The Sports
Psychology Blog
Today's Sports Psychology blog comes after Reading players agreed to fund supporters trips to Manchester City on November 24th.
Football: Reading - Emotional Intelligence
"It's not easy to justify spending so much money to watch us perform and this is giving something back to the fans." The words of Reading captain Graeme Murty after the players agreed to put 5,000 towards the cost of fans travel expenses to Manchester. It has become the sometime practise of chairmen to fund the cost of supporters coaches to cup games, but it is rare for players to put their hands in their pockets like this.
Whilst 5,000 will not hurt Premiership players financially. the fact that they are thinking about their supporters in this way, is a tribute to the emotional intelligence of the Reading players. Emotional intelligence being the ability to take into account the way others may think and feel and how you respond to that information.
This is all very well you might say, but will it win the Royals any more matches? May be yes, maybe no. What it will do is strengthen their bond of unity with their fans. And supporters will respect the players more and want to give back with their support. This player/fan bond builds a positive cause. A stronger sense of unity. An all-in-it-together feeling. A club united.
Having such well thought out off-field decisions, will also enhance on the field decision-making. Care. Thoughtfulness. Respect. This act of generosity is loaded with these positive qualities. Which can translate to; Care on the ball; Thoughfulness in communication; Respect for your team-mate.
Reading may be struggling in their second season in the Premiership. But with this level of emotional intelligence at play, you sense that they have the acumen to handle the problems they will face in the winter months.
