Agenda item

Reading Football Club

Councillor Ennis to move:

That this Council expresses its concern and indignation at the ongoing failure of the owner of Reading FC, founded in 1871, to run the club in a sustainable and proper way, as evidenced by ongoing and repetitive English Football League sanctions against both the club and the owner. 

This Council also puts on record its support for the fan-led campaign, including ‘Sell Before we Dai’, and calls on the EFL and the future Independent Regulator to take the necessary action to end Dai Yongge’s ownership of Reading FC, obliging him to sell the club to new owners with a long term interest in the club and the town. 

This Council asks that the Chief Executive writes to the EFL to convey this motion and asking them further to take all possible actions towards developing a sustainable future for Reading FC and delivering a more robust model of football governance. The Chief Executive is also asked to make Berkshire’s MPs aware of the same so that they may be encouraged to lobby on behalf of the club.

Minutes:

Pursuant to Notice, a motion was moved by Councillor Ennis and seconded by Councillor Barnett-Ward and CARRIED:

Resolved –

That this Council expresses its concern and indignation at the ongoing failure of the owner of Reading FC, founded in 1871, to run the club in a sustainable and proper way, as evidenced by ongoing and repetitive English Football League sanctions against both the club and the owner. 

This Council also puts on record its support for the fan-led campaign, including ‘Sell Before we Dai’, and calls on the EFL and the future Independent Regulator to take the necessary action to end Dai Yongge’s ownership of Reading FC, obliging him to sell the club to new owners with a long-term interest in the club and the town. 

This Council asks that the Chief Executive writes to the EFL to convey this motion and asking them further to take all possible actions towards developing a sustainable future for Reading FC and delivering a more robust model of football governance. The Chief Executive is also asked to make Berkshire’s MPs aware of the same so that they may be encouraged to lobby on behalf of the club.