On This Day

[HorshamRebel]

16 hours ago, GarySTFC said:

And I should add, thanks for sharing all these Gary. It's been good looking back through some of the older albums and reminiscing about players and sadly some of the supporters no longer with us. 

Thanks Mr T.

Let's hope I don't need to post all of the 700 or so games I've covered over the years

[3spirit]

19 hours ago, GarySTFC said:

I think it's fair to say this will be a popular opinion, but I sure don't miss going to and playing AFC Hayes! 

And I should add, thanks for sharing all these Gary. It's been good looking back through some of the older albums and reminiscing about players and sadly some of the supporters no longer with us. 

It wasn't like we played AFC Hayes much, as they were lower than us most of the time and were then known as Brook House. I didn't think their ground was too bad, considering.

I know I'm the odd exception but I actually miss playing at the smaller venues and a lower level, as I've come to appreciate the amateur/semi pro game much more, given the time garnered when Slough Town FC were homeless.

Don't get me wrong I'm glad Slough are in the Conference South, and on the whole the CS experience is a good one. If anything,though, I've grown tired of professionalism, as that strikes me more about money making, than being for the love of the beautiful game.

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, 3spirit said:

It wasn't like we played AFC Hayes much, as they were lower than us most of the time and were then known as Brook House. I didn't think their ground was too bad, considering.

I know I'm the odd exception but I actually miss playing at the smaller venues and a lower level, as I've come to appreciate the amateur/semi pro game much more, given the time garnered when Slough Town FC were homeless.

Don't get me wrong I'm glad Slough are in the Conference South, and on the whole the CS experience is a good one. If anything,though, I've grown tired of professionalism, as that strikes me more about money making, than being for the love of the beautiful game.

Is it just the grounds you miss 3spirit because in modern times, whether it's been at our current level or the steps below, Slough have always been semi pro.

 

 

[HorshamRebel]

2nd and last for 6th April.

2015 Hungerford v Slough

 

[HorshamRebel]

3 albums today.

This one is one of my very first, and was taken from the terraces.

7th April 2007

Slough v Margate

 

Edited April 7, 2020 by HorshamRebel

[Reading Rebel]

2 hours ago, HorshamRebel said:

3 albums today.

This one is one of my very first, and was taken from the terraces.

7th April 2007

Slough v Margate

 

 

This game followed the 9-0 nil tonking we got from AFC Wimbledon and must go down as our worst squad in our modern day history. 

We did muster two draws after the Wimbledon game but then got hammered 8-0 by Bromley.

We finished bottom of the table with a league record of lost 33 won 4 and drew 5 having conceded 120 goals for the season.

[3spirit]

19 hours ago, Reading Rebel said:

Is it just the grounds you miss 3spirit because in modern times, whether it's been at our current level or the steps below, Slough have always been semi pro.

 

 

Hello RR,

Hope you are well and keeping out the way of coronavirus.

I do miss the smaller venues/smaller crowds but it's more than just that. I just prefer the semi professional game to the professional game [as you probably know by now]. It seems to me, that with every step higher that Slough go, there seems more pressure on the managers and the players to be ultra successful and they must not make mistakes, and because of this, it somehow detracts from the magic of what non league/grass roots football is about for me. 

It also seems more about making a profit for each club and less about the players getting enjoyment from the game itself. The interaction between the players and with the larger crowds doesn't seem as good either somehow.

I can only say this now, after riding on Slough Town FC bandwagon for all these years,with the ups and downs of each division. I started watching Slough regular in 1988/89 [went to a few games at the Dolphin,too, as a nipper], when they were a season away from winning the Vauxhall Opal league, and as a youngster I wanted Slough to reach the pinnacle of the Conference or go higher but nowadays, as a golden oldie, having been on this journey with Slough and with how the game has changed over the years, I can't help feeling that I prefer watching the level, one or two divisions down, as it's not as competitive and the players are not so fixated on being professional and earning dosh.   Well, that's how it appears to me.

Not that I'm going to stop watching Slough but I do want to take in a few more Beaconsfield/Windsor/Chalfont St Peter games, when I can.

[Reading Rebel]

42 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

Hello RR,

Hope you are well and keeping out the way of coronavirus.

I do miss the smaller venues/smaller crowds but it's more than just that. I just prefer the semi professional game to the professional game [as you probably know by now]. It seems to me, that with every step higher that Slough go, there seems more pressure on the managers and the players to be ultra successful and they must not make mistakes, and because of this, it somehow detracts from the magic of what non league/grass roots football is about for me. 

It also seems more about making a profit for each club and less about the players getting enjoyment from the game itself. The interaction between the players and with the larger crowds doesn't seem as good either somehow.

I can only say this now, after riding on Slough Town FC bandwagon for all these years,with the ups and downs of each division. I started watching Slough regular in 1988/89 [went to a few games at the Dolphin,too, as a nipper], when they were a season away from winning the Vauxhall Opal league, and as a youngster I wanted Slough to reach the pinnacle of the Conference or go higher but nowadays, as a golden oldie, having been on this journey with Slough and with how the game has changed over the years, I can't help feeling that I prefer watching the level, one or two divisions down, as it's not as competitive and the players are not so fixated on being professional and earning dosh.   Well, that's how it appears to me.

Not that I'm going to stop watching Slough but I do want to take in a few more Beaconsfield/Windsor/Chalfont St Peter games, when I can.

Hi 3spirit,

I'm doing ok so far, just bored as every day seems the same. I hope you're ok and looking after yourself.

I don't normally differ too far from your views but I have to say on this occasion I do.

You do mean the semi pro lower divisions because Slough are not a professional club.

There's differing amounts of pressure on all managers and players at every club even at the lower levels.

With the increase in money and support the pressure does ramp up the higher clubs go but in general managers and players want to manage and play higher and accept that to do this there will be more pressure and in most cases the rewards increase as well.

Personally, with the bigger crowds that we are now getting I think the levels of interaction with the players has ramped up a few levels especially when we travel away from home.

Cannot agree that the levels that we've came from were not as competitive unless I've been watching different games over the years and I'm sure most of those players were equally as keen to get paid as much money as they could. 

 

  

[HorshamRebel]

2nd of today's albums 

7th April 2012

Bedfont Town v Slough

 

[HorshamRebel]

The last vist to 7th April, takes us back to 2018.

Stratford Town v Slough

 

[HorshamRebel]

Just one album for 8th April.

 

2017 and Kettering v Slough

 

[3spirit]

21 hours ago, Reading Rebel said:

Hi 3spirit,

I'm doing ok so far, just bored as every day seems the same. I hope you're ok and looking after yourself.

I don't normally differ too far from your views but I have to say on this occasion I do.

You do mean the semi pro lower divisions because Slough are not a professional club.

There's differing amounts of pressure on all managers and players at every club even at the lower levels.

With the increase in money and support the pressure does ramp up the higher clubs go but in general managers and players want to manage and play higher and accept that to do this there will be more pressure and in most cases the rewards increase as well.

Personally, with the bigger crowds that we are now getting I think the levels of interaction with the players has ramped up a few levels especially when we travel away from home.

Cannot agree that the levels that we've came from were not as competitive unless I've been watching different games over the years and I'm sure most of those players were equally as keen to get paid as much money as they could. 

 

  

I understand and acknowledge your points here. What I don't agree about with most people I meet and chat to, is why everything has to be about money making. To me this is the curse of our civilisation. In football,there needs to be a big shake up, as it's obscene what clubs and players are earning.

Regarding Slough Town FC, we both are fans of the club and the team. The thing is I'm not a capitalist and never have been, so when I look at  our situation currently, I don't go for this incessant drive to make it to the professional ranks, which at least ten clubs in the National Premier are. With Steve Easterbrook leaving, and now this Coronavirus thing, add to the fact that the Council own our ground, I believe our aims are too high at this precise time. Not with how our squad/managers are doing in the table but the fact that so many fans and others on the periphery seem obsessed with being as high as possible, and don't relate to how much it costs to be a National Premier/ League 2 club.

To me just an ordinary supporter, what advantage is it for me to see Slough in the National Premier?   It will only cost me more to watch, and prices will have to rise to support such a thing. As I have said previously I have come to the realization that for me it is more important that the club keeps existing and doesn't bite off more than it can chew. To me I have grown to appreciate the amateur/grass roots game, more than professionalism [and I feel exactly the same way about Rugby Union].

[HorshamRebel]

Four albums for 9th April.

The first is from 2007, and my first attempts at doing this

Ashford Town v Slough

 

[Reading Rebel]

20 hours ago, 3spirit said:

I understand and acknowledge your points here. What I don't agree about with most people I meet and chat to, is why everything has to be about money making. To me this is the curse of our civilisation. In football,there needs to be a big shake up, as it's obscene what clubs and players are earning.

Regarding Slough Town FC, we both are fans of the club and the team. The thing is I'm not a capitalist and never have been, so when I look at  our situation currently, I don't go for this incessant drive to make it to the professional ranks, which at least ten clubs in the National Premier are. With Steve Easterbrook leaving, and now this Coronavirus thing, add to the fact that the Council own our ground, I believe our aims are too high at this precise time. Not with how our squad/managers are doing in the table but the fact that so many fans and others on the periphery seem obsessed with being as high as possible, and don't relate to how much it costs to be a National Premier/ League 2 club.

To me just an ordinary supporter, what advantage is it for me to see Slough in the National Premier?   It will only cost me more to watch, and prices will have to rise to support such a thing. As I have said previously I have come to the realization that for me it is more important that the club keeps existing and doesn't bite off more than it can chew. To me I have grown to appreciate the amateur/grass roots game, more than professionalism [and I feel exactly the same way about Rugby Union].

You have to make more money to progress, it's a fact of life in any business.

Even if you stand still income generation has to increase to keep up with the cost of living/inflation.

Not every club in the NL are professional and If we were to get promoted we would be staying part-time.

Take away the extra costs involved surely you would like to see us play and compete against the quality and stature of clubs in the NL on a regular basis.

 

[epicrebel]

21 hours ago, 3spirit said:

I understand and acknowledge your points here. What I don't agree about with most people I meet and chat to, is why everything has to be about money making. To me this is the curse of our civilisation. In football,there needs to be a big shake up, as it's obscene what clubs and players are earning.

Regarding Slough Town FC, we both are fans of the club and the team. The thing is I'm not a capitalist and never have been, so when I look at  our situation currently, I don't go for this incessant drive to make it to the professional ranks, which at least ten clubs in the National Premier are. With Steve Easterbrook leaving, and now this Coronavirus thing, add to the fact that the Council own our ground, I believe our aims are too high at this precise time. Not with how our squad/managers are doing in the table but the fact that so many fans and others on the periphery seem obsessed with being as high as possible, and don't relate to how much it costs to be a National Premier/ League 2 club.

To me just an ordinary supporter, what advantage is it for me to see Slough in the National Premier?   It will only cost me more to watch, and prices will have to rise to support such a thing. As I have said previously I have come to the realization that for me it is more important that the club keeps existing and doesn't bite off more than it can chew. To me I have grown to appreciate the amateur/grass roots game, more than professionalism [and I feel exactly the same way about Rugby Union].

If/When  we get promotion we can NOT turn if down as we all know how long it took just to get back to were we are now.

As a club we have found this living within your means is the right way to go, so getting promoted will not change that, full or part time,,,,,,,, time will tell.   

[HorshamRebel]

2nd of today's albums.

9th April 2011

Slough v Northwood

 

[3spirit]

5 hours ago, Reading Rebel said:

You have to make more money to progress, it's a fact of life in any business.

Even if you stand still income generation has to increase to keep up with the cost of living/inflation.

Not every club in the NL are professional and If we were to get promoted we would be staying part-time.

Take away the extra costs involved surely you would like to see us play and compete against the quality and stature of clubs in the NL on a regular basis.

 

I've explained my rhetoric as best as I can. 

On your final sentence, yes, of course I would like to see Slough competing with the best Non League has to offer, if the club got promoted to the National Premier, [preferably with Bakes and Unders in charge] but these days I just don't view it as being vital to the club's future, if it were not to happen.

 

[3spirit]

4 hours ago, epicrebel said:

If/When  we get promotion we can NOT turn if down as we all know how long it took just to get back to were we are now.

As a club we have found this living within your means is the right way to go, so getting promoted will not change that, full or part time,,,,,,,, time will tell.   

I agree, ER, we should not turn down promotion to the National Premier, if our managers/team gets us there, as it's taken a hell of a long time to get back to being in the top tier of non league. However we will need to be very realistic on the financials and how long we will be able to sustain it.

As I said previously to Reading Rebel, I don't view Slough becoming a professional outfit as essential and would rather our team stay as semi - pro's.

[HorshamRebel]

3rd of 4 for today

9th April 2012

Slough v Beaconsfield

 

[HorshamRebel]

4 of 4 for 9th April.

2016 Cambridge City v Slough