'If we get to the Premiership and have a year of consolidation,' says Madejski, 'then we have the ability to raise the roof and take the capacity from 24,700 to 33,000.'

source. (http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport/story/0,,1692359,00.html)

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/8669/madejskistadaerial2cw.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5235/madejski8qd.jpg

Matthew Coggins informs me; 'The stadium has been built in such a way that an additional tier could be added at a later stage to the East, North and South Stands, increasing the capacity to a maximum of 40,000. However this would not be undertaken until the Club reach the Premier League'

source. (http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/park/yfh45/reading.htm)

One of my friends is a Reading fan and regularly goes to the stadium quite often. He mentioned the ability to raise the roof and that expansion would be likely if they were to get promoted and with the expansion this would make it the largest stadium (excluding race courses and race tracks) in the London metro.




http://www.prideofanglia.com/panorama/miscellaneous/2002-10-19%20Madejski%20Stadium.jpg

One of my friends is a Reading fan and regularly goes to the stadium quite often. He mentioned the ability to raise the roof and that expansion would be likely if they were to get promoted and with the expansion this would make it the largest stadium (excluding race courses and race tracks) in the London metro.

What, bigger than Wembley, Twickenham and the Emirates Stadium?

He means in the London commuter belt. I have to say that its likely Fratton Park will be rebuilt before the Royals get an expansion.

true about it, but fratton park's redevelopment plans are absolute rubbish.

He means in the London commuter belt. I have to say that its likely Fratton Park will be rebuilt before the Royals get an expansion.I think it will be Reading first. Also the first phase of Fratton Park (entire stadium will be turned 90 degrees) will only go up to around 28,000 and thats only if they manage to stay up!

with 16 games to go they're looking good for promotion:

1 Reading... 73
2 Sheff Utd... 66
------------------
3 Leeds... 54
4 Watford... 52
5 Crystal Palace... 48
6 Preston... 47

Righty, they've done it.

They've been promoted.

Lets home they have a good year next year then :)

Righty, they've done it.

They've been promoted.

Lets home they have a good year next year then :)
Congratulations to Reading ,they've been great this season.Let's hope leeds will be joining you in the premiership :)

"... if we are lucky enough to stay up next year, we'll increase the capacity.

"Every new seat you put in costs £1,000. We may take up the capacity a few thousand at a time but we could take it up to 40,000." - john madejski, reading chairman.

source. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/reading/4880292.stm)

Damn, i dont want St Mary's to lose the title of largest stadium in Central South England...especially not to newbie upstarts like the Royals:(

average attendances at the madejski (capacity: 24,200):


1998-99: 11,262 (the stadium opens with the club newly relegated to the 2nd division, where they finish 11th)
1999-00: 8,985 (finish 10th)
2000-01: 12,649 (finish 3rd)
2001-02: 14,115 (finish 2nd and are promoted to the 1st division)
2002-03: 16,011 (finish 4th)
2003-04: 15,165 (finish 9th)
2004-05: 17,169 (finish 7th)
2005-06: 19,664 (finish 1st and are promoted to the premiership)


info from: soccer-stats.com.

Damn, i dont want St Mary's to lose the title of largest stadium in Central South England...especially not to newbie upstarts like the Royals:(

Who's calling who newbies? 1871 mate ;)

Doncaster's new stadium is exactly like Madejski only a bit smaller..

http://www.vismod.com/Doncaster_Stadium_New_2_low_res.GIF

http://www.vismod.com/Doncaster_Stadium_New_3_low_res.GIF

http://www.vismod.com/Doncaster_Stadium_New_4_low_res.GIF

^ After some delay work has begun in clearing the site, on which a new 15,000 capacity stadium will be built. The stadium which is being funded by Doncaster Council, will be the new home of Doncaster Rovers Football Club, Doncaster Dragons Rugby League Club and Doncaster Belles Ladies Football Club. The site is adjacent to a lake, at the back of what has recently been re-named Lakeside Village (the old Yorkshire Outlet shopping centre), which is about a mile and half South from the present Belle Vue ground. It is hoped that the stadium will open in October 2006 - footballgroundguide.co.uk (http://www.footballgroundguide.co.uk)

^ After some delay work has begun in clearing the site, on which a new 15,000 capacity stadium will be built. The stadium which is being funded by Doncaster Council, will be the new home of Doncaster Rovers Football Club, Doncaster Dragons Rugby League Club and Doncaster Belles Ladies Football Club. The site is adjacent to a lake, at the back of what has recently been re-named Lakeside Village (the old Yorkshire Outlet shopping centre), which is about a mile and half South from the present Belle Vue ground. It is hoped that the stadium will open in October 2006 - footballgroundguide.co.uk (http://www.footballgroundguide.co.uk)

This might be old info, i think i read that the capacity will be 20,000.

The lastest construction pics are on Doncaster's official website www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk

sorry for taking your thread off topic edennewstairs :happy: :wave:

Righty, they've done it.

They've been promoted.

Lets home they have a good year next year then :)



And just over a year later....Huzaah.


Let's see if they manage to stick to their word.

According to the clubs website it is in planning permission however you have to become a website member (which is free) to read more details than that, needless to say I am not that interested!

http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Expansion/0,,10306,00.html

as a Berkshire Boy I really hope Reading continues to go from strength to strength. Go for 40,000 and not 33.000 :)

Hi, I've just found this on BBC website

Reading to extend ground capacity

An artist's impression of how the extended Madejski Stadium could look
Reading have been granted permission to extend the capacity of the Madejski Stadium from 24,045 to 38,000.
The Royals submitted the plans earlier this year and they have now been approved by Reading Borough Council.

"This is great news and we are extremely pleased that the council have approved our plans," chief executive Nigel Howe told the club's website.

"It's very exciting for both the football club, our fans and the region as a whole."

Reading finished eighth in their first season in the Premiership, missing out on a Uefa Cup place by just one point.

And Howe added: "The expansion will allow us to take the club forward and further improve the facilities for our supporters as we aim to become an established force in the top flight.

"We will now consult with our contractors before deciding when construction will begin, and we will keep supporters fully informed at every stage."

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e127/scottmlegend/_42187462_stadium2.gif

OMG, even Reading are going to overtake our capacity. New White Hart Lane development soon please!!

Happy for Reading though :-)

Presumably this onvolves just adding another tier around 3 sides of the stadium? As the main stand can not be tampered with?

Actually the existing tiers will be extended back in a straight line, creating three very large stands on the east, north and south. As you rightly say, the west stand is constricted by the hotel behind it.

The current plan is to work in 2 phases: the east stand over the coming year, taking the capacity to 33,000 and the north/south stands the year after for the full 38k.

Shouldn't Reading concentrate on staying in the Premiership first? Look what happened to Ipswich and West Ham. They had a great first year in the PL, and an awful second one. Ipwich Town were even relegated. Second seasons are always difficult.

The extended stadium looks ace - good to see they have ambition.

Ipswich couldn't cope with Europe and the Premiership, and West Ham had a dressing room full of egos and a couple of Argentinians come in and rock the boat.

Reading are a well run club who won't have the distraction of Europe, Coppel is a decent manager, and I think they'll be just below mid-table next season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/images/2006/10/11/470_expansion_3_470x200.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/images/2006/10/11/470_expansion_1_470x200.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/images/2006/10/11/470_expansion_2_470x200.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/images/2006/10/11/470_expansion_4_470x200.jpg

Last season:

Average attendance: 23,829
Highest attendance: 24,122 (Reading 2-0 Aston Villa)
Lowest attendance: 23,074 (Reading 1-2 Blackburn)