3 UP AND 3 POINTS

 

Printed in the National League South game v Worthing Saturday 15th February 2025  We won 4-0 in front of 783

Well, that felt good. After two months without a win (but two credible draws against Torquay and Eastbourne) we finally tasted victory against a Maidstone side who must hate coming to Arbour Park. ‘Get your Ed-on that’ as someone witty put it. After the whistle, we serenaded the players and our manager Scott Davies admitted it had been consuming him and he could actually sleep tonight – well that’s if his newborn would let him. Maidstone were probably the best supported club we’ve had here all season and at one point outnumbered Slough supporters in the Wheatsheaf about 10 to 1. Amazing what the offer of free food can do!

In other news every club in the National League has got behind the 3UP to the English Football League campaign. It’s a no brainer. Just two promotion spots has created a bottle neck that has filtered down to the north and south divisions – pushing finances to the limit just to try and compete.

Today's opponents manager has said that if Worthing want to reach their full potential they will have to go full time and he reckons in a few years most clubs at our level will be. Where the money will come from to pay for that is another matter but the National League are already going to introduce financial rules that align with the English Football League.

No club that's ever been promoted from the National League has come straight back down while the majority that have been relegated have struggled to escape their lower league purgatory and failed to bounce back straight away. Those current league clubs might be Turkeys voting for Christmas, but they will appreciate that extra place if they ever grace themselves in what Sutton supporters dubbed the Bastard League.

The English Football pyramid is the envy of the world we are often told, which is why of course they stopped financial lifelines like FA Cup replays.

The Rebels from Worthing have been Sloughs opponents for many a season and visiting them, it always felt like the club had so much potential, but was run like some meat raffle mentality dusty old working men's club. In January 2015 the playing budget was cut with huge debts and their future looked in serious doubt. Then along came George Dowell. After his football career was cut short from a car accident that left him paralysed, at just 21 he became the UK’s youngest football chairman.

He set about transforming the club; ground improvements, 4G pitch, refurbished clubhouses – oh and better players and some even better managers. There’s a fantastic feel to the place, the footballs flowing and crowds have rocketed, the food is edible and quite a few Brighton supporters I know have swapped the Amex for Woodside Road. The only downside is that some of their stewards could do with lessons in not creating the situations they are employed to diffuse. They would do well, to look at how the ones at Slough deal with issues.

Tuesday night it was off to a park to watch some football. There can’t be many grounds that are based in a park, but then St. Albans is quite an unusual, unique place with every other pub claiming to the oldest in England. Their ground is a cross between the antiques roadshow and the trendy Laines of Brighton with micropubs at each corner. Lenchy's dad said it was the best football club pub crawl he’s done in ages! The West Ham boys had their very own tour guide, who managed to get us lost trying to find a pub and said she only went to the football for the chicken. In the end Slough served up a dollop of tripe.

Our club is seriously punching above its weight, the fact that Dartford went down last season, and St Albans struggling this season just shows the strength of the league. But in terms of the size of the town, there is so much potential for growth and every week there’s new initiatives happening – the latest being a new football development officer starting their post with a brand-new schools programme.

The jump up to the National League is as brutal as the Championship to the Premier League. Let’s see if the new Independent Football Regulator knocks some sense into its wild west finances, and that its the football on the pitch not just how much you have in your pocket that occasionally wins you games.

CAMBERWICK GREEN

Printed in the National League South game v Maidstone United Saturday 8th February 2025  We finally won a game of football. 1-0 in front of 937

Remember Camberwick Green? I’ll forgive you if you don’t cos it was on TV in the early 70’s; but I reckon Dorking is a version of the old children's programme 50 years on. It’s high street snakes up the hill, with enough independent butchers and bakers to shake a scented candle stick maker at. It’s got a pleasing amount of hostelries – which would make Windy Miller raise his flagon of ale. Neither Wetherspoons or McDonalds have managed to stink up the place. It’s no real surprise that it’s a Liberal Democrat constituency with the buses stopping at 8pm to make sure everyone is tucked up in bed ready for tomorrows episode.

Last Saturdays programme featured Slough, who had given the Dorks a bloody nose one fabulous Arbour Park Tuesday night in November. The owner Marc White has made a name for himself and can pull in a crowd. And he likes the Slough lot, well what’s not too like?

A hero to some, but if you stay long enough in any town, there will be old school companions who are less than complimentary. Stick your head above the parapet and someone will want to shoot it off and its fair to say that Mr.White likes to wave his baseball covered head in the air a lot. And why not when the team you founded has come from nothing to rocket up the leagues, built a new stadium, become the main Dorking team and pull in decent crowds for a sleepy market town. Infact their ground is complete revamp of where Dorking used to play but the man in the pub said the old ground was falling down and that the original Dorking were playing miles away in front of 50 people before they decided to call it a day. It was time for him to switch to Wanderers.

It’s been a hokey-cokey in-out in-out player reshuffle at Slough for this episode, with the biggest news Leon Parillion going to Southend United to play full time football. We got some cash and I hear a sell on clause. This isn’t really surprising as he has been brilliant. As Chris Ashby put it so well. ‘Our very own Rolls-Royce has left the garage. I look forward to seeing you in the League. Thanks for the memories, we’ll always have Torquay.’

As we congregated in the local Inns I don’t think even the most optimistic of Rebels expected much; maybe chips in the away end and a decent bin to hit? In the end it was a 3-1 defeat, no chips and a really poor bin effort that stunk the place out. Young acrobatic Alfie managed to hang onto terraces while bashing drumsticks in rhythm on the metal roof. Some feat. The stewards were decent and so were most of their supporters. Well they do shop in Waitrose as we reminded the young cous-cous crew who wanted to goad us or maybe just ask us for our MarsBar recipe. Sue told someone off on twitter for being rude and their parents stepped in to tell him off. Well, maybe.

It was a welcome return of Edon Pruti my man of the match alongside our goalkeeper Charlie Horlock. Despite not having lots of cash to flash, one of the reasons we can attract players is they can see that Slough can be a stepping stone to greater things and Edon spoke about this in his post match interview. I think that was after he was grabbed by Clubshop Sue and put in an after match strangle hold like some new workplace initiation ceremony.

The short term aim is now avoiding relegation. I know our owners are trying to build a sustainable football club so we can compete and Scott Davies is already talking about signings and planning for next season. A few more wins would help with any jitters we are feeling.

As me and Postie Gaz had an aftermatch aperitif and we chatted to the friendly locals, I was informed that the trains had gone to pot as is obligatory on a Saturday night. So what are the chances of bumping into a Slough supporter living in Brighton who got his wife to drive up to Dorking and bring us back home.

Are Dorking going up? I hope not, cos its more fun to visit than other places. Their ground is a bit soulless with just two proper ends but I’ve heard of ambitions to expand to 10,000 stadium which surely is the whole population of Camberwick? But its tight at the top with five teams level on points. It’s good the National League feeder leagues are competitive but the majority of top teams are full time or have hybrid training whatever that means.

Next up is another team challenging for promotion. Maidstone United. I know it can be frustrating and no one likes losing , but our support really is something else – as acknowledged by the management team after the game. Let’s keep doing what we are doing. Maybe they will make a children's TV show about us all.

THEY'VE EVEN GOT A TAMBOURINE

 

Printed in the National League South game v Weston-super-mare Tuesday 27th January 2025  We lost 3-1 in front of 533

I know i'm very, very late to the party but I’ve finally joined Facebook – prompted by Twitter becoming a place where you feel like you’ve been swimming in sewage – well unless of course its the sweet smelling discourse with Slough supporters. Its to easy to end up going down a raging twittering rabbit hole, angry at the world and shaking fists at imaginary foes while the richest people in the world laugh in our faces. We’ve been played by the algorithms so im just hanging on for the lower league chat while muting words and accounts that harm my delicate sensibilities.

Mind you, my new Facebook account is only about Slough Town. And who knew there were delights like Non League Bins! Revelling in rubbish depositories where as you would expect our famous wheelies feature heavily. Infact surely its time for a national bin off tournament? I’ve got more chance with that, than becoming part of the walking wounded of any proposed Slough Town supporters games.

Then I stumbled across a Rebel love fest thread on Non League Football Chat. A Hemel fan starts ‘Brilliant away following for Slough Town in a game they lost 4-1 …never stopped encouraging their team! Best support I’ve seen at Vauxhall Road in ages’… Another chips in ‘They did exactly the same at Kidderminster in the Trophy even when they were 4 -0 down’ while another Hempsteady added ‘Credit to them, they always travel well to us and in general. As a Hemel fan I wish we had away support like they do. Brilliant little club they are, always enjoyed talking to Slough fans.’

Which is always nice to hear. Our Firm used to be more infirm but we’ve grown and grown and youngsters now outnumber us oldies but we all try and have a laugh and well- I’ve had a hard week at work, I want to have some fun! We are gonna lose some games of football and I’d rather leave my moaning in the clubhouse after the game than towards our players on the pitch and our any sort of forum because i'm polite like that. Or maybe have had one to many to actually type after a game.

I love visiting new places but don’t really like holidays – unless its a Slough Town away ole ole one. Rebels on Tour is not just good for the soul but also for your brain, with historical tours and cultural exchanges with the locals to compliment the 90 minutes of football. But I’m not into groundhopping – if im going to watch some football I need some skin in the game, unless its a winner takes all cup match. I can’t just enjoy it for the beauty of the surroundings or the beauty of the football being played on the pitch. So give me a mini Slough Town holiday break any day.

Football Saturdays are also the only time you can go up to strangers and chat and not be seen as an axe murderer. All because you have a football top or Slough Town bobble hat on. Mind you I had to move train seats on my trip to Tonbridge. I used to love hitching because you got to hear snapshots of peoples lives – but these three talking about stationary and office politics and whose nicking the post it notes. Lord, give me strength. Thought I was a Wernham Hogg Office sketch. And not a funny one.

I wandered round the tidy town of Tonbridge with its train station proudly announcing the next Angels game, its crumbly castle and river, with children wearing their towns colours in the bright January sunshine. I dipped my chips in my runny egg breakfast while an old lady in a Christmas top, informed me she doesn’t like her brother who she has to live with. And that she bought so many tissues from the local shop they wrote a letter to thank her!

As I sipped my pint and scrolled my phone a thread featuring the Wallace and Gromit Trumpet song and Biggest Trading Estate in Europe tune – while poking fun at some of our musical instruments – ‘they’ve even got a tambourine’ had half a million views. With people chipping in ‘That's good quality support! Funny too….This is what the games about.’

Even my mum messaged me – ‘Great atmosphere. More like a party.’ And well, you know what a few of our newer supporters have said it is this type of atmosphere that has got them coming back for more. Right, I’m off to buy a xylophone.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND ALL THAT

 

Printed in the National League South game v Torquay United Tuesday 21st January 2025 We drew 2-2 in front of 791

Surely there’s no better way to usher in the New Year than a trip to Borehamwood after half a seconds sleep. As I disembarked from the train the rain lashed down but thankfully a pub landlord rescued me and invited me into his humble abode.

Now I haven’t been to Borehamwood's ground for a number of years, and the transformation is impressive, in part helped by hosting Arsenal Ladies with serious investment from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund. Oh and a wealthy chairman who definitely isn’t on the Christmas card list for the pub regulars I chatted too. Borehamwood have always struggled to attract crowds, and at one point the chairman threatened to pull the plug until a very decent FA Cup run attracted new supporters. Slough battled well to go in 1-1 at the break but then the full time, well resourced team proved clinical in front of goal and that as they say, was that.

Next up was Kidderminster Harriers. Years ago we’d shared a few seasons together in the Conference but like so many former opponents they went up while we plummeted down. The thick frost that carpeted the outskirts of London didn’t bode well but I was warmed by the obligatory matchday Slough curry-for-breakfast before hoping on the packed supporters coach for a just £20 - a bit cheaper than the £86 the rail companies wanted.

If Borehamwood's facilities had improved in our absence Kidderminster’s were off the scale. Football League worthy infact – where they were for five seasons In the end a decent showing of 222 Rebels made the trip to see us outclassed in the first half by a very good National League North side who must be banking on promotion. Still 90 minutes of football couldn’t spoil a good day out. Curry for breakfast, seeing Arbour Park buzzing with football on the pitch, when we left and when we returned. Lincoln giving me his cold, snot covered chips, Lucy the Nurses big knitted scarf, the friendly social club. My only regret was not visiting the Museum of Carpet.

But the highlight of the day was seeing Arbour Park buzzing outside of the seniors mens matchdays. Two games with young boys and girls in the morning, with parents packing the main stand and grabbing a hot drink. A lot more civilised than when I used to watch my boys on a muddy field in the pouring rain with no facilities. As the snow began to fall, it was Slough v Gosport man v fat. I spoke to community manager Ade about all this activity and the fact that the opening of the downstairs bar has made a massive difference.

“All the kids in our junior teams were offered free Season Tickets with a discount for parents too as well. The take up was good. The best part is that visiting teams, whether it’s junior teams or Virginia Water opponents or even Man v Fat opponents, absolutely love this venue, not just for the facilities but also the chance to play on a fantastic pitch.

“Man v Fat play a 7 aside league at Arbour Park on a Monday evening and the whole idea is about weight loss for men with a BMI over 27.5 .The good thing is that if your team loses more weight then it gives you an advantage in the league game. Each member receives dietary tips and recipes, they have an online workout available and a mental health programme as this can be a huge part of losing weight. Our partnership has seen some of their participants form an 11 aside team which plays under the Slough Town FC banner and play their games at AP. One of the main benefits we have seen form this partnership is that they guys from MvF are contributing to the local community as 7 players took part in the BIG SLEEPOUT for the homeless which was held at AP plus they also did a food bank collection just before Xmas.

“I know some our fans always say its wrong to hand out free tickets, but they have to remember its purpose is a community stadium and the number of repeat bookings is amazing.”

Kevin Brooker told me about his involvement “I joined Man Vs Fat in 2019. I was at my heaviest then and knew I had to do something. I love football and found MvF. It is basically 6 a side football meets weight watchers! It has been brilliant for me both physically and mentally. I have lost almost 4 stone since starting and in general that weight has stayed off. I am now the Assistant Coach for the Slough MvF League.

“Our bond with Slough increased when we started the MvF Slough XI's Team in 2023. We play in Slough kit and are really representing the club in a specialist league. I started coming along to the odd Slough Town game where I received a warm welcome and now very much consider myself a Slough supporter. Up the Rebels!”

Next up Hemel Hempstead who had ended our year long unbeaten run then paid the price with a Rebel curse that saw them go on a long losing streak that also saw their manager lose his job. Hemel Hempstead is not just a mish mash of a place name but a mish mash of a place. You step outside the train station and its like being in the countryside. The roundabouts must have been designed by someone on acid; the old town is a delight next to the carbuncle of a seventies shopping centre. As for the football, well we were blinded by the light in the first half, had a brief reprieve then once again shipped a load of goals.

What has been the common thread of all these games is our support – travelling in large numbers and - despite seeing our team losing, just hasn’t let up. There’s been plenty of praise from opposition supporters and sometimes you wouldn’t realise that it was us who were losing.

While we welcomed a well earned point at home to Eastbourne we also remembered our legendary physio SuperKev McGoldrick who passed away six years ago after working for the club for over 30 years. His words before an FA Cup game about what a welcoming, friendly club Slough is still holds true and I think he would be proud of what’s happening.

Of course we should dream of play offs, cup runs and a trip to Wembley stadium. And the 90 minutes on the pitch really do matter to everyone's general well being. But as I get older I can look at the bigger picture of what's happening at our club, be proud of that and know that’s also worth shouting about.

A FISH AND CHIP FOOTBALL FEAST

 

Printed in the National League South game v Eastbourne Borough Saturday 18th January 2025  We drew 0-0 in front of 986

It finally happened. I could tick off United along with Borough and Town to complete that unlikely Eastbourne accolade of three senior football clubs. And there used to be four (Shinewater Association since you asked). Eastbourne certainty is a bit greedy when it comes to football. And all three are on the up.

Town are not just the oldest in Eastbourne but the oldest in Sussex founded in 1881, with their listed turnstile in the more well-to-do part of town hemmed in by bowls and cricket. United have just had a million pound revamp, and well we all know about Borough. Infact the only person I knew at the Eastbourne Untied game was Andy the friendly Borough steward who seemed to be a minor celebratory and bought me a beer as he told tales of the worst behaved supporters. It certainty isn’t the Rebel Rabble. Both United and Town have an old potted footballing history against Slough when Borough was still just marsh land.

New committee, new owners, new ideas – all organisations need it from time to time or become trapped in a meat raffle mentality or just exhausted by the relentlessness of it all.

Eastbourne United's Oval ground – which apparently had been on its last legs for quite a while – has been totally rebuilt. This includes not just a new 3G pitch but also a huge revamp of the facilities inside and out, including the changing rooms, car parks and bar, entrance and clubhouse areas. They helped sort out drainage and flooding in the nearby park, and have managed to build something quirky and distinctive – they’ve even got sponsored urinals – and the clubhouse is now open to all rather than members only.

Their Chairman Matt Thompson added: “We are part of the Princes Park area that includes the Perch restaurant, Princes mini-golf, sailing and also the Park itself. Our site has been run down for too long – now we are proud of our contribution to the town & Princes Park itself.”

Teams using the new facility include: Eastbourne Rangers, Willingdon Youth , Allstar Soccer, Men Utd (Mental Health Team), Sussex Girls Teams and of course Eastbourne United.

Still its heartening to see some people, rather than celebrating what a great investment this is, have a moan up. And you can always find a Lib Dem councillor to have a moan about a football club. Local councillor Angry Fist-Waver frothed; "There's is anti social behaviour even now with just three teams playing a week. We don't think it is Eastbourne United, we think it is more likely to be the opposing teams.

“They sit on garden walls, they smoke cigarettes and flick them into the gardens. They’ve been peeing in the gardens. They even, on one occasion redistributed the dog poo from one of our dog poo containers. There has been damage to cars and sometimes loud karaoke music coming from the club. This is happening now, so what is going to happen when there are 18 teams using the club, possibly six teams at once, from nine in the morning to nine at night.

“This is going to increase parking, it is going to increase noise, it is going to increase antisocial behaviour, it is definitely going to increase pollution in terms of traffic, plastic and light pollution.”

Well quite, infact the best way to curb anti social behaviour is by having everyone locked up in their houses 24-7 rather than new community facilities where they can meet their neighbours; and anyone whose gone to County League football knows that baying hoards of away fans are always an er, problem...

Once person whose no doubt very happy is Daniel Ford who spent last season gorging himself on Eastbourne football – and I mean seriously, one-more-wafer-thin-mint gorging, with a book that's fit to burst. ‘Fish, Chips and football – a season by the seaside’ details all 103 games he went too, from park football to National League South, with an easy style full of football history and quirks. Infact I got my copy from a quirky sports memorabilia shop in Eastbourne.

As for the game, well after listening to two old blokes at the bar having the obligatory moan that Christmas goes on too long, and there’s nothing on TV (unlike when they were growing up and there was two channels).

I pop out in the cold to see a decent festive crowd of 446 snaking around the block before kick off, throwing dog poo bags around and sticking cigarette butts through peoples letterboxes. Or just standing politely in a queue. United's managers programme notes bemoans his lot ‘Work, injury, suspension, weddings, cats birthday, there’s always a forest to navigate through to try and get your best 16.” He seems to have managed it today.

I’m sure Newhaven had high hopes this season after losing in the play off final to Eastbourne Town. But a 4-1 defeat here saw their joint managers resign after 10 years and 500 games where they have transformed Newhaven into a Sussex County League (Southern Combination now) force. And it was good to hear people shout ‘come on United’ – especially as Manchester supporters think they own the copyright on that.

So if you want to feast on fish and chips and football while taking a stroll down the prom you know where to head.

TRUST IN OUR CLUB

 

Printed in the Boxing Day National League South game v Chesham United.  1-1 draw in front of 1,185 with one of the best long range goals you will ever see 

After all the excitement of the Christmas raffle I decided to interview two of the more familiar faces of the Supporters Trust. The Two Ronnies. Morecambe and Wise. Bill and Ben. The Chuckle Brothers.

Dean Beckett and Richard Kendall have been called all these and a lot more that aren’t printable, but have helped bring fresh ideas and fun into the Supporters Trust – acting as a link from supporters to the club. Unfortunately Dean was too busy having a massage and folding raffle tickets to answer my questions but Richard took time out from his busy retirement schedule and rang me from the Maldives to show me the scenery. I was just passing Hayes and Harlington on the train and both places looked very similar, so not sure why he didn’t save his money when he could have enjoyed a B&B by the Grand Union Canal.

What does the trust do for the club – why should people join?

Richard; “The Supporters Trust has been, and continues to be, a support to the football club and the wider community, both financially through our fundraising, and volunteering. Our membership package offers a range of benefits, including several agreed with the football club. Membership revenues are a key part of what we are able to donate to the football club.

“A lot more supporters come directly to us for any enquiries and we are pleased to assist. It’s a really good friendly group and everyone is welcome. One of our best and ongoing achievement is to offer coaches to away games. This is cost effective to supporters, appreciated by the club and players and ensures anyone who needs transport can attend. Our next plan is to run coaches to every single game, so in future we want to include mini bus travel to the Tuesday nighters where for some of these games the uptake can be challenging.”

What's your relationships like with the owners? Do you meet regularly? Do they listen to your ideas? Concerns?

“Our relationship with the club is excellent with agreed lines of communication to avoid ‘everyone talking to everyone’. Since day one, the new owners have been very appreciative of our efforts and have embraced our ideas, thoughts and initiatives for supporters. We were able to discuss a recent concern over seats and that will be a benefit for future planning. It’s important to note that the owners are not ‘hands off’ and work tirelessly behind the scenes. We considered regular meetings but found it quicker to talk to each other and discuss items as needed which works fine for us all.”

Since you two got more involved the Trust seems more fun! Has a much bigger social media presence, fully coaches etc. The Facebook page especially is busy and a laugh. Is that on purpose ?

“We purposely set out to make our Facebook page one for the supporters, giving information, and all round being more of a fun place. Anyone approved can post and we have a good number who regularly start posts and hundreds who comment all the time, or on the odd occasion. It’s a really good page, we have good and appropriate banter, and Scott often responds to posts. Of course it’s fun with Dean and myself having such a great sense of humour, well we think we do.”

Where do you see Slough Town in 5 years

“In 5 years time. I’d like to see our management team move the club forward. No doubt they will have exciting plans once sustainability is in place. Some ground improvements for our supporters experience would be excellent. We know some would love promotion, why not it’s something to aspire to. However, some still want Slough to do well, but not be promoted due fears of running costs for the club, full time or hybrid part time, distances, time and cost for supporters to travel etc. For me, like many, I crave success for Slough. Firstly, avoiding relegation is a success. I’d like a promotion, I’d like the 3rd round of the F A Cup, and I’d like Wembley, not being too greedy.

I feel the Trust could also explore ways for our supporters to become a part of the club through investment, yes I did just say that.”

Cheers Richard and hope you enjoyed your massage Dean.

So how important is the Trust for the football club? I asked CEO Ashley Smith

“ Financial stability and support

Supporters’ trusts can bring significant benefits to clubs, particularly at the non-league level helping to supplement the club’s budget and allow funding towards new projects.

Advocacy and Representation

Voice for Fans: The trust ensures that fans’ interests are represented in club decision-making.

Volunteer Support

Access to Volunteers: Supporters involved in the trust are more likely to volunteer their time and expertise, reducing operational costs and improving efficiency.

Enhanced Club Culture

The supporters’ trust fosters a culture of inclusivity and

pride, aligning the club’s values with those of its supporters.

Preserving Heritage

Trust involvement ensures that the club’s history and traditions

are respected and preserved.

For Slough Town FC, which has a rich fanbase, the backing of a supporters’ trust can help cement its position as a central hub for local football and ensure its growth and sustainability for future generations.”

So don’t delay, join today

Membership forms are available from the Trust stall situated by the programmes or go to http://www.sloughtownsupporterstrust.com 

And why not join the 500 Club. Cash prizes every month for as little as £5 a month

THE WHEATSHEAF PUB

The club has more partners than a gigolo but across the town pubs and clubs are starting to throw their support behind the Rebels.

To be fair the Wheatsheaf has always been the unofficial Slough Town pub, taking coaches in the past to big away games. It’s been a leading music venue and a hub of activity that has recently sprung back to life with Ollie and Lianne taking over. Trust members get 10% discount on pints on matchdays and they’ve started serving up free food for people going to the game. A shuttle bus to home matches is planned for the future.

THAT EXTRA ONE PER CENT

 

Printed in the National League South game v Salisbury 14th December 2024 We drew 1-1 in front of 661 people. 

Photo by Scott McNeish

Before Sir Dave Brailsford became head of British Cycling the team had only ever won a single gold medal in its 76 year history. But under his leadership that all changed, with British Cycling dominating the 2008 Olympics winning an incredible 60% of the gold medals. They repeated this success at the 2012 Olympics. Brailsford then went on to manage Sir Bradley Wiggins who became the first ever British winner of the Tour de France following this up with Chris Froome's success.

So what the hell did he do? It was all about the “extra one per cent rule”—or rather, what Brailsford refers to as “marginal gains” in action.

Sir Dave believed that the road to success was through small—not giant—strides, having become influenced by the concept of “Kaizen”— a Japanese word meaning ‘continuous improvement.’

His team examined and improved upon everything from aerodynamics to mechanics in the truck they travelled in. He ensured that each team member made positive adjustments to their diet, sleep habits, and overall health. There was one catch: Every team member had to be committed, or the marginal gains approach would not work.

I was thinking about this story the day after the SL Classico victory and remembering a flustered Spreadsheet Stu. He burst into the bar telling us that our manager and kitman had dragged him into the dressing room to give a team talk to the players about just how important the game meant to the supporters. It was a genius move and gave the extra per cent that can make the difference.

Stu himself had been promoting the Wheatsheaf pub on the Slough Town socials. The Wheatsheaf opened early and by 12.30 was rammed, no doubt helped in part with a free bacon sarnie for anyone going to the game. If ever there was evidence of how new owners can inject new life into a place, here it was.

I lived with my dad in Alpha Street for quite a few years. Well, he mainly lived in the Alpha Arms. It was a lively, vibrant place (the area, not so much the postage stamp Alpha). We got together with neighbours and set up a residents group that focused on positive change rather than wasting our time moaning. In one fun rubbish run we picked up all the discarded McDonalds wrappers after they told us it was unhygienic to have proper plates and cutlery; oh and in any case people always put their rubbish in the bin. Oh yeah so how comes we’ve just collected bin bags full from the neighbouring streets. How they thanked us when we returned it all to them.

As I stared out the window enjoying my obligatory pre match breakfast curry I couldn’t help but think that some serious positive action was needed right now. The streets were a complete tip, despite the fact that wheelie bins were everywhere. On this showing, it’s not surprising that Slough had just been voted worst place to live in the country.

But scratch beneath the surface and there’s civic pride because people want to make the places they live better.

The annual #OneSlough Awards returned in November, attracting a record 134 nominations. Organised by the charity Slough Council for Voluntary Services the awards recognise the commitment of volunteers, charities, and supportive businesses.

Here’s just 3 examples

Slough West Indian Peoples Enterprise or SWIPE have been making a difference since 1997. Committed to helping those at risk of exclusion, particularly young people, develop their potential through music, arts, sport or community service, fostering unity among different races and faiths, promoting a shared sense of belonging and community cohesion.

Slough Art for All Adults is a community project aimed at adults who take part in arts and crafts activities at the accessible St

Mary’s Church and at Slough Town FC

Slough Hub has four programmes #DRIVE is the employability and skills development #ARTSCAPE an ambitious initiative that seeks to make Slough a beautiful, vibrant town that becomes a talking point for its unique attractions. #BOOST promotes physical and mental health #IGNITE focuses on the economic development of the area including helping people to start small businesses and create an environment where businesses and people can thrive.

Where does our football club sit amongst this?

Slough Town FC partnered with Slough Hub during the summer to host the extremely successful Slough Olympica which saw over 1600 residents attend and over 30 different sports organisations showcasing their activities.

On the pitch the best of Slough was also in evidence at Arbour Park come 5pm as Rebel supporters where left with smiles on their faces as wide as a giant MarsBar. Not even Storm WhatitsFace could spoil the day.

As we celebrated the win, the players serenaded us with their version of Twist and Shout. As one supporter put it so well ‘I was right in front of this celebration and it was awesome! They really include the fans after every game.’ Getting everyone involved, feeling part of Team Slough Town, squeezing that extra 1% out of all of us.

Ashley Smith CEO of the club told me “Slough Town FC is more than just a football team; it is a pillar of the local community, fostering pride, unity, and opportunity. Its contributions to social cohesion, youth engagement, and economic activity make it a vital part of Slough’s cultural and social fabric. As a club with a long history, Slough Town FC connects the present-day community with its past, creating a shared narrative that many residents take pride in. The club acts as a unifying force, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to support a common cause. This is particularly meaningful in a town as

culturally diverse as Slough. By actively engaging with Slough Town FC, the community not only supports a local institution but also builds a thriving, interconnected, and vibrant town.”

The human soul can’t survive on a diet of takeaways, Netflix and social media. People need to belong and our club are right in the mix trying to make a change.

But things will only change when people step up. Maybe I will bring a litterpick next time I’m in town and try and clear at least 1% of the rubbish on the way to the pub. I might be some time.

And if you think all this is hot air and impossible; well just ask the British Cycling Team.

SL CLASSICO WITH CHRISTMAS BELLS ON

Printed in the FA Trophy 3rd round game v Maidenhead United Saturday 7th December 2024  We won 2-1 in front of 1,770 

Football is all about hope, oh and having fun. As I tuned into Talk Sport to listen to the Trophy draw, like all Slough fans I was hoping for Maidenhead. Bingo! After 23 years – give or take some Berks and Bucks Cup – we get them at home. The SL Classico is finally back.

Now, I’ve got a confession to make. After nearly 50 years of watching the Rebels I’ve never seen us play Maidenhead in a competitive fixture – not even a Berks and Bucks one. Sure I’ve popped over to their ground occasionally to watch them but never the Rebels v the Magpies. This isn’t all together surprising as we’ve passed like ships in the night.

When I was growing up it was Wycombe that were our biggest rivals and games to relish. The most memorable was that almighty ding-dong in March 1993 when we were challenging for the Conference title as it was known then. My local pub the Wheatsheaf was full of Slough supporters up for travelling to the big games – with unofficial coach trips to Colchester, Reading and Wycombe. The problem was getting people to leave the bloody pub and so inevitably we always arrived late. Usually that wasn’t a problem, but at Wycombe the ground was full to bursting, so a few of us more determined ones jumped over the fence while the less nimble watched from the hill side. The official attendance was 7,230 but unofficially it was a lot more and was the record Conference crowd for many years. Wycombe eventually became an established league club while we became a homeless basket case.

As we plummeted down the leagues only Windsor had any semblance of a proper derby; no disrespect to Burnham or Beaconsfield but these matches just didn’t do it for me. And we always seem to lose to them – Beaconsfield helped in part by our money as we swapped our Windsor tenancy for their place. It was soul destroying If I’m honest.

So am I showing a lack of ambition saying I'm not bothered about being in the Grand National League? For starters it’s brutal and has got to be up there with the Premier League as the biggest jump up for promoted teams...just look at last seasons successful teams and see how they are struggling. And if Bromley and Woking's away day hospitality is anything to go by then thanks but no. I like swapping ends, chatting to opposition supporters and having a beer on the terraces. There does need to be three up to the Football League as its created a bottleneck for successful clubs and maybe a Midlands National League but I’m not sure how that would work logistically.

Maidenhead hit the jackpot by having a sell on clause for one of their ex players and they looked like they were getting a new ground before a change of council changed the goalposts. York Road might be one for the historical romantics but it seriously has its limitations. I’d love to know how much some clubs are spending just to keep their heads above water in the National League. If it were up to me I would get clubs to publicise warts and all their monthly accounts to give supporters a better idea of just what it costs running a football club. I’d also do this with council accounts, especially highlighting how the majority is spent on social care now with nothing left for places people can meet like youth clubs, libraries and community centres.

Ambition can also be about what’s happening behind the scenes not just on the pitch, and how a club like Slough – where the council is one step beyond bankrupt – can be the social glue that binds a place together. We’ve already seen this turbo charged since the signing of the lease for Arbour Park.

What we’ve also got to remember is what we see of any organisation is just the tip of the iceberg – the majority of hard work hidden under the waves. Yes we can see the tangible stuff like the new bar, the smart link up with the local boxer, the fancy food trucks and we’ve got more partners than a gigolo! But I know from being involved in community groups; the meetings, phone calls, earache, worries about finance, policies and procedures…..its relentless and when you get it wrong, boy do people let you know.

It’s games like these that will drive attendances, let people know that Slough the Town has a football team where you can have a laugh, meet new friends, maybe even get to bang a bin or shake a tambourine. Get it right today, on and off the pitch and we will pick up a few more supporters, a bit of prize money and some bragging rights. Where down to the last 64. Not a time to dream about Wembley just yet. But that wont stop us hoping – and having a laugh while we pray to the footballing gods that we put one over our near neighbours.