Reading to extend Madejski Stadium

Reading FC have been granted permission to extend the capacity of the Madejski Stadium from 24,045 to 38,000.The Royals submitted the plans earlier this year and they have now been approved by Reading Borough Council for work which will start in summer 2008.

"We're extremely pleased the council has approved our plan," chief executive Nigel Howe told the club's website."Although we hoped work would start this summer a number of factors have to be addressed before work can begin."

"If we started now, the necessary enabling works would not be completed in time for the start of the season," he said."We want to make sure the project is carried out properly and not rushed."