"A Let down"

I'd always seen the Madejski on TV and thought it looked like a good ground. When I got there I was severely let down.

The location's terrible, out in a desolate wasteland next to the M4.

The stadium itself on closer inspection isn't as good looking from the outside as I had previously expected. After more than a decade the colour is beginning to fade. The hotel on the side added a bit of practicality, though looked out of place hooked onto the back of the stadium.

Inside the concourse was slightly too small, though hardly uncomfortable.

The bowl looked bland and ordinary, just like all new stadia. What did I expect?

The only nice touch is the gradient of the away stand. It's very steep, which makes for a great view and a good atmosphere.

It can be hard getting out of the stadium at the end of a match, though not anywhere near as hard as getting out of the car park adjacent to the stadium in the Reading FC training centre.

Location

Its only advantage is that it's just off the M4, and easy to get to if you're coming from the motorway (the Madejski is easily visible from the motorway as you pass Reading).

It's a fair distance from the city centre (which I found very pleasant), and the only public transport that goes to the stadium is a bus service. Walking the journey from the city centre is impossible and would take you half a lifetime.

The stadium is located in a wasteland. Most new stadia are built, then surrounded by a flash new shopping centre. This wasn't the case with the madejski. Aside from a small industrial estate across the bridge there's nothing anywhere near the place.

There's parking available in the Reading FC training ground and academy, but be aware that when we went there it was impossible to get out after the match.

Plus most of the parking around the stadium isn't tarmac, so don't wear your best shoes.

Very inconvenient location.

View

Pretty comfortable. Not the greatest leg-room.

The view of the playing surface is exceptional.

Facilities

The toilets aren't big enough, but how many grounds actually have adequately sized toilets? Cleaner before the match than after, though that goes without saying.

Food & Drink

The usual.

Police & Stewards

A bit much when it came to policing during the match, but better safe than sorry. After the game the police numbers were sensible outside the ground.

Stewards were OK.

Atmosphere

The away end is built to create a good atmosphere, take advantage of it.

The home end isn't the loudest.

Home fans are pretty welcoming, and much less chavy than your usual club (Reading is the only football club that could ever get sponsored by Waitrose). Not the least bit intimidating.

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