Reading FC

Still waiting. More than 40 days have passed since the original date for the sale of Reading FC to Russian millionaire Anton Zingarevich
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Still no approval of Reading FC takeover deal

By Jonny Fordham
May 11, 2012

The Premier League have declined to say when Anton Zingarevich’s takeover of Reading Football Club will be approved.

Sir John Madejski has long since agreed to sell 51 per cent of the club to the Russian millionaire – and more than 40 days have now passed since the original target date for completion of March 31.

The fit and proper person checks are still on-going, but there is no indication that the Premier League are any nearer to giving the green light to the the deal.

A Premier League spokesperson declined to comment on how much longer their enquiries would take, saying only: “It’s an ongoing process.”

Royals insist that the League are currently going through all the relevant paperwork and have not set or given a deadline.

On Friday, April 20 Sir John said that the deal would be completed “within a week”, while Zingarevich told the Reading Post on Wednesday, May 2 that a resolution was “not far away”.

Zingarevich and his Thames Sport Investments business partner Chris Samuelson, then under the company name of Fortress Sports Fund, failed in a £20million investment at Everton in 2004.

And Royals fans have begun to express guarded scepticism on message boards and social networking sites as they wait anxiously for news on the takeover.

Manager Brian McDermott will be keen to see Zingarevich confirmed as the club’s new owner as soon as possible.

Royals’ boss needs funds to bolster his Championship-winning squad as they prepare for life in the Premier League. And he is already well under way with plans to ensure the club’s survival in the top flight next season.

McDermott said: “We sorted the budget before the season ended.”

And he will be anxious not to miss out on any targets by getting them through the door at Madejski Stadium sooner rather than later.

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Agree with Bushes. Fulham is one of the best away days going. Decent pubs, decent fans. Short trip. Self segregation without heavy handed stewarding.

ray northstander
16/05/2012 at 08:15

craven cottage - plastic fans, temparary chipboard flooring in the stands. i can remember not too long ago going there and 20 rfc fans created havoc in their end just by being there, no threats or bad behaviour, just being there the home end became half of one end the other occupied by 20 away fans.

by the way the gate for that game was about 3500 - 4000, now thats what i call good time support, where have the other 11 - 12000 come from RM

ajr111, swindon
15/05/2012 at 19:50

Lads, lets not let one immature idiot turn this into a slagging of Fulham. Have been to Fulham many times and found their fans friendly and the ground and surrounding area a pleasure.

Bushes Bernal
15/05/2012 at 14:18

RM does not seem to understand the difference between envy and intelligence.

We are intelligent enough to sign players who get us promotion.

He is envious of our status. Look at our facilities compared with Craven Cottage - a converted boathouse!

come on lads
15/05/2012 at 13:37

For a team that has a Michael Jackson statue outside its ground instead of a great player you could argue you club doesn't have a clue about the football world at all. But that would be unfair on the majority of decent fulham fans out there - sure you hadn't heard of Fulham until your Europa league final anyways.

readingboy22
15/05/2012 at 13:12

I have always found Fulham fans to be reasonable, still law of averages says they have to have the odd pleb. And you certainly fit the bill.

What kind of self-hating clown goes onto a Reading site (you are on GetReading!) and flames the town and its football support out of nowhere. Were you trying to start some rivalry? Make your life have some meaning?

Im embarrassed for you, as are Fulham fans reading your posts.

Bushes Bernal
15/05/2012 at 13:03

Who's hiding anything Bushes Bernal - I presume that's your real name then is it? This isn't a PREMIER LEAGUE message board, it's a Wokingham news website (at least that's how I came accross this story). For a team who have only spent 2 years in the Premier League you have a remarkably exaggerated view of your standing in the football word! I support Fulham by the way. I live in London and work in Berkshire, which is a lovely county, except for the hole called Reading.

R Matthews
15/05/2012 at 12:46

Envy is going onto a PREMIER LEAGUE message board and slagging off a team and its town while hiding your own allegiance. Like a clown.

Carry on though, we rarely get people as dim as you here.

Bushes Bernal
15/05/2012 at 10:31

Surely no Reading fans are naive enough to think that anyone is envious of their club? That has honestly made me laugh. I bet QPR can't wait to play you again next season - didn't they take 6 points off you in the Championship last season? Then you went and signed up some of their players! That's what I call envy!!

R Matthews
15/05/2012 at 10:22

And nobody gives a toss about what R Matthews thinks.

Terrible thing, envy.

ray northstander
15/05/2012 at 08:37

Hope the deal goes through. Whoever is eventually in charge - can we have our 'full hoops' back on our shirts please? We look like Reading at the front - then Leeds at the back, which can never be a good thing! We can hardly banter with QPR if we only have half hoops!!

Uncle Buck, Reading
14/05/2012 at 17:28

Congratulations R Matthews, you have selected as your argument every nonsense cliche associated with Reading and its PREMIER LEAGUE club.

We havent seen such pathetic crass stupidity since our last appearence in the PREMIER LEAGUE. You must be a West Ham fan. Get out much?

Bushes Bernal
14/05/2012 at 14:57

Sounds like R Matthews should of done the speech for our City status bid. Although you spelt embarrassing wrong so that's a bit embarrassing. As a fan whose first season supporting Reading was when we were relegated from the Old Division one I think it's completely ludicrous to suggest that the majority of our fans are glory hunters. to be honest I've been there through the bad times and the good times - of course it is a bit annoying to see people jump on the bandwagon but that's what football is all about for some people. Half the fans for MOST of the teams in the Premier League go because they want to be associated with some form of success to make their own lives seem worthwhile. I think anyone who claims to support Man Utd or any of the top four,when they're not even from there are glory hunters and cannot have the excuse of "I was brought up with them" - you were brought up with your mum wiping your bum - doesn't mean she still does it. If R Matthews is one of the glory hunting fans who thinks he's a winner because he "supports" his "local team" well good luck to you. Just keep my Reading out of it!

URZZZ!!!

readingboy22
14/05/2012 at 14:34

Who gives a hoot about Reading. 90% of their fans over the age of 15 supported a different club until their success a couple of years ago and have probably never even heard of Elm Road. Their chant of You R'sss was copied from QPR fans I believe. Their local rivals Swindon are far more respected than Reading are despite being in a lower league. Madjeski Stadium or 'MadStad' as it is known has zero atmosphere. Many of their fans have 6 fingers on each hand and know each other a bit 'too' well. Most people would rather spend 90 minutes next door at B&Q Reading is a bit of an embaressment to the Royal County of Berkshire. It's a dirty smelly town full of chavs, teenage mums and junkies.

R Matthews
14/05/2012 at 14:22

There are probably two important issues:

i) how much money has the new owner got ( as against how much money has his family got); and

ii) if RFC is being purchased in the name of a new off the shelf company with no assests what happens if bills accrue which are not paid eg Aldershot, Port Vale, Wimbledon, Portsmouth, Leeds, Southampton etc etc.

If there are no assets in this country it's obvious what may happen without guarantees/undertakings.