Ascot v Reading City 280821 v4

A S C O T U N I T E D F C
#WeAreAscot
shooting-stars.co.uk
chris ELLIS / sam EVANS
ASCOT UNITED vs. READING CITY
Sat 28 Aug 2021
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division North
Matchday
Programme
Season
2021/22

twitter.com/AscotUnitedFC
www.ascotunited.net
T H E Y E L L A M E N
Yellow and Blue
Sam Gray (GK)
Alex Sykes (GK)
Calum Ferguson
Chris Ellis
Dan Bailey
Dan Price
Danny Walden
Duarte Surpanu
George Lock
Harry Laflin
Ian Davies
Jonny Denton
Josh Masters
Josh Tarrant
Keaton August
Louis Bouwers
Riccardo Andrady
Rory Merrick
Sam Evans
Sean McCormack
Taylor Morgan
Tom Scott
T H E C I T I Z E N S
Blue and White
Charlie York (GK)
Liam Baker
Eddie Lazarczuk
Johnny Hathaway
Alfie Grant
Michael Butcher
Ellis Cowd
Rhys York
Dan Davis
Lewis Bebb
Leyton Basterfield
Ethan O'Kelly
Josh Baines
Josh Blackwood
Connor Suckling
Joe Wigmore
Mo Davies
Joe Pilling
Jude Van Spall
Josh Blackwood
Will Okine Peters
Max Laschok
Teigan Rosenquest
Tyler D'Cruz
Jemel Johnson
Kai Stubbs-Alleyne
Mitch Parker
Jamie Tompkins
Dan Masters
Jamie Ashdown
Bjorn Dunkley
Steve Quelch
Chad Smith
Matthew
Barrett
Manager
Asst. Manager
GK Coach
Coach
Coach
Therapist
Match Officials
Joe
Wright
Simon Johnson
Michael Butcher
Louie King
Andrew
Beeney
Last Match:
Risborough Rangers
H
Tue 24 Aug
3-2
FAC P R
Next Match: Wokingham/Emmbrook A Tue 31 Aug
COCO

ASCOT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, SL5 7LJ
Chairman: Simon Negus
Club Secretary: Dan Birchmore
Director of Football: Neil Richards
1st Team Manager: Jamie Tompkins
Assistant manager: Dan Masters
Coaches: Bjorn Dunkley, Steve Quelch
Goalkeeping Coach: Jamie Ashdown
Allied U18 Manager: Josh Nice
Therapist: Chad Smith
Sports Psychology: Izzy Woods
Racecourse Facilities Manager: Jo Gavin
Administration Manager: Emma Paton
Clubhouse Catering: Lisa Richards
Reporting, Comms and Programme: Neal Jeffs
Directors:
Doug Page
Mark Cooper
Rob Jones
Mike Harrison
Phil Wray
Zoe Reilly
Chris Day
Ascot United Football Club Limited. Registered in
England and Wales. Registration No. 6883550
Registered Office: Ternion Court, 264-268 Upper Fourth
Street, Central Milton Keynes MK9 1DP.
Affiliated to the Berks & Bucks F.A. No. Q-B&B0165
IN THE CHAIR
with Simon Negus
A warm welcome to Reading City for today's
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties
League Premier Division North fixture.
Welcome to The Racecourse ground for todays
Combined Counties League game and a special
welcome to our visitors from Reading City.
After the euphoria of our FA Cup win on Tuesday
evening, it’s good to get our home league campaign
under way today. The league remains the “bread &
butter” for the season, and whilst a cup run is always
welcomed I know Jamie and the squad are focused on
the next couple of league games before our trip to the
seaside for the next round of the cup.
There were many highlights for me from the game on
Tuesday – firstly the atmosphere created by our fans,
many of them part of our junior membership… they do
get very involved in the game, and is a testament to
the links the First Team have built with the juniors
over the past two seasons. And secondly it was great
to see the winning goal scored by one of our home
grown talents – 17 year old Sam Evans has been at the
club since U5’s and I know him and his family well…
we have a number of players in the first team squad
who have come up through the club, and I hope that’s
maintained going forward.
For those visiting the Racecourse Ground for the first
time in a while will have noticed the improvements we
have made over the close season (all three weeks of
it!)… the outside tented area has been improved giving
an even better space to relax after games or to watch
sport on the big screen. Our Ascot Sports Bar goes
from strength to strength generating funds that we
can reinvest in improving the footballing facilities we
provide to our members. We are now hosting many
private events, so if you’re looking for a very cost
effective venue for your party or corporate event,
please do get in touch to see what we can offer.
Hope you all enjoy the game today…
Simon.

FROM THE DUGOUT
Welcome to the players, officials
and supporters of Reading City.
Enjoy the game!
Jamie Tompkins
First Team Manager
Hello and welcome to Reading City FC players, staff and club committee and to all supporters in
attendance for this afternoons league fixture.
Well, I hope you have recovered from Tuesday nights thriller! A typical cliché of a game of two halves and
the magic of the FA Cup coming to life at the Racecourse Ground!
2-0 down at half-time, we were right up against it and it would be fair to say that the majority of the crowd
thought the tie was over. But we knew if we gave our supporters something to cheer about then there was
always hope and our intensity, desire and quality came through to get us back in the game.
An inspiring moment for any youth player at the game would have seen Sam Evans score the winning, and
his first for the club, goal in the 93rd minute and having been involved with the club since the age of 4, it
again demonstrates how strong our pathway into senior football really is.
There were many notable performances in the second half and all cheered on by another strong crowd of
277 supporters, the atmosphere was fantastic and really made a difference to the team. Thank you.
To today’s game, it is the first time for a few years that we play Reading City and like us, they have a young
talented side with lots of potential so yet again it is a tough test in front of us to earn 3 points.
Thank you to our sponsors, club officials and volunteers for all the fantastic work and ongoing support
towards our football club.
Enjoy the game!
ASCOT UNITED FC MANAGEMENT TEAM: PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:
Dan Masters
Assistant Manager
Jamie Ashdown
Goalkeeping Coach
Bjorn Dunkley
Coach
Steve Quelch
Coach
Stuart Britton
Strength/Condition

W E L C O M E T O T H E C I T I Z E N S
W E L C O M E T O T H E C I T I Z E N S
ON COURSE!
With Programme Editor Neal Jeffs
Welcome to the players, officials and
supporters of Reading City for this Cherry
Red Records Combined Counties League
Premier Division North match.
Happy
reading, and
enjoy the
game! Neal
Welcome back for what is hopefully a match more easy on the old ticker after the
midweek madness against Risborough Rangers – more on that in a minute. I
can’t be here today having finally found a short UK staycation with my family but
I’ll be refreshing twitter every minute or so between 3pm and 5pm! Whilst we
beat one Spartans South Midlands league side at home in the FA Cup on Tuesday
night, Reading did the opposite and lost to Broadfields United (1-3). After an
impressive opening day win against Southall they lost their next two league
games so, like us, will be eager to put points on the board today. Last Tuesday
was an amazing evening. With another 250+ gate, our fourth on the trot, we are
really gaining momentum and the atmosphere in the 2nd half was fantastic. To
battle back like we did and win it at the death was true FA Cup magic and
although we have a long, difficult trip to Hythe Town next weekend I doubt that
will phase anyone.
THAT goal line clearance!!! I
don't think many people in the
ground expected this to be kept
out last Tuesday but Chris Ellis
take a bow. Looks like he took
half the rubber crumb with him
too!
We’ve also got another league game before then, away at Wokingham and
Emmbrook on Tuesday evening, and we just need to take it one game at a time
and keep ourselves fit and well for the tie in Kent. Hythe are one level above us in
the Isthmian League South East, having played just one league game so far
(which they lost), and of course they drew and then won in the FA Cup. Finally, if
you fancy a football fix on Bank Holiday Monday then most of the Combined
Counties League games kick off at 11.30am, including the Windsor v Virginia
Water Stag Meadow derby, and at 3pm it is the Isthmian League derby between
Binfield and Bracknell Town. That’s it from me, see you all soon! Neal

DID YOU KNOW….?
QUIZ TIME!
DAN'S DOODLES
I thought we’d introduce a new column to our
programme this season. A short feature on
footballing events / facts through history and a
little quiz to get the grey matter functioning!
Footballing Event:
“Bryn” the dog credited with saving Torquay United (1987)
During the 1987 - 1988 season Torquay United needed to salvage something from their
last game of the season in order to stay up and to avoid being relegated from the
Football League.
Torquay was 2-0 down, but pulled one back through Jim McNichol just after half-time
from a well taken deflected free-kick. What happened next was something no-one
could have predicted.
As McNichol ran towards the touchline chasing a dying ball, a German Shepherd dog
name Bryn ran onto the field of play out of nowhere and bit the former right-back.
Apparently it is believed that Bryn thought that the defender was running in to attack
his handler, and hence, bit McNichol’s leg. As a result of the injuries sustained the fullback
was down for 5 minutes to receive treatment.
As luck would have it, Paul Dobson then went on to score the equaliser in the final
minute of subsequent added time, which was just enough to keep Torquay up and
ensure that the dog will be forever fondly remembered by all at the club. 17 stitches
and 3 holes on Jim McNichol’s leg was perhaps worth the pain.
1. Which six teams have never been relegated from the English Premier League since its
formation?
2. What year did the Premier League start?
3. Which player holds the record for the most goals in consecutive Premier League games?
4. Who scored the first ‘perfect hat-trick’ (left foot, right foot, and header) in the Premier
League?
5. What player scored four goals in 12 minutes after coming on as a sub versus Nottingham
Forest? ANSWERS ON NEXT PAGE!!!

Quiz time
- answers
RESULTS AND FIXTURES 21/22
Date Opposition
H/A Comp Result Att
Scorers
06-Aug Holyport
H FAC XP 3-0 450 Laflin, Lock, Surpanu
14-Aug Southall
A COCO 0-5 50
17-Aug Tadley Calleva
A COCO 5-1 n/k Laflin 2, Lock, Morgan, Denton
21-Aug Risborough Rangers A FAC P 1-1 175 Laflin
24-Aug Risborough Rangers H FAC P R 3-2 277 Scott, Lock, Evans
28-Aug Reading City
H COCO
31-Aug Wokingham/Emmbrook A COCO
04-Sep Hythe Town
A FAC 1Q
11-Sep Hengrove Athletic
A FAV 1Q
18-Sep Wembley
H COCO
02-Oct Edgware Town
A COCO
09-Oct North Greenford United H COCO
16-Oct Windsor
A COCO
06-Nov Spelthorne Sports
H COCO
13-Nov Hanworth Villa
A COCO
20-Nov St Panteleimon
H COCO
27-Nov CB Hounslow
A COCO
04-Dec Southall
H COCO
11-Dec Virginia Water
A COCO
18-Dec Reading City
A COCO
27-Dec Wokingham/Emmbrook H COCO
08-Jan Windsor
H COCO
15-Jan Wembley
A COCO
22-Jan Edgware Town
H COCO
29-Jan Spelthorne Sports
A COCO
05-Feb St Panteleimon
A COCO
12-Feb Holyport
H COCO
19-Feb Abbey Rangers
A COCO
26-Feb Burnham
A COCO
05-Mar Virginia Water
H COCO
12-Mar Holyport
A COCO
19-Mar CB Hounslow
H COCO
26-Mar Tadley Calleva
H COCO
02-Apr North Greenford United A COCO
05-Apr Hanworth Villa
H COCO
18-Apr Abbey Rangers
H COCO
23-Apr Egham Town
H COCO
TBC Burnham
H COCO
TBC Egham Town
A COCO
1. Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
2. 1992
3. Jamie Vardy
4. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
5. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
COCO - Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division North, FAV - Buildbase FA Vase, FAC - The
Emirates FA Cup, BBT - Berks&Bucks Trophy, LC - Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup

SPONSORSHIP
Sponsor a Yellaman! Contact Neil Richards at neil.richards@ascotunited.co.uk.

TODAY'S FIXTURES AND RECENT RESULTS
Midweek results:
Weekend fixtures:
Looking ahead:

LEAGUE TABLES

APPEARANCES AND GOALS
Below are the updated Ascot United appearance and scorers' records for
this season's squad.
2021-22 All-time
App Goals App Goals
R Andrady 2 0 20
K August 5 0 5
D Bailey 4 0 33 4
L Bouwers 0 0 146 11
I Davies 5 0 64 35
J Denton 5 1 181 20
C Ellis 5 0 62 1
S Evans 2 1 19 1
C Ferguson 1 0 21 1
S Gray 5 0 91
H Laflin 5 4 114 56
G Lock 5 3 129 8
J Masters 4 0 12
R Merrick 0 0 20
S McCormack 4 0 4
T Morgan 4 1 20 4
D Price 2 0 46 10
T Scott 4 1 4 1
D Surpanu 5 1 12 3
A Sykes 0 0 1
J Tarrant 1 0 1
D Walden 2 0 2
70 12 1007 155
Need a room for your
function? The Clubhouse
is a perfect choice for
hosting work or leisure
events, please email
events@ascotunited.net
to explore availability and
pricing.

PROUD SPONSORS OF CHRIS ELLIS

MATCH REPORT ROUNDUP
ASCOT SURGE BACK TO BEAT RISBOROUGH IN CUP
Yellamen mount stirring comeback from 2-0 down
Tuesday 24th August 2021 - Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay - Ascot
United 3 - 2 Risborough Rangers
Ascot United produced a stunning second half comeback to beat Risborough Rangers 3-2 in Tuesday
night’s Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round replay. Trailing 2-0 at the break and looking dead-andburied,
the Yellamen were level inside an hour before substitute Sam Evans scored at the death to set
up a first qualifying round tie at Hythe Town.
Saturday’s initial encounter had ended one-all despite Rangers playing for over 85 minutes with ten
men, and in terms of personnel Ascot made two changes to their starting line-up with Duarte Surpanu
and Keaton August coming in for Sean McCormack and Taylor Morgan.
Unfortunately for Ascot, the writing looked on the wall early-on and only an incredible back-tracking
goal-line clearance from outstanding defender Chris Ellis prevented Rangers from taking a fourth
minute lead. Incredibly, history almost repeated itself when Kieron Schmidt only saw yellow for a bad
fifth minute tackle on Surpanu, but this time Risborough would survive with eleven men. Sam Gray
then saved from Marcus Wylie but it was Ascot who should have taken the lead against the run of play
when an unmarked Ian Davies could only side-foot wide from Keaton August’s cross following Ellis’s
sensational defence-splitting pass. But that miss would soon be punished when defender Bertie
Squire-Adams volleyed home from long-range in the nineteenth minute before a quick-fire break led
to Rangers’ second in the 35th minute after Schmidt had released Adam Morris, who in-turn fed Sam
Pekun to curl a deliciously audacious effort home from the edge of the box.
Half time saw Jamie Tompkins ring the changes as Evans joined Calum Ferguson on the pitch; Davies
and Surpanu making way. And, this shuffle of the pack would ultimately end with a diamond finale. Just
three minutes into the half, Tom Scott – who has grown in stature since his arrival pre-season –
cracked a fine volley past Jack Brooker to give his side a glimmer of hope. That glimmer was further
stoked when Ascot broke in the 59th minute and George Lock put the icing on a fine move by deftly
flicking home this third goal of the season, sending the Racecourse faithful wild.
At this point all the momentum was with Ascot although Evans – who had earlier been driven to the
match from his family holiday in Dorset – gifted Rangers the chance to regain the lead only for Wylie
to shoot wide after the youngster had lost possession. After a stale period where both sides huffed
and puffed – Ellis would superbly snuff out anything Rangers had left to offer whilst the visitors’
increasingly shaky looking rearguard did the same – extra time looked a formality. But as 90 minutes
ticked past, Ascot won a corner. Roared on by vocal support both on the sidelines and behind the goal,
one final cup-tie-melee in the penalty area ended with match-winner Evans in the right place at the
right time to slot home the winner, sparking pandemonium both on and off the field.
Ascot United: Gray, Lock, Masters, Scott, Bailey, Ellis, Surpanu (Ferguson), Denton, Davies (Evans), Laflin,
August. Subs unused: Sykes, Andrady, Morgan, McCormack, Walden

PHOTOZONE
A selection of photos from Tuesday's 3-2 win over Risborough Rangers (shootingstars.co.uk).
Captions not really needed this week…!!!

PHOTOZONE
A selection of photos from Tuesday's 3-2 win over Risborough Rangers (shootingstars.co.uk).
Captions not really needed this week…!!!

ASCOT UNITED LADIES
Ascot United Ladies play in the Southern Region Women's’ Football League – the highest level at
which they have competed. The Ladies’ section starts down at the junior level with a host of teams –
beginning with mixed teams at U7 - rising through girls’ sides from U10 up to a senior Development
(reserve) side playing in the Thames Valley League. The junior sides operate on Saturdays or
Sundays, with the Seniors (First and Development) playing on Sunday afternoon. The first team are
managed by Darrel Evans and coached by Alix Todd. The reserve team is managed by Jon Swallow.
Find out more on our website. Sponsorship packages now available - ask a member of the committee!
This season, The Yellawomen begin their SRWFL campaign at Abingdon United on Sunday 5th
September (2pm) before their first home match here on Sunday 12th September against Woodley
United (also 2pm). Looking further ahead, they've been handed a home draw in the Vitality Women's'
FA Cup when Tilehurst Panthers visit The Racecourse on Sunday 3rd October.

Ian is a Biomechanics coach, supporting players returning from injury and
improving strength and conditioning.

PEN PICS AND SPONSORS - ASCOT UNITED
Sam Gray – goalkeeper
Solid goalkeeper, confident with the ball at
his feet. Established first teamer since 18/19
and was players’ player of the year in 19/20
when he appeared in every league game.
Sponsor:
Josh Masters - defence
Established left-back having broken into the
team in 20/21 following a move from local
rivals Holyport. Sponsor:
Alex Sykes – goalkeeper
Goalkeeping coach and reliable backup. Has
International experience having played for
the England Futsal team. Sponsor:
Dan Bailey – defence
Experienced centre back who skippered
Flackwell Heath in 19/20. Previously played
at a higher level with Marlow and has a level
2 coaching qualification. Sponsor:
Louis Bouwers – defence
A physical and dominant centre half who
signed from Faringdon Town in 16/17 and now
well-established as club captain. Made 146
appearances heading into 21/22 but must
wait to add to that tally whilst he recovers
from injury. Sponsor:
George Lock – defence
A fearless right back previously with Binfield
and Bracknell. Technically strong and a
consistently high performer. Supporters POY
in 18/19 and has now featured in well over
100 games pushing him into the top 15 on the
all-time appearance list. Sponsor:
Chris Ellis – defence
Signed in 18/19, a strong and dominant
defender. Vastly experienced having played
for Camberley Town, Egham Town and
Chipstead. Looking to re-establish himself in
21/22 following a year out with serious
injury. Sponsor: Novem nine
Danny Walden - defence
Ascot United Allied U18 captain who is
expected to feature for the senior side
during 21/22. Sponsor: Cox Green Academy
Jonny Denton – midfield
Former Ascot Youth team star who returned
in 17/18 after a scholarship in the U.S. A dead
ball specialist, he has now twice won the
player of the year award. 'JD' starts the 21/22
season having made 176 appearances.
Sponsor:
Tom Scott - midfield
Signed for 21/22 having had spells with
Harrow Borough and Beaconsfield. A
tenacious ball winner with great
communication. Sponsor:
Calum Ferguson – midfield
Signed in 19/20 having previously starred for
a National League youth side. Also had a spell
with Highworth Town. Sponsor:
Sam Evans – midfield
Played for the U16s and U18s in 19/20 before
making his first team debut in the same
season. Sam has been with the club since
his debut for the U8s and is now an
established part of the senior side with
maturity belying his age. Sponsor:

PEN PICS AND SPONSORS - ASCOT UNITED
Dan Price - midfield
Popular attacking midfielder who returns to
Ascot for 21/22 having been out for two years
with a serious knee injury. Previously
appeared 44 times in 18/19 when he scored
10 goals. Sponsor:
Sean McCormack - forward
Skilful forward signed from Walton and
Hersham for 21/22 having also played for
Maidenhead United and Bracknell Town.
Sponsor:
Taylor Morgan - forward
Pacey forward who impressed whilst playing
against us for Fleet Town during pre-season
20/21. Has played at a higher level including
several seasons in the US Major League.
Previous clubs include Toronto, Ostersunds
(Sweden), Falkirk, Airdrie and Whitehawk.
Sponsor:
Rory Merrick – forward
Signed for 19/20 and continues to improve.
Looking to re-establish himself after injury in
an already-disjointed previous campaign.
Calm and composed figure on the pitch and
has great technical ability. Sponsor:
Keaton August - forward
Signed from Windsor FC for 21/22. Can play
anywhere across the front three and has an
abundance of pace. Has a keen eye for goal
backed up by providing plenty of assists. A
personal trainer, he works hard and is
physically strong. Sponsor:
Ian Davies – forward
Prolific goalscorer who scored 25 goals for
Binfield in 18/19 before top scoring for Ascot
with 23 goals in the curtailed 19/20
campaign. Netted another 12 from 24 games
in 20/21. Sponsor: Zipcar UK
Harry Laflin – forward
Laffers joined in 18/19 and has become a goalmachine
despite often playing out of
position. Enters the season having scored 52
goals in 109 appearances with an improving
goals-per-game ratio. Has previously won
supporters’ player of the season award.
Sponsor:
Riccardo Andrady - forward
Signed from Basingstoke Town for 20/21.
Pacey and skilful wide player.
Duarte Surpanu - forward
Skilful winger wit lighting quick feet, signed
midway through in the 20/21 season and has
the potential to cause problems for any
defence. Sponsor: Maidenhead United
Josh Tarrant
Jamie Tompkins – manager
Highly respected throughout the club who
guided the team to league cup glory in 18/19
before taking the team to top of the league
before the 19/20 campaign was curtailed.
Football Development manager at Brentford
FC. Sponsor:
Dan Masters – asst. manager
Dan is in his fourth season with Ascot Utd and
is a crucial part of the coaching staff.
Sponsor:
Jamie Ashdown - goalkeeping coach
Needs little introduction, former professional
Jamie began his career with Reading before
making over 100 appearances for Portsmouth
between 2004-2012. A huge asset to the club
where he coaches at all levels. Sponsor:
Chad Smith - Therapist
Sponsor:

CLUB HISTORY - ASCOT UNITED
Ascot United as we know it, was founded in 1965 by a men’s team who played their games at Sunninghill with “after
match meetings” in The Wells in Cheapside village (now Mikado’s). Teams played as long ago as 1928 under the name
Ascot United but nothing to link them directly to the current club. In 1965, the club had gained permission from the Ascot
Racecourse Trustees to convert the land east of coach park 10 into a football pitch. A wooden clubhouse was built and
this team went on to win many prestigious trophies in the years that followed.
Various youth teams represented Ascot United over the years up to 1988, and 1992 the East Berks 7-a-side Association
was formed by our then Chairman Keith Wicks introducing small-sided junior games and having disbanded in 1980 the
men’s team also reformed. The club continued to grow, entering into partnership with Charters School and being
awarded FA Charter Standard status in 2004. The men’s senior team enjoyed early success through the East Berks
League gaining continued promotions to the Senior division and winning various Cups including the Fielden Charity Cup
in 1996/7. 2001 saw the 1st team join the Reading Senior League and winning the Evening Post Senior Cup at the
Madejski Stadium in 2006. Promotion to the Hellenic League soon followed in 2007, followed by promotion to the
Hellenic Premier Division in 2009. The club today has grown to become one of the largest Community football clubs in
the UK with over 1000 registered players and over 70 teams playing every weekend embracing all ages and abilities
from 5 year olds through to Vets. A new clubhouse opened in September 2010, together with an improved main pitch,
floodlights and a stand.
The club has enjoyed much success at all levels particularly in the Ladies and Girls Section where they are regularly
winners of leagues and county Cups. Our senior Ladies won promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern Region
Women’s’ Football League in 2017-18 and consolidated their position with a mid-table finish in 2018-19. Meanwhile, 2018-
19 was an outstanding one for our junior Boys’ teams who won an array of county cups at various age groups, a feat
we’ve rarely previously achieved.
The past decade has been hugely successful for our first team; our debut in the FA Cup in 2011 attracted 1,149 people to
the Racecourse on a Friday evening where the famous trophy itself was on display and the match was streamed live on
Facebook. Between 2012-13 and 2015-16 we reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase twice, enjoyed two top-three
finishes in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division, and won both the Bluefin Sport Challenge Cup and Perpetua
Press Floodlit Cup. More recently, our players’ development took the spotlight, as a host of Yellamen have enjoyed
success with other local sides and many of our talented development players stepped up into the first team. After
finishing 2017-18 in style, in 2018-19 new manager Jamie Tompkins led his side to the top of the table for long spells,
winning two team-of-the-month awards, and finishing with league cup glory once again by defeating Windsor 3-1.
We were transferred into the Combined Counties League for the 2019-20 season, playing on our new 3G pitch facility,
which transformed the club by facilitating more of our teams’ matches and training at The Racecourse. The stronger
platform facilitated further player development, and Jamie’s young side would lead the table for long periods before
establishing what looked like a title-winning margin at the top shortly before the league was aborted due to
Coronavirus. Retaining much of the same squad for 2020-21, Jamie saw his side in and around the challengers before
another pandemic-curtailed season, although they battled through to the league cup final where they were ultimately
beaten on penalties by Redhill.
As Ascot enjoy a third season in the Combined Counties League, everyone hopes for a safe and consistent campaign,
and if silverware comes with it then that will surely be a bonus in current times!

CLUB HISTORY - READING CITY
Prior to 2018, the club was called Highmoor Ibis and the decision to change to Reading
City Football Club was not taken lightly however the community of Reading had yearned
for a semi-professional club behind Reading Football Club to represent Reading and give
local players the opportunity to play for a Reading-based team as Reading.
Highmoor is a small village in South Oxfordshire that has a population of less than 300 and is home to a small but very attractive cricket and
football ground, this is where our journey began. Most of the original football team came from the neighbouring villages of Sonning
Common, Stoke Row, and Woodcote. Tracing back over the records, a Highmoor Football Club can be found in existence until just after the
war, with the club that is now called Reading City Football Club being formed in 1967.
Prior to 1990, the club enjoyed little success and it the late 1980s was very close to extinction as they struggled to fill the 2 teams. It was
during this period that the current club secretary, Chris Gallimore took over and recruited now Club Chairman, Martin Law, to become 1st
team manager, and between them, they assembled a strong squad of players and success was to follow.
As the club progressed through the divisions and into the Reading Senior League (now Thames Valley Premier League), they outgrew their
original home in Highmoor and in 2001 proposed a merger with Ibis Football Club based at the Ibis Club (now Rivers Health Club) in Scours
Lane, Reading next to our current home the Rivermoor. The Ibis FC was formed in 1913 and is the sports and social club of Prudential
Assurance Company. The Ibis name some say because many rowing clubs took the names of waterfowl. Others believe it derived from the
cry Come on the Ibis which habitually drowned out the supporters of the OBs in departmental team events. (IB standing for the Industrial
Branch and OB standing for the Ordinary Branch of the Prudential).
Since 2001 the club has achieved various successes including winning the Reading Senior League (now Thames Valley Premier League),
twice, Maidenhead Norfolkian Senior Cup, BTC Intermediate and Senior Cups, and Reading Invitation Challenge Cup Senior as well as the A
team winning league and cup competitions.
The 2003/04 season saw the club be crowned winners of the Reading League Senior Division (now Thames Valley Premier League) without
losing a match but sadly because facilities at Scours Lane didn’t meet the Hellenic League ground requirements and had no alternative
pitch we were unable to accept the promotion and would therefore stay in the Reading League Senior Division (now Thames Valley Premier
League).
In 2005/06 the club won the Reading Senior Cup in 2005–06, beating Woodley Town 4–1 in the final at the Madejski Stadium. After finishing
as runners-up in 2006–07 and 2008–09, Highmoor were champions of the Reading League Senior Division again in 2010–11 earning us
promotion to Division One East of the Hellenic League. Since becoming Highmoor Ibis, our home games were played Ibis Club (now Rivers
Health Club) , but following promotion to the Hellenic League Division One East in 2011 an opportunity we weren’t going to miss, after having
had to turn down a promotion in 2004 as we didn’t meet the Hellenic League ground requirements due to not have a stand or floodlights and
therefore did not meet the league requirements and having secured a lease at the Palmer Park Stadium, a general use stadium including a
780-seat stand and athletics track around the pitch in East Reading were unable to move up to the Hellenic Football League. The 2011/12 saw
us competing in the Hellenic League for the first time in our clubs rich history and what a fantastic inaugural season we had, not only did we
secure promotion to the Hellenic Football League Premier Division where we remain today having finished runners up to Newbury, we were
also runners up in the Hellenic League’s Supplementary Cup and the Reading Invitation Challenge Senior Cup.
At the end of the 2014/15 season, we finished as runners up to Flackwell Heath in the Hellenic League Premier Division and remained in the
league until the end of the 2020/21 Season. In the summer of 2018, we took the difficult decision to rebrand from Highmoor Ibis to Reading
City. The rebrand ended a long chapter of success and setbacks with the intent of becoming a non-league club the whole town can be proud
to be associated with. Our ambition as a club is to become the football club that everybody under Reading Football Club wants to aspire to
play for and be involved in.
When interviewed in 2018 about the name change, Club Chairman Martin Law told the Reading Chronicle "With every organisation you have
to have commercial branding associated with your location". Since then we have worked tirelessly to ensure the brand is well recognised
within the local community, the hard work paid off last season as the club won the coveted 2018/19 EPC Bracknell Football Award for Best
Social Media and Website. The Football Association laterally moved us to the newly formed Combined Counties League Premier Division
North as part of their overhaul of the National League System. Reading City made history by kicking the first-ever ball in the Combined
Counties League Premier Division North against Southall FC, here at the Rivermoor on the 31st July 2021 with a 3-1 win.