Stadium Expansion

[anR]

The plans are in to make it possible to add more seats in double quick time, if we do extend but then crowds drop, I'm sure plans are in place to take out the extra seats for most of what we paid for them...

[West Stand Man]

Expansion cost £12m, Premier premium £20m, players bought, less than £3m, it could just be that the money is there.

The brave do well in this world, Mr Mad is nothing but brave.

+ £40m for TV money next year, that is why it is critical we stay up!

[Schards#2]

What evidence is there that Reading could fill 32,000 seats each week?

This season is our first ever in the top flight, it's a huge novelty AND we are doing well. Yet tickets for every game have gone on to general sale and there is no huge queue for season tickets.

Even if we stay up I would expect less demand next year as it won't be the unique experience it is now.

The current stadium is just the right size, maybe we could cope with about 4,000 more but largely to accomodate more away fans.

[NottsRoyal]

Unsure if this has already been mentioned - awaiting a Dodd.

As Spudulika has already mentioned, The Stadium plans would place us at 12th largest stadium in the country (Wembley and Millenium Stadium excluded). In and around london the largest stadiums would be, Wembley, Arsenal, Chelsea and then us.

Is Mr M using some forward thinking here? With the Olympics in 2012, won't Reading be well placed to host Olympic football. That will not only bring in some money to cover the building work but will also put the Madstad on the map. If so - it would be very a astute move from Mr M.

[Reading Abbey]

Unsure if this has already been mentioned - awaiting a Dodd.

As Spudulika has already mentioned, The Stadium plans would place us at 12th largest stadium in the country (Wembley and Millenium Stadium excluded). In and around london the largest stadiums would be, Wembley, Arsenal, Chelsea and then us.

Is Mr M using some forward thinking here? With the Olympics in 2012, won't Reading be well placed to host Olympic football. That will not only bring in some money to cover the building work but will also put the Madstad on the map. If so - it would be very a astute move from Mr M.

I think Big John is looking at the wider picture here.

If the ground does hold 32,000 next season after the North and South have been extended, then for the big games, of course we'll fill it, but for the Charlton's and Fulham', we'd get maybe 28,000 but there's no shame in that IMO.
Who knows, we may win a League Cup or FA Cup this season, or even finish in a European place! Then we have Uefa Cup football next season too.
This football club has grown consistently over the past 6 or so years, and I think the Chairman is looking for that to continue, even if the capacity increase maybe a little to much in one go.

Personally, I'd like the East Stand extended by whatever it will be, about 7,000 seats I think it'll work out at. That takes us to 31,000 and see how we get on with that first.

[Ooo Trevor Morley]

I think it would be too costly and pointless to increase the stadium in stages, over a few years. .

we are doing it in stages, over a couple of years.

I didn't quite mean that. I know we are building the north and south ends' extension first, with the necessary hault in building work through the football season period, before the completion of the East Stand. This is essentially one big build with a break in the middle. Anyway, sorry to spend so long explaining. The point I would make is it would be far cheaper doing what we are doing as opposed to building up the capacity bit by bit over many years, which could also give the stadium a hodge podge unaesthetic look.

[Woodcote Royal]

What evidence is there that Reading could fill 32,000 seats each week?

This season is our first ever in the top flight, it's a huge novelty AND we are doing well. Yet tickets for every game have gone on to general sale and there is no huge queue for season tickets.

Even if we stay up I would expect less demand next year as it won't be the unique experience it is now.

The current stadium is just the right size, maybe we could cope with about 4,000 more but largely to accomodate more away fans.

Sorry, but this is amazingly shortsighted.

For starters, 1000 fans didn't get the season tickets they wanted this term and, surely, any new fans we attract from being in the Prem will have to wait for tickets to go to general sale before they can buy them. This also applies to any neutral football fans unless they have been regular visitors in the past and, believe me, there are plenty who would like to get their fix of top flight footy at the Madstad if we had the seats to sell.

Am I alone in not being able to bring friends this season because every match is sold out? How long ago was it when fans really thought that we wouldn't sell 24k every week even in the Prem

As one of those who complained about the increase in tickets prices, surely increasing capacity, and reducing pressure on demand, will only help keep prices where they are, or to drop following relegation.

I find it so depressing to see long term fans who can't break out of the "Little Reading" mentality and realise that much of southern England has now become our catchment area and that a successful team would have every chance of selling out our proposed new capacity on a regular basis.

Not only that, if we want a successful team that is good enough to become a permanent fixture in the top flight, it is vital that we have this increased revenue stream avaliable.

Can you see our existing fan base stumping up the necessary from 20k home seats given how many whinged like babies after this season's hike

Worst case scenario; We expand and get relegated. The alternative; Do nothing and fight a war of attrition in a stadium that isn't big enough to support our ambitions.

I'll have £50 with you now, Shards, that we'll average 30K plus in our first 3 seasons post expansion, provided that we avoid relegation.

[Reading Abbey]

Very good points there.

You are John Madejski and I claim my £5.

[MartinRdg]

Am I alone in not being able to bring friends this season because every match is sold out? How long ago was it when fans really thought that we wouldn't sell 24k every week even in the Prem

You are not alone. I have had many requests. My Dad wanted to come up from Cornwall to see a match. I have now told him that I will see what I can get and that he can't be fussy. He will have to take what he can get. Wigan at home maybe?

[DaveM]

The stadium expansion is the ticket offices latest attempt to do away with royalty points and the bickering it causes.

[STAR Voice]

STAR has just had a session at the stadium with the architects and the latest plans.

See http://hobnob.royals.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50575

[cheeryoleary]

STAR has just had a session at the stadium with the architects

Slut

[STAR Voice]

STAR has just had a session at the stadium with the architects

Slut

There were 4 of us there - one in a wheelchair .....

[Reading Abbey]

STAR has just had a session at the stadium with the architects

Slut

There were 4 of us there - one in a wheelchair .....

Kinky then.

[Silver Fox]

STAR has just had a session at the stadium with the architects

Slut

There were 4 of us there - one in a wheelchair .....

And what is this act called? The Aristocrats.

[Schards#2]

What evidence is there that Reading could fill 32,000 seats each week?

This season is our first ever in the top flight, it's a huge novelty AND we are doing well. Yet tickets for every game have gone on to general sale and there is no huge queue for season tickets.

Even if we stay up I would expect less demand next year as it won't be the unique experience it is now.

The current stadium is just the right size, maybe we could cope with about 4,000 more but largely to accomodate more away fans.

Sorry, but this is amazingly shortsighted.

For starters, 1000 fans didn't get the season tickets they wanted this term and, surely, any new fans we attract from being in the Prem will have to wait for tickets to go to general sale before they can buy them. This also applies to any neutral football fans unless they have been regular visitors in the past and, believe me, there are plenty who would like to get their fix of top flight footy at the Madstad if we had the seats to sell.

Am I alone in not being able to bring friends this season because every match is sold out? How long ago was it when fans really thought that we wouldn't sell 24k every week even in the Prem

As one of those who complained about the increase in tickets prices, surely increasing capacity, and reducing pressure on demand, will only help keep prices where they are, or to drop following relegation.

I find it so depressing to see long term fans who can't break out of the "Little Reading" mentality and realise that much of southern England has now become our catchment area and that a successful team would have every chance of selling out our proposed new capacity on a regular basis.

Not only that, if we want a successful team that is good enough to become a permanent fixture in the top flight, it is vital that we have this increased revenue stream avaliable.

Can you see our existing fan base stumping up the necessary from 20k home seats given how many whinged like babies after this season's hike

Worst case scenario; We expand and get relegated. The alternative; Do nothing and fight a war of attrition in a stadium that isn't big enough to support our ambitions.

I'll have £50 with you now, Shards, that we'll average 30K plus in our first 3 seasons post expansion, provided that we avoid relegation.

You're on.

Every game this season has had tickets go on open sale. Anyone who wanted one badly enough could have got one.

[NottsRoyal]

What evidence is there that Reading could fill 32,000 seats each week?

This season is our first ever in the top flight, it's a huge novelty AND we are doing well. Yet tickets for every game have gone on to general sale and there is no huge queue for season tickets.

Even if we stay up I would expect less demand next year as it won't be the unique experience it is now.

The current stadium is just the right size, maybe we could cope with about 4,000 more but largely to accomodate more away fans.

Sorry, but this is amazingly shortsighted.

For starters, 1000 fans didn't get the season tickets they wanted this term and, surely, any new fans we attract from being in the Prem will have to wait for tickets to go to general sale before they can buy them. This also applies to any neutral football fans unless they have been regular visitors in the past and, believe me, there are plenty who would like to get their fix of top flight footy at the Madstad if we had the seats to sell.

Am I alone in not being able to bring friends this season because every match is sold out? How long ago was it when fans really thought that we wouldn't sell 24k every week even in the Prem

As one of those who complained about the increase in tickets prices, surely increasing capacity, and reducing pressure on demand, will only help keep prices where they are, or to drop following relegation.

I find it so depressing to see long term fans who can't break out of the "Little Reading" mentality and realise that much of southern England has now become our catchment area and that a successful team would have every chance of selling out our proposed new capacity on a regular basis.

Not only that, if we want a successful team that is good enough to become a permanent fixture in the top flight, it is vital that we have this increased revenue stream avaliable.

Can you see our existing fan base stumping up the necessary from 20k home seats given how many whinged like babies after this season's hike

Worst case scenario; We expand and get relegated. The alternative; Do nothing and fight a war of attrition in a stadium that isn't big enough to support our ambitions.

I'll have £50 with you now, Shards, that we'll average 30K plus in our first 3 seasons post expansion, provided that we avoid relegation.

You're on.

Every game this season has had tickets go on open sale. Anyone who wanted one badly enough could have got one.

I've not been to a home match yet this season (awaits crys of "plastic") because the open ticket sales are

a - too late to make plans
b - not enough tickets sitting together for me and my family

If there is no guarentee of tickets, I'm not going to put my solcial life on hold - just in case. I'm currently having to console my self with away matches up North. But if tickets went on open sale immediately then I could make plans to visit Reading.

[Woodcote Royal]

What evidence is there that Reading could fill 32,000 seats each week?

This season is our first ever in the top flight, it's a huge novelty AND we are doing well. Yet tickets for every game have gone on to general sale and there is no huge queue for season tickets.

Even if we stay up I would expect less demand next year as it won't be the unique experience it is now.

The current stadium is just the right size, maybe we could cope with about 4,000 more but largely to accomodate more away fans.

Sorry, but this is amazingly shortsighted.

For starters, 1000 fans didn't get the season tickets they wanted this term and, surely, any new fans we attract from being in the Prem will have to wait for tickets to go to general sale before they can buy them. This also applies to any neutral football fans unless they have been regular visitors in the past and, believe me, there are plenty who would like to get their fix of top flight footy at the Madstad if we had the seats to sell.

Am I alone in not being able to bring friends this season because every match is sold out? How long ago was it when fans really thought that we wouldn't sell 24k every week even in the Prem

As one of those who complained about the increase in tickets prices, surely increasing capacity, and reducing pressure on demand, will only help keep prices where they are, or to drop following relegation.

I find it so depressing to see long term fans who can't break out of the "Little Reading" mentality and realise that much of southern England has now become our catchment area and that a successful team would have every chance of selling out our proposed new capacity on a regular basis.

Not only that, if we want a successful team that is good enough to become a permanent fixture in the top flight, it is vital that we have this increased revenue stream avaliable.

Can you see our existing fan base stumping up the necessary from 20k home seats given how many whinged like babies after this season's hike

Worst case scenario; We expand and get relegated. The alternative; Do nothing and fight a war of attrition in a stadium that isn't big enough to support our ambitions.

I'll have £50 with you now, Shards, that we'll average 30K plus in our first 3 seasons post expansion, provided that we avoid relegation.

You're on.

Every game this season has had tickets go on open sale. Anyone who wanted one badly enough could have got one.

Anyone can get most tickets if they want one badly enough but.............your take on tickets going to general sale is misguided.

However, I'll be happy to take your money if we're both still here in 4 years time

[T.R.O.L.I.]

What evidence is there that Reading could fill 32,000 seats each week?

This season is our first ever in the top flight, it's a huge novelty AND we are doing well. Yet tickets for every game have gone on to general sale and there is no huge queue for season tickets.

Even if we stay up I would expect less demand next year as it won't be the unique experience it is now.

The current stadium is just the right size, maybe we could cope with about 4,000 more but largely to accomodate more away fans.

Sorry, but this is amazingly shortsighted.

For starters, 1000 fans didn't get the season tickets they wanted this term and, surely, any new fans we attract from being in the Prem will have to wait for tickets to go to general sale before they can buy them. This also applies to any neutral football fans unless they have been regular visitors in the past and, believe me, there are plenty who would like to get their fix of top flight footy at the Madstad if we had the seats to sell.

Am I alone in not being able to bring friends this season because every match is sold out? How long ago was it when fans really thought that we wouldn't sell 24k every week even in the Prem

As one of those who complained about the increase in tickets prices, surely increasing capacity, and reducing pressure on demand, will only help keep prices where they are, or to drop following relegation.

I find it so depressing to see long term fans who can't break out of the "Little Reading" mentality and realise that much of southern England has now become our catchment area and that a successful team would have every chance of selling out our proposed new capacity on a regular basis.

Not only that, if we want a successful team that is good enough to become a permanent fixture in the top flight, it is vital that we have this increased revenue stream avaliable.

Can you see our existing fan base stumping up the necessary from 20k home seats given how many whinged like babies after this season's hike

Worst case scenario; We expand and get relegated. The alternative; Do nothing and fight a war of attrition in a stadium that isn't big enough to support our ambitions.

I'll have £50 with you now, Shards, that we'll average 30K plus in our first 3 seasons post expansion, provided that we avoid relegation.

You're on.

Every game this season has had tickets go on open sale. Anyone who wanted one badly enough could have got one.

I've not been to a home match yet this season (awaits crys of "plastic") because the open ticket sales are

a - too late to make plans
b - not enough tickets sitting together for me and my family

If there is no guarentee of tickets, I'm not going to put my solcial life on hold - just in case. I'm currently having to console my self with away matches up North. But if tickets went on open sale immediately then I could make plans to visit Reading.

Seeing as you asked SO nicely - PLASTIC

But seriously, expansion will mean that the following groups of people are able to get tickets more easily:

1) People who can't afford to go to every game but would like to be able to go to the occaional "big" game. Yes, the Man Utd game went on general sale but not delinked from the Charlton game

2) People like Notts Royal who may only be able to pop down a couple of times a season

3) Current STH's who want to take a mate or two but can't at the moment cos there aren't 2 available seats together.

Whilst we may not totally sell out 32K (or however many it is) every week, we will certainly average a damn site more that we do at the moment which surely is the only justifaction required?

[Schards#2]

Woodcote, i'll be delighted if I have to pay you out.