A NEW era of football in the Reading area kicked-off this week.

With Highmoor Ibis having been given the boot, it’s a big welcome to Reading City.

And, wow, what a start – 5-1 winners at Shrivenham last Saturday followed up by a 4-0 victory over Abingdon United on Monday evening.

Admittedly, they are not the toughest of Hellenic League opponents, but the slick way City went about their business has still to be much admired and a sign they may be good enough to compete with the best.

Equally impressive as the team’s performance was the attendance at Scours Lane, just a few short of 250. Highmoor’s gates last season were closer to 25.

The interest followed a lot of trumpet blowing by the club in recent weeks, but it could also be an indication that there is a need for a senior non-league club in Reading.

City’s joint team manager Andy Findlay told me: “We have been trying to connect with the community massively.

“We are very grateful to everyone who came down on Monday, as a decent crowd makes a heck of a difference to the lads on the pitch. We hope the fans will come back.”

Rob Creech, the other manager, added: “We have said it time and time again, Reading over the years has never had a big non-league club, that is what we are looking to do.

“It is going to be a slow process, but we are looking to grow and get a good non-league club in Reading and stop the excellent players who live in and around the town going elsewhere to play.”

The two new incumbents at Rivermoor Stadium are aiming to connect the senior side of the club with the junior section, saying: “We are trying to get everyone at the club pulling together. We plan to have some of our youngsters as mascots for our FA Cup tie on Saturday.”

Creech added: “The Reading area is massive with so much potential and our aim is to make this club one that all local football fans can be proud of and will want to support.”