Wrexham AFC fans have thrown their support behind Reading supporters in a protest aimed at Royals owner Dai Yongge, whose controversial tenure has plunged the Berkshire club into turmoil. The two sides are set to face off in a crucial League One clash this weekend, but the match has been overshadowed by off-field drama and a growing movement to hold Yongge accountable for his mismanagement. Adding a Hollywood twist to the story, Wrexham’s celebrity owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney—stars of the *Deadpool* franchise—have lent their voices to the cause, amplifying the protest and drawing global attention to the plight of Reading FC.
The protest, organized by Reading fans’ group *Sell Before We Dai*, has been months in the making. Frustrated by years of financial instability, points deductions, and a lack of transparency from the club’s ownership, Reading supporters have called for Yongge to sell the club to someone capable of restoring its former glory. Wrexham fans, no strangers to the challenges of poor ownership, have rallied behind their counterparts, creating a powerful alliance that transcends rivalries and highlights the shared struggles of football supporters.
Reading’s decline under Dai Yongge’s ownership has been nothing short of catastrophic. Since acquiring the club in 2017, the Chinese businessman has overseen a period of instability that has seen Reading plummet from the Championship to the brink of League Two. Financial mismanagement has been a recurring theme, with the club hit with multiple points deductions for failing to meet the English Football League’s (EFL) financial regulations. Last season, Reading were docked six points, a penalty that ultimately contributed to their relegation to League One.
This season, the problems have persisted. Reading began the campaign with a four-point deduction, leaving them fighting an uphill battle to avoid back-to-back relegations. Off the pitch, the club has been plagued by unpaid wages, staff layoffs, and a lack of investment in the squad. For fans who remember Reading’s Premier League days and their near-miss for European qualification in 2006, the current state of affairs is a bitter pill to swallow.
“It’s heartbreaking to see what’s happened to our club,” said one Reading supporter. “We’ve been through so much, and it feels like the owner doesn’t care. We just want someone who will put the club first and give us a chance to rebuild.”
Wrexham’s decision to support Reading’s protest is rooted in their own experiences with poor ownership. Before Reynolds and McElhenney took over in 2020, Wrexham had endured years of decline under previous owners who lacked the vision and resources to move the club forward. The Hollywood duo’s arrival marked a turning point, transforming Wrexham into a global phenomenon and restoring hope to a fanbase that had long been disillusioned.
For Wrexham fans, the parallels between their past and Reading’s present are impossible to ignore. “We’ve been where Reading are now,” said a Wrexham supporter. “We know how it feels to have owners who don’t care about the club or the fans. That’s why we’re standing with them. Football is about community, and we’re all in this together.”
The solidarity between the two fanbases has been evident in the lead-up to Saturday’s match. Wrexham supporters have donated to Reading’s protest fund, shared messages of support on social media, and even helped organize a joint demonstration outside the Select Car Leasing Stadium before kickoff. The protest, which will see fans from both clubs unite in calling for Yongge to sell, is expected to draw thousands of participants and significant media attention.
Adding star power to the protest, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have publicly backed Reading’s cause. In a video message shared on social media, Reynolds expressed his support for the *Sell Before We Dai* campaign, urging Yongge to “do the right thing” and sell the club. “Football clubs are the heart of their communities,” Reynolds said. “They deserve owners who care about their future. We stand with Reading fans in their fight for a better tomorrow.”
McElhenney echoed Reynolds’ sentiments, emphasizing the importance of fan ownership and accountability. “As owners, we have a responsibility to the fans and the community,” he said. “What’s happening at Reading is a reminder of how fragile football clubs can be. We’re proud to stand with their fans and support their fight for change.”
The involvement of Reynolds and McElhenney has brought unprecedented attention to the protest, with their message resonating far beyond the confines of English football. Their support has also highlighted the growing influence of fan-led movements in the sport, as supporters increasingly demand a say in how their clubs are run.
While the protest will dominate the headlines, Saturday’s match between Reading and Wrexham remains a pivotal moment in both clubs’ seasons. For Reading, the game represents a chance to climb out of the relegation zone and give their fans something to cheer about. For Wrexham, it’s an opportunity to strengthen their push for promotion and continue their fairytale rise under Reynolds and McElhenney.
The match itself promises to be an emotional affair, with both sets of fans united in their passion for their clubs and their determination to see Reading’s ownership crisis resolved. On the pitch, the battle will be fierce, but off the pitch, the real story will be the power of solidarity and the enduring spirit of football fans.
The protest against Dai Yongge is about more than just one owner or one club. It’s a rallying cry for accountability, transparency, and respect in football. It’s a reminder that clubs are not just businesses; they are institutions that belong to their communities. And it’s a testament to the power of fans to effect change, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
As Reading and Wrexham prepare to face off this weekend, the focus will be on more than just the result. It will be on the fans, the protests, and the shared belief that football is at its best when it brings people together. For Reading supporters, the fight for their club’s future is far from over. But with Wrexham fans—and Hollywood stars—by their side, they know they are not alone.
In the end, the message is clear: football is nothing without its fans, and no owner should ever forget that.
