A RETURN to the borough has paved the way for Slough Town to develop their community activities this season and helped increase the club’s presence in the town.

The Rebels made their long-awaited homecoming in August as over 1,400 people packed into the new £8.4 million state of the art stadium at Arbour Park as Slough beat Hayes & Yeading 2-1.

The first team has gone from strength to strength since and will head into the Christmas period second in the Southern Premier Division table.

Their work within the town has also been rewarded with the club shortlisted for the Get Berkshire Active Community Club of the Year award. Slough chairman Steve Easterbrook is up for Volunteer of the Year.

The Rebels now want to push on with their disability (PALS) and youth teams set to benefit as well as neighbouring St Joseph’s Catholic High School.

Slough general secretary, Kay Lathey, told the Observer: “As a club we’re loving life back in Slough. The facility is excellent and the pitch suits our game.

“It’s been a huge step up in terms of laying on the matchday experience, but as a club we’ve pulled together with a strong band of volunteers coming forward to support the operation.

“We’ve waited so long to be in this position and were delighted with the response from within to help with the numerous tasks involved on a match day.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: The new £8.4 million state of the art stadium at Arbour Park, Slough - home to Slough Town and their affiliated teams such as PALS.

“Being back in the town has enabled us to start to develop some of the community activities that for so long we’ve been thinking about.

“The disability team are now training regularly at Arbour Park and, as well as their tournaments, they have entered The People’s FA Cup. The team is growing almost weekly.

“The youth teams are making use of the training facility and we have plans to further develop this season in the New Year.

“We’ve also developed a strong relationship with St Joseph’s and been able to support some of their charitable activities.”

Lathey added: “It’s been really pleasing to see so many new faces at games since August, as well as many who attended in the past but were unable to make the journey to Holloways Park, Beaconsfield.

“It’s especially nice to see new supporters from all cross sections of the Slough community. Success on the pitch and the central location have attracted people, young and old.

“What’s also really nice is seeing so many more Slough Town hats, scarves and shirts around the town.”

On the Rebels’ award nomination, Lathey said: “It’s amazing and quite appropriate this year, with the move back into the town, the wonderful facility, the hard work of all involved to make it happen and the results on the pitch.

“It has all really started to come together so having that acknowledged externally is very rewarding.

“This would also be fitting reward for the council and all of the people there who have worked so hard to make the facility a reality for the town.

“The award is decided by public vote so to win would be such a boost.”

Slough Town welcome MK Dons to Arbour Park tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm) in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup quarter-finals.