Latest news with #RobCouhig
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Reading 'still a huge women's club', says new manager
While England enjoy a golden age on the international stage, newly appointed Reading Women manager Ed Jackson-Norris is preparing his side - a top-flight team just two years ago - for their second season in the fifth the money dried up under previous Reading owner Dai Yongge, the team were withdrawn from the Championship following relegation, and entered into the Premier Division of the Southern Region Women's Football joined the club this month after the departure of Pedro Bruno at the end of Yongge sold the club to American businessman Rob Couhig in May in what many fans hope may be a turning point in fortunes for Reading Women's side. "Behind the scenes, it's just been about making sure that the infrastructure is there to achieve what we want to achieve," said Jackson-Norris. "Three years ago we were preparing for a season in the WSL. Now, three years later, we're preparing for a season at tier five which is an almighty drop off."We've gone from being a full-time professional club to now being in a division that doesn't allow players to be contracted. With that comes all sorts of challenges." 'Think forward' The women's side currently play their games 20 miles outside of Reading, at Slough Town's Arbour Park."We're still a huge women's club, so we've got a very loyal supporters' base who remain interested in the women's team. "We're fortunate in that sense, but we're playing games outside of Reading which makes it difficult to continue to grow."Certainly the air at the women's and girl's section of the club at the minute is a case of, well, what's happened is outside of our control, we have no influence over it, all we can do is think forward, we don't want to look behind us anymore."Jackson-Norris says he hopes new owner Rob Couhig will be able to help get the women's team back to the top tier. "The priority in the short term for him has been to stabilise the men's first team and to make sure the men's side of the club, and on a lesser scale the academy, are operating at a financially sustainable and sensible way whilst trying to be competitive. "That side of the club is what brings in the majority of the money so that's totally understandable."He's also said that women's side is part of his thinking, they want to be able to help our set-up as much as possible and we are in the medium-to-long-term thinking of the football club and that's great."After an exodus of players following the drop down the divisions, Reading finished eighth of 10 teams in their were defeated 3-2 in their first pre-season game away at Leatherhead FC on Sunday. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'We want six or seven more' - Hunt on Reading signings
Reading boss Noel Hunt says he wants to add "six or seven" more players to his squad during the remainder of the summer transfer window. The Royals have so far signed Paudie O'Connor and Jack Stevens on permanent deals as well as the loan additions of Matty Jacob, Finley Burns and Mark O'Mahony. Those five incomings mark the first signings under the new ownership of Rob Couhig, and Reading boss Hunt wants more. "It's been great to be able to sign some players as it's been a while since the club's been able to do that," Hunt told BBC Sport."We want to keep this club stable and within the budget but I'd like six or possibly seven more in the door."We know we're light in wider areas and we have a couple of lads that we want to re-sign and it's massively important we try and keep them if we can."And then we have to look at where we can build on the club because it's a long and gruelling season with so many games." The players who have so far agreed to stay at the SCL Stadium are Lewis Wing, Joel Pereira, Michael Stickland, Andy Yiadom, Tivonge Rushesha and Jeriel the club remain keen to get others to agree to new contracts before the start of the season, among them forward Kelvin are now just over two weeks away from starting their League One campaign with a trip to Lincoln City on the opening Saturday of the season. This season will be a new chapter for the club, with the chance for a fresh start away from the previous troubles under ex-owner Dai Yongge."We all have a common goal here," Royals boss Hunt added."This is a massive project for us, after the turmoil over the last few years we want to have a period of stability and build this club back to where it should be."It won't happen overnight but we're bringing the right people and personalities that will give us the fundamentals to be able to push on."
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eight years and counting for Reading captain after signing new one-year contract
Reading captain Andy Yiadom has signed a new one-year contract with the club, taking his stint with the club to seven years and counting. The full-back suffered a difficult 2024/25 campaign, carrying an injury from the end of the previous season which saw him miss the first seven months. Advertisement However, the Ghana international returned in March and managed 14 appearances in League One as Noel Hunt's side narrowly missed out on the play-offs. Following in the footsteps of Joel Pereira and Lewis Wing, the fan favourite committed to another year in Berkshire, looking to add to his 222 Royals appearances. Club Chairman, Rob Couhig, commented: "We are truly excited to have Andy extend his career with the Club. The last year of rehabilitation has been difficult. "However, he demonstrated he is a true professional. He worked hard, supported his teammates, and demonstrated a commitment to his craft. He seems ready to go and we are certainly ready to have him helping the club reach its goals. Advertisement First Team Manager, Hunt, added: "Yids' impact both on and off the pitch is second to none, and we are delighted to have him signed up for another season. "Last year was tough for him, but he came back strongly in the second half of the season and is back for pre season looking fresh and ready for the fight."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Reading sign Cambridge keeper Stevens
Jack Stevens joins Reading after his contract expired with Cambridge United [Getty Images] Reading have signed goalkeeper Jack Stevens following the end of his deal with Cambridge United. The 27-year-old has penned a two-year-deal with the Royals until the summer of 2027. Stevens previously played in the third tier at Oxford United as well as Port Vale, and most recently Cambridge. Advertisement "We're really happy to bring Jack into the squad as we continue to build our team for the new season," chairman Rob Couhig said. "He has plenty of experience in this league and will form a key part of our goalkeeping team as we look to strengthen across all areas." During his time at Oxford United, Stevens made 74 appearances and at Cambridge he played 52 times, keeping 13 clean sheets. "We're delighted to sign a keeper of Jack's stature and calibre to the club," first-team boss Noel Hunt said. "He's someone who goalkeeping coach Rob [Shay] has known for many years, and has a great pedigree in this division. "As a person, he is exactly the type of character we want around the dressing room, and I'm really looking forward to working with him."
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Reading sign Cambridge keeper Stevens
Reading have signed goalkeeper Jack Stevens following the end of his deal with Cambridge 27-year-old has penned a two-year-deal with the Royals until the summer of previously played in the third tier at Oxford United as well as Port Vale, and most recently Cambridge. "We're really happy to bring Jack into the squad as we continue to build our team for the new season," chairman Rob Couhig said. "He has plenty of experience in this league and will form a key part of our goalkeeping team as we look to strengthen across all areas." During his time at Oxford United, Stevens made 74 appearances and at Cambridge he played 52 times, keeping 13 clean sheets. "We're delighted to sign a keeper of Jack's stature and calibre to the club," first-team boss Noel Hunt said."He's someone who goalkeeping coach Rob [Shay] has known for many years, and has a great pedigree in this division."As a person, he is exactly the type of character we want around the dressing room, and I'm really looking forward to working with him."
