RFSC Fan's Forum
9 August 2001

Fans Forum at the Jazz Café Madejski Stadium on August 9 2001

Present representing Reading Football Club:
John Madejski(JM), Alan Pardew(AP), Martin Allen(MA), Nicky Hammond(NH), Kevin Dillon(KD), John Fearn(JF), Niall Clark(NC) and Boyd Butler(BB).

Before the question commenced JM said a few words, starting with a vote of thanks to Roger Titford who has announced that he is stepping down from the role of chairman of the Supporters Club. He thanked the team for their efforts last year, encouraged the fans to get behind their new number 13 and was encouraged by the number of season tickets sold (nearly 5000).

The first section of questions concerned football and was addressed to each of the team in turn.

Q Are academy players likely to feature in the first team?
AP Joe Gamble and Darius Henderson are likely to feature in 10+ games this season, Jamie Ashdown is the reserve keeper and others are possibilities such as Nicky Shorey, or the younger Simeon Howell and Andre Fashanu.

Q What did the management team say to the players at full time at Cardiff?
MA There wasn't much to say - there were tears in the changing rooms - so it was a matter of thanking them for their efforts for the last ten months.

Q How can you keep all 4 front men happy and will they ever start together?
AP We can only send 11 players out so it is unlikely they will all start together but when the need arises we may throw caution to the wind and have all on the pitch at once.

Q What have been the highlights and lowlights for the Academy?
NH We now have credibility; we are getting the best players now our profile is going up. With luck it will be the start of a conveyor belt of local talent into the first team.

Q Where will the reserves play this season?
KD After the first game (which will be at Didcot Town) we will play at Faraday Road, Newbury so come and support the reserves.

Q Channel 4 programme stated that taking a penalty kick a certain way increases the chance of scoring - is that Niall Clark's field of expertise?
NC There are techniques to help, such as precognitive behavioural intervention which means getting procedures involved ingrained to take the stress out of the situation.
MA Just kick it hard into the corner!

Q How do you measure the difference an improved diet makes?
NC We measure the fat percentage (which should be 9-11% for a professional footballer). And take blood samples. The diet is no alcohol, and careful rebuilding the system after a game.
JM Football has changed and the players are now athletes so I no longer have to buy pints for the players after a win!

Q In the 1920 Simonds Brewery gave the team a barrel of beer for half-time - do players still drink beer?
NC I would be lying if I said no but the intensity of the play and the distance run means they can no longer drink as they did in the 1920s
MA There is now £100 fine for a player drinking alcohol on a match day as what they drink after the match is as important as before the match.

At this point it was announced that the Football League has approved the allocation of the number 13 in the squad to the fans. A new shirt with RFC FANS and 13 on it was presented for a raffle prize during the evening.

Q What has changed in the physio set-up?
JF I have been in the job six weeks only but changes will include computerising medical records for continuity of treatment. Priorities are to improve the late stage rehab to prevent re-injury; to improve education of the staff; provide high quality and individual basic treatment of the players. I am happy to contribute a page in the match programme and use the internet to keep fans in touch with progress of players, Frequently Asked Questions and regular topics of interest.
MA Don't forget other clubs look at our site so it may say they are injured longer than they are!

Q What is the progress of current injuries?
JF Ricky Newman is out for some time as he has to wait for a tendon to change into a ligament so he should be back about the New Year. John Mackie and Neil Smith have sprained ankles and will be about 2 weeks from fitness. Jamie Cureton had an op for a hernia and one to repair his adductor muscles, which are used for kicking and turning. He will have to keep working hard to preserve core stability which would then help prevention of a recurrence - back in 2-3 weeks. Martin Butler, Anthony Rougier and Andy Hughes are training and working hard to be available for Saturday.

The questioning was now more general

Q Why wasn't Caskey used at Cardiff?
AP Darren is a quality player but his mobility, lack of speed and lack of athleticism were a problem. He is a strong character and when he is not in the team he is not happy which leads to problems for him.

Q James Harper was the best player on the pitch at Cardiff, what qualities will he bring to the team?
AP I have watched him for three years and was pleased to get him after he had been on loan to Cardiff. He is an athlete - he can run fast for a long time - and he has superior technical ability. He is a player of premiership ability.

Q What is the link with Tottenham Hotspur?
AP There is no official link but we could have first option of a loan of their young players or pros not in the first team if they are the quality we want.

Q What is the thinking behind the new defensive formation?
AP We are aware of a lack of height in the defence and that we have three top class centre halves. We have tried 3 centre halves in a 4-4-2 formation but it does not work.

Q Who will take free kicks and penalties?
MA It was planned to cover that this week but with our main strikers injured it has not happened. We will miss Darren but have many other alternatives.

Q What do you think of the set-up at Rushden?
AP They do not have a better stadium than us but they do have a better training ground. They can get there early have breakfast together, train then lunch together - which builds team spirit and allows communication between the management and the players so much more easily. Nigel Howe is still searching for a training ground so any ideas always welcome.

Q Who will be the main contenders this season?
KD We have the squad this year to go up and so we concentrate on us not the opposition.
Q How have the RFSC donations for the Academy been used?
NH We have been able this season to provide all the Academy players from 9 to 19 with a full training kit.

Q We did not do well last year against the other team in the top 6 - will it improve?
AP One goal is to improve against the top sides.
RT But we did win every game in the Didcot Triangle for the first time ever
Audience: Cheers.

Q It is well documented you want to move to a more passing game - can this be done in a season as it takes time to change?
AP It is true in the friendlies that it looked like we overplayed but the better passing game is essentially a better ball to the strikers, which we have worked hard on.

Q You are quoted as going into the season feeling like a Division 1 club - are we?
AP Our aim to be a Div 1 team in this division - we have the staff and players right and the feeling this year is very positive.

JM left at 9pm with the thanks of the meeting.

Q Kavanagh and Kennedy have gone to Cardiff and Wigan, did you look at them?
AP I had no budget for transfers - Kavanagh would have been of interest.

Q Where have players moved to:
MA Scott Howie to Bristol Rovers, Stuart Gray to Rushden, Jimmy Mac to Dundee United, Andy Gurney to Swindon and of course Darren Caskey to Notts County. Lee Hodges is yet to find a club which is a surprise as he is a good player.

Q Are friendlies worth it in view of the competitive nature this year?
AP We want to encourage local non league clubs but it did backfire slightly. We shall have to think again next year.

Q How come we had over 20,000 for the Spurs friendly but Portsmouth had only 16,000 when they have so many 'loyal' supporters?
MA They are more vocal not more loyal. Since Alan Ball they have made Pompey very loud. Alan and I were so proud at the Bournemouth game in May when we achieved an ambition of filling the ground only 15 months setting the objective.

Q Martin does it worry you if you are disliked? Are you looking forward to meeting Ian Holloway?
MA I have always been a mouthy b*st*rd. I am competitive and I do not like losing, but I may have to change to reduce my FA fines. I enjoyed unrailing the Bristol Rovers promotion push but have seen Ian Holloway since and shaken hands.

Q What do you think of the general standard of officials?
KD There is much room for improvement!! Tom Jones (ex-Reading player) has taken the exams and is hoping to fast track and this is the way forward with ex-players and maybe those who cannot quite make it as a player would make better officials.

Q Apart from Teddy Sheringham Spurs played their first team and didn't use substitutes, the same team beat Millwall 2-1. Everton beat Wigan 6-1. Are you proud of the team?
AP Yes we have a really good side (apart from the Rushden game) I have built my team (only KD was here before me) and have great confidence in them for the future.

Following the match ball raffle draw and the draw for the prizes of the day the question moved to administrative matters.

Q What is the ticket priority for Supporters Club members?
BB The last day of season ticket priority is also supporters club priority.

Q Why is the away strip not available until after the QPR game?
BB The kit is made at Lewin's at Manchester which is a Grade 1 Nike and Adidas factory and we have to book production time with them. The home strip was our main priority and we obviously have less influence than some clubs and so have to wait. Some clubs do not yet have their home kit available.

Q Why does not home kit not have hoops?
BB The kit was designed by a group at the club - AP wanted dark shoulders to make the players more impressive and the side panel is breathable material for the players' convenience.
RT Maybe the Supporters Club could be included in the design group next time to put the fans viewpoint.

Q What is happening about a testimonial match for Parky?
BB Phil has a two-year contract and it was announced after Michael Gilkes' and Gordon Neate's matches that there would be no more testimonial matches. Phil is such a hard worker both on and off the pitch and is very much appreciated at the club. He has just won the local hero prize and donated the £500 to Sam Wheeler for his motorized wheelchair. Any testimonial match has to be organized by a committee and not the club so that it is not considered part of the players remuneration and hence taxable.
RT The Supporters Club is already investigating the possibility of organizing fundraising events for Parky. Anyone feeling very strongly and wishing to be involved in arranging this or anything else should join forces with the committee to see what can be organized.

Q Why can't the gates open at 1 and not 1.30 when we are encouraged to arrive early?
BB I will put it to the stadium manager but it might be that the Stewards shifts would be too long. It might be possible to do so at big games.

Q The bus from Woodley is timed to arrive at the stadium at 2.15 but sometimes does not arrive until 2.55 - can it be altered?
BB I will pass the problem on and see if it can be re-arranged.

Q The traffic problems at the Spurs game were caused by the pedestrian lights - can the Police control them?
BB The traffic light control system went wrong that evening, making problems much worse, as well as Spurs fans coming in large numbers with the consequent problems of not knowing the system. The Police do not like to control the lights specifically. The hope is that the new Green Park station will bring more people via the railways.

Q Are there any non football events planned?
BB Nothing in particular is certain but there is always possibilities being looked into especially music events but until we can get onto the concert promoters lists we will not get any big events.

Q Why is the policy of towing cars parked on the verges inconsistent?
BB The club cannot control the public highway but can write to the council about it. There is a greater chance of action if supporters can also ask for a consistent policy on safety grounds to reinforce the point that it is not a commercial complaint.

Q Why is the TV coverage so poor?
BB We are trying to improve it and this season radio coverage will again include Classic Gold.
RT Would people in the Central TV area write asking for coverage, as if Meridian can justify Swindon coverage we can certainly justify coverage for Didcot, Wantage and south Oxfordshire.

Supporters' Club business

Key points from last season:

- Highlights: membership doubled, donations to club doubled to £9,500, away travel bookings trebled, Committee strengthened in talents and diversity
- Innovations: transport for disabled fans, first overseas branch, e-rfsc mailings for instant contact, RFSC has become a shareholder in the football club, Aims and Beliefs of RFSC publicly stated and appended to constitution

- This season: RFSC will be launching an appeal fund for a lasting visual memorial to Maurice Evans at the stadium. RFSC also sponsoring Kingsley's long-awaited make-over. RFSC setting up own website, continuing to investigate transition to Supporters Trust status, bringing in direct debit renewals and permanent membership numbers
- People; Roger Titford stepping down after 3 years as Chairman. Cis Platten elected Life Member