READING FC FORMER PLAYERS’
MATCH GUIDELINES
Reading FC Former Players’ Association have been raising money for local and national charities
and good causes since 1997. Helping your organisation get the most out of any match with us is
our number one priority. Here’s how you can help us make that happen.
READINGFCFORMERPLAYERS.CO.UK
READING FC FORMER PLAYERS’ MATCH GUIDELINES
ORGANISING A
VENUE AND TEAM
2
The host charity needs to find a venue of good standard. A non-league
club or a good company ground would be ideal. The facilities don’t
need to be 5-star, but adequate shower and toilet facilities would
be appreciated. We would prefer a venue local to Reading but would
consider playing in any region if suitable travel arrangements can be
made and modest costs met.
Please check with us before you go to print with the squad list so that
we can be as up to date as possible. We are reluctant to promise specific
appearances as last minute commitments can cause disappointment.
For that reason always list a full squad with our disclaimer (at the end of
this letter) clearly printed. But rest assured that we do our best to bring
a great squad with as many ‘star’ players as possible.
It’s always best to promote the match around the collective appearance
of a Reading FC Former Players XI, rather than specific personalities.
We sometimes have local media celebrities making guest appearances
as well as current members of Reading FC staff. These will not be
members of the playing staff but they maybe medical, ground,
community or coaching staff.
As far as your team is concerned, there is no limit to the number of
players in your squad and substitutes can roll on and off as long as there
are no more than 11 players on the pitch at any one time! We do insist,
however, that you do consider the ages of your players and remember
that the average age of our players is somewhere in the 40s. We would
expect the game is played in a friendly and sporting atmosphere and that
there will be a small reception for players and officials after the match
to allow players, officials and supporters to mix.
Want to take on ex Gunners, Spurs or Saints? We have good contacts with
a number of other ex professional teams representing clubs such as
Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Southampton and can put you in touch with
them. Please bear in mind that other sides may charge a fee or expenses.
READING FC FORMER PLAYERS’ MATCH GUIDELINES
COLOURS
RAISE FUNDS
WITH A SIGNED
READING FC SHIRT
ENTERTAINMENT
3
Please note that our team play in traditional Reading FC colours of royal
blue/white hooped shirts, royal blue shorts and royal blue socks.
These are available through Reading FC by contacting Ms Jackie Evans,
Customer Relations, Reading FC, Madejski Stadium, J11 M4, Reading
RG0 2FL. All items have to be bought and accompanied by an application
letter stating the details of the event; the details of the good cause/
benefitting charity and a charitable number.
We do not have any control or influence on items of signed memorabilia.
Sideshows, entertainment and penalty competitions can all add to the
atmosphere and enjoyment of your event and give your organisation more
opportunity and raise funds. A family fete is a popular addition to the
match, which is always more fun with a half-time penalty competition
for younger age groups.
‘OUR TEAM PLAY
IN TRADITIONAL
READING FC
COLOURS’
READING FC FORMER PLAYERS’ MATCH GUIDELINES
FACILITIES
4
You need a team on the pitch, but it is just as important to have a strong
team behind the scenes pulling together to achieve success. Draw up a
list of functions, allocate responsibilities and set targets.
Sufficient water, hydration and energy drinks should be made available
to all participants, particularly during hot or humid conditions. Adequate
first aid and St Johns Ambulance provision must also be considered.
We’re not quite the athletes we used to be!
MATCHDAY
PROGRAMME
Producing a matchday programme is highly recommended. It can be
used as a ticket to gain entry, provide information for spectators and
be used for autographs. You can also sell advertising space in the
programme to raise additional funds. We can provide squad information
for the programme and additional editorial about our organisation.
READING FC FORMER PLAYERS’ MATCH GUIDELINES
PUBLICITY
5
Make the absolute most of any free publicity you can gain through local
television, radio and press. Sometimes it can be beneficial to persuade
a local media celebrity to play in the match in return for a plug. Posters
and flyers can also promote your event but do make sure you have a
hard-working enthusiastic team out there approaching sponsors, selling
advertising and programmes and devising side-shows and entertainment.
We will help advertise the match/event on our website and through
local press and radio. We have a good relationship with Reading FC and,
where space is available, they will publicise our events in matchday
programmes or on the official website or e-newsletter. Make full use of
social media, too.
FUNDRAISING
We ask organisers to approach fund raising with energy, enthusiasm and
initiative. Sponsorship of your players is the key area of fundraising. Only
players prepared to raise money through sponsorship should be invited
to play and organisers should set a minimum amount (the average
amount raised by a runner in the London marathon is £2,000 – let’s get
your players to beat that!).
Companies should be sought as sponsors e.g. match sponsor; man of
the match; top goal-scorer; mascot provision etc. We would be willing to
allocate a place or two in our team for a mascot or to the highest bidder
in an auction! These have always proved popular in the past and can
raise a lot of money.
READING FC FORMER PLAYERS’ MATCH GUIDELINES
EXPENSES
DISCLAIMER
CONTACT
6
We are a non-profit making, charitable organisation with limited funds.
We ask for all expenses to be reimbursed, and a donation towards the
on-going work of the association should be considered.
The following sentence should appear wherever our suggested
line-up is mentioned, whether on team sheet, matchday programme,
advertising poster or in a radio/PA announcement or similar:
‘Individual appearances are subject to availability.’
Most of the hard work for our events is done off the pitch. Now let’s have
some fun on the pitch. Looking forward to playing you soon.
For further information contact Richard Wickson, Chairman,
at [email protected] or call 07899 846664.
READINGFCFORMERPLAYERS.CO.UK
‘INDIVIDUAL
APPEARANCES
ARE SUBJECT
TO AVAILABILITY’
Photographs courtesy of Reading FC and getreading
Design by www.cream-design.co.uk