By Eddie Dove, Vice Presidents' Club Chairman

The History
Formed in the early 1960s, the objective was for the Vice Presidents' Club to raise funds to back up the faltering finances of Reading Football Club by way of membership, guest fees, fundraising activities and additional donations.

The then Board Of Directors of the Club invited a small number of influential local business people to become Vice Presidents by making donations. Some of the early invitees still remain Vice Presidents - Rex Townsend, Owen Cooper and Ken Darvall, who is now a Patron of Reading Football Club. The late Roy Tranter, about whom much has been rightly said in recent weeks, was one of the original Vice Presidents.

As the Football Club has grown, so has the Vice Presidents' Club and to recognise this, it has been renamed The Vice Presidents Business Club. The current membership includes supporters from far and wide (even Dubai!) and men and women from many walks of life but, as at the outset, predominantly from the local business community. The Vice Presidents' Business Club is now promoted as one of the most exclusive hospitality packages at Reading Football Club.

Activities
The Club operates as an autonomous group within Reading Football Club and has a small committee responsible for its management. An executive committee comprising a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, is normally supported by two other members. All committee roles are reviewed at an Annual General Meeting, at which the accounts and other relevant business are discussed.

One of the prime functions of the VPs' Business Club is to raise money for Reading Football Club and over the past few years many thousands of pounds have been raised. This money has gone to support several different aspects of the Club, from physiotherapy and training equipment, to sponsorship of the Academy Summer training school and beyond.

When the Hogwood Park training facility was opened at Arborfield, the VPs sponsored 'The Vice Presidents' Lounge', whilst a commitment has been made to fund the perimeter barriers of the Academy's under 16 pitch at Hogwood. Plans are in hand for the VPs to provide an International Players Honours Board, which will record the names of all players who have achieved international recognition whilst playing for Reading. It is intended that the Honours Board will be housed in the Trophy Room.

The Trophy Room
At the magnificent Madejski Stadium, the Vice Presidents' Business Club occupies a superb lounge facility in the Trophy Room on the second floor of the main stand, with reserved luxury seating adjacent to the Directors Box affording excellent uninterrupted views across the playing area and offering fans the chance to enjoy the game in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere. The room contains the Football Club's trophies and many historic photographs of players, teams and dignitaries.

Social
Occasional social functions are arranged to raise additional funds. Most notable of these is an annual dinner/dance, which has been a great success over many years. Several Vice Presidents invariably follow the Royals to away matches, with tickets and travel organised by members of the Club. The social events and relationships established at home and away matches have created great friendships between Vice Presidents and their families.

Player of the Season
After each home game, members vote for a man of the match. At the end of the season the votes for each player are totalled and an attractive award is given to the Vice Presidents' Player of the Season in a ceremony in the Trophy Room.

Membership
If you are interested in becoming a Vice President to support the Royals in a unique, professional and, most of all, friendly way, please call Richard McCoull at Reading Football Club on 0118 968 1302 or email him on rmccoull@readingfc.co.uk. You will be more than welcome!