Roger Smee or John Madejski?

[Elmer Park]

Roger Smee was a good Chairman, Sir John Madejski has been a good Chairman but who is the better? There's only one way to find out - fiiiiiight.

[RoyalBlue]

Smee by a million miles. He really saved the club from extinction when no one else was interested and he did it because he genuinely loved the club, rather than looking to boost his profile/massage his ego. I also believe he was far less wealthy than Sir Ego so his financial commitment and risk was greater.

When times got tough he also had the decency and guts to come out and face the fans, providing full and frank answers rather than a politician's soundbites. I can remember a dark and wet evening when Smee came out into Norfolk Road and spent quite some time debating the team's dire position with a group of angry fans who had mounted a protest after another disappointing performance. I can still remember him saying of Branfoot, 'He got us into this bloody mess and he can damn well get us out of it' (sadly he didn't!).

Oh and Smee didn't try to to disguise the fact he was follically challenged!

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Smee saved the club but then blew it away by spending huge amounts on players we couldnt afford. Im sure i recall certain peolple within the club claiming he knew the signing of Craig Maskell would bankrupt the club if it didnt come off. No great Chairman acts like that.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

That's not quite right - the Maskell transfer went to a tribunal as the sides could not agree a fee and for some reason we had to pay well over the odds.

In fairness to Smee he sold out immediately when things were going wrong and I don't recall him naming Elm Park after himself when he saved the club.

[Tails]

Both admitted to the Reading Hall of Fame, no need for a hierarchy once there.

[Ian Royal]

That's not quite right - the Maskell transfer went to a tribunal as the sides could not agree a fee and for some reason we had to pay well over the odds.

In fairness to Smee he sold out immediately when things were going wrong and I don't recall him naming Elm Park after himself when he saved the club.

He didn't build it either, so not really the same.

I agree with Tails to be honest, I'd rather just celebrate both.

[From Despair To Where?]

It's unfair to compare. The single most influential event in the the 25 years has been the new stadium. Madejski succeeded where Smee failed in that respect. He also saved the club from bankruptcy and steered the club on a path of unparalleled success. However, the simple undeniable truth is that without Smee, we would have no club.

So equal credit to both. Without Smee, we would have no club, but without Madejski, being a constant fixture in the top 2 tiers with an infrastructure capable of attracting a calibre of player we could have previously only dreamed of would be a pipe dream

[Derbyshire Royal]

Without Smee there woul dhave been no Madejski.

Neither wanted the job, and only one was big enough to carry the burden over an extended period.

Smee did the club a huge service, but had neither the cash nor the desire to extend much beyond that whereas JM has carried us forward further than we could have ever expected.

So a big thanks to both for their own contribution but if we have to have a 'top man' it's JM .

Agree completely. RS saved the Royals, JM took us took the pinnacle. Both different but for me RS just edges it as he risked a massive amount proportionately to save the team from Captain Bob.

Out of curiosity, how can you "Agree completely" and then say you think it's Smee not Madjeski? That looks a lot like disagreeing to me...

Its idiots like you that stops me posting very often, isnt there a pedantry club you can go and join?

[Pete10]

Roger Smee saved the club from Waller his fat mate ,The Oxford mug. After Mansell blew promotion Waller lost all interest in the club. It is we all know Roger who kept the club alive ,Thanks to Roy Tranter and a few more.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

Smee by a million miles. He really saved the club from extinction when no one else was interested and he did it because he genuinely loved the club, rather than looking to boost his profile/massage his ego. I also believe he was far less wealthy than Sir Ego so his financial commitment and risk was greater.

Who had heard of John Madejski until we started pushing for the premier?

The idea that he bought the club to become famous 15 years later is ridiculous.

When times got tough he also had the decency and guts to come out and face the fans, providing full and frank answers rather than a politician's soundbites. I can remember a dark and wet evening when Smee came out into Norfolk Road and spent quite some time debating the team's dire position with a group of angry fans who had mounted a protest after another disappointing performance. I can still remember him saying of Branfoot, 'He got us into this bloody mess and he can damn well get us out of it' (sadly he didn't!).

So you don't remember John Madejski coming out onto the pitch in similar circumstances at Elm Park? And he faced a far bigger angry crowd.

Oh and Smee didn't try to to disguise the fact he was follically challenged!

Let me guess. You believe JM wears a wig.


Still, as long as you are objective about it.

[Tamworth_Royal]

I just spent some time on Reading World watching videos on the history of RFC. In my short time as a Reading fan I thought no other chairman could match the accomplishments of Sir John Madejski.
He was able to finance the building of a new, modern stadium and saw us reach the top flight for the first time. But Roger Smee was instrumental in saving the team from becoming the Thames Valley Royals and saw us win the Simod Cup at Wembley Stadium.

So who would you rate as Reading's best chairman?

Who are you? to even post this thread without even knowing who Roger Smee and how he saved Reading from TVR back in the late 80's apart from a quick google search .
If he hadn't of saved us we would of became Maxwell's "TVR" and believe me Madejski the glory hunter would not of bothered to of got involved.
Thankfully Smee saved Reading Football club's 1871 heritage and it's name which is why you have an interest in this club albeit the Bobby Convey connection.

When Smee spent out on saving Reading Football club from Maxwell preserving it’s name, thankfully at that stage Madejski stepped in but never ever forget the what Smee did for this club and Seahawk

Without Smee NO ReadingFC only Thames Valley Royals and as proved Maxwell one of the richest men in the World in those day’s had the money and bought Derby ( a huge club then ) and fecked it up.

Smee saved the "Reading Football Club" name , the Royals, Hob nob everything we are today,
Not like a "MK Don's" we are still "Reading football club" formed 1871 thanks to Smee and him alone.

Research the history more you pr1ck before posting we "please everyone Madejski is under pressure please vote for him" post and never belittle Smee (Simod) v Madejski (stadium) thread.

Fecking Americans no sense of History because they haven’t any !

[Tamworth_Royal]

I just spent some time on Reading World watching videos on the history of RFC. In my short time as a Reading fan I thought no other chairman could match the accomplishments of Sir John Madejski.
He was able to finance the building of a new, modern stadium and saw us reach the top flight for the first time. But Roger Smee was instrumental in saving the team from becoming the Thames Valley Royals and saw us win the Simod Cup at Wembley Stadium.

So who would you rate as Reading's best chairman?

Who are you? to even post this thread without even knowing who Roger Smee and how he saved Reading from TVR back in the late 80's apart from a quick google search .
If he hadn't of saved us we would of became Maxwell's "TVR" and believe me Madejski the glory hunter would not of bothered to of got involved.
Thankfully Smee saved Reading Football club's 1871 heritage and it's name which is why you have an interest in this club albeit the Bobby Convey connection.

When Smee spent out on saving Reading Football club from Maxwell preserving it’s name, thankfully at that stage Madejski stepped in but never ever forget the what Smee did for this club and Seahawk

Without Smee NO ReadingFC only Thames Valley Royals and as proved Maxwell one of the richest men in the World in those day’s had the money and bought Derby ( a huge club then ) and fecked it up.

Smee saved the "Reading Football Club" name , the Royals, Hob nob everything we are today,
Not like a "MK Don's" we are still "Reading football club" formed 1871 thanks to Smee and him alone.

Research the history more you pr1ck before posting we "please everyone Madejski is under pressure please vote for him" post and never belittle Smee (Simod) v Madejski (stadium) thread.

Fecking Americans no sense of History because they haven’t any !

[SpaceCruiser]

I'd take seahawk more seriously than somebody who doesn't know the difference between "of" and "have".

[Tamworth_Royal]

I'd take seahawk more seriously than somebody who doesn't know the difference between "of" and "have".

That's why your known as a pr1ck on here "spacecruiser" if you only argument is grammer and not able to debate the point
Shouldn't there be a gap between space and cruiser or is that where your brain slot's in

[leon]

what the f*ck are you ranting about you massive pillock

[Tails]

I just spent some time on Reading World watching videos on the history of RFC. In my short time as a Reading fan I thought no other chairman could match the accomplishments of Sir John Madejski.
He was able to finance the building of a new, modern stadium and saw us reach the top flight for the first time. But Roger Smee was instrumental in saving the team from becoming the Thames Valley Royals and saw us win the Simod Cup at Wembley Stadium.

So who would you rate as Reading's best chairman?

Who are you? to even post this thread without even knowing who Roger Smee and how he saved Reading from TVR back in the late 80's apart from a quick google search .
If he hadn't of saved us we would of became Maxwell's "TVR" and believe me Madejski the glory hunter would not of bothered to of got involved.
Thankfully Smee saved Reading Football club's 1871 heritage and it's name which is why you have an interest in this club albeit the Bobby Convey connection.

When Smee spent out on saving Reading Football club from Maxwell preserving it’s name, thankfully at that stage Madejski stepped in but never ever forget the what Smee did for this club and Seahawk

Without Smee NO ReadingFC only Thames Valley Royals and as proved Maxwell one of the richest men in the World in those day’s had the money and bought Derby ( a huge club then ) and fecked it up.

Smee saved the "Reading Football Club" name , the Royals, Hob nob everything we are today,
Not like a "MK Don's" we are still "Reading football club" formed 1871 thanks to Smee and him alone.

Research the history more you pr1ck before posting we "please everyone Madejski is under pressure please vote for him" post and never belittle Smee (Simod) v Madejski (stadium) thread.

Fecking Americans no sense of History because they haven’t any !

Chillax down to a panic...did you not read the latter part of his post? Absolutely nothing wrong with what he said or indeed how he framed it, I think your own issues are most telling in this exchange....

[Tails]

:lol: what the f*ck are you ranting about you massive pillock

A-fucking men.

[RobRoyal]

seahawk10 >>>> Tamworth_Royal

[Tamworth_Royal]

:lol: what the f*ck are you ranting about you massive pillock

Ask mummy and daddy to explain in the morning now go to bed

[Pseud O'Nym]

I'd take seahawk more seriously than somebody who doesn't know the difference between "of" and "have".

That's why your known pr1ck on here "spacecruiser" if you only argument is grammer and not able to debate the point

It is really simple though. I mean if someone asked you "have you done such and such?" would you reply "yes, I of" or "no I ofn't"? Of course you wouldn't!