Reading's prospective new owners will inherit great club, says Fran Kirby
Tuesday 10 January 2017 11:40, UK
Reading’s prospective new owners will inherit a loyal group of players and staff if their takeover of the Royals is successful, club legend Fran Kirby says.
Reading's Thai owners have been in talks over the sale of the club to Chinese billionaire Dai Yongge and his sister Dai Xiu Li, who were unsuccessful in their attempt to buy Hull City last year.
Jaap Stam's side, who exited the FA Cup after a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend, are third in the Sky Bet Championship approaching the midway point of the season.
"When, and if, there is a takeover the new owners will inherit a group of people who just want to work hard and do well for the club," Kirby told Sky Sports.
"Everyone is at the club because they really want to be at Reading. There are some very loyal people there who just want to progress the club as a whole.
"I've been really impressed with them this year after a bit of a blip last season [where they finished 17th in the Sky Bet Championship].
"I always keep tabs on how they're doing having grown up at Reading and I know some of the lads in the first team like Liam Kelly, who is a really nice guy.
"I'm really happy to see them doing so well and let's see for the rest of the season - anything can happen."
Kirby scored 32 goals in 21 appearances in the campaign prior to Reading Women's entry into the FA WSL before becoming the first professional female player in the club's history in 2014.
The prolific striker starred at the 2015 Women's World Cup where she helped England win an historic bronze medal, earning a move to Chelsea Ladies after the tournament in Canada for a then-British record transfer fee for a women's footballer.
"I loved my time at Reading," Kirby said. "And the men's team have always been very supportive of the women's team.
"I look back on my time there with such happiness, helping them win trophies, get into FA WSL 2 and being part of their FA WSL 1 journey.
"The club also allowed me to turn professional and train with the academy boys, and it's not every day something like that happens to a female footballer.
"I will always cherish the memories I had at the club and will always be very grateful for what they did for me both as a person and as a footballer."
