Crows On The Road: At Slough Town
Next Up: The Rebels of Slough Town FC
Crows at Slough Town FC, Evo-Stik League Southern Central Division 1
Kick Off: 3:00pm, Saturday 1st December 2012 (OMG it’s almost Christmas and I have done absolutely no shopping at all! Someone is going to be disappointed!)
Holloways Park
Windsor Road
Beaconsfield
Buckinghamshire
HP9 2SG
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The league leaders (that is us Yay!) travel to deepest darkest Slough for yet another top of the table clash between two heavyweights. Except that is not exactly true! The Rebels actually play their home games at Beaconsfield SYCOB’s venue of Holloways Park. Does this mean they are as SYCO as the SYCOBS? With Rebels as their nickname you would have thought yes!
But let’s go to their home town origins for Slough. I used to work there many years ago at the Mark One shop in the town. Now like my money, gone a long time ago! What struck me about Slough on a Monday morning at 7am was the smell of the Mars bar factory and the smell of the dog food factory integrating just as I fancied breakfast. Not pleasant to say the least. Mars Bars and Dog Food..mmm hope that is not being served up at the food hatches!
Let me tell you about the wonderful borough of Slough! Well it is actually in the county of “Royal” Berkshire…oh ho, don’t forget the Royal part. The Slough Trading estate makes it the most important business centre in the South of England, puts our Orchard Road to shame.
During the 13th Century, King Henry III had a Palace in nearby Cippenham and staying on the Royal theme, the Queen had a branch line built from Slough to Windsor in 1849.
At least the people of Slough have something to smile about as the comedians Jimmy Carr, Ricky Gervais and Sean Foley all come from these parts. On a negative note, Slough gave us Geri Halliwell of Spice Girls fame. For that I shall never ever forgive them. I had a girlfriend many years ago who inflicted the Spice Girls at Wembley on me. She became an ex very shortly afterwards. On a positive musical note, they did give us Gary Numan of “Cars” fame. That became number 1 in the UK in 1979. I really am showing my age now!
HISTORY
They were originally formed in 1890 and played in that magnificent Southern Alliance league. They regularly beat the Spurs who were also members of this league.
In that great year of 1921 when only 13 spectators turned up to watch Leicester City v Stockport County (Well would you want to watch that rubbish when you could be watching The Crows v The Rebels), Slough attempted to join the Isthmian League, unfortunately they were outvoted in favour of Wycombe Wanderers. A decision that still grapples to this day. Let it go Rebels, you are much better than the Chairboys or Choirboys or whatever they call themselves! Slough decided to join the Spartan league instead.
A familiar story in “The Rebels” history happened in 1936, when the owners of their ground sold up to a greyhound racing consortium. They were kicked out and forced to groundshare with Maidenhead United for several years.
They eventually merged with Slough Centre FC under the guise Slough United FC and returned to the town.
After the war, Slough United did not fancy the Spartan league and this led to a breakaway movement to form a new league, the Corinthian League. This is where the nickname “The Rebels” came from! The Rebel blood also continued within the club as the two factions within Slough United decided to split and the former Slough FC became Slough Town FC.
They won this league in 1951 but in 1961 the league went pop. Slough Town decided to join the expanded Athenian League. They won this one 3 occasions. The third championship culminated in promotion to the Isthmian league in 1973.
During the 1980’s they were league champions on two occasions, the second of which brought them promotion to the Football Conference. They lasted four years before being relegated back to the Isthmian League. They bounced back at the first attempt and all looked rosy, but there is a twist in the tale fellow Crows.
In 1998, the consortium that had purchased the club several years earlier decided that they were not prepared to pay for ground improvement that were required for continual Conference Membership. Blimey, have you seen Alfreton’s ground or Barrow! The Rebels were relegated back to the Isthmian League.
Another relegation followed in 2001, however the club regained its Premier place in 2004. In 2007 it all went wrong again as the club finished bottom and were relegated, but this time decided to try their luck in the Southern Football League Division One South & West (Now that is a match day announcers worst nightmare! I was out of breath just typing that!).
In 2008 they finished 2nd bottom but were reprieved due to Halifax Town going into administration.
Over the next couple of years Slough started to improve and finished 5th in 2011 but lost in the Play-Off Semi Final 4-1 to our local rivals Hitchin Town.
Last year saw a second place finish but were defeated 2-1 by their Landlords Beaconsfield SYCO’s, sorry SYCOB’s!
Their Season So Far
Due to an impressive FA Cup run which was only ended by Mansfield Town on penalties, The Rebels have only played 12 league games so far. With 8 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats the odds are definitely on for a result either way! Chalfont and Ashford Town (Mddx) were quite easily dispatched but The Rebels were surprisingly beaten by Rugby Town at home, interestingly they have only played 3 matches away so far this season, so several long trips are on the cards then!
One to Watch
They have the best goal difference record in this division with plus 22! In fact they have found the back of the onion bag on 36 occasions so far this season and have only been breached 14 times. Now that’s impressive! Make no mistake Crows, this is our biggest game of the season so far and with a bumper away support possibly making the trip, our lads will have a raucous following. I’ve got my cut up Thompson local pages ready for ticker tape, Caroline has packed a gallon of water in the car for her lucky “you know whats”, Richard has a new Sat Nav and Jason is ready with his hooter! Now that does worry me a little, but I digress…. These are the ones to watch!
With 13 league goals so far, striker Danny Burnell is going to be a real handful. A signing in 2010 from Ryman Premier Wealdstone, big Daz has established himself as a fans favourite scoring 28 goals in 40 appearances in 2010/11. Last season saw him win the Golden Boot with 24 goals. Previous clubs include Maidenhead United and Beaconsfield SYCOB.
Partnering him up front, we should expect to find Edward Smith. Eddie has 8 league goals to his name so far and found the back of the net in their last league game against Chalfont St Peter. Strong and excellent in the air, he will keep Jack and Joe busy.
As I mentioned earlier, The Rebels have a mean defence so a mention for stopper James Warrington. A signing in 2011, Slough Town have high hopes for this lad. Former clubs include Fulham and Crystal Palace FC (Endo will be after his autograph then!).
Another former Crystal Palace man, David Woozley joined the club from defunct Windsor & Eton FC. Dave started out with the Eagles in 1997 and played 28 times for them. He eventually got fed up with “The Dave Clarke Five and Glad All Over” and made the move to Torquay United where he played 60 times. A brief stint as Assistant Manager of moneybags Crawley Town before Dave decided to become a Fireman. Other spells at Non League clubs took in the delights of the Staines Massive and Carshalton Athletic.
The Gaffer
A former player at the club, Steve Bateman become the clubs first team manager in 2009 and saw an immediate improvement on the previous dark days. He has led the club to the 1st round proper of the FA Cup this year. The Rebels were agonisingly beaten on penalties by the Stags of Mansfield Town. Paul Cox stated that Slough were deeply unlucky in both games.
Steve started out as a professional with Hemel Hempstead before signing for Everton. Things did not quite work out at the Toffee’s and he moved to Chesham where he made over 300 appearances. A former manager at both Berkhampstead Town and Hemel Hempstead Town, Steve is building a very competitive team that is the outright favourites for promotion.
Have We Met Before
As we have spent much of our history in opposite ends of the league structure, I have to say no. I’ve scanned all local papers to the point that The Royston Crow must think that I have a big story brewing….. A move from Garden Walk maybe? Forgot, that was several years ago!
How To Get There
As I am reliant on Richard and Caroline’s fantastic new Sat Nav that even gives you walking directions (That’s gonna be one hell of a walk Caroline!) I think I shall give you the recommended directions taken from The Rebels website.
By Road
Holloways Park is located just off Junction 2 of the M40 motorway. Immediately after leaving J2, take the A355 towards Slough, then take the first left at the traffic lights. This is signposted Beaconsfield SYCOB FC and will take you into the Service Station area. Make a complete circuit of the roundabout before heading back towards the traffic lights, where you will turn right. The entrance to Holloways Park is around 20-30 yards on the left. Follow the road down for around 200 yards. The club's main car park is on the right hand side. The overflow car park (field) is almost directly opposite, on the left hand side.
By Rail
The closest railway station to Holloways Park is Beaconsfield (on the line to London Marylebone). This station is approximately 2.5 miles away and is not an easy walk. Supporters are recommended to uses taxis or the number 74 bus (High Wycombe to Slough).
Match Day Information
Adults: £8.00
Concessions: £4.00
Programme; £TBC
Food: Reliably informed, that is ranks as one of the best in this league! Looking forward to that one then!!!!
Jez Izod
