Harrow Borough

Harrow Borough FC is a non-league football club from the north-west boundary of London. They were formed in 1933 as Roxonian FC, playing local league football at Northolt Road, before moving to Earlsmead and the Spartan League a year later.

In 1939, the club changed its name to Harrow Town with a move into the Delphanian League coming in 1958 following a promotion. They remained there until the league disbanded in 1964, when they became members of the Athenian League.

In 1968, a final name change was agreed when the club became Harrow Borough FC. At this time, they faced financial problems that nearly killed the club. The reserve team pitch at Earlsmead was later sold to the council to raise funds to stabilise the club and develop the ground. In 1975, the 'Boro' were elected to the Isthmian League. 

Promotion was won to the Premier Division in 1978-79 under manager Micky Tomkys. In 1982-83, Boro went on a tremendous run to reach the semi-finals of the FA Trophy. Wembley, Wellingborough Town, Chelmsford City, Bromley, Sutton United, Barrow and Enfield were all defeated before they fell 5-2 on aggregate.

The following season saw success in the FA Cup. Boro battled through from the first qualifying round, including a win against then high-flying Fisher Athletic. Yeovil Town were dispatched in round one before third-tier Newport County knocked them out after a second-round replay. 

The team went on to win the Isthmian League by seventeen points. Around this time, Boro turned down the financially risky invitation to join the Football Conference. Tompkys retired in 1985, with Harry Manoe taking up the manager's post a few years later.

The team reached the first round of the FA Cup again in 2000-01, where they were defeated 3-0 away to Wycombe Wanderers. Meanwhile, Boro had many escapes from relegation over the years, earning them the nickname of Houdini Borough! 

The club did lift some local trophies, and in 2004, they missed out on a place in Conference South after losing the playoff final on penalty kicks. Boro introduced a youth side to the club in 2009. 

David Howell, who managed Boro from 2003, with future big money striker Albert Adomah starting his career at the club, with the team making another first round appearance in the FA Cup in 2010-11, which saw Chesterfield visit Earlsmead and depart with a 2-0 victory.

Howell left the club in 2011 to take the same job at St Albans City. He was replaced by the experienced Dave Anderson, who began to rebuild the side from scratch. Former Chelsea youngster Rob Wolleaston became a regular in midfield.

After several seasons at the helm, Anderson moved on early in 2015 with the side looking favourites for relegation. However, Steve Baker came in and oversaw a magnificent recovery to lead Borough to safety on the final day of the 2014-15 campaign.

Baker's side finished in the bottom third in 2015-16 before reaching round one of the FA Cup in 2016-17, going out 6-0 at Sixfields to Northampton Town. The run saw young striker Ibrahim Meité seal a move to Cardiff City.

However, the team struggled in the league. Harrow finished in a relegation spot at the end of the season but were reprieved by Worcester City taking voluntary relegation further up the pyramid. Boro's 53 points meant that they had the best total of the relegated sides and stayed up.

The club was moved to the Premier Division South of the Southern League for the 2018-19 campaign, finishing an impressive seventh, before sitting in seventeenth and sixteenth when the 2019-20 and then 2020-21 seasons were ended early owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. The long-serving Baker left the club at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. 

Jordan Berry took over, faced with a largely reduced budget. The team was relegated at the end of the 2023-23 season, dropping down and being transferred to the South Central Division of the Isthmian League, which was preferable travel-wise. Ben Bukowski was appointed as the new manager. 

He departed midway through the season to take the Hendon job, with Dennis Quigley replacing him. He was succeeded by Wayne Carter in June 2025.

Harrow Borough will play in the Isthmian League South Central Division in the 2025-26 season.

My visits

Sunday 15th January 1984

I was at college at Boreham Wood, and visiting non-league clubs fascinated me. It was in the fairly early days of finding out about clubs far and wide. A few seasons earlier, my dad had bought me one of the first-ever non-league annuals, which turned out to be one of my most valuable gifts.

New clubs and leagues came to my attention. My geography of the UK improved instantly, and I was captivated by some of the capacities of stadiums, which seemed massive to me at the time.

Now at college, I had been to a few matches when finances allowed, but to be honest, my course was not going well, and I'd about resigned myself to pulling out later that year. I decided that it would be a smart idea to travel around and visit a few grounds when I had the chance. I didn't envisage living in London fifteen years later!

I got a bus map and started planning my journey. I didn't realise a one-day travelcard existed covering tubes and buses to cover the places I wanted to visit, so I paid for each individual journey, sticking purely to buses. Indeed, I ended up walking two miles back to my digs after my cash ran out.

It was a clear and frosty morning when I set out for Earlsmead. It took two buses to get to my destination, but fortunately, the ground was open on my arrival.

It looked like a nice enough venue. I entered the ground in the northeast corner. The goal at my end had a narrow open terrace with the large clubhouse and changing rooms building behind it. The facility had been built after the land sale in 1967. 

The players entered the pitch from behind the goal. The far touchline had a small covered standing area, which was erected in 1947. Alongside it was the quaintest of seated stands. It was called the Champniss Stand after the club president who had originally given the club the land for their ground. 

It was like a small pavilion and had seats for 250 people. The rest of that side and behind the far goal consisted of a few steps of open terracing. This continued along the fourth side, where a long, low cover sheltered fans from the elements.

I took my photos before walking back to the main Northolt Road to wait for my next bus towards the next club on my agenda, Hayes FC. Incredibly, I stood by the bus stop when a car stopped. A mate from college, QPR fan Steve Austin, was driving down to Heathrow to collect a relative. When I told him what I was doing, he drove me to the top of Church Road, saving me time and money.

I was immediately getting to like this groundhopping business!

Midweek League Cup match around 2000

It was wintertime, and I was now working at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. I had been going to a few different matches, and I'd struck up a friendship with a colleague and media man, Stuart Wetherhead. He also had an interest in non-league football.

I arranged to go to a cup game at Earlsmead Stadium, as it was now grandly called and meet up with Stuart. I got there a bit early and enjoyed a couple of pints in the decent clubhouse.

We went out to watch the game. I cannot remember Boro's opponents on the night, but the crowd was between 150 and 200. It was a coldish night, and if my memory serves me right, Boro won two-nil.

By now, the Champniss Stand had gone owing to the strict health and safety laws to be replaced by a slightly larger but characterless new seated stand. The rest of the ground was how I remembered.

Stuart kindly gave me a lift back up to Harrow on the Hill station, so my journey home took very little time.

Friday 20th October 2006

I had the day off work and decided to visit some grounds in West London. As ever, once I'd got into my task, I was determined to continue further. After North Greenwich United, I decided to catch some buses up to Earlsmead for some up-to-date photos.

I got lost in the surrounding streets and managed to do a lap of the ground before locating the main entrance. The ground was locked, but the perimeter walls were low enough to afford me a view to get some snaps as a man looked on suspiciously from the first-floor office.

The ground was as I remembered from my previous visit.

Harrow Borough 0 Wealdstone 0 (Wednesday 11th April 2012) Isthmian League Premier Division (att: 617)

I had just come back a couple of days previously from a wonderful two-week holiday in Thailand. On my return, I bought my non-League Paper and discovered that the local derby had been put back as Wealdstone had been involved in the Middlesex Senior Cup Final on Easter Monday, when the league game had originally been designated a slot.

As I was on early shift, I thought it a good option to pop down to Earlsmead. Even better was a tweet from Paul Foster, who was going to the game with his dad, Tony. Both were friends of mine from watching Middlesex throughout the summer. With both being West Ham fans who never missed a match, I figured that they needed some light relief!

Paul picked me up from Rayners Lane station around 6pm, from where we headed straight to the ground. A large crowd was anticipated, and I wanted to ensure I managed to buy a programme. I also fancied a couple of beers!

We arrived and went straight into the clubhouse. I had a bit of a soft spot for The Stones, so I wanted them to win the game so they could reach the playoffs. I tweeted them to let them know they would be getting support from a Scarborough Athletic fan. I made sure I had my club jacket on, as I do at a lot of games. It can be a conversation piece, and I've met many good football people through it. I ordered the beers when a gent approached me.

'Did you use to work at Lord's?' he asked. I said I did, hoping it wasn't a late complaint coming in! 'Do you now work on the Underground?' Again, I answered in the affirmative. I wondered what was coming next until he revealed all. He worked with John Cards, a good mate of mine who follows QPR with his brother Jeff. 

His name was Tony Venus, and he was a Harrow fan and assisted on match days. He said that he thought it must have been me when he saw my jacket. I had been discussed by other football fans at work, it would seem! I bought a programme from Tony as well as some half-time draw tickets. 

He tried speaking to John, but the noise at the other end was too loud as he was on his way to Rangers' vital game with Swansea. Paul and I watched the climax of an IPL game before heading to the turnstiles, where there was a small queue. There was even a community policeman out in the street near the grounds entrance. 

We walked along and stood near the halfway point as Tony Foster had now arrived. The Stones had several games in hand of their rivals because of their superb FA Trophy run, which took them all the way to the semi-finals. Ideally, they needed a win to boost any chance of promotion via the playoffs. However, a local derby with Borough was always going to be difficult.

Harrow, near the wrong end of the division, defended well as a unit and had a few opportunities of their own. Ashlee Jones, the Stones keeper on loan from Braintree, was having the shakiest of starts and nearly gifted a goal on a couple of occasions. At the other end, Richard Jolly was being frustrated as he tried to add to his impressive goal tally to please the large away following of at least 450.

Chances were exceedingly rare as half time came and went. Borough's Garry Jones let fly with a fierce twenty-five-yarder, which produced a top-class save from Jones, who gathered confidence as the game went on. The Stones had most of the ball in the home side's half, but they could not create a clear-cut chance as the game drifted towards and eventually ended goalless.

Paul dropped me at North Harrow station, and I was home at just gone 11pm to catch up with a dramatic evening's football in which Wigan had defeated Man Utd. I was still glad I'd made the effort to go to a game in good company rather than watching one on Sky.

Harrow Borough 2 VCD Athletic 0 (Tuesday 24th March 2015) Isthmian League Premier Division (att: 179)

Having finished my night shifts, I was looking at a few choices of games, but in the end, I plumped for a revisit in the company of Tony Foster.

I thought my timings were good to arrive at Earlsmead, but I got a little lost on the buses from Rayners Lane, ending up getting out at South Harrow station and walking. I thought I’d be pushing making kick off when Tony rang to say that the VCD bus had just arrived, as they had been stuck in traffic.

We had a pint before heading inside for what was an important relegation battle for Boro. The visitors were already as good as down. Harrow’s form had picked up under new boss Steve Baker, and they were giving themselves a real chance.

Cheered on by loyal fans, Boro deservedly led at the breakthrough, through a Lewis Driver goal on the half hour. The Kent side showed some decent play going forward, but their defence was creaky at times.

It was a cold, windy night, but we took shelter down the side and enjoyed a couple of hot drinks to keep us going. After ten minutes of the restart, Michael Peacock had doubled the lead. The Boro side were constantly given good advice from the management team and held onto their lead to secure a deserved three points.

Tony kindly dropped me back at Rayners Lane, and I was back in my local Wetherspoons in Kingsbury before 10.30.

Harrow Borough 4 Sawbridgeworth Town 1 (Saturday 3rd September 2016) FA Cup First Qualifying Round (att: 118)

The two Steves of Kingsbury, Speller and Barnes, met me at the Harrow branch of Wetherspoons, where we discussed our options for the afternoon. An FA Cup tie was always the preferred choice.

Once Harrow advertised that they’d be doing real ale, they won the vote. The clubhouse was busy as the large room was staging a Nepalese wedding. There were many pretty costumes with attractive bodies inside them.

The match pitted Sawbridgeworth of the Essex Senior League against the hosts, who played two divisions above. The visitors brought along a fair number of supporters for their big day out as their team were appearing at this stage for the first ever time.

Their side did them proud despite the final score, as they created several chances. It was the more experienced side that went through, thanks to goals from Marc Charles-Smith and Francis Babalola before the break. Luke Williams had to pull off some saves in the home goal.

Substitute Ibrahim Meite’s pace was too much for the Town defence as he made it three. Louis Bristow pulled the goal back that Sawbo deserved with just a few minutes remaining. Williams was then forced into a double save as the visiting fans found their voices.

Any dreams were soon diminished as Meite pulled back for Michael Bryan to conclude the scoring. We enjoyed a couple more beers back in the convivial clubhouse to round off an excellent afternoon.

Harrow Borough 2 Hayes & Yeading United 0 (Tuesday 8th November 2016) Middlesex Senior Cup (att: 98)

My original destination was intended to be Hendon v Northwood in the same competition, but news came through on Twitter that the match had fallen victim to a floodlight failure at Silver Jubilee Park. I was joined on the bus to Earlsmead by Steve Barnes.

The match was decent enough, with both sides giving it their best. It would be Harrow who progressed to the quarter finals through first-half goals from Ibrahim Meite and then Will Turl.

The visitors were playing their first game under the control of the new management team of Ritchie Hanlon and Paul Hughes, who rang the changes at half time as their side put in an improved performance. Meite would go on to join Cardiff City after a trial period.

Harrow Borough 1 Tonbridge Angels 0 (Tuesday 20th December) Isthmian League Premier Division (att: 164)

I was running a bit late to meet Tony for what promised to be an intriguing clash as Harrow looked to drag themselves away from the relegation spots. The cheeseburger & tea for £4.50 was excellent and served by the ever-friendly couple behind the hatch.

It turned out to be an excellent free-flowing entertaining match, played at a good tempo with lots of chances and fine saves at either end. A draw would have been about right, but fair play to the home side, who took one of their chances when David Taylor scored with just over twenty minutes remaining.

There was little to fault. A good crowd had turned out, with a decent away following and many familiar faces who can also be seen at Hendon and Wealdstone games. It was thoroughly enjoyable and exactly why I love non-league and getting out of the house.

Harrow Borough 3 Leiston 1 (Saturday 18th February 2017) Isthmian League Premier Division (att: 179)

My shift at work finished around 2.30 at Ruislip Manor. Although my relief was a few minutes later than ideal, and I was extremely tired from my sleep pattern, I took the 114 bus to the game and was well rewarded, even though I missed the first ten minutes

It was a lovely early Spring afternoon as Borough put in an excellent performance against the side from Suffolk, who were on an indifferent run despite occupying one of the playoff places.

Matt Blake was outstanding up front for the visitors, who had most of the play but didn’t capitalise on the chances they created. Harrow went one up when Steve Brown’s header from a corner went in. Joe Francis levelled things up for Leiston in the sixty-sixth minute, from which point either side had chances.

It would be Boro’s day as they snatched two goals in the last ten minutes. Shaun Preddie’s impressive work fed Sahr Kabba, who finished at the near post. The points were secured when substitute Harry Newman redirected a George Nicholas shot beyond Leiston custodian Jacob Marsden.

It was a most enjoyable game watched in the company of my friend, Tony Foster.

Harrow Borough 0 Hendon 2 (Monday 17th April) Isthmian League Premier Division (att: 328)

My holiday in Thailand had ended, and my thoughts had been on this vital six-pointer relegation battle for the previous couple of days. My flights via Abu Dhabi were scheduled to land me back at Heathrow at 1pm. All being well, that would leave me two hours to reach Earlsmead for the Easter Monday game.

As it turned out, my flight was a little bit early, and I got through customs and baggage in quick time. I ordered an Uber cab due to tiredness and the size of my luggage, and was sitting in the bar at Earlsmead in time for a couple of pints of welcome real ale. The officials at Boro kindly let me leave my bags in the back room.

The food at Earlsmead was as good as ever. Hendon had most of the support. I stood in my usual place down the side with Tony Foster and Richard Rogers. The game was extremely scrappy and even early on. Boro had surprisingly started with three centre backs as though a draw would do them. 

Gradually, the Dons' midfield got control, leading to Sam Murphy setting up Matt Ball to score with a deflected shot. Hendon keeper Tom Lovelock only had one shot to save, which he dealt with comfortably. Straight after the break, Khale Da Costa was set free and he lobbed Brendan Hazlett in the home net to double the lead.

Harrow huffed and puffed, but Hendon defended resolutely and looked the more likely side to score thereafter. All the home side could muster was a few decent crosses after manager Steve Baker eventually rang the changes.

The away fans were absolutely delighted at full time as the win meant that victory on the final day of the season at home to Staines Town would secure safety, which was looking unlikely a few weeks earlier.

Harrow Borough 0 Hendon 4 (Tuesday 26th December 2017) Isthmian League Premier Division (att: 280)

The derby was to kick off at 1pm, so I met Steve Barnes at Kingsbury station around 11.15 in the hope of another goals bonanza, as the previous two Boxing Day encounters between the sides had ended 5-5 and 4-5.

We took the 183 and then H10 buses past plenty of shoppers who had been starved of spending money for a day or so, before heading to the clubhouse at The Rogers Family Stadium, as Earlsmead had been retitled. The ever-welcoming bar offered a choice of Rebellion or Young’s Special bitter.

The bar became remarkably busy, with a good turnout of Dons fans joining the locals. My friends Jeff, John and Rob sat with us, along with a pleasant father and son, as tales of Christmas Day and the England cricket team were high on the agenda.

Admission was £10 and the excellent informative programme £2. Hendon were on a decent run and in the play-off places, while Harrow were having a bit of a struggle. A few visiting team players were missing through illness.

Heavy rain had fallen over northwest London overnight, leaving the pitch heavy in places and cutting up straight from the kickoff. This affected the standard of the football as the first half hour was a very scrappy affair.

Hendon then gradually got on top, in a mirror image of the corresponding fixture from the previous season at Earlsmead. Niko Muir unleashed a terrific bending shot that cannoned back off the Boro bar with keeper Melvin Minter left grasping thin air.

The visitors had been aided by the injury to home midfielder Michael Bryan. He impressed me each time I’d seen him, but he was forced off with what looked like a side strain. The breakthrough eventually came seven minutes before the interval.

A low shot from Josh Walker took a slight deflection and bobbled in front of Minter. The custodian fumbled the ball as it went in off defender Chinua Cole, with the goal later being awarded to Walker.

The lead was nearly doubled shortly after, but Keagan Cole just failed to finish a hard low cross at the far post. I took the opportunity of having a walk around the ground and catching up with friends while the teams retreated to receive instructions.

Hendon came out looking like a different side after the break, and simply overpowered Boro. Within three minutes, a near-post corner had been helped on by Rian Bray. The ricochet in the middle fell to Dave Diedhiou, who smashed home.

It was 3-0 just after the hour mark as Hendon began to put some terrific moves together. The excellent Zak Joseph was freed down the right, and his low cross was blocked. The ball came out to around ten yards from goal for Walker to fire home.

Another excellent move saw Joseph denied by an excellent low save from Minter, who touched his volley against the post. Hendon’s defence and excellent midfield allowed their forwards scope to torment.

Muir was to get his name on the score sheet with seven minutes of normal time remaining. Walker was having his best game for the club and twisted inside and out as Cole brought the wide man down. Muir slotted home the penalty.

Diedhiou nearly added another but couldn’t convert at the far post, with the big man sliding into the post and nearly uprooting it in the process. Muir had a header disallowed for reasons best known only to referee Michael Smith.

The mood back in the bar was most upbeat from the visiting fans and in stark contrast to a few months earlier, when phones were being checked for the results of other sides in the relegation mix.

I left the busy clubhouse, where the club Christmas draw was in full swing, to take the bus back and have a sleep before my night shift.

Harrow Borough 3 Hendon 2 (Tuesday 18th September 2018) London Senior Cup First Round (att: 77)

I’d finished my spell of night shifts and was ready for a good day out. Fortunately, the match coincided with the first day of the Middlesex v Derbyshire County Championship at Lord’s. After a sleep, I headed down to HQ after lunch to meet with Ian Heward and Steve Barnes.

Steve and I took a bus part of the way to Marylebone near the close of play before getting a real wriggle on to catch a train just past 6pm. This took the pair of us to Northolt Park station for the first time, from where the 487 bus took us to The Greenwood Hotel.

This fine new Wetherspoons establishment had been restored to its former glory and had a fantastic display of memorabilia from the old racecourse at Northolt Park, which was located nearby before its closure in 1940. After a pint, we retraced our steps and headed to the ground, with time for a pint in the clubhouse as Tottenham blew their lead in Milan on the TV. 

A smaller programme than usual had been printed for a pound. We also had a go at the 50/50 draw. Admission was £10. Hendon had announced before the game that they’d be fielding a team consisting of underage players and those on the fringe of the first team. Under-23s boss John Creith was put in charge of the side for the evening.

Harrow came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders. Ant O'Connor opened the scoring after six minutes with what looked like an innocuous effort from a corner. Former Don, Dylan Kearney, scored with a classy finish just four minutes later.

Worse was to follow within a couple of minutes as keeper Dan Purdue made a real mess of a clearance with his defence at sixes and sevens to allow Kearney, who fired into the unguarded net. It threatened to turn into a rout.

Some Dons fans were angry with the proceedings, but many were pragmatic. The squad wasn’t very deep, and we half expected what was unveiling before kick-off. Fortunately, the young lads didn’t let their heads drop and fought back in fine style.

Will Murphy went close while Tyriq Hunte failed to make the most of two decent opportunities. The deficit was reduced after twenty-one minutes. Matty Newman delivered a good far post cross where Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick headed past home custodian Halfed Al-Droubi.

The mood was brighter in the bar at the break, especially Steve’s after he realised he’d scooped the prize in the 50/50 and collected £30. Richard Rogers had won it the previous Boxing Day and got some good-natured ribbing. The second half was equal, with Don's substitute defender Jordan Payne looking assured. 

The side pressed forward, looking for a way back into the game. Their efforts could not be criticised. With less than ten minutes remaining, substitute Mickey White benefited from a poor Al-Droubi to score with an even better finish than Kearney in the first half. Hendon pressed forward looking to take the game to extra time, but Boro managed to hold on to the relief of their management team.

At full time, Lee Cousins kindly gave us a lift, managing to get past a 183 bus so we could head off for beers. Steve and I went for a couple in the Midland Hotel before finishing off with Richard and Steve Speller in Colindale. I was certainly refreshed when I got home!

Harrow Borough 3 Hendon 1 (Wednesday 26th December 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 248)

Despite some of the distances forced upon Hendon and Harrow Borough since their move to the Southern League, they at least had the Boxing Day local derby to look forward to. It was a cool and dank morning as I met up with Steve Barnes at Kingsbury station for the 1pm kick-off.

We broke our bus journey with a pint in Harrow and then took the plunge of popping into The Horseshoe near the ground. It was friendly enough, but we only bothered with a half pint of Guinness, with Doombar being the only beer on offer.

The bar had a steady crowd when we arrived at the ground, including my Norwegian groundhopping friend Anders Johansen, who seemed relieved to see me. It transpired that he’d left his phone on the H11 bus and thought I might know how to get it back because of my job on the tube!

The poor bloke was in a bit of a state as most of his required paperwork for his tour, which was on its first day, was on it. I found out which company ran the service and told him to enjoy the match, because it would be a while before it arrived at the garage if it was found. We tried ringing it a few times without success before heading out to the ground. 

I’d not really had time to think about the match, one that Hendon really needed something from. They were on a shocking run, while Boro were edging into the playoff positions. Tony and Richard stood with us as Hendon got off to a decent start on a sticky and difficult playing surface. 

Ricky German beat the offside trap and was brought down by Shaun Preddie to earn a penalty after six minutes. The forward picked himself up to score from the spot. However, the lead was to last just nine minutes before Ryan Moss rose to head an excellently delivered corner from Michael Bryan into the corner of the net.

Darren Locke and then Taofiq Olomowewe came close to restoring the Dons' lead. The away side were putting in a decent performance and we headed off for our half-time pint in an optimistic mood. We really thought that the next goal would be vital. Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick posed a threat for Hendon after the restart, with keeper Halfed Al-Droubi denying him on a couple of occasions. 

With half an hour remaining, Harrow went ahead as they took a quick free kick. Ryan Haugh was sprung down the right as Hendon’s defenders turned off. Goalie Danny Boness went out to try and narrow the angle, but Haugh laid the ball square to Jordan Ireland, who put it into the unguarded net.

Hendon boss Jimmy Gray made three substitutions in an attempt to save the game. German once again looked to have beaten the offside trap of a Boro defence that played a very high line. The linesman didn’t agree and raised his flag. It looked like an awful decision at the time, and on video later.

From the ensuing free kick with twelve minutes remaining, the ball was played forward by the excellent Bryan to former Hendon forward Dylan Kearney, who took his opportunity with aplomb to make it 3-1. It was a tale of two strikers. Kearney departed as he wanted regular starts, which Harrow offered him. He hadn’t looked back since. 

German had been in fine form for Hendon and justified his starting spot at the time. Since then, he had fallen in many fans’ estimation. His attitude was questionable, especially when the going got tough. He was unfit and did little to shed his excess weight. 

He had told other players that he was heading to Crawley Town on a full-time contract, which brought great mirth to supporters. Unbelievably, he did get his move on a three-year deal after the game.

To make matters worse for the Dons, Locke was involved in a clash in which he sustained a bad cut to his forehead, and then youngster Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway was helped off with a muscle injury, meaning the team ended the game with nine men. Anders, thankfully, was having better luck. He tried calling his phone from mine near full time and got an answer. 

It had been handed in at the bus garage on Pinner Road. We all headed down the road to catch a bus rather than linger in the clubhouse. I really wasn’t in the mood. Instead, Steve and I jumped off the 114 and went on a bit of a pub crawl, starting on the Hill at The White Horse and then The Castle, both excellent if pricey pubs. 

We returned to The Moon on the Hill by bus, where my mood mellowed as my fixed odds bet came in. A cracking pint was enjoyed in The New Moon in Kenton before I finished off at JJ Moons in Kingsbury. I was ready for my takeaway supper as I nestled in at home to watch Match of the Day and some Test cricket from Australia.

Harrow Borough 3 Blackfield & Langley 1 (Tuesday 24th September 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 110)

It was back to reality for me, having returned from a magnificent cricket tour to Nepal the previous morning. The autumnal chill was kicking in, so I went for convenience rather than venturing, knowing I’d meet up with Tony in the process.

As is often the case, we got to see an entertaining clash on the slick Earlsmead surface, which received plenty of rain after the break. The visitors from south of Southampton played their part but didn’t finish the opportunities on offer.

Hisham Kasimu capitalised on an early Boro error and broke clear before being denied by keeper Hafed Al-Droubi. A Manny Williams header for the hosts was kept out by keeper Lewis Noice. Luke Warner-Eley put Harrow ahead with a chip that we thought Noice could have saved with some foot movement.

Chances came at both ends before Boro doubled their lead on the half-hour mark as Ryan Moss scored from the spot after the referee adjudged that Williams had been pulled back by defender Adam Tomasso. Harrow’s goal led a charmed life after sixty minutes as visitors’ shots were blocked. 

Blackley then halved the arrears ten minutes later when Fatah Makhloufi put away a penalty. It looked at this stage that 2-2 was the most likely result. However, Boro sealed the points thanks to a fine Williams effort, completing a patient build-up. It capped a fine debut for the forward, who displayed plenty of skill throughout. It had been an enjoyable match to reflect on as I headed home.

Harrow Borough 0 Queens Park Rangers XI 4 (Wednesday 21st July 2021) Friendly (att: c320)

There's something I really liked about Earlsmead, and it was good to be back. It's a tidy set-up, Boro always seem a well-organised and friendly club. £12 admission was a bit on the high side for a friendly, but clubs needed a lift after the previous 18 months.

Hopefully, they'd be boosted by their recent link-up with local youth side Ruislip Rangers, both on and off the pitch, to augment their loyal but ageing fanbase. There was a touching minute's applause for the late Spencer McCall and a cameo from Rangers' Albert Adomah, a lad who started his senior career at Harrow and has gone on to enjoy an excellent career.

His attitude was superb as he came across as an absolute top fella, signing autographs and posing for photos with fans most of the evening. He even had a brief chat with me as he passed. A credit to his profession.

The R's fielded their under-23 team alongside Adomah, putting on an excellent professional display and scoring some fine goals as Sean Adarkwa netted a brace alongside efforts from Charley Kendall and Aaron Drewe. Boro kept going and were in it for the first half hour until the superior fitness and strength from the bench told.

The hosts brought on a centre back for the second half, who they somehow fitted into his kit. He stood on the ball trying to play out from the back to concede the third, and was a second late in every challenge. I presume he was a trialist, or he won the half-time draw?

Just one moan. I mean, there must be at least one from a Yorkshireman. There's always space at Earlsmead, even in a relatively large crowd. I found a usual space along the side at the back of the covered steps, maintaining social distancing.

Two lads in their early twenties rocked up after about twenty minutes and virtually stood on my feet. I suppose it took me back to being marked in Sunday League football, but not ideal. I had to move. On to the JDW establishments in Rayners Lane and Kingsbury after the match for a natter and fine ale.

Harrow Borough 2 Marlow 1 (Saturday 2nd October 2021) FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round (att: 147) 

A lighter version of the previous Saturday, when my brother and his mates visited for the Hendon v Wimborne Town match, meeting up with Jeff Cards, who had partaken in a similar heavy sesh the previous evening after his duties at Lord's were done for another cricket season.

From his condition, it looked like a proper party had gone on in the Lord's Tavern. For me, it had been Angel as I took the chance of some quality time with two good friends as my move to warmer climes got closer. We rendezvoused at Wembley Park at 11am and enjoyed excellent fry-ups at the Imperial Cafe close to Rayners Lane station.

After a fine pint of Naked Ladies in the Village Inn JDW, we wanted to watch the lunchtime game, but the nearby Man of Aran Irish boozer, our first choice, looked ropey and didn't have it on. We returned to Ruby G's, opposite the station. 

The Indian establishment had top-quality multiple screens, friendly service and a cracking pint of Guinness. In a smart move, the sous chef was chopping beautifully aromatic ingredients in the open kitchen. If we hadn't already eaten, we would have done there. A good find for future reference.

Judging by the guffaws in the Earlsmead clubhouse, I'd guess there were a few with QPR sympathies as Fulham were being torn apart by Coventry on the telly. The rain was teeming down as we enjoyed some fine Rebellion IPA, ironically brewed in Marlow.

We took shelter among a sparse crowd down the bench side and met up with Tony, another local regular mate, both at football and cricket. Marlow looked well organised, if not too flamboyant. The number 4 played upfront, a proper lump who they'd somehow squeezed into his kit.

Imran Uche in midfield for Boro looked the best player on show in the first half, which provided plenty of entertainment if not so much class, in difficult conditions, which saw efforts at each end go wide. Boro took the lead shortly after the restart when James Ewington was put through with his low shot, packing too much power for keeper Simon Grant.

Remarkably, this was the first goal the visitors had conceded all season. It seemed to press them into action as they got the upper hand for a period, which eventually led to the equaliser when Nnamdi Nwachuku cleverly turned and scored with a shot that deceived home stopper Josh Strizovic.

The home faithful did their best to make a noise in a meagre crowd. I do enjoy that enclosure at the ground, just behind the benches where home manager Steve Baker is often full value. I appreciated his comment to one of his subs, trying to stay dry under cover, by asking him if there was any chance that he could be ready by six.

The game looked nailed on to head to a replay, but it would be Harrow who progressed. James Taylor had earlier gone close with a glancing header. With four minutes remaining, he made no mistake, getting his head on the second attempt from a centre provided by Dernell Wynter.

There was still time for Grant to save from Ewington and then Shaun Preddie, while Nwachuku fired wide in his team’s final attempt to try and take the tie to a second game. A lift back to Rayners Lane was much appreciated, meaning I was home for tea at a reasonable time.

The following day, I was to head off to watch the Marathon, cheering on my pal’s missus with him. Thankfully, it had stopped raining by then, and hopefully the Marlow mob had somehow separated the number 4 from his sodden kit.