Tariq

[Stuka]

So there's a Facebook group called something like "Royals 1871" with over 7000 members organised by a Saudi guy called Tariq.

As I understand he made his first ever visit to the Madejski Stadium and met the players etc. Did anybody meet him, what was he like? He seems absolutely fanatical.

With a 0-0 draw and a miserable cold English day, it must at least have been an authentic trip.

[bluerinse]

Is he looking to buy into the club? Maybe he will invest in the team, instead of trying to make a fortune building a property empire.

[Royal Rother]

Why would anyone put investing in a football team in front of making a fortune?

[Geekins]

He FB requested me twice and i said no.

[RoyalBlue]

He had an absolute nightmare of a journey to the game too. Arrived at Paddington Station a bit before 1PM to find all of the trains to Reading cancelled due to person on line at Slough. Was then putting messages out on Facebook to ask what other route he could take. Think he may have ended up taking a taxi, which wouldn't have been cheap. Not sure whether he arrived in time for kickoff.

[Forbury Lion]

Why would anyone put investing in a football team in front of making a fortune?

Ego, possibly a hobby, a way to invest in an asset that can not be seized by their foreign government or possibly some form of money laundering operation.

If I was a billionaire looking to leave a footballing legacy I would start a team from scratch in non league and throw money at it, if all went to plan 10 years later I'd have a Premiership trophy in my hands.... Much more rewarding that just buying the likes of Chelsea or Man City.

[John Smith]

He might just be a massive anorak? Fair play to him though

[Stuka]

There's another thread for you all to talk about the Thai property development. This is about 'Tariq Royal', the biggest Reading FC fan in Saudi Arabia.

[blueroyals]

Can he play up front?

[Top Flight]

I thought this thread was going to be about Tarique Fosu.

[KC Royal]

I thought this thread was going to be about Tarique Fosu.

Same.

Anyway, he made it to the game

http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article ... 55942.aspx

[RG7Fan]

There's another thread for you all to talk about the Thai property development. This is about 'Tariq Royal', the biggest Reading FC fan in Saudi Arabia.

Quite possibly the only Reading FC fan in Saudi.

Full marks for coming all that way for a match.

[seahawk10]

Tariq is my hero! Well done that man!

[Royal Ginger]

He FB requested me twice and i said no.

This clears up some previous confusion, although i only received the one.

[Ian Royal]

He had an absolute nightmare of a journey to the game too. Arrived at Paddington Station a bit before 1PM to find all of the trains to Reading cancelled due to person on line at Slough. Was then putting messages out on Facebook to ask what other route he could take. Think he may have ended up taking a taxi, which wouldn't have been cheap. Not sure whether he arrived in time for kickoff.

Should have just asked the station staff for advice, which would have probably been, 'hang on for a bit it ,might be a bit tight but you'll get there'.

I was on the first train out after the incident having waited for about 40 minutes. Got to Reading way quicker than going to Waterloo and sitting on the plodder for an hour and 40.

The staff were really helpful.

[Brosef Stalin]

So there's a Facebook group called something like "Royals 1871" with over 7000 members organised by a Saudi guy called Tariq.

As I understand he made his first ever visit to the Madejski Stadium and met the players etc. Did anybody meet him, what was he like? He seems absolutely fanatical.

With a 0-0 draw and a miserable cold English day, it must at least have been an authentic trip.

Sounds to me like he's just jumping on the glory bandwagon

[RoyalBlue]

He had an absolute nightmare of a journey to the game too. Arrived at Paddington Station a bit before 1PM to find all of the trains to Reading cancelled due to person on line at Slough. Was then putting messages out on Facebook to ask what other route he could take. Think he may have ended up taking a taxi, which wouldn't have been cheap. Not sure whether he arrived in time for kickoff.

Should have just asked the station staff for advice, which would have probably been, 'hang on for a bit it ,might be a bit tight but you'll get there'.

I was on the first train out after the incident having waited for about 40 minutes. Got to Reading way quicker than going to Waterloo and sitting on the plodder for an hour and 40.

The staff were really helpful.

When it comes to helpful staff I suspect it's the luck of the draw. He might have been unlucky. Or he might have felt more comfortable asking fellow supporters. Equally you might have got lucky with the 40 minute wait. Could well have turned out to be longer.

[Ian Royal]

It's the second time I've been caught.

First time I arrived as they suspended the service and wauted for an hour.

This time the service was suspended for about an hour and forty.

If it's treated as suspicious it can take a long time - this time it was initially. If it's not suspicious it's all go within an hour.

I had nothing better to do than hang around, all the staff I saw were helpful.

He may have got there earlier than me, but I get there so I should have plenty of time to walk from Reading station and still have a leisurely beer.

[Maquisard]

I went shopping instead - taxi to the 'Ding would have been cheaper
So is the general opinion that Tariq Royal is rich? Wish I hadn't rejected his FB requests

[floyd__streete]

I'd always assumed this bloke was a wind-up created by some Hob Nobbing Troll