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Campaign group 'relieved and happy' after takeover

Rob Couhig and Todd Trosclair introducing themselves and greeting Reading FC ers around the football club.Rex Features

Rob Couhig (L) and Todd Trosclair (R) have completed their takeover of Reading

Dan George
BBC Sport, South

Reading fan campaign group Sell Before We Dai have said that "today is a day for celebration" after a takeover of the club was completed.

On Wednesday, the Royals announced that a deal for American businessman and lawyer Rob Couhig to purchase the club was finally done.

The deal brings the reign of controversial previous owner Dai Yongge to an end, and gives fans a fresh start after points deductions, transfer embargos and protests under his ownership.

"We are incredibly relieved and happy that Reading are finally under new ownership. It's a day which we thought at times may never happen," Sell Before We Dai said in a statement.

The campaign group continued: "In the eight years of the Dai Yongge era, every single element of our club went backwards, 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.

"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."

Sell Before We Dai organised a number of protests and petitions to try and raise awareness of their ownership situation.

Some of their initiatives included billboard campaigns in a number of locations including the town centre and around Wembley Stadium.

Reading fans made their voices heard on many occasions in the latter stages of Yongge's ownership.

They threw tennis balls onto the pitch, went onto the field during a game and protested outside the stadium.

"Reading fans are now excited to hear in an open forum from Couhig about his plans. Our gratitude is immeasurable but cannot be unconditional," Sell Before We Dai added.

"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.

"We've been sold before we Dai'd."

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