Royals fans protest as club marks 150th anniversary
READING FC fans showed their dismay at the club’s hierarchy with a protest ahead of their 150th-anniversary match against Coventry City.
Royals fans took to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday, with banners and placards aplenty to show their anger and discontent in how the club is being managed.
There have been problems on and off the field for the club all season, including a sixpoint deduction after Reading breached the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules.
Fans have also become increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with the current management staff, led by boss Veljko Paunovic, which has seen the team lose seven consecutive matches.
One fan who attended the protest said: “I’ve been supporting Reading since the 1950’s and I think this is the worst situation the club has been in since I’ve been a fan.
“We went through some bad times at Elm Park when we’ve nearly gone out of existence but the situation at the club now has turned very toxic.
“We’ve come back from bad situations before and hopefully will be able to again to return to good times.”
Another fan who joined hundreds of fans outside of the ground said: “I 100% support the message, the fans have the right to protest considering how bad the way the club is being managed.
“But as soon as we get into the stadium, focus has to turn to putting all of support behind the team.
“We’ve got to do our bit to celebrate 150 years of our club.”
Their current run of form sees them just one place above the Championship relegation places having lost their last six in the league.
Reading’s terrible run of form sees them in the midst of a relegation battle with the club facing the prospect of playing League One football if they don’t improve results.
Paunovic’s side haven’t won a league match since November and haven’t won at home since October.
Last week, club owners Dai and Dayong Pang penned an open letter to fans, where they acknowledged that this season had been tough for the club and the only immediate aim was Championship survival.
“We have accepted a points deduction. We have accepted the strict transfer limitations we have had to work with,” they wrote.
“We have to accept that due to our circumstances and an unimaginable injury crisis, consistent performances have been difficult and achieving results has not been easy.
“We are in a fight and we need to fight together. To do that, we need you.”
They continued: “We have more than a third of the season to turn this around.
“One game at a time, a galvanised group of players with the support of our fans in the stands, have to put every ounce of energy into propelling this club forward. Then, in the summer, we can reset. Refocus and begin to build.”
The club’s “issues of the past” would be fixed in the break.
“Put simply, though, we need your support,” the Youngs said. “We ask this of you a lot. But it is true.
“We know supporting a football club isn’t easy. And it isn’t always enjoyable.
“We won’t always get it right. You’ll not agree with everything we do and what we try might not always work.
“Fans will always have their voice and it will always be heard. That won’t change and nor should it. However, negativity can’t help us in our fight.
“We hear your concerns and appreciate your frustration, your pain and anger.
“But the remainder of this season can’t be about a club fighting itself.
“This has to be us against the world.”