Academy23 leave the Rebels for the Rams
Operation moves from Arbour Park due to financial reasons
Slough’s joint manager Neil Baker has shed some light on last week’s surprising news that Academy 23 were moving their operations away from Slough Town’s Arbour Park with immediate effect.
The Academy, headed up by director and former player Ashley Smith, have signed a new deal to use Beaconsfield Town’s facilities from now on.
Reaction to the news has been one of disappointment for most Rebels fans, who saw several young players come through the academy to supplement the first team last season.
From July 2020, the academy has provided joint managers Baker and Jon Underwood with a pool of talented u23s players, and many have successfully transitioned from youth to senior football.
They include Alfonso Tenconi, who made 31 appearances, scoring 10 goals, Eitel Goueth, 22 appearances, and Imran Kayani, 18 appearances, three goals.
“It’s obviously a shame to lose the guys,” said Baker before adding: “But they have been based out of
Arbour Park which unfortunately is very expensive, and they have been offered a deal at Beaconsfield which, from a business point of view, is a really good way to go.
“They won’t feel that they’re just a customer, shall we say, which is probably how they felt a little bit during their time at Arbour Park. The
number of times they’d come in, spend a lot of money and weren’t treated with the utmost respect from some of the council workers, if I’m being brutally honest.
“I’d say that they probably weren’t treated how they’d like to be treated from Slough Borough Council with what they were spending so they found a better deal which suits them.
“The club they’re now with sit at a level below but they’re a very good academy and I’m sure they will continue to achieve great things. They have been great for us and we wish them the best of luck. We will look at our options now [for a replacement] but for the time being we don’t want to rush into things.”
Baker added: “It’s very difficult right now as the season is close to starting and the educational year is only a couple of months away so we can’t rush into things.
“There are several people that have already enquired about coming on board, so we need to have a little think about that and where we want to go as a club. Do we want to do it ourselves? We will see.
“Academy23 was very successful.
Ash (Ashley Smith) and Tom (Nutter) did a brilliant job and brought in a number of players for Jon and I to use in the first team. I am sure they will continue to do that at Beaconsfield.”
A statement by Academy23 on their move to Beaconsfield read: “This does bring an end to a very successful twoyear association with Slough Town FC.
“In the past two seasons, Academy23 had seen over 10 players make senior debuts at the club, four players sign first team contracts, and the u23 team win Suburban League and Cup titles.
“The academy had a great working relationship with the club including management team Neil Baker and Jon Underwood who offered such excellent opportunities to young players.
“Slough Town FC were a fantastic partner for Academy23 and are a great club with excellent people. The academy wishes Slough every success moving forward.”