Harper has poked fun at Yongge, the Chinese tycoon who is expected to sell the club soon
Although a possible takeover does not seem to be happening just yet, Reading FC supporters are fervently yearning for a change at their beloved club and for it to come swiftly. Since his 2017 acquisition, Chinese businessman Dai Yongge has owned the Royals for six years. Despite his significant financial contributions to the team, his ownership has had unfavorable impacts.
Although Reading now has a new training facility in Bearwood, their three-year violation of the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules cost them six Championship points in 2021–2022, and they were further punished with the same penalty the following season, which contributed to their relegation to League One.
Since the summer, tax payments have gone unpaid several times. Additionally, because staff and player wages were not paid in full and on time several times during the previous season, additional points were deducted in 2023–2024. As a result, supporters are currently vehemently calling for Yongge to quit.
Latest on Reading FC potential takeover
Following his passing the EFL’s Owners’ and Directors’ Tests, notorious billionaire William Storey reportedly agreed negotiations on a £50 million bid to acquire Reading, according to reports from The Telegraph last week.
Though Storey’s financial sources have always been a source of mystery, there has reportedly been support for the 45-year-old from unidentified sources. Even yet, his forays into sports are infamous; a Formula One sponsorship agreement he had with Haas Racing through his Rich Energy drinks company was dissolved after just six months.
James Harper, a legend of the team who played 348 games for the Royals during an eight and a half-year span, has stated that Yongge ought to have been more cautious with the club throughout the years because it was his carelessness that led to the current situation.
“It was stable, but a lot of owners and managers have come and gone, and you just wonder, ‘What are they doing?'” Harper stated on BBC Radio Berkshire.
You hear about the car park and trying to put houses there, the dome and flats, putting multi-storey car park in and you’re like ‘What are you doing?’ New training ground, fair enough – nice.
“I’ve learnt that with a manager – if you make bad decisions and you recruit the wrong players, you get relegated. That goes for the owners now.
“If they make the wrong decisions and muck about, the club just… if you look at Jaap Stam, a kick away from the Premier League, now look. You’ve got to take more care with the club.”
