Open training session and fans forum

[Graham Cox]

Couldnt make last evening....... so thanks to those who have produced summaries especially re the new ground....................................................so maybe cautious optimism.

 

Some fans did not live long enough to see the new ground............there are quite a few of us now hoping that we will !

[Ian]

My one air of disappointment about last night's session was I felt there was a bit of an imbalance discussing the past versus the future. Whilst it's important that everyone understands how we've got to this point nobody can change the past. The important thing now is how we manage things from this point forward.

 

There are still significant risks to manage and overcome. The Council could decide not to use Arbour Vale for STFC; despite legal agreements stating that the developments (school and ground) would run in tandom that depends on planning and also SBC having the funds available and being willing to commit them. Then there's the Secretary of State to overcome. There's also the issue of what footprint of the Arbour Vale site we have and whether that can accommodate the size of stadium we want.

 

Much still to do.

[epicrebel]

My one air of disappointment about last night's session was I felt there was a bit of an imbalance discussing the past versus the future. Whilst it's important that everyone understands how we've got to this point nobody can change the past. The important thing now is how we manage things from this point forward.

 

There are still significant risks to manage and overcome. The Council could decide not to use Arbour Vale for STFC; despite legal agreements stating that the developments (school and ground) would run in tandom that depends on planning and also SBC having the funds available and being willing to commit them. Then there's the Secretary of State to overcome. There's also the issue of what footprint of the Arbour Vale site we have and whether that can accommodate the size of stadium we want.

 

Much still to do.

It's a bit hard talking about the future when Rob himself wouldn't go past the section 77 bit.

[Neil Baker]

To be honest from someone who was never involved in the past on the ground, I see real optimism, yes there are some hurdles, but by the sounds of it the council want the club in the town and at Arbour Vale, and I don't think Rob would have put himself out if he was not fairly confident about this (hats off to Rob also, as he could quite easily not put him up for that last night but he did)... I think we have to put aside the past to a degree, and focus on being positive for the new ground.

 

As in reality it could happen quite quickly... January 2016 is a possibility.....

[BFR]

I'd imagine from a legal standpoint, Rob can't talk specifics about the site until section 77 is signed, sealed and delivered.

[Reading Rebel]

The size of the plot must be known and whether it is sufficient to put a football stadium on plus the other facilities mentioned otherwise we're all wasting our time.

[Windsor Rebel]

RR: I am sure that has been investigated

[GlenSTFC]

Exactly RR, the plot that's available for 'sports facilities' must be known by the council. I suppose it comes down to what else they want or need to put there as well as the stadium plus the actual cost of it all. Not sure if it all goes to plan we'll see a stadium like the past images showed...

[lino]

Not wishing to be a kill joy , isn't this the same council that sold the Wexham Stadium to the Thorns ?

[HorshamRebel]

There's a few photos online from last night now

[Hammer_rebel]

Have u got a link Gary? Fair play to rob for going and answering our questions and good on Steve for fighting his corner! Going to look on the positive of the new signings and will get positive about the stadium when it's built and we are actually playing in it!

[Sir Rebel1965]

I have to say that I am disappointed in the way Steve Easterbrook has not yet been involved by the council in the "community sport facilities" consultation and planning, which still only "may" include a football ground, but may be a swimming poor/running track/anything but a football ground - almost as if they are trying to hide something from him?

 

Too many ifs and maybe's with everything relying on agencies other than the council to give the go-ahead on things like the section 77, planning permission, funding etc. which the council can then turn around and say "we wanted the new ground, but it was not us that turned down the section 77/Planning/funding".

 

The ground is as far away as ever - it is now for the council and their legal team to take the bull by the horns and drive this scheme through and get all the ducks in a row for this project to meet the time scales proposed and deliver to Slough something that will boost the town and benefit its residents.

 

If this scheme were being dealt with in the commercial market of private business and had taken this long, the business would have gone bust!

[Bernie Gogan]

Couldn't make last night, so grateful for comments on here. Just showing frustration here, but how long does it take to sign a piece of paper?! Moving house has the similar hold ups with documents to be signed, but not actually signed until someone starts jumping up and down. The faceless ones holding this up are the ones who need shouting at. Massive red tape bottleneck.

 

Hope for some good news "in a few weeks" LOL

[3spirit]

To be honest from someone who was never involved in the past on the ground, I see real optimism, yes there are some hurdles, but by the sounds of it the council want the club in the town and at Arbour Vale, and I don't think Rob would have put himself out if he was not fairly confident about this (hats off to Rob also, as he could quite easily not put him up for that last night but he did)... I think we have to put aside the past to a degree, and focus on being positive for the new ground.

 

As in reality it could happen quite quickly... January 2016 is a possibility.....

 

I think all Slough supporters have been optimistic at one time or another and most of us want to look on the 'bright side' but we have been worn down by the broken promises and the falsehoods told by councillors and politicians over the years.When it comes to Slough,nothing is ever straight forward.

 

Like Hammer Rebel said ' I'll believe when I see it ' ! !