Reading great Ady Williams has condemned the club’s recent off-field conflicts as ‘nothing short of a disgrace.’

The former Wales international appeared almost 400 times for his local club in the 1990s and 2000s, helping them earn promotion to the second division at both Elm Park and SCL Stadium.

The former central defender, who now hosts a sports program on BBC Radio Berkshire, was invited to chat with former Reading captain Jobi McAnuff on Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s 2-1 win against Huddersfield Town.

Speaking passionately about his team after Rob Couhig’s unsuccessful takeover threw the club back into doubt, the former captain was given opportunity to discuss the tense situation.

“What’s happened at this football club at boardroom level and off the pitch is nothing short of a disgrace,” Williams continued. “The situation is now chaotic. Rob Couhig stepped in, and it appeared like Reading supporters would be able to put all of the embargoes, demonstrations, and pitch invasions behind them. Mr Couhig pulled out for whatever reason, so we’re back to square one. It’s a tragedy for Reading supporters, backroom staff, players, and the manager. It’s mayhem off the pitch.

“I keep thinking, ‘This is the lowest moment.’ Point deductions, the embargo, player recruiting and signing, protests, and the abandonment of the game versus Port Vale. The list goes on. Is this the low point? Probably not. I do not believe this is the lowest moment.

“Reading fans are terrified that we will not have a football club in 18 months—that would be the lowest moment. We do not want to be anywhere near it. These players, supporters, and backroom personnel do not deserve what is happening. It is a heartbreaking shame, and we can only hope and pray that things will be resolved. Fans want to be heard.

“I don’t condone protests, even peaceful ones, and thank goodness they’ve been nonviolent because they deserve to be heard. “You could not write the script.”

In the 18th minute, Reading supporters held up red cards begging Dai Yongge to sell, signifying the number of points deducted from the club under his tenure.

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