CONFRIMED: Latest rumours Confrimed as Unconfrimed

[Franchise FC]

Well I've just heard that WMTG does not have a box of Opal Fruits after all. Seems his wealth has been exaggerated. Looks like the deal is off

Someone's been telling you Storeys.

Noone can be trusted right now

Peter ?

[Sutekh]

Someone's been telling you Storeys.

Noone can be trusted right now

Peter ?

There's a kind of hush all over the world after that one.

[Who Moved The Goalposts?]

Noone can be trusted right now

Peter ?

There's a kind of hush all over the world after that one.

No idea what that's about as I've been living like a hermit.

[paultheroyal]

Dellor got a few articles coming out on Friday. However, he was clearly alluding to the fact that the dark days are over and takeover is moving with pace with a full sale complete early April.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Dellor got a few articles coming out on Friday. However, he was clearly alluding to the fact that the dark days are over and takeover is moving with pace with a full sale complete early April.

We've been here before. As early as the Bolton game there were noises that this was coming to an end.

[blythspartan]

Dellor got a few articles coming out on Friday. However, he was clearly alluding to the fact that the dark days are over and takeover is moving with pace with a full sale complete early April.

We've been here before. As early as the Bolton game there were noises that this was coming to an end.

Due to the wrong announcement of Ben Francis, I get the feeling something is happening and I really hope it’s good news soon. I don’t think it’ll will be a full takeover and I can see us having to pay rent for the stadium/Bearwood each year.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Dellor got a few articles coming out on Friday. However, he was clearly alluding to the fact that the dark days are over and takeover is moving with pace with a full sale complete early April.

We've been here before. As early as the Bolton game there were noises that this was coming to an end.

Due to the wrong announcement of Ben Francis, I get the feeling something is happening and I really hope it’s good news soon. I don’t think it’ll will be a full takeover and I can see us having to pay rent for the stadium/Bearwood each year.

Small steps. If an owner can get us doing the basics well and show a bit of strategy in our footballing operations that's a massive impact. Obviously a complete sale is better; more sustainable and not lining Dai's pockets in rent. But partial better than nothing.

You'd see movement on Companies House if so. The Club owns Bearwood, so you'd see some sort of transfer to one of Dai's other companies.

[Sutekh]

We've been here before. As early as the Bolton game there were noises that this was coming to an end.

Due to the wrong announcement of Ben Francis, I get the feeling something is happening and I really hope it’s good news soon. I don’t think it’ll will be a full takeover and I can see us having to pay rent for the stadium/Bearwood each year.

Small steps. If an owner can get us doing the basics well and show a bit of strategy in our footballing operations that's a massive impact. Obviously a complete sale is better; more sustainable and not lining Dai's pockets in rent. But partial better than nothing.

You'd see movement on Companies House if so. The Club owns Bearwood, so you'd see some sort of transfer to one of Dai's other companies.

Well so far we've had William Storey talking a good game but really just looking for positive PR and somewhere to sell his energy drink, Genevra allegedly put off by moving goalposts and currently supposed interest from Gerry Francis (well it's probably more likely).

Could finally have a hopeful preseason after the last few total duds. Everyone keep positive and dream of league games v Wrexham and Rotherham and with a bit of luck the club will stay up.

[Stranded]

Dellor got a few articles coming out on Friday. However, he was clearly alluding to the fact that the dark days are over and takeover is moving with pace with a full sale complete early April.

We've been here before. As early as the Bolton game there were noises that this was coming to an end.

Due to the wrong announcement of Ben Francis, I get the feeling something is happening and I really hope it’s good news soon. I don’t think it’ll will be a full takeover and I can see us having to pay rent for the stadium/Bearwood each year.

As mentioned, Bearwood is owned by a company that is owned wholly by The Reading Football Club Limited - as that is the company that would need to be sold to a new owner, unless Bearwood is sold/transferred to another entity then the club will own that.

In terms of renting the stadium, whilst absolutely not ideal, I could accept it in the short term if there is an agreed plan in place to buy it back a bit like when Leeds were bought out - the stadium repurchase came later. The club are renting the stadium as it is, so that won't change just that they will be paying an ex-owner - as long as strict terms are agreed, it shouldn't be a deal breaker.

Definitely seems to be a lot more positive noise but I will not believe anything until there are announcements around exclusivity etc.

Last night was a positive night on the pitch, what has tended to follow within 24 hours is a kick in our collective groins - at least tax has been confirmed as being paid.

[Royalwaster]

Dellor got a few articles coming out on Friday. However, he was clearly alluding to the fact that the dark days are over and takeover is moving with pace with a full sale complete early April.

I won't believe it until Brogue says so.

[Winston Biscuit]

Dellor to attempt his own takeover?

[East Grinstead Royal]

Sutekh - the Gerry Francis? A measure of his commitment (albeit more than 30 years ago) is that when he became manager at Bristol Rovers, he paid the transfer fee for a young player called Ian Holloway out of his own pocket.

[Sutekh]

Sutekh - the Gerry Francis? A measure of his commitment (albeit more than 30 years ago) is that when he became manager at Bristol Rovers, he paid the transfer fee for a young player called Ian Holloway out of his own pocket.

Sadly not, just seemed to make as much sense as the cobblers conclusion Anthony Smith reached with Ben Francis. For the record Gerry is 72 now and hasn't been involved in the game, aside from possibly the odd bit of punditry, since leaving Palace 10 years ago.

[Clyde1998]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68098594

Nigel Howe suggesting any takeover won't happen for a couple of months ('mid-March at the earliest'). Apparently, up to eight parties are interested in the club, but Mike Ashley hasn't followed up on his earlier interest.

The article suggests the club is still losing £1.2m each month.

[Stranded]

Interview here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0h753jn

8 parties, whose call you would return, have shown interest. Howe and team collating proposals and he is using his contacts at the EFL to do pre-checks where possible i.e. has person X spoken to you about buying a club before, any issues etc? EFL seem to be being helpful there.

Suggestions that Dai has only recently shifted his mindset to be focused on sale - Howe believes that Dai wants to sell everything.

Hopeful, note only hopeful, that they will whittle down the offers to a couple of solid ones within a couple of weeks to allow Dai to make a decision. From that point, expects it to take a couple of months. Feels like the target is end of season, given we are only 3 months away now.

Howe making it clear repeatedly he is only working on the deal and has nothing to do with the day to day running of the club.

Clarified again that the EFL speaking to him/the club almost daily to ensure the person/bid put forward not only passed the tests but has money readily available and allocated to Reading.

So in short, Dai hasn't really been trying to sell but would have done if someone had offered silly money - his mindset has recently changed and now wants rid by selling everything. No intent/expectation that the club will go into admin whilst the process moves on.

Some positive, some not so soundbites but overall sounds like, for the first time, there is a serious sale process underway.

[WestYorksRoyal]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68098594

Nigel Howe suggesting any takeover won't happen for a couple of months ('mid-March at the earliest'). Apparently, up to eight parties are interested in the club, but Mike Ashley hasn't followed up on his earlier interest.

The article suggests the club is still losing £1.2m each month.

In terms of timing, it has always been the case that once a preferred buyer is forced it will take a couple of months. What we want to watch out for is exclusivity which is Dai agreeing to a deal in principle and the buyer working through detailed due diligence and ratification. The club have agreed to communicate "substantive developments" so we should know at this point, though I expect they will not name the party.

Howe discussed his "hope" of sharing interested parties and bids with Dai in a couple of weeks. So we should see an update in February, otherwise we're back in the shit.

[Sutekh]

Tim has his show at 6pm tonight so hopefully might be a bit more.

Timescales pretty much as I was expecting, should be plenty of time to check through all 8 interested parties, and any bids, to ensure whatever buyers/bids are put on the final table is as kocher as they can be. Good that Dai SEEMS to want to sell everything which will hopefully mean the club and stadium can be put back together again. Let's hope he doesn't change things halfway through.

PS - shouldn't this thread be sticky too?

[Stranded]

Howe also clarified that the club and training ground are owned by one company, the stadium by another and the car parks around the ground by a third.

[Clyde1998]

Howe also clarified that the club and training ground are owned by one company, the stadium by another and the car parks around the ground by a third.

That's important to have clarity on. I believe the training ground is owned by a company that's a subsidiary of the football club - like the women's team. The car parks are probably owned by the property company which the club owns part of (25%?) and the stadium is owned by Dai or another of Dai's companies.

[Stranded]

Howe also clarified that the club and training ground are owned by one company, the stadium by another and the car parks around the ground by a third.

That's important to have clarity on. I believe the training ground is owned by a company that's a subsidiary of the football club - like the women's team. The car parks are probably owned by the property company which the club owns part of (25%?) and the stadium is owned by Dai or another of Dai's companies.

That is correct. Training ground is owned by RFC Bearwood Ltd which is 100% owned by The Reading Football Club Limited.