philMNorthern Git ^ Face it mate you saying its not true time after time does not change the fact that it is true.
Mr Mad said it
Howe said it
Nicky Hammond said it
When and where? I've looked and I can't see it on the OS or on NewsNow. They said they have to buy and sell, and cut the cloth etc, but never said no buying until the selling was done. In fact a week ago SC said he was under no pressure to sell.
If anyone can post the relevant quote....
Here you go. Reading Evening Post and GetReading on 23rd May 2008
Madejski happy to stay
By Nick Ive
23/ 5/2008
John Madejski says any plans he has to sell the club will be put on hold as the focus will be on returning to the Premier League.
The Royals chairman has made it clear he would be happy to sell up after 17 years in charge.
Relegation to the Championship means Reading are less of an attractive option for any interested oligarch, but Madejski declared: “When we were in the Premiership I was looking around for my billionaire, which didn’t’ quite come off.
“I wouldn’t have thought there would be interest now after relegation, but I will stick with the club until we get back up there.”
And at a dig at the huge wages top-flight players earn, Madejski added: “Hopefully we’ll get there as soon as we can so they can indulge themselves (billionaires) by paying monstrously paid players.
“But I think we’ll be all right (financially) for the time being in the Championship.”
Madejski is still coming to terms with the disappointment of Reading losing their Premier League status.
Manager Steve Coppell has already accepted blame. And Madejski admitted: “At the end of the day I have to take responsibility for relegation as the chairman of this football club.
“Obviously it’s not what we have had in mind. We have had this meteoric success and the trouble with sport is that things happen that you least expect and I think everybody was very disappointed that we were relegated on goal difference and there was just three goals difference.
“Life can be cruel but those are the facts.”
Madejski was, though, full of praise for the backing that was given during the club’s most successful period in the Premier League.
“I would like to thank the media for all the support you have given us while we were in the Premiership. I appreciate it,” said the chairman.
“I would also like to show my great appreciation for Ian Wood-Smith, my co-director, Nigel Howe and Nick Hammond as well as all the other people who work here. They work so diligently and hard.
“I’d really like to mention the fans who have been absolutely fantastic. I think the last game at Derby was so incredible. In my opinion the fans were instrumental in us getting the 4-0 win at Derby.”
Madejski admits cuts will have to be made, with the manager having to sell players before he can buy.
“Obviously now we find ourselves in the Championship we have to re-shape things and cut our coat according to the cloth so there are going to have to be changes here,” said Madejski.
“But by and large we will try to keep the same excellence we have been used to for a very long time.
“Of course I expect to get promotion straight back up – what else would I expect?”
Howe repeated it when he revealed that JM no longer (and has not for a few seasons) financially supports the club in an interview last month. Think Hammond echoed it on the Radio a few days later - might be mistaken with Hammond tho!
