Reading are once again considering expanding the Madejski Stadium and are on the brink of submitting planning permission for a capacity increase to 38,000 seats. There is one caveat though, which is that Reading has to remain in the Premier League for the plans to go ahead.
Chairman Sir John Madejski to BBC Radio Berkshire:
“Everything has to be considered.”
“It’s important we get the squad right, we’ve got a great facility here already and the more we progress, the more chance we have of staying up and moving forward.”
During their initial stint in the Premier League Reading had similar plans for an expansion and even obtained planning permission, but the relegation of the club to the Championship thwarted these plans.
Their previous permit is still valid until the autumn of 2013, but works are unlikely to start before and the club therefore resubmitted their plans just in case.
Reading currently sell out most league matches, but do not tend to average more than 20,000 spectators a match in the Championship.
(Photo credits: © Stephan Hoogerwaard)