Windsor Slough & Eton A.C. was formed in 1968 following
an amalgamation between Windsor & Eton A.C. and Slough A.C.
The Slough club could trace
it’s origins back to the 1880’s, thus being amongst the earliest athletic clubs
in England. The lack of a track in the area meant that the club operated mainly as a
distance running unit and this they did to some effect. The Slough club were North of the
Thames Cross Country Champions in 1912, 1914, 1926, 1928 and 1937 and Berks., Bucks and
Oxon. Cross Country Champions in 1911, 1924, 1928 and 1929. During these years the club
produced cross country internationals Sid Binfield and Vic Harman.
The Slough club struggled to
re-establish itself after World War II and went into further decline with the formation of
Windsor & Eton A.C. in 1953. The new club established a reputation in distance running
circles, particularly with the emergence of Stan Eldon who set UK records at 3 miles, 6
miles and 10,000m in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.
Meanwhile, across the river,
the Slough club had re-established itself in the 1960’s. The advent of league
athletics in 1968 saw a logical amalgamation of the two clubs to form Windsor Slough &
Eton A.C.
Despite the handicap of a
grass track and all league matches having to be held on opponent’s tracks, the club
maintained it’s position as a founder member in Division 1 of the Southern League.
The club’s fortunes improved dramatically with the provision of an all weather track
in Windsor in 1975 and in 1978, Windsor Slough & Eton A.C. gained promotion into the
National Athletics League, thus achieving a status amongst the country’s top 30
clubs.
The promotion was short
lived however and the club returned to the Southern League in 1980.
The club regained promotion
in 1982 and since then has progressed trough the National League structure attaining
Division 2 status in 1989.
In 1992 the ladies team also
gained promotion to the National League and have gained promotion every year since then
achieving promotion to Division 1 in 1997. In 1995 and 1997 they were runners up in the
Guardian Jubilee Cup. |