It’s been rumoured about for days now and finally confirmation came from Reading FC: ‘Mad Stad’ is no more, for the next 10 years the stadium will be known as Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Earlier today, Reading FC and Reading-based company Select Car Leasing announced a 10-year naming rights contract for the famous Madejski Stadium. The company has already had the main jersey sponsorship, now the stadium joins its involvement in the club.

Interestingly, rumours about the contract began a good few days ago as one fan caught a glimpse of the ongoing seating replacement within the east stand. Previously it had the words Madejski Stadium but in his photo the lettering clearly began with SE…

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Even before this signal, for years it’s been subject of gossip that Mad Stad’s name will one day be sold. But this deal is actually the first one since opening back in 1998. And, though only a few hours have passed, fans seem fine with attending the Select Car Leasing Stadium from 2021/22 onwards.

This might be because they’re still allowed to call it the Mad Stad. But also because Select Car Leasing is a local company, founded by Reading fans.

This began as a pipe dream. When James and I began this business from the back room of a house in Reading, we were following the Royals’ rise to the Premier League and always joked that one day it would be Select Car Leasing’s name being linked with the blue and white hoops.

Now, the dream is being realised. We are thrilled for Select Car Leasing and its affinity with Reading Football Club and personally, we are absolutely delighted to be able to give something back to the club we have both supported for so long. says co-founder of Select Car Leasing, Mark Tongue.

Because former chairman Sir John Madejski has a very important place in the history of Reading FC, the club decided to name the east stand in his honour. Madejski saved the club from financial destabilisation in the 1990s and helped fund the current stadium.

Author: MK

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