Despite Reading’s Heartbreaking Situation, We Must Keep The Faith

Friday’s news of an unsuccessful court case was another blow to a demoralised fanbase, but we must retain hope, one Loyal Royal writes.

The situation we now find ourselves in is utterly heartbreaking. Heartbreaking for the fans, but also for all those connected with the club in general, who through no fault of their own face more uncertainty.

It’s hard to quite sum Friday’s events in a simple way, not least because we still don’t really know what it all means. All we do know is that the clock is ticking and, for the first time, we now have clarity around the deadline.

I fell in love with this club aged seven years old. Dad took me to Elm Park and we stood on the South Bank watching the games. I was hooked. I remember fondly the day I got my first shirt, we saw a big blue gate open, so we went in, and met groundsman Gordon Neate and manager at the time, Terry Bullivant. They invited us to have a kick-about on the pitch, and that was that: my love affair had started. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

That, for me, looking back, really epitomises this club’s heart. A warm welcome and a family-friendly place to watch football. Even despite all the trouble off the pitch, Reading make sure the younger generations continue to fall in love, much like I did that day in July 1997 through the great community days. They’re a great initiative and I hope they continue for years to come.

We only have to look at our academy to see another example of what this club is about. The academy is where so many of our first team have developed into the players they are today. What’s also true is that this academy serves so much of the local community through their teams and after-school clubs.

We now have nine games left between now and the end of the season - nine games where anything could, and will, happen. We need to be strong together to give the team Hunty puts out the best possible chance. It’s not over yet by a long stretch, and what would be a better way to see the end of this sorry affair than a trip to Wembley with our new owner?

Now is not the time to look back at decisions which have got us to this point. Those conversations can be had later in the year; what’s important now is that we support those who need it the most.

If you know a fan who might be struggling, make sure you check in with them about it. It might “only” be a football club, but it’s a way of life for so many. I’ve made so many friends just through the club who I would never have met otherwise. If someone needs more support, Talking Royals are there and ready to help anyone who needs it. This is a family club, and families stick together through whatever life throws at them.

This club is special for so many reasons, and that’s why it’s so important it’s here for future generations to come.

No one knows what the next few weeks will bring. It’s going to be bumpy, there’ll be curveballs, but we as a fanbase are ready for whatever gets thrown our way. We’ve got this far and I see no reason right now why we cannot get over this next hurdle.

See you in the Turtle.