Thousands of fans sign a petition with several banners also being displayed at Wycombe and Reading’s training ground.
The reported sale of Reading’s training ground to Wycombe shows the club is “firmly on life support,” a supporters’ group has said.
The Royals issued a statement on Sunday, saying Dai Yongge was “open” to the idea of selling Bearwood in order to secure sufficient funding to keep the club running until new ownership can be found.
It has now been reported that their League One rivals Wycombe have reached an agreement to buy Bearwood, and that the agreement has led to a consortium which had been interested in buying Reading walking away.
Luke Tomlin wrote on the change.org petition…
As a passionate football enthusiast, I am deeply distressed by the impending sale of Reading FC’s Bearwood training facilities to Wycombe Wanderers. This is not just about a piece of property; it is about preserving the legacy and integrity of a 152-year-old club that has been an integral part of our community and our lives. Football is more than just a game for us; it’s a lifestyle, an emotional bond that connects generations, and brings joy to millions worldwide.
Reading FC’s only real asset is being threatened by its owner Dai Yongge. This move isn’t just morally wrong but also extremely upsetting for all who hold this club dear in their hearts. We believe that Dai Yongge should be expelled from all ownership rights and compelled to sell the club to someone trustworthy who values its history and significance.
The impact this situation has on fans like myself and many others around the world is immense, causing mental distress due to one individual’s selfish actions. We cannot stand idle while our beloved club faces such jeopardy.
We call upon fellow football enthusiasts, community members, sports authorities, and anyone concerned with preserving heritage institutions like Reading FC to rally against this unjust action. Let us unite in stopping Wycombe Wanderers from purchasing Bearwood training facilities immediately! Please sign this petition today – help save Reading FC!
Reading are facing a cash shortfall of £1 million for this month and could be deducted further points by the Football League if they fail to pay their liabilities.
Under Chinese businessman Yongge, Reading have already been docked 16 points during a stormy period which resulted in relegation from the Championship last season.
The EFL is unable to intervene on Reading’s move to sell the training complex but is understood to have discussed the issue at a board meeting on Thursday.
Reading’s supporters have demanded that Yongge finds a buyer for the club. Fans group, Sell Before We Dai, has revealed that a peaceful protest will be held outside Wycombe’s Adams Park stadium on Friday evening. Adams Park is just over 26 miles away from Reading’s Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Caroline Parker, a spokesperson for Sell Before We Dai, said :”The statements from both Reading FC and Wycombe Wanderers FC this lunchtime about the proposed sale of Bearwood training ground confirm what we feared – that owner Dai Yongge, his sister and fellow owner Dai Xiu Li, and CEO Dayong Pang, are interested in only one thing – killing Reading FC.
“The irony that Yongge, Xiu Li and Pang have supposedly been able to agree a deal in just a few days, when there has been no progress on the sale of the club for months – despite potential new owners being interested – is not lost on us.
“It clearly shows that Yongge, Xiu Li and Pang have no interest in securing Reading’s future, only in taking any value they can from the club’s assets. We know there are interested buyers, but it’s clear we don’t have serious sellers.
“We doubt any claim that the funds released from the sale of the training ground will be used to cover the £1 million shortfall that the club needs to pay its bills by the end of the month, as well as securing the funding needed ahead of a full sale. Without evidence of these, we suspect the club will see none of the proceeds.
“To Rick Parry and the EFL we say again, but louder: now is the time for action, not more words – to prevent another club dying on your watch.”
SEE MORE: Unrest at Reading, protest plans, consortium quits talks and training ground sold to WycombeSpeaking live on talkSPORT about the situation was former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan, who was in charge from 2000 to 2010, he said: “I think it is an appalling look. I’ve made the observation to the Reading fans about they didn’t complain when he was spending lots of money.
“I’ve acknowledged the challenges of where they are at this moment in time. I don’t say these things lightly about going into administration as if it is some gimmick.
“But the only way you will find yourself clear of this man, unless someone is prepared to pick up what he wants them to pay and the liabilitiies that he has incurred, you are going to find yourself in a very invidious position.
“They are campaigning the league to change certain things and believe that the league is standing in the way of it. It is not the league that is stopping this guy being expelled as a director.
“It was the independent commission that adjudicated that it couldn’t happen.
“I think it is awful. He is selling a training ground to manage the short-term finances of a train wreck that he has created.
“He has no interest in the football club, and that happens and that is the by-product of wanting people to own football clubs that you feel are going to pour money into them.
“Here’s the flipside to that argument. He’s not interested anymore, couldn’t care less about them, it is an irritation to him and financial incumberence that he doesn’t want.
“But he is not going to let it go until he gets something from someone else prepared to meet his expectation and it puts the Reading fans in an awful position.”
He then said to White: “I do feel, I empathise, but when I see these idiots on social media that suggest that you and I are taking this lightly because I suggested administration, they want to pay attention.
“It is not a desire for me for Reading to go into administration. It may be the only outcome that rids yourself of this canker sore of an owner.”
Twitter users reacted as thousands of fans sign the petition with several banners displayed at Wycombe and Reading’s training ground…
Say no more.
📸 [@Y21_Ding] #readingfc pic.twitter.com/2F3j5hc1kq — RFC Latest (@RFCLatest) March 15, 2024
We’ve been here before, and no matter what has been said previously, I think it’s time to dust the gloves off and join the fight again. Because football has an ownership problem.#dcfc #readingfc — Connor Hollinshead (@ConnorHollinsh1) March 15, 2024
@dbgamingyt9: I am so confused why reading fans are hating wycombe. Why would they not buy the training ground, and if they hadnt another team would. That is what happens when the stupid owner puts something up for sale. It gets bought. Its readings owners fault not wycombes.
@EdwardL26795298: Reading fans. Don’t invade. There’s still hope. The players, Ruben and staff don’t deserve that. There fighting your fighting the football world is behind you. Stay strong and keep hope. Nothing is over until it’s over. #readingfc
@Allen82Allen: For the love of god @SellBeforeWeDai @ElmParkRoyals @STARReading discourage fans from invading the pitch. The fight for safety is all we, Ruben & the players have. Don’t let pitch invaders tear that away from us & kill off any scant hope that remains. #readingfc
@MaxWatson123: Protest before, protest after, but invading the pitch is NOT the answer this time. Getting on the pitch sends us to League 2 which would discourage buyers even further. It would be hypocritical. #readingfc
@deanocx: If you can’t make it to Wycombe this evening, get down to Bearwood for 6.30pm – a good few of us heading down to show are disdain at the situation #readingfc @SellBeforeWeDai
@PrincelyRoyalty: Don’t invade the pitch tomorrow. The manager, the fans and players have done nothing wrong – don’t punish them. If you want to protest, go to the EFL or Adams Park. Don’t punish the people who actually keep the club running. #readingfc
@drawn2water73: #Readingfc @EFL We have a man stripping assets, destroying any chance of the club being sold and taking the clubs cat 1 status away. He’s destroying the legacy that was built by Sir John Madejski, a man who understood the local and football community. The EFL have let this happen
@ReeceDSport: As much as I’d love to blame them find the hate on Wycombe for the training ground strange. They’ve just purchased Premier League facilities for a Non League cost. Are they supposed to go nah thanks, or ask to pay double? It’s a business and Reading ain’t their responsibility
@TEwba268: Maybe I’m being out of touch here but I don’t understand why the Wycombe are getting so many pelters off Reading fans, I’d be pissed off if my training ground got sold for peanuts no doubt but it’s not Wycombe’s fault Reading are in the position they’re in. it’s smart business.
@moriordan1: I’ve been fully behind all action so far, but don’t know about another pitch invasion. We may only have a few more chances to see #ReadingFC play. Maybe people bringing their kids for their only chance. Give Ruben and the lads our full backing, allow people to make memories 🔵⚪️
@LJEyre88: As a massive #readingfc fan I’m distraught and heartbroken. I would never wish any other club the pain we are going through! Today’s news has been physically and mentally draining. I urge all fans to roar on the team like you’ve never before, do not invade the pitch!
@BigBadWolfRFC: Someway, somehow, we’ll rise again. Get some rest good people. #ReadingFC
@QPR_ROD: Reading fans blaming Wycombe for buying their training ground. Think you should be looking at the person selling the training ground and the EFL for letting someone like that pass the so called fit and proper test. Feel for reading fans being let down by the owners and EFL.
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