Reading Club Accounts Ending June 2020 Published

[WanChaiMiller]

These stats are freightening. Championship football at this level of spending is not sustainable based on crowds that watch the sport (although the owners say they are good for the shortfall). Its one small step to oblivion for half of these Championship clubs.

"The average attendance at Madejski Stadium was 12,684, down from 14,991 the previous season.

The number of Reading season ticket holders dipped below the 10,000 mark at 9,561, down from 10,052.

Overall matchday revenue went from £4.7million in 2019 to £3.6million in 2020.

Reading were charged £1.5million for stadium rent by owner Dai Yongge in 2019/20. This is part of an annual payment which runs until 28 June, 2043."

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

Turns out they have a Supporters Trust at Reading [Star].
The supporters trust recently held a meeting [2nd], with executives from Reading F.C.
in a structured dialogue meeting, to discuss on & off field matters.
The meetings are held, to allow the trust to raise issues, with the club on behalf of supporters.

Points that came out of the meeting were -
Having no director of football, instead having a football board in place, with 4 people,
Chief Executive, Finance Director, Academy Boss & the Manager, they cover transfers
& recruitment to the club.
So two people with football knowledge, & two people running the business side.

Reading have not been docked points by the EFL, but have come extremely close, to
breaking Profit & Sustainability guidelines, over the past couple of years.

Cost cutting - Reading F.C. have been helped financially, by 17 matches being broadcast
by Sky Sports, over the past year.
Plus money coming in from fans paying for the ifollow game service.
They have moved to a new training ground, plus letting out office space at the Madejski
Stadium, looking to reduce the wage bill, 10 players out of contract in June 2021.
Club sponsorship with online betting company Casumo, ends this season, no deal set
up yet for further sponsorship.
Reading F.C. have a minority stake in R.F.C. Prop co - which has planning permission,
for the proposed Royal Elm Park Development, next to the the Madejski Stadium,
but nothing expected in the next 12 months.

Many of us on the M.M. board have said, that Rotherham United ought to have someone,
with football knowledge on the board, who could advise on valuation on players, whether
coming to the club or leaving.

[frogmiller]

Good read that Ericslad, thanks.


We're a well run club and we're not alone. Chasing a dream like Reading have done would be great but maintaning it and then trying to do it again is their downfall. Their spell in the Prem is still a financial burden to them it seems. Would trying to get into the prem again be the answer tot heir problems? In the short term I'd say yes but longer term I'm not sure. Even if they built a retail facility around the ground would that stop what happened to Bolton happening to them?

I wonder how we'd go on financially if we were in league 1 for a long spell now.

[CAMiller]

'Go figure?' You really are becoming too Americanised pal

Americanized please although I think I got it off Coronation Street

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

Bump this with new posting of, ' Reading may face points deduction '.