Reading FC fans celebrate as stadium declared Asset of
Community Value by local Council
READING’S Select Car Leasing Company Stadium – home to Reading FC – has
been granted Asset of Community Value (ACV) status by Reading Borough
Council following a successful application by supporters.
STAR (Supporters’ Trust at Reading) submitted its ACV application earlier this
year. It follows a meeting with Reading Borough Council Councillors to express
the group’s concerns about the current direction of the football club. The STAR
application was supported by ‘Sell Before We Dai’, a Reading FC fans group set
up to force a change of ownership at the club.
ACVs are land or buildings where, in the opinion of the local authority, the
actual current use furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local
community, and it is realistic to think that the same or another such use will
continue.
The granting of an ACV means the owner of the asset is unable to dispose of it
until a specified timeframe has expired (see notes to editor for full detail of
ACV).
Sarah Turner, Sell Before We Dai spokesperson and STAR Chair, said:
“We are so grateful for the support of Reading Borough Council and the helpful
ruling on our ACV application.
“The Sell Before We Dai campaign isn’t just about pressuring
“The Sell Before We Dai campaign isn’t just about pressuring our owner Dai
Yongge to sell, but also protecting the long term future of the football club. This
includes ensuring our stadium remains the home of Reading FC, and not an
economic asset for unfit and improper owners.
“We have seen what’s happened to other clubs in similar situations to ours when
their stadium’s future has not been secured. Being granted Asset of Community
Value status offers us a glimmer of hope in what has been the most unsettling
period for fans in 40 years.
“We are increasingly concerned about the fate of our 152-year old club due to
ongoing financial mismanagement by our Reading FC’s owners. We hope
today’s announcement will help underline the attractiveness to any potential
new owners as we continue to campaign for change at the club.”