Reading fan 'can't stop smiling' after deal struck

A campaigner and Reading fan who has worked for years to get the club sold by its owner said she "can't stop smiling" after a deal was struck.

Caroline Parker, of the Sell Before We Dai fan group, said she was "absolutely delighted" by the prospect of the club being taken over by former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig.

The deal includes the shares owned by Dai Yongge, who has owned the club since 2017, its Bearwood training ground and the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The deal, announced on Saturday, is expected to be finalised at a meeting on Thursday.

Reading were docked six points for financial issues in the 2023/24 season and finished 17th in League One.

Those financial difficulties also saw the club's women's side - a Women's Super League outfit as recently as May 2023 - withdraw from the Championship in June, and they now compete in the fifth tier.

Ms Parker said: "I can't stop smiling. All I can think is it's finally over.

"All of that campaigning, by so many people, it's hard to put in words just how much of a relief it is. I'm absolutely delighted."

She described it as a "real team effort".

"It wasn't just Sell Before We Dai or STAR [Supporters' Trust at Reading], all of the fans, there's a list of hundreds of people to thank," she said.

She continued: "Unfortunately, we are not the only sad story.

"There are other football clubs that are in trouble now. I think some of the members will absolutely do their bit to try to help other clubs."

The Royals finished seventh in League One on Saturday, just missing the play-offs by three points.

Former Reading manager Brian McDermott said Couhig had been "consistent and persistent" in his pursuit of the club.

"It's great news for everyone," he told BBC Radio Berkshire.

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