Reading Matter Autumn 2010

8/8/2019 Reading Matter Autumn 2010

1/32

READING MATTERAUTUMN 2010

STARSUPPORTERS TRUST AT READING

YOUNG STAR MEMBERS ON THEIR DAYOUT


2/32

2

We were wondering when thefirst anniversary date was?

Oh what big ears you haveGrandma

Pondering. A man and his pipeat peace

Do Wine Gums count asalcohol on the coach, Colin?

STAR SHOTS


3/32

3

Published on behalf of STARReading Football Supporters Society Ltd. trading as STAR

Main Cover PictureEx-Reading Players v Gunners charity game. See page 14

EDITORSWendie Wakefield / Esther Madden / Nathan Wakefield / Pete Vickery

EDITORS COMMENTS

This is being written on the coach returning from the Burnley game.A group of Burnley supporters have just indicated that the finalscore was two nil. Funny I thought the final score was four nil.I like winning. It sets you up for the next game and the days thatfollow, suddenly begins to look a whole lot better.

Come on URZ.

In this edition have taken a look at some different football relatedsubjects. Thank you to Esther Madden, Alan Sedundary, Paul Ellix,

Richard Wickson and Steve Prince for their articles. As STARsponsor the ex-players team shirts we thought we would featurethem in this issue. The cover photographs were taken at theirrecent charity game. (How Wendie managed to slip into a pictureof Adie Williams we still have not managed to figure out). Onpage 25 you will find a list of events for this year. All the usualfavourites plus the new event of A Question of Sport. Keep an eyeon our web page for details of this one. Ive been told theres aRFC team coming along. I wonder who?

STAR CONTENTS

CONTENTS

Chairmans Notes.Page 4 / Annual General Meeting.Page 5Fans Forum: Brian.Page 8

Ex-Players Association.Page 14 / Our Last Game.Page 15Away Grounds : Your Views.Page 16 / Homeless World Cup.Page 18

A Tribute to Roy.Page 20 / Our Questions Count.Page 21Living Next Door to Ivar.Page 22 / STAR Events.Page 25

Flag Running .Page 25 / Committals, Community and Clubs.Page 26Eighty Years Young.Page 28 / Meet the Board.Page 31


4/32

4

Hello again, welcome to the first Reading Matter of the season, andespecially to those reading this in its electronic form. The cost inprinting, postage and effort of sending out a paper version isconsiderable and we appreciate being able to deliver thiselectronically.

At the time of writing we are 10 games into the season and sitting in7th, which is a decent start and if only we had not shipped somesilly goals we could be pushing QPR hard. Still lets hope Colin*has a similar experience at QPR as he had at Sheffield United whenwe stormed past them. But there again maybe we cant managethat twice in a decade!

The last few games have been more entertaining to watch anddespite some early misgivings the squad has shown that it hassome depth, and that the younger lads are now showing that, givensome time on the pitch, they really can step up to the mark (I tried tosay that without the clichs but they fit and maybe that is why theyare clichs!). To sum it up I look forward to every game at themoment and enjoy the wins especially so no change there.

STAR is still attending the regular management meetings at RFC

so, as we are there to represent you, please do contact us aboutanything you would like to ask the management, or even betterenable us to tell them of ways they can make the footballexperience better for all. We post details of the matters discussedon our website; so have a look and give us feedback on subjects weshould raise.

I would like to welcome Nathan, Ian and Pete to the STAR Board, allof whom have already been helping us over the past season. Wewelcome members who want to help, without necessarily

committing to standing for election, to join our teams it can be aless intimidating way of getting involved so if you think you mightlike to help please get in touch. I would also like to thank Jon verymuch for his efforts as vice-chair and look forward to Michelescontribution as the new vice-chair and I am sorry he has decided tostep down from the board.

You can contact us at the STAR Base or at [email protected].

* For those who do not know Colin is Neil Warnock and no I wont

explain it here!

CHAIRMANS NOTES


5/32

5

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

READING FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS SOCIETY LTD

T/A STAR (Supporters Trust At Reading)Minutes of 8th Annual General Meeting26th August 2010 at 8pm at the Madjeski Stadium

Present:Paula Martin (Chairman)Gerry McGreevy (Treasurer)Elected board members:

Colin BishopHelen BullenPaul EllixMichele LawWendie WakefieldChris Witcher

Minutes taken by Teresa Hicks (Secretary).

Apologies: from Sybil Ford, Jon Keen, Trevor Mossman,Gordon Neate and Phil Parkinson.

1/ The chairman welcomed STAR members to the 8th annual gen-eral meeting.

2/ The minutes of the 7th AGM held on 27th August 2009 wereapproved as a true record of that meeting.Proposed: Denny Fullbrook Seconded: Bryan Dennis

3/ Three candidates were standing for election to the board. Mich-ele Law and Wendie Wakefield were re-elected to the board andNathan Wakefield was elected as a new board member. All wereelected unopposed. The chairman then introduced all the boardmembers to the audience and explained their individual roles and

responsibilities.

4/ The chairman gave her report for the year ended 30 June 2010.STAR had fulfilled most of its usual roles, including the following:four fans forums;

- a quiz night;- campaigns (a dossier was produced following the fracas atWest Bromwich);- ESTAR (increased frequency and electronic distributionwhere possible);

()


6/32

6

- website improvements;

- issues of Reading Matter;- coach travel to away matches;- representation at RFC senior management meetings.

The chairman thanked all the board members and volunteers fortheir help throughout the year which is vital and very muchappreciated.

This years award for services to supporters of Reading footballclub was given to Graham Loader for his work with Hob NobAnyone? the unofficial fans website.

5/ Treasurers report. Gerry McGreevy gave his report and pre-sented audited accounts for the year ended 30 June 2010. Therewere no questions and the accounts were accepted.Proposed: Chris Wilkins Seconded: Andy Povet

6/ It was proposed that Vale and West were reappointed asauditors and this was carried unanimously.Proposed: Nathan Wakefield; Seconded: Melanie Bishop.

7/ A resolution to amend the Rules as follows:a/ Amendment to Rule 2.Proposed by Paul Ellix; Seconded by Dave Strawn.Delete full stop at the end of the rule and insert the followingparagraphs:viii) to develop links with supporters of other football clubs in thefurtherance of the enjoyment of the game for all supportersix) to campaign in support of bona fide supporters organisations onfootball-related matters of mutual or unilateral interest or concern.b/ Insert a new Rule 12A.

Proposed by Michele Law; Seconded by Gordon McGheeThe Society will have power to reward any person who is a memberof the Society that it considers has made a creditable, long-termand noteworthy contribution to the Society by conferring lifemembership of the Society. Life members will not be required topay an annual membership subscription but will be entitled to voteat any general meeting of the Society as they are a registeredholder of a fully paid up share in the Society.c/ Amendment to Rule 67.Proposed by Helen Bullen; Seconded by Peter Matthews

(


7/32

7

The current rule 67 is:

Meetings of the Society Board may be called either by the Secre-tary, or by a notice in writing given to the Secretary by the chair ofthe Society Board, or by two Society Board members who are notboth elected by the members of the Society or both co-opted Boardmembers, specifying the business to be discussed. The Secretaryis to communicate every such notice to all Society Board membersas soon as possible and the meeting is to be held at a venuedecided by the Secretary not earlier than seven days and not laterthan fourteen days after the receipt by the Secretary of the notice.Should the Secretary fail to convene the meeting, the Chair or the

two Society Board members who have given the notice in writingmay call the meeting. No business is to be done at the meetingother than the business specified in the notice.The proposal is, in the first sentence, to delete the words:who are not both elected by the members of the Society or bothco-opted Board membersThe revised rule 67 to read:Meetings of the Society Board may be called either by theSecretary, or by a notice in writing given to the Secretary by thechair of the Society Board, or by two Society Board members,

specifying the business to be discussed. The Secretary is tocommunicate every such notice to all Society Board members assoon as possible and the meeting is to be held at a venue decidedby the Secretary not earlier than seven days and not later thanfourteen days after the receipt by the Secretary of the notice.Should the Secretary fail to convene the meeting, the Chair or thetwo Society Board members who have given the notice in writingmay call the meeting. No business is to be done at the meetingother than the business specified in the notice.

All rule amendments were agreed unanimously.

8/ Any other business: It was asked whether the dossier compiledfollowing the WBA stewarding problems would be given any widerpublicity. The chairman replied that probably not but that Jon Keenwas dealing with it and he was not present at the meeting tocomment.

The chairman closed the meeting.


8/32

8

FANS FORUM : BRIAN26th August 2010

Wendie Wakefield welcomed Brian McDermott (BM) to the forumand began by asking some questions sent in advance.

How have you enjoyed being manager of Reading so far andwhat have been the highlights and lowlights?

BM: Ive loved it and obviously I really loved it on Tuesday night[against Northampton]!! Actually that was the worst. It was horrible.I know we werent very good but that last two or three minutes theref missed a stonewall penalty and then came up with over fourminutes of extra time. When the ball went out for a corner he saidcarry on. The fourth official told him the three minutes were up andhe could blow for the end of the game and he carried on. I know wedidnt play well but we should have won 3-2. The highlights arewinning and losing is the worst. The best for me was the cup gameat West Brom. We needed a goal and I could hear everyone saying

put on another striker, the fans were saying it, the coaches weresaying it, the team were saying it but I felt something special wouldhappen. Then Brian got that equaliser and Gylfi got the winner.Then there was the row on the pitch afterwards.

How irritating is it to see clubs with financial problems livingbeyond their means, do you think the FL rules in this area arestrong enough, would you change them if you could?BM: Yes I would. How Cardiff can sign Craig Bellamy and JasonKoumas... and Portsmouth signed Sonko... and Hull. It keepsgoing on. It wouldnt happen in business. I think its completely


9/32

9

wrong.

Its not ideal but are you secretly hoping that a big bid is madefor one of our players, and if one is made would you see any ofthe money coming into team rebuilding?BM: If a big bid came in the club would have to look at it. It couldhappen at the weekend but there wouldnt be much time for us todo anything. It would have to be a big bid, then we could react. Weare just waiting at the moment.

Why has there been no move to bring in a central defender?Are there any youngsters coming through who you think couldmake it as a centre back at this level?BM: It comes down to money, Ive already spoken about that.Centre backs need to have some experience. Thats why I gotKhizanishvili and Andy Griffin in last season. Pearce is young andplaying.

Marcus Williams has yet to really catch the eye, how longwould you expect it to be to start seeing more of what he isabout?BM: He needs to get better. I watched him at Scunthorpe. Hes agood athlete but he is not playing at the level he can yet. But weare working on him and working on his understanding with Jobi.

If Marcus Williams and Chris Armstrong were fully fit, whowould you play?BM: Hands up!

What was the thinking behind advising Scott Davies and DaveMooney that they are free to move one? General consensuson Scott is that he looks a promising player and Dave Mooney

has never had a real chance at Reading.BM: Scott needs to move on for his career. As did James Henry.We are quite strong in the centre of pitch, weve got Jake Taylorand Tabby. As for Dave, I know him well. He needs to play gamesand he doesnt fit into my plans at the moment.

Where do you think the best positions are for Bell-Baggie,Jake Taylor, Bignall and Hal Robson-Kanu?BM: Abdulai on the right wing. Jake off the striker, Bignall alsooff the striker and Hal on the left wing.


10/32

10

Its great to see youngsters like Jordan Obita and Lawson

DAth given squad numbers. How much more development isneeded before they would be considered for a league match?BM: With youngsters you cant blood a lot of them at the same time.You have to put them in when they are ready, as with Simon andAlex. We are in good shape regarding youngsters.

And good shape regarding goalkeepers?BM: Yes weve got really good keepers as you have seen in thelast two games!! Both of them have been devastated. Adam hasbeen fantastic for us, I told him and showed him clips. Ben Hamer

was really distraught. But I told him it wasnt down to just him, itwas everyone, manager, staff, everyone.

27 of our goals in 2010 have been scored by midfielders andonly 22 by our strikers. This is a fairly poor return and thisseason only Rasiak has scored and hes no longer here. IsNoel Hunt really going to make a difference or do we needanother striker?BM: Strikers are not easy to get and they are also expensive. Ithink we will score goals from all over, especially our midfield andwide players. But yes, the strikers need to chip in with more goalsand Noel will make a difference.

When is Shane Long going to score?BM: When the ball crosses the line! On Saturday! Our strikers getsome stick up against big defenders, Church at Portsmouth andShane against Morgan and Wilson.

How did you feel about having to play a Carling Cup game thesame week as an international break and on the same day asthe home nations were playing?BM: It was quite ridiculous. We had half our team missing for theTorquay match and they tell us to take the cup seriously.

International breaks, welcome or unwelcome?BM: Im glad this time as weve got so many injuries and knocks soits a good time this time. But not always.

Can you explain the use of 4-5-1 or 4-2-2-1-1 or whatever youwant to call it? Last season it made us solid and difficult tobeat but its continued use in some games seems strange as I


11/32

11

dont think it brings out the best use of the strikers we have. I

think we would get more out of 2 up front allowing the strikersto play off a target.BM: I think if wed played 4-4-2 against Forest we would have lost.Its not all about the system. Weve got Gylfi and last season webuilt the team around him. Our wingers were flying. So nopreference, not really. I am just trying to win games. We wouldhave struggled against Forest if I had taken off a midfielder.

Questions from the floor.

Are there some referees who have something against us?BM: I dont like to whinge about referees. When I see them beforea match I dont usually recognise their face, thats how it is.

I think we all enjoyed last season when we were passing it onthe ground, but why oh why does Federici keep kicking it up inthe air? Weve got Shane Long up against massive defendersand they keep humping it up so why 5 in midfield? Why hasthe system changed this season, it reminds me of the last yearof the Steve Coppell era. Everyone goes across to one side ofthe pitch at goal kicks. Ive had enough of humping, what is

your reason, Im struggling to understand.BM: So am I! Give us some time. I know what youre saying and Idont want to hump it up. At the moment we have not got thestability in the team with lots of injuries. Griffins picked up aninjury, Marcus is brand new. I dont disagree but it will come. Weneed to get it to wide areas and crosses in, that will come, but itdidnt the other night. I dont want long balls. Federici might haveto vary that. Shane Long can flick it on to Jimmy or Jobi.

Judging by the start weve made do you think a lot of teams

have sussed us out?BM: Lets see where we are in 20 games time. Come back and seehow were doing at Christmas.

But would there be time or would it be loans?BM: We will see. If it is Sunday that gives us 2 days.

Other clubs are spending money, are they stronger with theirchairmen?BM: This is how it is. If you want me to go down the Billy Davies


12/32

12

route, well its not me, and he doesnt last long at clubs.

When John Barnes was at Liverpool he used his big backsideto shield the ball. Weve got Hal Robson-Kanu and I can seethe same thing in him. Didnt Nigel Gibbs used to play withJohn Barnes at Watford, cant he work with Robson-Kanu?BM: Ill give him a shout!

What is a realistic expectation this season?BM: All I can concentrate on is winning the next game and the nextgame is Leicester. On the 1st September I will know the squad Ive

got. I am ambitious and I want us to do very well. The last coupleof games have galvanised me even more. Im sure we will do well.

At games there is a lot of banter with the fans, are there anychants you like or dont like?BM: I cant hear a lot of it but we do hear the pre-match build up.Do you remember the video that was played before games in the05/06 season, well my brother is a big Spurs fan and he came hereand said it was the best match build up he had ever seen. We aretrying to get that back, when we hear URZ in the tunnel it gives theplayers a buzz. We must win games at home. You should becareful what you say, the players hear a lot and when some bloketells Kebe youre useless he often knows he is! Even if everyoneelse is cheering they only hear that.

Do you hear Brian give us a wave?BM: Yes.

You seem to have a genuine relationship with the fans, it wasnoticeable at Torquay.BM: That wasnt the best game of football. When the wallcollapsed, it was like going back to the 80s. Im embarrassed whenwe dont win. After Tuesday the last thing I want to do is come hereand face you lot. I take on board what you say. Losing spurs meon. I didnt sleep Tuesday night. I was as irritated with the refereeas much as our performance.

What do you think of the goal celebration music?BM: I dont mind what it is as long as we score goals. Do you likeit? [General response of No.] BM: OK Ive got the message.


13/32

13

John Madejski says he want to get us back in the premier

league. He wont do it with this budget.BM: I cant speak for him. Just have to wait and see.

When we got into the premier league it was a combination offactors and making the best use of what we had. Can youunderstand fans frustrations. We want to build a cohesiveside where everyone knows their jobs and who supports who is this is more important than getting players in?BM: Consistency is key. We had a very consistent team at theback end of last season. The team picked itself more or less every

match. Thats how I want it and how I want to build a team.

Steve Sidwell would you sign him?BM: It would be nice, but no probably not.

What happened with Steve Coppell?BM: I spoke to him. I know the story.

How much pressure do you put yourself under to get results?BM: I think we are not not doing well but we have not got thepoints. We have to win the next game against Leicester. Defeatsare very hard to take, and they are ten times as bad as victories aregood. A defeat ruins a weekend, but you have to try to move on asquickly as possible.

Thank you for coming along and joining us this evening we are alllooking forward to the rest of the season.


14/32

14

EX-PLAYERS ASSOCIATIONRichard Wickson

The Association

The Association was founded in 1997. It includes Ex-players andmanagers of Reading Football Club having played/managed atFootball League level. The Association currently stands at over 160members, having made over 17,500 league and cup appearances.Its members span six decades from the 1940s to the present day.Almost half of Reading FCs 139 year existence.

The Association is a charitable, non-profit making organisation. Itsfunding relies on sponsorship and donations from private andcommercial patrons.

During our ten years existence, we have successfully raised over40,000 towards local and national charities and needy causes.

In 2002 Sir John Madejski OBE DL agreed to become theAssociations Patron.

In 2003 we received acknowledgement and official recognition fromthe Professional Footballers Association (P.F.A.)

In 2010 the Association became Founder Members of BritishAlliance of Former Player Associations (BAFPA).

The Associations chosen charity for 2010 is the Duchess Of KentHouse Charity . (see www.dokhc.org.uk)

Its Aims

To reunite ex-colleagues and team mates. Through socialevents such as reunions; Golf days etc.

To support and promote Reading Football Club. Throughpromotional activities i.e, book signings; appearances,pre-match hosts, etc.

To raise funds for local and national charitable organisa-tions. Through our own Ex-Players XI football team;reunions, social events etc.

To support and promote the welfare of its members.Through its links with the P.F.A and other professional

bodies.


15/32

OUR LAST GAME : UNTIL NEXT TIME

15

Royals shot down by The Gunners

Sunday, 12 September 2010

The Second Annual Charity Football Match in memory of Readingfan Sean Leahy helped raise much needed funds for two veryworthwhile causes, The Duchess of Kent House Charity and theTeenage Cancer Trust.

Sean passed away after a brave fight against Bowel Cancer at theage of just 27 in October 2008. Sean's brother, Danny, organizedthe afternoon's event and said, "Sean passed away in the Duchessof Kent House in Reading and this is only a small way in which myfamily and I can show our appreciation for the great care hereceived."

Arsenal won 3-2, despite Reading fielding a team that read like anA-Z of Reading football legends. Reading took an early lead whenAndy Gray, rounded Arsenal keeper and "Big Brothers" star,"Ziggy" and scored after only two minutes. Gray extended TheRoyals lead on 20 minutes only for Arsenal to pull one back throughTony Murtagh close to half-time.

Arsenal, containing former Arsenal players and stars from TV,stage and screen, equalised through another Murtagh effort. Thegame looked to be heading for a draw until "Damned United" actorGiles Alderson, drove a low shot passed the Reading defence togive The Gunners the win. But the true winners of the afternoonwere the Duchess of Kent House Charity and the Teenage CancerTrust.

The Ex-Reading XI were: John Bates, Tim Dellor (BBC RadioBerkshire), Mark Matthews, Mick Gooding, Andy Gray, Jordan

Norris, Keith Scott, Adie Williams, Johnny Fordham (Reading Post),Matt Stowe


16/32

AWAY GROUNDS : YOUR VIEWSEveryone who contributed

16

Weve been compiling an Away Grounds guide at www.STAR-

Reading.org to help those who travel to see our team play.Now its your turn to tell us exactly what you thought. Heres aselection of your comments.

TorquayWhat can you say about Torquay - well, the walls could bestronger. Three modern stands, terraced, fairly basic facilities, onelittle refreshment kiosk (that's giving it some grandeur that it doesn'tdeserve!). View was good, but it was a shallow terrace too lowdown. Stewarding was almost non-existent - they wouldn't let

people take pictures of the wall but were generally good naturedand professional. Fewer toilet facilities than elsewhere. Torquayis a perfectly good ground for their division so for the facilitiesa 5 out of 10.

PortsmouthPortsmouth - in my opinion it is one of the worst grounds in thecountry but has some of the best atmosphere, no leg room but thatdidn't matter as everyone stood up. Pompey is an experience, ifyou can blot out the bell and the shoddy facilities it is an ok

experience, if you hate the bell you won't enjoy the day. It felt verysafe wandering around. Pompey's facilities are held up on breezeblocks!! Although it had three times as many cubicles in the ladiesat Pompey than Torquay, the gents at Portsmouth are totallyinadequate. The stewarding was almost non-existent. Portsmouthneed a new ground, but their fans are brilliant. Portsmouth gets a4.5 out of 10.

LeicesterI love Leicester, most people complain that you are in the corner soyou get a strange perspective, and also some people say there isinsufficient leg-room - I do not have that problem!! Very nice newmodern ground, clean and great view, a good, noisy passionateatmosphere that is not threatening. Leicesters facilities are as youwould expect at a new modern ground, - Leicesters toilets were abit cramped which is unusually for a new stadium. Leicester alwaysseems a great away day for all types of fans, a brilliant day eachtime, and really pleasant hosts. Stewarding at Leicester fairlyrelaxed. Slight issue with the safety at Leicester but generally veryfriendly and felt more than safe in the local areas. They also haveslightly cheaper prices. Leicester gets an 8 out of 10.

(


17/32

17

Millwall

Not a bad ground. Had the crack with a few of their bruisers in theirclub shop before match. No problems at all. No atmosphere, notrouble, rubbish fans. It wasnt a scary place to go in the slightest.Good policing, good "low-touch" stewarding, no problems at all.Food is always popular with the curry and chips. The view is ok butI hate heights. Pretty standard ground, decent leg room but I amshort, and there is not a lot nearby to the ground. The facilities arespacious and clean!! Programme and food were standard prices,even for London. For value for money, we give Millwall a 6 outof 10.

MiddlesbroughAfter 5+ hours of travelling it's not exactly the greatest ground in thecountry, there is a decent selection of food, pretty good view,helpful and friendly stewards. Again there is little to do in the areaunless you want to look at the boats! The locals are nice and it'sgreat unless you concede after 24 seconds and lose the match!Value for money, considering the cost of travel, tickets - andlosing - it has to be a 4/10 for Boro.

PrestonAtmosphere was cool - cold though! One steward who was near mehad a bit of an attitude, but other than that it was ok. Shocked Icould buy Stella in the concourse!Stewards - personally didn't evennotice they were there. Game - probably deserved all 3 points butc'est la vie (especially as Preston could have had a penalty in thelast minute). Karacan's goal is definitely one of the best goals I'veseen a Reading player score. Chavvy Preston supporters to ourright nuff said: rolls eyes. Preston is probably a 7 out of 10.

Thank you. There will be more in next issue. Keep them coming.


18/32

18

THE HOMELESS WORLD CUPPaul Ellix

The 2008 tournament was held in Melbourne, Australia, from 1-7

December. National Teams from 56 nations gathered competed.Amongst them, for the first time, eight all-female teams competed inthe Homeless Women's World Cup. Afghanistan won the men'stitle, defeating Russia 5-4 in the final. Zambia won the inauguralHomeless Women's World Cup, defeating Liberia 7-1 in the final.

In 2010, in Rio, 64 teams will participate.

Players must:Be at least 16 years old at the time of the tournament;

Have been homeless at some point after the previous year's WorldCup;ORMake their main living income as a street paper vendor;ORBe asylum seekers (who have neither positive asylum statusnor working permit).

Games are 14 minutes long (2 halves of 7 minutes) with squads ofeight players; teams of 4 (3 outfield players and a goalkeeper)

being on the field at any one time, with rolling substitutions allowed.

The field is 22m (long) x 16m (wide), with a boundary fence 1metrehigh. In each group game the winning team gets 3 points. In theevent of a draw there is a penalty shoot out with the losing teamgetting 1 point.

The Impact

The Homeless World Cup demonstrates a remarkable impact on itsparticants. Over 70% of players significantly change their lives as aresult of being involved.

Research conducted 6 months after the Copenhagen 2007tournament reveals that from the 381 players involved : 93% have a new motivation for life (354players); 83% have improved social relations (316 players); 71% have significantly changed their life (271 players); 29% found employment (110 players); 38% improved their housing situation (145 players); 32% went into education (122 players);


19/32

19

118 players addressed a drug or alcohol dependency; and

71% now play football on a regular basis (271 players).

Changing Hearts and Minds

The Homeless World Cup has been a successful means to raiseawareness of homeless issues and improve the image of homelesspeople in the general public.

Media coverage around the whole Copenhagen event wasexcellent with people who are homeless portrayed in a positive

light. CNN ran a Public Sector Announcement two weeks beforeand during the tournament to the value of $600,000, which wasalso supported by MTV in Copenhagen to the value of $150,000.

Interest in attending the tournament in Copenhagen was great.Approximately 100,000 people watched the Homeless World Cup inthe Town Hall Square throughout the week.

From 160 spectators surveyed before watching a game atthe Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup 20% admitted anegative perception of homeless people, 21% stated no opinionand 58% claimed a positive view. After watching a game theirviews had shifted significantly with 85% claiming a positiveperception, 12% had no opinion and only 1% shared a negativeview.

Government and public opinion in Copenhagen declared thetournament a resounding success.

If you want to know more STAR will be inviting a representativefrom the Homeless World Cup to a Fans Forum later this season.

The next Homeless World Cup will be Paris 2011The Homeless World Cup website is http://hwc.loft-dev.com

HOMELESSWORLD CUP


20/32

20

TRIBUTE TO ROY

A Plaque to commemorate the life of Roy Tranter a formerReading Football Club Director and STAR President who died in2008 was unveiled by Joan Tranter and Sir John Madejski beforethe Ipswich game on Tuesday 28th September.

Located by the stadium Megastore, the plaque is a reminder of aman who many supporters regarded as a legend, particularly forpreventing the merger of our club with Oxford United. ToReading Football Club and Reading Fans he was a David toRobert Maxwells Goliath. Robert Maxwell believed that Might wasright, Roy taught him that Right was Might. We are richer forknowing Roy and poorer for his passing.


21/32

21

OUR QUESTIONS COUNT

STAR are always being asked by supporters to convey situations

and grievances to the club. We have various ways of doing this.One way is raising them during our monthly management meetingbetween Reading Football Club and STAR.

Recently we questioned why the four bus routes were cancelled atthe beginning of the season and pointed out the problems a lot ofsupports were having as they relied on those buses. RFC wereforced to question the decision and the buses on these routes arenow back in place.

We also asked if RFC were going to ban vuvuzelas after their popu-larity (or unpopularity) during the recent World Cup. RFC answeredwas that they were not keen on vuvuzelas, but saw little mileage inbanning them and did not anticipate any problems with them. Thisdecision proved correct.

We were also asked to comment about the design of the shirtschanging yet again. We asked what the decision process was incoming up with a new shirt . The club responded that the processstarts in October, when they are shown a range of new designs by

Puma. A number of these wont be suitable for our hooped shirtsand the club like to have a design that is talked about. The playingdepartment then also have an input, and the Chairman also likes toapprove the final design. Last years design made it difficult forsupporters and players to see names and numbers on the back ofshirts so that was a consideration this year. These processes haveto be completed 16-20 weeks before the July launch. Pumascontract runs for another two seasons and the club feel that theyhave a high quality product whilst producing one of the lowestpriced shirts in English Football.

We have also questioned the change to the music after we score agoal. Initially RFCs response was that no music didnt seem to bean option and they had already vetoed the option of each playerhaving his favourite tune. RFC said that they were not going backto Tom Harkas everyone used that now so new tunes were tried.We let them know that Jump Aroundwas disliked. Now to due topopular opinion we have gone back to Chase the Sun, music thatmost of us can live with if not all.

Make your voice heard by contacting us at [email protected]


22/32

22

LIVING NEXT DOOR TO IVAREsther Madden

Ivar is the perfect neighbour, says Graham Stirling when I meethim at his house in Crowthorne. Hes lived here for seventeenyears now since moving from Norfolk and the neighbours from

hell! Luckily for him, for the last three years hes been living next-door to Ivar Ingimarsson and his family. When Ivar appears theychat together like old friends.

I like to have a word after a match, says Graham.

But depending on how the game went, I might not answer back,jokes Ivar.

Graham didnt know who Ivar was when he moved in as he wasnt

a Reading supporter. He and his wife, Shelagh went round with abottle of wine and a card and theyve been chatting over the fenceever since. Graham is Secretary for the Forest Green RoversSupporters Trust, so football naturally came up in their conversa-tions. Now Graham likes to know how Reading are doing and Ivarlooks out for the Forest Green Rovers results.

But Im not a Forest Green fan, adds Ivar, quickly. I wouldnt gothat far.

Like all good neighbours, they take in parcels for each other, pet


23/32

23

each others cats and do odd jobs for each other.

If Ivar ever wants another job after football, he could become atree surgeon, says Graham. The Reading centre-half has beenknown to climb ladders to trim the tall trees that surround his home,a job that Graham is happy to let him do. These same trees alsosave Ivar from going round to Grahams house to ask for his ballback although Shelagh says only that morning she threw back afew balls that came from Ivars kids who were playing in the garden.

Graham and Shelagh love to spoil the children. When Ivars son

wanted sponsoring for a school charity project, they were only toohappy to put their names down and Ivar was with him when theyoung boy called round to collect his money.

We hear them in the garden, she says. Ivar talks to the childrenin Icelandic but they answer in English. Ivars aim is to bring themup to speak both languages and Shelagh agrees that this is thebest way for them to learn to be bilingual.

The children go to the local school and Ivar can sometimes be seenout with them as the children cycle around the roads where theylive. Cycle paths are something he feels passionately about. Youhave to be brave to cycle here. Back in Iceland you can cycle towork in any neighbourhood without crossing a road. If more cyclepaths were built it would solve several problems: creating jobs tobuild the infrastructure, less pollution, children wouldnt be so obeseand maybe it would get Graham to exercise more instead of justtalking about it.

Graham laughs but he agrees.

Another good thing about having Ivar living next door is thatGraham can learn about a different culture. There not being manyIcelanders in the world means Ivar likes to tell others about whatIceland has to offer. Already it looks like he may have persuadedGraham to get out his walking shoes and take a holiday there.Graham has been reading up and is intrigued by the Icelandic food- especially a delicacy made from shark meat buried for a fewmonths then hung up to dry for several more months. It turns outthat Ivars children like too although his wife doesnt and makes himkeep it outside because of the smell.


24/32

24

Its called Hkarl, says Ivar. This turns out to be another benefit ofhaving an Icelander living next door as he can teach Graham howto pronounce Icelandic words. Although, whilst Ivar can sayEyjafjallajkull (the Icelandic volcano which erupted recently)Graham and I just stand in awe. Ivar doesnt think its worthGraham learning Icelandic. Youd only be able to speak to 300,000people. If we were polar bears we would be a protected species.

Ivar has got Graham to read some Icelandic literature. On findingout that Graham liked crime fiction, he leant him a book by ArnaldurIndriason. Graham now has a whole set of his books and the twohave swapped dvds of dramatisations of his books. Halldr

Laxness is another Icelandic author Graham has read on Ivarsrecommendation, one whom Ivar is particularly proud of as he wonthe Nobel Prize for Literature. So of course I am going to tell myneighbour about him.

Ivar has moved around a bit since coming to England from Icelandto join Torquay, so, does he think neighbours are different here toanywhere else he has lived?

No, he says at first, but admits that back in the small fishing

village he comes from in Iceland everyone knew everyone as theyall worked together, went to school together and were alwaysdropping by for a drink or a chat. Kids knocked and ask friends outto play. Here, it sometimes feels like you have to have aninvitation. Maybe that will come when his kids get older.

We dont like to invade your privacy, says Graham. We respectthat youve got your own life. You could live in a gated house likeDavid Beckham, but you dont.

Im not that famous, says Ivar. If I cut myself off, people wouldonly ask more questions. The few kids who knock at his doorasking for autographs have never bothered him.

In fact, Ivar sees himself as no different to anyone else justbecause hes a footballer. You are your neighbour, he says. Itsgood to know your neighbour; its good for communities.

He also believes in coincidences, that they happen for a reasonand it appears no coincidence that Graham and Ivar have ended up

living next door to each other as they both clearly get a lot out of it.


25/32

25

STAR EVENTS

As usual we are beginning to put together a series of events for

your diary. So far the provisional list looks as follows:

Tuesday 23rd November 2010Fans Forum : Stewards and Policing.This will be held Madjeski Stadiums BAR 1871, which has excellentviews over looking the pitch from the southwest corner.

Thursday 27th January 2011Fans Forum : PlayersThis will be held in The Princess Suit with some of our top playerscoming along to answer your questions.

Thursday 24th February 2011 A Question of Sport

Thursday 17th March 2011Fans Forum : Ex-PlayersWe are again hoping to hold this in BAR 1871 with its pitch sideviews once again on view.

Wednesday 20th April 2011

Our Famous Quiz NightAll the usual interesting questions, hopefully easier than last year.This again is due to be held in The Princess Suit.

Our Number 13 flag is due to be run before the following games:

Saturday 13th November 2010 - Norwich CitySunday 26th December 2010 - Bristol CitySaturday 5th February 2011 - Queens Park RangersSaturday 2nd April 2011 - PortsmouthSunday 8th May 2011 - Derby County

If you sit in the East Stand, are over sixteen and would like to comeand give us a hand, come along to STAR Base and ask forPete Vickery. If Im not there leave your name and telephoneor seat number and Ill get back to you.

FLAG RUNNING


26/32

26

COMMITTALS, COMMUNITY AND CLUBSSteve Prince RFC Chaplin

What on earth has a service of committal got to do with football?

You might well ask! The introduction of seating in most of our majorstadia around the UK has enabled a growing sense of communityamong football supporters. We find ourselves sitting aroundthe same faithful people, week after week. New relationships areformed and lives are shared as games are watched, digested andtalked about.

About four years ago a TV series was made for ITV about the kindof things football supporters get up to at their clubs. Sure FansUnitedwas about what seemed to be the eccentricities of fans. Theseries covered weddings, christenings and a range of lifecelebrations. Reading FC and the Madejski Stadium were featuredas a service of committal was shown.

Since I have been Chaplain at Reading since May 2004, I havebeen involved in over 20 committals. Up to 18 months ago we wereactually able to place the ashes of people into the pitch, just behindthe goal in front of the North Stand. These services have been veryspecial times and greatly appreciated by the families and friends ofthose involved. The club ground staff have always been helpful andsupportive as they have prepared to pitch for these.

Due to a combination of the increasing requests for committals(I dont think more RFC supporters are dying!) and the nature of ourpitch constitution (part synthetic), the decision was taken to nolonger hold committals on the pitch itself.

Since this decision was made there have continued to be requestsfrom supporters for committals and so in partnership with ReadingFC, we have been able to establish a Garden of Remembrance

between the Training Dome and the Carp Park. I am grateful toDave Strawn of STAR for the incredible amount of work he isputting in to developing and nurturing the garden. We are hoping tobe able to formally dedicate and open the garden before the endof 2010.

The Garden of Remembrance will become a special place wherenot only the ashes of people associated with Reading FC can belaid to rest, but also people will be able to sit and reflect on one ofthe two benches being kindly provided for the Garden.


27/32

27

As there are two or three families still awaiting services of

committal, I am hoping that normal service will be resumed as theGarden gets established as soon as possible. Many thanks tomembers of STAR and others associated with The Royals whohave generously offered support, ideas and help with the establish-ing of the Garden of Remembrance.

Steve Prince is Reading Football Club Chaplain. Most football clubsin the Premier and Football Leagues, as well as many Rugby andCricket Clubs now have chaplains. There are even chaplainsworking within horseracing. The role of a chaplain is to be a friendto the sports club and its supporters. Chaplaincy is a voluntary roleand the charity SCORE is a growing resource offering support tochaplains and their clubs.


28/32

28

Eighty years ago, on 6th. December 1930, Reading Football

Supporters Club was formed, strangely, against the Football Clubdirectors better judgement. There had been several attempts toform a supporters club but in 1920 and 1924 the directors hadturned the idea down.

However, in December 1930 the board had bigger problems. Withthe club rooted at the foot of the old Second Division, angryshareholders forced the board to call an extraordinary generalmeeting. Held on 1st December, the directors faced a series ofpointed questions, ranging from the fact that the team featured toomany Scottish players to, again, the formation of a supporters club.With so much animosity towards the board, they threw the meetinga carrot by agreeing to allow a supporters club to be formed.

The fans wasted no time and a week later a meeting was held toset up the fledgling club. Even then, the directors did little to help,the meeting being held in the Highways Social Club, GreyfriarsRoad, because the football club chairman wanted to charge fiveguineas for it to be staged at his Olympia venue. The meeting hadbeen publicised and supported by the Berkshire Chronicle and so itwas appropriate that the Supporters Clubs first chairman should

EIGHTY YEARS YOUNGAlan Sedundary

Berkshire Chronicle, December 1930


29/32

29

their sports editor, Mr H Sirrett. 50 fans paid the agreed 1/- (5p)

membership fee that night, by the end of the month that numberwas up to 300 and by the end of that first season the membershipwas a healthy 1,100 despite the fact that 1930-31 ended inrelegation from the Second Division.

One of the first roles of the Supporters Club was to appeal to fansto stop barracking certain players. Strangely, one of the victims wascentre forward Alf Bacon who could hardly have deserved muchcriticism as he ended with 29 goals in 32 League games during thatrelegation season. By coincidence, it was Bacon who caused the

Supporters Club one of their first problems. Their first money-raising scheme was a penny on the ball, the lucky winner beinggiven the match ball. All went well until Good Friday when Baconturned on the performance of a lifetime by scoring a club record sixgoals against Stoke. Not surprisingly, Alf wanted to keep the matchball, but fortunately the holder of the winning ticket agreed to accepta cash alternative.

That matchday raffle, plus a smoking evening, saw the SupportersClub hand over 250 to the Football Club at the end of the season.

That may not seem much nowadays but in 1931 it was enough toby a good player. Not surprisingly, donations like that soon saw theparent clubs misgivings quickly disappear and from then on the twoorganisations worked in harmony.

That first summer saw the Supporters Club come into its own,paying for improvements to the Town End terracing, opening a carpark in Suffolk Road (6d for cars, 3d for cycles), organisedmatchday community singing, took over the sale of the clubprogrammes and started a pay-by-instalments scheme for season

tickets.

From then on the Supporters Club became a major factor inReading Football Clubs very survival. Most ground improvementsup to the 1960s were funded in the main by them and theyeven contributed to the purchase of several players, most famouslymaking up the difference in the fee paid for Tommy Tait, whopromptly repaid the fans by scoring a hat-trick against Aldershot onhis debut.

By the late 1950s membership was up to an amazing 4,700 but, in


30/32

30

truth, many of those only joined so that they could take part in theclubs popular lottery schemes. Not that anyone minded as thoselotteries raised a life-saving 500 a month. Those lotteries,in various forms, grew throughout the 1960s and under the inspiredchairmanship of the likes of Les Lewendon and Jim Brookes theSupporters Club were handing over huge amounts to the FootballClub each season

Not everything was a success. A Sunday market and a popconcert, starring Freddie and the Dreamers, both lost money butthe mid Sixties saw the start of Supporters Club away coaches.Started by a group of enthusiasts, the coaches were so well

supported in those early seasons that trips were even run toreserve matches, something that Colin refuses unhelpfully toconsider nowadays!

In 2001-02 the Supporters Club made the big decision to changeits structure to trust status, but again, this was nothing new. In1957, with the football club facing another financial crisis, theSupporters Club had considered changing its status to a trust afterNorwich Citys supporters club had achieved great financialsuccess following such a move, but nothing came of it then.

Named, Supporters Trust At Reading one of the new bodysdecision was to honour the scorer of Readings promotion-winninggoal by naming a star after Jamie Cureton.

Although much has changed over the 80 years since the originalSupporters Club was formed, the current board of STAR still sharethe same ideals of those founding members - all volunteers, thosefans, now and then, simply want the best for their team, their cluband its supporters.


31/32

31

MEET THE BOARD

Paula Martin

Chairman

Michele LawVice Chairman

Gerry McGreevyTreasurer

Teresa HicksSecretary

Colin BishopTravel

Helen Bullen

Esther Madden

Paul Ellix

Trevor Mossman

Pete Vickery

Ian Holt

Nathan Wakefield

Wendie Wakefield

Chris Witcher


32/32

THE VIEW FROM STAR BASESTAR BASE IS LOCATED BEHIND EAST STAND

WINTER NIGHTS ARE DRAWING IN

Days are getting colder.Do you really fancy driving those long distances?We have lots of warm, comfortable seats

on our friendly coaches just longing to be snuggled into.

BOOK YOURS ON MATCH DAYS ORTUESDAY NIGHTS

Documents

Reading Matter Autumn 2010