Always an interesting debate this - some really good points raised.

I have often wondered why no one seems to want a well run club with all the facilities that we have, stadium, proximity to London, academy etc... -- The answer is the price - When in the Prem the club was reportably valued at around £105m - clearly deducting the £40m plus in Prem revenue reduces the clubs worth. BUT when you can buy a club for peanuts as long as you service the debt (in most cases this is largely written off - Portsmouth, Cardiff, Swansea and the list goes on) why would spend £60m plus on Reading? Would we as Reading Fans really want some dubious owner to finance to the purchase of "Our" club using debt (Man Utd) -- Some would say "hell yes" if it meant Premier League - But I will stay in the no camp thanks.

   HARB.

I think adding another yes-man to RFC's boardroom could mean less wages for players given Madejski's style in running club affairs. Although it would be good having somebody who could make owning the club sound more appealing. Madejski makes it sound a sentence.

Joking aside though, unless its pure rumour, I have heard there are certain stipulations that have put potential buyers off. The price alone is apparently something close to how much was being quoted for Newcastle when Mike Ashley wanted to sell a couple of years ago. I mean Newcastle? A club whose already modernised ground capacity is double ours and many think needs increasing as its nearly filled each game. A fan base within the City itself which borders religion, before you even look at fans outside the city to which there are many. A reputation and name that's already known across Europe and a fairly long successful history that could easily be exploited for financial gain.

As a club and sadly even coming from a Loyal Royal, they're miles ahead as a more attractive investment. I have heard also that renaming or branding the stadium is prohibited. Rather than a club that would need creases ironed out or investment or debt to be written off to make it successful, seen in some recent takeovers. Reading FC looks a club where a potential owner's hands could be tied before they even get started and a club that could be requiring a lot of investment to begin getting a maximum return.

Selling players to balance the books is one thing. But selling players maybe before they've reached their full potential and done so for a couple of years at a potential cost of our own progression is foolish. Especially when compared to other clubs, Reading's debt isn't so huge in comparison. Sadly the likes of Long and Doyle before him will want to go play at higher levels and could fetch a good price, but why does the club continually do this?

Reading FC seems to always be selling it's assets and barely complimenting the ones it already has to add to a new season after a failed promotion bid?! We got good money for Gylfi granted, but in selling him you only have to look at results to see it only improved once Leigertwood was signed. Money agined, but wages can't of decreased. Reading should try to retain Long, Kebe, Mills etc like what was done in 2008/09 and yes clear out the chaff in the squad and bring in better players to improve the areas we'd been lacking. If it fails to work again, then yes sell. It seems to work at Cardiff in a way.

But I can't help but feel in the long run, through doing this Madejski's limited his own chances to ever selling the club. I believe his asset stripping has cost both himself and the club from receiving greater investment, which in the long run is the greater profit.

   I agree with some of the other comments. All the bleating about not being able to sell the club lacks credibility. There are far worse clubs that have changed hands with no problem. We are repeatedly told what a well run, strong and attractive club RFC are, so why does no one want to buy? Perhaps the asking price is unrealistic? Perhaps there are strings attached e.g. the stadium name, which put potential buyers off?

If JM really can't sell then perhaps he should employ someone to do the job for him.

   I said the same thing after the game....Premiership!! Pah...full of prima donnas and fairies, the championship is much more exciting.

Just the same as after a cup run...Mickey Mouse cup etc etc.

Everybody wants to win, but some of us try and look at the brightside after a defeat like this.

There were thousands of us saying the same thing in the pub after the game.

   "Madejski: Championship more exciting than Premier League"

If SJM's comment was said wrt competitiveness, then I'd agree. But did he mean this?

   So why I ask myself, did we all hede SJM's calling and troops off to Wembley only after to learn that all along really he was happy to stay where we are. Should I baa, or just feel even more depressed?

    what do you mean MAY have to shuffle the pack on the cheap again - of course he will, the players you've mentioned may g, but i bet two of mills, feds, kebe, jobi, and gem will also go if an offer comes in. Also morrison was signed as mills replacement as was manset for long. if this turns out to be true we are in for a long old season next year as one can't kick a ball and the other aint the best defensively although good in the air when forward for set pieces.

   madejeskis comments about had we gone up we would have struggled and the championship is the place to be and more exciting blah blah blah what message does that give to brian mac,the players and supporters,if i had heard him spurt that earlier i would have not reniewed my st,but there again that was the clubs reason for holding you to ransom on april the 28th,whos actual decision was that? you cannot blame certain players for wanting to leave with madejeski in charge the quicker he goes the better,strange after 20yrs he still cant find a buyer,makes you wonder what strings are attached to the sale,all his little sayings i.e the black hole,shows our ambition,cut our cloth are wearing thin,the board (which is a laugh as there are only 2/3 of them) plus hammond who is the yes man plus the marketing side (ticket organisation dont make me laugh) need a complete revamp,when all the better players go this summer you can bet your life there will still be a shortfall.

   Sir John likes the Championship? It's like saying you came second in a race and you enjoy being second!! We want first place...

   Bigboy.... Agreed Hahaha!

I'm no Madejski fan and I saw this interview on TV. Made in the heat of the moment in the tunnel after the game, but in all honesty fair play and nice try with what was said. Rarely do I, but I agree with his sentiments completely. The Premiership really is a league of leagues in itself, more so since we left it.

He has however failed to mention the rather nice pay day he will get from Monday's match. Traditionally the runners up take home the gate money. Of course it's not £90M but it's surely at least nearly 5 times a complete sell-out of the Mad Stad. I'm sure that will cover something given the tickets in most cases were almost treble his prices.

I don't want to bore the bloggers with a long rant about Madejski as we could be here till the next season starts. But I do wish he'd stop trying to mention within 30seconds of every interview these days, that he wants to sell the club and it almost appears as a great weight around his neck.

We've known since Reading's first season on the Premiership that he's wanted to sell, but the way he laments on about it almost makes owning Reading FC sound an awful task. How will that attract any potential buyer?! If after four years your still waiting Sir John have a look at what your offering or asking for it!

I admire his integrity to sell to the right people and if that turns out so, then his legacy will be looked back-on favourably by all I'm sure. But the rumoured price I've heard for our beloved club is unrealistic. How can moaning about still owning and wanting to sell a progressive football club, coupled with a high asking price attract richer business high-flyers who share a similar ethos of shrewdly buying a new project?

   Maybe Sir John, but we want to see Reading perform at the highest level. Please let Brian bring in extra talent over the summer so we can get back there.

   I don't think the Editor will get many invites to Casa Madejski after using that photo.