OPINION: Why Reading FC Need A Statue Or Two At The Madejski Stadium
In order to make the Mad Stad feel more like home, the Inspector believes it could use some new architecture.
Have you ever heard the Madejski Stadium described as a contemporary, soulless structure that lacks the charm of a
historic town centre stadium? That it’s a sign of the waning of the emotional, fervent connection between club and
fan that made Saturday afternoons so memorable?
No? Neither have I – but I’ve sometimes thought it.
It’s not a critique. Life goes on, times change, and so on. We can admit that the Mad Stad is located adjacent to an
industrial area and close to a freeway, and that it has the practical, slightly uninspiring quality of anything relatively
new. The edge of Whitley, with or without its Whiff, will do for me; they had to build it someplace.
We have come to terms with the fact that Sir John’s stadium is now our home as our fond memories of Elm Park fade
into obscurity. A few trinkets, however, are necessary to maintain the family history and create the warm sense of
genuinely belonging in every good home.
The efforts made by the club to meet these targets have, in my view, been mixed. For example, the naming of the
stadium: a bad idea – too egocentric and open to ridicule from the rest of the football world, even if we have got used
to it. The naming of the Eamonn Dolan Stand: good, for obvious reasons, as is the installation of pictures of former
players around the ground, although it could be done better.
However, the Fans’ Wall of Honour outside the East Stand is the effort that I genuinely respect (and I commend
those who created it). One of the things that truly impressed me when I moved from the West Stand, which seemed
like a library, to the East Stand, which had the atmosphere of a true football stadium, a few years ago, was the Wall.
The names of current and former supporters who have stuck by the team through good times and bad over the years
are inscribed on many of its bricks.
It moved me properly. I was reminded of the essence of the Biscuitmen/Royals. Even if I’m not up there myself, I
would consider it a privilege if I were.
In the meantime, we need some more inspired initiatives to make us proud, especially when the team is failing to do
so on the pitch. This article, I have to admit, was inspired by one I read praising the creation of the Kenny Dalglish
Stand at Anfield and linking it to the statues at Old Trafford for Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law.
Why not do that at the Mad Stad?
That’s what WE need – statues of people from the club’s past who were true heroes in the club’s 146-year history.
How about doing it for the 150th anniversary? What a wonderful cause for celebration that would be.
Ok, so we don’t have great names from the past to compare to Charlton, Law and Best. Let’s face it, we’re Reading
FC. But that does not mean we couldn’t find some worthy characters without resorting to the public humiliation that
Mohamed Al Fayed heaped on Fulham when he had a likeness of Michael Jackson erected outside Craven Cottage.
So where does the list begin and how do we come up with a suitable candidate (or two) without dividing the fans and
starting a major argument? Therein lies the problem.
Anyway, at risk of being shot down for spouting nonsense, here are a few names to consider:
Steve Coppell – the club’s greatest manager, although slightly controversial as he probably has stronger links to Crystal Palace.
Robin Friday – voted the club’s greatest player.
Trevor Senior – a personal favourite, as the striker who amazingly scored 42 goals in a season and was a member of the 13-match winning side, whose record still stands.
Martin Hicks – another member of that record-breaking side whose 603 appearances is the club’s highest.
Sir John Madejski – who, although I didn’t like him naming the stadium after himself, might be worth a statue for all he has done for the club (especially after the ground has been re-named to make a few bob).
However, here’s one, that in my view, would be the best. Gordon Neate served the club for 53 years as a player and
groundsman at both Elm Park and the Madejski Stadium. Born and raised in the town, ‘Fred ‘ was totally ingrained
in the life and fortunes of the Royals. His wife, Viv, used to wash the first team’s shirts.
He has been referred to as a legend, which is not illogical. He would confess that he was never a terrific player, and I
recall as a boy that Swindon’s Don Rogers, who was skilled enough to do the same to numerous other full-backs, gave
him a horrible chasing.
‘Fred’, however, was a Reading FC man in every way and personified what it means to be a supporter of our team.
His family and many of us would be really happy to see his image grinning down at the supporters as we entered the
stadium each game day. Additionally, it would give the Mad Stad a more familiar vibe.
I’m not sure how much a statue would cost these days, but I’m sure there would be a lot of criticism if it were as
expensive as purchasing a new striker during the January transfer window. However, if our Chinese owners were to
finance such a project, it would help solidify their own acceptance among the fans, and we have four years till the
150th anniversary.
They would most likely even deserve their own statue if they were to guide the team to its best success ever,
exceeding the Coppell era. What are your thoughts?
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