Campaign Updates

Thank you to everyone for their support for the campaign so far. Without this buy-in, the campaign can’t be effective, so every Reading fan has played their part in our attempts to get Dai Yongge to sell the club.

In terms of what’s next for the campaign, it’s about being proactive, whilst also adapting when circumstances change. Every action we execute needs to be proportionate, justified and with a clear end goal.

We are taking a clear two-pronged approach from now on.

Dai-specific action is still being considered - and we are weighing up what the best way forward is. As we have already said, we wouldn’t want to do anything to disrupt a potential sale, but we cannot afford to stand still either and levers will be pulled to try and keep the pressure on.

Our second segment focuses more broadly on football’s ownership problem. Our political work to try and ensure the IREF has the power to be effective will continue - and we have continued to engage with political figures across numerous parties. Engaging with fans of other clubs is also a vital part of our strategy, with solidarity proving to be very powerful during the campaign.

However, as all football fans will appreciate, we need to be focusing on helping to get a sale over the line. Both segments will be worked on, but the first one needs special attention at a crucial time for us.

We will now make two promises. Firstly, we’ll try and keep the website updated more often for those not on social media!

And secondly, we will do everything we can to continue spreading the word about our situation. 

‍Media coverage of the situation has been magnificent and that’s thanks to the Reading supporters.

During the early stages of 2024, we have:

• Revealed a whistleblower’s concerns about Dai Yongge’s intentions after SBWD held a meeting with the club
• Responded to countless media requests after the Port Vale abandonment
• Executed protests for the Charlton Athletic (H) and Port Vale (H) games
• Held dialogue with the EFL
• Conducted a second Twitter space to gather fans’ ideas for protests
• Sent a matchday programme piece to countless non-league clubs
• Sent a briefing pack to Martyn Henderson, who is interim COO for independent regulator for men's elite football, about Reading's situation
• Sent a letter to the Secretary of State for DCMS, Lucy Frazer, to ask how the Government can prevent the club from being suspended from the Football League and propose ways to ensure the IREF can be effective
• Other political work has been conducted to seek engagement from several parties
• Ramped up preparations for a protest in London, which could take place in the coming weeks or months

Since the last update, we have:

• Organised and executed the Portsmouth (H) march
• Held a meeting with the club to send across fans’ concerns and hold key figures to account, including CEO Dayong Pang
• Conducted meetings with key political figures, including MPs Tracey Crouch, Matt Rodda and James Sunderland and Shadow Sports Minister Steph Peacock
• Helped the Daily Mail to release an exclusive article about Dai Yongge
• Executed a protest for the Eastleigh (A) game on live TV
• Organised an advertising van stunt in London (Houses of Parliament, Les Ambassadeurs, the EFL office and Dai Yongge’s mansion all visited)

‍

Latest actions:

• Reading FC Stadium - an Asset of Community Value
• Asset of Community Value - Quick Guide

Latest actions:

• Published letter from Reading Borough Council on Stadium land use restrictions
• Published Press release responding to latest points deduction
• Held sit-in protest

Latest actions:

• Published letters for potential investors - Why Reading FC? and What We Expect
• Flyers distributed around Reading area pubs and businesses
• Published Manifesto for Change
• Met with Reading Council
• Support from coalition of MPs including James Sunderland, Matt Rodda, Alok Sharma, John Redwood, Theresa May, and others

One week in, we wanted to give a rundown of what we've been doing so far:

• Social Media formed with thousands of fans signed up
• Initial Twitter space with fans [Listen Here]
• Received dozens of offers of help (Keep them coming!)
• Gained initial fundraising from STAR
• Media interviews with BBC South, BBC Berkshire, Talk Thames TV, Greatest Hits Radio & The Real EFL with more TV & radio to come this week
• Local MPs and councillors contacted to begin process of protecting Stadium, Training Ground & Air Dome along with trying to gain support for campaign
• Initial Letter for potential investors formed with ideas of what we want from new owners coming from social media & HNA?
• Flyer campaign arranged in Reading to raise higher awareness within town
• Contact with national & international papers about advertising club to potential investors
• First merchandise planned, ordered, ready to go on sale ASAP
• Multiple PR "moments" lined up for this week

Thank you to everyone so far who has supported, and got behind the campaign. We are in it for the long haul. Don't forget to use the hashtag

#SellBeforeWeDai