Reading Football Club have released an open letter to supporters group Club 1871 – urging a ‘very small minority’ to amend their behaviour in future fixtures.

The group was originally set up by a group of supporters almost two years and has grown in size since, exemplified by a sold-out South Stand for the FA Cup fixture against Sheffield United.

As the group nears it’s second birthday, the club have released an open letter acknowledging the benefits of having vocal support at the Madejski but also pleading with a small section to resist provoking away support at the Madejski.

A section of the statement, published on the club website, reads: “Club 1871 has never been about goading away fans nor berating a misplaced pass or a wayward shot from one of our players.

“Overwhelmingly, our supporters’ behaviour remains impeccable, both at home - across all four stands - and on our travels to away grounds.

“However, it can only take a very small minority to spoil it; to surge across safety netting at the top of the South Stand or to consistently provoke the away fans instead of channelling their efforts into supporting our team.

“It is, of course, only a small minority – but for fans’ and stewards’ safety, to comply with ground regulations and crucially to uphold the very essence of Club 1871, this has to stop.

“Our Club 1871 members walk away hoarse after singing and shouting in support of our team, but they also set behavioural standards for other football fans to follow.

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“For all in Club 1871, it has always been about enjoying the occasion and providing a positive spirit from the first whistle to the last to make Madejski Stadium a great place to be.

“While that continues, the club will continue to do all it can to help it further flourish.

“Our fans have always been fantastic, long before the seedlings of a South Stand gathering were planted.

“And since it was first trialled nearly two years ago, Club 1871 has earned endorsements from the owners, senior staff, our players and the manager. It has earned plaudits from visiting fans, boardroom guests, opposition players and coaching staff.

“And importantly it has also been backed by our fans, now supporting our side from all four sides of Madejski Stadium.

“It is important that those who represent Club 1871 continue, as a group, to protect and proactively promote its culture, its code and the mantra it adopted back in April 2018 which continues to run deep in its support of our players; to create a loud, positive atmosphere throughout every minute of the ninety at Madejski Stadium.”

The full letter can be read here.

Reading are back at the Madejski on Saturday after last Saturday’s triumph away at Birmingham City.