Fans Forum @ Arbour Park 22nd April 7:30pm

[Connor McNeish]

https://x.com/sloughtownfc/status/1909244668266610738?s=46

Edited April 7 by Connor McNeish

[GlenSTFC]

Glad to see this, so what questions would we like answering? I can’t make it unfortunately but I’ll submit a question or two.

[Curtis]

OK I’ll start,

Question 1:-

Is it true that we had the lowest, or one of the lowest, playing budgets in our division this season?

And if so, are there any plans to substantially increase it for next season?

Question 2:

The pitch gets a lot of use & is starting to look like it should be replaced. Will it be replaced this summer or will you try to get another season use of it?

And when replaced will it be with 3G or are there any thoughts of a grass pitch?

[GlenSTFC]

I’m sure I heard the pitch was being replaced this summer. No way they’d go back to grass with the amount of usage it now gets. 

Is there a revised ‘5 year plan’ or are we still on course to achieve all/some of our goals?

[Reading Rebel]

1: Reportedly this season we had one of the lowest budgets in the division, will next seasons budget be increased sufficient enough to make us competitive?

2: What further improvements are planned for the ground and if so when will they be made? 

[GlenSTFC]

8 hours ago, Reading Rebel said:

1: Reportedly this season we had one of the lowest budgets in the division, will next seasons budget be increased sufficient enough to make us competitive?

2: What further improvements are planned for the ground and if so when will they be made? 

2: I would hope any surplus funds are put into the squad so we can start competing at the top end. No point investing in further facilities when the crowds aren’t there. What the club has spent on AP has been well spent but I’m not sure anything further is actually required (in our current position/status).

Edited April 8 by GlenSTFC

[Reading Rebel]

On 08/04/2025 at 18:33, GlenSTFC said:

2: I would hope any surplus funds are put into the squad so we can start competing at the top end. No point investing in further facilities when the crowds aren’t there. What the club has spent on AP has been well spent but I’m not sure anything further is actually required (in our current position/status).

Certainly at the very least there needs to be a balance between infrastructure spending and a decent squad budget .

No good having a tiny budget struggling to avoid relegation and having top modern facilities.

Although there's no getting away from the cost of the pitch needing to be relayed for next season or the season after.

 

Edited April 10 by Reading Rebel

[Curtis]

It is an interesting question regarding what is the best way to invest funds:-

last season finished 10th & average league attendances of 892

this season ground improvements & finishing 17th with average league attendances of 875

Maidenhead’s drop from 14th last season to relegation zone this season has reduced attendances from 1452 to 1283

Edited April 9 by Curtis

[Curtis]

Question to Scott & the owners:-

It looks like Scott Davies’ contract expires at the end of the 2025/2026 season, has Scott achieved what was expected by the owners, & if so will you be offering him a contract extension very soon?

And Scott, have the owners provided all the support you had hoped for & would you sign a contract extension if it was offered?

[Reading Rebel]

13 hours ago, Curtis said:

Question to Scott & the owners:-

It looks like Scott Davies’ contract expires at the end of the 2025/2026 season, has Scott achieved what was expected by the owners, & if so will you be offering him a contract extension very soon?

And Scott, have the owners provided all the support you had hoped for & would you sign a contract extension if it was offered?

I'm sure it's been mentioned in a previous post match interview that the clubs bottom line remit was to stay in the NLS which has pretty much been achieved.

 

[GlenSTFC]

6 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

I'm sure it's been mentioned in a previous post match interview that the clubs bottom line remit was to stay in the NLS which has pretty much been achieved.

 

Can’t believe just staying up is part of the original 5 year plan? I presume promotion to the NL was the ultimate aim of this plan and is it now 2 or 3 seasons to do it?

[Reading Rebel]

3 hours ago, GlenSTFC said:

Can’t believe just staying up is part of the original 5 year plan? I presume promotion to the NL was the ultimate aim of this plan and is it now 2 or 3 seasons to do it?

I'm sure just staying in the NLS wasn't part of the 5 year plan but promotion was.

Obviously promotion for the owners would be their ultimate aim but in the short term i.e. this season and maybe next staying in the NLS is a minimum requirement.

Edited April 10 by Reading Rebel

[Curtis]

Although three years old (which probably means the figures may have increased by 20-25%) the attached article from Oliver Ash a Maidstone United director provides a good overview of the budgets that some NLS clubs have, and the significant challenges of promotion:-

https://www.propertychronicle.com/the-price-of-success-the-challenge-of-being-promoted-to-the-national-league/