THE TWO TYPES OF READING FAN

[Terminal Boardom]

You're not a real fan unless you've been made ill by an Elm Park burger....

Remember the hot dogs!

the Away Fans Football Guide - published after a car load of Huddy fans were directed to Palmer Park - described the hot dogs as "bordering on the erotic". Read into that what you will.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

I got a great picture of me sitting on Martin Hick's knee. I don't like to talk about it though..........

I've seen several RFC players naked.

Including this one.



The smile is no longer as friendly as it was.

Think I did it once that season too. Wonder what ever happened to the old boy who would look after the mascots at Elm Park? Top man, prob passed on now though...

[SteveRoyal]

So, let me get this straight - the young fans, who never had the chance to go to Elm Park because of poor financial circumstances and travelling, are plastics? The people who finally understood football a few years ago and, rather than following one of the top 4, decided to follow Reading through thick and thin, are plastics?

[Row Z Royal]

Oh good, another plastic thread.

[Drew_3]

Think I fall somewhere in the middle of all that.

I appreciate what Madjeski has done for us, sure we would not have existed if it were not for him,and where we came from where we have been and more importantly where we are going hopefully!

That said I often feel frustrated by the apparent lack of investment, I say apparent because the money must have gone somewhere, if they were to explain to fans where i had gone people might understand and be a little more patient, why are clubs so hush hush?if they cam out and said we spent 10m here and 5m there etc.. then idont think people would mind as much the trouble is you see all this money coming in through sales and such, but nothing appears to happen with it.

P.S. first game 1989 when I was 6, ST holder ever since!

[Murts-is-Lej]

Of course there are those in the "I've been to Elm Park" clique who would like to denigrate those who haven't for whatever reason (e.g. not born before MadStad). In my case I was only interested in rugby and supported Bath until I was blessed with 2 daughters who are only interested in football. Given the choice between supporting Hungerford Town (nearest but definitely non-League), Swindon (next nearest but dire) or Reading then their choice was obvious.

I've had a great few seasons supporting Reading with them and sure we'd like to see them to be back in the Prem. However, the MadStad is a great place to watch football so we're not going to become Man-U-on-Sky supporters just because we're playing in the Championship.

[Royalee]

My beef has always been that I want the club to be trying to move forward and make the most of the opportunity and resources it has available.

Personally I think we stopped doing that for a while under Coppell. That might not have been completely down to him, but I apportion a lot more of the 'blame' on him than I do the other powers that be.

That's also my take on it.

[SLAMMED]

Sorry, but I don't fit into either of your moulds. Can we have some more options?

+1.

[Royalwaster]

My beef has always been that I want the club to be trying to move forward and make the most of the opportunity and resources it has available.

Personally I think we stopped doing that for a while under Coppell. That might not have been completely down to him, but I apportion a lot more of the 'blame' on him than I do the other powers that be.

That's also my take on it.

Wow I aree with Royalee - it's a crazy Friday!

[Z175]

I suggest we fit into these categories

1 Born as a "blue baby" in the year 1871, original Club founder at a young age. Still has RFC duvet at 138 yrs old.
2 Plastic, jumped on the band wagon in the late 1890s, helped to build Elm Park, thinks Coley Park is a bus destination
3 Plastic, was on holiday in Italy before world war one and was amazed by our destruction of AC Milan and the Italy national team
4 Plastic, only saw first game in 1927 and was annoyed at losing the FA Cup semi
5 Plastic, only started going to Elm Park to watch ron blackman's goal scoring exploits but supported rfc since
6 Plastic, supported Liverpool in the 1980s but started watching Reading in 1994 under McGhee when Division 2 was won
7 Plastic, saw "Reading" were playing live on BBC in the playoff final and didn't realise your town had a football team till then
8 Plastic, attracted by sitting down at football and hospitality, saw the Mad Stad as a way of entertaining guests.
9 Young Plastic, born in late 80s/90s and instantly hooked by the passion of division 2, the cardiff play off heart ache and the brentford game.
10 Plastic, heard we were about to be promoted and bought a half season ticket, and didnt turn up until you renewed in the premierleague.

[SLAMMED]

I suggest we fit into these categories

1 Born as a "blue baby" in the year 1871, original Club founder at a young age. Still has RFC duvet at 138 yrs old.
2 Plastic, jumped on the band wagon in the late 1890s, helped to build Elm Park, thinks Coley Park is a bus destination
3 Plastic, was on holiday in Italy before world war one and was amazed by our destruction of AC Milan and the Italy national team
4 Plastic, only saw first game in 1927 and was annoyed at losing the FA Cup semi
5 Plastic, only started going to Elm Park to watch ron blackman's goal scoring exploits but supported rfc since
6 Plastic, supported Liverpool in the 1980s but started watching Reading in 1994 under McGhee when Division 2 was won
7 Plastic, saw "Reading" were playing live on BBC in the playoff final and didn't realise your town had a football team till then
8 Plastic, attracted by sitting down at football and hospitality, saw the Mad Stad as a way of entertaining guests.
9 Young Plastic, born in late 80s/90s and instantly hooked by the passion of division 2, the cardiff play off heart ache and the brentford game.
10 Plastic, heard we were about to be promoted and bought a half season ticket, and didnt turn up until you renewed in the premierleague.

9, but born early 90s.

[Arnie_Pie]

I suggest we fit into these categories

6 Plastic, supported Liverpool in the 1980s but started watching Reading in 1994 under McGhee when Division 2 was won

[Z175]

I suggest we fit into these categories

1 Born as a "blue baby" in the year 1871, original Club founder at a young age. Still has RFC duvet at 138 yrs old.
2 Plastic, jumped on the band wagon in the late 1890s, helped to build Elm Park, thinks Coley Park is a bus destination
3 Plastic, was on holiday in Italy before world war one and was amazed by our destruction of AC Milan and the Italy national team
4 Plastic, only saw first game in 1927 and was annoyed at losing the FA Cup semi
5 Plastic, only started going to Elm Park to watch ron blackman's goal scoring exploits but supported rfc since
6 Plastic, supported Liverpool in the 1980s but started watching Reading in 1994 under McGhee when Division 2 was won
7 Plastic, saw "Reading" were playing live on BBC in the playoff final and didn't realise your town had a football team till then
8 Plastic, attracted by sitting down at football and hospitality, saw the Mad Stad as a way of entertaining guests.
9 Young Plastic, born in late 80s/90s and instantly hooked by the passion of division 2, the cardiff play off heart ache and the brentford game.
10 Plastic, heard we were about to be promoted and bought a half season ticket, and didnt turn up until you renewed in the premierleague.

9.

9 too. Thats y i didn't make it sound bad.

[Cookie]

I am definitely in neither of those camps. I would say there are at least 5 types.

What about the pies? They are way better now Waitrose is on board.

[seahawk10]

I suggest we fit into these categories

1 Born as a "blue baby" in the year 1871, original Club founder at a young age. Still has RFC duvet at 138 yrs old.
2 Plastic, jumped on the band wagon in the late 1890s, helped to build Elm Park, thinks Coley Park is a bus destination
3 Plastic, was on holiday in Italy before world war one and was amazed by our destruction of AC Milan and the Italy national team
4 Plastic, only saw first game in 1927 and was annoyed at losing the FA Cup semi
5 Plastic, only started going to Elm Park to watch ron blackman's goal scoring exploits but supported rfc since
6 Plastic, supported Liverpool in the 1980s but started watching Reading in 1994 under McGhee when Division 2 was won
7 Plastic, saw "Reading" were playing live on BBC in the playoff final and didn't realise your town had a football team till then
8 Plastic, attracted by sitting down at football and hospitality, saw the Mad Stad as a way of entertaining guests.
9 Young Plastic, born in late 80s/90s and instantly hooked by the passion of division 2, the cardiff play off heart ache and the brentford game.
10 Plastic, heard we were about to be promoted and bought a half season ticket, and didnt turn up until you renewed in the premierleague.

9.

9 too. Thats y i didn't make it sound bad.

11 Import Plastic. Living in a foreign country, attracted by Reading's 106 point season in 2006. Fell in love with the club and goes to great length to watch or listen via the internet. Will have the occasional moan but still an RTG and optimist at heart and expects great things from the club.

That's me ^^^

[Armadillo Roadkill]

Ayr United fan as a boy (early 80s), then moved to North East and went to Roker Park or St. James', lived in Brighton (mid 80s) and went to the Goldstone, brother used to live in leeds and went to Elland Road.

Moved to Reading December 31st 1999. First game (out of curiosity) March 2000. STH since 2000/2001.

And I just can't decide. I think the differece between us and the likes of Northampton and Walsall is 100% down to SJM. But I do wonder where some of the money from this year's sales is going.

Always liked the idea of a team of mostly home-grown talent, so cannot really complain now we''re getting one. I think we're in for interesting times. You may categorise me as plastic - I just don't care. I just like watching football.

[Ark Royal]

First game 1st January 1966 as a nine-year old (2- 2 v Walsall - We used to score back then. Yay!). Stood at the Town End with Mum, Dad and uncles and after the game had to queue with them to get tickets for the FA Cup tie against Wednesday. Would not get me one though. Bastards.

A No. 1 I suppose, although a mere paragraph does not even begin to reflect the passion that I felt - and still do - for the club. I loved Elm Park, the Tilehurst End was my second home, I love the Madstad. Feeling a lot of angst for the club at the moment, but periods of glory are cyclical and they will return, hopefully in this division and we get back to the top level again.

Whatever anyone says, SJM saved this football club when he took over and people should remember that. The only reason you have a club to oxf*rd moan about at all is because of him.

[Seal]

LOL @ this entire thread. How fcuking patronising to try and label fans by how long they have followed the team. Just because my little bro is 5 years younger and started following the team in 1996 rather than 1991 it makes him a different type of fan?

How insulting.

There are two types of fan. Optimists. Pesimists. Lets just leave it at that.

[It Is What It Is]

2 Plastic, jumped on the band wagon in the late 1890s, helped to build Elm Park, thinks Coley Park is a bus destination
3 Plastic, was on holiday in Italy before world war one and was amazed by our destruction of AC Milan and the Italy national team

Bit optimistic there i think?

[Terminal Boardom]

In darker moods that I have from time to time, I try and consider what would have happened had the club sunk under the nightmare that was Thames Valley Royals. Remembering that this was 1983, the idea of fans setting up their own clubs was very much a thing of the future. My beloved Royals would have ceased to exist. But looking back would that really have been a bad thing? The support was down to a hard core of 2000 or so. 1713 turned up to see us lose 3-2 at home to Preston after being 2-0 up. The players were poor. The football worse. It was a club on its last legs and the last rites about to be read. The results of year on year lack of investment in the facilities let alone players. FFS, the players used to train at the Adwest Sports Ground in Sonning Lane but only because Frank Waller was probably a Director of Adwest! Would anyone have bothered had we disappeared? Apart from the loyal few? Probably not.

I wonder if I would have gone to watch the new TVRs. Didcot? I really don't think that I could have brought myself to going there. Standing on terraces alongside people who supported oxford? I don't think so. I would not have been at all comfortable with that. There would have been rucks all over the place. So who would I have gone to watch and support? Reading Town didn't exist. The only alternatives were the shite or up to London. The other alternatives would have been to have gone non-league.

I didn't have a car back then so I would have had to rely upon public transport. It would have been either Wokingham or Maidenhead as they would have been the easier options. Would I have stuck with football? I might have kept playing on a Saturday. I might even have started playing rugby instead. One thing for sure is that my life would have been so much different and there are friends that I would have never met.