OFF WITH THEIR POINTS

Printed in the National League South game v Braintree Town Saturday 25th November 2023   We won 3-0 in front of 672

Maybe it was just the timing, but it striked me as odd that as soon as the government announced plans for a football regulator, the Premier League imposed their first ever punishment on one of their clubs. 

Chelsea and Manchester City be a little more nervous now that Everton have been hit with a 10 point deduction after a ruling by an independent commission? According to sports lawyers they should be as it sets a huge precedent and they could also face large points deductions.

It was two of last seasons relegated clubs who sent a joint letter to league officials clarity over whether the Toffees' losses of £371.8 million over the previous three years were in breach of financial fair play rules. The rules say you are ‘only’ allowed to lose £105 million over a three-year period. The commission found that Everton had overspent by £19.5m, concluding: "This was a serious breach that requires a significant penalty." It added that Everton's transfer business while threatened with punishment "was recklessness that constitutes an aggravating factor."

A previous ruling in May agreed that the relegated clubs would be able to apply for compensation through the Premier League should Everton be found to have broken the rules.

Forget the financial insanity that Everton lost £371 million in 3 years when you are only allowed to lose £105 million in that time; forget that relegated clubs get a handsome parachute payment - could this ruling open a Pandoras box?

Everton closed their statement about their punishment with what looked like a warning. “The club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.”

This is going to be a proper bun fight.

An independent commission is still looking over the 115 Manchester City charges, which is a case of far greater complexity. Chelsea are under investigation for a range of potential breaches from the Roman Abramovich era, after the Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported allegations of secret payments possibly relating to transfers and managerial appointments.

Infact the three clubs who have lost the most money in the history of the Premier League are….drum roll...Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Miguel Delaney Chief Football Writer for the Independent wrote “This potential explosion of off-field examinations and litigations is increasingly seen as the inevitable consequence of an era in which the Premier League was just too laissez-faire in regulation. The view of many competition insiders is that the old Richard Scudamore regime didn’t look seriously enough for breaches as it didn’t want to harm the Premier League brand.”

But kicking the can down the road might now have very serious consequences for the Premier League brand. Delaney added “Might this lead to something akin to the Premier League’s Calciopoli era where, as with 2006’s Serie A investigation into match-fixing and referee appointments, there is so much litigation; where the very reputation of the game is affected?’”

So is the Premier League finally baring its teeth? Yes and no, says leading sports lawyer Catherine Forshaw. “They have more than one eye on the independent regulator that is due to come in,” she says. “Basically, the Premier League are saying that they want to retain some of their regulatory powers to govern their own league. This is a way of showcasing that they’re able to do that – and they will take breaches of the regulation seriously.”

The Football Governance Bill will amongst other things establish an independent football regulator, that is “committed to breaking this cycle of inappropriate ownership, financial instability and poor governance practices.” It will strengthen the owners and directors’ tests, give fans a veto over changes to their clubs badges, home shirt colours and moving grounds – and prevent clubs from joining breakaway leagues.

The problem for football is that its all a circus. Inevitably those with the most cash win while others overspend to try and grab a seat at the top table. And that’s without even mentioning some very dubious owners.

We love football because we don't know the twists and turns, who will win the match. We love the Luton Town story, in as much as they were hammered so much by financial issues and points deductions they lost their place in the Football League but have somehow clawed their way back to the top.

This casino capitalism way of running football also has a massive knock on effect on every league. How many Championship clubs lose money chasing the dream? According to the Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance 2022, the combined 24 clubs of the Championship spent £1.25 on wages alone for every £1 they earnt. One of those clubs Reading is now bottom of Division One and piling up points deductions at an alarming rate.

Wrexham had to spend big to get out of the National League in part because of the closed shop of the English Football League having just one automatic promotion. This creates a non league bottle neck and more reckless spending.

Ebbsfleet spent a fortune on getting promoted out of our league last season but like nearly every promoted club is finding it a real struggle.

So how can the likes of Slough ever compete in the league above without some financial fair play rules?

Of course the Premier League will now fight tooth and nail to water down any government plans for an independent regulator. Everton might be their first sacrificial lamb.

ON THE SLOUGH TOWN SANITY BUS

 

Printed in the National League South game v Havant and Waterlooville Tuesday 21st November 2023 We won 2-1 in front of 436

During one of Scott Davies numerous FA Cup press appearances, he mentioned that Slough Town had saved his life. After beating his gambling addiction, it was playing for the Rebels that made him fall back in love with the game.

Well, I can’t say the Rebels had such a profound affect on me, but watching the team definitely keeps me sane. Sane might not have been on the word on peoples lips when I told them I was going to Grimsby on a Tuesday night. But after clocking up the train miles for all the previous cup games, there was no way I was missing the party and the clubs first ever visit to Cleethorpes. What’s 260 miles between friends.

Rebel supporters seem to fall into two camps. Older ones who have given up on top level football, or younger ones who can’t afford to watch it. I only support Slough Town but have found myself with a Brighton season ticket.

But for how much longer? A fantastic well run club, but one that becomes more corporate with every day. Brighton deserve all the praise for their scouting system which uncovers a convey belt of gems. But the football they play – often its like toying wearily with a mouse. My eldest isn’t so bothered about watching them anymore and taking my youngest to Whitehawk last weekend; after the game he said going to lower league football was more fun, probably cos they can have a poke about in all the nooks and crannies rather than have lids removed from their water bottles. Come the end of this season my Brighton season ticket could well be going in the bin.

I couldn’t afford the train to Grimsby. They quoted me £75 and would only sell one way. Er hello, I don’t want to move there. Thankfully the Supporters Trust twenty quid deal was a magnificent gesture and it showed by having a full house. (*If you haven’t already, you really should join the Trust)

If I was going to avoid service station slop I would need refreshing in Slough which never fails to disappoint. So English breakfast or curry or a mish-mash of both at RKM coffee right by the half abandoned Queensmere shopping centre. A decent potion of chana and paratha for just £6 followed by a couple of beers in the Brick House. Donning my Slough Town top and bobble hat people chatted about the game. But everyone was questioning why the coach were leaving so late. There would be no time for my usual away day research for my book – ‘Britains roughest boozers’.

Grimsby v Slough hadn’t caught the TV companies imagination but they missed out on a treat. It’s certainty not boring watching our team at the moment. We seem to have adopted a version of Kloops heavy metal football. We also like to gift opposition teams a two goal advantage before we put our pedal on the gas. And I love it. (well, maybe not the 2 goal advantage bit).

As we sprinted off the coach one lad pointed the way to the ground but said it wasn’t up too much. I beg to differ. The score line also flattered them and even their supporters agreed, but it was like the walking wounded out there at the end. For an hour tho we looked as on fire as Sloughs bus stations roof. And apart from one Frankenstein Monster of a steward, they were a friendly bunch. Probably helped by winning 7-2.

Grimsby fans also heaped loads of praise on us for the noise we made throughout the match – the grounds acoustics really helped; well and everyone singing – it certainty wasn’t the beer losing the vocal chords as we only got in the ground 15 minutes before kick off. Scotties dad commented “Every time I think that Slough fans can’t do more to support their team they consistently surprise me. Fantastic support and I’m sure that it’s much appreciated by the players and management team.” Which by the reaction of the squad at the end of the game you could see if was.

We really need an Acoustics Tsar at Arbour Park to find ways to stop the noise leaking out. Oh and a Drum co-ordinator so it doesn’t keep being left under the stand.

I wish Grimsby well, a great club and I hope our cup run has enticed a few more supporters, put a few more quid in the pot and given everyone a spring in their step.

As the coach finally pulled into Arbour Park, some went straight to do their milk rounds while Deano grabbed 4 seconds sleep before heading to work. I crawled into bed at my mums at 3.30am after having a fight with a strategically placed wheelbarrow. Then up at 9 for my third and probably last interview with Radio Berkshire on our cup adventure.

And as my train trundled back to Brighton I spent the day feeling relaxed and ready for action. Another day spent watching Slough Town, keeping me sane.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Printed in the FA Trophy 2nd round Saturday 18th November 2023 We won 2-1 in front of 631 

When the spotlight is on your team, you need to grab every opportunity to impress those who might not have been before or only occassionally, in the hope that they come back – or even better become a regularly supporter. A packed Arbour Park for Slough’s biggest ever attendance at the ground, could have easily overwhelmed the club. But from the outside it ran like clockwork with most importantly hardly any queues for the loos, bars and food vans.

But this doesn’t happen without proper planning and an army of volunteers that Slough is lucky to have.

Co-owner Ashley Smith told me “I certainly wasn’t surprised about the how many volunteers the club has as I’ve been involved in non league for over 20 years so know how integral they are to running a club. We started the Volunteer of the month award as we felt they needed greater recognition. "  

One of those volunteers is Keith Bryant. He told me 'I used to go and watch Slough at the Greyhound Stadium as a kid, but only started again when my two boys asked to go to a game. Our first match at Stag Meadow was the Salisbury FA Cup game in 2004. Adam and Paul both caught the bug and we've been supporting Slough Town ever since. It's obviously catching as my daughter and two granddaughters also attend games home and away."

“Since retiring last November I've had more time on my hands so I regularly help out at Arbour Park, whether that's Children's Tournament, putting up advertising banners or building the new outside bar that came flat packed. I'm also Membership Secretary for the Slough Town Supporters Trust and the mini-bus driver for the 'Slough Town Community' team.”

Tell us about the Grimsby game

“Preparations for me started on Friday afternoon when I received a call asking could I come and help put up the new goal nets. I think they needed someone tall! It probably took me, Barry and Ade about 2 hours.

All of the volunteers arrived at about 9 o clock on Saturday morning, so we could start putting in place the segregation fencing, make room for the extra toilets and put in place all of the outside bar requirements, which includes electric cables etc. Fortunately, we didn't have to do any work putting up the marquee's. I think I got back home around 4pm.

We arrived at Arbour Park at around 9.30am on the day of the game. Early on I spent most of my time moving tables and bottling up the outside bars, as well as finalising the fencing. Once the gates opened, I spent my time checking whether the 50/50, Golden Goals and match day programme sellers (Including my daughter Nicola) needed anything and advising supporters, looking for alcohol etc, where they would get served quicker. This resulted with me helping to pour cans into plastic pint pots, to aid the queuing time.

At the final whistle it's all hands on deck to put everything away and picking up the litter. Then a quick drink or two before heading home.

2pm Monday, me and Ade were back at Arbour Park dismantling the last of the fencing, ready for collection by the hire company.

‘Was it a lot more work than usual?’ you asked. Definitely a lot more. But I loved every minute. Anyone who'd like to volunteer on match days would be made very welcome.”

Cheers Keith and cheers to the army of volunteers that keep the club going

* If you want to volunteer speak to Ade or Kay at games or email adrian.gomm@sloughtownfc.net  

A WORLD OF ADVENTURE

Printed in the National League South game v Truro City Tuesday 7th November 2023  We won 4-0 in front of 398

As we get older we tend to get less adventurous. Which is why supporting a football team is good for keeping you on your toes and out of those slippers. You just don’t know what’s going to happen next. You go to new places. You meet new people. And if you’re getting the train, you really have no idea if they will be running. You need to keep your wits about you.

I certainly had to summon all those wits the other day. The original plan was simple. A Small Boy deposited at Finsbury Park on the Brighton train like Paddington Bear, intercepted by me en route. But operational issues and signal failures meant it became a giant jigsaw on how to dodge the train cancellations and bring the little ‘un back home.

I finally got him at Haywards Heath, unflustered, but hungry with no marmalade sandwiches under his hat. When we reached Brighton, rather than heading home and staring at a screen, he set off to find his friends. Since secondary school he’s gone wandering, takes buses to estates he doesn’t know so he can explore. This will put him in good stead following Slough in the early rounds of the FA Cup trying to find grounds behind cemeteries, canals and abandoned sausage factories.

Half term and my eldest went wild camping with his friends. He borrowed a saw and a tarp, but forgot the tarp. One tent was broke, they ran out of water and food and camped a bit too near a footpath. They just told people it was part of their Duke of Edinburgh experience which it sort of was, cos covid had cancelled that. They cooked over a fire and went for walks. Only one angry man got cross with them, when really what he should have said is well done for camping and good to see teenagers getting some fresh air.

I used to have that wanderlust. One day bored in Slough, I decided to hitch to Devon like you do. I used to love hitching, where you got small snapshots of peoples life's that you would normally never meet. A bit like talking to opposition fans. The first guy was a lonely very rich businessman who bought me breakfast at some services, the second bought me lunch, the third was a lovely old bloke who bought me chips and a book about the history of the town I was camping near. I must have looked malnourished. I didn’t have a clue how to put up a tent, a trait I still hold onto today, and a family came and helped. I spent the next day hunting out coastal wildflowers before heading home.

Another time I decided to hitch to Glastonbury on the Monday. This was the days of sCant security and I slept under some plastic with a shoe for a pillow, ate bread a bloke made everyday using an oil drum and played football. By Friday it was getting to busy to have a kick-about so I went home just as the festival was starting.

The thought of doing any of that today feels me with dread. I don’t really like holidays. A day trip or over night stay to watch the Rebels at some far flung seaside resort is enough away from home fun now.

Infact it was Truro City away in 2009 that led to my longest football adventure as I decided I had to go and see Slough play a team from Cornwall. I woke at 4.30am and walked to Brighton train station. Clubbers sat shivering and disheveled waiting for the first train home. The train to Victoria was fine, but my tube broke down so at 6am I was hailing a taxi to Paddington, then jumping on a fast train to Slough to meet the supporters coach which was waiting at the station for me. Phil the Flag supplied the refreshments, old Pepe the chocolate and by early morning I felt like I had eaten half the daily output of the Mars factory. 
And then the coach broke down at Bristol. For two hours.

It limped to the services and Anil our trusty former coach-driver, became Anil the mechanic. He managed to fix it and then drove at speed and we arrived at Truro with 3 minutes to spare, joining about 50 Slough supporters. It was freezing with the cold Russian wind getting ready to bring the snow; we lost 2-1 and had loads of grief from some 1970’s skinheads. I finally got back to bed at 2.30am after an epic twenty two hour round trip. My missus was still nodding her head in disbelief the next day that I had gone all that way for 90 minutes of football. Perhaps she had a point. 

Grimsby certainly enjoyed their adventures in the FA Cup last season. With everyone willing them on, it was Southampton who played Laurel and Hardy football to let them reach the fifth round. They swarmed all over Brighton waving their plastic fish and confusing the seagulls, taking over the Pier and enjoying their best cup run since the 1930s.

Of course the big clubs want to put a stop to all this adventure, abolish replays from the third round as they complain they have too many games. We’ve already got VAR sucking the life out of spontaneity, ever onerous ground rules – at one point Southampton said Grimsby's inflatable haddocks were illegal. But just like Augustus Gloop in Willy Wonka, the footballing elite stuff their faces in the chocolate money tree but its never enough. Who cares that the FA Cup is one of the only financial lifelines left for lower league clubs, that can transform cash flows and bring in new supporters who probably didn’t even realise they had a home town football club they could cheer on.

Thanks to programme deadlines I don’t know if our football adventures have finished. Did we batter the haddocks? Did we reach the second round for a ninth time? And what if we got a replay? Kieran Wonderwall was planning on hiring a train to Grimsby. It would be rude not to join him. Especially if he’s driving.

Whatever happened, the FA Cup has once again been an adventure and one of the only ones I take part in anymore. Now where’s my slippers and TV remote.

EVERY ONES A WINNER

Printed in the FA Cup 1st round game v Grimsby Town Sunday 5th November 2023  We drew 1-1 in front of a record Arbour Park crowd of 2,205

I must admit Grimsby Town had never really been on my football radar. I've never been there - the nearest I've got as a Slough supporter is Gainsborough in the FA Cup first round, and we all know what happened there! (6-0 to the Rebels since you ask). I know it was famous for its fish, but like all older industries had struggled economically.

Then I started clocking articles by one of their new owners that totally resonated with me about what a football club can achieve away from the 90 minutes on the pitch.

The articles were written by Jason Stockwood co-chair of Grimsby Town and majority shareholder. He left the town at 18 and eventually became a successful businessman in the travel, insurance and tech industries. He is honest about his past being brought up by his grandma and a single parent mum on a council estate with three brothers with different dads ‘an undercurrent of alcoholism, and casual violence; basically a full house on those recently-minted social deprivation indexes.’

Gradually the pull of his old town – and the fact that his children started getting cockney accents – drew him back. I often wonder about being away from a place gives you the chance to see it from a new perspective, with all its opportunities rather than just its problems?

In a recent article he wrote : “Football serves as an alibi for intimacy, an excuse we sometimes need to be together. The matchday rituals represent certainty, comfort, and hope in an increasingly complex world. We can orient ourselves and sometimes anchor ourselves by sharing the same experiences and spaces. It’s a chance to do something and nothing together for a few hours each week. The first day of the season reminded me of the first day back at school – people greeting each other like they hadn’t seen each other for years, animated by familiarity and excited about the renewal that the space of six weeks has opened up for us all.

There is something uniquely powerful about football and the connection it creates with the people and the place I love. Those connections and relationships are the essence of life and, for me, represent the most positive use of our time.”

The clubs community partners include Navigo (mental health), East Marsh United (who tackle everything from housing, education to arts and a whole lot more inbetween) and the NSPCC, while the players support the Sunflowers Children’s Action Group – a local charity for children suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

Infact what Grimsby Town are trying to do – with a lot less money – is similar to Wrexham. It’s easy to focus on just the money being pumped into the Welsh club, which has obviously made a massive difference. But it seems to me that those Hollywood owners have really made an effort to understand the place and how they can help build on its strengths that benefit everyone economically and socially.

I managed to ask Jason a few questions before todays big game (and after they’d just partied ways with their manager).

Q: Have supporters bought in to all the community stuff that you are doing ? Have the community organisations benefited from increased exposure?

"The number one priority for us as custodians is to improve the football and associated infrastructure. This will then give us the license to build on the community work our Foundation already does.

Away from the club I have co-founded another organisation more focused on

social impact called Our Future that has broader social aims. This has started to create momentum with a number of partners in the area. The football club is one of those.

Not sure if we have attracted new fans but hopefully some of those associated with the club are proud of the work we are trying to amplify and accelerate.”

Q When you’re having a sticky spell – like now – do people complain that all this other stuff is getting in the way of the football? How do you keep in touch with supporters and keep them on board?

“A few people do, but I always think this misses the point as it is not a zero sum game. In the same way as we were accused of focusing on upgrading the sausage rolls rather than the football when we had an early bad run. Football is our priority but we can multi-task.

We have 2 board members from our Supporters Trust on our board, we try to be transparent and available in the media, we do Fans Forums and I also write a column in The Guardian which reflects my personal views on football.”

Q The inspirational owner of Accrington Stanley Andy Holt has said he has had enough and wants to sell. Do you think all owners have a shelf life?

“Yes and they should. Like any business, everyone has a limited time to bring in new ideas but it should be finite. You should also move aside if someone can do a better job. The more worrying thing about Andy's comments have been about how ground down he has sounded about the risk vs reward of ownership. I'd be lying if I didn't say it isn't something I don't occasionally think about.”

Cheers Jason, and good luck for the rest of the season – well, apart from today.

So can a football club carry the place it represents on its shoulders? Can it remember its past but embrace future possibilities?

I think it can, but also with the right vision, in can break out from what happens on the pitch and lift and support all those other organisations trying to make a difference to peoples lives. I love what Grimsby Town are trying to achieve, the joy their supporters got from last seasons cup run. But if the whole town can also be given a new sense of optimism, better housing, more money in peoples pockets, more opportunities, then surely everyone is a winner whatever happens on the pitch?