Football
Exclusive: Jake Cooper Urges New Ownership to Revitalise Troubled Reading FC
Jake Cooper urges new ownership to save Reading FC from financial trouble and restore the club's former glory. Amid protests and relegation, Cooper shares his personal connection to the Royals and calls for stricter ownership regulations to protect football clubs and their fans.
Image Credit: Eurosport
Former Reading ace Jake Cooper hopes the club can put their sorry saga behind them by finding a new buyer, while fans hope for a football betting site sponsor to save them from financial woes.
Former Player’s Hope for a Brighter Future
The ownership fiasco at the Royals has plunged the former Premier League outfit into financial trouble.
They have faced winding-up petitions, tax bills, transfer embargo, points deductions, and relegation from the Championship for failing to pay their players during Dai Yongge’s terrible six-year tenure.
Protests have included fans throwing tennis balls onto the pitch, a demonstration march and wearing black to games to signify the death of their beloved club.
Last season, Yongge announced - via the club’s website - that he is willing to sell the club and talks remain ongoing over finding a buyer.
Image Credit: Eurosport
Cooper’s Personal Connection to the Club
There is finally hope that there is light at the end of the long tunnel for Reading’s faithful fans.
Millwall defender Cooper came through the youth ranks at the Berkshire club before moving to The Den.
His father Alan played for the club and nephew Louis Holzman, whose uncle Mark also played for the Royal, is a promising prospect in their youth set up.
“It’s really sad to see what’s going on with the club,” Cooper told SportsBoom.com.
“My nephew is in the academy there and it has been a tough watch over the last year or so.”
A Plea for Stability
“We’re hopeful that there’s a buyer from what I’m reading and hopefully the club can get some stability and start moving back forwards towards the big club that it is.
“Hopefully they can swiftly move onto a new owner and get this time at the club swept under the carpet as quickly as possible.”
Calls for Stricter Ownership Regulations
There have been calls from many quarters that the EFL’s “fit and proper” means test to vet potential buyers of clubs to be stricter after a number of clubs have fallen victim of severe mismanagement.
“It’s a shame to see,” added Cooper.
“But I’m lucky and fortunate now to be involved with Millwall with one of the best owners around.
You really gain respect for them when you see clubs like Reading and how they get treated. It shows how lucky we are
Jake Cooper
The Real Victims: The Fans
“It’s the fans who really suffer. They’ve had a tough time. They’re going to watch their club, which they love, and they see their favourite players having to leave or staff leaving.
“Football clubs are built on local communities, and you see staff being made redundant and it’s just not right. They’re not getting paid and things like that. It’s a shame.
“It shows you what, unfortunately, can happen when the wrong people get their hands on football clubs.”
Shane is a respected journalist who has covered a range of sports for a number of years.