by Kitsonista »
16 Nov 2007 15:43
Gordon Cumming's right ho Only read first two pages on Crackberry but have sympathy with AP and papereyes POV.
It's all a metter of economics, innit? Brick by brick is good to cement Prem status - which means we have to, absolutely must, stay up this year... And do so without splashing loads of cash because, as we know, that could all go horribly wrong.
But NH is right to set out a new agenda. New goals, targets and ambition. The natives are getting restless and we all know, in our heart of hearts, that this squad can barely hold its own in the Prem.
So the target is set. We are not going to be a yoyo club, bobbing up and down with uncertain cashflow.
We need to stash enough in the bank to build a new team of real quality, a team which will excite rather than just provide entertainment for us old hardcore who still can't quite believe that little old Reading is playing in the best league in the world.
A team that will also attract the 'plastics' from the wider catchment area to mostly fill a 38K stadium week in, week out.
But, and here's the catch, that team will have to sustain the momentum and the Club will have to follow suit, year in, year out over decades, over generations, before we can even think to be a Spurs, Newcastle or Everton.
And that, fellow Nobbers, is called ambition.
As long as you keep calling them "plastics" you don't got no community. Would you want to join a club where you were reviled every time your name was mentioned. Community is about welcoming in new people, showing them the way round, offering help, buying them a beer and showing support. Should you really be abusive to people who are prepared to spend their money like you to support the things you believe in?
Do you think you own the exclusive rights to be a Reading supporter, if there's a test to prove your "Readingness", you ought to be prepared to teach the newcomers the ropes, show them what it means to support RFC. Slagging them off as "plastics" is disrespectful and dishonest. Sure they weren't around in 199X or earlier, but they're here now and you don't own the rights to be classified a "real" supporter, it's a fiction and it doesn't exist.
Being an RFC fan has to be a condition, like being "Geordies", it's where you're living, working, loving. It's got to be part of your upbringing. It's a generational thing. It will be for or five decades before a true "RFC" fanbase over 50K or 60K strong exists. You'll know when it does, as they'll be saying, 38K how can a premiership team play in such a small stadium. Sadly I won't see that but any grandchildren should. will, they want to wear the hoops and go to the ground like granddad did, I really, really hope so.
I was brought up in East London, and for the first 15 years of my life I supported the Hammers. Joined their player Fan clubs went to games. I came to Reading, where I went to school and saw an occasional game. I enjoyed the small club atmosphere. I then didn't go until the late 80's and early 90's as my sons grew old enough to go.
I was a plastic during the Play Off season and I became hooked. I've been an STF ever since, cried at the end of the play off final, swore and cursed as we slid down the league(s), cheered clapped and cried again in the championship winning season. So am I a loyal Royal, you bet. My life and my work is in and around here, Reading is now my "home" and has been for 35 years. I have no allegiance to West Ham apart from it's where my parents and grandparents come from. Had I been treated the way you talk about the "plastics" I'd still be supporting West Ham. And that would be three less Loyal Royals. Think about it.
, not even obliquely aimed at your good self, just a little tired of the term. IMO the use by yourself has been totally tongue in cheek and fully appreciate that.