CONFIMRED - The 2nd final countdown

[Sutekh]

People are mental

Agreed, complete swearyword dikhed. Hope the local police can pop round for a word….

[Dirk Gently]

The Times are reporting the Premier League advised the EFL to not sanction Dai's takeover in 2017 and they were told he'd have to sell if Reading were promoted to the Premier League.

Is this news? The big problem is that the PL has the money and the financial clout to fight a legal case from someone they refuse to sanction. They also have alternative information sources to the EFL that they can't share with them.

But the EFL is on such a shaky financial footing that if a potential owner who they turned down took legal action against them then they couldn't afford to fight it (and if they did, a defence of "The PL told us not to" won't hold water) and that would probably bankrupt them and see the end of the Football League and many of its clubs. So they're not able to take that risk of turning anyone down unless they have clear and defensible reasons why not that they can use in court. .

Pretty sure you can’t take an organisation to court if you don’t meet their specified criteria, so you’re giving the EFL waaaaay too much credit here.

Dai's learned friends would have no doubt said that the onus was on the EFL to prove he didn't meet them, and by all accounts there was no such proof that could be used in court. Maybe the PL had something, but no way would they ever share it with the EFL.

So the risk to the EFL is enormous. Lose and they no longer exist, so they always err on the side of caution.

[leon]

Lower west stand - anyone who DM's him is free to buy him a beer at the game....

What a privilege he's offering.

Lower West - ptrui.

Paul the Royal User Interface?

I think Ian is slagging off the West Stand massive.

That's a very dangerous game to play knowing some of the serious nutcases that frequent that crucible of violence.

[katweslowski]

Twitter rumours circulating (from that HK guy mainly) that takeover will officially be today or tomorrow.

Assuming this does go through, I wonder when the club will choose to announce it. I'm with others, that I hope it is on Saturday as it will really make the day special - regardless of results.

Also it would feel quite weird if it was on Thursday or Friday and we're all just sat at work/home

Feels right and suitable for it to be during a virtual sell out at the final home game.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

I remember Sir John on the pitch announcing the sale of the club. He didn't get very far before he was drowned out by applause, thanking him for all he'd done for the club. Very emotional.

Even if it's announced before hand, if Couhig were to come on the pitch to introduce himself, that would be an amazingly good start to his tenure.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Twitter rumours circulating (from that HK guy mainly) that takeover will officially be today or tomorrow.

Assuming this does go through, I wonder when the club will choose to announce it. I'm with others, that I hope it is on Saturday as it will really make the day special - regardless of results.

Also it would feel quite weird if it was on Thursday or Friday and we're all just sat at work/home

Feels right and suitable for it to be during a virtual sell out at the final home game.

If it's done, they won't delay. We're already selling well for Saturday, announce a takeover and it's a sell out imo.

[Sutekh]

I remember Sir John on the pitch announcing the sale of the club. He didn't get very far before he was drowned out by applause, thanking him for all he'd done for the club. Very emotional.

Even if it's announced before hand, if Couhig were to come on the pitch to introduce himself, that would be an amazingly good start to his tenure.

Think we can be fairly sure RC will introduce himself one way or another (on stage at the Turtle probably on Saturday). And after 8 years of ******* nothing it will be a welcome relief.

[Forbury Lion]

People are mental

Dai Yongge finally breaking his silence?

[KC Royal]

I think I might know who Huang Kad is. Narin Niruttinanon was mentioned in the thread by someone and they might be right.

Someone pointed out that they've been posting about RFC on Twitter/X for about 11 years. That fits with when the Thais arrived. Something else i noticed from their posts this week is that it seems they won't be posting about RFC once the takeover is complete. Obviously once everything is done Narin's association with the club will end.

Might not be him. But i've gone from thinking it was a fan with a source at the club to believing it's someone who's directly connected. Shame they've had personal attacks, but i guess that's Twitter/X for you.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Steve Coppell attending on Saturday. Does feel like someone is trying to create a memorable occasion which would fit nicely alongside a big announcement.

[Brogue]

I think I might know who Huang Kad is. Narin Niruttinanon was mentioned in the thread by someone and they might be right.

Someone pointed out that they've been posting about RFC on Twitter/X for about 11 years. That fits with when the Thais arrived. Something else i noticed from their posts this week is that it seems they won't be posting about RFC once the takeover is complete. Obviously once everything is done Narin's association with the club will end.

Might not be him. But i've gone from thinking it was a fan with a source at the club to believing it's someone who's directly connected. Shame they've had personal attacks, but i guess that's Twitter/X for you.

yes and someone worked out the time stamps on the DM's he received, which suggested he was in Thailand as it was 8 hours ahead of UK time.

[MouldyRoyal]

I'll eat my proverbial if it is a current RFC director (which Narin is) or even someone at all from Thailand. It's a Brit and almost certainly a nobber and I don't know why everyone is taking a screenshot as irrefutable evidence rofl.

[katweslowski]

I know very little about the whole thing, but I've seen a few tweets where people suggest he's the nephew or relative of one of the Thai owners. There's other things which do seem to back it up.

...

Something very big is happening clearly. I think others are right, the Amazons, big drive for fans, Sir Steve coming along... I think the deal is done personally.

It's only Wednesday too and I'd expect the club to announce some other things tomorrow, like after-game player presentations and encouraging fans to be there early, or to stay behind, and maybe even alluding to an announcement on Friday.

Whatever the case, I'll be in town after the game celebrating (regardless of result and league position)

[katweslowski]

Tim Dellor just posted that Brian McDermott also in attendance and I think will be on commentary duties.

So that's The Amazons, Sir Steve Coppell, and Brian McDermott. I'm starting to get very excited....

[Whore Jackie]

I know very little about the whole thing, but I've seen a few tweets where people suggest he's the nephew or relative of one of the Thai owners. There's other things which do seem to back it up.

...

Something very big is happening clearly. I think others are right, the Amazons, big drive for fans, Sir Steve coming along... I think the deal is done personally.

It's only Wednesday too and I'd expect the club to announce some other things tomorrow, like after-game player presentations and encouraging fans to be there early, or to stay behind, and maybe even alluding to an announcement on Friday.

Whatever the case, I'll be in town after the game celebrating (regardless of result and league position)

They've half done that already:

We will conclude our 2024/25 Sky Bet League One season at home to Barnsley on Saturday 3rd May, 3pm, and supporters are reminded to abide by the ground regulations at all times whilst at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Following the conclusion of the game, the 2024/25 Player of the Season and Goal of the Season winners will be revealed, before a lap of appreciation will take place to allow both the players, staff and supporters the opportunity to show mutual appreciation for the campaign.

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2025/april/28/supporter-message-barnsley/

[KC Royal]

Tim Dellor just posted that Brian McDermott also in attendance and I think will be on commentary duties.

So that's The Amazons, Sir Steve Coppell, and Brian McDermott. I'm starting to get very excited....

Funny, after the news that Coppell will be there I was just wondering whether McDermott would join BBCRB. Dellor had a chat with him on Weekend Kick Off recently and wanted him to join them for a home game.

[Crusader Royal]

and maybe even alluding to an announcement on Friday.

)

That would be quite a trick if they do get him along.

In twenty years time hundreds of thousands will claim to have been there to see him rise from the ashes.

[morganb]

and maybe even alluding to an announcement on Friday.

)

That would be quite a trick if they do get him along.

In twenty years time hundreds of thousands will claim to have been there to see him rise from the ashes.

Probably more likely to be one of Robin's distant relations

[genome]

Huang Kad eat your heart out, I have ITK news

... the deal is done and just needs a signature. Sadly my ITK did not specify whose signature.

Thank you for reading my insider knowledge

[Brogue]

Huang Kad eat your heart out, I have ITK news

... the deal is done and just needs a signature. Sadly my ITK did not specify whose signature.

Thank you for reading my insider knowledge

seriously