Despite a recent sale, where Rob Couhig acquired the club from the detrimental hands of Dai Yongge, Reading FC‘s existence is under threat yet again.
Former Chief Executive, Nigel Howe, has reportedly hit the club with a winding-up petition.
Howe has claims of over £100,000 from the club, after obtaining a County Court Judgement against them last month.
The former chief executive is attempting to liquidate Reading FC less than a year after previous owner Dai Yongge was forced out, reports The Telegraph.
Reading were approached for comment on the petition, and said in a statement: “Reading Football Club confirms that it is in an ongoing dispute with Mr Nigel Howe. The Club denies any claims made against it.
“Given the ongoing dispute and potential legal proceedings, the Club will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Howe held various roles at Reading, dating back to the John Madejski era of ownership, but left as Couhig arrived at the club in May.
During Yongge’s tenure the club fell from the second tier to the brink of League Two, in financial difficulties for the last three years, including various points deductions.
Reading fan and journalist, Tom, said two months prior to the takeover in March: “From my own perspective, it doesn’t seem the EFL has done enough to protect Reading and other clubs.
“There seems to be a revolving door issue in the EFL setup that constantly sees other clubs go through ownership troubles.
“Ours at the moment seems never-ending. It’s been over five hundred days of thinking our club is weeks away from either being saved or folded.
“Which of course was a big issue with Dai, with two clubs dead behind him and the issues with him being able to take over a Premier League side. Major red flags.”
Reading are set to enter another perilous period, will the EFL be able to help them this time?
The club currently sit 18th in League One, and are pushing for a new era of revival away from Dai Yongge.