We want to thank Ruben Selles for his service to Reading Football Club.
Ruben Selles was let down and lied to by our ownership. Despite this adversity, he built an on-field team that we could be proud of. While the ownership bond between fans and club has never been weaker, we think it is fair to say that the bond between the playing staff and fans has never been stronger.
Under his management, a powerful “us vs them” mindset developed. Players and fans represented the badge, not the boardroom. We roared on the team, not the regime. We wish Ruben all the success in his future, but now we have to re-focus on our own - however uncertain it may feel.
In Noel Hunt we have a Reading legend who deserves the same support. Our first-team squad is packed with Academy talent that he helped develop, playing in a system that has been drummed in at every level of the club and with a two-year contact, he is no caretaker - this is our gaffer and today is his first day.
It’s impossible to support Reading without being constantly concerned about the ownership situation. It would be tone deaf to say “just focus on the football”, but while the owners continue to treat the fans with contempt, these players and Noel Hunt never have. It’s time to throw ourselves behind them.
As for the takeover debacle, we remain committed to haranguing the club for updates and again call on the EFL for their support. The lack of communication from the club is impacting the mental health of our supporters and staff in equal measure. This is an issue of duty of care, but also decency. We demand better.