Club 1871 founders Jamie Hodder and Sam Stevenson have expressed their enthusiasm for the new addition at Coppell’s Corner, reflecting on the group’s growth from a small contingent of supporters to a base of more than 1,000 season ticket holders.
The origin of Club 1871 goes back to the South Stand eight years ago, when a handful of supporters sought to change the matchday experience. The group’s efforts have since created a core gathering of Reading fans, known as Club 1871, in honour of when Reading FC was founded.
Sam Stevenson shared the motivation behind the initiative during an interview with RoyalsTV, saying: “It started around the time when we were really struggling, the post-Anton [Zingarevich] years. We were looking to try and gain some of the away atmosphere. When you go to away games, it is generally a pretty good day, even if the result isn’t quite there. We would come down on a Saturday morning, watch the early kick-off and watch Reading- it was a bit flat and nobody was enjoying themselves.”
Stevenson described how initial efforts to increase stadium energy centered on creating a small group in the stands. “We needed to do something and luckily the club were fairly receptive to the idea of us taking a very small group of people and looking like absolute weirdos in this stand and seeing what we could do. The surprise- thrusting it on people and not telling them what we were doing- got people talking. It wasn’t all positive but from there it slowly grew. We saw a few events- free beer obviously- that really got people in and from there it has continued to roll,” Stevenson said.
Reflecting on the development of a community focal point in the stadium, Stevenson said, “It is really nice that there is a focal point in the stadium now. Previously, Y25 and Y26 was the area players would go to and hopefully now there isn’t that us versus them mentality that we used to have.”
The upcoming implementation of Safe Standing is seen as a significant milestone for the group and its members. Jamie Hodder of Club 1871 commented on the positive impact expected from the change, stating, “It’s incredible. It will really help. We made some good noise at Cardiff and other terraced grounds- it’s old school.”
Through nearly a decade of steady growth and community organization, Stevenson and Hodder now urge broader participation to sustain and build the supporters’ group into the future.
The founders are appealing for support from new members and volunteers to keep Club 1871 moving forward, as the original leadership contends with personal commitments. Stevenson said, “We needs hands. We started eight years ago and we were all quite young back then. Things happen, families happen, people get married. Coming to games every week gets difficult so we are hoping to get some new blood and new ideas to come in. We are still going to be around and we still want to be a part of it, but if people want to get involved then come and help and see what you can do.”
Reading FC plans to share further information about securing a place in the Safe Standing section for next season.
Club 1871’s journey exemplifies the evolution of supporter engagement and the value of collaborative initiatives within football stadiums. The addition of Safe Standing is expected to further enhance the matchday atmosphere at Coppell’s Corner.