A new consortium led by a former Reading owner and club legend has made their interest known in purchasing the club.
Dai Yongge has been an unpopular figure in Berkshire since his takeover and deals have fallen through over the past year as the businessman has looked to offload the club over the past year. Rob Couhig looked set to have completed a deal but it fell through before completion.
Smee Returns To Reading
According to financial newspaper CityAM, former Reading owner Roger Smee is interested in making a ‘last-ditch’ offer to rescue The Royals 35 years on from selling the club to Sir John Madjeski. He ran the club for five years in which time the club gained promotion.
The Reading Chronicle has confirmed the story but added that in order for a move to be made by the 76-year-old, the club had to fall into administration due to the pricetag currently set. He has expressed his interest to the club’s supporter’s trust.
Administration brings major issues for the club on and off the pitch, including a 12-point deduction for Ruben Selles’ side and could cause further issues with the ownership structures surrounding the stadium and training ground.
The Royals are in ninth-place and on 23 points. A 12-point deduction would knock them into 21st place in the league, the first of the four relegation spots.
Reading had previously announced last month that they are in talks with an as-yet-unnamed group to take over the club.
Writer’s View
Reading are in a very tight spot so having the safety net of Roger Smee being ready to save the club is welcome news. Whilst they may not be the group in talks with Dai Yongge and the owners, their expression of interest does provide a safety net that wasn’t there when Rob Couhig’s deal fell through previously. Smee has proven himself in the past, denying Robert Maxwell when he aimed to merge the club with Oxford United into the Thames Valley Royals. Should he take over though, the impacts on the field could have dire effects.
1st Class Honours in Multimedia Journalism at Salford University. Writing mainly about League Two.
