Steve McKimm has taken over as manager of Slough Town with the aim of revitalizing a team that has struggled in the early stages of the National League South season. McKimm, formerly of Tonbridge Angels and Cray Valley PM, was appointed following the departure of Alan Julian, inheriting a squad that has managed just one win in their first 12 league matches.
The new manager’s immediate focus is to restore confidence among the players and secure better results. “We need to hit the ground running and get belief back in the boys,” McKimm said. Despite the poor points return, he acknowledged that the squad has shown promising performances, including competitive outings against Horsham and Torquay, despite challenging circumstances such as playing with ten men in one match. A point gained against Ebbsfleet under interim management also serves as a foundation for improvement.
Slough Town recently announced a strategic partnership with Development Holding Company (DH), a Kuwait-based investment group that has acquired an initial 25 percent stake in the club. The investment is set to increase to 50 percent over two years and eventually reach a 70 percent majority stake. Talal Al Ajmi, founder of DH, has been appointed chairman and will inject new funds into the playing budget immediately.
McKimm expressed optimism about the club’s future under this new ownership. “The club have told us what they’re looking to do in the future and they need their status in the National League South,” he said. His goal is to guide the team out of the league's relegation zone, describing it as a first step before aiming for loftier ambitions.
The new manager also stressed that he does not intend to make abrupt or sweeping changes to the current squad or structure. He emphasized the importance of maintaining team cohesion and providing opportunities for players to prove themselves. “Huge change at the start is difficult for everyone to understand,” McKimm explained. “We do have to get things moving, but when we change things, it has to be implemented in time.”
McKimm has been waiting for the right opportunity since leaving Cray Valley PM last season, where he led the club to an FA Cup first-round replay against Charlton Athletic and achieved promotion success. Now, with the backing of new investors and his long-time assistant Barry Moore by his side, he hopes to turn Slough Town’s struggling campaign around and set the club on a trajectory toward stability and progress.