“READING are battling a winding-up order by former chief Nigel Howe, according to reports. The troubled League One side were purchased from old owner Dai Yongge by ex-Wycombe chief Rob Couhig in May. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Reading have fallen on hard times in recent years Credit: Getty Nigel Howe, left”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
The troubled League One side were purchased from old owner Dai Yongge by ex-Wycombe chief Rob Couhig in May.
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Reading have fallen on hard times in recent yearsCredit: Getty
Nigel Howe, left, appears alongside Rob Couhig, rightCredit: JASONPIX Property developer Howe, 67, worked as the Royals’ chief executive and vice-chairman under Dai.
He was given the responsibility of overseeing the club’s protracted sale by Dai.
According to the Telegraph, Howe is now attempting to liquidate Reading.
A Royals statement read: “Reading Football Club confirms that it is in an ongoing dispute with Mr Nigel Howe.
“The club denies any claims made against it.
“Given the ongoing dispute and potential legal proceedings, the club will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Reading were slapped with several points deductions totalling 18 during Dai’s latter years with the club.
While they also had to contend with transfer embargoes and were relegated from the Championship in 2023.
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Fans launched the Sell Before We Dai campaign groupCredit: Getty
Dai Yongge poses with former Reading boss Jaap StamCredit: Rex Fans launched a campaign group called Sell Before We Dai – imploring their former owner to sell the club.
The movement staged several protests, memorably throwing tennis balls onto the pitch during their September 2023 clash with Burton Albion.
Couhig initially attempted to buy the club in September 2024, although a deal broke down – with Dai blaming the American prospective buyer.
Alongside business partner Todd Trosclair, Couhig, 76, finally managed to complete the purchase in May.
A Sell Before We Dai statement at the time read: “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.”
Reading are 18th in the League One table, having won five out of 19 games this season. The Royals replaced former boss Noel Hunt with Leam Richardson in October.
Richardson’s men host Jack Wilshere‘s Luton Town at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Rob Couhig bought Reading in May following protracted negotiationsCredit: Getty