Tuesday 18th October 2022 ko 19:45

Combined Counties League Premier Division North

WINDSOR 2 (Mirtahmasabi 24og Debayo 80)

Appleton sent off 90 (DOGSO)

EGHAM TOWN 4 (Campion 20 48 64 Lopes 90)

Att 122

Entry £7.50

Programme FREE

I’m fairly certain this year’s Royal Funeral is what triggered this revisit to Stag Meadow. The committal was after all, in Windsor Castle and on the trip south from the M4 you do see the signage for the oh-so familiar sites such as the Great Park, and the Long Walk. Of course the football club are the Royalists, not least because they’ve had the likes of George V, George VI, and Philip Duke of Edinburgh as patrons.

But any football fan is going to be attracted by Stag Meadow. The ground, which forms part of the Crown Estate, was once part of the Great Park, but was separated in 1911 on the order of George V as it was felt that there ought to be space for football. The ground was leased to Windsor & Eton FVC from then until their bankruptcy in 2011. I remember attending a packed house here in 2004 when Windsor & Eton played groundsharers Slough Town in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round. The winner had a home tie with Walsall awaiting them, and their manager Paul Merson looked uncomfortable sat in the director’s box. Slough Town won 4-1 and I was watching Holyport a week or so later but I could still hear the cheers as Slough cost Merson his job.

But I digress. The ground is everything a groundhopper could possibly want, with that wonderful pitched roof stand a real highlight. But I know for some the only important question it whether a printed programme is available? Well at Windsor FC not only is the programme excellent, but its free too! But Robyn will remember Windsor FC more for the wonderful hospitality we received, and all I did was call in to the boardroom for the team line-ups!

Sadly we couldn’t bring them a little luck, and that it despite them featuring Barry Hayles up front too. The former Bristol Rovers, Sheffield United and Fulham striker may now be 51 but he can still pick a pass, Windsor’s first goal came from his slide rule pass, and there’s still fire in his belly, he did serve time in the Sin Bin for dissent too! 

But while Egham looked suspect on crosses Windsor has no answer to pace in general and more specifically the speed of Danny Campion who collected a predator’s hat trick. In all honesty the late dismissal of Luke Appleton was just adding insult to injury, and I did commiserate with the home management as we left.

But the great advantage of being there as a neutral is that the result needn’t define your evening out. And what a place Stag Meadow is!!!