Client stories
A new chapter for Reading FC following its sale
Overview
About Reading FC
Reading Football Club is a historic professional football club with a 153-year history, and a deep connection to its local community.
The club, known as the Royals, plays at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and operates from Bearwood Park Training Ground.
Opportunity
Securing the future of Reading FC
Renhe Sports Management Co Ltd sought to complete the sale of Reading FC to Redwood Holdings Limited for an undisclosed fee.
The transaction included Reading FC, the Select Car Leasing Stadium, and Bearwood Park Training Ground, helping to protect the future of one of the community’s most important sporting institutions.
What We Did
Supporting the sale of Reading FC
We acted on behalf of Renhe Sports Management Co to guide the transaction toward a swift and successful conclusion.
The transaction was led by Corporate Partner Karen Procter, with support from Corporate specialists John Riddick, Ryan Tweedale, Natalie McCann and Matt Hitchen, alongside drawing on cross-disciplinary expertise from Rachel Mcrolly in Real Estate, Jonathan Edwards in Banking, and Kath Livingston and Matt Ross in Dispute Resolution.
Impact
Securing Reading FC’s future under fresh new ownership
Bringing an eight-year period of ownership by Renhe Sports Management Co Ltd to a close, the sale marks a new chapter in the 153-year history of Reading FC. This transaction serves to secure the club’s long-term future under the fresh new ownership of Redwood Holdings Limited.
The transaction also highlighted Knights’ ability to bring together specialist expertise across corporate, real estate, banking and dispute resolution to deliver complex sports sector transactions at pace.
Reflections from Reading FC
Commenting on the transaction, a spokesperson at Reading FC said:
“The club would like to thank our advisors at Knights for their diligent hard work and guidance throughout the acquisition process.
“Knights, like all third parties who advised on the transaction, have played an important part in helping to preserve the future of Reading FC.”
Reflections from Knights:
Reflecting on the deal, Corporate Partner Karen Procter shared:
“It was a pleasure to assist on the sale of Reading FC and play a small part in securing the future of this iconic football club.
“Throughout this process it’s been clear that Reading FC is a massive part of the local community, and I’m delighted for all parties concerned to have completed on the takeover.
“I’d like to thank the management team at the club for their constant co-operation and resilience in working to complete the transaction at the same time as managing the day-to-day operations and would like to wish the new owners all the best for the future.”
Corporate Partner John Riddick added:
“Reading FC has a rich history and has a deep connection to the town and its fans, and it’s been a privilege to help the club begin this chapter under new ownership.
“Being based in Reading, I understood the importance of this takeover to the fans and the community, and it’s a testament to the breadth of expertise across our team at Knights that we’ve been able to work with pace as one team to achieve this goal.”
Key results, in review:
- Completed the sale of Reading FC to Redwood Holdings Limited.
- Secured the long-term future of a football club with a 153-year history.
- Included the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park Training Ground in the transaction.
- Brought an eight-year period of ownership by Renhe Sports Management Co Ltd to a close.
- Showcased Knights’ national-scale, multidisciplinary support across corporate, real estate, banking and dispute resolution.
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