NEW joint managers Andy Findlay and Rob Creech are determined to turn Highmoor Ibis into a football club Reading can be proud of, writes Dave Wright.

In fact, they “guarantee” the Hellenic League outfit will be turning over a new leaf and “it will become a different club from last season.”

The pair’s appointment was confirmed at the weekend with chairman Martin Law expressing his confidence by giving them a three-year term of office.

They looked on as Highmoor Ibis were beaten 5-3 by Wantage Town in the final of the Reading Invitation Senior Cup at Madejski Stadium last Friday – the same day as the Scours Lane club learned they would be staying in the Premier Division despite finishing in the relegation zone.

Findlay and Creech were previously reserve team managers with Bracknell Town, but found themselves jobless when the club withdrew their side from the Suburban League.

In a joint statement, they said: “We are aware of the size of the job we have taken on. For too long Reading has not had a semi-professional club that reflects the size of the town.

“Our aim immediately is to implement a structure within the club for the senior section.

This will include a high level of organisation to create the right environment to try and take the club eventually to a higher level, a playing philosophy for all senior teams and introduce a pathway for younger players in Reading to transition from youth to senior football.

“At present, too many players who live in Reading are going outside of the town to play their senior football, we want to create a club they want to be part of.”

Charles Stallard, who has been involved with a number of local clubs, has been made their goalkeepers’ coach and other back-room appointments will be made shortly.

Impressed by what they had achieved in recent months, Highmoor could well find new roles at the club for their previous joint managers, with Declan Jacob rejoining their successful youth set-up and Anthony Mooney assisting another of their teams.

Findlay and Creech also plan to strengthen their playing squad and several players have already expressed an interest in joining the club.

They added: “All of the existing squad will be invited to be part of our plans as there are already some talented players at the club.

“We will be looking to create a senior squad of 36 players to challenge for selection for our first and reserve teams.”

Their statement concluded: “We would like to thank the board who have given us tremendous backing and a commitment to allow us to deal with all senior section football matters.”