The club's Supporters' Trust STAR are delighted to confirm the launch of its newest Exiles branch - STAR USA Royals - to cater for fans based in the United States.

Branch affairs will be handled stateside by joint Chairmen: Tom Crabtree in Alabama and Mark Laudenslager in Pennsylvania, and both are keen to encourage other US Royals fans to join them.

STAR USA Royals can put you in touch with other supporters in the States, sharing your interest in the club via the STAR Exiles forum, or maybe you live close enough to watch televised games together.

Members will have the full benefits of STAR membership, including a 10% Megastore voucher, and if you're able to come to the UK you can get help with matchday tickets to watch the Royals play.

If this doesn't persuade you to join then perhaps Marcus Hahnemann can with the recruitment video now live on the right hand side of this page!

As an extra encouragement, if you join this season (by 30 June) your name will be entered into a draw to win one of our signed photos of Marcus. You can contact STAR USA Royals by e-mailing usa.royals@star-reading.org

Trevor Mossman, STAR Exiles Co-ordinator said, "It's exciting for STAR to be launching an exiled supporters branch in the States. Since we've reached the Premiership, fans across the world have seen the way we like to play football and appreciated what we have achieved.

"Several fans in America have adopted Reading FC as their English club, rather than the more established clubs like Man Utd and Liverpool, and contacted STAR about the possibility of a local fans group.

"Having Marcus and Bobby in the team has certainly helped the profile of RFC, and Marcus has been a great help by recording a short 'recruitment' video and signing photos for us to offer fans joining STAR USA Royals this season."

"We are grateful to the two joint chairmen Tom and Mark, who will be looking after things Stateside, and are both eager to link up with other Royals fans in the States. STAR will be supporting them in any way we can and we would encourage anyone who has family or friends in America to contact us and join the group.

"Hopefully this is only the start of a worldwide Royals following, and STAR are already working on the next exiled supporters group in Australia, so watch this space!!"

For more details and how to sign up email usa.royals@star-reading.org