Welcome to STAR

Welcome to the Supporters Trust At Reading (STAR), a non-profit making, democratically accountable Supporters’ Trust regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Staffed and organised by volunteer Reading FC supporters our formal title is Reading Football Supporters’ Society Limited and we are the successor to the Reading Football Supporters’ Club (est. 1930). You can find out more information about our organisation in the About STAR page.

March 2012 represents the 10th Anniversary of the formation of STAR. We will be celebrating the occasion with a number of events throughout the season and will post details on this website as well as notify members through our EStar email updates.  Non members can also sign up for our occasional news emails below.  

You can join STAR or renew your Membership Online

This season you can now join  the Supporters Trust At Reading (or renew existing membership) online making payments securely and quickly via PayPal. You can apply for up to four members and do not need to have a PayPal account but can pay by Debit or Credit card.

You can find out more about membership of STAR on our Membership page.

Re-arranged Doncaster match - STAR Travel

Thursday 16th February

The postponed match against Doncaster has now been re-arranged for Tuesday 13th March kicking off at 7.45pm. The pick up times for STAR coaches will be 1.30pm at the Mad Stad and 1.45pm in West Street, Reading outside Primark. For those members that travelled on STAR coaches for the original fixture on 4th February below are the options for travelling to the re-arranged fixture.

We will assume, unless we are told otherwise, that all those that travelled on the day will be going to the re arranged fixture. Existing coach tickets are still valid.

If  you are unable  to travel to the re-arranged fixture, we will issue a full credit (£20.00) on another trip this season. To take advantage of the credit option the valid coach ticket must be returned to STAR. All transactions must be conducted in person at STAR HQ  during normal opening times.

Thames Sports Investment Ltd - STAR Meeting with RFC

Thursday 2nd February

In connection with the recent news following the agreement for TSI Ltd to acquire a significant holding in RFC, representatives from the board of STAR recently held a meeting with the Football Club where we outlined our concerns about certain details of the sale of shares in Reading Football Club to Thames Sports Investments.  We were able to talk freely and the Club explained as much as they could, bearing in mind that a lot of detail is still to be determined.

We were told that there is as yet no definitive information on the investors in TSI, although we are led to believe that it is to be the Zingarevich family headed by Anton, given his extensive interest in football. We understand that the new shareholders will be open and honest in their communication with STAR and the supporters of Reading when the transfer has taken place. As soon as the time is right, STAR will look to meet with Anton Zingarevich and any new board members, to welcome the new shareholders and build a similar relationship with them as has been possible with the current regime.

Despite the fact that there are still a lot of unknowns, we left this meeting greatly encouraged about the deal. Of course, until more facts emerge, this optimism is tinged with caution, but from what we have heard we believe this move could lead to success and a long period of sustainable growth for Reading Football Club.

Travel to the last 4 Away Games for a £1!

Saturday 28th January

To celebrate STAR’s 10^th Birthday we are raffling off 10 Coach places to the last 4 Away League Games of the Season! Raffle tickets are £1 each and can be bought at The STAR Base on Match Days and Tuesday Evening’s or from The Coach Stewards on Away Match Days.

The travel will be for the West Ham (Sat March 31st), Brighton (Tues 10th April), Southampton (Sat 14th April) and Birmingham games (Sat 28th April) and normal cost for the 4 would be £45.

The draw for the 10 Coach seats will take place in The STAR Base at 5.15 pm on Sat 24^th March after the Blackpool game. Please note STAR Travel is only available to members. Should the winners already have coach tickets booked for these games then that cost will be refunded. Good Luck!

Barnsley Away Match & Meal Deal  - 17th March

Friday 27th January

As part of our 'STAR Is 10' celebrations we are organising for members to combine the Barnsley away coach travel with an optional stop off for a 3 course meal at the Buckingham Hotel at Buxton on the way back.

Combined Luxury Coach travel and meal Tickets are only £40 and are on sale now from the STAR base. Our Match & Meal trips are very popular so please book your tickets early to enable us to organise additional coaches if required. 

Where's The Profit Gone?
New 2012 article taking a closer look at RFC Finances

Friday 13th January

Following on from his original article that appeared in the fanzine The Whiff in 2011 (Wheres All The Money Gone? which can be downloaded here.) STAR member Dave Hunt has cast his eye over the latest set of finances published by Reading Football Club.

In his article 'Where's The Profit Gone?' Dave builds on his knowledge from that original review, supported by a Question and Answer session with RFC, to give the 'ordinary fan' a fascinating insight into the financial gains, costs and loses over the year. 

Its an often hotly debated topic for supporters about what happens to money received from transfer fees, or why the club hasn't brought new players, the size of the wages bill - hopefully this article will give you some answers. RFC has often been held up as a club with good financial governance at a time when many others slide towards administration. Download and read Where's The Profit Gone? and you can make your own mind up. Thanks Dave!

January RFC Management meeting with STAR

Friday 13th January

The regular RFC management meeting involving representatives from STAR took place at the Mad Stad on 12th January. A summary of the discussions can be downloaded here.

If members have any issues they wish to be considered for the next meeting please email us at info@star-reading.org

Play at the Madejski Stadium! Bidding now open for the remaining positions!

Friday 13th January

Reading FC Community Trust are once again joining forces with Football Aid to allow football fans the opportunity to play on their Field of Dreams at the Madejski in 2012, while at the same time raising funds for charity.

This unique event allows Reading supporters to Live the Dream in an authentic match day experience. Players will gain exclusive access to the pitch and tunnel areas, pull on their own personalised shirt in the official changing rooms, walk down the tunnel to the sound of a cheering crowd and ultimately to step out on the hallowed turf and represent their club in a never to be forgotten 90 minutes of football.

Getting involved couldn’t be easier, just visit the Football Aid website select Events link and you can see the positions left, then place your bid – it really is that simple. And with most starting bids for positions at just £170, booking a position could turn out to be the best bargain you’ll ever bag! Bidding is open from now until the middle of March, depending on what position you want to play. 

Below are some of the players that took part in the 2011 event. You can also read more about that match on the Football Aid website.

STAR Predictor League 2011/12 - Positions for 8th January 

Sunday 8th January

Did you enter this seasons STAR Predictor League? Entrants score the number of points their teams hold, chosen from 17 groups, and the top three highest scorers at the end of the season win cash prizes. This years first place receives £232.75p. The competition also raised just over £330 to be donated towards RFC Academy activites.  

As of 8th January John Beardsley has taken top slot from Suzanne Robson who has slipped to third place behind Kieron Hogan. With 133 entries John has so far gained 681 points.  Entrants can check their ranking as of 8th January by downloading the scores table here.