FROM SLOUGH CENTRE TO ARBOUR PARK

Printed in the National League South game v Bath City Tuesday 28th February 2023  We lost 3-0 in front of 421

There can’t be many Slough supporters who can say they have seen Slough play at every one of their grounds. But Richard ‘Ollie’ Hayward has and as he’s approaching his 77th birthday, I felt it was a good time to ask about his time supporting the Rebels.

How long you been supporting Slough

“On and off from when I was a baby. I got taken to home and away matches as a child. Slough Centre became the main team due to my family home about half a mile away. The stadium could be seen from our back garden. I would have occasional visits to the Dolphin. My father also used to run his factory football side, Bitumen Industries, on Saturdays, so that would effect where I watched football.”

First game?

“That would be 1946/1947. Sough United. Slough Town and Slough Centre amalgamation during war.”

So you've seen Slough play at all their grounds?

“Yes, I suppose I have. Slough Centre, The Dolphin, Wexham Park and now Arbour Park. Also the grounds we shared with other clubs during the nomadic period. Stag Meadow Windsor, Holloways Park, Beaconsfield. I seem to recall we did play some occasions at York Road Maidenhead. I am sure there were other locations but I cannot recall now.”

Best moments

“Winning promotion to the Conference for the first at Bromley with a 85th minute winning goal by Neal Stanley after terrific play by Steve Thompson. The scenes that followed at Bromley's ground were wonderful with many hundreds of Rebels fans having invaded the pitch in joy, and the celebrations that followed at Wexham Park afterwards was incredible. I travelled with fellow STFC Management Committee members on the Team Coach, and the reaction from Supporters waiting at the Clubhouse for the coach arrival was amazing. The noise and spirit around was brilliant. Needless to say the celebrations that followed went on into the night and later in the morning. It was daylight for my happy stagger home! There have been many memorable great moments, but I feel this was the most unforgettable one.”

Worst times

“There have sadly been a number over the years, and I have done my best to forget them. But the one that really still hurts is the defeat at Wembley in the Amateur 1973 Cup Final against Walton and Hersham who with very late goal from Roger Connell (an ex Rebel player) beat the Rebels in a scrappy game. I had joined the Royal Navy that year, and was scheduled to along with fellow trainee sailors for on a big training exercise that weekend of the Final. I applied to the Captain of the Establishment in Chatham and was granted Special Leave when I explained the situation about my support and at last Slough was playing at Wembley in a Final. What helped me was that in February I had volunteered to attend a weeks endurance and trekking in Snowdonia Mountains. It was freezing with thick snow but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.”

Roles at the club

“Football Secretary on two occasions. Management Board member prior the Club prior to being taken over by various organisation before the Thorne Family take over the Club. Now a Matchday volunteer.”

What’s your current role?

“My task on matchdays is helping out with pre match preparations, gazebo setting up with tables and chairs in the bar and boardroom where required. Once gates open its selling golden goal tickets. Half time helping with 50/50 draw

Weren’t you also involved in supporters trust?

“If you mean the Slough Town Supporter Association (STSA)? The STSA was formed by Steve Chapman, who was Chairman, along with Chris Sliski. Steve Cumber was next Chairman followed by me until I stepped down to become STFC Secretary, Mike Lightfoot took over from me. I was in the Royal Navy when STSA formed (1981?) based at Northwood, hence I was able to attend meetings and matches.

I was not involved with the current Trust set up, and only joined later. Whilst STSA was in action I became Deputy Chairman Southern Region of the National Federation of Football Supporters Clubs , which later became the Football Supporters Association.

I qualified as football referee whilst in RN, and officiated not only regular service football during weekdays but local Slough games, including the Supporters football team on numerous matches.”

Why you still support the Rebels

“It is just part of my life. Even when I had prolonged periods away from football, due to my first job as a Telegram Boy on a Saturday work, my career with the Royal Navy at home sea and abroad. But whatever I did my best to follow the Rebels.”

One thing that could be done to improve lower league football

“A regular income to all levels evenly to be shared to football via the FA from the extremely obscene wealthy clubs that are in the Premier Division. Better coverage of Non League Football media, whether National and Local radio, TV or newspapers and not just on FA cup runs from the First round proper.”

In your time of supporting Slough how would you say we are doing at the moment

“Looking promising especially after nine years of a very good management pair. I feel that they there is more to come especially if the Club can retain their Current League status. The new management are taking shape with the task in hand.”

Any ideas on how to attract more supporters

“Warren this is the most difficult one, I would like to see the Club's encouragement that is in action at present continue and succeed with their endeavours to encourage football community spirit all levels regardless of gender or ethnic background.”

Cheers Ollie, a proper Slough supporter and one of those unsung volunteers that keeps lower league clubs ticking over.

MORE THAN JUST A GAME OF FOOTBALL

 

Photo Gary House 

Printed in the National League South game v Welling United Saturday 18th February 2022. We lost 3-0 in front of 655

You could set your clock by Old John. As soon as The Bevy doors opened he was there with his small change while a pint of John Smiths was bought to his table.

A man of few words, I never knew much about him, apart from the fact that he lived in the supported housing down the road from the pub.

He couldn’t get his head round what was happening during lockdown and would knock on the door hoping we would be open. We supported him with our meals on wheels service and after a few health scares, helped push for a care package. He was forever losing his keys and bank card and we had emergency numbers to try and sort it. We recently arranged for a hair and beard cut in the pub where he told the hairdresser she had made his day. After a few pints of John Smiths someone would walk him across the road or to his flat.

On Christmas Day at the Bevy, we sorted out free dinner for anyone we knew who would be on their own. John finished his lunch, took a sip of John Smiths and then fell asleep for the last time. It was traumatic for everyone, but the best place to go for John who had no family except for the pub. Staff and regulars and his care workers packed out the church then headed to the Bevy after for his wake.

There are so many people like John in this country, who slip under the radar, who don’t know how to navigate the paperwork that the ever shrinking government safety net demands. John was very fortunate that he had a community pub down the bottom of his street, whose whole ethos is providing as best we can for everyone. But up and down the country these local pubs and spaces are shutting, just at a time when they are needed more than ever.

Luckily, football clubs engender such passion, it makes closing them down unthinkable for their supporters. Slough spent 15 long years homeless, plummeting down the leagues and being beaten by the village teams that surround its borders. A hardcore of around 300 never gave up, turning up week after week, where 90 minutes of football would inevitably spoil a good day out.

One of these stalwarts was Noreen Bridle, who recently passed away at the age of 91.

Noreen supported Slough for over 50 years and attended well over a thousand games. Her son Pete used to say the first thing anyone ever said to him at the football was 'Where's Noreen?'

Born in County Kerry in the Republic of Ireland in the 1930's, Noreen's first Slough game was at the Dolphin in the mid' 60's along with husband Max and sons Ted and Pete.

When we protested outside the Town Hall about the councils lack of concern at the Rebels being homeless, it was Noreen who led the arguments with Richard Stokes, then leader of Slough Council.

Noreen told me what she really loved was travelling to away games on the Slough coach and enjoying the company of the family of Slough supporters. The atmosphere at home games, meeting all the fellow fans and hearing what was going on.

At the end of season awards event in May 2015, Noreen was jointly awarded the Chris Sliski Club Person of the Year award for her years of dedication.

After the Dover game, with preparations getting underway for Jean Lightfoot's 75th birthday, her son Pete told me he wasn’t going home yet because there was nothing to go home for anymore.

It's times like these, when your football club becomes much more than just 90 minutes on the pitch, and about the people that come together on matchdays. To the superfans like Noreen, who stuck with Slough through thick and thin. To her sons who will need support, friendly faces and an arm on their shoulders from their football family.

RIP Noreen. Once a Rebel, Always A Rebel.

INSPIRATIONAL

Printed in the National League South game v Dover Saturday 4th February 2023. We drew 1-1 in front of 750

In a never ending news circle of doom its good to get that warm feeling of being somewhere special. I’m not just talking about the fact that Slough are on a five match unbeaten run but would you believe it, ping-pong.

Last Thursday me and the missus went along to an old church hall that has been transformed by Brighton Table Tennis Club (BTTC).

BTTC are big news in Brighton and beyond. Their top player is Will Bayley, the British Paralympic world number 1 (you might have also seen him on Strictly). Working with everyone from children struggling at school, adults with learning disabilities, refuges, ex prisoners and more, they have somehow turned this melting pot of people into a community.

At the launch, founder Tim Holtan addressed the great and the good (and me) telling us: “To build a resilient community the first stage is to make people feel welcome and provide a sense of belonging. The second stage is to give people a genuine opportunity to make a positive contribution. Which reinforces stage 1 in a virtuous circle. If people are given access to opportunity and a supportive environment, they will flourish.”

We were here to see the new space, designed as a permanent home for the Real Junk Food Project. They take food that would have otherwise gone to waste, turn it into amazing meals and then serve it up under a pay-what-you-can-afford system. What I really liked about the new build was how multi functional it was, making the space work for so many different groups. People with dementia, those hard of hearing, church meetings with a soundproof wall divider meaning people can eat and pray at the same time. Topped off with a peaceful courtyard in the middle of bustling Brighton.

Tim Hollingsworth the CEO at Sport England said “BTTC is one of the most inclusive, innovative and progressive sports clubs in the country. It’s firmly rooted in its own community, is open to new people and thinking and has become about more than the game itself. In many ways BTTC is providing a model for the sports club of the future, which is why it fits perfectly with Sport England’s vision of Uniting the Movement, and why we are so proud to support the developments you can see here today.”

This is where the Rebels come in and for the club to flourish in the future it must be open and inclusive to everyone. With new investors, and a new manager with new energy, things are on the up. The Dulwich game had that pre-covid matchday buzz and as for Cheshunt away – well even their noisy fans said we were the ‘Best away support and noise at Theobalds Lane they’ve had all season.’

My vision of a future Slough Town, would be control of Arbour Park with community development workers that make sure this multi functional space, obviously with an emphasis on football, works for everyone.

When Slough were homeless we took inspiration for what Dartford had achieved, finally getting a new ground after a decade squatting. Jeremy Kite Leader of Dartford Council and a Dartford Supporter told me at the time “Everyday, councils throw bucket loads of money at schemes to deal with anti-social behaviour, childhood obesity, community cohesion, civic pride and community relations. Here in Dartford, we took the view that rather than fund a series of expensive here today- gone tomorrow initiatives, we would invest in football as a catalyst for all those things. I'm sure every Council thinks they are doing things right, but I've never regretted or doubted the wisdom of our investment in a new Stadium. You simply cannot put a price on the sense of pride and worth that is developing around the town as a result of The Darts coming home. Princes Park will not only become a centre of spectator sport, but also as a participatory one too – for kids of all ages. I have told the club that they MUST bring kids in and encourage school sports finals and training to take place on the first pitch. My other advice to councillors is 'invest in quality'. We could have built a typical 'iron and block' stadium but what does that say about us? What confidence does it give others if WE won't invest in great architecture? How can we expect people to respect the building if it doesn't deserve respect?.”

“I know that many Council's feel that they 'can't' do this, and 'can't' do that, and if we had stopped every time somebody had said that our dream was impossible then we wouldn't have got beyond advertising for an architect. Leadership is about legacies, not bureaucracy, and when I'm dead and gone they will bury me with a smile on my face because I know we have provided a facility that will makes tens of thousands of people happy every year.”

This same model is how we run our community pub, The Bevy. Delivering all kinds of services which in turns brings in business that helps keep the place in a low income area ticking over.

The mixture of God, table tennis and food is an unlikely mix. But with the right people with the right attitude they have created something inspiring. Slough has always been a town of invention as the new song about zebra crossings, Thunderbirds, Marsbars and bins celebrates.

So its time to harness that energy for Slough Town. To flourish we need the mentality of Brighton Table Tennis and the Bevy and the innovation of the town to get us to the next level, on and off the pitch.