Reading FC - USA

[mccc36]

I did some browsing and found this site online http://www.reading-mad.co.uk/ seems pretty neat.

[chrizzah]

Nice place for a game, very easy from Reading (express train from paddington is the fastest way i've found).

Just to add to that, it's not within walking distance of the train station. You have to take a bus from just outside the train station. It's all set up pretty well. The wait after the match to get back on to the bus back to the town center will take 20 minutes to half an hour.

[CyphaPSU]

I am a Reading fan in white haven,pa can't wait to watch Saturdays game!
The White Haven Diner is awesome. They have a great breakfast menu and give you generous portions.

[mccc36]

The White Haven Diner is awesome. They have a great breakfast menu and give you generous portions.


Yeah, cheap too! No a/c though, which sucked during the heat wave!

[Kerry Dixon's Boots]

Amazing number of Reading fans - love it.

Will be cheering on the Blue and White this year, I'm from Newbury originally, spent many a cold winters day on the Elm Park terraces and the game against Bolton at Wembley (4-3, Fabian DebastardFreitas) was a highlight in my life. Good luck Royals!!

(Dad's a chelsea fan, I grew up in a chelsea house in the 80's so forgive, but I have one giant soft spot for Reading)

I have been recommending the Madjeski as a great venue for years to people who couldn't get a Premiership ticket - guess I need to find a new lower league team to recommend. How bout Oxford, oh wait a minute, I said LEAGUE :)

And eff Swindon.

[Mr.Matt]

Glad to see the posts about visiting the Madjeski Stadium. After following Reading for over a year, I finally was able to take my family to a match. It may only have been a friendly against Feyenoord, but it was a great time, and my children loved it. Compared to our visit last year to Tottenham, it was much more family-friendly. I recommend that any Reading supporter make the trip. And if you don't visit England regularly, then this is a great reason to do so.

I know most of the U.S. readers on this site are very familiar with European football stadiums, but if not, a few notes on what to expect:


My family, which has visited many baseball stadiums in the U.S. thought that this was one of the nicest stadiums they had ever visited. Not just the facilities; the supporters were also a great crowd.
This is a well-designed stadium. I don't believe there is a bad seat in the house. We were fortunate to be near midfield, about halfway up the East Stand.
Tickets may be tough to get, but the online system works very well. Register to get a supporter number, then order as soon as the tickets go on sale for the match that you want. Bear in mind that unlike the U.S., match tickets are often not available until a few weeks before the match, and then in a staggered manner based on how many points you have. Yes, Reading has a system similar to frequent flyer plans: the more tickets you buy, the more points you accumulate, and the easier it becomes to get tickets in advance. So, if you are planning a trip around one game, check the website often to be sure when tickets go on sale to the general public.
The stadium is new, and like many new U.S. stadiums, is built away from the city center. You need to drive or take a bus to get there. They have regular buses from the Reading train station, which as mentioned before, has very frequent service from London Paddington Station.
The parking situation is not good. As in really not good. We used the park and ride, which turned out to be a great move, since otherwise, we would have had a long walk with our children. Get there early to get a prime space.
Unlike many other EPL stadiums, there are only a few pubs that can be considered close by the stadium...and that may depend on how far you are willing to walk. Fortunately, they serve beer before the game and at halftime under (but not in!) the stands and have food stands outside the stadium as well.
The stadium store is great, if you can get in. After the game we attended, there were long lines and a steward at the door regulating how many people could be inside at any one time. Turns out that with the new EPL kits for the season, everyone wants to stock up. You may want to make that your first stop once you arrive, since everyone needs a Bobby Convey jersey.

Overall, a great day out, and no matter how good the internet broadband service may be, it's always better to be with 22,000 Reading supporters (and yes, the 3,000 away supporters in the South Stand) screaming their lungs out in support of the team.

Matt

[CyphaPSU]

Yeah, cheap too! No a/c though, which sucked during the heat wave!
By the way, is the town still as boring as ever? It truely is Smalltown USA, built on the side of a big hill.

[mccc36]

By the way, is the town still as boring as ever? It truely is Smalltown USA, built on the side of a big hill.


Yea pretty much, the just had the "Jam below the Dam" but it got rained out. The next thing that looks decent is the beerfest in November. I work too much to try to do anything anyway, so as long as its quiet I don't mind. I just moved here so I like it so far. Too bad none of the bars put any of the soccer games on, atleast that I have noticed.

[Echo_]

on puma jerseys the reading ones seem a bit loose.

how do they comare in size to nikes where i wear a size small?

[jkritchey]

on puma jerseys the reading ones seem a bit loose.

how do they comare in size to nikes where i wear a size small?


I can't help you. I do not wear Nike. I have a Puma Fulham XL that is just a hair snug, but my Puma Reading XXL is way too big.

[Katsbox]

I can't help you. I do not wear Nike. I have a Puma Fulham XL that is just a hair snug, but my Puma Reading XXL is way too big.
Here's some more no-help... I bought the away jersey (#17) last year in M, which fits well. This year I got the keeper jersey in M, which I thought made sense, but no... it's too big. Did they give me a Convey M and and Hahnemann M, thus the differnece in size???

[dolphinscoach]

I'm sure lots of folks are now or will soon start offering Reading stuff, but there is no place quite like the source:
http://shop.readingfc.co.uk/Index.pasp?

I ordered from them while I was in the states and they were great (stuff is not cheap, that has a lot to do with a weak dollar/strong pound). From Europe, it's very easy, very fast. Took a little while in the states, but couldn't complain.

Thanks for the store link. Can anyone recommend a site that has t-shirts that look like the jerseys? My 10-year-old have save his allowance and wants to buy a t-shirt (he is not patient enough to save for a jersey on yanks-abroad.com). Or a US-based site with a wider selection of Reading stuff, since shipping from UK will greatly reduce his buying power?

Thanks in advance.

[louis09]

anyone recommend an alternative way to get tickets I am flying to London on Oct 10 and I am trying to get tickets but dont want to go the scalper rout? any help would be greatly appreciated.

[louis09]

I got to see Reading vs Arsenal and even thou I am a Gunners fan I do enjoy watching Reading play with 2 Americans on the team, So I will have a big club and an underdog to root for this season and on.

[JJxvi]

Regarding the jersey topics... I'm curious...do fans wear the #13 jerseys since that number is registered to the fans? Put their own names on the back, etc? Seems like that would be cool. I went to Texas A&M University and we do something similar with #12 (american) football jerseys...

[louis09]

Scored tickets to see Reading vs Fulham on 4/14 and Newcastle on 4/28

I ordered my Convey Jersey thru the team website and got my order superfast, Cant wait to see Convey< Marcus and company!!!!!!

GO Royals

[Katsbox]

Scored tickets to see Reading vs Fulham on 4/14 and Newcastle on 4/28

I ordered my Convey Jersey thru the team website and got my order superfast, Cant wait to see Convey< Marcus and company!!!!!!

GO Royals

Congrats! SHould be a blast. How did you get tickets so far in advance? I thought they only went on sale a month or so in advance.

[louis09]

Congrats! SHould be a blast. How did you get tickets so far in advance? I thought they only went on sale a month or so in advance.


thru a season ticket holder who is a client of mine in London, So I traded two NY Rangers games in Feburary for the 2 matches.

[Katsbox]

thru a season ticket holder who is a client of mine in London, So I traded two NY Rangers games in Feburary for the 2 matches.

Nice!

[Q4SKA]

Scored tickets to see Reading vs Fulham on 4/14 and Newcastle on 4/28

I ordered my Convey Jersey thru the team website and got my order superfast, Cant wait to see Convey< Marcus and company!!!!!!

GO Royals


I did the same thing for my Convey jersey! Its my favorite item in my wardrobe, its super nice!

You have to take me with you to the Newcastle match...PLEASE!!!