A PLAGUE ON OUR ELITE HOUSES

Printed in the National League South game v Hemel Hempstead Tuesday 6th October 2020. We won 1-0

Like the covid cruise ships that no country would let dock, the elite fans of National League North and South found out just 4 days before a ball was kicked that they weren’t welcome to the FA Cup party. While supporters of teams below us can cheer on their team, we’re apparently far too elite to enjoy that honour.

While the government and the Premier League played a last minute game of poker waiting for the first to blink, clubs were in the impossible position of knowing that to kick that FA Cup ball would mean triggering players contracts; a wage bill that without financial support or crowds to generate income would spell financial ruin.

Finally just before kick-off the government came up with a plan to support lower league clubs. But rather than hand-outs wouldn’t it make sense to let clubs help themselves and have limited crowds?

It’s hard to get excited for a new season when you still don’t know if you can go and watch your team or even if it will reach a conclusion.

In the middle of a pandemic lower league football is probably not high on the list of peoples concerns, too busy once again panic buying bog roll. But without a proper support package many clubs will go to the wall. Like the drunk bloke moaning about the 10pm curfew I don’t think that’s acceptable. Run properly football clubs are more than just 90 minutes on the pitch and are an integral part of their communities.

I was also naively hoping that football might change its tune but it seems not. The story of Harrogate sums it up perfectly. Promoted to the Football League behind closed doors they got to celebrate in front of no one by ripping up their 3G pitch while having to play home games at Doncaster in front of no one. Because we can’t have any of that artificial stuff. But surely if artificial is good enough for the Champions League then its good enough for Scunthorpe and Stevenage? Meanwhile Macclesfield Town were wound up in the courts.

So instead of Slough I’ve been getting my football fix across Sussex. I managed to hide my elite football hat to watch Eastbourne Town fans set off so many flares the coast guard were called as they beat Saltdean United in the extra preliminary round. I went to the first Southern Combination league game of the season at Shoreham where for a fiver I was treated to a 4-4 draw. I nearly got my head kicked in at Newhaven after asking Corinthian players how they did in the FA Vase semi final penalty shoot out. The bunch of moaning gits had play acted and given endless grief to the officials throughout their FA Cup preliminary round game. But it turns out they can give it out, but can’t take it. Hardly the Corinthian spirit.

I went to see Southwick play in a park league in a park opposite their ground. They’d been kicked out of by the council who forgot that as landlords you should occasionally check that your property isn’t falling to bits. Now community-run nearly 200 turned up to see them win. I saw Whitehawks first game of the season, met a lady dressed as a lobster and saw thirsty fans served beer in 4 pint jugs to enjoy on the terraces and stop any social mixing at the bar.

All these clubs and others up and down the country have enjoyed more fans thou the gates desperate to watch a game and I do wonder whether we should just knock this season on the head, loan our players and fans out to other clubs and wake up again next season.

Saying that, although I enjoy visiting other grounds I really miss going to Slough. Curry for breakfast, the pre match pints in the Wheatsheaf (and post match come to think of it) then off to Arbour Park. Like so many it’s my time to relax. A chance to meet friends, have a laugh, a few drinks and a sing-along. Although that’s a bit harder when your muzzled with a mask. I would say its good for my mental health but I’m not sure spending the afternoon with some of the Slough fans is good for anyone's sanity.

Its insane that Chalvey Sports and Langley can play at Arbour Park but we can’t because we are elite. A label that helped us compete in the play-offs but is now threatening the existence of so many clubs.

On top of this, the government have hardly played a pandemic blinder. Unable to organise a decent track and trace system, handing millions to consultancy firms and setting up an app that isn’t compatible with the NHS (yes really) or 20% of phones or anyone in Scotland or Wales doesn’t fill you with confidence.

This virus ain’t going nowhere and as we enter the second phase and winter it’s going to be much harder for people to swallow. So surely it makes sense to let in limited crowds and enjoy football in the open air. Otherwise what’s the point in Slough playing? More importantly why jeopardise our club? Football without fans is pointless as well as financially catastrophic.

I was hoping a pandemic would pave the way for football to have a good hard look at itself. But it seems they can only do that for VAR handballs. And while people get worked up about a disallowed goal, clubs up and down the country are in grave danger of never kicking a ball again.