Sir John appeals to armchair fans ahead of Villa cup clash

Anthony Smith • Published 4 Mar 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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SIR John Madejski has vowed to re-create Reading history in their FA Cup quarter final against Aston Villa this Sunday - and he wants supporters to help him (1.45pm ko, live on ITV1).

Royals' chairman is desperate to see the Madejski Stadium packed to capacity as Brian McDermott's men look to emulate the cup run of 83 years ago.

Royals have only been in the last eight once before back in 1927 when they beat Swansea Town to reach the semi-finals.

And though a defeat to Cardiff City in the semi cost them a place at Wembley, it remains the furthest Reading have been in the competition.

Now McDermott and his players can change all that and write their own names into Royals folklore.

"It's an enormous, enormous game for us," stated Madejski in anticipation of the clash against Martin O'Neill's Premier League outfit.

"There's a wonderful romance about the FA Cup, there's no doubt about that and it should be a tremendous day.

"I hope all our fans are going to be here and I urge people to come down.

"It's so easy to sit in your armchair on Sunday and watch the telly, but this is history in the making.

"The last time we were in this position was 83 years ago and to be here again and soak up the atmosphere is something to tell the children and grandchildren in years to come. It's an historic moment.

"It's the quarter finals of the FA Cup, win this on Sunday and we're off to the new Wembley for the first time."

Reading's cup up run has not only kick-started their league form, it has been a lucrative sideline with Sunday's match alone worth an estimated £600,000.

But Madejski insisted: "I haven't crunched the figures yet so we don't know how much we stand to make.

"But I wasn't to leave finances aside because this is like a cup final for us.

"This is about history anyone who hasn't got a ticket should get one because this is a great time for the community to show their enthusiasm and get behind the lads on the pitch.

"The only way we will get a fabulous atmosphere is if the stadium is full up."

Reading have already knocked out two Premier league clubs in seven-time winners Liverpool and Burnley as well as beating West Brom who are one of the top sides in the Championship.

But Villa, who have also won the FA Cup seven times, will be a wounded animal following their defeat to Manchester united in last weekend's Carling Cup final.

Nevertheless, McDermott has not been beaten at home in any competition since he became manager in December.

"There's a renaissance around the place and that is great," added Madejski.

"The team is gelling, the players are top of the game and it slotting into place.

"It's been a long time coming and as chairman I'm delighted.

"I thank the fans for their patience because it hasn't been too good for a year now.

"But we have a great management team in place and things are looking better.

Reading have eased their relegation fears with five wins in their last six Championship matches and boss Brian McDermott remains unbeaten at the Madejski Stadium in all competitions since taking over in mid-December.

McDermott's side are up to 18th in the table and 11 points behind a play-off place, with games in hand on almost every club above them.

And Madejski argued: "I don't know how feasible it is, but there's still a chance of us getting into the play-offs. Getting into the Premier league really would be the cream on top of the cream.

"But the cup run has been good for the club and people in the area. So much of football is about passion and confidence and at the moment we have both in shed loads".

*** A YOUTHFUL Reading reserves romped to a 5-0 victory over Salisbury City last night.

Royals's side was made up entirely of youth team players but they were too good for Salisbury in this totesport.com Combination League fixture.

Reading went three up in the first half through Jake Taylor, Angus Macdonald and Carl McHugh.

Jacob Walcott added a fourth after the break then Lawson d'Ath cracked one in from 25-yards to complete the rout. ***

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