Page 24 - Yate Town FC v Harrow Borough 051122

In Town today Harrow Borough F.C.

2001-02 saw the club commence a long-term plan, targeting youth development. As well as
fielding a young side, which managed to retain Premier Division status once more, close
partnerships were formed with local youth football clubs. The summer of 2004 saw the
formation of an Allied Counties under 18’s squad, designed to bridge the gap between youth
and senior football.
Under the stewardship of manager David Howell, Boro’ continued their youth and
community development and they now have links with a number of local youth football clubs
and schools.

Season 2006/07 saw Boro’ finish in a relegation position only for their Premier Division place
to be saved by Lancaster City whose financial difficulties saw them being relegated instead.
On a pleasanter note season 2005-06 saw Boro’ win the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup for
the third time with a 2-0 success over Enfield Town. Season 2006-07 saw the feat replicated
with victory over Brook House 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 scoreline. Season 2008-09
saw Boro’ finish as Runners-Up in the Isthmian League Cup, losing out to Tilbury 2-0 in the
Final played on the ground of Staines Town FC. That season also saw Boro’ reach the Semi
Final of the London Senior Cup, a competition which they had entered for the first time in a
considerable number of years.
Enforced cost cutting during the summer of 2008 saw the Club resigning its membership of
the Allied Counties Youth League. This proved to be only a one-season absence from youth
team football as Boro’ entered the expanded Ryman Youth League for the 2009-10 season.
Season 2009-10 saw Boro’ finish in a very creditable 14 position in the Ryman Premier
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Division, At Reserve Team level Boro’s Capital League side, under the stewardship of Stuart
Crawford, brought much success to the Club by winning the double of the Capital League:
Western Division Title to go along with that of Capital League: President’s Challenge Cup
winners. Added to the fact that Boro’ had cleared their longstanding debt with HM Revenue
& Customs and the Club entered the 2010-11 season with new found optimism.
A final position of 5 at the end of that season was their highest placing for a considerable
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number of years and earned the Club a place in the end of season play-offs for promotion
to the Conference South. Defeat at Tonbridge Angels in extra time in the Semi Finals saw
an end for the time being of that dream but it was still a brilliant season for the Club. And
Boro’ were the highest goalscorers in the Ryman Premier Division with 77 goals scored.
They also reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, losing out narrowly to the eventual
League Two Champions, Chesterfield, in front of the TV cameras at Earlsmead.
But during the summer Boro’ received shock news that Manager David Howell had decided
to resign his position, taking with him his Assistant, Ken Charlery, and the other members of
his Management Team. This meant a hard summer for the Boro’ Board and for new
manager Dave Anderson who returned to the Club he had served previously as Reserve
Team Manager and then Assistant Manager on three separate occasions. Dave added the
vastly experienced Jason Goodliffe to his Management Team and with a completely new
team on the pitch a final league position of 17 was very acceptable after what was a very
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difficult season.
The summer of 2012 saw the experienced Darron Wilkinson join the Management Team and
a gradual improvement on the pitch saw Boro’ finish in a very creditable 15 place.
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The summer of 2013 saw Assistant Manager Jason Goodliffe depart to take up a similar
position at Football League Division One side Stevenage with Mark Faulkner replacing him