Reading FC Hit With Winding-Up Petition From Former Chief Executive Nigel Howe

Reading have been served with a winding-up petition by former chief executive Nigel Howe, just months after the League One club emerged from a turbulent ownership period.

Howe is seeking to liquidate the club less than seven months after Chinese businessman Dai Yongge was forced to relinquish control. Reading were taken over in May by former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig and business partner Todd Trosclair through investment vehicle Redwood Holdings.

Telegraph Sport reports that Howe claims he is owed close to £100,000 by the club, having secured a County Court Judgment last month. Howe, a property developer and nephew of former England coach Don Howe, was tasked by Dai last year with overseeing the sale of the club.

He has held several senior roles at Reading over the past three decades, dating back to John Madejski’s ownership, including multiple spells as chief executive and a period as vice-chairman.

In response, Reading issued a brief statement confirming the dispute. “Reading Football Club confirms that it is in an ongoing dispute with Mr Nigel Howe,” the club said. “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.”

Howe’s legal representative, Peter Coyle of Coyle White Devine, said his client hoped for a resolution. “My client, Nigel Howe, has no comment to make, save that he very much hopes for an amicable settlement with Reading FC soon,” he said.

Dai Yongge’s ownership officially ended in May, bringing to a close a deeply troubled period in which Reading were subjected to multiple transfer embargoes and an 18-point deduction. Under his tenure, the men’s team were relegated to League One, while the women’s side withdrew from the Women’s Championship last year due to financial issues.

Announcing the takeover earlier this year, Reading confirmed that Redwood Holdings, a subsidiary of Dogwood LLC owned by Couhig and Trosclair, had completed the acquisition of the club, including the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park training ground. Rob Couhig was appointed chairman, with both new owners joining the board immediately.

Previous attempts by Couhig to buy the club collapsed in September 2024, while Dai, later disqualified as a director by the EFL, claimed earlier this year that Couhig was obstructing his efforts to sell.

The winding-up petition marks another challenging chapter for Reading as the new ownership group looks to stabilise the club and rebuild after years of financial uncertainty.