Reading lift Championship trophy for second time in six years

Anton Zingarevich is all set to become the latest foreign owner of a Premier League club after sharing the glory of Reading’s victory parade and Championship trophy presentation at the Madejski Stadium yesterday.

The Russian son of a billionaire timber tycoon revelled in the glory of sharing the limelight with chairman Sir John Madejski and clearly enjoyed the occasion despite the worst of the April showers making it a right royal soaking for the “raining champions”.

Zingarevich, waiting for the Football League and Premier League to finish their background checks into his finances, has agreed a £25 million takeover that will give him 51 pecent of the shares. And that is surely a bargain for a club in the football world’s richest domestic competition.

– BY JOHN GUBBA