Look, had we won or even got a draw against Stoke last weekend, would we be having this conversation right now? Maybe not. But it was coming, it really was.
The outpouring of emotions on Saturday evening on social media led to some fiery exchanges between fans.
Having slept on it, I decided, with the backing of Paula and the rest of the Supporters’ Trust At Reading (STAR) board, to put out an open forum on Twitter asking for views from you, the fans of our club. Specifically, direct questions you wanted answers to.
I’m fortunate that, a) I write for The Tilehurst End and contribute to the podcast and, b) am about to be voted onto the board of STAR.
Coupled with the fact I have been watching Reading for nearly 30 years meant that I felt very strongly that I, as a representative of STAR, had to gather the views from our fans about how they are feeling right now and put these views into a coherent, purposeful document that the club could answer directly.
That’s not to say STAR haven’t been doing this: we have. One of the ways we do this is by holding structured dialogue meetings (SDMs).
This is a meeting of at least two STAR representatives and usually involve the club’s CEO, the Finance Director, the Chief Communications Officer and Director of Operations.
Both parties ask questions, the results and transcripts of which are always published to the fans, whether they are members of STAR or not.
They are held every six months and typically cover discussions of the club’s plans, policies and finances with the senior club officials mentioned.
My personal belief, as a fan and STAR board member, is that I don’t think the club are withholding information to be destructive or difficult. There are very sensitive talks that are still ongoing with the EFL.
They have invested time and money and I think they genuinely believe in our club. However, I can see the frustration from some fans regarding communication and how they may feel alienated.
STAR has some communication with the club, as stated, but needs fans’ views in order to ask those questions that supporters want the answers to.
This past week has allowed the process to start to become more refined, more open and ultimately, more purposeful for everyone involved.
This is the start of the process, but we must continue to work together in a positive and constructive way so that fans believe the club is improving on and off the pitch.
We are in our 150th year. The best way to celebrate this would be to strengthen the bond between all stakeholders at the club and by remembering how far we have come in that time.
Success on the pitch takes time to build: communication and openness doesn’t.
By Ben Thomas
