I'm thinking of going to the Reading away game in March, mainly because I have a friend who lives down there, and will be around for her Birthday anyway.

So a few queries...

1) is it worth it!?!!

2) what's it like there, for those who've been? Nice ground, friendly fans etc etc? Bearing in mind I could end up in the Home end...

3) what are the chances of me getting a ticket in with the Blues fans, as I've not been to any away games thus far this season?

Thanks! (for the serious and silly replies)

Got a link Flip.

From memory:

1. Depends on how we are playing in March/ticket prices/weather/if you really want to go I guess...

2. Its a horrible ground miles from anywhere. I think its about 3 miles outside Reading, in a similar vein to Cov ground. It was freezing cold when I went and we got beaten so my views might be tainted!

3. I doubt we will sell out. I went to Spurs and we barely took 1500.

Flip, any ground is worth it if you haven't been there before. This one's the same as all the other new grounds, they come in blue or red. There are no pubs near the ground so you don't really get to mingle with the away fans but it doesn't seem to be a particularly hostile ground. They did give us a few funny looks as we passed but Lobster was with us so that probably explains that. That can be the only explanation for the cries of 'giv us yer awwtergraff, Elton.' The ground's at the back end of an industrial area and the road in is the road out so the traffic is horrendous. There's loads of buses outside the ground but nothing moves very far for half an hour after the game. Your best is to walk to 25 minutes to the A33 and catch a bus into town. I doubt you'll have a problem getting a ticket unless the Ronaldhino rumours come true.

Oh, and don't forget the windmill.

Daren I thought we'd only played there once, when we drew 1-1. That was a freezing cold day and there wasn't much to cheer.

Art thou forgetting the 2-2 draw in the cup, Mick?

Thats the match Mick.

You know what its like with us Blues fans.... we are so used to winning that an away draw feels like a defeat!

As Mick says, any ground is worth visiting if you haven't been there before. I have only been there once and that was to see Daren Carter playing for England under 21s. The pitch was slightly confusing because you could still see all the markings from the previous Rugby match.

Anyway, for a dispassionate view of the ground/supporters/surroundings/parking/etc, have a link:-

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


For all other grounds, have another link:-

http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/park/yfh45/ground.shtml

For those of you who have never visited these sites, they are both maintained by a guy called Duncan Adams - he is a Bluenose.

Thanks all, think I will probably make the trip. As long as there's no trouble, I'm happy to go wherever and from what I've read it's usually ok down there.

Reading itself is pretty good - good pubs in the centre and a riverside shopping/entertainment area that is definitely worth a visit (I can't really comment on the shops, mind you).

There should be loads of spare seats for Blues fans to choose from - they don't sell out and nor do we, so there should be a big section of empty seats.

It is the only all seater ground I've been to where when someone in your row wants to get out, you don't have to stand up for them to pass in front of your seat.

Location is dire, as already mentioned - if parking up, do it early and catch a bus into town centre (walk if you're fit and healthy) to pubs which are very relaxed and serve more than passable grub - opposite law courts/police is a cracker of a hostelry we used for the 1-1 FA Cup drawn game. Taxi back to ground which will be able to get you very close to the away fans turnstiles.