Sir John Madejski says there will be no wild spending for Reading as they approach their return to the top flight in 'the Reading way'.
Chairman and prospective owner have big plans for Royals
Sir John Madejski says there will be no wild spending for promoted Reading as they approach their return to the Premier League in 'the Reading way'.
The Royals chairman and prospective owner Anton Zingarevich, whose takeover was due to be completed in March, have big plans for the club following their return to the big time, which was secured by a 1-0 home win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
Promotion could be worth as much as £90million to the Berkshire outfit, who need a maximum of four points from their remaining two games to clinch the Championship title, but Madejski insists Reading are not "an open cheque book".
Different level
He said: "I have put a lot of money into this football club, which I'm quite happy about.
"And I hope the Zingarevich family will take Reading on to a different level and into Europe and beyond.
"It's all well getting to the Premier League, but you need deep investment to stay there. We have found very pleasant people in the Zingarevichs, who will continue to do things the Reading way.
"It bodes well for Reading and I hope they will take the club much further.
"I'll be staying on as chairman. If anything, it [the takeover] is a fantastic insurance policy.
"We will strengthen as we see fit. We have already strengthened and that will carry on.
"What I don't want is people thinking Reading are an open cheque book. We will be as careful as we have been in the past."
Reading, of course, are now worth significantly more than when Madejski agreed a price with Zingarevich back in January, but he will not try to seek a better deal.
He said: "The club is more valuable now, but I have struck a deal, and a deal is a deal."
A delighted Zingarevich, who hopes to finally complete his takeover imminently, revealed planning for life in the top flight is already under way with plans for player recruitment and a potential extension to the 24,000-capacity Madejski Stadium in hand.
Develop
Zingarevich said: "The Premier League is where you want to be as a football club owner.
"I think there is a lot to develop here, but the infrastructure that is already in place is key.
"We have already started looking at upgrading the Academy and the training facilities.
"If we stay up the first year, then we will upgrade the stadium. There are a lot of things to do, but there is a lot of potential."
