After 399 weeks – or 2,793 days – of 100% ownership of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, the Trust have today completed the transaction which sees Rob Couhig (via his company Feliciana EFL Ltd) become a majority shareholder, acquiring 75% of the club.
A full press release can be found below, and we will write to members in the near future with clarification of the wider implications including the lifting of charges on the stadium and the removal of all club debt.
Trevor Stroud will be standing down as chairman of the Trust – remaining on the football club board – and it is an honour for me to be stepping up as the new Trust chairman with immediate effect.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Trevor for all he has contributed to both the club and Trust over the past seven-and-a-half years, and for successfully steering the club into the hands of a trusted, ambitious and skilled businessman in Rob Couhig.
We wish Rob and his team every success as the new custodians of the football club, and offer our full support on every step of the way.
Regards,
Nigel Kingston
Press release
Rob Couhig is the new majority shareholder of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, after his company Feliciana EFL Ltd completed their purchase of 75% of the club from Wycombe Wanderers Trust earlier today.
The deal has now been ratified by all parties, including Frank Adams Legacy Limited – a subsidiary of the Trust which owns the Adams Park Stadium – and the EFL.
The American businessman, lawyer and sports team owner earned approval for the acquisition in November, when 95% of eligible voting Trust members pledged their support for the takeover, which now sees Mr Couhig, his wife Missy and nephew Pete join the board of directors.
Rob Couhig becomes Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the club, with Pete Couhig serving as Chief Financial Officer. Former Chairman Trevor Stroud remains on the board, along with David Cook, as two Trust-nominated appointees, with the Trust retaining 25% ownership.
“This is a exciting day for us” Rob said, “and hopefully an exciting one for everyone at Wycombe Wanderers. My belief is that there is a real opportunity for future success and prosperity for the football club on and off the pitch. The Worldwide Wycombe Wanderers Phenomenon will continue to grow and the club will become financially sustainable as it continues to bring ever higher success on the pitch.
“I have developed a real affection for the club, its supporters, both full-time and part-time staff, and the town in the eight months that I have been involved with the Wanderers. I have been impressed with the work of the Trust in sustaining the club and bringing it forward to its current position over the past eight years. A huge amount of credit goes to the Trust directors, particularly Trevor Stroud, who have all dedicated immeasurable time and effort to the cause.
“We will continue to work closely with the Trust and the fans as we move forward together. We have plans which we believe will support the on-field ambitions of Gareth Ainsworth and his first-class staff and players, and also attract more and more visitors to Adams Park, both through the turnstiles and on a commercial level too.
“We cannot wait to get started, and thank the members of Wycombe Wanderers Trust for this opportunity.”
Trevor Stroud said: “Today is the day that we pass the baton to Rob Couhig, as the new majority shareholder of Wycombe Wanderers, and thank him for the commitment he has shown to the club ever since accepting our call in June to support the club financially and operationally. Without his contribution at the time, we were facing an extremely precarious position and I don’t believe the club would be in the position it is now had Rob not come forward.
“In the months that have passed, we have welcomed Rob and his team into the Wycombe family, and admired the improvements they have made both to the matchday experience at Adams Park, and to the overall culture of the club. I have no doubt that Rob, Missy and Pete will be excellent custodians and look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.
“The Trust are extremely proud of its work since acquiring ownership in extremely testing circumstances, and I would like to thank everyone who has served on the board, joined the Trust as a member, volunteered their time, contributed financially and helped the club overcome those challenges and develop both on and off the pitch.
“I believe the future of the club looks extremely positive, and call on all of the supporters to unite behind Rob and his team, plus Gareth and his staff and players, as we move towards an exciting end to the current season.
“Rob, we wish you every success, and now let’s see what we achieve together. In your own words, yeah, we’re all Wanderers.”
ENDS
