A Rough Guide To Reading
Monday, 1st Apr 2013 22:51

It might be the nearest trip for us this season, but its the most sterile and add to that there are problems on the trains.

Saints travel to the Madejski Stadium with most supporters knowing that its probably the most inaccessible stadium in the Premier league, not just in terms of location, but also in terms of accessibilty and facilities in the vicinity of the stadium.

The Stadium

Located some 3 1/2 miles out from the City Centre and about a mile from the M4 althought its an out of term stadium, the fact is it might as well be in the middle of the Sahara.

The ground itself isnt too bad although only about 3/4 of the size of St Mary's, but thats just about the only redeaming feature. In 1998 it was seen as visionary, 15 years later, there arent many away fans with a good word to say about it.

The Away Section

We only get half the away end this year, as guess what all those fans that deserted Reading when they got relegated from the Premier have suddenly returned, so Reading no longer need to sell as many tickets to away fans as they can, therefore we only get 2,100 tickets and half the end.

The view is good but the concourses are cramped underneath.

Getting There

By road its quick and easy a quick trip up the M3 to Basingstoke and then follow signs to Reading on the A33, it shouldnt take much more than 45-50 minutes.

However finding somewhere to park is the trick, our advice is not to cross the M4 and into the industrial park that houses the Mad Stad, but to turn off to the village on your right just before the M4, its called Three Mile Cross, it has a couple of pubs and you can park there for free, from there its just over a mile to the stadium, but not only do you save on expensive parking, but you avoid the long queues after the game to get back to the M4 and across it. Take my word for it, if your going to drive do this, its about the only place within a 20 minute walk of the stadium you will get a drink in, not to emtion the savings on parking and traffic jams.

By Train

Usually its quite simple, a direct train to Reading followed by a football special bus from Reading train station, however due to engineering works, the direct train isnt calling at Reading central, you have to change at Reading West and get another train.

Due to the logistics of this Reading Police are advising Saints fans to get a train to Basingstoke and then get a train from there to Reading, the local trains will stop at Reading Central, its only the cross Country Service from Southampton that calls at Reading en route to the north that is being diverted, its not ideal but due to the grounds location this is the best way.

Drinking Eating Etc

Our advice if travelling by car is the aforementioned Three Mile Cross, although allow at least 30 minutes to walk to the ground for the mile or so walk.

If you travel by train you will be corralled into the pub just outside the train station, although in fairness this is handy for the special buses.

If you do manage to avoid this, then Reading has a few good traditional pubs in the City Centre as well as the usual chain pubs.

Reading

Madejski Stadium

Capacity: 24,200 (all seated)

Address: Bennett Road, Reading, RG2 0FL

Main Telephone No: 0118 968 1100

Fax No: 0118 968 1101

Ticket Office: 0844 249 1871

Ticket Office Fax: 0870 999 1001

Team Nickname: The Royals

Pitch Size: 102 x 70 metres