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Coppell: Fans made me feel wanted

Posted on: Sat 07 Jun 2008

Steve Coppell says Reading fans made him feel wanted this summer, and their desire played a big part in his decision to stay at the Club.

While Steve was pondering his future as manager, a number of fans got together and staged a show of support at his car park space at Madejski Stadium.

The demonstration had a big influence on Steve, who was overwhelmed by support from all angles.

Steve told Reading World, "You don't often see people getting together wanting a manager to stay, never mind in a car park space!

"Just walking round, everyone had been saying it to me, I was well aware, and some of the radio boys had sent me CDs of their phone-ins. I just felt wanted.

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"It's very, very important for a manager to have that. You can often find yourself in a contract where the supporters don't want you, the board wouldn't mind getting rid of you and the players don't think a lot of you either!

"But there is mutual respect here between myself and the board, and everyone connected wanted me to stay.

"The players' reaction will come, there's a lot of work to do over the summer.

"But even looking at it now I'm excited about the situation, trying to replicate what we did a couple of years ago and regaining our Premiership status."

A selection of pictures from the fans' demo are online now, and also a video clip.

A full interview with Steve is on Reading World now - see our free preview clip.

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