A letter sent to the English Football League from Reading Borough Council has been published.

The Council have been working alongside the protest group 'Sell Before We Dai' for almost a year with the aim of removing owner Dai Yongge and preserving the long-term future of Reading Football Club.

One such way they have done this is by protecting the Select Car Leasing Stadium with an Asset of Community Value order.

Passing a motion last month 'stating its concern at the ongoing failure of the Club’s current owner to run it in a sustainable and proper way,' a letter has been sent to EFL chair Rick Parry.

See the letter below in full, signed by CEO Jackie Yates: 

"Dear Mr Parry,

I am writing to you on behalf of Reading Borough Council, the residents of Reading and the tens of thousands of passionate supporters of Reading Football Club both within our community and beyond. As I’m sure your aware, Reading Football Club is one of the oldest clubs in England, founded in 1871. Reading Council is proud of the Club’s heritage and the huge economic, cultural and community contribution the Club has made to our town over the last 153 years. Recent events at the Club have given the Council great cause for concern, both in terms of our regulatory role and in our role as community leader.

"The Council took the unusual step of listing the Stadium as an Asset of Community Value in October 2023 as one of the actions within its control to attempt to protect the Club.

"At its meeting on 30 January 2024, the Council passed a motion stating its concern at the ongoing failure of the Club’s current owner to run it in a sustainable and proper way, as evidenced by the ongoing and repetitive English Football League sanctions against both the Club and its owner. The motion also called on yourself and the EFL to take action to end Dai Yongge’s ownership of Reading FC, obliging him to sell the club to new owners with a serious long term commitment to the club and the town.

"The Council welcomes your recent comments on behalf of the EFL to the Culture, Media and Sports Committee in January 2024. You said ‘we want a new owner. We want a resolution to the problem.’ You also said that the EFL was ‘exploring every avenue…to punish the owner in an attempt to force a resolution.’ I would also suggest however, that the EFL needs to reflect on its due diligence processes ahead of appointing any new owner.

"The Council urges the EFL to act on its commitment and to work with the Department for Business and Trade, Department of Culture, Media and Sport and with our local MPs to find a speedy Parliamentary mechanism to do so. However, it is critical that any actions against the owner do not further disadvantage the Club itself.

"The fan-led campaign, Sell Before We Dai, illustrates the strength of feeling from fans and the town that action needs to be taken. It’s imperative the EFL and the future Independent Regulator take the necessary action to end Dai Yongge’s ownership of Reading FC, obliging him to sell the club to new owners with a serious long term commitment to the club and the town.

"We look forward to being advised of the actions being taken to develop a sustainable future for Reading FC and delivering a more robust model of football governance. This is not just a matter of safeguarding one EFL club. It is about safeguarding each and every one of the 72. The clubs are integral parts of their communities’ history, wellbeing and identity.

"Reading Football Club recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, Reading Borough Council, its communities and the club’s many supporters are seeking urgent action from the EFL to ensure that Reading Football Club has the opportunity to thrive for another 150 years."

Sunday's scheduled protest march in London has been postponed, with no further disruption currently planned for upcoming matches.