Everyone at the club knew that, the season before, Harrow Borough had been the best team in the league and it had only been the huge fixture pile-up caused by the run to the FA Trophy Semi-Finals that had finally seen their challenge come unstuck. 1983-84 was therefore seen as a great opportunity to go for the title. A 3-0 pre-season win at Trophy conquerors (and, by now, holders) Telford United cemented those beliefs further. However, the league campaign got off to a stuttering start with defeat in the season’s opener at Tooting & Mitcham and, come the end of October, Harrow had lost four of their opening eleven league fixtures, although one of the other seven had seen a great 1-0 win away at reigning champions Wycombe Wanderers. But the remaining 31 games would see Borough unbeaten, 13 of them featuring clean sheets. A 2-2 draw at closest challengers Worthing in February was a massive result as Harrow hit the front and went on to clinch the title with a 1-0 win at Staines Town on 14 April, with four games still remaining.

Hopes of another tilt at the FA Trophy were dashed by a First Round Proper replay loss at Earlsmead to Carshalton Athletic, but the FA Cup saw the club have its best-ever run. Ware were seen off by an amazing 9-0 scoreline in the First Qualifying Round, with Aylesbury United and Addlestone & Weybridge following. The Fourth Qualifying Round gave Harrow a very difficult trip to Southern League high-fliers Fisher Athletic, at their Surrey Docks Stadium fortress, but George Duck’s goal gave them a 1-1 draw and a replay at Earlsmead, a golden night in the club’s history, a terrific game that saw Borough prevail 4-2 (Duck, David Howell, David Pearce 2) to earn a trip to the famous FA Cup venue of The Huish, the sloping home of Yeovil Town. George Duck’s first minute goal, followed by a fantastic defensive display, put Harrow through to the Second Round proper, and a home tie with Newport County, then riding high in English football’s third tier. It was a great game which saw the Welsh side prevail 3-1, but not without a superb battle put up by Borough.

The season also saw the club celebrate its Golden Jubilee, the highlight being a friendly with Manchester United. Welsh internationals-to-be Mark Hughes and Clayton Blackmore were among the guests’ line-up on a filthily wet September evening, the match ending 0-0.

Late in the season, Andy Pape and David Pearce became the first two players from the club to be capped by the England Non-League side.

1983/84 Results (Click Here)

1983/84 Photo Album

League appearances (and goals):

Steve Emmanuel 41 (9)
Clevere Forde 39 (8)
David Pearce 38 & 1 (18)
George Duck 38 (20)
Derek Harris 37
Mick Garrini 37 & 1
Harry Manoe 35 (3)
Ray Metz 35 (1)
David Howell 30 (3)
Derek Doyle 30 (5)
Andy Pape 24
Les Currell 17
Tony Knight 16
Gary Fowles 11
Charlie Flaherty 10 & 3
Paul Morris 10
Ronnie Nelson 7 & 4 (2)
Laurence Holmes 3 & 7 (2)
Colin Payne 3
Nicky Penn 1