The Supporters Trust at Reading FC has said that it is ‘incredibly proud’ of the team despite the club’s ongoing ownership crisis.
Noel Hunt’s side have had a magnificent run of form across the last few months which sees them inside the play-off places with a two point buffer with just five games to go.
While praising the team, STAR also revealed that amid Reading’s financial issues that the STAR board took the decision to pay for the players to stay overnight for the Shrewsbury Town game on Tuesday night.
STAR released a statement on social media which reads: “Despite the off-field turmoil, Noel Hunt’s team now sit sixth in the table, with the playoffs – remarkably –a very realistic ambition. We believe we speak on behalf of all Reading fans when we say we are incredibly proud of this group.
“The ownership crisis and resulting financial issues are not just a distraction for the players, there are times when it actively detracts from their matchday preparations. There have been well-publicised cutbacks on catering, but also overnight stays when travelling for long distance away games.
“For every other team at our level, overnight stays for long-distance away games are a given. They are a vital part of ensuring appropriate preparation, rest and relaxation for the players. Due to our situation, they have become a luxury we often cannot afford.
“Given these circumstances, the STAR board took the decision to pay for our players to have an overnight stay for the Shrewsbury Town game. This was not an insignificant sum and is not within our usual brief, but it passed with a unanimous board vote as we strongly believed it was the right thing to do to support our promotion-chasing team.
“The players and manager have since been in touch to offer their heartfelt thanks and asked us to pass them onto the wider fanbase – there is a genuine belief that the overnight stay helped them secure victory. If you have ever contributed to a STAR fundraiser, signed up to be a member or travelled on our coaches, you played a role in ensuring a Reading win on Tuesday night.
Thank you.
“We acknowledge it should not be the responsibility of a supporters trust to cover the club costs, but we are proud that we were able to do so. Uninterested owners are temporary, passionate fans are permanent. If you would like to sign up to be a member, please do so here https://star-reading.org/join-star.”
