Reading protests 'bought everyone so close together' says star midfielder

Reading midfielder Charlie Estcourt believes the protests throughout the season 'brought everybody so close together' when looking back at a 'rollercoaster' campaign.

25-year-old Estcourt, a popular Academy graduate who returned to the club last year after three years away, has spent most of the season on pundit duty for BBC Berkshire alongside her commanding performances in the Women's Championship.

Born and raised in the town, Estcourt provided a heartfelt assessment of the season on the radio and delved into the protests against Dai Yongge in particular.

"I think we’re going to remember this season for being an absolute rollercoaster of everything on and off the pitch," the Wales international said. "It started tough but I think you can see how much the club has come together and how the hard times have really brought everyone, the players and the fans, together.

"It has shown how much this town can come together and really support the club. I think that’s one of the best things to come out of this season, the amazing support the club has had home and away."

From sit-ins to clown masks and tennis balls, supporters have made their view against owner Dai Yongge perfectly clear in the last 10 months.

One particular protest sticks out, with Reading's match against Port Vale abandoned after just 16 minutes in January due to a mass pitch invasion.

"It epitomises what we have spoken about earlier with the crowd and fans coming together and showing how much they care about the football club," Estcourt continued. "At the time, I wasn’t sure if it was going to help- the protests and tennis balls- but luckily and thankfully it has. It brought everybody so close together and hopefully put pressure on the sale of the club."

Garnering mass support worldwide, the Royals won the rescheduled fixture 2-0 and kept their League One status.

Boss Ruben Selles had his view on the protest, and admitted he was not fully in support to begin with.

"I thought we were in a good position to beat Port Vale and get the three points because in that moment we needed the three points," he told Tim Dellor. "We lost one good opportunity to get three points because we started well in those 15 minutes. At the same time, I thought people found their way to protest in peace and make a statement.

"I understood why they did it. There were people that have been supporting the club for their entire lives and they have a right to express themselves how they do it."