VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

 

Printed in the National League South game v Welling United Saturday 19^th February 2022  We won 2-1 in front of 505 

He’s probably the first person you see when you arrive at Arbour Park on matchdays, and one of the last to leave. Barry Hiron was voted National Leagues Volunteer of the Month for January. So we thought it would be good to find out more about the man behind the award.

Barry grew up in Peckham in London and his dad used to take him to watch Dulwich Hamlet and his grandfather took him to Millwall. He moved to Slough when he was 12 and now lives in George Green. He spent his whole career in Air Cargo at Heathrow Airport but is now retired.

Barry told me: “I used to watch both Windsor and Slough with school friends. The FA Trophy Quarter final match at Stevenage in 1998 was when i started taking a keener interest . I started volunteering when we were playing at Beaconsfield helping Chris Sliski, who i knew from the airport, tidy up the ground pre-season. Weeding terraces, cleaning dugouts etc.”

So describe a typical matchday

“My main function on matchday is stewarding the main carpark from just after 12.30. I get to Arbour Park around 10.30 and cone off parking spaces as needed that day. Then put the reserved signs on the seats in the main stand. With others arriving I help out where needed doing a variety of jobs. It can be anything from setting up the Supporters Trust gazebo, the outside bar, the downstairs tea bar. Putting up flags and signage on the turnstiles, bar, tea bar and dressing room area. After the game everything has to be reversed as if it had never happened. I probably leave around 7.30pm.

So that’s nine hours on a Saturday!

So how comes you started volunteering? “It was never a concious decision but talking to volunteers regularly you could sense they felt a real part of the club. It started as "give us a hand with this " or "help me move this " and here we are now.”

“I would always encourage others to get involved, particularly the younger fans. They are the future. Whatever time you have available will be put to good use, even if it can’t be every game. You will be part of a good team.”

But it’s not just on match days. “Mike Lightfoot (Chair), Kay (secretary) and Ade do most non match day jobs. But Mike knows he can call me to help – my latest job was new shelving in the club shop. Pre-covid the club organised 6 a side tournaments for local junior schools with winners progressing to National league finals. Helping with those were good days. Also when other organisations are arranging matches or tournaments at Arbour Park they often need the carpark stewarded. And of course FA Cup games like Rochdale and Gillingham need volunteers helping for maybe 4 days or so before and after the match.”

While the National League labelled Barry Mr.Slough Town, he was quick to disagree “Can I just say that while I was flattered to be referred to as such, I know, as many Rebel supporters do, there will only be one ‘Mr.Slough Town’ Chris Sliski. Sadly, Chris is no longer with us.” Infact Barry picked up the Chris Sliski Club Person of the Year award in 2017/8.

Match day commentator and Adrian Gomm wrote “Match days at Slough Town wouldn’t be the same without the multiple skills of volunteer Barry Hiron. One of the first to arrive at Arbour Park, Barry joins a small band of volunteers that help set up your Matchday experience. Even during the game he can then be found collecting balls from wayward shooting, once doing this while looking after his one year old grandson. Volunteers are the heart of non league football and Slough Town are extremely grateful that Barry is at the heart of this club.”

As the spokesman for the National League said “We love the Volunteer of the Month award, where we get the chance to honour the great and the good who give up their time for the club they love. Barry is a very worthwhile winner.”

* Want to volunteer for the Rebels ? Contact either Ade or Kay, on a matchday or email via the clubs website www.sloughtownfc.net/contacts