BUILDING ON THE FUTURE, REMEMBERING THE PAST

 

To be printed in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying round replay v Welling United Tuesday 16th September 2025

“Nothing would change in this world if it wasn’t for the doers and dreamers, the people who carry on with what they believe in when others have thrown in the towel. Chris Sliski was one of those people.

For nearly fifty years Chris supported his club Slough Town and helped shape and build it through its many ups and downs. He always seemed to be there with his trade mark ‘boot’, wading through nettles to rescue another mis-kicked ball.

He always had a smile on his face and through our darker periods when you felt like giving up he would offer little nuggets of news to cheer us up and think just maybe the good times were around the corner.

Nothing was too much trouble for him and he would make any supporter, old timer or new on the scene, welcome. There was no cliqueness with Chris, no ‘you scratch my back.’ He wasn’t flash, he wasn’t rich just an honest, hard grafting, working class man who touched hundreds of lives.”

These were the words I spoke at Chris Sliski’s funeral 13 years ago.

So it was an honour to be given the Chris Sliski Memorial Shield at the end of season awards. Oh and a mini bin. An award that’s been given to supporters since 2011 for services to Slough Town, with lots of old names on their, some of them sadly no longer with us like Dave ‘the programmes’ Piercy and Noreen Bridle. I really don’t think I deserved it if I’m honest. Yes I come from Brighton to games; but there’s plenty of other people who put in the miles to get to games. Yes I write for the programme and help get the atmosphere going and often have in depth discussions about the merits of using bins as percussion instruments with grumpy stewards.

The late great Chris Sliski was one of a kind – Mr. Slough Town kept the club going especially during our darkest days. After my award his wife Julie commented ‘it’s hard to go to matches wondering if anyone realised just how much he did..but he would have been happy just knowing Rebels’ were back in Slough…x’ Julie kicked the first ball at Arbour Park and its great the club now have a memorial wall and honoured past footballing legend Terry Reardon.

The club are blessed with so many individuals who put in so many hours. People like Keith Philips who has supported the team for ever and who last year was putting together some great historical articles together for the programme - reminding us just how many inventions has come from the town. Like an early Silicon Valley. As the song goes – ‘Zebra crossings, Thunderbirds, MarsBars and Bins….but that doesn’t even touch the – we discovered Uranus - sides. Keith's eyes haven’t been so good lately so he’s having a rest from writing but I recently asked him the sort of thing he did for the club

Keith replied “Off the top of head I’ve..

Helped with new Rebels bar.

Fitted out Sue’s new shop.

Refurb Kev McGoldrick’s medical room.

Refurb kit room.

Plumbing repairs.

Electrical repairs.

Furnishings repairs.

Painting.

Parking steward.

Litter picking.

Tournament helping.

Ball Boying trialist games.

Ball retrieve out of ground.

Beer lines clean (when Barry can’t help Mike).

Weeding the carparks.

Installing advertinsing signs and TV’s

Goal repairs.

Lights fitted in bin store.

Cutting back brambles etc.. although we now have landscapers.

Occasional post match cleaning of 1st floor kitchen, (we have a 5-star hygiene rating).

“And all travelling from Bracknell and back to boot! I’ve developed quite a sun tan in this close season being outside so plenty of natural vitamin D.

“Must say Ashley’s dad Alec (my partner in crime) has been a huge help also, he’s given up a lot of his time to help out. Many supporter’s are probably not aware of the work he puts in. He travels in from Hazlemere. He and his wife Amanda recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They had a do at the club and I produced a playlist of their favourite songs.. voluntarily of course! They also had a harpist (a lady doctor) playing for about an hour, very soothing modern tunes. Didn’t think it’d be into it but was very good.

“Loads of other volunteers also putting shifts in behind the scenes to keep the club ticking over, all of whom are heroes. Let’s be honest were it not for all of us pulling together we wouldn’t have a football club.

“It was very encouraging to see some new faces turn up to our volunteer’s evening in a packed board room on 1 July. A very interesting and informative event held by Ashley and Steve.”

As the club grows it will be even more important to remember those that came before us. But also to welcome with open arms new supporters as they start to make memories as they cheer on the Rebels and build on the legacy of people like Chris Sliski.