promotions we were always tipped to be top 8 and in contention.

Now I think - myself included - I expect to see us around 14th place most of the time.

[Maneki Neko]

if we are lucky

[One8Seven1*]

top end

Not in terms of league position, but in status, reputation (last decade has seen a sharp rise for RFC). How others look at us has changed dramatically. We are not viewed a small fish in a big pond any longer. We are one of the more attractive clubs in the second tier. Certaily on a par with the likes of Birmingham, Derby IMO.

[bobby1413]

top end

Not in terms of league position, but in status, reputation (last decade has seen a sharp rise for RFC). How others look at us has changed dramatically. We are not viewed a small fish in a big pond any longer. We are one of the more attractive clubs in the second tier. Certaily on a par with the likes of Birmingham, Derby IMO.

I think I see what you mean, we are definitely an established Championship club

[The Royal Forester]

London Irish have applied for permission to play at Brentford's new ground. It is hoped to start work on the new stadium during 2017 with a move for both the Bees and The Exiles ahead of the 2019-20 season. Although contracted to The Madstad, until 2025-26 a clause allows LI to break it early for a move to West London.

[Nameless]

I don't think RFC Will fight to keep Irish here, replacing them with REP will be hugely more attractive for the club. I also think moving to Brentford could be a disaster for Irish although their fans appear to think it will be a genuine 50:50 partnership rather than Irish being tenants.

[RoyalBlue]

They pay £150,000 a year to destroy the pitch, costs £500,000 to relay the special plastic enhanced pitch, where's the value

Does it really destroy the pitch though? At least as much as you think it does.

If it does, then so what? I couldn't give a hoot about the state of the pitch - why is everyone* so obsessed by this?

.

Because now we finally play the bulk of our football on the ground, rather than interfering with Heathrow flight paths, the condition of the pitch (which very clearly was/is worsened by the rugby played on it) becomes quite important. You do not want passes bobbling all over the place and the ball moving at different speeds over the deteriorated turf.

[tidus_mi2]

It's interesting that Brentford fans are completely on board with having LI ground share whereas a lot of us wish they would go away. To be fair at this moment Brentford are smaller than us in terms of facilities and income so would probably welcome the additional revenue from LI.

[Maneki Neko]

ive always been amazed by how little LI pay us to use the ground tbf
plus the damage they do.

firmly in the piss off then camp


and at least brentford is actually in (greater) london, rendering their name instantly less silly

[AthleticoSpizz]

Can't say that I have been over-enamoured (bearing in mind, we have three Reading teams and we, being neither London nor Irish) but 16 years in......funny that nobody was complaining back in 2006 etc

When LI finally move out...no doubt we (RFC) will be seeking new tenants