Windsor & Eton set huge crowd challenge for Burghfield visit

Thames Valley Premier League newcomers Windsor & Eton have set an ambitious attendance challenge for the club’s first home game at Stag Meadow.

The club are targeting a thousand visitors for the first game at the ground on the 19th August, a week after the league campaign kicks off for Matty Angell’s side at Reading City under 23s.

A challenge that doesn’t seem all that fanciful given the levels of optimism currently surrounding the new side.

West Berkshire-based Burghfield will be the first visitors to Stag Meadow since the newly-formed side took over the grounds lease in the summer. Burghfield begin their campaign at home to Westwood Wanderers.

Should Windsor even get close to their target, it will likely be one of the largest crowds in the history of the TVPL, and certainly one of the largest Burghfield would have played in front of.

There have of course been big crowds at Stag Meadow before. Predecessors Windsor FC pulled in 800 for a league game against Egham Town at Christmas 2012 courtesy of a free entry offer.

A crowd of 2,023 saw then-tenants Slough Town beat Paul Merson’s Walsall 2-1 in the 2004 FA Cup while the original Windsor & Eton certainly featured in some high profile matches.

Stag Meadow reportedly has a capacity of 4,500.