Rob Couhig - New Interview

[Reading4eva]

Here we go all, lots of questions answered by the man himself - academy, finances and loads more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9ibNFVZwis

[Royals and Racers]

Thank you - excellent watch.

[Reading4eva]

Thank you - excellent watch.

Thank you mate

[rfc8]

Debt taken over, think c £90m, maybe a bit more
Assume shares were c £0
Mentioned some tidying up and possible new partner
Maybe some debt converted into shares
Or possible new shares, new partner
Otherwise debt sits on their books until club sold
No external debts
Deal was club, stadium, training ground
Sounds like 'stadium' excludes surrounding land
And hotel excluded

Doubtless some of this will be clearer in due course...

[Royal Rother]

Very good. Well done.

Succinct and good questions, no interruptions, allowed for clear answers.

[Sutekh]

Really good interview, also seem to have beaten all the local media to everything again (god, just what is the point in Tim or the Chronicle)?

So, anyway, there’s Dogwood Football LLC which is the parent company and owns all other related companies. Apparently named for the type of tree outside Rob’s home.

Under Dogwood is Redwood Holdings 1 which owns the club itself and Bearwood (the training ground) and
Redwood Stadium, which is a British Virgin Island company (easiest way to handle the initial sale), and is the “owner” of the SCL stadium.
Finally there is a third company called Redwood Investments which “owns” all the debt owed to the owners (ie Rob and Todd etc.)

Accountants and lawyers are currently in the club going through everything at their leisure and setting up new and transparent systems, while working out the most efficient approach to the company structure and related payments. So guess there might be further changes to these arrangements if needed.

Also may well bring other investors into the club. Says the English league system is of real interest to soccer lovers in the US and might be able to exploit that in some way.

[Sutekh]

Very good. Well done.

Succinct and good questions, no interruptions, allowed for clear answers.

R4eva won’t be getting a gig in the mainstream media anytime soon then.

[Royal Rother]

Very good. Well done.

Succinct and good questions, no interruptions, allowed for clear answers.

R4eva won’t be getting a gig in the mainstream media anytime soon then.

Indeed!!

[Reading4eva]

Very good. Well done.

Succinct and good questions, no interruptions, allowed for clear answers.

R4eva won’t be getting a gig in the mainstream media anytime soon then.

Indeed!!

Would happily do it if asked

[Brogue]

R4eva won’t be getting a gig in the mainstream media anytime soon then.

Indeed!!

Would happily do it if asked

The Evening Post are looking for reporters.

[Forbury Lion]

Apparently he only gives interviews to the AFC Bournemouth Fans Channel because his hobnob account hasn't yet been approved, despite registering as a new user a year ago when he first showed interest. This is 100% true unless a lawyer reads this, in which case it is 0% true.

[Reading4eva]

Indeed!!

Would happily do it if asked

The Evening Post are looking for reporters.

I might struggle to get the job there. I applied but for some reason didn't get a reply Huang. Any reporting roles with the Bangkok Times up for grabs?

[Brogue]

Would happily do it if asked

The Evening Post are looking for reporters.

I might struggle to get the job there. I applied but for some reason didn't get a reply Huang. Any reporting roles with the Bangkok Times up for grabs?

well my pseudonym "Nobby Piles" has had loads of articles published on there. I will pm you with details if you're serious.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/2898 ... e-royal-ly

https://search.bangkokpost.com/search/r ... obby+Piles

[Mr Angry]

Really good interview, also seem to have beaten all the local media to everything again (god, just what is the point in Tim or the Chronicle)?

So, anyway, there’s Dogwood Football LLC which is the parent company and owns all other related companies. Apparently named for the type of tree outside Rob’s home.

The Dogwood is both a flower and a tree, and is both the State flower and tree of Virginia. It is also the State tree of Missouri and also the state flower of North Carolina.

[Reading4eva]

Really good interview, also seem to have beaten all the local media to everything again (god, just what is the point in Tim or the Chronicle)?

So, anyway, there’s Dogwood Football LLC which is the parent company and owns all other related companies. Apparently named for the type of tree outside Rob’s home.

The Dogwood is both a flower and a tree, and is both the State flower and tree of Virginia. It is also the State tree of Missouri and also the state flower of North Carolina.

I actually didn't know that until he told me. I presumed it was because of Bearwood and Rob's love of his dog.

[rabidbee]

Has he also spoken to the Guardian, or have they lifted quotes from your interview?

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... SApp_Other

[Meatwad]

Succinct responses but full of meaning as well. Couhig is doing all the right things so far and hopefully that continues. I also agree with when he said their is potential for outside investment. We are a good proposition for someone with deep pockets: Big fanbase, good stadium, former Premier League member,academy, etc.

[Reading4eva]

Has he also spoken to the Guardian, or have they lifted quotes from your interview?

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... SApp_Other

I'd say there is some pulled from my interview and some pulled from previous interviews with other sources. But who knows, Rob is consistent in his language and approach so therefore he could have done. I'm not too bothered to be honest if they have to be fair, as long as fans get the info one way or another thats the main thing

[Sutekh]

Really good interview, also seem to have beaten all the local media to everything again (god, just what is the point in Tim or the Chronicle)?

So, anyway, there’s Dogwood Football LLC which is the parent company and owns all other related companies. Apparently named for the type of tree outside Rob’s home.

The Dogwood is both a flower and a tree, and is both the State flower and tree of Virginia. It is also the State tree of Missouri and also the state flower of North Carolina.

Fairly standard US Dogwood (Cornus Florida).



Native American tree with many interesting uses. Fevers can be warded off by chewing twigs; rootbark yields a good scarlet dye; powdered bark can be made into toothpaste or a good black ink (when mixed with iron sulphate).

In the UK most will probably be more familiar with the different coloured bark versions that stand out in the winter



R4Eva should follow up with Rob and get the exact variety.

[blueroyals]

Now those “legal technicalities” make a lot more sense

Completion meant:

Redwood Stadium had to purchase the SCL from Prestige Fortune Asia, a deal requiring specialist counsel in its own right (BVI domiciled company)

Redwood Investments had to purchase c. £200m worth of debt from Renhe Sports Management or its ultimate parent company Great Shine International Ltd (Hong Kong domiciled company) I can’t remember exactly where the debt sat

Redwood Holdings 1 had to purchase the shares for The Reading Football Club Ltd and RFC Bearwood Ltd from the holding company Renhe Sports Management

No doubt there was good reason (probably timings) for structuring the deal like this. I should think there’s value in rationalising the structure and repatriating assets in the years to come to make the club easier to sell in the future.