Stadium Expansion

[Behindu]

I'd be surprised if the work doesn't start the day after the last home game.

Although we don't know when that will be of course !

It's a bit irrelevant though, as the work was never planned to be completed in 3 months so whether it starts on May 10 th or May 30th makes no odds.

[Katie Marsden]

I'd be surprised if the work doesn't start the day after the last home game.

Although we don't know when that will be of course !
It's a bit irrelevant though, as the work was never planned to be completed in 3 months so whether it starts on May 10 th or May 30th makes no odds.

We know it will either be the first week of May or the second depending whether or the not the last game of the season is home or away

[Behindu]

I'd be surprised if the work doesn't start the day after the last home game.

Although we don't know when that will be of course !
It's a bit irrelevant though, as the work was never planned to be completed in 3 months so whether it starts on May 10 th or May 30th makes no odds.

We know it will either be the first week of May or the second depending whether or the not the last game of the season is home or away

I see you agree with me then...

Have you factored in other events at the stadium as well ? There are usually at least 4 other games at the stadium after our final league game plus London Irish could make the playoffs.

[JC]

Disabled fans hate to be at ground level - no perspective, and the slightest thing walking in front will disrupt their view.

Actually they would be no worse off than anyone else sitting in row A. No perspective and obstructed by anyone walking by.....

Don't forget that in our stadium ground level is not row A but is about 8 rows back as the pitch is below the surrounding ground level

Incidentally the documents are back on the RBC site if anyone is interested

http://documents.reading.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/

[working class hero]

Disabled fans hate to be at ground level - no perspective, and the slightest thing walking in front will disrupt their view.

Actually they would be no worse off than anyone else sitting in row A. No perspective and obstructed by anyone walking by.....

Very true. But it's all about choice - some people love to be in Row A so they are in close proximity to the pitch, others hate it because they get no perspective.

But the non-disabled hopefully have a choice to buy tickets elsewhere - if a ground-level viewing area is the only accessible place they have no choice in the matter.

Cheers Dirk, you saved me a job. Seems a shame that an explanation was necessary.

No explanation was required. I used to take a disabled kid to football matches and his favourite position was at ground level just behind the goal. I hated it. I just wonder whether those who make the decisions might like to offer a variety of levels and positions for disabled fans? After all they still have no choice - so unless they agree with you they will be dissatisfied......

Perhaps we need to listen to those who are in wheelchairs rather than making decisions for them and then saying how wonderful everything is for them? Or do we just accept that being in a wheelchair means you are a dribbling idiot?

And on a positive note I took a kid [in a wheelchair] from the area where I work to the home replay against Utd with his dad. The club were superb and gave us free tickets in a suite and took us to the players lounge after the game. I think Sara Jacob is wonderful at customer relations and players such as Marcus, Murts, Kitson and Doyle were superb too - all stopping to sign autographs and Kits posed for a pic. Bikey was the most friendly. Barely seemed to speak English but took one look at the kid and promptly produced his shirt and gave it to him. True care and it is still a proud possession with the lad concerned.

We have relatively few disabled fans - so let's see more effort to let them meet the team.

[Behindu]

Perhaps we need to listen to those who are in wheelchairs rather than making decisions for them and then saying how wonderful everything is for them? Or do we just accept that being in a wheelchair means you are a dribbling idiot?

We have relatively few disabled fans - so let's see more effort to let them meet the team.

Just to let you know that there is strong input from representatives of our disabled fans into lots of things at the club. Not always taken on board but the input is certainly there. I'm not sure why you think that everyone else is so stupid and insensitive.

We have something like 100 wheelchair places (not enough) and there are lots more disabled fans who go to home and away games although the allocation at most other games for wheelchair fans is pitifully small.

Being pitch side for most away games means the fans in wheelchairs see a lot of the players - one lad got Marcus's shirt at Spurs AND Kitson's boots at Blackburn !

[Who Moved The Goalposts?]

Incidentally the documents are back on the RBC site if anyone is interested

http://documents.reading.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/

OMG

We're moving to Kenavon Drive? Is this so that Seoul doesn't have to drive as far to the ground, lazy so-and-so. Typical of the club not to tell us. Coppell out!

[working class hero]

Just to let you know that there is strong input from representatives of our disabled fans into lots of things at the club

And do these 'representatives' actually bother to link with their constituents? Or - like STAR - do they merely give their opinions without actually taking the trouble to find out whether the fans approve of the stance taken?

[Behindu]

Just to let you know that there is strong input from representatives of our disabled fans into lots of things at the club

And do these 'representatives' actually bother to link with their constituents? Or - like STAR - do they merely give their opinions without actually taking the trouble to find out whether the fans approve of the stance taken?

No, they just make it up as they go along....

[working class hero]

Just to let you know that there is strong input from representatives of our disabled fans into lots of things at the club

And do these 'representatives' actually bother to link with their constituents? Or - like STAR - do they merely give their opinions without actually taking the trouble to find out whether the fans approve of the stance taken?

No, they just make it up as they go along....

Ah they are just like STAR then....

[Behindu]

Just to let you know that there is strong input from representatives of our disabled fans into lots of things at the club

And do these 'representatives' actually bother to link with their constituents? Or - like STAR - do they merely give their opinions without actually taking the trouble to find out whether the fans approve of the stance taken?

No, they just make it up as they go along....

Ah they are just like STAR then....

No. Although I see you still bear a grudge.

[working class hero]

Just to let you know that there is strong input from representatives of our disabled fans into lots of things at the club

And do these 'representatives' actually bother to link with their constituents? Or - like STAR - do they merely give their opinions without actually taking the trouble to find out whether the fans approve of the stance taken?

No, they just make it up as they go along....

Ah they are just like STAR then....

No. Although I see you still bear a grudge.

I have no grudge. Just a firm belief that if you wish to represent people then you need to consult or else the only person to benefit is you... Consultation is easy these days with e-mail polls and some direct post all that is required.

[Behindu]

Just to let you know that there is strong input from representatives of our disabled fans into lots of things at the club

And do these 'representatives' actually bother to link with their constituents? Or - like STAR - do they merely give their opinions without actually taking the trouble to find out whether the fans approve of the stance taken?

No, they just make it up as they go along....

Ah they are just like STAR then....

No. Although I see you still bear a grudge.

I have no grudge. Just a firm belief that if you wish to represent people then you need to consult or else the only person to benefit is you... Consultation is easy these days with e-mail polls and some direct post all that is required.

I'd rather consultation was a little more intelligent than email polls.
I believe STAR set up a method of seeking input from a cross section of members last season...

I also know that several of the STAR board make a point of talking to people - probably a better way of gauging feelings than via email.

If your beef is about disabled fans then I'm not too sure on the mechanics of that (especially as we don;t have a Disabled Supporters Association). I do know that we have a Royals fan on the national board of the National Association of Disabled Supporters who do a huge amount to try and make sure grounds take the needs of disabled fans into account.

[working class hero]

Just to let you know that there is strong input from representatives of our disabled fans into lots of things at the club

And do these 'representatives' actually bother to link with their constituents? Or - like STAR - do they merely give their opinions without actually taking the trouble to find out whether the fans approve of the stance taken?

No, they just make it up as they go along....

Ah they are just like STAR then....

No. Although I see you still bear a grudge.

I have no grudge. Just a firm belief that if you wish to represent people then you need to consult or else the only person to benefit is you... Consultation is easy these days with e-mail polls and some direct post all that is required.

I'd rather consultation was a little more intelligent than email polls.
I believe STAR set up a method of seeking input from a cross section of members last season...

I also know that several of the STAR board make a point of talking to people - probably a better way of gauging feelings than via email.

If your beef is about disabled fans then I'm not too sure on the mechanics of that (especially as we don;t have a Disabled Supporters Association). I do know that we have a Royals fan on the national board of the National Association of Disabled Supporters who do a huge amount to try and make sure grounds take the needs of disabled fans into account.

So SEVERAL of the Board talk to people. That implies the rest don't.... And yes talk is better than e-mail - but how many people can be talked to? I recommend e-mail as an adjunct not a panacea.

[Behindu]

So SEVERAL of the Board talk to people. That implies the rest don't.... And yes talk is better than e-mail - but how many people can be talked to? I recommend e-mail as an adjunct not a panacea.

No, I said I KNOW that several do - I don;t know all the board so can only comment about the ones I am aware of....

STAR have sent emails asking for inout - from what I gather the response rates (like most email surveys) is pretty low. Response rates to personal approaches tend to be pretty high.

As you say, a mix would seem ideal though !

[working class hero]

STAR have sent emails asking for inout - from what I gather the response rates (like most email surveys) is pretty low.

Good. If the fans choose not to reply then there is no grounds for complaint.... Consultation needs to be bi-directional. If you ask the question then you have done your best and can then give the answer you feel best represents fans.....

[STAR Liaison]

STAR have sent emails asking for inout - from what I gather the response rates (like most email surveys) is pretty low.

Good. If the fans choose not to reply then there is no grounds for complaint.... Consultation needs to be bi-directional. If you ask the question then you have done your best and can then give the answer you feel best represents fans.....

We are aware that our consultation could be improved but there are always so many jobs for just a very few people to do. I know you said your offer of help was turned down but that (despite what you obviously think) was just one persons opinion and my request is that if you have ideas about how STAR should consult more that you join the STAR teams and help us do so.

If you think that you do could really make a difference it is open to any STAR member to stand for election at the next AGM in August - nomination forms are always sent out with the renewal forms (due out next month) and are published periodically in Reading Matter so that you can make the decision earlier if you want to.

[Royal Lady]

WCH - HNA? has at least one disabled fan, that I know of. Their input would be interesting as to where they would prefer to sit also.

[pardew'spony]

Hi, WHU fan here, come over to have a look at the plans for the extension of the ground. Not here for a row! Genuinely pleased you had a good season.

Couple of questions for you:

Are people generally pleased at the plans?
Is your club good at listening to suggestions/queries/requests you the fans have on the proposed developments?

I ask because as you may be aware, we are moving grounds (probably in 2011) and a lot of our supporters are sceptical about it (don't get me wrong, most are very happy, pleased, excited etc etc but have some reservations).

In terms of how the change will affect the atmosphere (if there are lots of empty seats for some of the smaller games), whether ticket prices will rise dramatically as a result, whether the infrastructure can cope with the additional numbers etc.

You guys have similar thoughts about your situation and if so have you been assured by the club that you're worrying for no reason?

[TFF]