AND THE BEAT GOES ON

Published in the National League South game v Hungerford Town Saturday 7th March 2020. We lost 2-0 in front of 885 in what could be the last home game of the season.

The world just got a lot quieter with the passing of DJ and musical genius Andrew Weatherall. The charismatic Windsor boy and Terry Farley a football supporting, gas fitting, soul boy from Slough, were part of a group of people that sparked a musical revolution in the early 90's. And who would have bet on Slough and the surrounding towns being at the revolutions epicentre with Berkshire going Baleriac. And it wasn't just the full-on raves at the Slough Community Centre, free parties in fields and warehouses; there were bands playing gigs in every pub and club and independent fanzines popping up all over the place.

Andy Weatherall was known affectionately as the Governor, a DJ who also had his own music and remixed others, working with everyone from New Order, Happy Mondays, Saint Etienne and Manic Stree Preachers. He's probably best known for his remix of Primal Screams 'Loaded' which became an instant dance floor classic. 

It was also a time of spiraling football violence and Slough had its own gangs that spoilt every party you went too and often came looking for trouble whenever the Rebels had big games. But with the partying came a new drug Ectasy and I remember walking in the Orchard Centre open mouthed as some of the very same people who wanted to take on the world were dancing to this new music and massaging each other blissed out! To quote Primal Screams Bobby Gillespie '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." Weatherall was one of those people.

In Slough Town terms that crack was opened with a crowbar by our former chairman Steve Easterbrook. Steve finally brought the Rebels back home, so desperately needed for the club to survive and prosper. That crack has recently appeared again as people try and take the club to the next level. 

As a pub campaigner, I hear every every excuse in the book from developers and councils who often site changing demographics as to why a pub has to shut. Imagine applying that nuclear option to football clubs? Your team are bottom of the league, getting tonked every week. Do you call time, shut the club down and turn the ground into luxury flats? Slough Town would be long gone under that option.

Or do you change the way its run, which is exactly what the Three Tuns on the Bath Road has done and is now rammed to the rafters. A few of us Rebels popped in after the Chelmsford away game to sample the best pub menu I have ever seen. Our community engagement officer Mark says he has already seen a much more welcoming attitude when he walks into pubs with matchday posters. Here he was weaving his magic round the tables, with people wanting to talk about our football club and happy to take those complimentary tickets and come and see what all the fuss is about. An Asian football loving pub, supporting a club that needs to move with the demographic times - the perfect match. 

So is this our epiphany? Our away support is continually growing, constantly singing and good humored. A Dorking fan tweeted 'Slough have some of the best visiting fans. Good songs (Beatles and Slade tunes!) nothing derogatory and genuine support.' At Havant a group of Waterlooville youngsters changed ends with us and joined in with the Slough songs because they said we were more of a laugh. 

But its more than just 90 minutes on the pitch and our community work has a constantly growing reach. Long term supporter Damian told me 'After the loss of my son in January the thought of being in a crowd watching something as trivial a sport seemed impossible. But as the days passed my family and I were overwhelmed by the numerous messages of condolence and support from Slough Town FC. Not just my friends but players, staff, officials and supporters I had never met. This really is a special club and I'm now looking forward to taking my place on the terraces with my Rebel family.' 

The crack in the sky is gaping open and is shining an amber and blue light on our little old club. Let's grab this Rebel Revolution with open arms and just like Weatherall did, send a cultural tidal wave across the borough of Slough and beyond!  

* This doesn't happen without blood, sweat (and during away games) beers. If you can help the club in anyway, drop Mark a line or chat to him on matchdays.