Tangerines on Tour: Harrow Borough

We are almost halfway through our look at the clubs we will play in the Isthmian League South Central division for season 2026-27. Next, we visit a fellow Middlesex club: Harrow Borough.

Historic headlines

Formed in 1933 as Roxonian FC and then known as Harrow Town before adopting their current name in1967, The Boro have a long history of playing at a higher level. They were Isthmian League Champions in 1984, at a time when the Premier Division was effectively at Step 2 and spent 39 years in continuous membership of the Isthmian League Premier Division, although they were reprieved from relegation three times during that period.

A lateral transfer to the Southern League Premier Division South came about in 2018 and the Reds finished seventh in their first season in that division but dropped steadily down the table in subsequent seasons. They were reprieved from relegation in 2023 when Metropolitan Police asked for a voluntary demotion but finally lost their Step 3 status at the end of the 2023-24 season.

The club’s long-term future is in doubt; Borough had intended to sell their home ground at Earlsmead to clear debts, but the deal fell though while a GoFundMe appeal aiming to raise £90,000 has not come close to its target. Despite these challenges, Harrow have retained manager Wayne Carter and are gearing up for the new season. Given that The Boro have reached the FA Cup Proper Rounds on four occasions and have won eight County Cups, their survival is very welcome. 

About the ground

Earlsmead is a fine venue, with a cantilevered seated stand, a substantial covered terrace opposite and a large clubhouse. The ground’s current configuration came about when the club sold its second pitch to the Council to fund these improvements, plus the installation of floodlights. Earlsmead Primary School now stands where that pitch was.

A ground-to-ground road journey is around 11 miles and, depending on the traffic, could take up to an hour. If going to Earlsmead on public transport, all routes lead to Hatton Cross, so a 203 bus there is how journeys from Ashford Hospital and Stanwell would begin. From Hatton Cross, there are two options; you could take the 90 bus towards Northolt, then change to a 140 in Hayes. Get off as soon as possible after the bus passes Northolt Park Station on the right and the ground is a short walk away.

Alternatively, you could take the Piccadilly Line towards Central London, then change trains at Acton Town. Board an Uxbridge bound train and alight at South Harrow. The ground is approximately 20 minutes walk from there.

Have we played them before?

Yes; our final match (to date) at Step 3 was a heavy home defeat at the hands of the Reds, who have the upper hand historically. It is worth noting, however, that Ashford have won two out of the last three meetings of the clubs.