Reading FC supporters demonstrated their feelings of anger, betrayal, disappointment, and sadness at last night’s demonstration in High Wycombe.
The possible sale of Reading FC’s cutting-edge training facilities to Wycombe Wanderers brought together more than a hundred supporters at Adams Park, the home field of the Wycombe Wanderers.
It coincides with Wycombe Wanderers’ announcement last Thursday, March 14, confirming that they were in discussions with Reading Football Club regarding the possible acquisition of their Bearwood Park training facility.
“To be perfectly honest, I don’t know what I would do without a football club. I saw my first game at Elm Park in 1968.”
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio from the demonstration was Dave Pearson.
“I hope it will raise awareness and spur Wycombe Wanderers fans to protest against their club’s actions—they should be ashamed that their club is a part of another team’s downfall,” he stated.
Chanting their disapproval, protesters hoisted placards, placed flowers on the ground, and rested their backs against the Adams Park gates.
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Protesting against the possible sale of Reading FC’s training grounds were banners, flags, and flowers.
“I’m here because I care about Reading Football Club; it’s in my family,” stated David, a fellow Reading FC supporter.
“To be perfectly honest, I don’t know what I would do without a football club. I saw my first game at Elm Park in 1968.”
At sixty-eight years old, I don’t mind acknowledging that it has probably had the biggest impact on my life. I believe the English Football League (EFL) has a complete lack of awareness regarding the mental health of its supporters.
“We’ve come here to express our disapproval.”
While Wycombe Wanderers supporters are still undecided about the announcement, Reading FC supporters are vehemently against it because they believe it could result in the club’s dissolution.
Elena is a member of the group formed to oppose the sale of their club, Sell Before We Dai.
“It’s not what we want at all; we want to sell the club as a whole,” the woman stated.
“We are quite concerned about the owner’s plans to carve out the training site and essentially strip assets, so we came here to express our discontent.”
The club owns Bearwood Park, which is up for sale. The owner of Reading made the announcement in a public statement last week.
Chairman Dai Yongge and CEO Dayong Pang stated: “Mr. Dai is now assessing all available options to ensure adequate funding until the confirmation of new ownership.” In doing so, he makes Bearwood Park available for sale, should the right offer come along.”
“That he’s willing to cut out the training site is incredibly frightening, especially to a local club like Wycombe.”
“Although discussions with possible new ownership groupings are moving forward, exclusivity has not yet been granted to any one party. Mr. Dai and his representatives will be in touch with interested parties in the hopes of proceeding as soon as feasible.
“We were made to assume that the club will be sold as a whole,” Elena stated, “but if Dai Yongge continues to sell the training ground individually, that’s diminishing the entire worth of the club that could be sold.”
“That he’s willing to cut out the training site is incredibly frightening, especially to a local club like Wycombe.”
“It caught us off guard.”
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