“The club have made a massive commitment” – Ambitious Maidenhead Town settle in to new surrounds

The Thames Valley Premier League – and Step 7 in general – is notoriously difficult to earn promotion from.

Not only do clubs need to finish at the top end of the table, they have to have a ground grading for Step 6 in advance of promotion (unlike the Steps above in the English Football Pyramid) and crucially, they have to apply.

The official requirement for promotion is: There are 50 divisions at Step 7 and a maximum of one team can be promoted from each. Teams who want to be considered for promotion have to apply in advance, pass the relevant ground grading for Step 6 and finish in the top 5 places of their division.

Last season Maidenhead applied, but the club did not have a suitable ground in accordance with the FA rules because although there was an agreement with Burnham, the ‘tenant’ had to be playing for a season before it counted towards one of the promotion criteria.

That said, given that no teams were relegated from Step 6 last season after Woodley United’s final day heroics, well..

What of Maidenhead Town this season then? The club face a fierce battle to win the division with double-champions Westwood Wanderers leading the charge alongside a rejuvenated Newbury Town.

Maidenhead Town FC have moved their first team to Burnham’s 1878 Stadium as part of an ambitious plan to progress the club into the National League System.

Town, who play in the Step 7 Thames Valley Premier League, were formed 21 years ago and their first training session was literally jumpers for goalposts at Oaken Grove Park.

Now, like any 21-year-old, Town has been looking for an impressive new home and has found it at the 1878.

Maidenhead Chairman Jeff Beck said the 1878 Stadium – with its 3G pitch, floodlights, covered stand, food and licensed bar – had the facilities Town needed if it was able to secure promotion to Step 6.

And it has been a good start at the new home for Andy Rumble’s squad, with two wins – including 10-1 on Saturday, September 13 – and a last-gasp penalty loss to the reigning Thames Valley Premier League champions Westwood Wanderers.

Beck said: “It is amazing watching the team run out here at the 1878 to think back to that first training session in 2004 where we had just a group of local friends, no equipment and no goalkeeper.

“We have grown to three men’s teams and are linked to Maidenhead Boys & Girls FC because we want to provide a pathway into adult football, as the progression of young, local players is the key part of our ethos. We’ve had 23 players play for our First team that have come through our Development side, and with four currently playing we’re proud to see that pathway proven.

“We had been playing at the amazing Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre and last season finished runners up in a position to be promoted. However, the FA requires the type of facilities that the 1878 offers in order to achieve the promotion. I’d like to thank Glenn, Paul, Michelle and Michele at Burnham FC for making us feel at home.”

Rumble added: “The team couldn’t ask for a better venue and I’ve been delighted with the way the players have taken to the 1878.

“The facilities also are much better for the supporters but the boys would love to see even more here.”

Captain Mitchell Burley said: “The club have made a massive commitment to move us to Burnham so now it is down to the players and coaching staff to make the same progress on the pitch.”

Town’s games are at 2pm on Saturdays and 7.45pm on Wednesdays, with food and drinks available from an hour before kick-off. Burnham’s Blues Bar is also open after the game.

Rumble added: “It really does make for a great match-day experience alongside the high quality football to watch on the pitch.”

Ten per cent of this season’s home gate receipts are being donated to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance. Town also hold a charity event every year and have donated more than £45,000 for local organisations and good causes since 2017.

Town, whose Reserves and Development team will continue to play at Bisham, are also looking to offer local college students the chance to get real work experience in social media, marketing and photography and support the club at the same time.

They are also looking for further sponsors to support their push for promotion. Anyone who is interested can email the club on maidenheadtown04@gmail.com or contact through the social media pages.

This piece was written and submitted by a member of Maidenhead Town Football Club. If you’d like to contribute a piece on your club – be it writte, audio or video, please do get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.