Chairman's end of season thoughts

Steve Easterbrook provided his end of season message ahead of the Presentation evening at Holloways Park on Saturday.

17/04/16


To have achieved what we have over the past decade is, in my opinion, quite outstanding. Ten years ago this club had no home, one team, no money and were heading for the Combined Counties League


Steve Easterbrook, Chairman

Steve Easterbrook provided his end of season message ahead of the Presentation evening at Holloways Park on Saturday.

"To have achieved what we have over the past decade is, in my opinion, quite outstanding. Ten years ago this club had no home, one team, no money and were heading for the Combined Counties League. In fact many, including the local press were writing us off.

"Today however we stand PROUD – we play our football in the Southern Premier League, we have a vibrant youth section and an Under 18 team - we operate a football academy giving full time education to the kids of Slough… and this year we have also introduced a disabled team – which I’m sure everyone will agree is absolutely fantastic. Oh and of course there is the small matter that we WILL be moving into a new ground this year… and that ground will be in SLOUGH! In the words of Martin Luther King ‘We had a dream’ and it’s about to bloody well happen!

"The only way that this could have been achieved is because of YOU. Whilst, yes a lot of hard work has been carried out by the committee and others; it is only as a result of the dedication and continual support from you, the supporters, that we should finally achieve our goal.

"The new Community Sports Facility is currently on time and due for completion in August this year. However builders being builders and the requirements of the league being quite stringent, we must be prepared for some delays. On this particular point I would like to thank Beaconsfield for agreeing to let us play at Holloways Park whilst the new ground is being completed.

"So from looking down a black hole in to the abyss some 10 years ago we can finally look forward to the future with an element of surety and confidence.

"Whilst this season has not finished as we all hoped, and there are many reasons for that, Jon and Neil have both been working hard on putting together a competitive team for next season. This season did present a number of problems and I would like to thank Jon, Neil, Trent and Mark Betts for their dedication and hard work. I sometimes think some people forget the many hours that management have to put in week in week out and the enormous sacrifices that these guys have to make. A 12-hour round trip to Bideford on a Tuesday night springs to mind!

"This year saw a magnificent achievement by our ‘Kev’ - 30 years' dedication to Slough Town Football Club. As a tribute the club decided to ask for comments and memories from anyone who has had the pleasure of working with or been treated by Kev. From the response from ex-players and ex-mangers it is clear for everyone to see what an extraordinary person he is – indeed we could have filled two programmes! That is the measure of the man – remarkable and someone I have the utmost respect for.

"There could never be enough time for me to thank everyone individually that deserves to be thanked - however I would like to mention a few people who have tirelessly been ever present week in week out.

"Firstly Steve Chapman who is responsible for our wonderful match day programme. I know how much of a difficult task this is and I would like to personally thank him for his dedication and professionalism.

"I would also like to thank everyone who contributes to the programme including my ‘match watching partner’ John Tebbit, the irrepressible Brighton Rebel and Alan 'stats' Smith. Also as always great work from Tom Gathern and his media team who do a fantastic job reporting events on and off the field.

"Special mention to all those who are involved in Rebels Radio – a fantastic addition to what the club offers. Also thanks for the first time this year to Andrea Villani who has stepped in and produced Match Day posters for the entire season along with other marketing materials.

"Next, Sue and her team who run the fantastic club shop. Absolutely brilliant… gets on with it with the minimum of fuss, is forever positive and a joy to talk to!

"I would like to thank the Supporters Trust, MyFC and indeed all the corporate sponsors and individual sponsors who have put their hands in their pockets and made sacrifices to assist the club.

"Also to all the stewards and match day helpers – thank you.

"I can’t thank the Committee enough for all that they do on behalf of the club and special thanks to Kay Lathey, who on top of everything else has to put up with my rants which often include a lot of cursing and plenty of swearing – yep, plenty of swearing!

"I could go on and I apologise to those I have missed, but I would like to invite everybody to join me to thank all those people who volunteer and give up their valuable time to help run this club. It is not easy and it is not always enjoyable!

"Finally a thank you to John Porter for not only hosting the presentations but for all the other ‘behind the scenes’ things he gets involved with. Managers' interviews are of course, a must listen.

"Just a quick reminder that football is not in fact over yet as Paul Lillywhite has arranged another Slough Town Legends game at Farnham Park. Last season it was a huge success so please make a note in your diaries – June 11th at 1pm.

"Finally, have a great summer and I would just like to say - BE PROUD - BE HAPPY - BE A REBEL!"

THANK YOU.

Steve Easterbrook,
Chairman
Slough Town Football Club

Rebels

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