Rob Couhig: American businessman completes Reading takeover

BBC Radio Berkshire’s Reading commentator Tim Dellor

At last! Reading fans have got through the past couple of years of turbulence and after a couple of aborted landings, have finally touched down on the runway, in sunnier climes.

The nightmare that has been the Dai Yongge era is behind them and now there is a bit more certainty about what the future has in store.

Winding-up petitions, administration, unpaid wages and points deductions should be a thing of the past.

It will take years for the club to fully recover from the impact of the Chinese businessman, whose tenure has seen the men’s team relegated to League One, a lengthy transfer embargo imposed, the complete dismantling of the women’s team following relegation from the Championship, and a long list of other significant issues.

However, let’s celebrate the heroes in this sorry tale.

The managers in charge, staff and current squad have been dignified and professional throughout and have stuck to their task admirably.

Above all the fans, some of whom were noisily involved in a pitch invasion during a game last season, and some of whom more quietly supported from the sidelines.

Many went on protest marches, threw tennis balls, dressed up as clowns, stood up and chanted after 18 minutes of each game (representing the number of points docked under Yongge’s tenure) or bombarded social media with passionate views and suggestions. Reading got angry, and it worked.

Yongge is no longer owner and everyone connected to the club will be celebrating that.

For Reading fans a great weight has been lifted. The gloom has given way to sunshine.