Madejski responds to fans' criticism over Sigi transfer

Anthony Smith • Published 31 Aug 2010 12:30 7 Comments

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ROYALS chairman Sir John Madejski insists the record sale of Gylfi Sigurdsson will ensure the long-term health of the club.

Sigurdsson signed for German Bundesliga leaders TSN Hoffenheim yesterday for a fee that could rise to £7 million, eclipsing Kevin Doyle’s £6.5 million move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in June 2009.

The transfer has been widely criticised by Reading supporters, who saw the gifted 20-year-old midfielder as a key member of the team’s future success.

But Madejski says selling Sigurdsson will help fill a £12 million deficit following the end of parachute payments.

He explained: “This is the right move for Reading Football Club. My support is unwavering, and while I am chairman we will do things the right way.

“I understand that some supporters would prefer Gylfi to stay, but he is a fantastic young player who is bound to attract interest at the very highest level.

“He is one of the finest players to wear a Reading shirt in my 20 years here, and that type of player will always catch the eye of the very biggest clubs.

“We have a well-publicised deficit in our budget now that the parachute payments have ended, and we have to take steps to fill this shortfall.

“As chairman, I take decisions that are best for the long term future, not just the short term. I like to think we have made more correct decisions than incorrect.”

Manager Brian McDermott explained that while he did not want Sigurdsson to go, he understood a move to the Bundesliga was an opportunity he could not refuse.

“I spoke to Gylfi and his father Siggy, who is a real friend of this football club, and a few tears were shed.

“Gylfi is not only a fantastic player but a fabulous person and a credit to his family. I look forward to seeing his progression throughout the years.

“Eamonn Dolan and everyone in our Academy must be very proud to see the progression Gylfi has made in such a short space of time, and England’s loss is Germany’s gain.

“I know Gylfi is very excited at the prospect of playing in the Bundesliga, frankly we could not stand in his way and the deal is right for all concerned.”

It is thought McDermott has already lined up a replacement for Sigurdsson and Madejski added: “It is very important we remain competitive in this division and following Gylfi’s departure we will add new players to the squad.

“We wish Gylfi every success in Germany, his rise to prominence has been quite incredible, and he is a credit to our very successful Academy. At the same time, we also look forward to the sustained future of our football club.”

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Steve100
2 posts
Aug 30, 12:25
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Why does Mr Madejski bother talking about his desire to get the club back to the premier league when all of his actions suggest otherwise.

All the club has done for over 2 years is sell it's best players for millions of pounds. Kitson, Sonko, Doyle, Hunt, Shorey, Bikey, Matejovski, Cisse etc etc etc... I believe the fans understood to a large degree the 'sell off' of the premiership team after relegation but now this is going too far.

I'm sorry mr madejski but you have to seriously question your commitment to keeping Reading in the championship let alone a return to the premier league!!

With that in mind i will take up the same attitude as you towards the club, i now regret buying my season ticket and you most certainly won't be getting my money again next season.

Why don't you sell Federici, Mills, McAnuff and Kebe too, quick you've still got time to cash in!!

a seriously dis-illusioned and depressed Royal.

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John Lies
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Aug 31, 15:05
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This talk of deficit is complete nonsence. The Reading team which got us to the Premiership cost us nothing. We spent nothing while in the premiership (despite needing to) which cost us relegation, then sold all our players for handsome fees while replacing them with nobody.

We were lucky that one or two academy fellas like Gylfi stepped into the void left by established footballers who John sold for a healthy profit. Now he's cashed in on them too, and guess what? We will see nothing of that 6 million; at best an unknown, a loan, or a old hasbeen on his way out.

I'm fed up with John talking about deficit and debt - we haven't spent any money for 4 seasons, and have sold our team twice over for 4 times as much as we paid for them!

Please John, just go before you strip Reading of any more quality to line your pocket.

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Mr Dc Shuttleworth.
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Aug 31, 15:41
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Once again Madejski has cashed in on on our one prized asset in Gylfi Sigurdsson.I feel sorry for those season ticket holders who back in May forked out hundreds of pounds not knowing who we would have left by the end of August.Also the manager who has had to get by with a threadbare squad and play people carrying a injury and not fully fit.Its time for Madejski to cash in by selling the club so we can have someone who invests in the team and not his bank balance.Also get a sponsor and rename the ground.Regards Mr D C Shuttleworth a supporter for 50 years now an ex.

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Robs
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Aug 31, 17:16
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I suppose the 25 million a year wages whilst in the premiership just came out of thin air and that mr mad pocketed the money - if you cannot write something at least halfway sensible "John Lies" then don't bother!

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Under-the-Clocker
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Sep 2, 22:06
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I can't believe these appalling and pea-brained comments(except for "Robs"). Mr Shuttleworth must have suffered memory loss if he doesn't remember the pre-Madejski Elm Park days. Perhaps he hates watching football in a top-class stadium.

If you were in Gylfi's shoes, wouldn't you choose a good Bundesliga side over an average-to- goodish Championship one? Of course it is also good business. Already we have a left-back with a tremendous left foot strike and Zurab is back to bolster the centre of the defence. More squad strengthening on the way as well.

Interesting to note Shaun Cummings played well at Leicester. Away from the home-crowd boo-boys. Well, well well. Hope he will retain his new-found confidence.

No, Sir John's biggest mistake (not deliberate) was to make Reading so successful for a while that expectation levels are now unrealistically high and he has become a target for criticism.

"Under- the - Clocker" (supporter for 55 years)

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John Lies
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Sep 23, 16:42
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Oh great. A comment right out of the book of Madejski cliches - 'quit complaining, JM got us where we are now.'

What good is it taking us up to the Championship if, when he gets bored, is just going to let us plummet back down again?

Your logic invites the notion that you'd still be grateful if I pushed you off a cliff I'd saved you from falling off a moment earlier.

Well, I'm glad you are happy John is paying himself off at our expense without any desire to re-invest in a decent replacement.

Most fans however, are not.

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fan-tastic
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Oct 18, 04:39
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JM made his millions in publishing, followed by property, and both those ventures are in dire straits, with losses mounting (see Station Road developer Sackville Properties owned by JM and his printing companies are under pressure from banks, and suppliers, according to trade magazines).

Reading Football Club is a rich man's plaything in this world of millionaire players on the field, and in the boardrooms.

Reading fans are unlikely to get much sympathy from the overpaid players, on and off the pitch.

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