HAPPY NEW YEAR AND ALL THAT

 

To be printed in the National League South game v Torquay United Tuesday 21st January 2025

Surely there’s no better way to usher in the New Year than a trip to Borehamwood after half a seconds sleep. As I disembarked from the train the rain lashed down but thankfully a pub landlord rescued me and invited me into his humble abode.

Now I haven’t been to Borehamwood's ground for a number of years, and the transformation is impressive, in part helped by hosting Arsenal Ladies with serious investment from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund. Oh and a wealthy chairman who definitely isn’t on the Christmas card list for the pub regulars I chatted too. Borehamwood have always struggled to attract crowds, and at one point the chairman threatened to pull the plug until a very decent FA Cup run attracted new supporters. Slough battled well to go in 1-1 at the break but then the full time, well resourced team proved clinical in front of goal and that as they say, was that.

Next up was Kidderminster Harriers. Years ago we’d shared a few seasons together in the Conference but like so many former opponents they went up while we plummeted down. The thick frost that carpeted the outskirts of London didn’t bode well but I was warmed by the obligatory matchday Slough curry-for-breakfast before hoping on the packed supporters coach for a just £20 - a bit cheaper than the £86 the rail companies wanted.

If Borehamwood's facilities had improved in our absence Kidderminster’s were off the scale. Football League worthy infact – where they were for five seasons In the end a decent showing of 222 Rebels made the trip to see us outclassed in the first half by a very good National League North side who must be banking on promotion. Still 90 minutes of football couldn’t spoil a good day out. Curry for breakfast, seeing Arbour Park buzzing with football on the pitch, when we left and when we returned. Lincoln giving me his cold, snot covered chips, Lucy the Nurses big knitted scarf, the friendly social club. My only regret was not visiting the Museum of Carpet.

But the highlight of the day was seeing Arbour Park buzzing outside of the seniors mens matchdays. Two games with young boys and girls in the morning, with parents packing the main stand and grabbing a hot drink. A lot more civilised than when I used to watch my boys on a muddy field in the pouring rain with no facilities. As the snow began to fall, it was Slough v Gosport man v fat. I spoke to community manager Ade about all this activity and the fact that the opening of the downstairs bar has made a massive difference.

“All the kids in our junior teams were offered free Season Tickets with a discount for parents too as well. The take up was good. The best part is that visiting teams, whether it’s junior teams or Virginia Water opponents or even Man v Fat opponents, absolutely love this venue, not just for the facilities but also the chance to play on a fantastic pitch.

“Man v Fat play a 7 aside league at Arbour Park on a Monday evening and the whole idea is about weight loss for men with a BMI over 27.5 .The good thing is that if your team loses more weight then it gives you an advantage in the league game. Each member receives dietary tips and recipes, they have an online workout available and a mental health programme as this can be a huge part of losing weight. Our partnership has seen some of their participants form an 11 aside team which plays under the Slough Town FC banner and play their games at AP. One of the main benefits we have seen form this partnership is that they guys from MvF are contributing to the local community as 7 players took part in the BIG SLEEPOUT for the homeless which was held at AP plus they also did a food bank collection just before Xmas.

“I know some our fans always say its wrong to hand out free tickets, but they have to remember its purpose is a community stadium and the number of repeat bookings is amazing.”

Kevin Brooker told me about his involvement “I joined Man Vs Fat in 2019. I was at my heaviest then and knew I had to do something. I love football and found MvF. It is basically 6 a side football meets weight watchers! It has been brilliant for me both physically and mentally. I have lost almost 4 stone since starting and in general that weight has stayed off. I am now the Assistant Coach for the Slough MvF League.

“Our bond with Slough increased when we started the MvF Slough XI's Team in 2023. We play in Slough kit and are really representing the club in a specialist league. I started coming along to the odd Slough Town game where I received a warm welcome and now very much consider myself a Slough supporter. Up the Rebels!”

Next up Hemel Hempstead who had ended our year long unbeaten run then paid the price with a Rebel curse that saw them go on a long losing streak that also saw their manager lose his job. Hemel Hempstead is not just a mish mash of a place name but a mish mash of a place. You step outside the train station and its like being in the countryside. The roundabouts must have been designed by someone on acid; the old town is a delight next to the carbuncle of a seventies shopping centre. As for the football, well we were blinded by the light in the first half, had a brief reprieve then once again shipped a load of goals.

What has been the common thread of all these games is our support – travelling in large numbers and - despite seeing our team losing, just hasn’t let up. There’s been plenty of praise from opposition supporters and sometimes you wouldn’t realise that it was us who were losing.

While we welcomed a well earned point at home to Eastbourne we also remembered our legendary physio SuperKev McGoldrick who passed away six years ago after working for the club for over 30 years. His words before an FA Cup game about what a welcoming, friendly club Slough is still holds true and I think he would be proud of what’s happening.

Of course we should dream of play offs, cup runs and a trip to Wembley stadium. And the 90 minutes on the pitch really do matter to everyone's general well being. But as I get older I can look at the bigger picture of what's happening at our club, be proud of that and know that’s also worth shouting about.