Yes to game 39

[Forbury Lion]

How do STAR know that the majority of their members are against game 39?

Presumably, If 50,000 South Koreans decided to join STAR and they wanted a game in South Korea would that make it STAR's duty to support the scheme wouldn't it?

[Row Z Royal]

That highlights everything wrong with democracy.

[STAR Voice]

How do STAR know that the majority of their members are against game 39?

Presumably, If 50,000 South Koreans decided to join STAR and they wanted a game in South Korea would that make it STAR's duty to support the scheme wouldn't it?

It's the role of STAR Board members to try and make sure that they understand and represent the views of the members as much as possible - not always that easy, but we do try, and, of course, if we fail we can always be elected out and replaced by someone who the members think will better represent their views. In the same way, when we are elected by the members we are given a mandate to represent their interests as best we can, so we don't have to go back and run a survey of all members every time a decision needs to be made.

With regard to the 50,000 South Koreans - maybe you're right in theory, but in practice it wouldn't work like that.

Firstly, STAR's Aims & Objectives from their constitution are :

• to strengthen the bonds between the Club and the community which it serves and to represent the interests of the community in the running of the Club

• to benefit present and future members of the community served by the Club by promoting encouraging and furthering the game of football as a recreational facility, sporting activity and focus for community involvement

• to facilitate the participation of supporters of the club in activities promoting football in communities throughout the United Kingdom

• to encourage the Club to take proper account of the interests of its supporters and the community it serves in its decisions and to honour the contribution made by the community in the past to the life of the club

• to acquire and hold shares in the Club or any company controlling the Club and to be an active and growing shareholder thus giving supporters collectively the opportunity to have a stake in the Club

• to promote the full, accountable democratic and constructive involvement of supporters in the running and direction of the Club, including the principle of supporter representation on the board of the Club

• to continue the work of Reading Football Supporters’ Club, with particular reference to away travel, ticket priority and Fans’ Forums.

I can't possibly see any way that 50,000 South Koreans could be part of the club's "Community" - despite what the marketing people and Scudamore say! If it ever came to pass that the club was attracting 50,000 South Koreans I fear that it, and English football, would have changed out of all recognition, and I certainly wouldn't be involved with STAR any more - I'd be standing on a set of terraces with a beer in my hand watching real football. I suspect everyone else in STAR feels the same, and ditto the majority of people on this board.

If it gets that far everything we've been fighting for will have been lost for ever and we wouldn't have a team any more, we'd have a "brand.' And part of being a brand means there is no relevance or participation for the members of your *actual* community - the community who set you up in the first place and who sustained you for over 100 years.

[Forbury Lion]

Good answers.

I realise the scenario I presented is extremely unlikely, but it's good to know this shouldn't happen if a more realistic scenario was to present itself.

PS - Don't tell the 50,000 South Koreans until they've joined up and paid their £10 membership fees

[cheeryoleary]

What if Mr. Mad sells the club down the swanney and we end up with no ground until some slitty-eyed businessman...... let's call him Mr. Udigawa....... decides to relocate the club to New Maldon. We attract a new fanbase of other slitty eyed fellows who upon completing their 2 year stint in the UK, decide that they want to return home, but still wish to watch the New Maldon Royals in Seoul?


See. You haven't realy thought this through have you?

[STAR Voice]

What if Mr. Mad sells the club down the swanney and we end up with no ground until some slitty-eyed businessman...... let's call him Mr. Udigawa....... decides to relocate the club to New Maldon. We attract a new fanbase of other slitty eyed fellows who upon completing their 2 year stint in the UK, decide that they want to return home, but still wish to watch the New Maldon Royals in Seoul?


See. You haven't realy thought this through have you?

Certainly have - although you'd have to admit it's a pretty unlikely set of circumstances.

But once the club gets relocated to New Malden it ceasesin my mind to be Reading FC, since it's been moved away from its traditional and spiritual community. At that point you'd find me, beer in hand, standing on the terraces watching AFC Reading.

[handbags_harris]

At that point you'd find me, beer in hand, standing on the terraces watching AFC Reading.

What about Reading Town?

[hiro]

I like the idea that showing Premier league teams clash at abroad, but not so sure if it has to be 39th game of official Premiership match.

League cup games after quarter final can do instead?

Then I guess only 3000 attendance to West Ham VS Blackburn game in anywhere in the world apart from UK.

Bolton had a friendly match with Kawasaki in Japan three years ago, and attendant was only 2000 people, and stadium did look pretty empty then.

[handbags_harris]

Absolutely no chance hiro, the League Cup is also a domestic competition so should stay within the shores of England (and Wales). Pre-season friendlies are completely different. FA Cup, League Cup and Premier League should and will all stay within these borders.

[STAR Voice]

I like the idea that showing Premier league teams clash at abroad, but not so sure if it has to be 39th game of official Premiership match.

League cup games after quarter final can do instead?

Then I guess only 3000 attendance to West Ham VS Blackburn game in anywhere in the world apart from UK.

Bolton had a friendly match with Kawasaki in Japan three years ago, and attendant was only 2000 people, and stadium did look pretty empty then.

It's only the Big 4 who would attract mega crowds, and probably only for the first year or so. The novelty would probably soon wear off. Look at the Shanghai Grand Prix as an example - they paid a fortune for the right to stage it, and for the first year tickets sold for massive sums - the next year they couldn't give them a way to the locals.

But, as HH says, the line in the sand has to be "No competitive English League or Cup matches to be played overseas - full stop." Because once that basic principle has been broken, where will anyone be able to stop it?

[Beelzebub]

You have got to admit though, Reading V West Ham in the Caneries in the middle of winter is a nice idea!

Oi geeza, anover San Migel over eer Por Favour!

[Royal With Cheese]

I think it's a brilliant idea.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

To be honest, I'd love to be worried about us possibly playing a league game abroad, again.

[Ian Royal]

Only possible way for it to be done sensibly is to make it the start of season Charity shield and expand that to Premier League Champions, Championship Champions, FA Cup Winners & League Cup Winners.

Runners up in cups if they are already involved through league placing. Guess you could go for Premier League Runners up over tier two winners as well, but it would be nice to see a "minnow" involved each year and may throw up the odd surprise. Likely to guarantee good viewership and attendence as you can cycle through countries each year.