Reading Borough Council highlights Reading Football Club's value to town

Protests against current owner Dai Yongge have taken place at recent Reading FC home games

A council has highlighted the social value of its town's football club - amid instability over its ownership.

At a recent Reading Borough Council meeting it listed Reading Football Club's stadium as an asset of community value, as a symbol of its importance.

It also called on current owner Dai Yongge to sell the club and for better testing of future owners.

This comes after Reading FC's mismanagement has led to financial penalties and points deductions.

In three seasons, Reading have gone from the Championship to near the foot of League One, had 16 points deducted and had transfer embargoes applied as the club failed to fulfil financial commitments.

Hundreds of Reading FC fans donned clown outfits, for their home game against Charlton on Saturday, in a protest against the club's ownership.

Councillors that represent Whitley, which is where the team's Select Car Leasing Stadium is located, have spoken about the situation at the club.

Discussing Reading FC's financial struggles Councillor Micky Leng said: "It's not just about the football, it's about everything that's wrapped around it, all the supply chains that are linked to the football club.

"I went to a midweek game, and it's got so bad up there there was no milk for the tea at the kiosk."

The club is facing financial difficulties as a result of multiple fines from the English Football League due to regulation breaches.

Councillors Micky Leng and Alice Mpofu-Coles, both Labour representatives for Whitley ward where Reading's Select Car Leasing Stadium is located

Mr Leng said he fell out of love with football because of what he called "corporate greed."

Despite this he said that while football has been commodified, it still has the power to unite people and he thanked the passion of Reading fans towards their team for reigniting his love for the game.

Mr Leng admitted: "We only really appreciate something when we think we're going to lose it forever."

Fellow councillor Alice Mpofu-Coles spoke about the social function of the club providing employment for young people as parking attendants and food servers.

She said: "Young people from Whitley would walk across and help with the parking, you get £5, those who are 16 young boys and girls are serving burgers are hired.

"After you get your own pocket money while you are still going to school, it's huge."

Talks have taken place to begin the sale of Reading FC but no buyer has been selected yet.

The club has previously said Mr Dai is keen to sell and it has been contacted by "seven or eight bidders".

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