Robin Denton

Local Public Services director @Microsoft. Interested in all things gadgety, Reading FC, Music, running and MAMIL related. All opinions very much my own.

[Robin Denton @Robide]

So very well written, and captures the voice of fans perfectly. Thank you @henrywinter

#readingfc

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Dispiriting events at Reading should concern everyone in English football. Fans are lied to, players and an impressive manager are let down, and so are staff. A thoughtless, heartless owner damages a historic club. It’s another warning to all in football. If we tolerate this, then your club could be next.

Fans at some other clubs fear similar pain or just feel relief to have escaped danger. Many will simply focus on their own form and fortunes. Football’s tribal. Most headlines revolve around the big names, the big games like Manchester City versus Arsenal. But Reading embody the pyramid, a local beacon and hub for nurturing talent. Neil Webb started there. The windfall from the Michael Olise deal helps sustain the club currently. Ted Drake learned his managerial trade at Reading before guiding Chelsea to their first title.

Football clubs are community assets and have to be protected from individuals like Dai Yongge wreaking such misery at Reading. He has his motives and his methods but none seem aligned to the club’s future wellbeing. He doesn’t communicate with fans. Reading FC Women withdrew from the Championship because of financial difficulties. Sustained mismanagement of the club has seen a failure to pay men’s players and HMRC lead to points deductions.

A proposed takeover by Rob Couhig, an American businessman welcomed by the fanbase, collapsed, leaving Yongge still in charge and supporters still in torment and again asking questions. Does Yongge really want to sell? If the club goes under is it then all about valuable real estate? Would administration and another points deduction actually be better than this shambles?

And so Reading fans rally again, fighting for their club’s life. But Yongge doesn’t listen. He doesn’t appear to care about the negativity his ownership brings to the door of the dressing-room. Ruben Selles and his whole-hearted squad give everything they can on the field, and sit a defiant 12th in League One, but they aren’t detached from the mess. It must be dismaying and distracting.

Losing Selles would be a disaster. He’s doing a good job in trying circumstances. If he left, Selles would be picked up swiftly by a better run club. Reading fans post messages of support to Selles and his squad. They will back them loudly at Bolton Wanderers today. It’s about finding the balance between demonstrating support for the team while demonstrating against the owner.

Much is right about Reading: committed fanbase, stadium, training ground, the attitude of manager, squad and club staff. It’s just the owner. It’s a nightmare that Reading are living through. And it’s a cautionary tale all football needs to heed. #ReadingFC #EFL

[Robin Denton @Robide]

@VancityReynolds @RMcElhenney we know you get it, what you’ve done with @Wrexham_AFC is phenomenal. Anything you can do to support by promoting this would be hugely appreciated. #readingfc is 152 years old and Parkys former club, don’t let it happen to another club 🤝🙏

[The Tilehurst End @TheTilehurstEnd]

Halt Wycombe Wanderers' Acquisition of Reading FC's Bearwood Training Facilities - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/vR1PdCifZR via @UKChange

#ReadingFC

[Robin Denton @Robide]

Family day out, cmon URZ! #readingfc

[Robin Denton @Robide]

Being a #readingfc fan isnt a fun at the moment. BUT, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone @ReadingFC who worked so hard to make tonight fun, and to @PurpleTurtleRdg @TheAmazons for playing such a big part in that! Your efforts are what make the club and town special!

[Robin Denton @Robide]

@BiggunRFC Burghfield FC, loaded with future Reading legends!

[Robin Denton @Robide]

@Marathon_Mcr, you were amazing! Except Altrincham. The hills of Altrincham are now on my list 😂

Wonderful day, amazing crowds, amazing city.

Thank you to everyone who supported me, together we've raised over £4.5k for @CR_UK

[Robin Denton @Robide]

Does eating all the cake and Easter eggs this week make for a sold carb load before @Marathon_Mcr on Sunday? Asking for a friend.....#ukrunchat

[Robin Denton @Robide]

@ateachingmum @UKRunChat Personally, a gel every 40 mins.... And, to keep the spirits high, a Moaom Stripe every 10km to celebrate finishing that block!

[Robin Denton @Robide]

Final longer run before the taper starts for #manchestermarathon - a easy going #readinghalfmarathon to test fueling and pacing... I learnt I still can pace myself, but as I was faster than planned, I was happy enough! On to Manchester now for @CR_UK #ukrunchat

[Robin Denton @Robide]

@jiminythompson Given it glows in the headlights, I can only assume near the sun 😂

[Robin Denton @Robide]

Not sure which of these is worse…. Getting up at 5:30am on a Friday to run a half marathon in the dark, wind and rain…. Thinking that’s normal…. Or realising you look like an extra from muppets treasure island….! #ukrunchat

[Robin Denton @Robide]

Another 30km run banked. Negative splits to see what type of pacing will be comfortable on the day. ⁦@Marathon_Mcr⁩, for ⁦@CR_UK⁩ here we come! #ukrunchat
https://t.co/U9NX7xXE8r

[Robin Denton @Robide]

@travelexx @UKRunChat Totally agree. Running Manchester in a few weeks, and I just want to finish as it’s my first, just getting over the line I’ll be happy with!!

[Robin Denton @Robide]

A nice milestone today on the road to @Marathon_Mcr for @CR_UK as I hit the 400km mark of training runs! The count down is on, less than a month to go! https://t.co/OPiRPluhPE

[Robin Denton @Robide]

Still on a high after smashing my half marathon PB yesterday. Had a plan to finally break 1:45, can’t believe I did it in 1:38! @WokinghamHalf #ukrunchat

[Robin Denton @Robide]

Another solid run, getting a half distance with efforts today training for #ManchesterMarathon on the mean middle class countryside of the ding #ukrunchat the @hoka not so box fresh!!

[Robin Denton @Robide]

Training for #ManchesterMarathon for @CR_UK is under way. I’m told it’s not marathon training if it’s not January, 6:30am and shin deep water….

Here’s to next weekends long run!
##ukrunchat

[Robin Denton @Robide]

@reading_buses This is likely user error…. But I can’t find any details for the bus times from Mortimer following that link, or on the journey planner! What time do they leave today?

[Robin Denton @Robide]

The boys - Earning some pocket money, and being eco warriors #readingfestival #NoMusicOnADeadPlanet