IS IT cowardly for the owner of a football club to shy from the limelight? Or simply a sensible precaution?
Dai Yongge, the Chinese supermarket tycoon who bought Reading in 2017, boasts a £600m fortune and owns a Westminster mansion across the road from Buckingham Palace.
Yet earlier this year, staff at the League One side’s Bearwood Park training ground found themselves working in freezing offices because the club couldn’t afford to pay heating bills. Several would later lose their jobs.
Yongge kept resolutely schtum, just as he did when wages turned up late, tax bills went unpaid, and points were docked by the EFL.
This juxtaposition of breadline hardship and vast personal wealth made Yongge’s silence completely unacceptable, and justified the on-pitch protests that marred several of Reading’s League One fixtures. He was bang out of order and cowardly to the core.
Equally, though, there are times when transparency is counterproductive. Back in October, Accrington Stanley owner Andy Holt reacted furiously to a radio interview given by the club’s assistant manager Jimmy Bell during which he had agitated for a new contract.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 16, 2024-Ausgabe von The Non-League Football Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 16, 2024-Ausgabe von The Non-League Football Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
BRENNAN STINGS 'MOANY' BEES!
FRUSTRATED Dean Brennan has lashed out at the \"miserable, moany\" Barnet boo boys and urged them to get behind the team in their bid for promotion.
ACE REED WAITED TO MAKE A MARK
WHEN Mark Reed sensed his manager turn around to look his way on Tuesday night, he knew what was coming next.
CHURCH HAILS TEENAGE KICKS
DEBUTANT Dan Shaw got his teenage kicks with the rocket that fired Alvechurch to the top of the table.
LEES SO PROUD OF HIS SHAKERS
SUPER Shakers made it 14 games unbeaten this season after easing to victory against struggling NPL outfit Blyth Spartans.
SEVEN-UP A STONES
RONAN Silva turned in a four-star display as Salisbury highlighted the three-division difference in quality against their Wessex Premier opponents.
HORGAN'S RELIEF AT TOWN SIX APPEAL
CHIPPENHAM Town heeded manager Gary Horgan's prematch warning about a potential shock and despatched their Jewson Western League hosts.
BRAD'S LEVELLER RESCUES THE IRON
IN A terrific FA Cup second qualifying round tie, Step 4 Newcastle Town held National League North leaders Scunthorpe at Buckmaster Avenue.
WHING IS SURE IT'S MOOR OF THE SAME
A BRACE from Conor Wilkinson brought Solihull Moors back-to-back National League victories.
MOR'S U'S ARE BACK ON TRACK
SUTTON United got back to winning ways with a wel come victory at Southend United.
DUO GET THEIR JUST REWARDS
ENGLAND legend Stuart Pearce has made surprise appearances at two Trident League clubs to hail a pair of award-winning volunteers who earned national recognition for their inspirational exploits.