Roger Smee’s publicly reported bid to buy Reading FC was rejected in December 2024. It was not the bid involved in the separate exclusive negotiations then under way. Reading was subsequently acquired by Redwood Holdings, whose ownership the club’s official company page currently lists. A later report of approaches to buy shares or the whole club did not identify the prospective buyers or link them to Smee.
What happened to Roger Smee’s Reading FC bid?
BBC Sport reported on 3 December 2024 that Smee, a former Reading chairman, said his team had submitted a bid the previous week and that it had been rejected. He said: “I confirm that my team submitted a carefully considered bid last week.” He did not disclose the bid’s terms.
The club was separately in exclusive negotiations with an unnamed prospective purchaser, according to the same BBC Sport report. Smee’s rejected bid and those negotiations were distinct. The club declined BBC Sport’s request for comment on Smee’s bid. BBC Sport’s 3 December 2024 report provides the account.
How Reading’s ownership changed after the bid
| Date | Buyer or party | Reported status | Assets or details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 December 2024 | Roger Smee | Bid rejected | Terms not disclosed; separate from the unnamed party in exclusive negotiations, according to BBC Sport. |
| 3 May 2025 | Redwood Holdings Limited | Sale agreed in principle | Reading FC announced the deal included the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park Training Ground. |
| 14 May 2025 | Redwood Holdings Limited | Acquisition completed and ratified by the EFL | Reading announced Redwood acquired 100% of the club shareholding. The stadium and training ground were included; Robert Couhig became chairman and Todd Trosclair joined the board. |
| 9–10 February 2026 | Prospective buyers not named | Approaches reported; no sale confirmed | Reading board member Rick Catania described approaches ranging from a share purchase to an offer for the whole club. Buyers and terms were not disclosed. |
Reading announced the agreement in principle on 3 May 2025. BBC Sport reported the completed takeover and EFL clearance on 14 May 2025; Reading also announced Redwood’s acquisition of the full shareholding.
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Are the later offers connected to Smee?
The February 2026 report does not name the people or entities that approached Reading, and it does not connect them to Smee. Catania said serious offers are considered, while also saying the ownership group was enjoying the process and was not done yet. The report describes approaches, not an accepted offer or completed transaction. Greatest Hits Radio’s report gives no basis for identifying Smee as a later bidder.
The available reporting establishes Smee’s rejected 2024 bid, but does not establish whether he made any private approach after that. That is different from claiming he made a new bid: no later Smee bid is reported in the cited coverage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who owns Reading FC now?
Reading FC’s company details page currently lists Reading Football Club Limited as wholly owned by Redwood Holdings Limited. It lists Robert Emmett Couhig Jnr and Todd Trosclair as directors. The page reflects the club’s published company information, which can change. Reading FC’s company details page is the club’s official ownership listing.
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