These articles are published in the Slough Town FC programme. The Rebels play in the National League South in a swanky new ground. I’ve been supporting Slough since the beginning of time despite now living in Brighton.

Friday, March 15, 2024

ZEN FOOTBALL

 

To be printed in the National League South game v Yeovil Town Saturday 16th March 2024



Blimey just were to begin….


Well let’s start by saying that one of the really enjoyable things about this season is there’s no pressure.


Once any threat of relegation had eased, the only way was up – and no one gave us a cat in hells chance of being within touching distance of the play offs.


So now we can watch games in a Zen like state – assuming Budhists drink and don’t get distracted by hundred miles an hour heavy metal football. So but we shake our bells and rattle tambouries like some relgious ritual to ward off ever losing at home again.


It’s been an eventful couple of weeks – culminating in the Bath City manager refusing to let his players go back on the pitch cos they’d been such a big pause, two of his players had ingrown toenails. Anyone would think he’d never heard of half time and keeps his players jogging round the pitch rather than resting.


The fact that the guy who fainted was ok, sitting up in the physio room and speaking to his wife didn’t matter to him. Bath still trailing by two goals and with just one sub on the bench mattered a whole lot more.


A few years back, when our goal keeper Mark Scott suffered a broken neck their was an ambulance on the pitch and a lengthy delay. Slough didn’t even have a stand in keeper so one of our outfield players went in goal but the game restarted.


As people shuffled out the ground, it left a sour taste on what was just a brilliant day – yes we had put in one the best first half performances I can remember in front of our biggest home league crowd for six years but it was more than that.


Talking to a clearly deflated Ade who had spent months helping pull the day together the big fundraising day for Thames Hospice just made me angrier – the Bath fans were good as gold but I hope their club choke on their play off ambitions and their manager is made to scrub that Twerton Park outside toilet block for the rest of eternity.


So can we do it? At the Dartford game I said to some of their supporters that I didn’t want promotion – and they asked if that showed a lack of ambition. Maybe, but also a sense of realism of what it would entail. But also how you measure ambition. I measure our community pub not just in the pints poured and the cash through the tills – just as well given our recent circumstances - but how we can bring people together and change lives. I got chatting to one lady after our Friday seniors club. Struggling with her health, she said it’s the only time she leaves the house and spends the rest of the time home alone, never seeing another human just speaking to her dog. She’s started to stay a bit later and likes to laugh and joke with everyone and in a short space of time everyone knows her name. The other day when her cab didn’t show, one of the regulars whizzed her in his car home.


So what’s that got to do with football? To my mind, ambition for Slough Town means increasing crowds and their diversity, becoming the number one place that people meet in a town that has the least places to go for a pint or a dance – using that negative as an opportunity (Christ, I sound like one of those Amerian self help word soup gurus). More teams under the Rebels umbrella, players coming through the ranks to the first team and beyond. Improving the stadium so we can actually see behind the goals. I know ultimately everything for football teams gets measured on the pitch but you have to have the infrastruture, the support to push on so when times are hard you have a loyalty that sticks with you. A football club that is more than just about ninety minutes on the pitch, that needs to continually generate income and support the team when things aren’t going so well.


The Bath City game was the culmination of all that is good about the club, about doing things the right way. Yes winning is fun but meeting mates and having a good laugh, well that too me is also what its all about. And showing a bit more class than some we won’t mention. I reckon that matters as well.


Friday, March 01, 2024

BRAZIL OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

Printed in the National League South game v Bath City Saturday 2nd March 2024  We were winning 4-2 until game was abandoned in front of 1401 - biggest league crowd for years. 



Slough being Slough it wouldn’t be long before a Brazilian came along to Arbour Park. Being nosy one matchday I decided to introduce myself and find out who was this stylish man behind the goal.


Tell us about yourself


I'm Matheus Pinto, I was born in Brazil in a "small" town of a hundred thousand people called Barra do Piraí, about 60 miles uphill from Rio de Janeiro. I also spent 12 years of my life in Lisbon, Portugal, my second home, before coming to Cambridge in 2018 to work in the booming video games industry – firstly as an English to Brazilian Portuguese translator at Jagex Ltd, one of the biggest British-founded studios in the industry, then as a tech lead and project manager at the same company.”


How did you end up in Slough?


After the COVID pandemic hit, my company switched to a hybrid work style for a while before ultimately deciding to allow us to work fully remote from anywhere within the United Kingdom. So after a while I decided to escape the soaring housing costs in Cambridge and try and find a place closer to London, where I already spent a big part of my free time visiting friends and attending events, and Slough ticked all the boxes, being relatively more affordable and so well connected via public transport.”


How did you end up in Arbour Park?


Ever since I was a kid, I have always been connected to non-league football: my late grandfather was an honorary president of Royal Sport Club, where former Chelsea midfielder Ramires started his footballing

career; my uncle used to be my youth coach at their rivals Central Sport Club (where I quickly found out a footballing career was not on the cards for me) and my father has been a lifelong supporter of Bangu Atlético Clube – once a major force in Brazilian football back in the 80s, but long since removed from the big stages.


So when I felt the football itch starting to come up at the pre-season, I looked no further than my local Slough Town to scratch it, a decision I do not regret – Scott's team have provided us with many remarkable moments in this season so far, and seem on track to continue to do so!”


What's the best thing about coming to the football?


Undoubtedly the atmosphere – I have been extremely well received by everyone in Arbour Park, from club (and bar!) staff to players, management and fellow supporters, and it is truly beautiful to see people from all ages and backgrounds getting behind a club with such a great history and such strong ties to its community. I feel naturally more drawn to the "loud crowd", so during the games you will usually find me behind the opposition's woodwork, chanting, playing tambourine (thanks Warren!) and cheering on our Rebels no matter what the scoreboard says, trying to play a little part in what makes Arbour Park this fortress that other teams don't relish a visit to.”


Anything you think that could be improved?


Not at all, I think everyone at the club is doing a fantastic job and that is reflected in the rise in attendance numbers and our slow-but-steady climb through the league table. Everything is done with a level of professionalism that is often not found in semi-professional clubs, and any improvements shall come naturally as a result of all the hard work that is being put in the club. COYR!”


Tuesday, February 20, 2024

HORLICKS, HORLICKS, GIVE US A SIP





Printed in the National League South game v Dartford Tuesday 20th February 2024. We won 3-2 in front of 659. Unbeaten in 18 games at home now!


When I watch any football on the tele one thing that always strikes me is the lack of originality in terrace songs. The same old tunes are pumped out to match the identikit stadiums.


Surely, football fans can do better than that?


This lack or original songs is a bit like league opposition programmes. I know programmes are a labour of love, hard to put together and probably more a financial burden than a money maker but there’s hardly any original text apart from maybe the chair and managers notes; the rest is just stats and historical archives that anyone can get from trawling the internet. I'm not sure they’ve got much of a future if they continue in that vein.


Slough might be the endless butt of jokes but once it rose from the swamp, it’s been a place of invention and ingenuity. The Zebra Crossing and Thunderbirds song was a celebration of that. More upbeat than the Come Friendly Bombs dig – and something to sing while still giving a nod to the Office.



We might not be able to match Oxford City for their pomp and history but ‘They’ve got dreamy spires, we’ve got Marsbars, I just need to think of a second verse.’ The ‘we invented the wheelie bin so its in my Slough DNA’ falls on death ears to humourless stewards who seem to get very upset about hitting something that people put rubbish in. They must be fun at parties – that’s assuming they get invited to any.


Nick the Trumpet has added a whole new genre and upbeatness to behind the goal and who can forget his ‘Message to you Grimsby’ ska classic. It helped build a bond on social media between the two clubs. Singing ‘Same old fish-faces, always stinking’ would have just been rude after becoming friends. Now Luca Blister has used the inspiration of Bob Marley to write a song about Jammers and its a corker. This is more like it. See its catching. Just don’t make it too complicated; it took me ages to remember the zebra crossing song and that’s only four lines.



Which brings me onto Horlicks. ‘Horlicks side, give us a a song’. Or maybe it should be give us a sip (actually that would be better aimed at the bar). I'm not sure I’ve ever had a cup of Horlicks. Is it still a product? Who drinks it? Bit like asking if anyone watches Coronation Street or has a home phone number anymore – although thanks to Erika Maracas I’ve now got some chocolatey Horlicks to try once I pluck up the courage. 


I always thought their big imposing building must have been a workhouse at one point, but no, it was built to produce the frothy stuff. Now they have gone and its been developed as part of Sloughs ever expanding housing stock. The developers even put out a booklet - '40 things you probably didn't know about Slough.' The original chimney is a still a distinctive landmark but while the Horlicks War Memorial is Grade II listed the request to list the iconic factory was rejected by Historic England. 


Horlicks was invented in 1873 by William Horlick and his brother James. After returning from America where they had set up their company, James bought a green field site in Stoke Poges Lane from Eton College. By 1908 the sound of the factory hooter was a key time signal for everyone who lived nearby. Horlicks, apparently makes you sleep soundly and they coined the phrase “night starvation.” In 1935 a mountain range in Antarctica was named Horlicks by Admiral Byrd in recognition of the company’s support of his expedition. It is now a brand within Glaxo SmithKline.


Did the Amber and Blues - as we were known then - ever play them in a competitive game? It was time to set Slough Town detective Alan Smith some homework. “Slough Reserves played them in the Windsor, Slough and District League in two seasons. Horlicks FC probably paid their games at Elstons Meadow near Salt Hill as most clubs in the area did."


1911/12 Slough Reserves 1 Horlicks 0

Horlicks 6 Slough Reserves 0


1919/20 Slough Reserves 6 Horlicks 1 played at Slough Cricket ground

The return fixture due on the 27th March was not played


"The league table for that season finished up very percular. First of all Horlicks did not finish their fixtures. The teams they did not play received two points each including the Royal Albert Institute. Furthermore Windsor and Eton Reserves had 4 points deducted for misdemeanours. Slough reserves also did not meet the Royal Albert Institute or Slough YMCA.” See I told you if there is every a Slough Town quiz, you need Detective Smith on your team.


So pick a player, pick a place, pick an invention, rearrange a well known song, and knock it into something new. ‘Slough Bus Stations on Fire.’ You get the gist.


I’m just hoping that ‘Biggest Trading Estate in Europe? You’re never sing that’ is turned into a t-shirt sometime soon.




Friday, February 16, 2024

WESTWARD HO!

 

Printed in the National League South game v Chippenham Town Saturday 17th February 2024   We drew 2-2 in front of 906



Slough supporters have been spending so much time heading west this season, we are starting to develop accents and humming along to The Wurzels.


Nearly twenty years ago we did spend a few seasons in the Southern League South and West. I lost my big rattle in Bridgewater, nearly got Sue thrown out at Winchester and jumped on the train then supporters coach getting halfway down the M4 when one game was called off en route. I ended up watching Lewes – just 8 miles from my house - after five hours of travelling! I also remember driving past Cheltenham's ground who we used to play, to the nearby village of Bishops Cleeve where more sheep than fans saw us lose. In one of those South & West seasons we should have been relegated to County League football for the first time ever, but got a reprieve. Those were the days eh.


I could see why Rishi Washy wants to make maths compulsory – he must have tried to buy a train ticket online and realised its impossible to work out. Or maybe my confusion was because I couldn’t believe they wanted £91 one way to Torquay. The helpful ticket office lady said trains were even worse in Romania which was comforting but probably not a marketing gimmick.


Good time to play them? Yeah why not and it was a game I couldn’t miss staying at my mums to cut journey time but still having to get the stupid o’ clock from Slough.



I hurtled towards the west, past the flooded fields, winter making way for spring with cherry plum blossom and primroses replacing the snowdrops. The country changes as you leave Exeter – the topography, the houses, the feel of the place. I love the train skirting along the sea in-between Dawlish. So picturesque but a risky route in a storm.


Talking of flooded fields, Truro decided the best way to extend their season was to groundshare at Taunton who are skint and under a transfer embargo. I’m not sure this will benefit anyone – apart from relegation rivals – and its particularly annoying for those of us who had planned a weekend in Plymouth. Apparently Plymouth Parkways ground was wet, but blimey talk about out of the fire and into the duck pond (Oh and there ‘home’ game against Eastbourne was already off because of a you-know-what pitch).


As you approach Torquay and step out of the train station and its genteel surrounds you think it must take some effort to get the hump living round here, but things are toxic at Torquay United. Mind you, the most I got to see of the English Riviera was 5 minutes by the Grand roundabout before I was whisked off by Caz and Mitch for a breakfast then into the pub opposite not far from the ground.





I know Torquay fans don’t want to be sharing the same pitch as Slough but here we are. Their social media is a toxic but an entertaining read. As one put - ‘we used to be playing Sheffield Wednesday now we are playing Slough.’ I didn’t particularly like going to AFC Hayes or Bishops Cleeve or other village sides where if you criticised their facilities some smartarse would reply – ‘at least we have a ground’ which was a fair point. At the time all we could mutter was it was a miracle we still had a football club. But I don’t remember us moaning that we had a God given right to be in any league.



It’s fair to say the Torquay owners and managers aren’t very popular. Their fans are revolting, there’s protests every week – so obviously the best way to hand out an olive branch is to ban unaccompanied minors and flags that haven’t had a fire check. Although I’m pretty sure the ‘Gary Out’ bedsheet being passed around by their supporters didn’t have the required certificate. Crowds are seriously down (although there was still 1,700 in attendance). The pitch is a bog and they keep losing. Still, they thought it was fine to charge away fans £22.


But what a game we were served up – coming from behind 3 times against full time opposition – what’s not to like. Well apart from the fact that if you celebrated too much you might have tumbled down the steep seated terraces. Afterwards I drank in their fans after match bile on social media. ‘Just can’t match the fitness levels of these part time regional teams. Absolutely shocking’ was one of the more printable ones.


In fairness, every Torquay supporter we spoke was good as gold – but they are where they are and the club have got to act like a National League South side cos I can’t see them even reaching the play offs let alone winning them.


As for me, after a mammoth 17 hour day the majority of it spent travelling, I crawled into bed hallucinating on the lack of sleep – but thankful for being sped home by the McNeishs and the Elizabeth Line.


In Ruben Clarks brilliant new book ‘Winner Stays On’ that follows each round of the FA Cup, he paraphrases a quote that perfectly sums up following a football team. ‘It's entertainment, but it isn’t like going to the cinema or going out for a meal. You don’t know what you are going to get. You are risking having the worst day of your life for a chance at having the best day.’


I know what sort of day Slough fans were having in Devon. Made all the more sweeter for the years when it wasn’t such a footballing laugh. As Ian Lathey put it on twitter ‘When we were struggling at Step 4 in front of 200 people at Beaconsfield I never imagined a day like this possible. Taking over 100 fans and winning at a club like Torquay.’


Maybe I’m being greedy but all I ask is that the Football fixture computer be a bit kinder next season and give us a late summer trip so we can bask not just on the terraces but also on the beach. After what we had to go through for so long, to get to where we are now; well it would be the sunburnt icing on the cake.

Friday, February 02, 2024

CRACK IN THE SKY

 

Printed in the National League South league game v Weston-super-Mare Saturday 3rd February 2024  We won 2-0 in front of 935





I’m really enjoying being a Slough supporter at the moment but it wasn’t so very long ago that we were a homeless basket case. So I’ve got every sympathy for supporters whose clubs are in free fall or at risk of disappearing altogether.


Reading are the latest league club to suffer and they’ve mounted an impressive campaign of direct action. Sell Before We Dai’ is a fan-led pressure group trying to get Reading owner Dai Yongge to sell up. Lateness for paying wages has resulted in 16-points being deducted in the past two seasons, so supporters have come together to protect the stadium by making it an Asset of Community Value, disrupted games with tennis balls and got one game abandoned after refusing to leave the pitch.


Fans often feel powerless to do anything but it will always be them that have to sort out the mess. STAR (Supporters Trust at Reading) chair Sarah Turner said that the “one good thing” to come out of the entire situation was the solidarity shown by supporters at other clubs. “We are not the only club that are suffering under an incompetent owner and we are aware that we unfortunately won’t be the last,” she said. “We will use what we have learnt to try and raise awareness and make changes that will have a positive impact for all clubs going forward.”


Which brings us to the promised Football Governance Bill outlined in the Kings Speech which aims to "safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans". Is this happening any time soon?


Taunton Town have been shedding players to steady the financial ship, with a winding up petition from the taxman. Players even issued a joint statement saying they have been consistently lied too. The financial crisis has not been helped by their ground seemingly always being under water - although one of their fans told me it wasn’t just their ground that suffered from flooding but the whole town. The clubhouse doesn’t open unless there is a game on, so they have lost thousands of pounds of income with all these postponements. There’s even talk of voluntary relegation but the chairman has come out fighting and believes they can survive and keep their National League status.


Nuneaton Borough couldn’t reconcile their differences with their landlords and have withdrawn from the Southern Central Premier League. Plans are already afoot for a phoenix club to rise from the old ashes. Lower down the pyramid clubs have folded or asked to be demoted to save costs and safeguard their future.


While many clubs are in financial trouble, let’s raise a glass to Maidstone who have done the impossible and got to the 5th round of the FA Cup. It should be remembered that Maidstone were one of the last clubs to get chucked out the Football League. In 1993 they started again in the Kent County League Division 4 West playing games at the old clubs training ground and were homeless for 24 years. The cup run will now ensure their financial security for years and no doubt add even more people to their already impressive home crowds.

 

photo by Bob Lilliman 
                                            

Still, as was mentioned relentlessly by the Slough supporters watching the Ipswich-Maidstone game in the Dover clubhouse - we had beaten Maidstone just a week before.


The Maidstone home game was something I really didn’t want to miss but getting to Slough wasn’t looking promising. I asked the woman in the ticket office why trains were going to take so long – ‘engineering works - I wouldn’t bother if I was you’ came the reply. I can see why the Tories and train companies wanted to close ticket offices – the amount of money they have saved me giving me better deals than you can get from a machine. Then my little ‘uns development team, announced they had a game. I really don’t like missing him play football but jack frost put paid to that one.


I’ve started bumping into people in Slough scarfs at train stations and around the town that I don’t know and while over a thousand Maidstone supporters were queuing for the last FA Cup tickets, some older ones found there way to the Wheatsheaf. One of Lencys mates had seen the google image of the pub with a Slough scarf draped behind the bar and decide to pay a visit. It felt like a big game.


Postponements, a decent away following and a 14 home game unbeaten run at home meant there were just over a thousand in attendance. Which is really what we should be aiming for at every home game. We were meant to join in the nationwide clapping for Reading at 16 minutes but I will hold my hand and say we forgot, so caught up in the game.


There’s something brewing at Slough Town – and the stars might again be aligning. Representing a town where places to meet have been decimated, where the councils financial plight gives the perfect opportunity for the club to step in and run Arbour Park better than any council official ever will and offer more than just a place where the football club play.


Just before covid I wrote about their being moments in time when anything seems possible. Primal Screams Bobby Gillespie summed this up 'From time to time, there's a crack in the sky and light gets through it; a lot of great people come along and make people feel good and connect people.’


So is that crack in the sky once again opening and shining an amber and blue light on our little old club? There’s no harm in dreaming.




Friday, January 19, 2024

SCOTT DAVIES - THE ONE YEAR (AND A BIT) ANNIVERSIARY INTERVIEW


Printed in the National League South game v Maidstone United Saturday 20th January 2024  We won 2-1 in front 1054


                                       Pic by https://twitter.com/darthscrote

He's the highest placed player-manager in the pyramid, saved us from what looked like nailed on relegation last season and took us to the first round of the FA Cup. Not bad for first year as a manager.


Have you enjoyed the past year and a bit as a manger?


"It’s certainly been a huge change in my day to day life since taking over as the manager of the football club. There was once upon a day when my phone didn’t ring and all I had to think about was my Monday to Friday job and turning up at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Now it’s a lot different.


The phone is constantly ringing, on average I would say between 40-50 calls a day, but at its worst it was 110! Constantly thinking about our next opponent, watching games, figuring out who we are going to pick to play, talking to the management team with regards to their opinions. It’s very full on so when we do achieve 3 points on a Saturday afternoon or a Tuesday night it’s a great feeling that the hard work has paid off.


For me, I expected to become a manager in a few years time at a much lower level where I could earn my stripes and hopefully progress, so this has fast forwarded all of my plans. I’ve realised since day one what a great opportunity this has been for me, hence why I try and do it to the best of my ability with no stone being left unturned.”


Where does Slough Town rank in your football achievements


It’s very different looking at my career at Slough because now I look at it in two ways, as a player and as a manager. As a player I’ve loved being at the club under Bakes and Unders, all the way through to this present day.


With it being my first managerial role, when I look at this seasons FA Cup run, that ranks extremely high in my career highlights so far. It was a proud moment for us all which created some fantastic memories for everyone and it’ll be something that I won’t forget.”


You mentioned Slough saved your life in one FA Cup radio interview – can you elaborate a bit more for those that don't know your story


Sure. It’s quite straightforward and not too complicated. Having been a full time footballer for a period of time, I felt as though as I was playing football without really enjoying it, it became more of a job than something I loved doing. I’d played for a number of non-league clubs before Slough but never really had the ‘buzz’ like I do now and that’s thanks to Bakes and Unders. I really enjoyed playing under them and it allowed me to love football against like it was a hobby. At one point I felt as though the love I had for the game had completely fallen away but fortunately now, that couldn’t be any further from the truth as I’m obsessed by the game these days. People make football enjoyable, staff, team mates and fans, and at Slough it’s full of brilliant people who enable that to happen.”


There seems to be a real bond between the players, management and the supporters - how important is that to the success of the club


Huge. I’ve never been one to shy away from conversations with people at football clubs. I hate the thought of it being ‘us’ and ‘them’, we need to be united. I often remind the lads that we are the fortunate ones who get to represent the club on the behalf of the supporters so we have to represent it with pride, which I believe we do more often than not.


I’m a massive people’s person and always have been so I like to think there’s no hierarchy at the club where people see myself, the staff and players as unapproachable. I doubt there are many other clubs at this level where the players know a lot of the fans by name, and that’s great!”


Favourite game you played in


My favourite game would have to be Ebbsfleet at home or Kings Lynn away. Ebbsfleet for different reasons now that I am managing, so to get through to the FA Cup First Round was special, but Kings Lynn was some day!”


And best free kick?


Would have to be Grimsby because of the occasion but from a technical point of view, I would say Farnborough was the most difficult.”



Who in the Slough team would you choose to be stuck on an island with


Yella is a really emotional person so if I didn’t pick him, he would have a go at me! I think we would have a laugh so that would be good fun! Out of the players I’d go with Josh. He’s intelligent enough to start a fire, catch some food and cook it for me. I think the rest would struggle!”


And finally, Sue asked whose your favourite club shopper manager


Definitely Sue. What a diamond she is!”


Thanks Scott for a very entertaining first year. Here’s to many more.



Thursday, January 04, 2024

SOMETHING UNIQUE

Printed in the National League South game v Taunton Town Saturday 6th January 2024. We won 3-0 in front of 947




I love Christmas, the only time we get to close our community garden for a few weeks; where the football comes thick and fast, where you forget what day it is, have no deadlines, have time to read books – and get to eat an amazing Christmas dinner at my mums with all her hundreds of grandchildren. Then its my birthday Boxing Day football feast with a curry with family and the Shiel mafia to finish it all off.


One of the books I’ve been reading is Sir Bob Murray, ‘I’d do It All Again’, a biography about a boy from the coalfields and steelworks of Consett, supporting Sunderland. Struggling at school and unemployed he eventually finds his feet and makes his millions from kitchens, to becoming chairman of his boyhood club. But it’s more than just about a tale of rags to riches, its about a man who cares deeply about his football club and has pride in the places and people that surround it. This spurs him on and thanks to his new found wealth and tenacity, he builds the Stadium of Light, an Academy and the Beacon of Light for the Foundation of Light, and independent charity that helps over 20,000 people a year. These successes led him to be asked to take charge of the stalled Wembley stadium project and St. Georges Park. It really is some story with his vision and passion – but also the many knocks and set backs that you especially encounter from running a football club.


Sunderland are really a Premier League club but are Hampton and Richmond? Their sharp suited new owners have transformed the club, they are second in the league, crowds are up and average age of supporters down. But talking about becoming financially sustainable (Hampton lost £345,000 in 2022/23) getting promoted to the Football League, even the Champions League! I’m sorry but I think that’s delusional with so much nearby competition. How many Hampton fans support Brentford as well? How do Hampton hold onto what makes them unique without eventually just mimicking a poorer version of Brentford?


Surely, that’s the million dollar question: how do you retrain that unique selling point, that friendliness, that draws people to lower league football when you power up the leagues? We’ve experienced at Bromley how one of the National League high flyers who wax lyrical about community, treats away fans. Whereas National League South newcomers Aveley rolled out the red carpet. Yes I was served the worst cheesy chips ever, but their aircraft hanger clubhouse is what we should have had at Arbour Park (our bar is more an aircraft lounge) and their stewards said we were the best supporters they’d had all season. They practically wheeled their bins out for us to hit!


You wonder how teams like Aveley can increase their crowds when they are out on a public transport limb in the middle of nowhere. They made a flying start to the campaign, but have faltered lately thanks to bigger clubs signing up their best players. While some braved the bus me and Spreadsheet Stu stopped at Rainham village first for a couple of beers before jumping in a cab. A church dominates the village while chicken and chips dominates the shops. They are down to their last pub and Rainham Town football club folded in 1994. Infact this part of Essex hasn’t been great for local football teams many of whom have led a nomadic existence. East Thurrock went bust and Romford – who’ve been homeless for years – have moved in, even though its half an hour from the town they represent. Thurrock dissolved in 2018 but Grays Athletic who’ve also been homeless for years announced they will be moving into Ship Lane.


If I’m honest I was disappointed with our Boxing Day crowd of just over 1,000 and its obvious there is so much more to do to increase our crowds and its diversity but I’ve got every faith in our new owners who don’t have the sharp suites of Hampton or talk in Eastbourne Borough riddles but know the town and its football club.


Could Slough become a football league club? Is promotion for a football club the only measure of success? I look at our community pub always teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and only really surviving because of peoples goodwill, generous handouts and community spirit. We realise the Bevy cannot compete with the bright lights of Brighton or the student bars, so it has to be more than just a pub, that delivers activities for free or really cheap in an area where people are skint. It has to play to its unique selling point.


I see lots of parallels in our football club. Slough Town survive on volunteers and goodwill by the bucketfuls. Our manager has introduced heavy metal football - giving bigger clubs with bigger budgets a bloody nose on the pitch - while our new owners have given the club a spring in its step that I’m really enjoying. Its unique, and its ours and its amber and blue. That’s something worth banging the drum for.






Sunday, December 24, 2023

DERWIN DEAN

 

Printed in the National League South game v Hampton & Richmond Borough Boxing Day 2023. We drew 3-3 in front of 1008



Mustn't grumble’’ Derwin messaged to a friend who asked how he was. Well apart from the fact that he’d been given two weeks to live and was now in a hospice in Windsor.


Some of you might know Derwin Dean, not that he went to Slough very much anymore, and if he did he took up the Wheatsheaf corner in the bar watching through the glass. But he was the surreal cartoonist for our 'Rebels Without A Clue' fanzine, that featured many celebrities that are now in disgrace, prison and dead. Innocent times or did we always in our heart of hearts know they were wrong ‘uns?


He was also a ballboy at the Greyhound stadium but was apparently sacked cos he didn’t want to collect the balls.

While the club welcomed our fanzine with open arms at first, one article attacking Sloughs then Tory MP appeared in a national newspaper, which escalated and no doubt put the club in an impossible position. Being young, care-free and angry, I was always ready to protest and produce a leaflet at the drop of a hat and didn’t have to worry about the earache the club were no doubt getting.


Which is how it should be really. As we get older we get burdened with more responsibilities and worry more – so we need youngsters to come in with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Football clubs especially need to keep up with the times if they are to survive. Closed minds and a Meat Raffle Mentality will only lead to the slow death of any organisation.


But youngsters can also have stupid mob mentality as we witnessed at the end of the FA Trophy Farnborough game. This unfortunately led to our league game with them being segregated, a total ballache and more expense and not what this level of football is about. On the same day, Chippenham v Weymouth was also segregated. Is football stupidity coming back?


Our fanzine was there to celebrate our first ever season in what was then the Gola National League. I’d been supporting Slough since I was 12 but had had enough. Infact I wrote in our first fanzine editorial “I stopped going to football ages ago, tired of the bully-boys, the racists, the no humour crew. As we lost to Orient in the cup I wondered, was it all worth it. Surely there was more to life than this. But slowly things have changed. Football seems more positive and this has got a lot to do with the fanzines and the supporters in general making their voices heard. Supporters are the club and clubs should listen a lot more and tell them what’s going on. Footballs a game to be enjoyed. We all go up and down with the fortunes of our team, but one things for sure, I’ll enjoy the coming season, have a laugh and try not to take it too serious...try.”



I’m pretty sure that was Derwins outlook on life. Derwin was the one you would want at your pub table with his ridiculous stories; he was a top quizmaster and music maestro and one of those people who bought comics but never opened them in case they were worth money one day. Like sitting with my nan who used to shout at Antiques Roadshow saying she used to have that. Derwins problems was that there were thousands of people like him who thought the same about their precious unopened comics.


I like to arrive early at Arbour Park watching the buzz of the place as it starts to fill up while others rush around to make sure it all goes smoothly. Maybe I like it more, cos unlike work or our community pub, I’m not responsible. But there’s a real community feel as people greet each other, like they have done at Slough matches throughout the years, and welcome new supporters.


No matter what life throws at you, you have to have a laugh. That’s probably a bit flippant, when bombs are being dropped on your head or your country is being washed away by rising sea levels.


But despite all the terrible things going on in the world, there are lots of good people who live a good life and help each other out. Derwin was one of those people. Him and his double-act Mr.Icky were the first people round my dads house to help clear it with our family after he died.


I perhaps stupidly believe that individuals can make a difference. That a few good people can get together and change the world -or at least their small corners of it. I’m sure all Derwins nephews and nieces loved their Uncle Monster who changed their worlds for the better.


The world needs more people like Derwin Dean. Rest well my friend, you bought joy and laughter to everyone. Maybe we all mustn’t grumble as much.




* Derwins funeral takes place on January 5th 1pm at Slough Crematorium followed by a celebration of his life at the Irish Club

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

FLAGGING UP THE SUPPORTERS TRUST

 

Printed in the National League South game v Hemel Hempstead Town Tuesday 19th December 2023. We won 2-0 in front 607.



The announcement of a new chair of the Slough Town Supporters Trust probably went under most peoples radar. But with the new banners behind the goals, extra coach travel for FA Cup replays and Dean doing little dances to entice people to buy Christmas raffle tickets, its been a busy time for the Trust.



But who are they? What do they do – and whose the new man at the top?


Richard Kendall was born in Taplow, grew up on the Britwell Estate and has spent his whole life in and around Slough and its suburbs. He worked at Heathrow from leaving school back in 1980 until 2022 where he’s now enjoying retirement and quite a few holidays!


The family tradition was to support Tottenham and Slough, which I did.

It’s all Slough Town for me now. Non-league football has so many more attractions to it. Just one more visit to Wembley for Slough and I’d be happy. I was there in 73’ at Wembley, albeit we somehow undeservedly lost 1-0. Amongst my memorabilia I do have a player’s shirt, full tracksuit and runners up medal from the day."


It’s safe to say that Richard does like his memorabilia – and big flags.


My most active period of watching Slough was The Conference years, following us both home and away, with regular trips up north to the likes of Halifax and Gateshead. So close to making the Wembley dream a reality again but missed out to Southport in the semi-final.”



Like many supporters, being kicked out of the Conference and spending years being homeless, meant Richard didn’t get to see the Rebels.


Two major events for me started me watching Slough again. The return to a new stadium after being nomads for many years and then the Kings Lynn playoff final. Such a fantastic day out, and afterwards back at the club. Brilliant atmosphere, belting out ‘Sweet Caroline’ when it was not even the football anthem it is today. I decided then I’d like to be more involved with the club, one way or another. The first conversation I had led to me joining the Trust.”


What does the Trust do?


The Trust was formed back in 2003 to provide support to the club during very challenging times. Efforts made were outstanding and I’m very happy that the club are still here so personally can play a part in the future.


We have a set of rules to follow and from these we have several key objectives:



  • Supporting the Slough Town Football Club to promote further development of football at all levels within the community, to encourage participation and inclusion for all.

  • Strengthen the bond between the football club and the community with our efforts.

  • To represent our supporters and encourage the club to take proper account of the interests of the supporters and the community it serves in its decisions.

  • Provide services to our supporters to allow them to travel to games which may otherwise be difficult.

  • Give support to youth development and local charities.


To translate this into what this really means breaks down into two key areas of volunteering and financial support.


Almost all the Trust board work on matchdays, for the Trust and / or the club. A lot also happens behind the scenes as well. Things like coach planning, social media, meeting charities, fundraising events, stationery, 500 Club and financial as examples.


Our Key fundraising events such as Trust membership, Christmas raffle, sponsored walk and donations are very important to us and allow us to work closely with the club. Every penny we raise benefits the club and the local community.


As for coach travel, we do our utmost to run a coach to away games. This element is not to make profit and provides a service that allows fans to watch the ‘Rebels on Tour’. We would like more supporters to use the coaches as this helps to ensure we can run a coach, and secondly to reduce costs to all supporters. We may well consider family rates as a way forward to help spread the costs.


As a Trust board we are all equal members and therefore all have a say in our decisions, to help achieve the best outcome for our members and the club.”


Why did you decided to become Chair and what do you think the Trust can do better. It seems to have a great relationship with the new owners – tell us about some of the initiatives and others in the pipeline


From the concerns off the pitch last season, there is new Club management in place with a dynamic approach towards future growth and success on the pitch. We are 100% not forgetting the great efforts of those before them who were and still are actively involved. The Trust wanted to be a part of these plans and to represent the supporters whilst developing our future relationship with the club.


It has been important to add new Trust board members, who are readily accessible to fans, able to join in with Trust efforts, and to present ourselves to the Club as an asset. We have this in place, and have developed several key focus points: Communication, understanding, collaboration and making plans happen. We will have a future legacy plan for the club from the supporters, when the time is right. Becoming a Trust member will play your part in this as well as several other benefits such as a draw for boardroom access, limited edition badge, extra raffle tickets, tea/coffee for a night game, coach discount.


Our supporters are fabulous, and I include the many who volunteer in this. Everyone is different, (bin basher just came to mind) but it does not matter who you are. Everyone is welcome, everyone is friendly and so many get to know each other very quickly as friends. We all share the passion that is Slough Town FC.”


Cheer Richard. Final word goes to our joint owner Ashley Smith “The Club's relationship with the Trust has excellent foundations. I've been in frequent dialogue with Richard about our plans and how we can collaborate. In 2024 we hope to deliver a legacy project to aid both the Football Club and Trust."  


Don't delay, join today. Either online at https://www.sloughtownsupporterstrust.com or chat to Trust members under one of the Gazebos as you enter the ground.