Concerned Reading FC comments from Brian McDermott fuel worrying Royals future: View | OneFootball

Former manager McDermott's comments reinforce the concerning situation that the Berkshire side find themselves in.

Less than a month ago, there wasn't a huge amount of panic about Reading's takeover.

Many fans realised that takeover deals can take time to be ratified, with any party that wants to purchase an EFL club needing to jump through a range of hoops to secure approval.

Not only do they need to be approved by the EFL, but they also need to secure a full agreement with the existing ownership and getting a sale over the line has proved to be particularly challenging at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with the party that had exclusivity failing to make meaningful progress on a deal since the end of March.

In a normal situation, a takeover process taking months wouldn't be a disaster, but current Reading owner Dai Yongge has seemingly turned off the tap following years of chaos.

There will be concerns regarding HMRC, wages, and the payment of other creditors in the coming months with the funding drying up.

Season ticket sales could help to ease financial pressure in the short term, but those funds won't last forever and a takeover will be required if the Royals are to give themselves the best chance of making some signings during this window.

They may have retained their first-teamers, but with three left-backs being released at the end of this month and their former loanees leaving, more quality and depth will be required if the club wants to avoid fighting relegation next season.

Brian McDermott speaks out on Reading FC women's situation

It has been reported by The Guardian that Reading FC Women may not compete in the Championship next season due to financial concerns.

The same outlet believes the club could compete in a lower tier of the women's football pyramid, but even that's in doubt.

This is because Sky Sports believe new training kits haven't been ordered for the women's team ahead of pre-season, which is a very worrying bit of news for those who are keen to see the women's side of the club remain alive.

The Royals were in the WSL until their relegation last year, but they now seem to be at risk of extinction.

Former manager Brian McDermott, who won promotion to the Premier League with the men's team back in 2012, had his say on the situation.

He told the Reading Chronicle: "That’s an absolute disgrace.

"Reading were always really fabulous - I can remember all the success they had and I find it incredible.

"The women are playing for OUR club - it is just wrong on so many levels."

Whether you think the women's team should be cut or not, they have been an important part of the club for a long time.

Under Kelly Chambers, the Royals made excellent progress and mixed it with some of the best teams in England.

Facing the likes of Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, Rachel Daly and Sam Kerr in recent years, the Berkshire club have played against some of the best players in the world and they have also played a part in producing some of the current Lionesses.

Mary Earps and Fran Kirby played for the club in the past and Fara Williams even made the move to Berkshire during the latter stages of her career.

It would be a massive shame if the women's team declined further or folded altogether, not just for the women's players and coaching staff, but also for the fans.

How far the women's team has fallen in recent years reinforces the whole club's declin and it also emphasises the terrible financial situation that the Berkshire outfit finds itself in.

Some people would argue that folding the women's team and downgrading from a Category One academy would help to cut costs whilst the men's team remains in League One, but none of this had to happen.

The Royals were a stable club when Yongge took over. He has left them in a terrible state and it's clear that a takeover is needed as quickly as possible.