Five reasons why Windsor is the BEST choice for the Berks & Bucks Final

Windsor FC's Stag Meadow.
Windsor FC's Stag Meadow.

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Berks & Bucks FA have announced that Windsor’s Stag Meadow ground will host the County Senior Trophy final between Binfield and Bracknell Town on Tuesday 11th April and here are five reasons why we think it’s the perfect choice:

Proximity

Stag Meadow is only 8.6 miles from Bracknell’s Larges Lane ground and 10.1 miles from Hill Farm Lane, home of Binfield.

With two teams from the Southern reaches of the Berks & Bucks FA footprint, it makes sense to play the final locally to the two finalists as opposed to somewhere like Wycombe or Newport Pagnell.

Playing Surface

The playing surface is arguably the best non-league grass surface in the region.

Windsor's Stag Meadow Ground. Photo: Windsor FC
Windsor’s Stag Meadow Ground. Photo: Windsor FC

Tended to by head groundsman and former international cricket umpire Ian Gould, we have no doubts that the surface will allow both teams to play their best football and should make for a great spectacle.

The Ground

We are not expecting that many but Stag Meadow can accommodate 4500 people.

The main stand is nicely elevated and has real character whilst the far side of the pitch has a large covered area in case the weather is not so great.

Windsor FC's Stag Meadow. Photo: Maidenhead Advertiser.
Windsor FC’s Stag Meadow. Photo: Maidenhead Advertiser.

The tea bar is decent and situated on your right once through the turnstiles whilst the bar is not the biggest but they should have real ale available from Windsor & Eton Brewery which is always a bonus.

They are a step five club

With the Senior Trophy only being open to clubs who play at step five of the non-league pyramid, the final is often held at a step five ground.

When myself and Tom suggested Ascot United or Windsor as perfect choices, a few people said what about Maidenhead United or Slough Town?

Related: Is Windsor’s kit the worst of all time?

Both would have been great choices too but knowing that it’s often a step five club who hosts, we think it’s great that one of the cup entrants gets to host the final – and the money raised from hosting the match stays at step five football.

Cup final hosting skills

In the 2014/15 season, Windsor hosted the Allied Counties Youth League Cup Final between Bracknell Town and Maidenhead United.

Everyone at Windsor was so welcoming and both teams changing room had a fridge stocked with bottled water and energy drinks with a friendly note saying ‘Please enjoy these drinks courtesy of Windsor FC and food luck in the final’.

That was a great gesture and the guys did their best in the bar, tea bar and boardroom to look after everyone so we are confident they will do equally as well this time around.

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