Windsor & Eton FC - Proper Football 'On The Road'
- danslawson
- 41 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A new football season is upon us, and what better way to kick it off than with an FA Cup extra preliminary round match in what is the world's greatest and oldest domestic cup competition and its 146th edition!
The venue for our latest club visit was Stag Meadow, home of Windsor and Eton FC, aptly known as The Royalists.
Windsor and Eton are a relatively new football club, formed in 2023. They were granted permission by the FA to use the same name as the original Windsor and Eton FC. FC (1892), who were wound up in 2011.
The new club, which is a non-profit, fan-owned Community Interest Company (CIC), started life in the Thames Valley Premier League at Step 7 of Non-League. They have had an incredible first 3 seasons, which have seen them get promoted 3 times back-to-back and rise to Step 4!
The Stag Meadow ground was first opened in 1911 following an order from the Monarchy that an area of The Great Park should have an area for football. The ground has a capacity of 3,500 (450 seated) and is situated about 1½ miles from Windsor Castle in the picturesque town that sits on the River Thames.
After sampling a few beers from the many pubs in town, we headed off to the ground and our first impressions were great. After paying £9 at the turnstiles, which included a free programme, we went in and passed the quirky little club shop and headed to the clubhouse.
There was a really great buzz about the place with fans soaking up the atmosphere with some pre-match food from the excellent outdoor BBQ hut, and the indoor bar was doing a roaring trade with supporters quenching their thirst in what was another beautiful hot sunny day.
We got a few beers in and took our place on the long covered side terrace opposite the large seated stand as the two teams came out.
Windsor's opponents on the day were fellow Step 4 side Bristol Manor Farm, who had an excellent following in what turned out to be an overall attendance of 511 on the day!
The first half was a very tight affair with both teams playing some good football, but it was the away side who took the lead in the 26th minute. Just 3 minutes later, the Royalists were back on level terms with what must be an early contender for goal of the season! A superb strike from Jack Mazzone from the halfway line! Which saw the teams go in level at the break.
One of the great things about non-league football is how accessible it is and how open and welcoming the clubs are. I was looking for someone to talk to to get an insight into the club, and after asking the lady at the tea stall to point me in the right direction, I was introduced to the chairman, who was more than happy to give up his time for a quick chat.
During the interval, it was time to sample the BBQ hut, and the friendly volunteers served up some hot dogs with proper sausages! And the burgers were on point as well.
The bar was very busy with a long queue, but the bar staff were excellent, and you didn't have to wait long at all to be served.
During the second half, I got talking to a couple of super-friendly Windsor fans who are season ticket holders, and they told me how they started supporting the club and what they loved about it.
The second 45 carried on in the same vein as the first, with nothing between the two sides, and it looked like they were heading for a replay back in Bristol, but deep into stoppage time, the referee gave a controversial penalty to Windsor on the advice of the lino!
The game finished 2-1, and The Royalists were through to the preliminary round of the FA Cup for the first time in their short history!
You can watch all the goals below courtesy of Windsor & Eton's YouTube Channel.
I do have to give a huge shout-out to the travelling Farmy Army who didn't stop singing all game; yes, they were disappointed to get knocked out, but it definitely didn't dampen their spirits.
I caught up with one of the Bristol Manor Farm supporters after the match, and it was great to hear how they have progressed since we visited them early last season.
Summary.
Well, what can I say, a thoroughly enjoyable day at a wonderful football club, a club who are at the heart of the community.
The Royalists have had 3 fantastic seasons since their inception and are clearly doing things the right way, both on and off the pitch.
It was a pleasure to spend the first day of the season at Windsor and Eton, a club that is on the up with a thriving youth set-up and a successful ladies team.
We can highly recommend anyone who has not been before to get yourself down to watch The Royalists; you will be made welcome by all the volunteers and staff who do a sterling job.
We wish them and Bristol Manor Farm all the best for the upcoming campaign.
Comments