RFSC Fan's Forum
13 April 2000

Forum chaired by Roger Titford, RFSC Chairman
Notes taken by Justin Beasley.

Present:
John Madejski
Alan Pardew
Martin Allen (on crutches)
Nigel Howe, chief executive
Ray Booth, stadium manager
Clive Doyle, safety officer
Martin Brailli, RFSC Vice Chairman

Questions to John Madejski

JM begins with a message to fans: thanking the supporters for their efforts and the management team for their hard work and the improvement in results. Stresses the need for everyone to bring their friends to achieve the magic 16,000 break-even gate.

Q - Would it be possible to print warnings in the matchday magazine about racist behaviour and take action by stewards? (questioner has a season ticket seat near a fan who repeatedly makes loud racist comments toward members of the team.)

JM - Invites the questioner to speak to Ray Booth about the situation after the meeting, to point out where the problem is.

Q - Stewards should be resolving problems like the one above, and the problems which arise with reserved seating when supporters get in arguments over seats. Questioner found that when he tried to get a steward's help to move people in his seats, the steward did not know the match was reserved seating!

RB - Expresses his alarm at this! Stewards are briefed before every game and should obviously be aware of reserved seating games. It's very disturbing if this is not the case - promises to look into it.

Q - What are the investment plans for the youth set-up at the club?

JM - The club is investing over £½ million every year in the Academy, and will look to add as much more as it possibly can. Welcomes recommendations of good local players to the academy - it's great, indeed essential, that local players can be brought through the ranks at the club.

Q - What difference will the hotel make to the football club?

JM - It will make a very positive difference. The club is losing over £200k per month, as is well documented - the stadium is a hell of a lot more expensive than Elm Park to run. The hotel will help alleviate this cost. Events like the Rugby semi-final and possibly concerts will be held regularly in future to help with the running costs.

Q - The player of the Millennium award was supported by the club, but not only was the award 'prizegiving' rather muted, there has been no lasting monument to it. Would the club consider a statue of Robin Friday at the ground, to provide a point of focus for the fans, much like Billy Bremner's statue has done so poignantly this week at Elland Rd?

JM - There is no plan to do this; with the money situation as it is it's not a crucial proposition for the club. There have been plenty of other good players who have played for Reading - is not sure that a statue of Robin Friday would be universally popular. NH adds that it the club would support the idea if they could get funding.

Q - Are we going to have to sell our best players to balance the books?

JM - No - quite the opposite. We'll be looking to buy more good players to strengthen the squad. Recognises we have to hold on to our good players to win games in order to attract the support and revenue to move forward.

Q - Shooters Bar is unpopular as an after-match venue - there is a lack of atmosphere. Are there any plans for changing the bar, or adding more facilities at the stadium?

JM - Rather likes Shooters actually!
NH - Shooters subscriptions continue to sell well, but the club are looking at the possibility of other facilities at the stadium for supporters. Money is as always a problem.
RT - RFSC are discussing with the club members access to Shooters next season.

Q - Are London Irish coming to the Mad House to ground-share?

JM - Doesn't completely rule it out - if it did happen, there would have to be major work on the pitch. At the end of the day, the more money the club brings in, the more money there is to spend on footballers. Stresses that the club needs to generate revenue. One day we might even make a profit!
AP - From his point of view, the pitch is the big concern. Has been assured that the 'new' playing surface would be able to cope. Highlights Watford as a successful example of a rugby/football ground-share.

Q - How about a museum of Reading memorabilia at the stadium? It would be nice to see some Royals artefacts in reception too.

JM - Has a great deal of sympathy with this proposal. Remember we're still just 'shaking down' from the move from Elm Park in many ways. But there's no reason why this can't be done - it's a good idea.

Q - Similarly, what about trophies on show? What has happened to the Simod Cup?!

JM - The trophies at EP were in the boardroom, and will be at the Mad House once the boardroom is complete. If people want Reading's trophies on show in reception, or even (as NH suggests) in Shooters itself, then this can be done. RT - Supporters Club has a trophy cabinet which could be fixed in Shooters.

Q - Does the Chairman ever think about getting a 'backer' to help him share the financial burden?
JM - Every day!
JM has to leave but finishes by thanking the fans sincerely, encouraging us to be positive and enjoy the good points about our great club!

Questions to Ray Booth, Nigel Howe and Clive Doyle:

Q - What has happened to the Emmer Green matchday bus, and other urban buses?

RB - Has recently asked Reading buses to restart these extremely successful services. There is a problem with the number of buses available for use on match days, but RB is confident that these services can be reinstated, albeit with a possible raise in fares.

Q - Are we moving the training ground?

NH - No. It's a rumour that started when it was revealed that the club are looking for a training ground for the youth academy. But if anyone has 20 acres to sell for £10k, come forward!

Q - What about Stadium tours next season, and open days a la Elm Park?

NH - Yes; in fact Stadium tours are already running this season. An open day like we had at EP would be a good idea, let's do it.

Q - Why can't supporters buy student tickets over the phone?

NH - thought you could. Perhaps there is an issue with people possibly passing NUS cards round to get multiple discounts. (a supporter calls out that he has successfully done it! Issue to be resolved by ticket office.

Q - The Police are not protecting Reading fans enough at home games. What is being done about this?

CD - People should understand that the stadium is still relatively new to the Police, considering not only are they not present at every game but they are under relatively new management. Nevertheless, this is of course a very serious issue and the club have passed on numerous suggestions to the police and are expecting a noticeable difference at the Stoke game. Both the club and the Police are investing heavily in improvements in fan safety at the stadium.

Q - Questioner expresses his disgust at having watched police hitting Reading fans from the window of Shooters bar.

CD - Cannot speak for the police. Complaints have been made over various incidents but CD cannot really comment further now. RT adds that the club take all supporter complaints very seriously and encourage fans to report incidents of trouble and police maltreatment - many of these incidents might otherwise go unnoticed by the club.

Q - Will we see a rise in ticket prices next season?

NH - will be going to the board in a fortnight to talk about this, and can obviously not reveal any information in advance. However he's not keen on any price rises (or reductions!)

Q - What about a big fence at the bottom of the grass bank outside the East stand? This would help prevent those away fans who climb the bank to cause trouble after matches.

NH - safety is a very sensitive subject - the club don't want police back for every game. But everyone knows that the East Stand grass bank is a major problem; the club know how to handle it and have made comments to the police, which hopefully will be taken on board.

Q - Will the Supporters' Club coach be leaving from Liebenrood Rd next season or are the changes at the end of this season such as leaving from the Mad House going to be permanent?

RT - As a trial, the coach will leave from the Mad House (free secure car parking) for the Wigan and Bury games, then pick up from Garrard St bus stop by the station near the station for those coming by bus or train to meet the coach. Hope it will attract more support. Fares for the remaining away games are discounted to £10.

Q - There were Cardiff fans in the North stand a few weeks ago. Why is this allowed?

NH - There are systems in place to prevent away fans getting in to the home stand. It is of course very difficult to do this - you can't judge by accent or clothes who is or is not a Reading fan. At the moment, the club uses postcodes to stop away fans from getting home stand tickets, but this is a flawed system; NH has had several letters from Reading fans who were refused tickets for the Bristol Rovers game because they have Bristol postcodes. If there are away supporters in the home stands, the stewards should deal with it and move them. Clearly, this needs to be enforced more than it is, but it's not easy to spot unless these away fans make a nuisance of themselves by jumping up and shouting etc!

----break for 30 seconds of Robin Friday playing, getting married and clipping a goalkeeper round the ear!----

Questions for Alan Pardew and Martin Allen:

Q - Have any pre-season friendlies been arranged?

AP - Yes, Nicky Hammond has arranged all of them already. We'll be playing Southampton and Charlton at home, Torquay away and another which is currently a secret from the players (and consequently the supporters as well!) Also there'll be friendlies against Maidenhead and Woking - the club are keen to support the local teams.

Q - With lots of local clubs (Oxford, Wycombe, Swindon) likely to be in Division 2 next season, how does the management convey the importance of local derbies to the players?

AP - Tries to emphasis the importance of EVERY match, not just the local ones. Next season, we need to be looking to win every game if we want to mount a serious challenge.

Q - Can we play our way out of this division with nice football?

AP - Lately people have been criticising the team's style, saying there is a gap between the midfield and the strikers, and that the team lacks a link man. But with Butler and Forster up front, AP decided that we should keep the midfield tight and rely on the front two to cause defences problems. There is a missing link in midfield, and the team needs a player who has strength and size and who is also able to link the midfield with the front pair.

Q - Why do you play Caskey out on the right?

AP - Caskey hasn't stopped scoring out since going out there! Seriously, being out wide has meant Darren has needed to be more disciplined with himself, not trying to play every ball himself. But he has responded well, and is playing his best football there. Feels that occasionally Caskey gets caught on the ball in the centre, and is more effective wider where he gets more time and space.

Q - Is there any truth in the rumour about Mad Dog going to Swindon?

MA - Found out about it in the paper the other day. "I can't really see myself leaving here to go there!" (to great applause..)

Q - We need a taller midfield player and a winger. Here's who we should buy…
Neil Emblen, Gary Jones, Stuart Talbot, Robbie Van der Laan, Steve Brown, Lee Duxbury and a winger…. Simon Baldry, Adrian Coote, Andy Williams, Joey Beauchamp, Jason Harris, Lee Hodges (the other one)

AP - "I'm glad you've only got 2 positions to cover!" They're all good players, yes.

Q - Who will be playing at Centre Back next season?

AP - It's a difficult one. Has always felt we never had the centre backs quite right at the club. Hunter has been excellent lately, and Williams has come down and proved he can play to the level he did when he was up the top of division one with Reading last time around. The Primus situation is not over and done. AP has known Linvoy since he was 16, and will do his best to sort the situation out. "We won't let quality players leave."

Q - Is it up to the supporters to rouse the team, or up to the team to rouse the supporters?

MA - It's a bit of both. Feels the supporters have been too quiet - haven't been behind the team enough when they players are having an off day, even after so many good days lately. Recalls a situation at West Ham - they had an area like the South Bank called the Chicken Run - the atmosphere was terrific, everyone knew where to stand etc. When the Hammers built the Bobby Moore stand, the vocal supporters were dispersed and the atmosphere went with them, much like the situation here with the move to the Mad House. But at Upton Park, the atmosphere has returned, albeit gradually. The same will happen here, and is already starting to happen: people are starting to find their place, the vocal support is gravitating together and making it feel like home.
Tells the supporters to stand up and start shouting. Don't worry about the rules. The chairman will pay the fine!

Q - How has Parky's operation gone?

AP - Fine, it went well. Now looking toward getting Parky fit and ready for pre-season training.

Q - Shouldn't Graeme Murty be given an attacking role down the right?

AP - Caskey is keeping him out of that position. Anyway Murts got injured again on Saturday so he won't be in the squad for trip to Notts County. He's got to get over his tendency to pick up knocks in games as he is a vital component in the team. He and Matt Robinson give the team width and attacking options down the flanks.

Q - Is Mark Nicholls (Chelsea loanee) likely to be returning?

AP - To be honest, no. He was brought in as a link man to play in front of the midfield, but now we've got Butler there's no need. Butler works very very hard, he's a great lad to have around the place and everyone is delighted for him to have got his goals. He has a great future here.

Q - How is Andy Bernal doing?

AP - He's struggling. He's a player who has played through injury throughout his career, and that catches up with you. Andy is a player who will volunteer himself when he's not fit while others might hide away at the back of the changing room. He's always been committed and helped the team out during injury crises - AP says he'll look after him. (Big round of applause for Andy).

Q - Can we keep Darren Caskey?

AP - Gets this after every game! People seemed to doubt AP's relationship with Darren in the early days, as AP tried to improve his game, make him defend more. Some fans were unsure about Darren even earlier this season, but he has more than proved his worth and nobody wants to lose him now. He is a player who works extremely hard in training, has never missed a day, and is one of those who always wants the ball even when things aren't going well.

Q - It's been very enjoyable lately. If we are going to carry it on and mount a serious challenge next season, we need to clear out some of the dead wood. How easy is this going to be over the close season?

AP - starts by thanking URZ/Supporters' Club/HNA etc for all the theme days and events. Believes that since Pants Day, all the supporters' input has helped create a momentum that has greatly contributed to the change in fortunes at the club. The club paid big fees for poor players under the last management, but now there is an opportunity to change things: not only are some players coming to the end of contract, the return of the reserve team next season will give players a shop window to help get them taken on by other clubs.

Q - Which out of contract players will be kept, and which will be released?

AP - Hard to say, as there have been few contract negotiations at this point. Mass Sarr won't be here

Q - Will there be any money to attract new players if we can't even hold on to Linvoy?

AP - We CAN afford to hold on to Linvoy. The problem is that Linvoy thinks he is worth more than AP does. Believes he could go out and find another player as good, or better, than Linvoy for the money he's asking.

Q - Are you going to play the youngsters in the remaining games of the season?

AP - Yes. Wasn't going to do it while the team were doing badly, as this can destroy a young player. But now we'll see the younger players in games, but there will still be an emphasis on winning games above all.

Q - Which of the current youngsters will be able to make the step up to the first team?

AP - The ones who are most valuable to a club are strikers. If Darius Henderson and Nathan Tyson can make the grade then they could save the club serious money.

Q - Why didn't the club take on Andy Forbes, the non-league striker on trial here earlier in the year?

AP - He's a good player, with a good future in the game, and AP looked at him long and hard. But the consensus was that he wasn't quite up to the required standard to make it here.

Q - Would you consider re-signing Byron Glasgow?

AP - was very close to Byron, and tried to sort him out with a new club (Crawley Town.) But Byron's attitude was poor, he failed to turn up etc, and AP feels Byron let him down. So the answer is no.

Q - John Gorman talked a good game; Mad Dog shouts a good game. Any comments?

AP - John was a little unfortunate here as his departure coincided with the arrival of Matt Robinson, whose first game seemed to signal an upturn in our fortunes. But his heart really was in the job; it just didn't happen while he was here.

(Roger presents MA with a get well card signed by the assembled.)

MA - On the Thursday John Gorman left, MA got a call from AP, asking to meet him at a hotel near Slough. MA was in the pub at the time! After a couple of hours of talking football, MA took the job - knew immediately it was going to be great here. It's just starting, but it's going to big here, really big. Loves the job, has free rein to play his little games to get the players playing better.
But wants to see the stadium full, with a Mexican wave going round. It's a case of instilling belief in the team and the supporters, just like what happened at Portsmouth while MA was there - changing attitudes, getting the supporters on the side of the players and the club.
Thinks 11,000 is rubbish - we need more, much more. Take a greater interest - come to the training ground, bring your kids, it's free and fun, Alan will talk to you! Mad Dog will hit you with a stick!
(condensed from about 10,000 words which captivated the Forum!!)

Q - Where do you see the club in 5 years?

AP - The Premiership! We've got the money, and the stadium, and we're moving in the right direction with the football now too.

Q - When we become successful, will you 'Do a McGhee'?

AP - Said in his interview with the chairman that if he was backed he would never let the club down. The chairman has backed him. He won't leave.

Q - When TB2 was here, there was a lack of commitment on the pitch. That has all changed now, and it's great. Is there any chance of Mad Dog and Pards coming on for the last twenty minutes of this season's last match?!

AP - Re. Commitment, there is a positivity around the whole stadium that wasn't here before. There used to be really bad vibes around the place on match day and that would get through to the players. Now though it's excellent, really positive, and we need that to continue throughout our challenge next season.
(No comment on the second part of the question!)

Q - Is Martin Williams going to be retained?

AP - Don't know, he has his faults (not least of which is his regular absence from training!) We'll see!

Q - Sammy Igoe is too small for a Div 2 centre midfielder. Where does he fit in in the team?

AP - He'll be playing with Caskey on Saturday in the same team. Watch and find out! What is really still required is a winger, and that's what the priority is right now..

Q - Nathan Tyson was brilliant on the wing against Wycombe this week. What about him?

AP - He played very well. He's in the squad for Saturday's game at Meadow Lane, might well be on the bench. He's certainly got blistering pace - let's see how he gets on.

Q - Are we going to keep our Academy players or just sell them like we did with Shaun Allaway?

AP - Re. Shaun Allaway; the club has another good young goalkeeper in Jamie Ashdown, and the bids from both Spurs and Leeds were very good. After a lot of consideration, bearing in mind that Allaway still has a long way to go before he would have been pushing into the first team, they let him go. The deal really was a fantastic offer in monetary terms. In addition, Shaun's brother Ricky has really come out of his shell in defence since Shaun left, so as well as the money the club has an improved defender. Ricky was great at Wycombe in the B&B Cup, and will be in the squad on Saturday.

Q - What about Joey Beauchamp?

AP - We'll see. He's a good player, and he's on a Bosman, so….. He used to room with Martin at West Ham. (!!)

Q - But what about the rest of the Academy players, can we keep them?

AP - Yes. We'll keep as many as we possibly can. The better we do, the more likely we are to be able to keep them all. It's vital that young players come through the ranks, and it's something that the club hasn't had for a few years now.

Q - When we played Saints in the Youth Cup, we outplayed them but lost 2-1, unfortunately due to errors from Shaun Allaway. Comments?

AP - Agrees. We did play very well, and Allaway had a 'difficult' game. The youth team is very good, and soon AP hopes to be able to integrate the youngsters with the first team more easily. At the moment the academy players train at a different training ground to the senior squad!

Final comments
RT thanks everyone. Comments on the success of the A33 petition, and the events staged by URZ and its allies! Also introduces 4 new members of the RFSC committee to the meeting.

AP asks for more vocal support behind the North Stand goal. "Suck a few balls in there for me!"

Martin Brailli asks for pledges for the URZ flag.

RT announces a £100 donation to the flag fund from the players' pool amd £100 raised from tonight's raffle.

MA announces that the players have to train to his own personal taste in music, which is unfortunately also what everyone has to listen to before every match. Claims that we will soon be treated to the delights of Cliff Richard's "Congratulations" after each home win, a tune he remembers from the days watching his dad play at Elm Park! If you don't like it, complain to Boyd. It won't do any good though..
MEETING ENDS, NOISY CHEERS.