CONFRIMATION of the CONFIMRED

[Forbury Lion]

I wonder if the offer is aligned with what was supposedly agrees last summer. Dai's shitshow means Couhig has now missed out on the Olise sell on fee plus the value of Azeez, Smith and Bindon, and all for sweet eff all as that money has been used simply to keep our head above.

He's also avoided owning Reading's losses though. Every day someone owns this club is a day they are getting poorer.

If I was the judge I'd take that into account and insist on seeing how he expected to make money from this.

It may be that he lost money by not investing in other things or selling other assets quick and cheap in order to buy the club, but I don't see that as a winning argument.

Maybe the terms of the exclusivity deal or something else they signed formed some kind of pre-nup in there which allows him to seek compensation?

My guess is it's just a hook to delay the sale to anyone else and/or to ensure we go into administration so he can get us on the cheap. Definitely some two way beef between Couhig and Yongge/his people

[East Grinstead Royal]

Isn’t administration a 12 point deduction?

[Forbury Lion]

Club Statement this morning (well that's when I read it), says exclusivity has ended and they are in talks with two parties.... or was that just another party, it's on the website to read.

Also The Price of Football podcast now suggests administration may be what the buyers are considering just because they don't trust Dai Yonge about how many loans there are against the club, stadium and training ground. If the club went into administration then at least it would be clear what they were buying and there would be no surprises. The 12 point deduction would keep us down so it's a gamble whether it's worth buying us now and potentially going up or waiting it out.

Administration would be bad, but as long as it doesn't end in liquidation and someone wants to quickly buy the assets and club maybe it will be okay? - Big worry then is most of the players being out of contract.

I just want this to end with a new owner and stability.

Administration in the EFL is 12pts, which I believe would carry over to next season at this point wouldn't it?

Not sure, would they want us promoted via the playoffs with 12 points deduction next season or would it be better to keep us down with a 12 point deduction and let someone else have a crack at promotion? Understand if we were mid table and would stay up with the deduction that it would seem a bit of a non-punishment this season.
I guess they must have one rule for all.

[Forbury Lion]

Isn’t administration a 12 point deduction?

Yes, sorry I think it was a typo but may have been brain fog

[tidus_mi2]

Club Statement this morning (well that's when I read it), says exclusivity has ended and they are in talks with two parties.... or was that just another party, it's on the website to read.

Also The Price of Football podcast now suggests administration may be what the buyers are considering just because they don't trust Dai Yonge about how many loans there are against the club, stadium and training ground. If the club went into administration then at least it would be clear what they were buying and there would be no surprises. The 12 point deduction would keep us down so it's a gamble whether it's worth buying us now and potentially going up or waiting it out.

Administration would be bad, but as long as it doesn't end in liquidation and someone wants to quickly buy the assets and club maybe it will be okay? - Big worry then is most of the players being out of contract.

I just want this to end with a new owner and stability.

Administration in the EFL is 12pts, which I believe would carry over to next season at this point wouldn't it?

Not sure, would they want us promoted via the playoffs with 12 points deduction next season or would it be better to keep us down with a 12 point deduction and let someone else have a crack at promotion? Understand if we were mid table and would stay up with the deduction that it would seem a bit of a non-punishment this season.
I guess they must have one rule for all.

Just looked it up and it seems like it is only applied the following season after the 4th week in March if it will not impact your position, but as you point out, it would take us out of the play-offs, it would probably be applied this season. There is of course a possible but incredibly unlikely scenario that we finish inside the play-offs, 12pts clear of 7th.

[Forbury Lion]

There is of course a possible but incredibly unlikely scenario that we finish inside the play-offs, 12pts clear of 7th.

Just checked the table, it is mathematically possible but highly unlikely..... Would be great if it did happen, we won the playoffs and we had decent new owners

[Winston Biscuit]

Couhig absolutely wasted at Wembley, climbing in with the fans singing songs and buying all the beers as he celebrates his new purchase being promoted to the Champ just a couple of weeks after buying them

[rabidbee]

…and immediately puts us up for sale?

[From Despair To Where?]

…and immediately puts us up for sale?

I reckon he'd have a few buyers lining up.

[tidus_mi2]

…and immediately puts us up for sale?

I reckon he'd have a few buyers lining up.

I mean yeah, think most people would rather negotiate with Couhig and his team rather than whatever is left of Dai's representatives.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

It doesn't look like, as we speak, that anyone is putting in money to cover the bills.....STAR paid for the overnight stay at Shrewsbury.

[Sutekh]

Club Statement this morning (well that's when I read it), says exclusivity has ended and they are in talks with two parties.... or was that just another party, it's on the website to read.

Also The Price of Football podcast now suggests administration may be what the buyers are considering just because they don't trust Dai Yonge about how many loans there are against the club, stadium and training ground. If the club went into administration then at least it would be clear what they were buying and there would be no surprises. The 12 point deduction would keep us down so it's a gamble whether it's worth buying us now and potentially going up or waiting it out.

Administration would be bad, but as long as it doesn't end in liquidation and someone wants to quickly buy the assets and club maybe it will be okay? - Big worry then is most of the players being out of contract.

I just want this to end with a new owner and stability.

Administration in the EFL is 12pts, which I believe would carry over to next season at this point wouldn't it?

Not sure, would they want us promoted via the playoffs with 12 points deduction next season or would it be better to keep us down with a 12 point deduction and let someone else have a crack at promotion? Understand if we were mid table and would stay up with the deduction that it would seem a bit of a non-punishment this season.
I guess they must have one rule for all.

Presumably that was said as they are in the same camp as the Chronicle and not knowing who the buyer is.

As we know it’s RC, he is well aware of what he is dealing with and has said there are plenty of “snakes under the stones”. Presumably, after more or less getting over the finish line last time, he’s on top of nearly all of it and probably will have funds put aside to deal with any late “annoyances” that may appear. Therefore really can’t see administration being on the agenda (at least until next week anyway )

[Crusader Royal]

It doesn't look like, as we speak, that anyone is putting in money to cover the bills.....STAR paid for the overnight stay at Shrewsbury.

Not sure how you come to that conclusion.
Overnight stays have been cut to a minimum, STAR allowed the team to have an overnight for this game.
That is very different to ‘no one is paying the bills’.

[tidus_mi2]

Certainly seems in Couhig's best interest to get the deal done before any talk of administration. Sure if we went into admin he might get a better deal, but then he'd probably have to compete with a bunch of other potential owners looking for the same cut-price deal. He is in the driving seat and has been involved in this whole shoddy affair for long enough now to hopefully get it over the line.

[morganb]

Below is the Club statement - bits in bold address the couple of posts above -

It reads to me like a single alternative bidder (though no mention of them being in exclusivity)

It says financial obligations are being met in full - I guess an overnight stay is not an essential obligation and it was an excellent touch by STAR to cover this and the match result could have been affected by this, rather than playing after an on-the-day coach trip. Will they (or someone else) do the same for the next two away games?

Reading Football Club would like to provide a further update on the ongoing sale process.

Since the last statement dated 27th March, the exclusivity period with the prospective buyer has now expired, and club representatives are now in advanced dialogue with an alternative bidder. Negotiations between the parties are proceeding in a professional and positive manner, with full recognition from all concerned of the need to bring a sale of the club to a conclusion for all stakeholders, including players, staff and supporters.

Following a request from the club, last week the EFL extended the time allowed for Mr Dai to divest his interests in the club until 22 April. The parties are working to complete negotiations at the earliest opportunity and expect to meet the EFL’s requirements. In the interim, the club has taken steps to ensure that the ongoing financial obligations, including taxes and payroll, will be met in full. As matters progress, the club will issue additional information accordingly.

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2025/a ... ent-april/

[Snowflake Royal]

Club Statement this morning (well that's when I read it), says exclusivity has ended and they are in talks with two parties.... or was that just another party, it's on the website to read.

Also The Price of Football podcast now suggests administration may be what the buyers are considering just because they don't trust Dai Yonge about how many loans there are against the club, stadium and training ground. If the club went into administration then at least it would be clear what they were buying and there would be no surprises. The 12 point deduction would keep us down so it's a gamble whether it's worth buying us now and potentially going up or waiting it out.

Administration would be bad, but as long as it doesn't end in liquidation and someone wants to quickly buy the assets and club maybe it will be okay? - Big worry then is most of the players being out of contract.

I just want this to end with a new owner and stability.

Administration in the EFL is 12pts, which I believe would carry over to next season at this point wouldn't it?

Pretty sure we're passed the deadline with only 5 games left, so I think so.

[Greatwesternline]

It doesn't look like, as we speak, that anyone is putting in money to cover the bills.....STAR paid for the overnight stay at Shrewsbury.

Not sure how you come to that conclusion.
Overnight stays have been cut to a minimum, STAR allowed the team to have an overnight for this game.
That is very different to ‘no one is paying the bills’.

It surprises me that the players themselves aren't more inclined to pay for overnight accommodation, if it helps their performance, which you know, might get them promoted, and get them a pay rise, or move to a better club. These are highly paid professional sportsmen, you'd think they might see it as an investment in their future. I once flew to a marathon i was doing one night earlier than necessary to give myself a better chance of getting a good time. It cost me about £100, which i was happy to pay to improve my performance.

Given the players can afford very expensive cars, you'd think at least some of them might stretch to £90 for a stay in a premier inn booked a few weeks in advance if it allowed them to be at the top of their game.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Guess they’d all have to buy into it as a team…..as they travel as a team.
Then of course, there are the accompanying non-playing staff (not on such grand wages) who are also part of the team?

[Mr Angry]

As a matter of interest, does anyone know how much it cost STAR to put the team - including support staff - up before the Shrewsbury game?

[Hendo]

As a matter of interest, does anyone know how much it cost STAR to put the team - including support staff - up before the Shrewsbury game?

Let's say 30 staff, 2 to a room, so 15 rooms, let's say £100/night, maybe about £1,500? Give or take a few hundred quid.