Much like the well-acclaimed Bourne movies, we’ll have a sequel of our own, as Oliver Bourne, a talented and experienced centre-back and member of our record-breaking 2023/24 Squad returns home for a second spell in blue and white.

Oliver, or Oli as he’s affectionately known is a local lad who hails from Tilehurst and still lives locally.

Having grown up locally he’s a product of our Youth Academy, where he played up until the age of Under 16s. After leaving the Cityzens, Oli joined the Youth Ranks at Thatcham Town and made his debut in men’s football in Thatcham’s 3-2 win over Bracknell in the Berks & Bucks FA Senior Cup on Saturday 30th November 2021.

In the summer of 2023, Simon Johnson who had always been a fan of the youngster having coached him during his time in our Youth Academy, was able to sign him on dual registration with Thatcham Town.

Oliver made 33 appearances and scored four goals during our record-breaking 2023/24 Campaign which saw us have our best County FA Cup campaign reaching the quarter-finals, reach the Second Round Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup, reach the First Round Proper of the Isuzu FA Vase for only the second time in our history, having previously done it in the 2021/22 Season.

The 2023/24 Campaign also saw us narrowly miss out on promotion to Step 4 having been defeated in the Play-Off Semi Final by Bedfont Sports, but our historic campaign was rounded off with a win as the club was crowned Champions of the Southern Combination Challenge Cup, securing our first piece of silverware at senior level since rebranding as Reading City Football Club in 2018.

With the club resigned to Step 5 for another season, Oli returned to Thatcham Town to continue playing football at a higher level.

Following the Kingfisher’s relegation from Step 4 to Step 5 at the end of the 2024/25 season, Simon Johnson was keen to bring this talented youngster home. Despite only being 21, Oli has clocked up over 60 appearances at Step 4. In a recent interview, Assistant Manager, Dave Tarpey was open regarding our intentions for this upcoming campaign and Oli’s return will help us achieve our goals.

We spoke to First Team Manager, Simon Johnson and here’s what he had to say on Oli returning:

“Welcome back to Ollie Bourne who rejoins us from Thatcham Town where he has exposed himself to more experience at step 4. For me, Ollie is the best up and coming centre back in Reading, so it was a no brainer to try and bring him back to the club. Another players that supports our project this year of bringing the best local talent back to the club. I look forward to seeing him kick on and progress again this season.”