'I stick with it,' new owner Couhig reassures Royals

Yahoo

15-05-2025

New Reading owner Rob Couhig has called for Royals supporters to look to "the future" following the completion of his takeover.
Reading's protracted ownership saga ended on Wednesday as the Royals confirmed Couhig and Todd Trosclair's Redwood Holdings Limited had purchased the club.
Couhig had seen a previous attempt to buy the League One club collapse, and it took almost a year for the renewed deal to eventually go through.
"It's great to finally, officially, be part of the Reading community and to get it over the line," 76-year-old American businessman Couhig told BBC South Today.
"To be honest we thought about a year ago this would have been done [but] I'm a stick with it sort of guy, I don't give up and I don't give in.
"My message to the fans right now is to not look back, it's all about the future, we're ready to go get it.
"When I left Wycombe I was convinced I was done with English football, but the opportunity with Reading came up and I saw it as a great chance.
"We recognise what a fantastic opportunity is here for us."
While Couhig's arrival has been met with joy from Reading fans, there remains a sense of urgency as a number of their players are out of contract this summer.
The club has been unable to fully operate in the transfer market for quite some time with embargoes preventing them adding to their squad.
The new board and head coach Noel Hunt are hoping those restrictions quickly change.
"We met with Noel when I was over last week and we have a plan," Couhig added.
"We know what we want to spend and how we want to spend it, we know those players that we would love to have come back, and the players that might be better off somewhere else.
"The good news is that a lot of people will want to come and play for us in this new era, if there is the odd person we have to buy from somewhere then we will do that, but we will be strictly financially sound."
Couhig also revealed that former Royals chief executive Dayong Pang was "instrumental" in ensuring the deal was completed.
Pang, part of the board under previous owner Dai Yongge, has been criticised by supporters on occasions but Couhig wanted to credit him for his help.
In late 2024, some Reading fans visited Pang's London house and posted a letter through his door that expressed their concerns at the direction the club was going.
Pang spoke publicly earlier that year when he asked for fans to be patient and reiterated the then-owner was committed to completing a sale.
"Dayong Pang was very critical in helping to get this deal over the line," Couhig said.
"I know people take shots at him but he was instrumental. Communication with Mr Dai never happened, I wouldn't recognise him if I saw him on the street."
Companies House now show that Yongge and Pang have resigned from their posts as of 14 May, and Couhig is the new active director.
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