Royals to expand stadium

Reading will increase the capacity of the Madejski Stadium to around 38,000 after being granted planning permission to expand.

The plans had been submitted to Reading Borough Council earlier in the year and were approved at a planning meeting last night.

Chief executive Nigel Howe told readingfc.co.uk: “This is great news and is very exciting for both the football club, our fans and the region as a whole.

“The expansion will allow us to take the club forward and further improve the facilities for our supporters as we aim to become an established force in the top flight.

“We will now consult with our contractors before deciding when construction will begin, and we will keep supporters fully informed at every stage.”

The current capacity of the Madejski Stadium, which was built for around £50m and was finished in 1998, is 24,200.

Reading celebrated their first season in the Barclays Premiership with a remarkable eighth-place finished and sold out most of the their home games.

The Madejski Stadium is also home to London Irish rugby club, who play in the Guinness Premiership.