Roger Smee did not take over Reading FC: he submitted a bid in late November 2024, and it was rejected, he confirmed in December. The offer’s price and terms were not disclosed. Reading FC now says it is wholly owned by Redwood Holdings Limited.
What happened to Roger Smee’s Reading FC bid?
On 3 December 2024, City AM reported that former Reading chairman Roger Smee had confirmed his team submitted a bid the previous week and that it had been rejected. Smee said, “I am equally sad to tell you my bid has been rejected.” City AM’s report did not disclose the offer’s amount, funding, conditions or proposed ownership structure, and did not give the seller’s detailed reason for rejecting it.
This followed November reporting that Smee was considering a rescue attempt and had held initial talks about funding a package. Those were preliminary discussions, not evidence that a deal had been agreed. City AM reported the initial talks on 13 November 2024.
Why was Smee interested?
Smee described his motivation as the future of the club and its role in the town. In the statement quoted by City AM, he said: “I confirm the motivation for my interest is solely the future for Reading Football Club, ensuring it continues to play at its highest level, playing an integral role in the town’s sporting and cultural community.” That is his stated explanation, not an independently verified account of his motives.
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City AM reported that Smee played for Reading in the 1960s and 1970s, helped block Robert Maxwell’s proposed Reading–Oxford merger in the 1980s, later became chairman and sold the club to John Madejski in 1990. That background was included in its November report.
What happened after the bid was rejected?
| Date | Development | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 27 March 2025 | Reading FC said Dai Yongge was required to divest his interests following disqualification. The club also said filing overdue 2022–23 accounts lifted the associated transfer embargo. Club statement | Update on divestment requirement and embargo |
| 22 April 2025 | The EFL said its Board had granted a further extension until 5 May for Yongge to divest his interests, subject to compliance with other regulations. EFL statement | Extended deadline |
| 3 May 2025 | Reading FC announced that a sale to Redwood Holdings Limited had been agreed in principle. The proposed deal included the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park Training Ground. Club statement | Sale agreed in principle; the announcement alone did not establish completion |
Who owns Reading FC now?
Reading FC’s official company details page identifies Redwood Holdings Limited as the club’s sole owner and lists Robert Emmett Couhig Jr and Todd Trosclair as directors. This is distinct from the May 2025 announcement, which described a sale agreed in principle.
Companies House lists The Reading Football Club Limited as active and shows its latest accounts as made up to 30 June 2025. Its filing history records Yongge Dai’s directorship termination effective 14 May 2025. Companies House company overview and filing history provide those register details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about the bid’s value?
No price or other financial terms for Smee’s offer were disclosed in the report of his confirmation. There is therefore no substantiated figure to quote for his bid; amounts associated with other Reading takeover proposals should not be attributed to it.
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