Slough Town v Walsall
The FA Cup, First Round
Stag Meadow
13 November 2004

Homeless Slough Town have hit The FA Cup cash jackpot - and are now battling ever more fiercely for a ground of their own to spend it on.

The Rebels - who are currently playing at near-by Windsor and Eton’s Stag Meadow stadium - have netted £21,000 in prize money from their four qualifying round victories to date.

They are now at home to League One side Walsall – managed by former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson - in the First Round Proper on Saturday 13 November.

That means another £12,500 in prize money will be up for grabs - plus a guaranteed £13,000 in television payments as the game has been selected for coverage on BBC’s Match of the Day.

General manager Roy Merryweather says the extra revenue is crucial - but insists that the high profile generated by a good cup run is even more precious as the club attempts to resolve its differences with Slough Borough Council over the building of a new stadium.

"It’s marvellous that The FA Cup can generate this kind of income," said Mr Merryweather, who is expecting a bumper gate of 3000 for the Walsall game.

"Windsor and Eton have been absolutely marvellous to us, but at the same time we have quite a large rent to pay. This money gives us more stability as a club.

"You can’t budget for a good cup run, but at the same time they’re almost crucial for many clubs, and in our position we don’t have any form of income from things like bars - only gate receipts.

"But another real value of The FA Cup to us is the publicity it brings, and the opportunity to raise our profile and make people aware of the predicament we are in - because Slough Town cannot be a proper football club without a football ground."

Slough’s problems began two years ago when property development plans forced the club to move out of its old home at Wexham Park. The club was confident it had secured council backing for the building of a new stadium, but a change in the balance of political power at this year’s local elections saw the scheme shelved.

"Slough is a sleeping giant, and we have the capability to climb the league structure, but we need our own ground to do it," said Mr Merrywather.

The FA Cup First Round Proper is relatively familiar territory for Slough, who have in recent years been narrowly beaten there by Macclesfield - on penalties - and Harrogate Railway.

Manager Eddie Denton’s side began this season’s campaign with a 1-0 First Qualifying Round victory at Croydon Athletic which earned the club £2250 in prize money.

A 4-1 home win over Welling United in the Second Qualifying Round was worth £3750, and a 4-0 home romp against Cheshunt in the Third Qualifying Round netted a further £5000. Finally, Darron Wilkinson’s late winner earned a 3-2 home victory over Salisbury in the Fourth Qualifying Round, and a further cheque for £10,000.

Now Mr Merryweather is keeping his fingers crossed that the magic of the cup will guide the Rebels to a fairytale victory over Walsall.

"We have a good blend of youth and experience, and we feel that the advantage lies with us as the home team," he said. "With a big crowd in a small ground the atmosphere should work to our advantage, but it’s just a tremendous achievement to be playing a league side."