Reading and Wrexham fans planning ‘Deadpool’ protest against Royals owner

Fans of Reading and Wrexham are set to wear Ryan Reynolds-style ‘Deadpool’ costumes as part of a protest on Tuesday night against the Berkshire club’s owner.

Fans of both teams will hold a banner which says ‘We’re tired of villains. Football clubs deserve heroes’ outside Reading’s Select Car Leasing Stadium before their League One clash, with some wearing the ‘Deadpool’ costume made famous by Hollywood star Reynolds, the co-owner of Wrexham alongside Rob McElhenney.

It is the latest protest by Reading supporters against their owner Dai Yongge. The club have been docked a total of 18 points under his ownership for breaches of the EFL’s financial rules.

The ‘Sell Before We Dai’ Reading supporters’ group said: “Tuesday’s match against Wrexham is a stark contrast between two clubs on very different trajectories.

“Wrexham, once on the brink of collapse, have been revitalised by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who have invested in both the team and the community. Meanwhile, Reading fans are fighting to save their club from ceasing to exist.”

In addition to holding aloft the banner alongside Wrexham fans, Reading supporters will hold up the banner again in the 18th minute of the match – in reference to the 18 points deducted – plus a further sign reading: ‘No community should lose their club’.

Sell Before We Dai has also been working with local MP Yuan Yang to petition for a parliamentary inquiry into Reading’s owners.

Reading’s women’s team were forced to withdraw from the Championship due to financial difficulties last summer, with Dai having so far been unable to complete a deal to sell the club.