HAPPY BELATED NEW SEASON

 

Printed in the National League South game v Chelmsford City Tuesday 16th August 2022. We lost 2-0 in front of 478

In a world of pandemics, climate break-down and a cost of living crisis, its nice to be back, worrying and moaning about football instead.

As I headed to Havant for the first game of the season, the sun and beer must have gone to my head. Surely Slough could have a tilt at the play offs, get to the third round of the FA Cup for the first time ever and the FA Trophy final? They would distract me from the world is burning blues and give something to celebrate for our loyal managers who this season have been with the club 10 years.

This is my 44th season supporting the Rebels (with a big gap in the 1990s). It might also be the first season where I’ve disappointingly already visited every ground in our league.

Still, the day was looking promising as I even found something edible to eat at Chichester train station (Take a bow Saigon Munchbox. 3 big veggie spring rolls with sauce since you ask). Franchised corporate sterile Reading station take note. Which I’m sure you will from a Slough Town blogger.

I read a book about the history of plagues during lock down which talked about how pandemics bring big changes in society and that when they end people want to enjoy life again – that certainty was the case in Brighton, as I battled through the crowds pouring off the trains to celebrate Pride.

At Havant train station, the crowds were all wearing Portsmouth tops, and heading to Fratton Park; so how can Havant and Waterlooville compete with Pompey just nine miles down the road?

There’s been a massive resurgence in non league crowds across the country. Only Slough, Chelmsford and Havant in our league bucked the trend and saw average attendances fall. 

Many people came along as the only covid alternative, liked what they saw and stayed.

As someone with a very expensive Brighton season ticket I can see why. I’ve had enough of being searched, cardless turnstiles where you can’t just hand over your ticket to a friend if you can’t make it but have to pay to do so. Bottle lids removed from kids soft drinks, people leaving 10 minutes before the end to beat the rush but miss the goals. At our level you can stand up, mingle with away fans, swap ends, even drink a beer on the terraces.

So it was disappointing but unfortunately de rigour at Havant, for the chief steward bigwig to take away our big flag and try and confiscate my drum sticks – even the home stewards were sick of him. We played the usual bin banging hide and seek - but if someone can explain why hitting a rubbish bin and making some noise is such a big deal, I’m all ears.

Twitter can be a toxic faceless world where people pile on insults for the slightest criticism of their club. There needs to be an app where if you breathe alcohol on your screen it refuses to post till the next day. So thanks to Tim Cronin a Havant supporter who grabbed hold of Clubshop Sues olive branch and made peace.

So how can Havant compete with Portsmouth? Tim told me "It is difficult being in the shadow of such a club. We have a strong fan base but the catchment area suggests it could be better. Many around the Havant area are Pompey fans, Gosport have the same problem, you can look at Bestleigh with Southampton. We do have deals with Pompey season ticket holders which suggests we can swing maybe 200 if they are away. We ended up with 6,000 of 'em when we went to Anfield which grates the real Havant fans, they took 'our' day away from us but that's what happens. They booed Never Walk Alone and were singing 'Love Havant we do' when it's 'We love you Havant loville!'  

Slough need to find a way to grow their crowds and make them more reflect the town they represent and get more youngsters going to away games (although it must be said, our away support is always pretty solid). Of course that's easier said than done. Ade and other Slough committee members recently spent a frustrating day along Slough High Street trying to get sponsorship.

One way the club can raise money is through the bar,  but Ade asked "Would be useful if you can do an article where you ask Slough fans why they don't stay behind after games. What can the club do to get people in before and after a game. So many just go home, we've tried happy hours and money off."

So let the club know what would make you hang around longer at Arbour Park.

With people deciding whether it should be heating or eating and half the population saying they can’t afford a pint in a pub, how many of those are going to come to a football match?

Do we need to look at how much we charge? How can we cut costs? The Isthmian League has said that if both teams agree, they can change 3pm kick offs to save on energy costs. There’s further organisation of the pyramid to cut travel in the West Country. But there’s still far to much travelling for smaller clubs.

What we have all got is the perfect opportunity coming up to attract new fans with the winter World Cup. And the new mini saver ticket offer is a positive step in the right direction. 

As I pondered all this, I knew whatever happens, all the Rebels will keep banging the bin and waving the flags for Slough Town. And then normal football season antics were restored, as I fell asleep and forgot to change at Chichester and ended up at Waterloo. Which I suppose is better than ending up back at Waterlooville.

Another season of adventures awaits.