A COMING OF AGE

Printed in the National League South game v Chelmsford City Saturday 31st January 2026 We won 5-0 in front of 735

I love that pre match feeling. The buzz and anticipation. Going through the turnstiles, meeting up with people as we share stories, beers and tall tales from previous games - and the hope for 3 points come the end of the game.

Infact the socialising is an important part of going to watch football. We all want to belong. It might be as part of your local allotment society, residents group, pub darts team or going to church. I’m not really a religious person, but if it gives people a sense of peace and they don’t think their God is better than others, than that’s all good.

My youngest Albie became interested in his Jewish identity (i’d already introduced him to his Slough identity on the terraces) and decided he wanted to have his own Bar Mitzvah – the coming of age for a boy or girl into adulthood. This was no easy decision for someone who hadn’t been a regular at synagogue as it meant he had a year to learn Hebrew from scratch. No mean feat but when children are determined to learn they can do so with flying colours.

Of course, in any organisation it helps when you have someone charismatic in charge. The Rabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber from the Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue certaintly has that in bucketfuls.

With the Bar Mitzvah just before Christmas, the Rabbi talked about how Hanukkah is officially the most popular Jewish festival in the UK with at least 89% of British Jews participating in at least one candle-lighting last year.  "Now, as a matter of strict halachah (Jewish religious laws) Hanukkah is a very minor festival. But it's not exactly difficult to work out the source of all the hype. It's what the artist Mae Rockland Tupa calls 'the pernicious effects of Christmas celebration on the..Jewish mentality...making Hanukkah into a Jewish Christmas' except I'm going to dispute her use of the word 'pernicious.' Frankly, the statistics speak for themselves. If Christmas is the thing that inspires 89% of Jews to celebrate Hanukkah, I'm very much in favour of Christmas. Maybe Christinaity pipularised the idea of family gatherings in these dark days of winter. Maybe Christianity popularised the idea of twinkly lights when the evenings come in so early. Maybe Christianity makes children excited to get presents. But the 89% of our community who marked Hanukkah 2024, marked it Jewishly."

"When it comes to the December dilemma of our multicultural society, the proof of the pudding is in the Christmas pudding. The more that British Jews have been exposed to Christmas, the more we've done Hanukkah!

“Albie, you’re also part of the proof of the pudding. You grew up in this city, this city where you had both Jewish and secular influences on your life. No one forced you to come to cheder (Jewish school). You weren’t dragged here every Saturday morning since the age of 7. You took your own decision, just over a year ago, that you wanted to cement your Jewish identity and become bar mitzvah. Since then, you’ve worked extraordinarily hard on your Hebrew as well as on your general Jewish knowledge. You’ve dragged your mum here every Saturday morning, and it’s been lovely to welcome the two of you, along, often, with your grandparents from up the road, into our congregation.

“Importantly, just like Joseph in the Torah portion you read so fantastically for us this morning, you followed a dream. You set your sights on a goal and you followed through. You confirmed and affirmed your decision to become a Jewish adult. And what a perfect time of year at which to do so.”

Everyone left with a warm glow at the end of the service – and full bellies from the buffet – and surely that’s what it’s all about? What I liked about his speech was how he captured the mixed up world of tradition and ideals we all come across during our lifes. Nothing is black and white.

We all have our own interests and we often gravitate towards those who are similar. But we also need places where our different views, our different upbringings, our different experiences can come together. I mean just look at our football club that becomes more of a melting pot each week. It might not always leave us with a warm glow after a defeat but we will come back again and again and hopefully feel part of something special. And in a world where power mad, crazy old men want to burn the place down, that’s more important than ever.

* The Rabbis full sermon is here 

HAPPY NEW YEAR - ON AND OFF THE PITCH

Printed in the National League South game v Tonbridge Angels Saturday 24th January 2026  We lost 3-2 in front of 784

So much has happened since our last home game I don’t know where to start. Actually, that’s a lie. It has to be Maidenhead United away. First time we’ve played them in the league for 25 years. Packed ground, brilliant atmosphere and 3-1 to the Rebels. Best Birthday Present Ever. Forget the roast turkey – as Alan ‘the shirt’ Brown said – how about roast magpie for Boxing Day afters?

I get people love old traditional grounds. I do too. And in town centres where they belong. With old pylons peeping out surrounded by chimney pots. But York Road needs some serious investment and instead Maidenhead are keen to sell the ground where football has been continuously played since 1871  - the longest in the world - and move not too far up the road. Of course, if we lived in a society that wasn't all about money, the site would be valued, even turned into a football museum. Unfortunately especially in towns like Maidenhead and Slough it will become faceless housing and office blocks that no one loves and sucks the joy from our souls.

We then went on a 3 match unbeaten run until it came to a frozen halt at Chippenham. January is Rail Replacement Month so i left at stupid o clock to meet up with Gaz the Sandwich. Maybe the frozen farmers fields out west should have given me a clue but Chippenham seemed confident - until it was called off. Seven hours and £50 down the pan. Fiddlesticks. Gaz met with some Southend fans who love stealing our best players, but their game against Bath was another late postponement because a bit of the ground that wasn't even on the pitch was frozen. Which is a new one on me. Alfie and the Devon Rebels headed to Odd Down FC with their 'Don't be nasty, eat a pasty' banner, while my train trundled home, watching Macclesfield seriously have their day in the sun. It could have, should have been us. Meh.

I couldn't make the quickly rearranged Chippenham Town defeat but headed to the crazy mixed up town of Hemel Hempstead, where Mr. Blobby greeted us at the turnstiles. After being dished up cat-sick breakfast at Euston, we got served something much more palatable; infact this was five star cuisine. One of the best first half performances i've seen from a Slough Town team in years with fantastic, noisy support to boot. We might not be big hitters when it comes to home attendances but so many that come to home games are happy to travel away.

In amongst all the climbing up the table business, we also had the welcome news that Scotty had signed a new two year contract while Ash spelt out the vision of the club.

"This vision is guided by four core pillars which define what Slough Town FC stands for.

"Sustainability, Talent, Fan Experience, Community.

"In a league that becomes more competitive every season - with more full time teams and bigger budgets - we remain steadfast in our commitment to operating responsibly and sustainably. We are one of the few clubs at this level who can genuinely say that. And that matters.

"Everything we do is focused on long-term stability: from recruitment and player development to careful financial management and facility improvements. Our development model continues to prove its value - not only strengthening the squad but generating funds that protect our future.

"Enhancements to Arbour Park have continued, ensuring the stadium remains a modern, welcoming home we can be proud of.

"In one of the biggest steps forward last year, we reached agreement with the council on a new Sports Hub to support and elevate our training provision. This will improve performance, welfare and development across the club."

Which leads nicely onto the glossy Slough Is Now document where the football club is one of the key players in regenerating and reimagining the town. Dragging a place that needs a lot of love - and a good broom. Building on the innovation and invention that defined the place and which we sing about on the terraces. Did you know we've got the biggest trading estate in Europe !? Looking at what we've got in the town such as young, very diverse workforce and amazing transport links. Sure, there's plenty of issues. Trying to sort out the housing mess, the carbuncle of a town centre, massive inequality, but at least there is a vision and plans for wanting to be better.

These are exciting times for Slough the Town and Slough Town FC which thanks to so many brilliant people is in rude health. So let's keep on punching above our weight, and add more points on the board, while those behind the scenes continue to work hard to make us a major force in the town. 

Photos by Scott McNeish