The toll of Reading's uncertain future is weighing heavily on the whole town, with constant fears and doubts swirling around after six years of financial mismanagement.

But it must be remembered that the playing side, and the team behind the team, are suffering mental torture too.

Reading FC reporter James Earnshaw explains why it is vital that loyal Royals get behind the squad when Peterborough come to town on Saturday despite planned protests against club owner Dai Yongge. 

 

'Back the team, and not the regime.'

Those are the words of the fan group 'Sell Before We Dai' ahead of Saturday's planned protest on the opening day of the new season against Peterborough United.

And not a truer word could be said.

It is something we take for granted isn't it, a job.

We wake up every morning, get ready and head out into the working world without a second thought.

The end of the month comes around and a sum of money lands in our accounts, the best day of the month.

Unfortunately, this is something the staff and players haven't been able to take for granted at Reading Football Club.

Normal people, with mortgages, food shops and families to provide for having to go without.

'It's only for a few days' some may say, but with many living hand to mouth those few days could be crucial.

And that is just the team behind the team, the everyday people who love this town and football club like the rest of us.

The players are no different.

Reading Chronicle:

Many have been here for multiple years, committing themselves to the club for us supporters.

You may not think they are very good, or that they are worth the money they are on, everyone is entitled to their opinions.

But they are entitled to their contracts, signed in good faith, that have been breached on more than one occasion.

Just because they play football for a living does not mean that they are exempt from the rigours of life.

There are two players in particular worth discussing in more detail, neither of which have even played a professional match for the Royals yet.

Lewis Wing and Charlie Savage.

Their arrivals last month was met with positivity and optimism unseen in this part of the footballing world for a long time.

Ambitious signings which we had hoped would mark the dawn of a new era.

As with most things connected to the club in recent years, it proved a false dawn.

Within two days of their contracts being signed, the ink still wet, the club were plunged back into a transfer embargo.

And then came the news that neither would be, and still are not, registered to play for their new club until the outstanding HMRC issue was settled.

Players at different, but crucial, stages of life left in limbo.

Reading Chronicle:

Savage, still only 20, cut short a deal at Manchester United to move down south and make a name for himself in the game.

Wing, 28 and with a young family to support.

Now both can do nothing but hold tight, in a new environment with no idea if they are coming or going.

That would bring fear and anxiety to anyone, the profession being irrelevant.

According to the statement made by the club, HMRC is expected to be paid 'in the coming days' yet the futures of two young men remain uncertain.

This falls on the EFL, who allowed the Royals to sign the players knowing full well that there was a good chance this could happen.

Reading Chronicle:

If Yongge is true to his word, this should all become irrelevant.

The bill gets paid, Savage and Wing are officially registered, and all is well with the world...for another month at least.

But the squad are still not ready, Ruben Selles has said this himself and the former Southampton boss is still after another six players (minimum) before the deadline hits at the end of the month.

So back to Saturday: bring banners, be loud and proud, but back the players. They are just as much the victims in this as supporters.