Combined Counties League Premier Division North side Virginia Water are the new tenants at Slough Town’s Arbour Park Stadium.
Earlier this week Slough announced a revised 50-year lease at the ground which in 2016 put an end to 14-years of ground-sharing following the sale of Wexham Park.
A statement released by the club said: “We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the history of Slough Town Football Club as we have agreed a revised 50-year lease with Slough Borough Council securing our long-term home at Arbour Park Community Stadium. This lease represents a historic moment for our club and ensures that we remain an integral part of the Slough community for decades to come.
“Arbour Park has been our home since August 2016, marking a vital turning point after 14 years of homelessness following our departure from Wexham Park Stadium in 2002. During this period, we entered ground-sharing arrangements at Windsor & Eton FC and Beaconsfield SYCOB. Now, with this revised lease running until May 2074, we can look forward with confidence and stability.”
Virginia Water are in the process of gaining planning permission for their own ground back in Surrey, but have been ground sharing at Stag Meadow with Windsor and this season Windsor & Eton.
In March, Virginia Waters Treasurer and Director of Football Ceri Jones had suggested the club might move away from Windsor: “Sometimes I feel like we’re a bit in the way there, they are trying to build out their new club – they’ve got a new women’s team next season – but because we’re higher up the pyramid we have more games at home. So it’s a balance for them and we understand that.
“Talks are ongoing and we’re also talking with other clubs about possibilities. Being realistic, Windsor are going up and will have more games themselves next season.”
Fast forward to April 2024 and Windsor & Eton have been promoted and will play in a 20 team Step 6 division, the Royalists will also have a new women’s team at the club.
