Reading FC back Twenty’s Plenty

Reading FC today announced their support for the Twenty’s Plenty campaign and have capped away ticket prices at the Madejski Stadium at £20.

The club said that no away fan visiting Reading throughout the 2016-17 season would pay more than £20 for their ticket – and have challenged other clubs across the Football League to follow their lead.

As well as capping prices for away fans, matchday tickets for home fans have been capped at £20.

Commercial director Adam Benson said: “At Madejski Stadium, we have always aimed to make football as affordable as possible for supporters of all ages as we recognise the considerable commitment fans make to our club.

“By also capping the price of advance away tickets bought by all travelling members and Season Ticket Holders who visit our South Stand this season, it will be more affordable for away supporters to come to Madejski Stadium.

“We expect and encourage other clubs to follow our lead, allowing Royals fans to also benefit from reasonable ticket pricing when they journey up and down the country this season and beyond.”

Reading say they will be seeking reciprocal deals with other Championship clubs to ensure their own fans have access to affordable away tickets. The club said it hopes their announcement “will be a structure which other clubs will admire and adopt.”

FSF chief executive Kevin Miles said: “We warmly welcome Reading’s initiative which will not only benefit their own fans, but also fans of the 23 other clubs in the Championship.

“It is particularly heartening to see Reading encouraging other clubs in the division to follow suit. They have established a leading position for themselves in making football affordable.”

The move was warmly welcomed by FSF affiliates the Supporters Trust At Reading (STAR).

“STAR congratulates Reading FC and sincerely hopes that its £20 deal works both in terms of increasing numbers of both home and away supporters at games at the Madejski Stadium and also ‘inspires’ other Championship clubs to follow suit.

“STAR’s sustained efforts to persuade the club, including organising a march at the stadium in support of the national campaign and obtaining a 300 signature petition as well as taking every opportunity in meetings with the club’s senior management over a number of seasons to bring the subject up will, undoubtedly, have had some influence on the club’s decision.”

Reading are the first club in the Championship to commit to the Twenty’s Plenty idea. Last season, Coventry City introduced a similar scheme in League One, while Swansea City will be subsidising their own travelling fans who will pay no more than £22.

Thanks to Crystian Cruz for the image used in this article. Reproduced here under Creative Commons license.