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      Reading takeover finally COMPLETED as crisis club release statement after being saved from brink of going bust

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      THE takeover of Reading FC has officially been completed.Redwood Holdings Limited have finally put pen to paper on a deal that sees them acquire 100 per cent of the League One club.The takeover of Reading has finally been completedCredit: GettyAs a result, Rob Couhig – the owner of the company – will become chairman.Co-owner Todd Trosclair has joined the board with immediate effect.A statement read: “The Club are pleased to announce that Redwood Holdings Limited – a subsidiary company of Dogwood LLC, owned by Rob Couhig and Todd Trosclair of New Orleans, Louisiana – has completed the acquisition of 100% of the shareholding in Reading Football Club.”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.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Both Couhig and Trosclair will join the club’s board with immediate effect, with Rob Couhig being named as Chairman.”It concluded: “Redwood is ambitious and dedicated towards the club returning to its rightful place within the English football pyramid, while adhering to clear principles of honesty, transparency, and financial sustainability.”Further communication from Redwood will follow in due course.”Reading were on the verge of going bust before the takeover was confirmed.Most read in EFLFormer owner Dai Yongge purchased a 75 per cent stake in the club eight years ago but quickly became responsible for a series of financial issues.As a result, the Royals were hit with several points deductions and suffered relegation from the Championship in 2023.Reading fans take to the pitch to protest against owner Dai YonggeThe drop to League One prompted Dai to put Reading up for sale.Couhig expressed an interest in taking over earlier this year.By the time it was completed, the club had been up for sale for over 600 days. More

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      EFL club in major stadium update amid ambitious plans to nearly DOUBLE capacity

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      EFL club Stockport County have announced plans to expand their stadium.The plans were first made public in 2022 and the club have since undergone a consultation period with the local community.Stockport County have announced plans to expand Edgeley ParkCredit: Stockport CountyThe Railway End will be converted to seatsCredit: Stockport county FCThe capacity of the ground will increase from 10,852 to around 18,000Credit: Stockport county FCStockport will work on three stands in multiple phasesCredit: Stockport county FCThe South Stand, right, could increase in size to sit 5,500 fansCredit: Stockport county FCNow the League One side have unveiled projected images of what the upgraded Edgeley Park could look like.Stockport want to increase the capacity of the ground from 10,852 to around 18,000.The revamp will see an initial 600 seats added to the North Stand, with the Railway End behind the goal to be increased from a capacity of 1366 to around 4500.Work on the two stands could begin this year, while the South Stand could be developed later to sit 5,500 fans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNew hospitality, food and beverage facilities will also be built as part of the expansion.Once that work is completed, the western side of the North Stand could be expanded to fit in an additional 600 seats.Plans for the new Edgeley Park aim to improve accessibility for disabled supporters and make the stadium more environmentally friendly.Stockport plan to produce a true community stadium with “access to a wide range of spaces” for locals.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSNon-executive chairman at Stockport County Ken Knott said: “We are delighted to be bringing forward plans for the expansion and enhancement of Edgeley Park to create a true community stadium.”We know just how much the ground means to the fans and local community, it has been at the beating heart of Stockport for over 120 years. ‘You f***ing clown’ – Mick McCarthy reveals team-mate lost it with him after awkward communication blunder”Ultimately, we want to ensure that the stadium matches our level of ambition so it can continue to provide a first-rate home for the Club and the local community for many years to come.”Following our first round of consultation in 2022, we took our time to review and reflect upon the feedback we received, and we have developed our plans accordingly. “We want to ensure our plans for Edgeley Park provide our fans with the best possible matchday experience, whilst also remaining sensitive to our neighbours and providing the people of Stockport with a range of high-quality new community spaces.”This is a very exciting time for the club as we continue to go from strength to strength, both on and off the field. “We have outlined our ambition to reach the Championship, and we have already taken great strides towards reaching this goal over the past two seasons. “Ultimately, we believe that the expansion and enhancement of Edgeley Park is crucial in order to support the continued growth of the club and provide a platform for further success.” More

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      ‘The situation is grim’ – Iconic EFL club facing financial oblivion after major issues ‘effectively shut us down’

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      ACCRINGTON STANLEY have confirmed they are facing a “grim” future amid serious financial problems.Stanley finished the season 21st in League Two – just two places above relegation.Accrington Stanley confirmed they are facing a “grim” futureAccrington Stanley are dealing with a dire financial situationBut even though Accrington remained in the EFL, they are still facing some dire economic issues that forced them to close their academy last week.The club also lost its stadium’s live music licence – except on matchdays due to repeated noise complaints.Now the Reds’ chief executive Warren Eastham has issued a serious warning about the cub’s situation and accused the council of providing nothing but “empty words of support”.This comes after Stanley owner Andy Holt announced he would be stepping down last month.Read More on FootballHolt also accused the authority of a “vendetta” due to a long-running row over the club’s hospitality suites built in contravention of planning permission.This situation puts the iconic club, who rose prominence thanks to an unforgettable milk advert in 1989, in a situation where they face financial oblivion.Eastham’s statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service read: “Since joining the club in August last year, I have been in ongoing discussions with the council.“I’ve made numerous phone calls, attended meetings, sent emails, and submitted countless support requests to both the council and their officers. Yet, despite all this, nothing meaningful has come of it. Most read in Football“I will, of course, gladly accept the meeting—one I’ve both requested and attended many times before. I’ve done my best to bring reason to the table, but all I’ve received in return are empty words of support.“What we need now is action, not platitudes. I’ve warned repeatedly about the risks of Andrew Holt walking away, and now what do we have – a letter.“I’ve been given a year to make the club sustainable but this cannot be achieved with temporary fixes. We need real, lasting change. This is a club that lost £1 million in the 2023/24 season, a deficit covered entirely by Andrew Holt.“The 2024/25 season was only balanced thanks to the Liverpool FA Cup draw, but that money is now gone and the mounting costs from the summer remain. The situation is grim: the academy’s March figures revealed a significant financial loss.’Broken promises’“April shows no improvement, worsened by steep increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage across the club, including the players. Right now, Accrington Stanley has no revenue stream until July.“The ongoing issues with planning, noise abatement, and licensing have effectively shut us down.“Now, with the council’s statement out in the public domain, I truly hope this marks the beginning of meaningful collaboration to safeguard the future of this fantastic club.“Let me be clear: the closure of the academy is down to one thing only – a lack of income and mounting financial losses. Andy’s position is clear: he will fund the club to a £250,000 loss next season, but no further.Read More on The Sun“After years of broken promises and a lack of appreciation for the £6million he has invested in this club over the past decade, he has reached his limit. This club belongs to the town and its fans. I will work tirelessly to ensure its future is secure.“Accrington needs Accrington Stanley, and I am determined to see us through this challenging time.” More

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      Stockport star Corey Addai ready to upset Leyton Orient locals as he heads home for League One play-off first leg

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      COREY Addai hopes to be the local lad done even better after already becoming the one come good, even though it will mean heartache on his doorstep.And the Stockport ‘keeper does not have to look far for the inspiration that has seen him rise from an area where he could easily have taken the wrong path in life.Hackney-born Stockport star Addai is heading home to East London for the play-offCredit: AlamyTo say the 6ft 8ins stopper is on familiar turf at Leyton Orient is underplaying it – his parents live just two-and-a-half miles away in Hackney and big mate Thomas Jordan is an Os supporter.Listen to many and that borough is a write-off – rough, crime-ridden, a place where no-one prospers.But Addai is a firm believer in ‘life is what you make of it’ and the tattoo on his arm of Martin Luther King’s ‘ultimate measure of a man’ speech makes sure he does not waver.He said, while giving door-to-door directions from Leyton Orient to home: “It’s not who you are in a convenient situation, it’s who you are in controversy. That’s the real you. It’s on my arm and I live and die by that quote.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Can you be the same person? It’s about humility and being kind and caring for yourself and other people. If you can give when you have nothing, that tells the kind of person you are.“Being a young black boy from London, you come across a lot of situations and things you see.MOST READ IN LEAGUE ONE“I could say so much about growing up in London and what I’ve seen but I’m now in a position where I don’t have to see that anymore.“At the start of the season, we did a thing called ‘Six Pitches’ about why you play football – I put the London Borough of Hackney because I don’t want people to view where I come from as this bad place.Most read in Football“Google Hackney and it’ll say, ‘the worst place, the top five worst places to llve in London.’ That’s not what Hackney is, it’s my home and I want to represent it in the best possible way.“Also, my mates and family and say, ‘This is what we are. This is what we can achieve when things are done right.“’Live the right way. Do the right things. Work hard.’’ Ultimately, that’s what’s got me into this position. ‘You’ve got a chance to get out of here, so go and do it.’ That’s what I represent.Addai has Martin Luther-King’s ‘ultimate measure of a man’ speech tattooed on his armCredit: GARY CARTER“But what do I do to have humility, do the right things and see good in people? That’s how I want to live my life.”Addai is the biggest thing in Orient’s way in this play-off semi-final and is used to success after being part of Crawley’s League Two triumph last season.Life at Stockport started shakily for the 27-year-old as he found himself dropped for Ben Hinchliffe before the latter’s injury saw him back in and prospering.But given the calibre of team-mate he had in Arsenal’s junior ranks, it is little surprise to see him doing well.He can then maybe attempt to emulate another of his heroes, Thierry Henry.Addai was part of Crawley’s League Two Play-Off triumph last seasonCredit: PAThe Gunners fan told SunSport: “That team was unbelievable. Eberechi Eze played in it – but I can’t remember if he took penalties then like he does now!“He’s the biggest star who’s come through and I still speak to him.“I’m friends with his family. He’s a wonderful human being and I’m so proud to see where he’s got to from where he’s come from.Read More on The Sun“But as an Arsenal fan, Thierry Henry is the best player the Premier League’s ever seen and how he conducts himself now makes him someone you aspire to be like.“If someone goes the season unbeaten, they can have words with me. Until then, I don’t want to hear anything!” More

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      Wrexham stars jet to Las Vegas AGAIN as they continue promotion tradition bankrolled by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

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      WREXHAM players have jetted off to Las Vegas for the third year running after once again winning promotion.The Red Dragons secured second place in League One by thrashing Charlton 3-0 at the Racecourse.James McClean is excited to return to Las Vegas with his team-matesThe Wrexham squad are heading to Sin City for the third year in a rowWrexham finished second in League One to secure promotionOwners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have funded the trip in previous yearsCredit: PAWrexham’s visit to Vegas is now a promotion traditionThey ended up on 92 points to reach the Championship – a record third consecutive promotion.Now the squad has flown out to Las Vegas, continuing their tradition of visiting Sin City after bagging promotion.Hollywood’s A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have funded the excursion in recent years and look set to do so again.Several stars shared snaps from the plane and they appeared in a party mood.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFormer Premier League ace James McClean posed for a photo alongside Paul Mullin, with Sam Smith, Andy Cannon and George Evans also featuring.McClean captioned the post: “Vegas again, ole ole ole.”(Be s***e to be in the play offs right now).”George Dobson, Ollie Palmer and League One team of the year member Ryan Barnett also posed for pics.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”Viva Las Vegas”, read another caption as the Wrexham heroes prepare for another promotion party.Reynolds, 48, is reportedly splashing out £500,000 to send the squad to Vegas.Wrexham stars get raunchy dance lesson from Channing Tatum in brilliant Super Bowl advertLast year the owners put on a “monster” all expenses paid trip that saw the players stay at a fancy hotel overlooking the strip.The squad also chilled out poolside with bikini-clad girls, dined at the exclusive Hakkasan restaurant and partied in Sin City for FOUR days straight.They were even invited into world-famous DJ Steve Aoki’s booth to celebrate with some music on one evening.The players stayed at a luxury hotelThey enjoyed pool parties as they soaked up the sunCredit: Instagram / @ryanbarnett38Stars hung out with bikini-clad womenCredit: The Mega Agency More

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      Ryan Reynolds and Tom Brady’s secret roles in David Beckham’s Salford takeover revealed as he lays out ambitious plans

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      DAVID BECKHAM has revealed why Tom Brady and Ryan Reynolds inspired him to complete a takeover of League Two side Salford City.The England icon recently joined forces with Gary Neville to finalise a takeover of Salford, having initially held a 10 per cent stake.Gary Neville and David Beckham have completed a takeover of Salford CityCredit: GettyBeckham has admitted he was inspired by Wrexham co-owner Ryan ReynoldsCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe England icon has also been impressed by Tom Brady’s work at BirminghamCredit: ReutersFollowing the departure of majority shareholder Peter Lim last year, several members of Manchester United’s Class of 92 – including Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes – relinquished their ownership, allowing Beckham and Neville to invest further.The duo have since put together a consortium made up of Declan Kelly, founder of US-based advisory firm Consello, and Lord Mervyn Davies, chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association.It also includes four additional businessmen plus an Indian sports technology company.The Athletic has reported that Beckham and Co have invested between £11million and £15m to bolster Salford’s infrastructure and sporting ambitions.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Inter Miami chief has admitted that he was influenced by Wrexham co-owner Reynolds and Birmingham shareholder Brady when making his decision to invest.He said: “We’ve all been inspired by what Ryan Reynolds has been doing at Wrexham and I’m not saying this is why we’re doing it because it’s not”But I’ve spoken to Ryan about it so many times now and he said the feeling around the city, the feeling around the club, is so exceptional. That’s the kind of thing that we want to create.”Tom Wagner and Tom Brady have done an incredible job with Birmingham.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I went to a game a few months back and the atmosphere in the stadium was one of the best I’ve seen for a long time. That’s what we want to create.”We want to create that community, add to the community and fan base we’ve already got — and then lift it.How Wrexham was transformed from crime-ridden hellhole to Welsh Hollywood as locals say ‘next stop’s the Premier League’ “When you see what the Toms are doing, there is investment, there is a plan and it would be the dream to talk about the growth of Salford City.”It’s not only growth on the field, which is what we care most about, but we want success. Because if we’re having success then we’re also having the opportunity to say: ‘Now we we’re going to invest, now we’re going to get a bigger stadium, now we’re going to get a bigger training facility and then it will go on. That is what we’re aiming for.”We’re not going to turn around and say: ‘OK, there’s a bunch of money, we have no plan but we have the money and now we’ll go and get the players’. That’s not how we work in business. It has to be sustainable.”It has to be a real plan around the club because we want to be taken seriously on the field, firstly, and then on the business side. We don’t want to look stupid or make the mistakes that others have in the past.”Beckham also said: “I will be over every big decision that’s made and every little decision that’s made.”That’s what my commitment is to Gary. It’s what my commitment is to the club.”We’re definitely not doing it for a laugh and it’s also not for the romantic side of things. Yes, we care about the club — but we’re doing it to win. We want Salford to be successful and we have had success, but then we want it to go on to the next level.”I always dream big so I’m always going to want us to get to the pinnacle of football and be in the Premier League. But there’s a lot of hard work and a lot of investment to be done up until that point.”The Championship is a league that we want to get in but it’s step by step. We want success very quickly but these things take time.”There’s a reason why we’re not going to be going up this year. So what is that reason? How do we solve it? And what do we need to put around the team, the manager and the club to ensure we have that success?”But if we can do that, fast forward it and be up in the Championship, that’s what the dream would be.”The new consortium will not take on active daily roles within the club.Read More on The SunInstead, a new chief executive will likely be appointed.Butt, Giggs, Scholes and Phil Neville are expected to stay on in other non-stakeholder roles at Moor Lane. More

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      ‘Celebrating with someone’s nan’s dinner plate’ – Bradford trolled over trophy for finishing third in League Two

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      BRADF0RD CITY sealed a remarkable final-day promotion last weekend, but they have found themselves on the end of social media ridicule for their ‘trophy’ lift.The Bantams sealed promotion back to League One with a 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town on the last day of the campaign. Rival fans joked about the size of Bradford’s silverwareCredit: RexRichie Smallwood and Andy Cook celebrate Bradford’s promotionBradford are looking forward to League One football next seasonThey pipped Walsall to third spot, with the Saddlers needing to better the Yorkshire outfit’s result to have any chance of going up automatically.However, Graham Alexander’s men emerged victorious in the dying embers, with Antoni Sarcevic’s 96th-minute winner sending them up and Valley Parade into raptures. Bradford join champions Doncaster Rovers and Port Vale in League One next term. They will be joined by one of Walsall, AFC Wimbledon, Notts County, and Chesterfield, who make up the play-off contenders. Read more FootballDespite the sheer delirium that washed across the city, fans on social media decided to poke fun at the “trophy” the Bantams were given to celebrate their third place finish.One Doncaster fan tweeted: “Congrats #BCAFC after all the banter I’d much rather have you in league 1 than Walsall. “Great scenes. Not sure why you’re celebrating with someone’s nan’s dinner plate though”.A Port Vale supporter wrote: “Celebrating a season and a job well done, you’re trying to banter a 2nd place trophy in a season where Bradford got someone’s nan’s plate for coming 3rd.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAnother said: “Bradford City won a dog bowl trophy.”Andy Cook, the longest-serving player in the Bradford squad, sported a personalised shirt with his face on at the promotion parade.Bradford v Tranmere delayed after medical emergency in crowd with visitors’ keeper raising alarm (1)Cook, who scored 12 goals this season, said that going up “means everything” as the players and a sea of Bantams fans celebrated in Centenary Square in the city.Bradford have spent six season in the basement division – a far cry from their Premier League glory days of the early 2000s.It is the first time the Yorkshire side have achieved automatic promotion since 1999 – when a 3-2 win away at Wolves saw them reach the promised land of the top flight.But the 24 years that followed have been populated with despair and relegations.Fans flood the Valley Parade pitch as Bradford finally returned to League One More

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      From Man Utd to Mansfield… where it all went wrong for Luton as they’re relegated twice and end up in League One

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      LUTON TOWN have been relegated AGAIN just 12 months on from their Premier League survival fight.The Hatters finished just six points behind Nottingham Forest last season, with the Tricky Trees now chasing Champions League football under Nuno Espirito Santo.Luton Town have been relegated to League OneCredit: RexThe Hatters’ relegation was confirmed last weekendCredit: GettyLuton failed to ditch their losing habit from last seasonCredit: Prime MediaMatt Bloomfield arrived in January but could not keep Luton upCredit: GettyUnfortunately for the Kenilworth Road faithful, Luton just could not shake off the habit of losing.Under former boss Rob Edwards, who guided Town to the Premier League, Luton collected just six points from their last 16 matches of the 2023-24 campaign.If fans had the impression that the Championship would be easier, they were plunged back down to earth with a cruel bump when they lost 4-1 at home to Burnley on the opening day last August.The Clarets would bounce back to the top flight at the first time of asking, the Hatters would not.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChastening defeats at Preston, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield United and Coventry City followed their opening day disappointment.While their 5-1 battering at Middlesbrough prompted boss Edwards to admit that he felt “numb” to the situation.Luton tried to stay faithful to the man that got them up to the Premier League, but finally pulled the trigger in January when their desperate situation became impossible to ignore.In came Matt Bloomfield, ditching a League One promotion charge with Wycombe Wanderers for a relegation dogfight at Luton.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRob Edwards was sacked by Luton in JanuaryCredit: GettyBloomfield won just four of his first 15 games in charge of Wycombe, so a slow start at Luton may not have been totally unpredictable.But the 41-year-old taking nine matches to secure his first Hatters win left his side with an awful lot to do.Rob Edwards reflects on Luton Town’s loss to Queens Park Rangers A late charge did see Luton briefly climb out of the relegation zone.But a 5-3 collapse at West Brom on the final day sealed their fate, condemning the Hatters to relegation.Last summer, Luton lost the likes of Ross Barkley, Chiedozie Ogbene and Andros Townsend, while club stalwart Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu was allowed to go out on loan.Then there was inspirational skipper Tom Lockyer, the centre-back who suffered a second cardiac arrest on the pitch last season.The Wales international has since recovered and been cleared to return, but a slew of injuries have kept him off the pitch this season.His future at Kenilworth Road remains in doubt.Speaking of Luton’s traditional home, so embedded in the community, the Hatters recently announced plans to move into a new 25,000-seater stadium.Despite their relegation, CEO Gary Sweet remains bullish on the prospect.’THAT’S WHO WE ARE’Speaking to The Athletic, Sweet said: “That is what the Premier League has done for us.”What I’ve been saying this week when we’ve announced the contractor to build Power Court (the location of the new ground) is that during the course of this lifetime we’re going to be playing football in that stadium in the Premier League, the Championship, in League One and, most probably, League Two because that’s Luton Town.“That’s who we are, they are the journeys we take, as our history has absolutely proven.”So whether we are League One or Championship next season, it makes really no difference to the specification of that programme, the timeline or delivery of Power Court.”All we do is regroup as a football club and a football team.”In a club statement, chairman David Wilkinson bullishly added: “The in-depth analysis started before relegation was confirmed, as individuals and as a Club, as we set about working harder and more effectively to build on the run of form that, before Saturday’s defeat, had put us in with such a chance of survival.”All we can promise, at this moment, is that we will review, regroup and rebuild. Indeed, this has started. “We must recover the spirit that was so familiar to us on our rise, and we will use this now as a catalyst for a renewed determination and focus to achieve one objective.”Lengthy discussions have already taken place with Matt [Bloomfield] and his staff regarding next season designed to reshape our squad into a proper Luton team we can all be proud to watch next season.Read More on The Sun”No stone will go unturned as we review and prepare for the 2025/26 season, hopefully, with fresh optimism and renewed vigour.”From duelling with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool last season, Luton will have to overcome Mansfield and Burton next term.Luton rallied late on in the season but could not stay upCredit: RexThe Hatters will battle the likes of Mansfield next seasonCredit: Rex More