Official RFC Clownovic Day. The protest thread

[hughsies no.1]

Whole thing is a shambles... from what is going on at the Club at present to this 'protest'

1- No one is aligned as to what they are protesting about - Dai/ Kia/ Pauno (but lets face it, if we were winning games and weren't in a relegation battle there wouldn't be a protest). The time, the type of protest and what the protest about - until those three things are agreed this is just going to be another embarrassing mess which we will be ridiculed for - and rightly so.
2- No one was getting upset when we were spending the money trying to get us up, players on silly wages like Puscas et al. Now results haven't gone our way and the money pumped in hasn't worked the toys are now being thrown out the pram. Would love to revisit the transfer thread from that summer in here and see some of the comments from those most vocal in here now criticising the spending and the owner...
3- Dai has invested heavily, serious amount of money - and quite simply has been badly advised, yet some want him out for being badly advised, and despite some saying it wouldn't happen - watch his walk and leave us even more in the sh*t. Kia needs to go, that is the one thing the fanbase is united on.

We all 'want our Reading back' - but what outcome do we want from this protest. A statement from the owner saying he cares and will stop spending silly money risking our future (which he is doing now anyway with the agreed EFL business plan)?

Saw there was even talk of a walkout after kick off - just what the team needs when we are literally desperate for any points we can get, our supporters walking out on them.

Whole thing is embarrassing - let's just get behind the team, support them and try and do our part to keep us in the league, because if we are a League One team next season we are in real real trouble.

[Dirk Gently]

Whole thing is a shambles... from what is going on at the Club at present to this 'protest'

1- No one is aligned as to what they are protesting about - Dai/ Kia/ Pauno (but lets face it, if we were winning games and weren't in a relegation battle there wouldn't be a protest). The time, the type of protest and what the protest about - until those three things are agreed this is just going to be another embarrassing mess which we will be ridiculed for - and rightly so.
2- No one was getting upset when we were spending the money trying to get us up, players on silly wages like Puscas et al. Now results haven't gone our way and the money pumped in hasn't worked the toys are now being thrown out the pram. Would love to revisit the transfer thread from that summer in here and see some of the comments from those most vocal in here now criticising the spending and the owner...
3- Dai has invested heavily, serious amount of money - and quite simply has been badly advised, yet some want him out for being badly advised, and despite some saying it wouldn't happen - watch his walk and leave us even more in the sh*t. Kia needs to go, that is the one thing the fanbase is united on.

We all 'want our Reading back' - but what outcome do we want from this protest. A statement from the owner saying he cares and will stop spending silly money risking our future (which he is doing now anyway with the agreed EFL business plan)?

Saw there was even talk of a walkout after kick off - just what the team needs when we are literally desperate for any points we can get, our supporters walking out on them.

Whole thing is embarrassing - let's just get behind the team, support them and try and do our part to keep us in the league, because if we are a League One team next season we are in real real trouble.

Yep, very sensible and well-reasoned post.

[Millsy]

Whole thing is a shambles... from what is going on at the Club at present to this 'protest'

1- No one is aligned as to what they are protesting about - Dai/ Kia/ Pauno (but lets face it, if we were winning games and weren't in a relegation battle there wouldn't be a protest). The time, the type of protest and what the protest about - until those three things are agreed this is just going to be another embarrassing mess which we will be ridiculed for - and rightly so.
2- No one was getting upset when we were spending the money trying to get us up, players on silly wages like Puscas et al. Now results haven't gone our way and the money pumped in hasn't worked the toys are now being thrown out the pram. Would love to revisit the transfer thread from that summer in here and see some of the comments from those most vocal in here now criticising the spending and the owner...
3- Dai has invested heavily, serious amount of money - and quite simply has been badly advised, yet some want him out for being badly advised, and despite some saying it wouldn't happen - watch his walk and leave us even more in the sh*t. Kia needs to go, that is the one thing the fanbase is united on.

We all 'want our Reading back' - but what outcome do we want from this protest. A statement from the owner saying he cares and will stop spending silly money risking our future (which he is doing now anyway with the agreed EFL business plan)?

Saw there was even talk of a walkout after kick off - just what the team needs when we are literally desperate for any points we can get, our supporters walking out on them.

Whole thing is embarrassing - let's just get behind the team, support them and try and do our part to keep us in the league, because if we are a League One team next season we are in real real trouble.

Sensible points and I totally support Dai overall, but I absolutely cannot agree with the conclusion of "let's just get behind the team".

When I started the ""action ASAP" thread several weeks ago I only put the "get behind the team" option as a tongue in cheek obvious stupid option to guide people to what I thought was the only reasonable option. Sort of like the obligatory obvious ridiculous answer in a multiple-choice exam.

We're in a critical situation and Pauno must go. That, right now is the one thing that unifies us all and cuts through the nebulous haze of fans' differing opinions on various other aspects of the club.

People are conflating the urgent situation and its obvious potential remedy (PAUNO OUT) with other issues going on. Tilehurst End article does a good article on it.

The answer to "We don't know what we're protesting, what a mess!" isn't "let's not protest at all. Let's just support everyone". It's "Let's know what we're protesting and focus on that"

PAUNO OUT!

[Dixie Norm]

I don't think its that deep. Can I suggest getting some beers in beforehand and then getting down there to join in the melee for a laugh. I want Pauno out which is why I'm going and I'd imagine why most will be going, I won't be joining in with any chants against the board but others no doubt will (we can save that for a later date). I think these things tend to work themselves out.

[Dixie Norm]

Sensible points and I totally support Dai overall, but I absolutely cannot agree with the conclusion of "let's just get behind the team".

When I started the ""action ASAP" thread several weeks ago I only put the "get behind the team" option as a tongue in cheek obvious stupid option to guide people to what I thought was the only reasonable option. Sort of like the obligatory obvious ridiculous answer in a multiple-choice exam.

We're in a critical situation and Pauno must go. That, right now is the one thing that unifies us all and cuts through the nebulous haze of fans' differing opinions on various other aspects of the club.

People are conflating the urgent situation and its obvious potential remedy (PAUNO OUT) with other issues going on. Tilehurst End article does a good article on it.

The answer to "We don't know what we're protesting, what a mess!" isn't "let's not protest at all. Let's just support everyone". It's "Let's know what we're protesting and focus on that"

PAUNO OUT!

Yep, I expect there will probably be some stuff against the owners but I think most of it will be aimed towards Pauno. Get some beers, get down there and see what happens

[TiagoIlori]

One of the fellas who are organising it seems to have a clear message of what he wants, but it’s not been displayed the right way that’s easy to understand- the protest aims to get Pauno out and Kia out. Hopefully the constructive feedback I gave them will translate to having a clear message as if you need more than a few words to describe what the protest is about it’s doomed from the start.

[Sutekh]

More than anything it’s about getting the playing side back to some semblance of something that’s not a shambles. Even with the injuries there should be some indication of organisation, effort and threat in games even if it’s not good enough at the of the day and, to be honest, there hasn’t been too much of that since Stam’s second season.

Any campaign I think should primarily be to change the management - even if that means an interim manager to the end of the season - asking that the club take time to find the best possible long term replacement.

Perhaps also to bring in Brian McDermott as a DoF (if he wanted it) with responsibity for all football operations and give the club a PR “mouthpiece” that would seem to be lacking currently..

[genome]

Whole thing is a shambles... from what is going on at the Club at present to this 'protest'

1- No one is aligned as to what they are protesting about - Dai/ Kia/ Pauno (but lets face it, if we were winning games and weren't in a relegation battle there wouldn't be a protest). The time, the type of protest and what the protest about - until those three things are agreed this is just going to be another embarrassing mess which we will be ridiculed for - and rightly so.
2- No one was getting upset when we were spending the money trying to get us up, players on silly wages like Puscas et al. Now results haven't gone our way and the money pumped in hasn't worked the toys are now being thrown out the pram. Would love to revisit the transfer thread from that summer in here and see some of the comments from those most vocal in here now criticising the spending and the owner...
3- Dai has invested heavily, serious amount of money - and quite simply has been badly advised, yet some want him out for being badly advised, and despite some saying it wouldn't happen - watch his walk and leave us even more in the sh*t. Kia needs to go, that is the one thing the fanbase is united on.

We all 'want our Reading back' - but what outcome do we want from this protest. A statement from the owner saying he cares and will stop spending silly money risking our future (which he is doing now anyway with the agreed EFL business plan)?

Saw there was even talk of a walkout after kick off - just what the team needs when we are literally desperate for any points we can get, our supporters walking out on them.

Whole thing is embarrassing - let's just get behind the team, support them and try and do our part to keep us in the league, because if we are a League One team next season we are in real real trouble.

Point 2 is particularly interesting... it's the modern football fan for you, all these vaunted principles soon go out the window when someone starts waving the cash in front of your face. Look at Newcastle fans, for example.

I don't think Dai is the issue either, except for maybe giving Pauno too much time. He's willing to invest and has stumped up the cash. He's either just been badly advised as you say by people like Kia wanting to make a quick buck, or Dayong, who should be more knowledgeable about the footballing side of things. And to a certain extent, you're always gambling when you're spending big anyway, and there's always a chance the signings won't come good.

We need a change and a restructure on the footballing side - a better manager, a more knowledgeable DOF, and better advisors. Not a change of owner.

[genome]

Also, why is the protest at 1pm? There's no-one at the fcuking stadium at 1pm

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Whole thing is a shambles... from what is going on at the Club at present to this 'protest'

1- No one is aligned as to what they are protesting about - Dai/ Kia/ Pauno (but lets face it, if we were winning games and weren't in a relegation battle there wouldn't be a protest). The time, the type of protest and what the protest about - until those three things are agreed this is just going to be another embarrassing mess which we will be ridiculed for - and rightly so.
2- No one was getting upset when we were spending the money trying to get us up, players on silly wages like Puscas et al. Now results haven't gone our way and the money pumped in hasn't worked the toys are now being thrown out the pram. Would love to revisit the transfer thread from that summer in here and see some of the comments from those most vocal in here now criticising the spending and the owner...
3- Dai has invested heavily, serious amount of money - and quite simply has been badly advised, yet some want him out for being badly advised, and despite some saying it wouldn't happen - watch his walk and leave us even more in the sh*t. Kia needs to go, that is the one thing the fanbase is united on.

We all 'want our Reading back' - but what outcome do we want from this protest. A statement from the owner saying he cares and will stop spending silly money risking our future (which he is doing now anyway with the agreed EFL business plan)?

Saw there was even talk of a walkout after kick off - just what the team needs when we are literally desperate for any points we can get, our supporters walking out on them.

Whole thing is embarrassing - let's just get behind the team, support them and try and do our part to keep us in the league, because if we are a League One team next season we are in real real trouble.

Point 2 is particularly interesting... it's the modern football fan for you, all these vaunted principles soon go out the window when someone starts waving the cash in front of your face. Look at Newcastle fans, for example.

I don't think Dai is the issue either, except for maybe giving Pauno too much time. He's willing to invest and has stumped up the cash. He's either just been badly advised as you say by people like Kia wanting to make a quick buck, or Dayong, who should be more knowledgeable about the footballing side of things. And to a certain extent, you're always gambling when you're spending big anyway, and there's always a chance the signings won't come good.

We need a change and a restructure on the footballing side - a better manager, a more knowledgeable DOF, and better advisors. Not a change of owner.

We have had knowledgeable footballing people at the club during the Dai era though as well. Gourlay, Howe, Tevreden have all been in football for years, lament the former if you like, he's an experienced person in English football and as CEO. Kia is the real problem here because we've had the CEO's, DoF's, advisors etc that we are all crying out for now before, it hasn't worked. The problem either lies with other advisors, like Kia, or the owner himself, who sanctions these actions.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Just had a quick read on Kia Joorabchain and it seems his biggest influences in English football have involved Carlos Tevez's transfers from West Ham to Manchester United and then United to City, he played some role during Portsmouth's administration in 2010 (although little can be found here), he was involved with Manchester City in 2010, where then owner Taksin Shinawatra had developed links with Kia, but when the takeover happened Kia was having a greater influence over City's transfer policy, wanting to bring in megastars to the club to match the scale of the change in ownership, rather than build a squad of proven Premier League players. Then Chief Executive Gary Cook said the club "did not need or seek" Kia's assistance in facilitating negotiations, citing City's failed attempts to sign Kaka from AC Milan for £91m.

During Ramires' transfer to Chelsea, Joorabchian had secured a 50% share in Ramires, then at Benfica, ahead of his transfer to Chelsea. After completing his move from Benfica to Chelsea, it was reported that Joorabchian had received around 11m Euro's from this transfer. Benfica's financial report showed a club had a net debt of just short of 5.5m Euro's to Jazzy Limited (where Kia was the sole director).

2010 he was involved with Newcastle United as "Football Advisor" involved in a clear-out of players and bringing in young, talented players from around the world. Kia was also a creditor to Portsmouth in 2010, during their administration, for which they owed him £600,000. In the current climate, Joorabchian has involvement in Everton and Reading, both clubs which have absolute disdain towards the running of their clubs at the moment and are well-known for poor recruitment in recent times.

What does all of this say? He is a man who is only interested in financing himself and is someone with a history of being involved with clubs who have suffered issues during his involvement one way or another, leading to Portsmouth's administration severity, to legal battles in Carlos Tevez's transfer and poor recruitment at both Everton and Reading now (he was involved in the Lucas Joao transfer from Sheff Wednesday). Stay away at all costs.

[hughsies no.1]

Whole thing is a shambles... from what is going on at the Club at present to this 'protest'

1- No one is aligned as to what they are protesting about - Dai/ Kia/ Pauno (but lets face it, if we were winning games and weren't in a relegation battle there wouldn't be a protest). The time, the type of protest and what the protest about - until those three things are agreed this is just going to be another embarrassing mess which we will be ridiculed for - and rightly so.
2- No one was getting upset when we were spending the money trying to get us up, players on silly wages like Puscas et al. Now results haven't gone our way and the money pumped in hasn't worked the toys are now being thrown out the pram. Would love to revisit the transfer thread from that summer in here and see some of the comments from those most vocal in here now criticising the spending and the owner...
3- Dai has invested heavily, serious amount of money - and quite simply has been badly advised, yet some want him out for being badly advised, and despite some saying it wouldn't happen - watch his walk and leave us even more in the sh*t. Kia needs to go, that is the one thing the fanbase is united on.

We all 'want our Reading back' - but what outcome do we want from this protest. A statement from the owner saying he cares and will stop spending silly money risking our future (which he is doing now anyway with the agreed EFL business plan)?

Saw there was even talk of a walkout after kick off - just what the team needs when we are literally desperate for any points we can get, our supporters walking out on them.

Whole thing is embarrassing - let's just get behind the team, support them and try and do our part to keep us in the league, because if we are a League One team next season we are in real real trouble.

Point 2 is particularly interesting... it's the modern football fan for you, all these vaunted principles soon go out the window when someone starts waving the cash in front of your face. Look at Newcastle fans, for example.

I don't think Dai is the issue either, except for maybe giving Pauno too much time. He's willing to invest and has stumped up the cash. He's either just been badly advised as you say by people like Kia wanting to make a quick buck, or Dayong, who should be more knowledgeable about the footballing side of things. And to a certain extent, you're always gambling when you're spending big anyway, and there's always a chance the signings won't come good.

We need a change and a restructure on the footballing side - a better manager, a more knowledgeable DOF, and better advisors. Not a change of owner.

Couldn't agree more!

[paultheroyal]

Whole thing is a shambles... from what is going on at the Club at present to this 'protest'

1- No one is aligned as to what they are protesting about - Dai/ Kia/ Pauno (but lets face it, if we were winning games and weren't in a relegation battle there wouldn't be a protest). The time, the type of protest and what the protest about - until those three things are agreed this is just going to be another embarrassing mess which we will be ridiculed for - and rightly so.
2- No one was getting upset when we were spending the money trying to get us up, players on silly wages like Puscas et al. Now results haven't gone our way and the money pumped in hasn't worked the toys are now being thrown out the pram. Would love to revisit the transfer thread from that summer in here and see some of the comments from those most vocal in here now criticising the spending and the owner...
3- Dai has invested heavily, serious amount of money - and quite simply has been badly advised, yet some want him out for being badly advised, and despite some saying it wouldn't happen - watch his walk and leave us even more in the sh*t. Kia needs to go, that is the one thing the fanbase is united on.

We all 'want our Reading back' - but what outcome do we want from this protest. A statement from the owner saying he cares and will stop spending silly money risking our future (which he is doing now anyway with the agreed EFL business plan)?

Saw there was even talk of a walkout after kick off - just what the team needs when we are literally desperate for any points we can get, our supporters walking out on them.

Whole thing is embarrassing - let's just get behind the team, support them and try and do our part to keep us in the league, because if we are a League One team next season we are in real real trouble.

Absolutely - this is the game when support is needed. 22k+ fans cheering them on. If they cant do it then, there is no hope, then protest, but to sour celebrations and a time players are back and fit - wrong timing.

Just call the whole thing off, that's if there is anything to call off.

[Snowflake Royal]

I don't think its that deep. Can I suggest getting some beers in beforehand and then getting down there to join in the melee for a laugh. I want Pauno out which is why I'm going and I'd imagine why most will be going, I won't be joining in with any chants against the board but others no doubt will (we can save that for a later date). I think these things tend to work themselves out.

Yeah. LOL @ thinking football protests need some sort of Committee driven manifesto and three point solution plan.

Fans are protesting that we're doing shit. Doesn’t. Matter whether individuals want that to be bland and impersonal, about the players, about the manager, about the owner or about any combination of the above.

It's about registering strength of feeling and the need for change. Ultimately, that's do better. There's no control over what the club does, so why worry what the specific message about blame is.

No one worried about it for previous protests. They just acted

[NathStPaul]

I don't think its that deep. Can I suggest getting some beers in beforehand and then getting down there to join in the melee for a laugh. I want Pauno out which is why I'm going and I'd imagine why most will be going, I won't be joining in with any chants against the board but others no doubt will (we can save that for a later date). I think these things tend to work themselves out.

Yeah. LOL @ thinking football protests need some sort of Committee driven manifesto and three point solution plan.

Fans are protesting that we're doing shit. Doesn’t. Matter whether individuals want that to be bland and impersonal, about the players, about the manager, about the owner or about any combination of the above.

It's about registering strength of feeling and the need for change. Ultimately, that's do better. There's no control over what the club does, so why worry what the specific message about blame is.

No one worried about it for previous protests. They just acted

Different times and I think we have a much nicer set of supporters these days. I fear the protest will be a damp squib due to the clear lack of someone leading it, can see a group of people getting together before the game and just standing there sadly.

[The Royal Forester]

In my mind it is the wrong match for a protest, Aren't the club putting on extra attractions etc. and have sold over 20000 tickets? Hard to see how , say a thousand wigs/clowns or a before game protest will make much of an impact. The protests may not be covered as much by the media as they will have find space for the celebrations and protests, so less coverage for both. Would have been better to wait for the Birmingham game, which would have given time for the Clowns and Banner Waving groups to get together and wear clowns wigs etc. and make a protest AFTER the Brum, game. More coverage would be forthcoming that way without spoiling the celebrations I think.

[genome]

It'll be about 25 blokes shouting at the Megastore

[Sanguine]

What about if we literally can't afford to pay him off?

[Pepe the Horseman]

It'll be about 25 blokes shouting at the Megastore

"What do we want?"
"More stock!"

[Pepe the Horseman]

What about if we literally can't afford to pay him off?

His contract is up at the end of the season, so it won't cost us anymore to sack him now than it would for him to see out his contract. Getting someone else in could be an issue, but shouldn't be given we've ditched some high earners.