Select Car Leasing Stadium, Behind East Stand

Barnsley Programme Notes

Today we hear from Roger Titford – STAR Board member

Jimmy Wheeler

Jimmy Wheeler sadly passed away earlier this month. For many of our older supporters Jimmy Wee (as he was known) was one of our all-time greats, both as a player and a personality. In his day – the 1950s and 1960s – it used to be quite common for players to represent their home town club for the entirety of their careers. Jimmy was a Reading player for 16 years. He made over 450 appearances, scoring 168 goals and played in whatever position he was needed, from right back to left wing. Not only was he a skilful player but he was also a wholehearted trier who engaged the Elm Park crowd. As reserve team player-manager he masterminded our Football Combination Division Two title triumph in 1966. This might seem small beer today but in that success-starved era the night the title was clinched was a raucous and joyful occasion in front of a crowd of over 6,000. Jimmy went on to manage Bradford City to promotion.

Structured Dialogue

STAR has had its first Structured Dialogue meeting with the senior management of the club and a summary report can be found on the news section of our website. It was a very useful and informative meeting and the intention is to hold these twice a year from hereon.

Hall of Fame

Elsewhere in today’s programme there is a feature on the Hall of Fame but just as a brief reminder here are the details again. It’s a two hour show during which 25 new names will be inducted into STAR’s Reading FC Hall of Fame. There will be brief biogs, photos, film clips and guest appearances and short speeches from some of those being inducted. It’s a big night for STAR and it’s a big night for them and for the club – and we hope many supporters can make it along.

There’s no entry charge and it’s open to all supporters, not just STAR members. The event is at the Princess Suite, Madejski Stadium, Monday 23 March, doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start.

Away Ticket Prices

Tickets at Leeds were £39 – the highest in the division. Both West Brom and ourselves charge away fans £20. The Football Supporters Association and STAR are behind the ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ campaign. One way fans who travelled to Leeds might influence the decision-making process of the EFL is by completing this FSA survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/awayfans-2019-20 .

Bizarre coincidences

This is only the fourth League match we’ve ever had on today’s date, 29 February. All four have been home matches and we’re unbeaten on this date with two wins and a draw. Amazingly Barnsley were also our opponents on 29 February 1964. As we all know, leap years are also Olympic years. In 1964 the games were in Tokyo –as indeed they will be in 2020.  So, doubtless you’ll be thinking what was the score in 1964? It was 6-1 to Reading