RFSC Fan's Forum
23 November 2000

RFSC Chairman Roger Titford welcomed all members and Alan Pardew (AP), Nigel Howe (NH), Boyd Butler(BB) and Simon Webster of Alexanders(SW) for the first half of the question and answer session.
There were about 120 members present.

Q To encourage junior supporters is it possible to have free or reduced prices?
NH We are always thinking of ways of 'incentivising' supporters in addition to the substantial amounts done in the community (schools etc). Also looking into family tickets and kid for a quid.
BB Young Royals only pay £3.50 and FA Cup prices have to be agreed with the other club, but 15,000 vouchers for under 16s will be given away for the FA Youth Cup game against Man U on 29 November.

Q It has rained for the last three home games and the steps have been very slippery.
NH Problem will be examined

Q Why are there no RFC calendars?
BB There will be for next year 2001.

Q What is the situation with the 12 players out of contract this summer?
AP We have a problem with so many out of contract so have decided to play an even hand and they know they have to perform to be offered a contract.
Reading can offer as good a contract as elsewhere and so if the players have done the business they will be staying.

Q What is the progress for a new Academy site?
NH This is the bane of my life. Still looking but need a 25 acre site with 60/40m indoor training facility and so deals done have failed at the planning stage.

Q Is the club planning videos of the best games this season?
BB We are currently working on a video to be out in time for Christmas.

Q What is being done to solve the problem of smoke in the concourse at half-time?
NH We have a quote for extractor fans of £32,000 and are currently thinking about it.

Q The Open Evening was a great success, will it be repeated and are there plans for other use of the stadium?
NH It was a brilliant night and we will have another next season
BB The Corrs and Tom Jones are currently planning tours next year but Reading as a town has an image problem and we are an unproven site so are trying hard to get known and get our first concert.

Q Is Gerard Lavin banned form the stadium as a member of the public would be for a similar offence?
NH A good question, to be investigated, but probably some FA rule will exempt him.

Q Can we have more pre-match entertainment?
BB We try to spare the pitch as much as possible, but open to suggestions - mail Boyd!

Q At the start of the season the TV in Shooters was not working is this another bulb problem?
SW There is a problem in bright sunlight as the screens reflect the light and so can be switched off then, but no problem now.

Q When is there going to be an improvement in the catering?
SW This is something we are constantly striving to make better. Having discussions with club about infrastructure and more outlets but despite doing our best we are aware we fail to make the mark.
NH McDonalds and Burger King both need to operate a 7 day a week outlet so they are no alternative. We are disappointed with the standard of service, and realise the design of the concourse bars was not correct - there will be 2 extra bars in the East Stand and a separation of food and drinks and then 4 extra serveries in the other stands. Any further expansion of the stadium will include a servery per 1000 extra supporters.

Q How do we buy a pie and a pint with different serveries?
RT Bring a mate?

Q Why are the staff so slow?
NH It is virtually impossible to get casual labour locally so staff come long distances and are seldom the same staff. Stewards are now offered a loyalty bonus and Alexanders should do the same so that training will pay dividends.

Q Can you change to price of a game to encourage numbers to the less popular games?
NH We decided not to put up prices bearing in mind the previous poor seasons, but will keep price strategy under review. 'Still have the highest wage bill in the league so we require a high income.' Also need to protect season ticket holders.

Q Are there any guidelines about removing netting between stands in inclement weather?
NH We cannot move the netting until after kick-off, but I am in the control room assessing whether this is necessary. As crowd size increases the possibility of no unreserved seating increases.

Q Who makes the decision - the club or the police?
NH We have few police games, they have been helpful but in overall terms the decision is taken after kick-off; it is a learning curve and reserved games help understand the crowd dynamics.

Q Will the fans consulted before making the decision about unreserved seating?
NH Of course, if it is an overwhelming 'no' we will listen but crowds in excess of 20,000 will have to be reserved as we cannot afford to lose the 10% of empty seats that has to be built into unreserved seating allocations.

Q Why was their no pre-match music last Saturday?
NH The PA failed, it is tested before the game but broke down 5 minutes before kick-off - it is all software driven and is now working again.

Q Which stands will be open for the Youth Cup game?
BB East and Lower West and if sufficient demand the other stands.

Q Why don't we ever have a Boxing Day match at home?
NH Not something we have specifically asked for. The only difficult time is August Bank Holiday (Reading festival). The club will ask for a Boxing Day match next year.

Q When the East Stand is at capacity why can't we use the South Stand if the away following is small?
NH When we need to we will.

Q The Open Evening was great success but what about merchandise for it?
BB There will be two new kits next year (home and away) and they will be available for the summer holidays and so assuming same Open Evening date they will be there. The home kit will be blue and white hoops.

Q Why should I pay £25 for Shooters membership when beer at the Hotel's Happy Hour is 40p a pint cheaper?
NH It is your choice but the hotel has a smaller capacity and will not be available for all fixtures so you may not get in.

Interval - at which AP drew the winning ticket for a raffle for two places in the RFSC Match ball sponsorship team, won by a lad called Adam.

The second half session involved Alan Pardew (AP), Nicky Hammond (NHd) and Barry Hunter (BH) talking about football matters.

Q Which days are Reading training next week so I can go and watch?
AP Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and the Reserves play Wednesday.

Q Following the recent England Manager fiasco would you be interested in the job?
AP (Laughs) Any manager would not want to be treated as Kevin Keegan was, and many managers think this attitude will not change. I spoke to Alan Curbishley and despite all the rumours, he has not been approached by the FA for any position.

Q Can we have a round of applause for the achievements of the management this season?
ALL Done with enthusiasm.

Q What does Pards feel he has learnt over the last two weeks?
AP We look at the games and analyse them, we felt satisfied after the Walsall game as, despite losing, we felt we outplayed them, but we lost our focus following this and training slipped. This last 10 days we have addressed this and made adjustments and changes as teams are now more familiar with our style.
BH We had a backlash after Walsall, but have worked very hard running an extra 20 miles since the Colchester game.

Q Whenever we have an attacking free kick the is no-one on the far post, why?
AP Martin covers set plays, and as we are not a big team, we need 10-15 goals per season from set plays. We went over them again today with some surprises for Granty on Saturday

Q Why don't you sit high in the stands?
AP I did last match but you can see nearly as much from pitchside and can address problems immediately. There is also a policing Martin role!

Q Why are reserve games 2pm ko when we're all at work?
NHd The agreement with Farnborough was most in afternoon but some (e.g. Oxford) will be evening. Afternoon ko allows for evening scouting as well..
AP Afternoon ko also means 6 hours more recovery and so the players can train on Thursday.

Q What are the prospects for the Youth Cup next week?
NHd It is a fantastic fixture to take over the Academy for and we have a good chance to win it. My aim is to get Academy players in the first team and hopefully they'll be Reading lads as well.

Q Barry, who do you think will be in the top 6 at the end of the season?
BH Our goal is promotion but we are still trying to win the league. Other teams - Millwall, Stoke, Bristol City, Wigan and Walsall but no-one is running away with it.

Q When the ref blew at half time in the Wycombe match why did you uncharacteristically run to the ref?
AP I asked whether with 15k fans in the stadium did he intend to be the star?

Q Why was Jamie Cureton left out at Walsall?
AP Jamie was out of favour at Rovers and was not particularly fit but I decided to stick him straight in to good effect. As we progressed I was not happy with his mental application or fitness levels. After 4-5 weeks we worked on his training tempo and he is now up to speed - stronger and fitter. It is not the case we will be leaving him out for away games.

Q In a 'league' of results from games played among the expected top 6 Walsall are top and we are bottom. Will
you buy at deadline day if this is still the case?
AP I have not finished bringing players to this club, I am happy with the squad as they are good enough but things happen and we have to move with it. The Chairman is committed to going up and trusts and backs me.

Q What is the injury situation and why does it seem to be the same players?
AP Nicky Forster had a terrible injury but should be back before deadline day. Adie was great until the knee injury - he has a questionable fitness record but he made such a difference he was worth a gamble - it has not yet paid off but he will be back. Murts has been fit for 6-7 weeks but Ricky Newman has kept him out of the team - yes, he does get a lot of injuries.

Q Where does Nicky Forster fit in when fit?
AP We need 5 top strikers to rotate to achieve promotion so room for him.

Q Our problem is midfield - Caskey should be in the centre but is not quick - with no pace we rely on long balls
AP When I came Caskey was playing in the centre and we were getting beaten - on the right of midfield (not wide) he got more time on the ball but now teams are wise to that and if he comes back to centre he will have to compete with Parky, Jones and Hodges for a place. To get a midfielder with pace we need to spend £1miilion so we use Caskey and Hodges with the backs to give pace.

Q Are we planning to give the youngsters a chance (Gamble, Tyson, Haddow, Henderson)?
AP We have a strong 11 on the pitch with a strong senior team below that and a U21 team below that. The U21 team are taught the right techniques but are not yet ready for the senior team especially going for promotion.

Q Is there truth in the rumour about Butts and Aston Villa?
AP No

Q Is Stuart Gray in the team for Saturday?
AP Rooster has trained for a week and so is in contention with Gray for Saturday (but don't tell Bournemouth!)

Q What is wrong with Sean Evers?
AP When he came he was injured and then played in the reserve team and looked a good player but turned away from good positions. He was not happy in the area, with the way he was treated and this reflected in his training and attitude to other players. I hope he gets a move or comes back and wants to play for Reading.

Q What did you do to Jimmy MacIntyre over the summer?
AP When he was put on the transfer list he was told the reasons and these have been addressed, he has worked hard and is focussed. He was worried by the goal-scorer tag he came with but now we've got Butler and Cureton he is now relaxed and effective up front now that is removed. He is unlucky not to be playing.

Q We have had many bookings for dissent - is there a fining system?
BH The bicycle outside is mine! There is a fining system 15% of wages for a booking.
AP The directors take a keen interest in the fouls and bookings. The fine for a sending off for dissent is a weeks wage. The bookings come through commitment and being focussed to win.

Q Some refereeing decisions have been diabolical?
AP Some referees have been disappointing - the one at Walsall was ref-ing his first game at this level and to be given a match like that is unfair - I took it up with the Referees Association.

Q Is Martin Allen's example relevant?
AP He is seen as threatening to our players but it really unsettles the other team. His coaching is disciplined and he is disciplined off the pitch. I have been reported twice and Martin has not!

Q Was he more frightening on crutches?
BH He couldn't run as fast. There is a method in his madness but the players are used to him. It is vital to have him on our side as he is so passionate.
AP Remember the Fans Forum of a year ago complaints about crowd size and lack of commitment from players and now there are complaints about a full stadium, getting served and bookings for dissent!

Q Which game have you enjoyed most?
AP After the game at Wycombe last year beating them here - defeats of Wycombe are always nice.

Q What happened last year against Bristol Rovers
AP Beating them in the AWS annoyed Ian Holloway and Martin got to the Bristol Rovers team in the tunnel down here, Holloway got a bit too agitated!

Q On Saturday Fletcher is the best centre forward in the division, will you play Barry against him and Mackie for Defoe ans Viveash missed every header against Grays?
AP Barry is unlucky not to be playing as John Mackie has come in - it's a good problem to face. Viveash was excellent at Walsall, good against Colchester but against Grays was trying too hard and mistiming.

Q Why was Mackie not used when Adie was injured in the Bristol City game?
AP I have known John Mackie for a long time and knew he could perform but thought it unfair on him to give him his debut when 3-0 down.

Q In the reserve match against Millwall Henderson seemed to have got extra pace?
NHd He came into the senior side with too much expectation. He has worked hard in the summer with Martin and the sports scientist and now is looking strong, fit and faster.

Q What prospects are there in the younger age groups?
NHd We have U9 to U16, U17 and U19. We are very strong in the younger age groups and now looking at the coaching staff. They play at Cantley Park Sundays at 11am. Our aim is to give them an affinity with the club so that they don't want to go elsewhere.

Q WIll you see the Man Utd youth team before we play them?
NHd No we concentrate on what we have to do as do all the teams in the club.

Q from AP I have got funding for the Band in the stadium but they have been verbally abused. How can we get the crowd going?
Beard Band has worked but will only appear a few times a year.
RFSC are banging the drum (literally) to help but the drum needs to integrate with a band of singers to keep momentum.
Appeal for any fans who can play instruments

BH the atmosphere at the Oxford game was great and last year the team listened for Terry and June in the warm up and in the match

Forum ended with a round of applause for the speakers.