Sell Before We Dai has launched a new billboard campaign in Reading Town Centre to put the spotlight on Nigel Howe, the Head of Property at Reading FC, and the man personally appointed by owner Dai Yongge to oversee the sale of the club.
The billboard has been launched ahead of the 500 day anniversary of the appointment of Howe, who was previously CEO of the Club under former owner John Madejski, to use his extensive experience and contacts in the football industry to lead the process.
Since Summer 2023, when Howe was appointed Reading FC has been forced to sell 7 players to keep the club a float, including top striker Sam Smith this week, while no progress has been made on the sale of the club despite the apparent interest of multiple buyers.
With the transfer window not due to close until Monday, and concerns from fans that even without further player sales next week the club could be entering next season with just a handful of senior players.
Becky Trotman, spokesperson for Sell Before We Dai, said: “Nigel Howe is the one man in the sale process who should have Reading’s best interests at heart. He was here for some of our brightest days.
“Of course there’s something in any sale for him, but whereas Yongge, Xiu Li and Pang only have their business interests at heart, you would hope that Howe’s long association with the club means he’d want to get the sale done for more than just a cut.
“500 days without a sale represents abject failure, but we have to hold hope that a takeover can happen so we’re using our billboard to call on him to redouble his efforts to get a deal over the line.
“If not, Mr Howe’s legacy will be defined by his lack of impact in Reading’s darkest days, rather than his contribution to Reading’s greatest days.”
