"Truly deserve" - Harvey Knibbs issues heartfelt message to Reading FC supporters after big Rob Couhig news | OneFootball

The players are just as ecstatic as the supporters to see the takeover completed.

Harvey Knibbs has said that the Reading FC supporters "truly deserve" the takeover of the club by Rob Couhig and Redwood Holdings Ltd following years of pain under the ownership of Dai Yongge.

The 100 per cent sale of the Royals to the American entrepreneur and his business partner Todd Trosclair was confirmed on Wednesday, ending a sustained period of anxiety and uncertainty at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

There were points when Reading looked under serious threat of either going under or being banished from the EFL completely; that latter option would have been the result had Yongge not found someone to sell to after he was disqualified as an owner/director by the EFL.

Thankfully for the Royals, their American knight in shining armour arrived in time to save the club and provide them with a much brighter future.

A statement from Reading on Wednesday read: "The takeover, which has received EFL clearance, completed very early on Wednesday morning and includes the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park Training Ground.

"Both Couhig and Trosclair will join the club’s board with immediate effect, with Rob Couhig being named as Chairman."

Harvey Knibbs sends "deserve" message to Reading supporters after takeover news

The new owners will be delighted, just as much as the supporters are, and we shouldn't forget that the players have also gone through the rigor quite a bit with Yongge at the helm. They, too, current and past players alike, are all buzzing to see the club finally set loose from its shackles.

In January 2024, it was reported by The Athletic that the squad had to eat microwave meals to keep themselves going after a catering firm left the Bearwood training ground due to not being paid. They also weren't allowed overnight stays before games because of the cost of it.

All these obstacles were put in front of them, plus multiple points deductions, and still they managed to survive in League One, and then thrive this season, narrowly missing out on a spot in the play-offs.

Knibbs, who has been with Reading for the past two third tier campaigns, believes nobody is more deserving of the events of Wednesday than the supporters, though.

A firm fan favourite at Reading, the versatile attacker recorded 14 goals and six assists from 43 League One appearances for the Royals, following up on an impressive haul of 11 strikes in his first campaign in Berkshire.

In response to the takeover news, he said on X: "A day we’ve all hoped for and one you truly deserve as a fanbase, your continued support and relentless efforts have helped bring us to this moment."

A number of ex-Royals also shared their glee. Adam Le Fondre and Femi Azeez both commented on the club's announcement on Instagram, while the club's 2024/25 Player of the Season, Tyler Bindon, re-posted it to his story with one blue heart and one white heart.

Reading supporters should be extremely proud of takeover success

It was a hard-fought battle to get to this point, but the Royals' faithful have finally been rewarded for their patience.

It should not be underestimated how much work they put into getting this takeover done. Obviously they didn't contribute financially to Couhig and Trosclair's takeover. That doesn't take away from the pressure that they mounted on Yongge and the footballing authorities, with protest after protest, to get this mess sorted out.