We are officially a big club

[ZacNaloen]

I imagine a lot of young, British, footballers know who Reading are, and know our reputation for how we play and go about things and would consider us to be an attractive club to play for.

If ability to attract players is the sign of a big club then that's what we are.

We aren't that big a club though, our brand outside of the UK must be relatively tiny.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Big in comparison to Scunthorpe.....

[RobRoyal]

Big in comparison to Scunthorpe.....

Indeed. If Scunthorpe sign their replacement from non-league or League 2 the player might well say the same as Williams.

[Magnus]

It's all relative. We're still no West Ham or Charlton TBF.

[Row Z Royal]

And it's not really official - it's just his opinion.

[Messiah]

It's all relative. We're still no West Ham or Charlton TBF.

I'd argue we were the same size club as Charlton. We're a big blub for this division, where as 5 years ago we were an average club in this division. Our profile has raised considerably with our promotion season and two seasons in the top flight. People look at us with a lot more respect now.

[Row Z Royal]

It's all relative. We're still no West Ham or Charlton TBF.

I'd argue we were the same size club as Charlton. We're a big blub for this division, where as 5 years ago we were an average club in this division. Our profile has raised considerably with our promotion season and two seasons in the top flight. People look at us with a lot more respect now.

Pfff

[Messiah]

What differentiates a clubs size in this league?

- Honours won from year 1
- Honours won in previous 10 years
- Attendances
- Stadium/Facilities
- Another

In terms of this division, I'd say a mixture of all.

Reading tick boxes for stadium and crowds IMO, previous 10 years have seen consistant growth, promotion from Div 1/League 1, Championship play-off failure, Championship winners with record points haul, 2 years in the Premier League, Championship play-off failure.

That's a lot of spot light in recent years, and as a result our profile has grown.

IMWO, as a Championship club, we are seen as one of the bigger clubs now.

[floyd__streete]

Williams said, "It's brilliant for me, I'm delighted to sign for such a big club with real potential. I'm really happy, so are my family, and I can't wait to get started.

Discuss.

It is the kind of empty soundbite any player comes out with when joining a new club. End of discussion.

[Rex]

If a proud JM nodded his approval at such a statement then it could be true.

We are a stable club, and a middling club with an FA cup run that was a blip on the radar. If big means potential then we are also a possible club.

[Magnus]

Some boffin needs to come up with a formula to once and for all solve the "How big is your club" debate.

Such factors as trophy wins (with a weighting for more recent ones), average gates (again historic and recent with a heavier weighting for recent), some sort of factor for national media time given, a few other factors.

[Sarah Star]

Williams said, "It's brilliant for me, I'm delighted to sign for such a big club with real potential. I'm really happy, so are my family, and I can't wait to get started.

Discuss.

It is the kind of empty soundbite any player comes out with when joining a new club. End of discussion.

Isn't it what Jimmy Bullard said when he joined Hull from Fulham? That made me laugh.

[brendywendy]

It's all relative. We're still no West Ham or Charlton TBF.

catching charlton though!

[Forever Reading]

Big in comparison to Scunthorpe.....

Everything is relative

[SpaceCruiser]

Some boffin needs to come up with a formula to once and for all solve the "How big is your club" debate.

Such factors as trophy wins (with a weighting for more recent ones), average gates (again historic and recent with a heavier weighting for recent), some sort of factor for national media time given, a few other factors.

FourFourTwo did it once about ten years ago, but I think it's out of date by now, seeing how Chelsea have become a bit bigger considering their recent trophy haul.

I did a table once on the most successful clubs and I've updated it. Reading are now only four points behind Swindon! Also if Fulham do manage to win the UEFA, they will leapfrog Grimsby, Coventry and Southampton.

[Royalee]

We are a big club

[Royalshow]

not a big club, never will be end of

[Barry the bird boggler]

not a big club, never will be end of

Unless we can manage a 20-30 year run in the Premiership...

[Wycombe Royal]

Here is an all time league table created by an Ipswich fan with too much time on his hands. He awarded points based on finishing position in the league, so bottom of the 4th tier gets you one point, sencond bottom of the 4th tier two points, and so on......

Basically it shows that historically we are a top half tier 3 club, but most of us knew that already.

[SpaceCruiser]

Can't see the image. I was actually thinking of doing something like that! Did it include cups?