Reading fans raise money for staff at troubled club

Supporters have described the situation as "unforgivable"

Fans of a football club in financial difficulty have set up an online fundraiser to help its off-field staff.

Reading FC have previously been docked points for late salary payments and supporters have regularly been protesting against owner Dai Yongge.

Now, fans have set up a "Christmas box" Go Fund Me page in a bid to raise £10,000 for those working behind the scenes at the League One club.

Reading FC has been asked to comment.

The club, which has faced a number of sanctions from the English Football League, told employees they would only be paid part of their wages this month.

Supporters have described the situation as "unforgivable".

The fundraiser has been backed by both the Supporters Trust at Reading (STAR) and the Sell Before We Dai campaigns.

Fan Mark Holton has teamed up with Sarah Turner, from STAR, to ensure the money donated is distributed to the correct people.

He said: "After everything that has happened at my football club over the last few years I felt I had to try and do something.

"Following the points deductions, transfer embargo and relegation due to our owner not paying his bills and total incompetence of the EFL for allowing him to buy our club in the first place, to then learn the staff were not getting paid was heartbreaking."

He added: "Staff haven't even had a Christmas party for three years, let's give something back to them for all the hard work behind the scenes."