Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has claimed that former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley would “take Reading FC to the Premier League,” speaking live on TalkSPORT alongside Sam Matterface and Simon Jordan.
Reports emerged last week that former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley was considering putting together a rescue package in an attempt to save Reading FC and take ownership of the club. The League One side have been blighted by serious financial issues that have resulted and charges against the club as well as the owner Dai Yongge.
Reading was faced with further pressure from HMRC over an unpaid tax bill that resulted in threats of a winding up order as well as failing to pay staff on time and being docked 16 points leaving stranded at the bottom of the League One table. Pressure group Sell Before We Dai have continued their efforts to push owner Dai Yongge to sell the club by organising marches, tennis ball protests as well as making media appearances.
British billionaire Ashley has also expressed an interest in buying Derby County as he continues to look for a new project since selling Newcastle United to a Saudi-backed consortium.
Speaking live on TalkSport, MacAnthony passed comment on the potential purchase;
“Mike Ashley will save them. He would be the best owner they can have.
“Mike Ashley would take Reading to the Premier League.
“I honestly think Reading would be lucky to have him. As would League One
“I promise you if Mike Ashley buys Reading it would be the best thing for the fans, not some guy or a joker coming on TalkSport talking about buying it who probably doesn’t have the money.
“Mike Ashley could buy it in an hour. He will want a deal and he will get a deal.
“They (Reading) will probably end up in League Two if they get sanctioned again and I think that’s coming
“He’s waiting probably until it gets a bit worse before he can then go bang.
“He will take them from League Two to the Prem in six years.”
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan also agreed with Darragh;
“Reading is not a big football club, it’s a parochial football club that John Madejski gave some breath into and did a great job at times.
“If he does it, and there’s a sentiment of wind in his sails because he looked at Derby and there was interest there, I think you’re absolutely right Darragh.”
“He did miss an opportunity because had he read the room differently at Newcastle, he could have been a god.
Reading face a resurgent MK Dons at home in the FA Cup tomorrow as the dark clouds continue to swirl around the Madejski Stadium.
Writer’s View
Reading need a saviour, Mike Ashley may not have been what Newcastle United needed, but for a side who aren’t sure if they will still exist in a few years he could be the answer.
Ashley was competing against sides with huge funding in the top league in the world, a situation Reading fans would snap your hands off for. I firmly believe he could be the perfect option for them, if he manages to buy the club.