MotM: 04-01-25. Slough (H) Hemmings

[garthrockett]

I met a husband and wife couple in the Bear & Wolf Friday evening who had come up from Slough early on Friday for the match.
They'd had a curry in Wall to Wall, a drink in the King & Castle, a ride on a steam train, and were full of compliments for the town and their stay thus far, and were looking forward to a long walk Sunday alongside the Severn.
We sometimes forget how lucky we are to to be in Wyre Forest......

As far as the football was concerned the guy had quote ('low expectations') for the outcome of the game, and as a NLS veteran commented the NLN was of a far higher standard that the Southern division.
For that reason alone I hope we get a southern tie next round.

[harry211]

I met a husband and wife couple in the Bear & Wolf Friday evening who had come up from Slough early on Friday for the match.
They'd had a curry in Wall to Wall, a drink in the King & Castle, a ride on a steam train, and were full of compliments for the town and their stay thus far, and were looking forward to a long walk Sunday alongside the Severn.
We sometimes forget how lucky we are to to be in Wyre Forest......

As someone who has moved around a little bit, and travelled a similar amount for work I agree. Find it odd how much people are willing to run down the Wyre Forest, but my days, not sure they've ever left to see how bad things are on the other side. Particularly spoilt for pubs as well... (was in the Chester Tavern before Christmas. Apart from the ludicrous Captain Tom poster, a really good pub with great staff).

[tonythescout]

Wyre Forest and Worcestershire very under rated. Appreciate it folks, plenty of worse places.
Slough's defending absolutely shambolic, particularly for our second goal.
But we put them to the sword, something we have failed to do a few times this season. Good to see some ruthlessness infront of goal. hemmo deserves some credit. I like some have made what I think have been fair observations on him but is form since November has been good and look what it is yielding. probably his most consistent run for 18 months. long may it continue.

[Sheffield Harrier]

Interesting to see the comments on the away day experience on the Slough forum. And good responses from Phil and another Kiddy fan. Does the matchday experience miss a spark? I suppose we all want different things and the Slough fan appears a little naïve to me.

You aren't going to please all the people all the time I suppose. There are things that we just take for granted nowadays that may be a culture shock to fans of clubs used to playing at this level for many years (and levels below). For instance, there's been surprise from some sets of away fans over the years that you can't drink on the terrace, something we've never been able to do at Aggborough to my knowledge. I get why the Harriers Arms restricts numbers. Away fans won't realise the KHSSC isn't anything to do with KHFC so might wrongly resent paying a day membership fee to get on. I haven't been in for a while now partly because of the fee and partly because I've never felt massively welcome by the fellas running the place. You could argue the responsibility is on the away fans to do a little research (or maybe their club could check with KHFC?) before arriving if they want a beer. There's the Viaduct down the road and options on Station Hill.

A 2pm opening for the turnstiles isn't that unusual is it?

Funnily enough I bought a programme for the first time in a long time on Saturday. It was poor value.

The catering at the ground is pricey but I suppose it is everywhere nowadays. Its not particularly good either which is a shame given where we used to be. I was organised myself on Saturday and brought in a hot flask and snacks and sandwiches. Always an option. Someone mentioned they'd been refused entry into Aggborough with hot food recently? Is this true? I've seen fans with McDonalds munching away in the East Stand.

The Slough fan also claimed they were searched for the first time in 58 yrs of non-league football which seems a little surprising. Again, another change we've all got used to I suppose. Funnily enough, don't think I've been searched entering the East Stand for a few games now. Given we have had issues with flares etc its probably not surprising there are searches. Does this sort of thing spoil it? Do people keep away because of this? Speaking of which, there was resistance to cashless turnstiles and I wonder if anyone keeps away as a protest because of that rule? Or is it another thing we've just got used to (I've no issue at all btw).

Segregation was mentioned to. It must be nearly thirty years since we've changed ends at Aggborough for a league/cup game. I do fondly remember walking through the cowshed brushing shoulders with the away fans walking the other way but times change and I really don't think its worth the hassle nowadays. Slough could have all been shoved into the seats so they might count themselves lucky to have the terrace.

The atmosphere generally at Aggborough is poor IMO. Slough got behind their side well. In our end there are lots happy to sit and stand in silence and quietly tut if those around them make a noise I find.

One thing that does annoy me is the club making a deal in the programme and over the tannoy of Aggoborough being a complete no smoking Stadium. It isn't and there is no attempt from stewards to challenge those smoking in the corners of the ground. Yet they're quick to jump on anyone in the East Stand concourse that steps a mm over the yellow line whilst holding a plastic cup of overpriced pish.

[garthrockett]

Speaking of which, there was resistance to cashless turnstiles and I wonder if anyone keeps away as a protest because of that rule?

Yes, there are a not inconsiderable number of long-standing supporters (one very prominent and well known to most supporters) who refuse to go cashless. I know of at least 3 ex ST Holders who now only go away.
Me, as a home St attendee I've never understood the need to walk into Aggy and then sit watching the match scoffing chips and a burger, or paying over the odds for a vile fizzy lager, but each to their own I guess.......

The thinking behind the cashless policy is one of the questions I'd like to put to the Chairman in the unlikely event of another fan's forum in the future.

[Jim mankey]

Speaking of which, there was resistance to cashless turnstiles and I wonder if anyone keeps away as a protest because of that rule?

Yes, there are a not inconsiderable number of long-standing supporters (one very prominent and well known to most supporters) who refuse to go cashless. I know of at least 3 ex ST Holders who now only go away.
Me, as a home St attendee I've never understood the need to walk into Aggy and then sit watching the match scoffing chips and a burger, or paying over the odds for a vile fizzy lager, but each to their own I guess.......

The thinking behind the cashless policy is one of the questions I'd like to put to the Chairman in the unlikely event of another fan's forum in the future.

I'd much prefer to be able to use cash as well as card in the ground but I ain't going to cut my nose off to spite my face and boycott. I wonder if the prominent fan is the same that thinks Flash is still involved with club?

[garthrockett]

I'd much prefer to be able to use cash as well as card in the ground but I ain't going to cut my nose off to spite my face and boycott. I wonder if the prominent fan is the same that thinks Flash is still involved with club?

I don't think so.......
But I too resist the cashless option wherever i can.
Which is a shame as most home games 3 of us meet up for an after-game pint and each buy a round, usually down in town or Station Hill rather than the Harriers Arms.
4-50 quid a pint x 3 rounds = about £40 , for 23 games a year works out to £931 per season the club loses out on.

[COYRedder]

One thing that does annoy me is the club making a deal in the programme and over the tannoy of Aggoborough being a complete no smoking Stadium. It isn't and there is no attempt from stewards to challenge those smoking in the corners of the ground. Yet they're quick to jump on anyone in the East Stand concourse that steps a mm over the yellow line whilst holding a plastic cup of overpriced pish.

The club would make more money if the East Stand had a fully functioning bar. Bottled Batham's is only just the right side of acceptable. Batham's or similar on draught would be so much better. It's hard to fathom why the club enforces the no-beer-in-the-stand rule. It clearly isn't a league rule at this level because it's allowed elsewhere. A plastic pint is no more dangerous or anti-social than a bottle of fizzy pop which is allowed in the stand. Whose rule is it?

[andrewb]

another video -