The Supporters Trust At Reading FC has responded after the club revealed their new model ‘One Royal’ to be introduced from next season.
Fans will now be able to opt into a monthly payment plan that includes a guaranteed seat for next season alongside other benefits, experiences and rewards.
The club has said that it remains committed to keeping matchdays ‘as affordable and accessible as possible.’
STAR released a statement on the introduction of One Royal, which reads: “The club presented the newly announced OneRoyal subscription model to STAR this week. Overall, we are broadly supportive of what appears to be an innovative, inclusive and flexible model that provides value and added value and choice to fans.
“STAR is particularly contented that regular, match going fans are not being forced into price rises for the same product. Any increases in fan expenditure will be because fans appreciate an added value proposition or missed the renewal deadline.
“However, there are clearly areas that require additional scrutiny. Had we been consulted with rather than presented at, we would have lobbied strongly against what appears an imbalance in the distribution of loyalty points.
“For example, elite members who attend every home game, but barely travel away, will have a substantial loyalty point advantage over core members who watch home games and travel away with greater regularity. While we understand football is a business, fans who pay more and see us play less should not have such a sizeable advantage over fans who pay less and see us play more. When affluence is rated higher than attendance, they are royalty points, not loyalty points.
“We are also surprised to learn that Club1871 is now moving towards a reserved seating model. We strongly recommend the club communicate this change regularly ahead of the new season. I think we can all agree ‘you’re in my seat’ is a phrase that nobody likes to hear in a football ground, especially when used to unreserved seating.”
