26/02/26
I’m excited to help contribute the club’s perspective, build stronger community connections, and play a part in telling a confident, forward-looking story for the town
Steve Doyle, Commercial Director
Slough Town Football Club is proud to announce that our Commercial Director, Steve Doyle, has been invited to join the Steering Group leading Slough’s bid for UK Town of Culture 2028.
The national competition, run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will award Town of Culture status in 2028 to one town in each size category (small, ledium and large). Slough is competing in the large town category, with the deadline for Expressions of Interest set for 31 March 2026. The programme is designed to celebrate culture, creativity and community, while driving long-term economic growth, regeneration and civic pride.
The winning town will be awarded £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in 2028 of around six months. Additionally, the two finalists from their category will receive £250,000 each to deliver elements of their bid.
A Cross-Sector Coalition for Slough
Earlier this week, Slough announced the formation of a broad and inclusive Steering Group to shape and oversee the bid. The group is chaired by Rob Deeks MBE and brings together leaders from youth services, arts and culture, business, education, regeneration, technology, local government and the voluntary sector — ensuring the proposal reflects Slough’s diversity, economic strength and creative ambition.
Steve Doyle joins fellow representatives from across the town, including figures from the creative industries, further and higher education, major employers and investors, Slough Borough Council and youth representation. The aim is clear: to create a bid rooted in collaboration, participation and long-term impact.
Steve said:
“Our Club has always been at the heart of our community, bringing people together across generations and backgrounds through sport, shared passion, and local pride. This bid is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the creativity, energy, and cultural diversity that make Slough special—far beyond outdated stereotypes. I’m excited to help contribute the club’s perspective, build stronger community connections, and play a part in telling a confident, forward-looking story for the town.”
What Is UK Town of Culture?
The UK Town of Culture competition was established to recognise and invest in towns with bold, ambitious cultural plans. Successful towns will use culture as a catalyst for regeneration, economic opportunity, skills development and community cohesion.
Winning towns receive national recognition, funding support and a platform to showcase their identity and creativity on a national stage — often unlocking additional investment and long-term benefits that extend far beyond the programme year.
Slough’s bid is built around telling the authentic “Slough Story” — highlighting our cultural diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, creative talent and strong sense of community.
The Club and Supporters Have a Role to Play
As one of the town’s most visible and community-focused organisations, Slough Town FC and its supporters will play an active part in shaping the bid.
We are inviting our fans, partners and the wider Rebels family to help by answering three important questions:
1. What makes Slough special?
What are Slough’s greatest assets, strengths or unique qualities that we should champion to help win the bid?
2. Why would people want to visit Slough?
What experiences, events or attractions would make people from outside Slough want to visit and spend time here?
3. Bold ideas for the 2028 Cultural Programme
What bold, innovative or different ideas should be included in our 2028 programme to showcase Slough as modern, creative and forward-thinking?
We want to challenge unfair perceptions of our great town — and there is no better place to start than with the people who live, work and support here every week.
Please share your ideas via the form below:
Submit your ideas for Slough’s Town of Culture 2028 Bid
Together, we can help shape a confident, ambitious and forward-looking story for Slough — and ensure our town’s energy, creativity and community spirit are recognised on the national stage.
The national competition, run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will award Town of Culture status in 2028 to one town in each size category (small, ledium and large). Slough is competing in the large town category, with the deadline for Expressions of Interest set for 31 March 2026. The programme is designed to celebrate culture, creativity and community, while driving long-term economic growth, regeneration and civic pride.
The winning town will be awarded £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in 2028 of around six months. Additionally, the two finalists from their category will receive £250,000 each to deliver elements of their bid.
A Cross-Sector Coalition for Slough
Earlier this week, Slough announced the formation of a broad and inclusive Steering Group to shape and oversee the bid. The group is chaired by Rob Deeks MBE and brings together leaders from youth services, arts and culture, business, education, regeneration, technology, local government and the voluntary sector — ensuring the proposal reflects Slough’s diversity, economic strength and creative ambition.
Steve Doyle joins fellow representatives from across the town, including figures from the creative industries, further and higher education, major employers and investors, Slough Borough Council and youth representation. The aim is clear: to create a bid rooted in collaboration, participation and long-term impact.
Steve said:
“Our Club has always been at the heart of our community, bringing people together across generations and backgrounds through sport, shared passion, and local pride. This bid is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the creativity, energy, and cultural diversity that make Slough special—far beyond outdated stereotypes. I’m excited to help contribute the club’s perspective, build stronger community connections, and play a part in telling a confident, forward-looking story for the town.”
What Is UK Town of Culture?
The UK Town of Culture competition was established to recognise and invest in towns with bold, ambitious cultural plans. Successful towns will use culture as a catalyst for regeneration, economic opportunity, skills development and community cohesion.
Winning towns receive national recognition, funding support and a platform to showcase their identity and creativity on a national stage — often unlocking additional investment and long-term benefits that extend far beyond the programme year.
Slough’s bid is built around telling the authentic “Slough Story” — highlighting our cultural diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, creative talent and strong sense of community.
The Club and Supporters Have a Role to Play
As one of the town’s most visible and community-focused organisations, Slough Town FC and its supporters will play an active part in shaping the bid.
We are inviting our fans, partners and the wider Rebels family to help by answering three important questions:
1. What makes Slough special?
What are Slough’s greatest assets, strengths or unique qualities that we should champion to help win the bid?
2. Why would people want to visit Slough?
What experiences, events or attractions would make people from outside Slough want to visit and spend time here?
3. Bold ideas for the 2028 Cultural Programme
What bold, innovative or different ideas should be included in our 2028 programme to showcase Slough as modern, creative and forward-thinking?
We want to challenge unfair perceptions of our great town — and there is no better place to start than with the people who live, work and support here every week.
Please share your ideas via the form below:
Submit your ideas for Slough’s Town of Culture 2028 Bid
Together, we can help shape a confident, ambitious and forward-looking story for Slough — and ensure our town’s energy, creativity and community spirit are recognised on the national stage.
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