Slough
Town 1
Kettering Town 2
Southern
League Premier Division
The town of
Slough, the name of which actually translates to ‘Soil’, is somewhat maligned
in popular culture, largely due to it being the setting of David Brent’s ‘The
Office’, but with a growing population of over 160,000, it perhaps needs a more balanced view taking on it.
Situated right on
the M4 and also close to the edges of the M25, it services Greater London, and not only
that, it’s an attractive location for business and commerce, with some large
multinationals liking among other things the excellent transport links and also the
proximity of Heathrow Airport. The famous Trading Estate, fictional home of Brent’s
Wernham Hogg, is the largest privately owned of its kind in Europe.
Slough is also
recognised as the most ethnically diverse and multicultural town in the
Country, with large Indian and Pakistani communities notable in size. Immigration
it appears, started in the 1930’s with an influx of the unemployed Welsh!
From a
football perspective though, considering the size of the population and the
economic advantages the business sector provides, life has not been at all easy
for Slough Town.
Great Viewing Position |
Originally
playing at the Dolphin Stadium in the town, the club moved to Wexham Park in
1973, where they remained until 2003 when the landlords evicted them. It was
during the nineties that the club was at its most successful, spending a number
of years in the Conference National League. Groundsharing took place at both
Windsor & Eton and Beaconsfield SYCOB while the club battled to secure a
move back to the town. Consequently, a drop through the leagues took place.
After much
wrangling and heartache, the club finally moved into the impressive Arbour Park
at the start of last season, they are eventually back in town, and it seems the
public of Slough are backing them, with large crowds tipping up for games.
Very Impressive |
I walked
from Slough Station along Stoke Road, it took around ten minutes to get to the
ground, and once inside I have to say I was hugely impressed. The large main
stand contains a clubhouse at the top with a glass viewing gallery, this also
opens out to the sides where the game can be watched al fresco. The stand
itself is quite steep and offers excellent views, it really is top drawer in my
opinion.
Opposite is
a smaller seated stand, while behind both goals are covered terraces offering
an elevated view of proceedings. The pitch is artificial, which from an
economic point of view is a real win for the club.
What Slough
have had to wait for is fantastic, I can only see them going from strength to
strength, and after missing out on promotion last season, I expect they will be
in the mix this time around.
The North Bank |
An
impressive crowd of 760 turned up to see another of the favourites in the shape
of Kettering Town, who themselves brought a large travelling support. With the
sun now beating down, I chose to spend the first half behind the goal Slough
were attacking, but it was the visitors who had the lead at half time thanks to
a flicked header from the experienced Brett Solkhon.
Slough
upped the ante at the start of the second period, and I’d now taken up a
position in the smaller stand, right in front of the two chaps who were doing
the commentary for Poppies Radio, and it was just as I left them to walk round
to the exit that Ben Milnes scored a second for the visitors following a quick
breakaway.
Almost from
the re-start, James Dobson scored the best goal of the game from 25 yards but
it was merely a consolation for the disappointed hosts.
The Small Stand |
A quick
getaway at the end meant I could get across to Reading in time for the train
that would ultimately mean I could change in Chesterfield and get to meet Mark
in Alfreton around 9.30 for the golden ticket handover.
I walked
into the Victoria where Mark was lamenting Alfreton Town’s heavy defeat at
Darlington, we chewed the fat and had a pint as football fans do before I made the
two bus journey back to Belper.
What a
superb day, all went like clockwork, two great hosts clubs, smashing grounds in
very different ways (the oldest and also one of the newest around), while the
football itself certainly kept those watching entertained.
I’ll await
Mark’s next phone call eagerly, he reckons this ticket may not be the last………..
The Town End In The Distance |
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