Alan Pardew resigned as Reading manager on 10 September 2003 after being refused the opportunity to discuss the vacant managers job with West Ham United. John Madejski immediately rejected the resignation as a breach of contract. We asked the fans' opinion of Pardew's departure after four successful seasons as first team manager for the Royals... and there was plenty of opinion out there:
I
am like all other Reading followers saddened and angry by the news of Alan
Pardew's departure from Reading today. The whole saga has made me feel disillusioned
with football and those involved in the game, people like Barry Neville, people
like Alan Pardew, people like Trevor Brooking, supposed men of integrity and
decency. I feel like I have been conned, all the money that we supporters
spend to idolise people who don't give a shit about us, all the travelling
we do, all the sacrifices we make to support our club basically counts for
nothing. We are mugs us supporters and once again we have been shafted, let
down, and used. I feel sorry for JM, how used must he feel. In my eyes he
is a good businessman in a corrupt industry and he must feel like walking
away. Granted Pardew was on a low salary, but it was a contract he agreed
to sign and a contract clearly stating he can only speak to Prem league clubs,
his excuses for goin don't wash with me.
I honestly don't know if we should bother with stopping Pardew from resigning,
yes I want him to suffer for his actions, but maybe it is better to concentrate
on looking forward and forgetting him, any prolonged legal battle could really
affect morale at the club further and we don't need that. I am no expert but
aren't you treading on dangerous ground employing a new manager whilst refusing
the resignation of another? As for a new manager I really don't have a clue,
there are lots of candidates and it is a good job with a wealthy club, how
about Bryan Robson, he is high profile, with lots of contacts, why not? Whatever
happens I hope I cheer up because the events of today have soured my appetite
for the game, and I feel at this moment that my recovery period may be a slow
one.
Good bye Alan, I amongst others wish you the worst of fortune and hope you
end up in a shithole like Mark McGhee, you have let us all down badly. By
the way when you next see "The decent man of Football" Trevor Brooking tell
him to f*ck off from me please. I am looking forward to seeing you at the
Mad Stad later in the season.
Bob Lethaby
Well
at least it's reached a conclusion. Now, before criticising Pards' departure,
maybe us supporters should take a hard look at ourselves. Remember back to
four years ago, how many of you made up the just over 6,500 which attended
his first game against Chesterfield? How many looked to mock the loyal fans
who were going to game regularly at this time?
I, for one, have to admit that my love affair was on the wane. Albeit at university,
the turbulent Bullivant & Burns era certainly made me question whether it
was worth spending so much money & time on something which just provided disappointment.
How may of you looked at the likes of Barnsley & Bradford and hoped that the
Royals could look to emulate them (how times change).
Now, given that most fans are used to challenging for promotion, remember
back to the 2000-2001 season. Although ultimately ending in disappointment,
it was the first 'decent' season in half a decade. How many of you berating
the then manager only returned, or entered, the fold that season. Recount
that amazing day at Griffin Park when Jamie equalised. Remember all the highlights
from last season. Of course, the manner of the departure leaves a bitter taste.
Yet, ultimately, remember the good times. What annoys me more is the arrogance
of the press & media who will assume that Reading's good spell is over. The
players remain and with the assistance of Dillon & McDermott, promotion can
be achieved. Let the ex-pro's and presenter on the likes of Sky Sports, Radio
5Live & Talksport continue with their usual diatribe. 'Patronise us, we don't
care'. We are witnessing history in the making. This, however, takes time
to trickle down to the likes of McCaffrey, Kamara, Marsh, Brazil et al who
are in their own comfort zone. Emotions will be running high at Upton Park
this Saturday. Let's maintain the high levels of support which has been demonstrative
over recent years. No doubt the Burberry & Stone Island 'boys' will look to
enjoy the match in their own inimitable way - I mean, look at the events at
Ipswich.
One final point to West Ham, in the style of Mel Gibson in Braveheart...
'You can take our manager, but you cannae take our players'.
Patrick O'Brien
At
least we still have our Chairman, thank goodness!
I hope he does not go to another club. I wonder how good AP would have been
without a Chairman who was ambitious to get us into the Premiership, and was
prepared to buy the players Pardew wanted! Would Pardew have done any better
at, say, Wycombe than LS?
How many of the players AP bought have improved under him. Not many N Shorey,
J Harper are young players who should improve in the normal course of events.
For that matter how much have RFC received in transfer fees since AP has been
here? Martin Butler, and.......
Ok so he got us from near the bottom of div 2 to almost where we want to be.
They now play much better football its true. But I argue that there are any
number of managers who could have done the same with the money available.
So having got that little lot off my chest I do not feel that all is lost
- far from it, but it does leave a nasty taste. And who knows perhaps KD will
be an even better manager, and here's wishing him well!
Martin Davies
Good
luck to Pardew.
If I was head hunted for allegedly three times my salary, I would want to
consider it very seriously. He has engineered the Club through tricky times
to a position of great strength - better than at any stage of our history.
It's not like when McGhee left having promised he'd stay. Pards stayed quiet
While we all speculated but the longer it went on, the more likely he would
go.
However, the following is true...
Pardew and Gorman - lost far more than we won
Pardew and Mad Dog - faded badly after an impressive start
Pardew and Dill - got it right from day one!
I hope Dill proves to be more than a capable caretaker and then gets the job
full time. If he's half as tough as he was a player, we'll be okay. We need
continuity! Chants for Saturday "There's only one John Madjeski, walking in
a winter wonderland". Can't think of any Dill songs yet!
Will Hasler
After
his statements at the fans forum that he wouldn't leave for a rival Division
1 club and the nature of the contract that he signed, I think Pardew's behaviour
has been very poor. He has garunteed that a large part of the Reading fans
will now hate him, and give him stick. He's betrayed a lot of the players
who have joined us over recent years. He's acted like a hypocrite after the
Connelly situation, and most importantly he's upset Mr Mad, who has every
right to now force him into Garden leave.
Alan do you really expect us to believe that the only reason you resigned
is because you were denied the chance to talk to West Ham. Even now you can't
be honest and say you wanted the job and to move on. Honesty from the start
would have left us angry, but not betrayed. Congratulations on getting yourself
the 3 months Gardening leave you deserve, and if you think West Ham will wait
until February for you I think and hope you are wrong.
No managers with a first name ending in 'y', - they have all been useless
in the last 10 years. No managers with 4 letter first names - they will betray
us.
Long Live Kevin Dillon as Pardew's replacement. Lets keep what continuity
we can.
Ian
So
it has finally happened and dear old Alan has put greed before honour.
See you on the way back down Al.
We won't forgive this for a long time.
Heres hoping Mr Mad can carry on after this terrible insult.
PW Johnstone
Not
a surprise. Sacked by Reading as reserve team manager under Tommy Burns. Returns
and saves Reading from the drop, after three very successful years offered
three times his salary by West Ham. What would you do?
Matt Smith
I
am disgusted with Pardew's decision! He signed a contract and so he should
stick to it. I am sure the whole of Reading feels betrayed by this and out
of everyone I feel upset mostly for John Madejski who has done soo much for
this club and for Pardew himself! Pardew if you go it will be the biggest
mistake of ur life and we will laugh at you when you stay in Div 1 with West
Ham while Reading are in the Prem!!
Good Luck to Dillon and the players- you can do it- lets kick ass and show
Pards what he will be missing!
Claire Needham
Contract
loyalty in the football world is very different to contract loyalty in the
business world (non football). It stands to reason that West Ham are after
the best and Reading want to keep probably the best Manager the club has ever
had. Whats done is now done and in any event there is no point in trying to
keep someone who doesn't want to stay. The main priority now is to focus everyone's
attention to the match itself on Saturday and I'm sure all the club staff,
players, and supporters will do everything they can to secure a memorable
victory. I just hope the idiots don't come to the fore and try and stir things
up with aggressive behaviour.
On a positive note, we still have an excellent set up geared to the premiership
with a superb team of players and back room staff. I think we need to retain
Kevin Dillon to steady the ship and let things settle down before any rash
appointments/decisions are made. Pardew. assuming, he takes the W.Ham job
must not be allowed to poach our players. At the end of the day Majedski is
a shrewd business man and following the Mcghee affair has learnt a lot. I
have every confidence that he and the board will manage things and the ultimate
outcome will still be a memorable season seeing Reading being promoted.
Mike Stark
Seems
like there is another Mark McGhee at the club. Once again we are doing well
and the manager jumps ship to get a better offer. Hopefully it won't turn
out like it did the last time this happened.
Onwards and upwards to the premiership.
Darren Wynn
There
are no winners here. It is a battle of morality against money, and as is so
often the case, it is the lure of money that wins. Pardew has been an undoubted
success here. He also agreed to a contract and then wanted to break it. we
may ask ourselves how we would have behaved in that situation. The difficulty
for us as football fans is that we are ruled by our hearts and not our heads.
For the football manager, it is a job and we fail to see that. The guilty
parties here are Pardew and west Ham and both will loose a lot of respect.
The person who emerges with his reputation enhanced still further is our Chairman.
Where would we be without him? Yes we must rally around the team, but let's
not forget what JM has done for his club and , ironically, for Pardew. Had
he seen out his contract or gone to a Premiership club, we would have all
wished him all the best and followed his development. Now neither will be
the case. That is sad, but that is how it is.
Kenneth Chennells
Although
I feel completely let down by AP, and will gladly join in any stick he is
likely to get when (and if) he returns to the Mad Stad, I do want to thank
him for his work at the club. I just don't want to wish him well... I've seen
a lot of comments comparing a Football Managers job with leaving any other
place of work, and feel I should add the following comments:
1) If a Manager is sacked during a season, the club still has to pay out his
contract, plus any other compensation payments, so in effect his contract
is still legally binding.
2) JM is quite within his rights to refuse his resignation, and until he does,
AP may be unable to work for another club (injunctions etc.).
3) If somebody leaves a company, there may be requirements not to work for
competitors for a set period of time (e.g. 6 months). It's about time the
F.A. made this a requirement throughout the league - that would make this
sort of thing less likely.
JM should do all he can to stall AP's move to Westham (especially before Saturday
- who wants the person who trained the team on Monday to be part of the opposition
on the Saturday?!), Kevin Dillon should have his chance. Let AP have 6 months
to a year cooling his heals and see if he regrets his decision. West Ham have
obviously gone behind Readings back despite claiming 'to be going though the
proper channels' and so should be investigated by the F.A. and receive a huge
fine. I feel worse about this than when the Fat Scottish One left - at least
that was for a team in a higher division. Lets hope West Ham and Pardew finish
in mid-table and AP ends up being sacked for the 'Next Bright Thing' (hopefully
not Kevin Dillon).
Mark Robinson
OK
so AP has gone - the people I feel sorry for are the players like Sidwell,
Harper and most of all Goater. To come to a club like Reading - clearly influenced
by AP to improve himself and help us into the Premiership - how does he feel
now just a few weeks later?
I think Kevin Dillon (providing he does not find the exit too) should be the
man for the job. Or we should go for a name and pay him or her (Gabi come
on down) for success achieved. Lawrie Sanchez is a good bloke but he's not
New Reading he's Old Reading.
I am sure John Madejski will not want to encourage anyone to break their contract
to join (as he has principles) how about Gianluca Vialli (classy fella), Brian
Little (he likes us), Graham "do I not like that" Taylor or even Stuart Pearce
(the Goat knows him well). In addition, all the crap about AP being on only
sixty grand (plus his money for appearances on Radio and TV) it's a red herring.
And please, not Ray Houghton - he never has a good word to day about us when
on Sky.
I had a scan through the Hammers website this morning and there were several
classic postings most notably "I heard Hammers were going to bring in Alan
Partridge and frankly it did not surprise me! Let's go to Upton Park on Saturday,
win and show them which club has the future and which club has the past!
Mark Beament
Copy
of note sent to John Madejski:
Dear Mr Madejski,
Please be assured of our continuing support. I am sure that I speak for the
vast majority of followers of Reading Football Club in expressing my disappointment
at events of recent days. I firmly believe that the club has become a victim
of the malaise that threatens to sink our game into oblivion. I fully back
your stand that an agreement once made should be honoured; a contract once
signed should be enforceable. If Reading sacked a manager they would be expected
to offer compensation - does it really work in reverse though?
I do not understand why Mr Pardew has taken this decision. He knew of the
club's past experiences with Managers who were allowed to speak with other
parties and his contract was clear on this issue. How he could claim to be
upset by the Club upholding the terms of that contract beggar's belief.
Anyway, his mind was obviously made up. Though I wonder how much of this was
prompted by the agent. For Alan Pardew it surely makes no sense to go to a
club which has extreme financial problems, a faltering morale in the dressing
room and a un-sympathetic level of expectation. He is "on a hiding to nothing".
Compare the well run, sound club he chooses to leave. It must be down to the
agents opportunism.
The West Ham Board should also reflect on their actions. The club is bigger
than one person (perhaps excluding your good self!). We will continue the
good work which you tirelessly inspire. Hold out for compensation. Hope that
the FA have the necessary back-bone and principles. Try to keep/strengthen
the squad. Keep faith with your approach. See you in the Premier League (minus
West Ham).
Unstintingly yours
James Lawrence
Where do I start?
Absolutely gutted at this news. The person I feel sorry for most is John M.
For this situation to happen twice to seemingly one of the most supportive
and collaborative chairmen in the football league is nothing short of dreadful.
I think as Reading fans we see ourselves as more than a small club in Berkshire.
Okay so we've never won anything of note but small clubs can become bigger
- look at Wimbledon and Blackburn Rovers to name but two. Anyway, why does
being a 'small' club mean we have to lose managers? In speaking to friends
who are other teams fans they seem to believe that Pards coudn't turn down
a club like West Ham with their history, stature, following etc, so maybe
it's just us being over protective about OUR club.
There is for me a huge difference however between the Reading that Pardew
is leaving to the one that McGhee left. I am not an FSB hater and don't chant
at him when Millwall play Reading because, deep down I think he probably did
the thing most mangers would have done and moved from Elm Park. We were then
a very small club doing amazingly well but with no real infrastructure for
long term success. The Reading of today is a fantastic club built on very
solid foundations and a club that was going places. (in fairness I credit
Pardew for a lot of this).
It is easy to look back with hindsight now and say maybe John should have
let Pards talk to WH. He might have come back re-negotiated his contract with
Reading, stayed and left WH with egg on their face, however I think I'm maybe
being a bit idealistic to think that if Pards spoke with them he wouldn't
have gone. Overall you certainly can't criticise JM other than perhaps Pards
salary was low and unfair (I read £65K a year somewhere, which if true is
outrageous!) Well fellow Royals we were on the crest of a wave and I honestly
feel we were going up this year. We'd started well, everything was in place
for success. Inevitably now there will be a period of unrest and this will
damage the team, how much ? nobody knows.
I am very, very sad at this moment. I feel very sorry that probably our greatest
manager thus far will be remembered with bitterness and we will have to endure
again the slagging off of Pardew at every game he comes to at the Mad Stad.
I really want to hate Pards but I can't. Yes, he's been dishonourable, yes
he's treated all of us shabbily but his record as our manager is one to be
immensely proud of. Not just for the games won etc or the players he signed
(Not 1 bad one in IMHO), but for the 'infrastructure' he laid at Reading.
I still almost cannot believe he's gone. I have already had a a high this
season which was when Pards and Goater were live on Sky Sports. Pards talked
with such pride about how Reading were perceived as a small club and 'unglamorous'
saying and I quote 'We are trying to change that and maybe bringing players
like Shaun to the club will help to do that'. Less than 8 weeks later that
same man has gone and left me with my lowest point for a long, long time being
a Reading fan.
I now just want Saturday to come and turn over WH. I'm one of the lucky 2,500
who've got a ticket. I shall wear my Royals shirt with immense pride in the
Boleyn on Saturday. I will also sing to the rafters to support our team and
most all our fabulous chairman.
READING TILL I DIE.
Crowthorne Royal, Dean Howarth
First
off thanks for a great website that has allowed me keep track of the royals
all over the world for the last 4 years.
My feelings at the moment are of disbelief and concern for the future. I also
feel a little angry. Not knowing all the facts doesnt help either. One one
hand i feel angry that alan pardew should leave the royals- after hes done
so much and seems in a great position to make history and take Reading to
the premiership. We made him and where is the loyalty. On the other, whilst
i respect Madjeski`s actions of not allowing Pardew to speak to WHUFC i think
that you cant blame a man who has the chance of earning 3 times his Reading
salary and a reported £1m if he gets the back in the premiership. I think
that Pardew should have been offered a finacial incentive to stay... maybe
he was who knows?
I feel gutted that hes left and worried for the future. I feel that it is
up to the players now to pick themselves up and really get behind Kevin Dillion
and prove that we are not finished. I also feel that the fans should get behined
John Madjeski - Pardew would have been nothing without his stadium, hotel
and money.
Every Royals fan now should be getting behined the team and turning up to
support the boys... Woe betide anyone i hear saying "oh weve fucked it now"
or any other negative comments which some royals fans seem to always say.
The Song to Pardew has to be in the tune to Stokes Deliah - Why? Why? Why?
Alan Pardew Come on you Royals
Alex
It
was pretty obvious that Pardew was going to go to West Ham when he didnt come
out and distance himself from the speculation of him going in the first instance.
I think it may have been better if Madjeski had let him speak to West Ham,
although he was well within his right to reject their approach, it would have
given him less reason to resign and then maybe give Reading a better chance
of getting compensation from West Ham. Now he has resigned from the club because
of dispute with the Chairman he will be free to take up the West Ham position
and we will most likely not realise the £250000 - £800000 figure that was
being touted in the press which might have been handy for further player purchases.
You would have thought that after the Mark Mcgee situation Mr Madjeski would
have been less naive than to think that anyone would honour their contract
when approached by a 'bigger' club as this is hardly the norm in Football
these days.
Very disapointed but not really very suprised.
Chris Rodger
So
here we are again, we give young managers a chance and when we start to get
comfort the RFC curse strikes agaion and they go onto bigger and better thing.
However, whereas Mark McGhee left us to a premiership club Pardew has gone
to a divisional rival and that is not accpetable. The so called "nice guy"
as done himself a disgrace and taken a massive risk by going to West Ham.
They are club in turmoil, with a disruptful set of supporters and a squad
full of ego's - something Pardew hates. Arguably we have just as good a chance
of getting promoted as West Ham, and surley by Pardew going there could jepordises
his career as if they do not get promoted they will balme him, whereas, if
he had stayed with Reading till the end of the season he would of lost no
respect in the game and a Premiership club would have come in for him.
After all the promosies he made to Goater and Murray to get them here, he
goes against his word, and no doubt hurts a lot of people along the way, for
what is essentialy a massive gamble. If we can keep hold of our playes we
still have a chance but what the morale must be like within in the camp I
don't know. Still at least we have Dillon - the perfect replacement. Thanks
for nothing Pardew, Come on King Kev!!!!
Peter Tournoff
I
find it very sad that Alan Pardew has left the club in this manner. It is
a unfortunately a fact of life that loyalty and honour seem to count for nothing
these days with the bottom line being cash.
Not only has Pardew let down the fans badly, but also everyone involved in
the club, not the least the players who were persuaded to come to Reading
in the last few weeks with promises such as "I can still teach you new things".
I hope that the board now do not panic and bring someone in immediately to
replace Pardew that does not have the quality or skill to take us into the
Premiership by next April. Some of the names already being mentioned include
Managers whose Teams play the old "up and under" tactics that we saw at Elm
Park in years gone by!
I know that "Big John" has his principles but now may be the time to look
at how other Managers have been "poached" and change his views in a game where
money is the all deciding factor. Maybe in a years time I may be able to say
"good luck" to Pardew but at the moment all I can do is wish him some Spangles
Acid Drops (if they still make them) 'cos they leave a bitter taste in your
mouth. Still, as long as he is not permitted to return and pinch players and
key backroom staff the Team is good enough to gain promotion without AP.
Paul Beamish-Knight
I
don’t blame Pards for resigning, in that if the media is correct, and his
salary ex bonuses was £60,000, he was underpaid for the job he did. Anyone
offered 3 times salary to move would quite reasonably want the opportunity
to talk to the party offering the deal. It is very unusual in any business
for the boss to be paid less than the junior staff. Pards was responsible
for recommending relatively mediocre players to the Board whose pay demands
were vastly in excess of his own remuneration.
What does seem a bit daft is that if it was money that caused the rift, surely
a compromise from the club could have avoided this massively damaging situation.
Well done to Mr. Mad for believing a contract should be binding. That doesn’t
mean that the terms of said contract cannot be varied when circumstances prevail
that demand it. The club has been hurt by the unnecessary publicity surrounding
what could have been a very avoidable situation. Supporters, and most importantly,
players have had their confidence harmed, and it begs the question whether
Chairman and Manager really had the cosy relationship that we were all supposed
to believe existed.
Kevin, Worthing Royal.
Where
do I start?
The feeling of watching Sky Sports News with the breaking headline "Alan Pardew
resigns as manager of Reading" was of pure disappointment and shock. There
is no doubt West Ham are a bigger club, but West Ham is being run by Terrence
Brown, probably the most hated chairman at this moment in time. They have
debt's which they say have gone,but everyone no's in football that means nothing.
I think the general behaviour of Pards in the last week or 2 has been of a
surpirse,no one really thought he would be intrested in this job considering
in my opinion,we are in a much better state at this moment in time than West
Ham.
Where did it all go wrong? Well it could go back to the time we had the chance
to sign Matty Upson, but the chairman wasn't preapred to buy him. Look what's
happend to him since, regular first team football in the premiership and now
a regular in the England squad.Surely Pardew wasn't satisfied at having taken
a pay cut when he signed that contract back in January. He said it was an
example to the players,but I can't remember a player since that day mentioning
a pay cut.In all fairness,chairman John had been very fair to him in the summer.
There was money to spend,with us bringing in Scott Murray and Shaun Goater
on transfer fees,Omar Daley on a season long loan and yet we were still discussing
as fans who would be the best centre back for backup to Adie Williams and
Steve Brown. But despite Pards walking out on us and most of us upset,no one
can doubt what he done at this club was nothing short than amazing. A top
10 finish in his first season,Playoff Final in the 2nd season, Promotion in
the 3rd season,a playoff place in the 4th season where we were unlucky not
to go through. Even the start this season was very encouraging.
Where do we go from here.Well Kevin Dillion is in temporary charge and surely
he has a great chance of being our new boss,he no's this club inside out and
somehow I can see him having more loyalty than others.Lawrie Sanchez seems
to been mentioned,but that would be a step backwards.But there is still quality
managers around and about: Steve Cotterill, Ronnie Moore, Danny Wilson, Steve
Coppell. Of course there is Parky,but maybe the job here has come to early
for him.Sorry Parky! But to summarise,thanks Pards for all you done because
you were great,but truth.Your another FSB.
Mark Sugar
After
the shambles of the last week, who really wants Pardew as manager? David Connolly
and Alan should get on just fine, so let's just leave it at that. It's now
time to use this energy and passion he's whipped up with his departure to
get behind Kevin Dillion and rise up the table. I think Kev will prove a better
manager anyway - Pardew's always been vastly over-ratted if you ask me. It's
Johnny Mad that's really made it all happen and long may he continue to be
the best chairman in the division!
Tom Roberts
Alan
Pardew is disloyal, low life, scum and deserves everything he gets. He's no
better than that fat Scottish b*stard.
Words fail me. I'm filled with anger and disappointment. Hope this whole episode
blows up in his face. I wish him the very worst for the future and for evermore.
We will never forget how he has let us down. In the meantime, I salute Johnny
Mad. Top bloke who just doesn't deserve to be let down again. He's a great
chairman who gives his managers good support and I really feel for the guy.
Lets just hope that this hasn't fcuked our season almost as soon as it's started.
Simon Plevey
I
just simply cannot believe this.
Watching this unfold over the last week I was unsure if I was postive he was
staying or convinced he was going to go. Everyday seemed to offer new hope
or new concerns. On Sky's Soccer Saturday at the weekend I listened to Spackman,
Cottee et al suggesting that Pardew would not perhaps be making the correct
desicion should he decide to take the West Ham gig and that, according to
Cottee, would not even be a 'big enough' name to keep the West Ham supporters
happy! To add further fuel to the fire even Alan Mullery offered that Pardew
would be simply 'mad' to take on the West Ham job when, frankly, the oportunities
at his disposal at Reading far outweighed those at the cash strapped and squad
depleted Hammers.
I've not been this pi**ed off in a long time and can't believe that a guy
who we all thought was 'in it for the long haul' and, lets be fair, worked
a bloody miracle at transforming the team (at least) into genuine Premier
League candidates has effectively just upped and gone - it's madness! Tell
me this is not happening........
John Smith
So
we all made a mistake. We thought he was honourable but we've found out in
the most painful way that he is totally dishonourable. No-one would begrudge
him joining a premiership or European club but his contract stated he could
not join a competitor. He agreed to this but decided that he is bigger than
the club and he can simply break an agreement. To look at this positively,
we must be better off without him. He's a man without principles while John
Madejski is an excellent businessman with principles.
If his contract has a notice period of several months, we should put him on
gardening leave rather than ask for compensation. Play hard and play by the
book. Pardue has not played by the book and he needs to be taught the facts
of business life. But let's not knee-jerk for a successor. There's talk of
Laurie Sanchez, but his track record isn't startling. Let's a reverse buyout
and knick Ranieri!! That'll get them talking!
Nigel Grinsted
I
genuinely think Pardew has made the wrong decision for himself. He had built
himself something very good here at Reading. He had a huge amount of credibility
here and a lot of room to manoeuvre. This he had gained through his own good
work. He had the opportunity here to become a legend. He could have been the
man who made Reading a Premiership team, and then maybe even on to Europe.
He could have been the next Clough.Someone who took an obscure club to greatness.
I think there is a serious danger that we could become an Aberdeen, punching
well above our weight under a great manager and then slipping back into obscurity
once he had gone. I think it is crucial now that we hang on to Dillon (promote
him and pay him quick) ,and the rest of the back room staff. I don't think
it is a coincidence that the team improved immediately when Dillon took over
from Martin Allen.
Pardew was forming Reading in his own image. He won't be able to do that at
West Ham.Too much baggage, too much history. If he takes West Ham back to
the Top half of the Prem, they'll say "so what". Will Pardew be handing out
the "fastest team in Div 1" T-Shirts on day one at West Ham ?
Richard Price
After
all the anticpation, rumour, denials and silences the moment is upon us. Pardew
surely is synonymous with Reading’s developing fortunes, but that perhaps
doesn’t tell the whole truth. The truth surely is that the Chairman had been
unswerving in his support for his man, has seen off the calls from the fans
for his dismissal when times were not so good and has backed him since the
end of last season by funding some top price signings.
The HNA report says is all. Pardew will be remembered in the same vein as
another rookie manager that Madjeski helped create, as someone who walked
away from a commitment for the sake of a bigger cheque. The amount of criticism
clubs are given for sacking managers after short periods – or even after a
manager has done the dirty work for the board in the case of Roeder – is often
given profile. How much then should Pardew’s action – walking out after 8
months of a new contract, and just 5 games of a new season be held in contempt.
Yes, Pards has helped turn Reading into a club that people recognise, that
your mates don’t laugh about any more and that just may be on the verge of
breaking into the countries elite division, but how much more has Reading
made Pardew a name even worthy of considering for a club such as West Ham?
Nobody would be crying foul had Pardew departed for Charlton – anyone not
expecting that would be a fool. Premiership clubs could take him – that was
in his contract, which everyone agreed to so recently, and surely opportunities
would have arisen. We might not have liked it, but to kick your biggest supporter
in the nuts, and turn your back on the place that made you and go over to
the opposition is asking for vilification. I’d like to thank Pardew for all
he’s done for this club. In all sincerity, he has done a grand job. I’ll not
have the opportunity to say so in person. When he comes back on April 3rd,
he’ll find out just how McGhee feels. Fool. Should’ve known better.
Paul Fortescue
Pardew
is a fool, he has taken a sideways step he will lose in the long run.
Michael Robinson
Hugely
disappointed, the timing is incredible, Pardew was on the verge of really
acheiving something with the current side. To throw that away and head on
for an allegedly bigger (which is not to say better) club still coming to
terms with relegation is a somewhat surprising decision. More hurtful though
is the complete u-turn from the opinions he aired at the last fans forum regarding
his and the club's future.
We have to thank Pardew for the job he's done here, the state we're in now
compared to his first morning in charge couldn't be more different. That said
the bloody mindedness inherent in football fans like myself means I'm keen
to see hm and West Ham fall flat on their faces after this whole tawdry affair.
It's a truism but the only constant in football is the fans, luckily we have
one at the helm in the form of Mr Madejski who I believe is the only person
to come out of this with an enhanced reputation. Long may he rule our club.
David Smith
He
has let the fans and players down very badly and given himself a bad name
by walking out and not being loyal to his contract. We have a great set up
and team spirit. I hope we can carry on towards the premiership. Good luck
to the boys and lets do 'em on Saturday. I am to mad to carry on this email.
Darren
I
am not angry with Alan Pardew... I am dissapointed, let down and betrayed.
I have always supported Pards and have watched him build a fantastic team
at reading. He has always given the impression he was dedicated to us... His
voluntry wage cut, killing of of the Connelly deal because he wasn't commited
enough etc... He has walked out on us for money. His reputation as a manager
would have been far more improved if he had finished the job at reading. If
he had walked out on us for a premiership club then I would have been sad,
but proud of what Reading helped pardew achive. Now that he is going to a
rival i know he can never really have been commited to us but using us to
find a better job.
My message to Pardew would be this... You could have left Reading as a hero
and gone down in history as a great manager who did great things for us and
went to the premiership (another David Moyes perhaps). Instead you have lost
the fans respect and while you will always be rememberd as a great manager
who turned us around you will always be a traitor. I thank you for what you
have done for us over the last few seasons, but I don't wish you luck.
Mark Alderman
Sorry
to see him go.
This will damage his reputation no end and, I for one, will be sad if he ends
up like Mark McGee - a promising hopeful who failed to live up to his full
potential because he was too ambitious too soon. Pardew has consistently surprised
the Reading fans, and possibly himself, by continually improving his performance
as a manager. No sooner had we believed him to have reached his level - he
managed to rise above it to the next one. Lets hope that WestHam will be as
patient with his learning curve as Reading were.
I truly believe that it is the backroom team, along with the superb facilities,
which has helped Reading achieve their recent successes and it will be interesting
to see if Pardew continues to perform so well without them. Afterall, fitness
levels and training regimes take time to establish - and that's with the clubs
full support! I support Mr Mad fully in his fury. Disloyalty is a hard thing
to swallow, particularly as it appears that in the end the only motive was
money. Roll on a long period of gardening leave!!!
Kirrie Griffith
Pardew
has made it quite clear he wants no future in Reading Football Club so what's
the point in trying to keep him? I feel despratly sorry for the chairman as
this is the second time it has happened and you wonder if a contract is worth
the paper it's written on. We should now just move on find a successor and
hope he can carry on the good work Pardew has started.
Peter Richarson
It's
all very sad. It's like history repeating itself. We get close to the promised
land and then it all goes pear shaped. Lets hope we keep the momentum going
and Mr.M appoints a worthy successor who can steady the ship. Out of all this
unfortunate state of affairs I feel sorry for John Madejski. I really don't
think he deserves this. Come on URZ!
Steve King
I am totally gobsmacked! Is this not the same man who 4 weeks ago told us
all at the fans forum "I'm not going anywhere". So much for loyalty, and honour
clearly no defence for the lure of a big fat pay cheque. Our response should
be to give West Ham a damm good pasting on Saturday and continue our march
to the Premiership. We can then wave goodbye to Alan Pardew and West Ham next
May as we enter the Premiership for the first time and leave him and his team
behind in division one.
Alan White
When
John Madejski appointed Pardew he gave him his first chance in football management
and was heavily criticised for gambling on an unproven young manager. Since
then, he has unstintingly stuck by Pardew through thick and thin and back
him to the hilt financially in a way virtually all other managers in the Nationwide
could only dream of. How does Pardew repay this faith, support and loyalty?
By knifing Madejski in the back the first opportunity he had.
If I was John Madejski I would feel very let down and disillusioned.
And what of the fans? We are left with the feeling that virtually all players
and managers are little more than hired hands with no loyalty to any club,
set of supporters or anything other than their wallet. Clearly, they all care
less about the club than the fans that pay their wages. What makes Pardew’s
departure particularly galling is that he has always impressed the need for
loyalty and support on both his players and the fans, the word hypocrite barely
does it justice.
Martin Dubber
John
M found himself in a no win situation - let Pards speak to West Ham and you've
as good as let him go much to the fan's wrath, stick to your guns as he's
in a contract / you are protecting your investment and Mr. Neville / Mr. Brooking
publicly denounce you for not playing ball. From my perspective, John has
acted with intergrity - this club has flourished since his investment - he
is a self made man with principles - Mr. Neville is not fit to even share
the same breathing space - he is a parasite seeking his 15 minutes of fame.
So good luck Alan, national polls suggest you are not the man West Ham wanted
- whatever success you may / may not achieve with your new club, I suggest
to you that Mr. Brown will not be the accomodating Chairman you have come
to expect at Reading and more importantly you have not finished the job you
set out to achieve - respect takes a long time to earn and a second to lose.
I for one Pard's bought into your dreams and even though you were not my first
choice at the helm, won me over. Sadly, you now mean as much to me as Mr.
Neville.
Roger Sudlow
As
someone who has had to watch all this unfold in a part of the country where
I come across more West Ham supporter's than Reading ones (ie just north of
London, the last week or so has been very difficult in holding my temper.
Basically I cannot work out the logic of why Pardew was so desperate to talk
to West Ham, he knew the contract he signed excluded that option.
I think what has really annoyed about all this is, why did AP want to speak
to West Ham:
1. Was he after more money from the chairman, well why not ask him for more,
but given the likelihood of jobs being available in the premiership and our
continued success I am not naive enough to believe that we weren't likely
to lose him at some point this season.
2. Does he believe the squad HE has built over the last 3 seasons is not able
to get into the premiership? If so I really feel gutted as he is essentially
saying that West Ham is a better way of getting into the premiership than
us and that really hurts after all he has done and said to help raise our
profile in the game.
All in all a sad day for all concerned:
1. For John Madejski who has taken a very moral position and understandable
one as he has played fair by AP for the last 3 seasons and to get a repeat
kick in the teeth from a good manager
2. For AP as I believe this will hurt his reputation in the future in a not
too disimilar way that it did to Mark McGhee, if he cannot supply the right
results quick enough.
3. And for us the supporters, as this again demonstrates that we still seem
unable to convince manager's or outsiders that this club IS good enough to
progress if someone would only take us seriously (and this is NOT in a pompous
or arrogant sense of over importance.
The only part of history repeating itself that I would like to happen now
is for us to get to the play offs and the team that AP joins gets relegated.
This is not wishing AP any bad luck, as he was the major reason alongside
the chariman we have had such a good 3 years, but if he is moving on then
so reluctantly should we and look after number one. Having said that I hope
JM will not resort to the tactics used by West Ham in getting a replacement.
Paul Butler
I've
been away on business the last couple of days so have had time to reflect
and calm down a bit. I guess in our hearts most of us wasn't surprised when
Pardew walked out, but to hear the actual news that he had certainly left
one feeling a sense of loss and an immediate feeling of f**k , what's going
to happen now! Will we go backwards, will we lose some of our best players,
will we go forward. We'll I think there's no doubt we'll go forward and we'll
keep out players.
A week ago when all the speculation started, I knew as soon as Pardew never
came out and issued a statement saying he was committed to Reading Football
club he would go . For the bloke to say he's resigned because he wasn't allowed
to talk to West Ham beggars belief. Just who does he think he is kidding.
As soon as his parasite of a so called agent started spouting off saying he
wanted to talk to West Ham you knew he would go. What the f**k is he doing
with an agent in the first place? To arrange a pantomime deal? All the shitster
done was feed the press with stories and rumours, I trust he'll be banned
from every stepping foot in the Madejski again.
What really hurts is that the club is on the verge of something so big and
without doubt the most exciting time in its long unglorious history. Pardew
was at the heart of that, we're second in the league for gods sake , if it
were not for two bent referees we'd be undefeated ! The fact he has walked
out on his club and contract is a disgrace , just image when Defoe goes to
Twatdew and asks for a transfer from West Ham , how on earth can he look him
or any player in the face and question his loyalty and commitment to their
club . The man has fallen from grace and leaves with his reputation and esteem
in tatters. If I was Madejski I'd put him on garden leave for the rest of
the season, then West Ham would get pissed off, appoint somebody else and
he'd be out of a job, that would be great but of course is not going to happen.
I hope JM appoints Kevin Dillon asap, it will then be a case of business as
usual with just a difference face at the helm. I'm sure I speak for all fans
when I say I can't think of another game in recent years I've wanted to win
so much as the game at West Ham on Saturday, we'll all be there and you watch
us sing our hearts out, it's going to be a very special game whatever the
result, wonder if Judas will be lurking somewhere in disguise in the stadium?
So he's gone, good riddance and lets hope and pray we finish above them at
the end of the season, wouldn't that taste sweet.
Pardew must be not only have no morals or principals but he must be pretty
thick. To me it like he's jumped the QE2 straight onto the Titanic. He had
the chance to become a legend, sadly he'll never be remembered for anything
but the man who walked out on Reading FC at the most exciting time of their
history and left the club and all it's fans in the shit. Cheers mate! To think
what JM must be thinking having given him is chance when he was nothing. As
long as we have John Madejski we'll be ok, never lose faith. Sing your hearts
out on Saturday and pray , we'll show them...... URZZZ!!
Nick Newbury
Copy
of fax sent to John Madjeski:
Dear Mr Madejski,
First of all I wanted to pledge my support for you and the stance that you
have taken in the light of recent events at our football club. Like many other
Reading Football Club fans, I am bitterly disappointed by the resignation
of Mr Pardew. I think the manner of his resignation speak volumes about Pardew's
lack of loyalty and integrity - it also shows a remarkable inability on his
part to appreciate the opportunity that you have built for him at Reading.
I am also bitterly disappointed that Pardew has decided to resign without
finishing the job at Reading. Even in Division Two, the aim of the Manager
and yourself was Premiership football. We are now closer than ever to meeting
that aim and I am convinced that we will.
I would therefore implore you to keep that aim in mind throughout the difficult
days ahead. You have built a club that is professional and progressive in
it's approach to the game (both on the pitch and in the boardroom) and I firmly
believe that this approach will not only reap success at Reading, but will
also become a bench-mark for other football clubs in this country who will
need to change their attitudes and working practices in order to survive.
I sincerely appreciate your loyalty, continued support and utter professionalism;
particularly during the coming days and weeks as we recover from the shock
and astonishment of being let down so badly.
With many thanks and all best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Paul Willey.
