RON Gourlay is confident Reading FC will meet all requirements of the Premier League if they win promotion back to the top-flight.

Concerns were raised by the English Football League over Royals’ Chinese owners Dai Yongee and sister Dai Xiu Li last season.

Their proposed takeover was delayed by several months while league officials delved into their finances.

Yongge had failed with an earlier attempt to buy Hull City last year after reportedly not meeting the Football Association’s fit and proper persons test.

It was then rumoured Royals could have been denied promotion to the Premier League had they gone up last season, when Jaap Stam’s team finished third and lost in the Championship play-off final.

The Chinese takeover eventually received EFL approval in May giving Yongge and Li a 75% stake in Reading, with the former Thai owners retaining 25%.

And new Royals chief executive Gourlay does not foresee any future problems over the club’s ownership.

“Hopefully, the way we run our football club this year will take away any concerns,” he said, in relation to satisfying all Premier League criteria.

“I think we’re in a very good position. I came here to transform this club for the future and address future challenges.

“I’m more than confident, but we’ve got to be very careful, take it one game at a time and not be disrespectful to the competition.

“In a way this is the hardest league in the world. Where else can 12 or 15 teams win the league?

“This is going to be a very competitive two or three years or however long it takes to get to the Premier League.

“We have an ambitious coach in Jaap Stam who impresses me enormously, but we’ve also got to be realistic.”

Reading Chronicle:

Reading could sell the naming rights to Madejski Stadium in the future.

Gourlay, who spent 15 years with Chelsea and Manchester United in commercial roles, is very much focussed on success on the pitch with Reading.

And with a new Bearwood training ground taking shape in the background and £600m Royal Elm Park development near the Madejski Stadium on the cards, he promises to keep supporters regularly informed about their progress.

“The fans are the key,” declared the 54-year-old Scotsman. “We have to interact with them and we have to involve them.

“Transparency from the owner and myself will be very important, especially given the changes here.

“People need to know what’s planned for the future and I think the club is in very good hands with Mr Dai.”

Gourlay also confirmed Royals will consider selling the Madejski Stadium naming rights in the future in order to raise funds for the team.

“There is always talk about these things,” he added. “There’s a circle of success in football, but you need to finance the team on the field through commercial activity.

“We have an owner who has already demonstrated through his intentions with the new training ground just how ambitious he is, but we have to consider Financial Fair Play and keep things in check.”