Welcome to all Exiled Royals Supporters
For those Reading supporters who live away from the town, whether North or South, UK or abroad, then STAR Exiles is for you. We cater for all exiled Royals fans, wherever you are and whatever the reason for being away. Whether you’ve permanently upped sticks or you’re temporarily away from home at University or College – you may just be on holiday and want to meet up on your travels?
Our main aim is to put fellow Royals supporters in touch with each other primarily through our regional branches in the UK and Overseas. We hope you take advantage of the opportunity to join STAR Exiles. With hundreds of exiled members and many others who’ve contacted us, you may not be far from another Royals fan. You’ll find a warm welcome amongst our members, and we’re sure membership will be worthwhile.
Members will have the full benefits of STAR membership and if you’re able to get to the UK we can help you with matchday tickets to watch the Royals play. Despite the distances, we want you to feel involved with the Club and as much part of STAR as our UK based fans. For your convenience, there are a number of ways of joining STAR Exiles – you can contact us at overseas.royals@star-reading.org
STAR OVERSEAS EXILES
If you are a Reading supporter living abroad we have a number of regional Exiles groups around the world.
Scandanavian Branch
A group of Swedish fans who’ve been following the Royals for a number of years, have joined forces with STAR Exiles to create our Scandinavian branch. STAR Viking Royals founder members have taken to following Reading FC after an interest in the music festival alerted them to the Club some time ago. Both Swedish and English speaking fans are welcome to join the group, which already has an active RFC Forum on the svenskafans website.
You can also visit their Facebook page.
For more information contact Gunnar at viking.royals@star-reading.org
Malta Branch
The STAR Malta Royals were formed in February 2011 co-ordinated by Paul Schembri who can be contacted at malta.royals@star-reading.org
You can also visit STAR Malta on Facebook where Paul has posted many photos of his trips to the UK to watch the Royals, including ‘that day at Wembley’ and his annual Beach BBQ held in July!
You can also visit and join in with Malta Exiles own Twitter page.
If you are interested in setting up an Exiles group in your country or region, please get in touch via email to johnny.hunt@star-reading.org or dave.stevens@star-reading.org
What's Involved in running a STAR Exiles Branch?
STAR Exiles Branches are run by members for members so we need a volunteer to act as “Chairman”, co-ordinating the group and liaising with STAR. STAR Board needs to approve setting up a new branch, so if you’re keen and there are a few other Royals fans interested, let us know and we’ll get things started.
We have established some basic Branch Committee Rules and Operating Procedures and Conditions to help you run the branch, which also ensures everyone follows the same ideas and maintains our benefits with RFC. If you organise any events or otherwise handle any money on behalf of the group you’ll need to keep accounts and agree them annually with the branch members.
Most UK branch members will appreciate the match ticket arrangements, which take a bit of time and effort, but otherwise it is up to the group to do whatever you want – within reason!! Overseas members can also get tickets but mainly try to meet up and watch live TV matches whenever they can and depending how close they are.
Everyone has different ideas what they want from a branch, but the main factor for people joining is often getting together and sharing their interest in following the Royals, meeting up at games, sharing travelling and watching live TV matches together.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure about anything, our Exiles Co-ordinators are here to help you with any questions you might have, either before you start or when your branch is up and running. We appreciate that everyone is a volunteer so you can choose to do as much or as little as you can manage.
Benefit of joining STAR Exiles
STAR Exiles are currently co-ordinated by Johnny Hunt and Dave Stevens who are available for advice and support for all Regional Branches, as well as individual Exiles members both within the UK and overseas.
Contact Johnny at johnny.hunt@star-reading.org and Dave at dave.stevens@star-reading.org
Benefits of Exiles membership include:
Regional Exiles Branches – Exiles groups can meet up for games and the occasional social event, whilst those abroad share their interest watching live TV matches whenever they can. Branches are run by members for members so we always need volunteers to help.
If you are interested in setting up an Exiles group in your region, please contact Johnny or Dave for next steps.
RFC Match Tickets – RFC & STAR recognise that it is not easy for exiled fans to accumulate Royalty points when living away and have introduced a scheme to help you get match tickets. Conditions apply but subject to a few rules we can generally arrange tickets to Royals games at home and away, which is a great help for those needing to arrange travel well in advance – especially if you are living abroad.
STAR Member Benefits – As with all STAR members you’ll receive various benefits, including 20 Royalty points for joining STAR. You can attend the Fans Forums and you’ll also receive regular newsletters via e-mail.
STAR Travel – there’s nothing stopping you getting on the STAR member coaches to Royals away matches if it’s convenient for you to travel via Reading.
STAR Member Representation – STAR regularly meet the football Club management who take a genuine interest in our members views. Both Exiles Co-ordinators are exiles themselves, and active members of the STAR Board representing exiled fans – giving you a voice within the organisation.