Time for fans to stand up and be counted

[Big Foot]

For a variety of reasons, I'm not going to renewing my ST for next season, a decision I made many weeks ago (as the OP knows) and which was never dependent on yesterday's result or on whether we were to be promoted or not.

It's not the first time I have been disillusioned by the club (the last time was under Tommy Burns) and I'm sure that one day - as before - my love will be re-kindled and I'm still planning on going to the odd game both home and away next season.

Ironically, I think staying down is a good thing as I believe it means more of our exciting young players coming through the academy can be played (which wouldn't have happened had we gone up). I also feel staying down will hasten the departure of TSI and Anton, as had we gone up they would have been more inclined to hang around (or demand an unrealistic amount for their 51%) and I believe that their leaving of our football club is vital for us to move forward.

Pretty much this ^, except I got out at the start of the season as was already completely disillusioned by everything and anything to do with Reading Football Club.

I've only been to 5 away games this season and the compelling event for them has been to visit new grounds I've not yet visited. As it stands, only the prospect of an opportunity to stand on a terrace at Brentford and a visit to Leyton Orient/Rotherham next season will see me attending another RFC game for the foreseeable future.

[Bandini]

Happy to get properly counted. Standing may be a bit of an issue in those circumstances however.

[Big Foot]

Happy to get properly counted. Standing may be a bit of an issue in those circumstances however.

Indeed

[JIM]

Count me in for another bash at promotion. perhaps third time permanent.

[Schards#2]

There's certainly plenty of good reasons not to go to games, I just think it's a shame that when the club is facing what is likely to been one of its toughest times, (after a decade of overachievement), so many people are just happy to walk away from it.

Maybe I'm being ridiculous to feel that the fans "owe" the club and Sir John a bit of support when the going gets tough but I guess that's where I'm coming from.

"Reading till I die" and all that

[Hoop Blah]

There's certainly plenty of good reasons not to go to games, I just think it's a shame that when the club is facing what is likely to been one of its toughest times, (after a decade of overachievement), so many people are just happy to walk away from it.

Maybe I'm being ridiculous to feel that the fans "owe" the club and Sir John a bit of support when the going gets tough but I guess that's where I'm coming from.

"Reading till I die" and all that

I agree to a very large extent, and will probably renew yet again, but this is just pidgeons coming home to roost after the way the club (and modern football as whole to be fair) have treated it's core support in favour of 'match day experience consumers' and squeezing us for every last penny to support their over hyped 'product'.

[LUX]

I'll come over and watch whenever possible (home and Northern away games, for family reasons). Concerned about the talk on here of financial problems, but as for matters on the pitch:

a. come off it, we've just finished 7th in the Championship. Yes, we were often poor/disappointing, but 22/24 teams were too.
b. RFC for life.

[melonhead]

There's certainly plenty of good reasons not to go to games, I just think it's a shame that when the club is facing what is likely to been one of its toughest times, (after a decade of overachievement), so many people are just happy to walk away from it.

Maybe I'm being ridiculous to feel that the fans "owe" the club and Sir John a bit of support when the going gets tough but I guess that's where I'm coming from.

"Reading till I die" and all that

nice to hear you say these things
they are correct

[melonhead]

There's certainly plenty of good reasons not to go to games, I just think it's a shame that when the club is facing what is likely to been one of its toughest times, (after a decade of overachievement), so many people are just happy to walk away from it.

Maybe I'm being ridiculous to feel that the fans "owe" the club and Sir John a bit of support when the going gets tough but I guess that's where I'm coming from.

"Reading till I die" and all that

I agree to a very large extent, and will probably renew yet again, but this is just pidgeons coming home to roost after the way the club (and modern football as whole to be fair) have treated it's core support in favour of 'match day experience consumers' and squeezing us for every last penny to support their over hyped 'product'.

squeezing?

im not sure reading have really squeezed us have they?

[LUX]

oldBrendy

[melonhead]

looks nothing like me!

apart from the glasses, open mouth, and vacant look in the eye

[Royal Biscuitman]

I'm renewing.... this is all part of the journey & that's why you have to enjoy the good times because you never know when they might end.

[Ascotexgunner]

Is it really that bad being in the Championship? Yeah we would all like to be in that moneybags league but there are some great rivalries in this league, especially next season and we have Wolves, Brentford, Fulham coming into the league, and hopefully QPR. Too many fans become greedy in the premiership and their whole demeanor changes. Compared to where we have been for many years, this is paradise.

[Silver Fox]

There's certainly plenty of good reasons not to go to games, I just think it's a shame that when the club is facing what is likely to been one of its toughest times, (after a decade of overachievement), so many people are just happy to walk away from it.

Maybe I'm being ridiculous to feel that the fans "owe" the club and Sir John a bit of support when the going gets tough but I guess that's where I'm coming from.

"Reading till I die" and all that

I agree to a very large extent, and will probably renew yet again, but this is just pidgeons coming home to roost after the way the club (and modern football as whole to be fair) have treated it's core support in favour of 'match day experience consumers' and squeezing us for every last penny to support their over hyped 'product'.

My season ticket for next year is only 50 quid more than when I bought one 12 years ago

[melonhead]

There's certainly plenty of good reasons not to go to games, I just think it's a shame that when the club is facing what is likely to been one of its toughest times, (after a decade of overachievement), so many people are just happy to walk away from it.

Maybe I'm being ridiculous to feel that the fans "owe" the club and Sir John a bit of support when the going gets tough but I guess that's where I'm coming from.

"Reading till I die" and all that

I agree to a very large extent, and will probably renew yet again, but this is just pidgeons coming home to roost after the way the club (and modern football as whole to be fair) have treated it's core support in favour of 'match day experience consumers' and squeezing us for every last penny to support their over hyped 'product'.

My season ticket for next year is only 50 quid more than when I bought one 12 years ago

feel that squeeze!!

[melonhead]

I'm renewing.... this is all part of the journey & that's why you have to enjoy the good times because you never know when they might end.

football is all about the bad times for me any way

thats what defines you as a club and a fan

success is just a momentary distraction between periods of pain

[TommyF]

You have to be a fan for life! I've always supported Liverpool my whole life but take a passing interest in Reading.

(What do you mean 3-3? They were bloody 3-0 up).

I meant to say I've always support Man City my whole life.

Seriously though, in 25 years supporting Reading, 2 of my most miserable seasons have been in the prem. I fu king love the Championship but am gutted we missed the play offs whilst at the same time relieved this season is over. Whatever happens next season it's going to be exciting and hopefully not the drudgery of praying we get lucky and pull off a draw without any expectation of a win (Ok, with our finances this might still happen but I believe Adkins can avoid that).

Yep, we're in the shit without a paddle so lets get our hands dirty

[Hoop Blah]

RE the squeezing comment, I didn't mean in terms of matchday costs, that was a bit misleading as our ticket costs are very fair in comparison to the rest of the football world (still a bit too high for what it is, but that's just modern football/life I guess).

I meant was, and didn't get across, was in general terms terms football is getting more expensive. How much is a pie, hot dog or burger at the ground? Getting on for £4 for a cheap bit of meat and bread. How often are they changing the kit despite making a commitment to keep them for 2 years. How much does it cost to park your car, a tenner is it, or only 7 quid now?

Some of it is obviously the club trying to keep up in a competitive market, but as a whole modern football has been turning it's back on it's core support for some time and dwindling attendances when performances and results will be more common as fans assess the time, effort and money more than in the days when it cost proportionately less and was more about a home game 3pm on a Saturday every other week.

[melonhead]

all the peripheral stuff is a choice though
could just as easily eat before you go, or bring your own food and refreshments to the game


id happily pay a bit more for my ST tbf, if it meant we didnt have to sell th ewhole squad

[maffff]

Over the bank holiday weekend I stood up, got counted then couldn't stand up anymore.