Why Staines Town?

In an age where Premiership rules and footballers are the new 'pop stars', why should anyone wish to follow football at grass roots level?

Perhaps the National game we love so dearly has become vastly misconstrued by the majority, and believe that anything other than the pro game is not worth a second glance? For example, Joe Bloggs picks up a copy of his local paper from his front door and takes a subconscious look at the back page where the local footy results lay dormant. 'Staines Lammas, Staines Athletic, Staines Albion, Shooting Staines, West Staines and finally........ 'Staines Town'. Which club holds the most senior status from the before mentioned? Of course Joe Bloggs hasn't got a clue, and John Smith who also happens to be reading, couldn't care less.

These individuals are no different from the majority up and down the country, and through no fault of their own, do not realise just how high a level of football we play at or how big a club we are!

What can top the feeling of knowing that every supporter is making a valuable contribution to the community and that every paying customer is helping to keep the club afloat?

A place you can relax with friends in the bar over a pint and where you are treated like an individual and not just another face in the crowd. A stadium that is 5 minutes away from your home and where you do not have to worry about parking or expensive entrance fees. Knowing you are supporting your local club, your flesh and blood, the place you were born, the place you live, and the place you will die. A place you can watch good quality football that is often misunderstood by the majority.

Finally, what can beat the feeling of anticipation and knowing your club has the potential to rise up the divisions and eventually gain League status, or that big FA Cup draw that we are now due as a club? At this level of football, support can never be more appreciated.

Perhaps we should enlighten people as to how big a club we actually are and to how high a standard we actually play at?

Did you know? If the entire English league structure from the Premiership downwards was placed into numerical order, Staines Town would play in Division 5? In absolute terms, if the 'Premiership' was level '1' Staines Town would be at level '7', six divisions below.

Did you know? Most of the players who play for Staines Town have either been associated with professional clubs at some point in their career or are looking to turn professional?

Did you know? Staines Town on their day are capable of beating a professional team from League 1 or 2 and even have the technical ability to hold a Premiership side in a one off match?

Did you know? Staines Town played in front of 70,000 people in Rome's Olympic Stadium in the Anglo/Italian cup final and won the cup in the second leg in front of a record 2,500 Wheatsheaf Park crowd?

Did you know? Staines Town reached the First round proper of the FA Cup in 1984, losing to Burton Albion in front of over 4,000 people?

Did you know? In 1997, Staines Town under Chris Wainwright, were just 90 minutes from an FA Cup First round match against Kevin Keegan's Fulham, live on Sky TV?

Did you know? In 2004 under current manager Steve Cordery, Staines Town were just 30 seconds away from beating professional outfit Halifax Town in an FA Trophy 4th round replay? The Swans were leading 2-0 at Wheatsheaf Park before the 'Shaymen' scored a last gasp equaliser and eventualy won the tie in extra time with a hotly disputed penalty. Staines got an excellent 1-1 draw in the first match at 'The Shay.'

Did you know? Staines Town has seen many players progress to the Football league and Premiership? The most notable being former youth Scott Taylor who was sold to Millwall for a club record fee in 1994 and went on to play in the Premiership for Bolton Wanderers? Scott's current club is Plymouth Argyle whom he joined after scoring 30 goals the previous season whilst with Blackpool.

Got any other notible facts on the Swans? e-mail stainestown.fc@virgin.net and I'll include them in this article.