Owlish
New Member
While it does not look like your site does a lot of match threads, the Reading fan site Royals Rendezvous does. Here's a sample of our thread for this match with your Blades and a link to our "Rivals but Friends!" section for the match (http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9810648/1/), which is open for visitors (and you are all cordially invited) to read and post without registering. From "Rivals but Friends":
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Blades Match Chat – Reading V Sheffield United
Saturday, 26th January, 2013 (FA Cup – 4th Round)
A warm welcome to all Sheffield United fans looking in - fullest respect shown to you, guaranteed no ‘wind ups’ here! Our main Match Presentation/Thread - pre-match chat, live comments and final whistle - is here:
… http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9808923/1 …
Although comments to the main match topic are for members only – normal on forums of course - we are delighted to say you ARE able to contribute to THIS topic here, which is open to comments from fans from both clubs, and for anyone else that is interested to join us. So here you are able to post as a guest – just be sociable & language decency please (meaning no aggressive posts and be careful with swear words!). Passion IS very much welcome of course – share it with us on RR.
We are not only one of the best organized fans' forums around today, although we say it ourselves (!), but also one of the friendliest. Proof of that is that in this growing section of our forum – called “Rivals, but Friends” - not only can you post, but even start topics of interest without previously registering as a member (though do consider it if you like what you see, you’re promised a nice welcome!):
http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/forum/3832070
For the benefit of our own RR members we’ll often transfer small snippets from threads we already regularly contribute to in other football sites, and always crediting the user name and the forum itself.
This section also includes "The RR Guide for Away Fans" with sections on travel to the stadium:
Journey By Car - From all directions on the M4 motorway turn off at junction 11, and head along the A33 towards Reading. If you're coming from the South then take the A33 which runs North into Reading, crossing the same junction 11. In all cases you'll then find yourself driving straight towards the stadium, best to keep to left hand side lanes. The A33 (called the Reading Relief Road) runs very close indeed to the ground so you can't go wrong, in theory! As said, if you're coming from the M4 just keep in the left hand lane as you approach...
Also see these excellent web sites already in operation. If you have any doubts, just post a topic or contibute on this very thread (you don't need to sign up to write here) and we'll do our best to answer!!
Madejski Stadium Directions–
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/TravelParking/0,,10306~592851,00.html
Madejski Stadium Parking–
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/TravelParking/0,,10306~592842,00.html
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/staticFiles/2f/8c/0,,10306~166959,00.pdf
(try Basingstoke Road area, or closest parts of Whitley - all free parking, and a 10-15 min walk)
Buses and Trains for Madejski Stadium–
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/TravelParking/0,,10306~592838,00.html
For the current 2012-13 season, please see POST #17 in this topic!
Excellent General Guide as to the Madejski Stadium for the Away fan:
http://www.footballgroundguide.com/reading
There are also residential streets nearby where you can park for free, and I'd personally suggest it without reservation, but it's not perhaps the most sure area for security (and sincere apologies to the many good folk living there), and quite a few local fans prefer to pay the £8 or so 'official' parking for peace of mind or more likely for pure comfort/convenience of being as close as possible. Most Reading fans will tell you they've parked in the residential areas for many years without any trouble whatsoever, but a very few might possibly tell you they've been broken into once.
There are other car parks dotted along Imperial Way, including a large one which charges £8. The problem with the large one is that it's very large and people will spend ages waiting to get out. In fact, if you park elsewhere and drive down Imperial Way to get out, you'll see people struggling to get out of the large car park. The advantage of parking in streets on the Whitley side of the Basingstoke Road is that getaway is far more fluid if you're heading back to the M4 again, because you won't be in any queues.
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There are also tips on places to eat and drink, both near the stadium (very limited) or in town - check it out (not my recommendations, as I'm a Yank from Texas, but local folks who go to the stadium all the time).
Our match thread included notes on Sheffield and Sheffield United - that one is open to view but posting is restricted to registered board members - check it out and see what we may need to correct! Some samples are:
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ABOUT SHEFFIELD
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely industrial roots to encompass a wider economic base. The population of the City of Sheffield is 551,800 (2011 est.) and it is one of the eight largest regional English cities that make up the Core Cities Group. During the 19th century, Sheffield gained an international reputation for steel production. Many innovations were developed locally, including crucible and stainless steel, fuelling an almost tenfold increase in the population during the Industrial Revolution. Sheffield received its municipal charter in 1843, becoming the City of Sheffield in 1893. International competition in iron and steel caused a decline in traditional local industries during the 1970s and 1980s, coinciding with the collapse of coal mining in the area. The 21st century has seen extensive redevelopment in Sheffield along with other British cities. Sheffield's gross value added (GVA) has increased by 60% since 1997, standing at £9.2 billion in 2007. The economy has experienced steady growth averaging around 5% annually, greater than that of the broader region of Yorkshire and the Humber. The city is located within the valleys of the River Don and its four tributaries, the Loxley, the Porter Brook, the Rivelin, and the Sheaf. 61% of Sheffield's entire area is green space, and a third of the city lies within the Peak District National Park. There are more than 200 parks, woodlands and gardens in the city, and an estimated 2.5 million trees, giving Sheffield the highest ratio of trees to people of any city in Europe.
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and
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SHEFFIELD UNITED’S HISTORY
Sheffield United formed on 22 March 1889 at the Adelphi Hotel, Sheffield (now the site of the Crucible Theatre) by the President of the Cricket Club Sir Charles Clegg. The Wednesday had moved from Bramall Lane to their own ground at Olive Grove, and the tenants of Bramall Lane needed to create a new team to generate income. Sir Charles Clegg was incidentally also the president of The Wednesday. Undoubtedly United's heyday was the 40-year period from 1895–1925, when they were champions of England in 1897–98 and runners up in 1896–97 and 1899–1900, and FA Cup winners in 1899, 1902, 1915 and 1925, finishing runners up in 1901, and also eleven years after their cup final win in 1936. United have not won a trophy since 1925, bar those associated with promotion from lower-leagues, though they did reach both domestic cup semi-finals and the First Division play-off final in the 2002–03 season, ultimately losing all three matches. Their darkest days came between 1975 and 1981. After finishing sixth in the First Division at the end of the 1974–75 season, they were relegated to the Second Division the following season and three years after that setback they fell into the Third Division. They reached an absolute low in 1981 when they were relegated to the Fourth Division, but were champions in their first season in the league's basement division and two years afterwards they won promotion to the Second Division. They did fall back into the Third Division in 1988, but new manager Dave Bassett masterminded a quick revival which launched the Blades towards one of the most successful eras in their history. Successive promotions in the aftermath of the 1988 relegation saw them return to the First Division in 1990 after a 14-year exile. They survived at this level for four seasons and reached an FA Cup semi-final in the 1992–93 season before being relegated in 1994. They would remain outside the top flight for the next 12 years, although they did qualify for the play-offs under Bassett's successor Howard Kendall in 1997 and caretaker manager Steve Thompson in 1998. They were struggling at the wrong end of Division One when Neil Warnock was appointed manager in December 1999, and a financial crisis was preventing the club from being able to boost their squad, but in 2002–03 they enjoyed their most successful season for a decade, reaching the semi-finals of both domestic cups and also reaching the Division One play-off final, where they were beaten 3–0 by Wolves. Three years later, however, Warnock delivered a Premier League return as the Blades finished runners-up in the re-branded Championship. They lasted just one season back amongst the elite, before being relegated from the Premier League. The club struggled to come to terms with life back in the Championship, with a spiraling wage bill not being matched by the quality of the players brought in, and a succession of managers within a short period of time. Despite a brief flirtation with success as the team reached the 2009 play-off final under Kevin Blackwell, the club entered a period of decline. The 2010–11 season ultimately ended in relegation to League One under Micky Adams, meaning they would play in the third tier for the first time in 23 years, and only five years after gaining promotion to the Premiership. In the 2011–12 season, the club finished third in League 1, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to rivals Sheffield Wednesday, and entered the playoffs. With victory over Stevenage in the semi-final, United missed out on an immediate return to the Championship after suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Huddersfield.
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I'd like to post some responses to a few questions on our site, so here goes:
1. How do you feel your squad is developing this season? After the disappointment of the playoff loss (in a shootout no less!), many teams might had had trouble coming back, but the Blades are doing very well and are well-positioned for a run at the Automatic slots if not another Playoff opportunity.
2. Blackman is obviously a scorer (and a set-up man) for the Blades - who else do you look to for that touch of magic on the pitch?
3. With just over half the season gone, where do you feel the Blades will finish the season? A good run of form could easily see your club in the automatics and headed for the Championship next season.
4. With the extensive past experience playing against the Royals, what memories could you share on past matches? And what do you think of the Royals?
Thanks for reading this wall-o-text and for any responses! Do feel free to visit our site and make any comments you wish. if you're coming down for the match, safe travel to and from and good luck before and after the match - you'll need to make your own luck during the match!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Blades Match Chat – Reading V Sheffield United
Saturday, 26th January, 2013 (FA Cup – 4th Round)
A warm welcome to all Sheffield United fans looking in - fullest respect shown to you, guaranteed no ‘wind ups’ here! Our main Match Presentation/Thread - pre-match chat, live comments and final whistle - is here:
… http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9808923/1 …
Although comments to the main match topic are for members only – normal on forums of course - we are delighted to say you ARE able to contribute to THIS topic here, which is open to comments from fans from both clubs, and for anyone else that is interested to join us. So here you are able to post as a guest – just be sociable & language decency please (meaning no aggressive posts and be careful with swear words!). Passion IS very much welcome of course – share it with us on RR.
We are not only one of the best organized fans' forums around today, although we say it ourselves (!), but also one of the friendliest. Proof of that is that in this growing section of our forum – called “Rivals, but Friends” - not only can you post, but even start topics of interest without previously registering as a member (though do consider it if you like what you see, you’re promised a nice welcome!):
http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/forum/3832070
For the benefit of our own RR members we’ll often transfer small snippets from threads we already regularly contribute to in other football sites, and always crediting the user name and the forum itself.
This section also includes "The RR Guide for Away Fans" with sections on travel to the stadium:
Journey By Car - From all directions on the M4 motorway turn off at junction 11, and head along the A33 towards Reading. If you're coming from the South then take the A33 which runs North into Reading, crossing the same junction 11. In all cases you'll then find yourself driving straight towards the stadium, best to keep to left hand side lanes. The A33 (called the Reading Relief Road) runs very close indeed to the ground so you can't go wrong, in theory! As said, if you're coming from the M4 just keep in the left hand lane as you approach...
Also see these excellent web sites already in operation. If you have any doubts, just post a topic or contibute on this very thread (you don't need to sign up to write here) and we'll do our best to answer!!
Madejski Stadium Directions–
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/TravelParking/0,,10306~592851,00.html
Madejski Stadium Parking–
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/TravelParking/0,,10306~592842,00.html
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/staticFiles/2f/8c/0,,10306~166959,00.pdf
(try Basingstoke Road area, or closest parts of Whitley - all free parking, and a 10-15 min walk)
Buses and Trains for Madejski Stadium–
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/TravelParking/0,,10306~592838,00.html
For the current 2012-13 season, please see POST #17 in this topic!
Excellent General Guide as to the Madejski Stadium for the Away fan:
http://www.footballgroundguide.com/reading
There are also residential streets nearby where you can park for free, and I'd personally suggest it without reservation, but it's not perhaps the most sure area for security (and sincere apologies to the many good folk living there), and quite a few local fans prefer to pay the £8 or so 'official' parking for peace of mind or more likely for pure comfort/convenience of being as close as possible. Most Reading fans will tell you they've parked in the residential areas for many years without any trouble whatsoever, but a very few might possibly tell you they've been broken into once.
There are other car parks dotted along Imperial Way, including a large one which charges £8. The problem with the large one is that it's very large and people will spend ages waiting to get out. In fact, if you park elsewhere and drive down Imperial Way to get out, you'll see people struggling to get out of the large car park. The advantage of parking in streets on the Whitley side of the Basingstoke Road is that getaway is far more fluid if you're heading back to the M4 again, because you won't be in any queues.
--------------------------------------------------------------
There are also tips on places to eat and drink, both near the stadium (very limited) or in town - check it out (not my recommendations, as I'm a Yank from Texas, but local folks who go to the stadium all the time).
Our match thread included notes on Sheffield and Sheffield United - that one is open to view but posting is restricted to registered board members - check it out and see what we may need to correct! Some samples are:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT SHEFFIELD
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely industrial roots to encompass a wider economic base. The population of the City of Sheffield is 551,800 (2011 est.) and it is one of the eight largest regional English cities that make up the Core Cities Group. During the 19th century, Sheffield gained an international reputation for steel production. Many innovations were developed locally, including crucible and stainless steel, fuelling an almost tenfold increase in the population during the Industrial Revolution. Sheffield received its municipal charter in 1843, becoming the City of Sheffield in 1893. International competition in iron and steel caused a decline in traditional local industries during the 1970s and 1980s, coinciding with the collapse of coal mining in the area. The 21st century has seen extensive redevelopment in Sheffield along with other British cities. Sheffield's gross value added (GVA) has increased by 60% since 1997, standing at £9.2 billion in 2007. The economy has experienced steady growth averaging around 5% annually, greater than that of the broader region of Yorkshire and the Humber. The city is located within the valleys of the River Don and its four tributaries, the Loxley, the Porter Brook, the Rivelin, and the Sheaf. 61% of Sheffield's entire area is green space, and a third of the city lies within the Peak District National Park. There are more than 200 parks, woodlands and gardens in the city, and an estimated 2.5 million trees, giving Sheffield the highest ratio of trees to people of any city in Europe.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
and
--------------------------------------------------------------------
SHEFFIELD UNITED’S HISTORY
Sheffield United formed on 22 March 1889 at the Adelphi Hotel, Sheffield (now the site of the Crucible Theatre) by the President of the Cricket Club Sir Charles Clegg. The Wednesday had moved from Bramall Lane to their own ground at Olive Grove, and the tenants of Bramall Lane needed to create a new team to generate income. Sir Charles Clegg was incidentally also the president of The Wednesday. Undoubtedly United's heyday was the 40-year period from 1895–1925, when they were champions of England in 1897–98 and runners up in 1896–97 and 1899–1900, and FA Cup winners in 1899, 1902, 1915 and 1925, finishing runners up in 1901, and also eleven years after their cup final win in 1936. United have not won a trophy since 1925, bar those associated with promotion from lower-leagues, though they did reach both domestic cup semi-finals and the First Division play-off final in the 2002–03 season, ultimately losing all three matches. Their darkest days came between 1975 and 1981. After finishing sixth in the First Division at the end of the 1974–75 season, they were relegated to the Second Division the following season and three years after that setback they fell into the Third Division. They reached an absolute low in 1981 when they were relegated to the Fourth Division, but were champions in their first season in the league's basement division and two years afterwards they won promotion to the Second Division. They did fall back into the Third Division in 1988, but new manager Dave Bassett masterminded a quick revival which launched the Blades towards one of the most successful eras in their history. Successive promotions in the aftermath of the 1988 relegation saw them return to the First Division in 1990 after a 14-year exile. They survived at this level for four seasons and reached an FA Cup semi-final in the 1992–93 season before being relegated in 1994. They would remain outside the top flight for the next 12 years, although they did qualify for the play-offs under Bassett's successor Howard Kendall in 1997 and caretaker manager Steve Thompson in 1998. They were struggling at the wrong end of Division One when Neil Warnock was appointed manager in December 1999, and a financial crisis was preventing the club from being able to boost their squad, but in 2002–03 they enjoyed their most successful season for a decade, reaching the semi-finals of both domestic cups and also reaching the Division One play-off final, where they were beaten 3–0 by Wolves. Three years later, however, Warnock delivered a Premier League return as the Blades finished runners-up in the re-branded Championship. They lasted just one season back amongst the elite, before being relegated from the Premier League. The club struggled to come to terms with life back in the Championship, with a spiraling wage bill not being matched by the quality of the players brought in, and a succession of managers within a short period of time. Despite a brief flirtation with success as the team reached the 2009 play-off final under Kevin Blackwell, the club entered a period of decline. The 2010–11 season ultimately ended in relegation to League One under Micky Adams, meaning they would play in the third tier for the first time in 23 years, and only five years after gaining promotion to the Premiership. In the 2011–12 season, the club finished third in League 1, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to rivals Sheffield Wednesday, and entered the playoffs. With victory over Stevenage in the semi-final, United missed out on an immediate return to the Championship after suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Huddersfield.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd like to post some responses to a few questions on our site, so here goes:
1. How do you feel your squad is developing this season? After the disappointment of the playoff loss (in a shootout no less!), many teams might had had trouble coming back, but the Blades are doing very well and are well-positioned for a run at the Automatic slots if not another Playoff opportunity.
2. Blackman is obviously a scorer (and a set-up man) for the Blades - who else do you look to for that touch of magic on the pitch?
3. With just over half the season gone, where do you feel the Blades will finish the season? A good run of form could easily see your club in the automatics and headed for the Championship next season.
4. With the extensive past experience playing against the Royals, what memories could you share on past matches? And what do you think of the Royals?
Thanks for reading this wall-o-text and for any responses! Do feel free to visit our site and make any comments you wish. if you're coming down for the match, safe travel to and from and good luck before and after the match - you'll need to make your own luck during the match!
