Reading FC takeover completed after Rob Couhig buys club

ITV News

14-05-2025

The takeover of Reading Football Club by former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig has been completed.
The sale, which has received EFL clearance, completed very early on Wednesday morning (14 May) and includes the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park Training Ground.
In a statement on the club's website, a spokesperson said: "The Club are pleased to announce that Redwood Holdings Limited – a subsidiary company of Dogwood LLC, owned by Rob Couhig and Todd Trosclair of New Orleans, Louisiana – has completed the acquisition of 100% of the shareholding in Reading Football Club.
"Both Couhig and Trosclair will join the club's board with immediate effect, with Rob Couhig being named as Chairman.
"Rob is an investor, lawyer and entrepreneur who is the former owner of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club and the New Orleans Zephyrs – his hometown baseball team. Todd is the owner of All Star Electric, one of the largest and most respected electrical contractors on the USA's Gulf Coast, and a successful investor within the real estate and hospitality sector. He is also the founder of the All Star Foundation which contributes to various charitable initiatives.
"Redwood is ambitious and dedicated towards the club returning to its rightful place within the English football pyramid, while adhering to clear principles of honesty , transparency, and financial sustainability. Further communication from Redwood will follow in due course."
The ownership under former Reading owner Dai Yongge, who took over the club in 2017, has been fraught with financial difficulties leading to transfer embargoes, points deductions and fan protests.
Reacting to the announcement, the group 'Sell Before We Dai' which was formed to try to get rid of Yongge, said: "We are incredibly relieved and happy that Reading Football Club are finally under new ownership. It's a day which we thought, at times, may never happen.
"In the eight years of the Dai Yongge era, every single element of our club went backwards. The first team were relegated, the women's team were essentially folded and staff were made redundant as every operational element of the club was cut back to the bare bones. Those who remained were forced to work with tight budgets and under immense pressure. Sometimes they weren't even sure if they'd be paid at the end of the month.
"Today is a day for celebration and that starts by welcoming Rob Couhig. Thank you for not giving up on us, thank you for saving our 153-year-old club from oblivion.
"While Wycombe Wanderers owner, the Bearwood fiasco saw him come into direct conflict with our powerful, passionate fanbase, culminating in the training ground remaining under Reading's control (we imagine he's quite grateful for that now!). Rumours of his views on both the academy – the jewel in our crown – and women's team have also left some fans unsettled.
"However, the training ground issue is now in the past and Couhig should now be judged by his actions as our owner, not by rumours which arose while he was trying to buy the club.
"Some of these actions are already plain to see. The takeover process has been tortuous and – at times – ill-tempered. We know several bidders came and went, but Couhig remained, and for that alone we are incredibly grateful. He was determined, dogged and incredibly savvy. Having someone with those qualities in your club's corner can only be a good thing and it is also worth stating that Wycombe Wanderers fans say he left them in a better place.
"There is also evidence of the 'soft skills' that football fans want to see from their clubs' owners. A willingness to engage with supporters, a desire to be present, visible and accountable to local media and, of course, to have a few drinks in the Purple Turtle.
"Reading fans are now excited to hear in an open forum from Couhig about his plans. Our gratitude is immeasurable but cannot be unconditional. We are under no illusions that steps will need to be taken to undo the damage Dai has done to this football club, but we hope Couhig runs Reading transparently, prudently, in collaboration with Reading fans and with regard for the club's identity."