Reading Academy graduate Simon Cox described the behind-the-scenes working of the club 'an utter shambles' after confirmation of the club's relegation to League One.

A Tilehurst-raised striker, Cox played over 50 times across two spells in a long career in the Football League.

Departing in 2016, he also spanned the glory years in the Premier League under Steve Coppell.

Taking to social media to give his views after Huddersfield Town's 1-0 win over Sheffield United condemned the Royals to the third tier, Cox said: "Getting relegated doesn’t just mean the results on a Saturday haven’t been good enough. Getting relegated means there’s something very wrong with the direction of a football club. It means it’s lost it’s way and weren’t brave enough to make a change early enough.

"No repercussions. Well unfortunately this has now happened and the people in power should be held responsible for it. It’s not been good enough on the pitch we can all agree on that but behind the science has been an utter shambles. Time for an interal and squad overhaul to make sure the club bounces back at the first time of asking.

"Reading FC is a big draw for players in league One and the club need to get the recruitment right to get out of that league. The stadium the training ground are huge pluses when signing players this summer.

"This hurts me and every former player to see the club in this state but I hope it’s a case of one step back to take two steps forward."