1. The changing location of football stadiums

2. Elm Park Stadium–
In town (west Reading)
Capacity: 15,500 after Taylor Report
Record attendance 33,042
Local buses to main railway station
Nearby local Reading West railway station
Limited car parking on site
but multi-storey car parks near to town centre
Limited land available for expansion
Elm Park Stadium
Madejski Stadium-
Outskirts of the town
Capacity: 24,161
(all seated)
Shuttle bus from
Reading Station to stadium
Proposed rail link from station to
nearby Green Park
Conference Centre: one room x 700 & 4 x 100
Luxury hotel
Jazz café – live music in East Stand
Radio Station: Reading 107 in East Stand
Limited on-site parking
but over 1500 spaces in nearby off-site parking
Next to Jcn 11 on M4
Madejski Stadium
present

3. In 1994, the Taylor Report made all-seater stadiums compulsory in the top two divisions (the Premier League and the first division). Reading were champions of the second division in 1994, and were promoted to the first division. Reading became subject to the Taylor requirements, though converting Elm Park to an all-seater stadium would have been impractical.[5] Instead, a location in Smallmead (to the south of the town) was identified as the site for a new stadium.[5] The former council landfill site was bought for £1, with further conditions that the development of the stadium would include part-funding of the A33 relief road.[8] Expansion of the club's home would also allow alternative commercial ventures (particularly leisure facilities) and shared use with other teams (such as rugby union clubs Richmond and London Irish).[8] The last competitive match at Elm Park took place on 3 May 1998.

5. Reading FC unveils homes and leisure development at Madejski Stadium
Radical plans for a leisure complex at Reading Football Club's Madesjki Stadium have gone on public display.
Proposals for Royal Elm Park include 600 homes, a park and an ice rink but parking spaces will be slashed by 1,000 to 800.
There will also be a "large public realm square" for "public displays and fun engagements", according to the club's chief executive Nigel Howe
The club hope to start building next year with completion in 2018 or 2019.
Reading FC unveils homes and leisure development at Madejski Stadium
Currently, the site contains the stadium, a hotel and a conference centre.
Mr Howe said: "This is about engaging this part of Reading in more activities to give Reading itself a bigger brand."
An 800-space multi-storey car park would replace the 1,800 spaces that would be built on.
To offset this reduction, Mr Howe said there were plans to bring the completion date of nearby Green Park station forward, a "subsidised transport plan" and off-site car parking.
Richard Langley, vice chairman of Supporters Trust At Reading (STAR), said: "It sounds like a very big complex and it's good, in our opinion, if it's good for the club.
"We see this as a positive, providing they do go ahead with the improved transport links and the multi-storey."

6. Smallmead Landfill Site
Area used for Madejski Stadium
- Brownfield Site

7. Area of residential development
Elm Park - today
Area of residential development
(houses and flats)
Brownfield site