Reading FC protest group Sell Before We Dai has responded after news broke that Reading FC Women would not be able to compete in the Women’s Championship and the Women’s academy is set to close.
Despite a late offer of a takeover to fund the women’s side, separate to a deal to buy the men’s team being on the table, discussions broke down.
This means that the women’s team will not compete in the Championship from next season and will either have to drop down the pyramid or cease to exist.
A statement from SBWD reads: “The reported withdrawal of Reading FC Women from the Women’s Championship and the closure of its academy is an absolute disgrace.
“This is the darkest day yet under the ownership of Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li.
“Reading Women’s youth setup provided opportunity and community for women and girls across Berkshire and beyond. That has been cruelly snatched out of their hands.
“Today’s news is an indictment of those who have failed to stop this from happening, from poorly managing the club to not getting a takeover of Reading FC done before this could happen.
“To Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li, too many people have already suffered from your inability to secure a sale. Enough is enough. Sell the club.
“To Nigel Howe and Mark Bowen: speak to the fans. Whatever the difficulties, we are terrified about the future. How will you reassure them?
“As fans, we just want this nightmare to end. We are fed up with the delay to sell this club while we watch our community picked apart.
“To the players and families of all those who have proudly worn the blue and white hoops, we are so sorry it has come to this.”
