Reading FC owner Rob Couhig has admitted the club “did not do a good enough job” last season as he reflected on the Royals’ failure to secure a League One play-off place.
In an open letter to supporters, Couhig said everyone at the club had been disappointed by the way the campaign ended after Reading’s promotion challenge faded during the closing weeks of the season.
“Like you, we were disappointed with how last season finished,” he wrote.
“There are reasons why it unfolded as it did, including losing several key players to Championship clubs, coupled with injuries at important moments, but ultimately we simply did not do a good enough job. We know that.”
Reading spent much of the season in contention for a play-off place but fell away during the final stages of the campaign.
Couhig said lessons had been learned and insisted staff across the club were working hard to improve the team ahead of the new season.
“Everyone across the football club is working tirelessly to give Joe Jacobson, Liam Richardson and the football staff everything they need to build a successful team,” he said.
The owner also thanked supporters for their backing, revealing that more than 7,200 season-ticket packages had already been sold ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
According to Couhig, sales are ahead of the same stage of the previous two seasons and leave the club in a strong position to surpass last year’s total before a ball has been kicked.
He described supporter commitment as “incredibly important” and said fan backing would play a major role in helping the club compete for promotion.
Couhig added that despite the disappointment of last season, he remained confident Reading were moving in the right direction.
The Royals are expected to begin pre-season preparations next month as they look to mount a challenge near the top of League One.
