The leader of Reading Borough Council Jason Brock has sent a letter to the Secretary of State addressing his concerns about the future of Reading Football Club.
The Royals have been dealt with several sanctions from the EFL across the previous two seasons, including two separate six point penalties for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
The letter, which was co-written with lead councillor for leisure and culture Adele Barnett-Ward, reads: “Fans of Reading FC have raised concerns with us over the future of the club following its relegation, charges implemented by the English Football League, and a winding-up petition from HMRC.
“Reading FC is one the oldest English football teams south of the Trent, having been established in 1871. The club is a point of pride for our town with an active and dedicated supporter community. Concerned supporters have established a campaign group, ‘Sell Before We Dai’, to call on the club’s owner, Yongge Dai, to sell up, believing this to be in the club’s best interests.
“Whilst we recognise that, on paper, our country’s football clubs are privately owned, there is a very real sense in which they belong to their communities. Generation after generation of Reading residents have supported their club and they rightly fear the loss of that community and proud heritage.
“Reading FC is not the first club to have experienced these kinds of profound difficulties, and it is evident that lessons have not been learned by professional football or by Government.
“In February this year, the Shadow Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Powell MP, stated that football reform has support across parliament, and across the country, and called upon the Government to urgently bring forward legislation, or take responsibility for any clubs that go under. We endorse the Shadow Secretary of State’s view.
“The risk for Reading now is that, with a winding up petition having been issued by HMRC, the club will enter administration or that the current owners may ‘asset strip’ the club.
“Any such outcome would have a huge impact on our town and its community. We call on you to take urgent action to protect Reading and other clubs in crisis.”
The club are currently on the EFL Embargo Service for failing to pay players on time on three separate occasions last season.
A new charge of a missed payment to HMRC was added last week and the club has until Thursday, June 29 to respond. The winding up petition was issued on June 20.
