Fans Forum at the Princess Suite on 19 August 2004 chaired
by Phil Cullimore
Guests: Nigel Howe, Jackie Evans, Andy West, Neil Baldwin and Steve Coppell
for RFC and over 200 STAR members
Surcharge, why has it been increased by 50%?
It is the first increase in administration charge for 4 years and the increase
is to account for previous seasons losses as the £1.50 does not cover
the transaction cost. Under the new ticket system it is now per transaction
not per ticket.
Will you be offering refunds for Scott Murray kits? Fully
aware that kits change and old kit does not become invalid, but last kit was
advertised as 2003-5, why was it changed after one year? Why change the design
and not just the logo.?
Sometime the decisions made by the club which we feel are in the club's best
interest and this may be seen as against the supporters interest. This is
not intentional. As far as the kit is concerned the discussions with Puma
started in February but it took to April to even get really serious so the
time frame was very difficult. Puma does not own Genesis (kit @). We accept
we have to learn, it is true kit was advertised for 2 Seasons but at that
stage it was not known that there was even a chance of a change to Puma.
Ticketing online is not brilliant and is it true there are
no seats left in the North Stand for the Sunderland game? Why are only row
A seats available?
When we first went live on internet there were troubles mainly because of
the short time frame. It is improving daily and supporters will be able to
get same tickets online as by phone by middle of September. The search for
seats should now start row w and go one row forward and one row back as last
season. There is a worry that crowd size has plateaued, this new access system
is not just for the sake of change but about trying to understand the profile
of supporters. It will take over two or three years to implement fully, as
the infrastructure is not yet in the club but the aim is to be a progressive
club and seen to be such in the football world.
What is the chance of loyalty points for away game and STAR
membership?
We are currently looking at how points should be allocated; such as more points
for midweek long journeys? We want to find a way to reward those who support
the club. There will be a STAR reward but don't know how many points yet.
TV monitor West Upper has been removed, why?
We understand it was a health & safety issue where large numbers congregate
and the decision is taken in conjunction with Reading Borough Council. It
was taken out to satisfy the licensing people of RBC but we are still looking
to relocate somewhere else on the concourse, even if it has to be a flat screen.
What can you do with the new video screen?
Still finding out what it can do, pre-match interviews and replays during
the game. It cannot show the game live as it happens, as it may inflame fans,
but can show goals and chances. Adam is keen to know what you would like to
see on the screen so pass your messages to him through the club.
Why are away fans allowed to stand?
The Safety Officer has to keep stewards safe, and the way he does it is to
wait until fans come onto the concourse and so it is not seen when action
is taken. For instance 20 away fans were ejected from the Brighton game. West
Ham Leeds and Cardiff (whose fans persistently stand) will find there away
allocation is reduced at many grounds, we are hoping to sell the tickets to
them this year but if they still stand they will be reduced next year. Once
we can sell all our seats we can then afford to reduce their allocation.
After the first half hour the guests from RFC were thanked and the questions were addressed to Steve Coppell:
Whart happened in the tunnel at Sheffield United? No Arsene
Wenger "I didn't see it" please!
I was there, Adie made a comment that could be taken one of two ways, Neil
Warnock took it the wrong way. We should be pleased with an away win but not
gloat as it is a long season.
Now you have been here a year what was the…..
Highlight - towards the end of last season, the run of games when the
spirit of team and atmosphere in crowd were so good. It gave me the belief
and hope that we really have got a good chance this year.
Lowlight - the 3 3-0s
Worst aspect of the job - answering same questions for press 20 times
over
Best aspect of the job - being a manager is everyone's dream, the zen
of being a manager is to plan training when expectations are high at this
time at year it but once the season is going and we can get beaten despite
being the best team it gets less good.
How does it compare with other clubs? - the last 2 were fire fighting,
here there are no excuses as club is on the up. The Chairman is supportive
of new training ground as it is so important. A club can be a cash club or
a community club - we want to be a community club which is so important in
the development of the team. This is my best chance of working in Premiership
and I intend to give it my best shot.
Sean Gregan is unsettled at WBA, are you an admirer?
I am admirer of him but we made decisions in summer on who we wanted. Scouting
is for potential players but not identifying any specific position.
What is the news on the training ground?
Half the area is devoted to new pitches and has been seeded and should be
ready in 6-8 weeks, one quarter is established (we plan to train on it next
week), the other quarter is new area and not as good quality but will be useful
in summer months. The buildings will be brought in in about 8 weeks so we
will be moving in lock stock & barrel in October.
Are any of our young players remotely close to the first
team?
As far as the youth squad is concerned I am not really involved, by not bringing
in own men it means that it is self-contained . In my experience the conversion
from Academy to pro takes a season to get to grips with it. From pre-season
Simieon Howell and Louie Soares are part of the squad and I would use them
without much hesitation.
Convey v Gray?
You have got to take a gamble these days, I would have snapped up Julain Gray
but he was obviously Premiership bound. I had to fill the left side, Brooker
was a good bet to fill both sides and it did seem that the Convey deal was
dead. It was resurrected at last minute, so we had to take the gamble. He
needs time to learn the English game, we have to let him make mistakes but
he will be there for the long run. He could cost a lot of money but it is
performance related.
Do players have season targets set, are they rewarded?
AP had 6 game targets set by players but I prefer to win every game rather
than think this is the game we can afford to lose. Players are the best people
to push each other on, some have targets in their contracts but that is down
to agents. Would prefer not to have individual targets as it is a team game.
Defence needs strengthening?
They are innocent until proved guilty? The perception is that a lot of teams
in our division are good going forward but not so good defending. It is a
blank sheet this season for the players to prove that they can defend. The
resources are there if needed but here the wage structure is well defined,
so any addition has to fit the structure. Some of the best games last season
and best defensive displays were when the established back 4 was disrupted
so it is not always the expected defensive display. Wally Downs working with
them now with an emphasis to work as a unit.
Andy Hughes!
You love or hate him, there are no shades of grey. He is great to have around.
Fully committed and any mistakes are genuine mistakes. But can play on either
wing and full back. He is easy to criticise but great for me.
Do you agree there is a lack of experience in the midfield?
Harper & Sidwell are among the best in the division, the 2 together at
22 and 23 need to play together more and more. I am comfortable with them
as main components of the midfield whilst they are still under threat of other
players.
Isn't it nice to see to James Harper getting support after
the stick he got last season?
I was not aware that he was on the receiving end but he has the ability, strength
and potential to be a top player. He is certainly a dedicated player.
Can fans come to the new training?
Yes the players need a crowd.- but don't listen to the language!
Is Nicky Forster getting a new contract?
He is the best striker at club, and now is the best I have seen him at this
club. He is showing real enthusiasm and determination to earn new contract.
We have now got 5 forwards but will not risk losing him.
Do we need another goalkeeper?
Last season was really competitive, it was noticeable how the tempo of training
changed when there were 3 keepers wanting to play. As we are sensible with
our finances we can only afford 2 keepers and realistically only the Premiership
can afford 3..
Why did Ashdown go?
The opportunity of the Premiership plus increased money; we cannot compete
with the Premiership - money, facilities etc are all there to transform the
club. The fee is still to be resolved..
Players did the club proud at the Open Day
This set of players are the most responsible players I been involved with.
Why last season could we beat teams at top and lose to those
at the bottom?
If I knew that I would have done something about it. The ambition of everyone
now is to make the play-offs. We were good when odds were stacked against
us, but when we were expected to win other qualities are required. The 3 teams
relegated won 11 points off us, and that is an area we have to improve.
Rotherham play 4-4-2 and are a hard working side have you
thought of 4-3-3 against them?
I have an open mind but to make them a special case before the game would
put the ball in their court. We are at home and have to make the running.
When you came you said the club was fur coat no knickers
is it sill?
Until the training ground is established then maybe, now the impression is
that something is stirring but there are a dozen teams aspiring to promotion.
A lot of clubs have been shrinking wage bills whereas ours is improving so
we are making progress.
Tell us about Dave Kitson who is looking like he could be
a big reading player?
I saw him a few seasons ago at Cambridge, when he seemed good but he went
dormant for a while, when we were looking for a forward finances meant he
fitted. First game he came dressed as a student but he has tunnel vision and
has such a drive and a desire to score goals. He is very hard to mark and
is good in the air so no centre half likes to play against him.
Are there any other bargains out there?
I seem to have been lucky in discovering forwards as I gave Ian Wright, Mark
Bright, Steve Clarridge and Stan Colymore their first professional games.
Season started and pundits do not recognise Reading, is that
an advantage?
I am pleased as expectation is a burden, we have a lot of young inexperienced
players who do not need that added burden. It is good for us to he out of
the bookies top 3, but I hope by Christmas we have changed that. Walsall went
down with 51 points and we lost 16 and were nearly successful, it's a very
fine line between success and failure..
Marcus tends to overkick the ball
One of MH strengths is his kicking, I am confident when ball goes back to
him, and he will help create quite a few goals this season - like at Sheffield
last Saturday.
Fun to win 13-0 in Sweden but what help is it?
Pre seasons are arranged in February, standard of opposition in Sweden over
the years has deteriorated. We trained well there though and were told we
trained better than premiership clubs in earlier years.
Where will we finish?
I just try to win the next game, where we finish will not be an accident.
The forum then finished with thanks all round.
Thanks to STAR for the above information supplied to Hob
Nob Anyone?
