NEW team managers and now a new name, writes Dave Wright.

It’s goodbye to Highmoor Ibis and hello to Reading City.

The Scours Lane-based Hellenic League club have ended a long chapter of success and setbacks by re-launching themselves with the intent of becoming a non-league club the whole town can be proud to be associated with.

Chairman Martin Law said: “I have been looking to move the club forward to become the club everybody under Reading FC wants to aspire to play for and be involved in.”

He had appeared to resist changing the name in the past, but now admits: “With every organisation you have to have commercial branding associated with your location and so from this moment on Highmoor Ibis has formally become incorporated into the new club.”

He revealed his club had been working towards the change for some time, adding: “Since making additions to the board over the last 18 months, we have taken this challenge up and made some leaps in the right direction.”

Law continued: “This has not been easy for Chris (Gallimore) and myself who between us have over 50 years involvement, playing managing and administrating, but we both know this is the right avenue for the club to take.”

Secretary Gallimore commented: “The amount of work every single person has put in has been amazing and worth it.

“I know there have been upsets on the way and there will be more, but we have a product and brand we should all be proud of.”

The pair’s involvement together started back in the 1980s when, with the club close to extinction, Gallimore took charge of Highmoor FC and appointed Law as first-team manager.

As the club made progress, they outgrew the village ground and in 2003 merged with Ibis FC based in Scours Lane.

For a time the first team played at Palmer Park, but in 2016 they took ownership of the ground which was formerly the home of Reading Town.

In recent years Highmoor earned a bad reputation with players continually running into disciplinary problems on the pitch and offering poor facilities, but the club worked hard during these times to improve the image and this will be continued by Andy Findlay and Rob Creech, who were recently appointed joint managers.

Off the field, the pair have already started work. The old unused building next to the changing rooms is being refurbished to create a new physio room, players meeting and relaxation area and manager’s office, while the changing rooms are being upgraded and redecorated to produce a better environment for players, visiting teams and match officials.

This coming Saturday, starting at 9am, the club are looking for volunteers to give the whole ground a complete overhaul.

“There are many jobs to be done, so any help would be appreciated. Painters and carpet layers will be particularly welcome,” said Law. “Refreshments will be available and we will be showing the France versus Australia World Cup match on our large TV screen from 11am.”

In the meantime, Findlay and Creech are continuing to speak to players, including prospective new signings.

They have also appointed Deano Jones to oversee the development of young players. A former Highmoor senior player, he has guided the club’s Under 13 team through to U15 level, winning three titles and two cups in the process.

Jones will be assisted Gary Lambourne. Joining them will be Simon Johnson, whose company, Community Coaching Scheme, currently delivers the youth coaching and playing strategy. There will be further announcements to follow.