Following the news that Bracknell Town would be removing their Development Team from the Suburban League Highmoor Ibis have announced that Andy Findlay and Rob Creech will be taking the reigns at the Reading-based club next season on a 3-year deal.
Highmoor Ibis lost the Reading Senior Cup Final 5-3 to Wantage on at Madejski Stadium on Friday evening. Despite the Scours Lane based club finishing in the bottom four of the Hellenic Premier League this season they were spared relegation into Hellenic Division One East. The Hellenic League proposed constitution was released at the end of last week and it included Highmoor Ibis in the Hellenic Premier Division.
Pleased that it has finally been announced that myself and @CreechieRob have been appointed as Joint First Team Managers @highmooribis. We look forward to working with the club and trying to implement our ambitious plans for the future, we will announce further details soon. pic.twitter.com/GYQvGUqu9t
— AndyF (@andyfinders) May 27, 2018
It’s been the worst kept secret but finally been made joint first team manager with @andyfinders at @highmooribis, lots of hard work for us but we are up for the challenge with more announcements around plans and structure to follow #managers
— Rob Creech (@CreechieRob) May 27, 2018
Findlay and Creech has a successful spell at Bracknell Town Development this season with the club finishing in second place behind Flackwell Heath Reserves. Previously to their spell at Bracknell they had been in charge at Henley Town.
Statement
On joining Highmoor, Findlay said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as First Team Managers at Highmoor Ibis.
“We are aware of the size of the job that we have taken on, for too long Reading has not had a Semi Pro 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.
“We have already appointed a management team to assist us and we will announce these appointments in the coming days.
“At present too many players that live in Reading are going outside of the town to play their senior football, we want to create a club that they want to be part of.
“All of the existing squad will be invited to be part of our plans, there are already some talented players at the club, we will then be looking to create a Senior squad of 36 players to challenge for selection for our First and Reserve teams.
“We have already planned a number of preseason games along with a training programme, players wishing to join us will be welcome to attend.
“We would like to thank the Board of Highmoor Ibis who we have had numerous meetings with, they have given us tremendous backing and a commitment to allow us to deal with all Senior section football matters. A tough job but one we are really looking forward to.”
