by tmesis »
17 Jan 2022 21:22
blythspartan I am just seeing this as another chapter in our history. I have supported the club for just over 50 years and for almost 30 years we have been in the old third and fourth divisions. Fans who have supported us for 20 years, which is a long time, have mostly only known championship or Premiership football, arguably the best period in our 150 year history.
This feels like the worst thing since Robert Maxwell’s Thames Valley Royals back in 1983. If the owner has lost interest we’re doomed tbh. I just wish as fans we could make a difference but not sure we can. It’s the perfect storm. Having said all that I’d support AFC Reading in any league.
It's easy to see this as just another cycle in the club's history. There are good spells, and there are bad spells. It happens.
The problem is that this time round, I just can't see how it can end well - not unless the owner (or a new owner) decides to write off the debt. The debt will never be paid off. Even going into administration, with the club having no real assets any more, would mean a real risk of liquidation.
Even if Dai decides he's happy to keep paying the bills, I have no confidence in him doing anything other than spending stupidly like he has done so far, just loading the club with more debt, and another terrible squad.
And if Dai does decide he's had enough, we are gone. Given the mess the club is in, who would buy it?
I do seriously think there's a good change Reading FC won't exist in five years, and maybe sooner.
If the club did go bust, a reformed club would have major difficulty, unless it could somehow come to an agreement with Dai for use of the stadium. Scours Lane is terrible, and in a really bad location, and the nearest remotely viable ground is probably Maidenhead.