Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division club Highmoor Ibis have announced a surprise change on twitter on Saturday morning.
Chairman Martin Laws confirmed on Twitter that Highmoor had officially changed its name to reflect its location in Reading.
The statement reads: As from midnight last night Highmoor Ibis has become READING CITY FC, a name that truly reflects the area that we are based in and is the start of a new era. Very exciting times ahead.
For several years as chairman I have been looking to move the club forward to become the club that everybody under Reading FC wants to aspire to play for and be involved in.
Read more: Andy Findlay on the changes coming at Highmoor
The additions to the board over the last 18 months have taken this challenge up and have made some leaps in the right direction. However with every organisation you have to have commercial branding associated with your location and so from this moment on Highmoor –IBIS FC has formally become incorporated into the new club.
Reading City FC
This has not been easy for Chris and myself who between us have over 50 years involvement, playing managing and administrating, but we both know this is right avenue for the club to take
Please join us in welcoming Reading City FC to the town.
Highmoor recently appointed former Bracknell Town development team managers Andy Findlay and Rob Creech as first team managers.
Club secretary Chris Gallimore said of the change: “What a massive day and one we will look back on when we overtake Reading FC! The amount of work that 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 that we should all be proud of. I’m off to Italy now to spread the word and see if I can fix up a friendly somewhere! Andy and Rob excellent start and people are so positive already, Lawsy have a brandy and be very proud, long way since the cowshed up in Highmoor.”
Main image: Former Highmoor captain Harrison Bayley by Neil Graham.
