At the start of a new season, it’s traditional to recap the events that have occurred since the end of the previous one. Here at Harrow, we have more than our fair share of drama. In fact, the events surrounding our beloved little club would be more suited to a popular Netflix series.

The 2023/24 season ended with a 7-1 shellacking away at Merthyr. Relegation had been confirmed a few games before the final day. However, the manner of that final day defeat was another gut punch for the long-suffering Harrow supporters who had made the trip to Wales. It was painful enough for the man with the pen, who was following the live action via WhatsApp and twitter 39,000 ft in the air courtesy of Delta Wi-Fi, during a 10-hour flight to Seattle. The sentiment after the game was that change had to be made as the current management team were in an untenable position.

On the morning of May 10th one of the outstanding Boro media team – who could all no doubt earn a living as investigative journalists - stumbled across an article posted the previous evening on the Egham Town website, announcing that Jordan Berry had returned to take charge with his assistants in tow. Frantic phone calls confirmed that Jordan had indeed parted company with Harrow at a meeting with the Boro hierarchy at 5pm the day before.

Harrow began their second managerial search in a year. There was a lot of interest in the job, with several strong candidates being interviewed. On this occasion, Harrow at least knew which league and division they would be playing in. Last season everyone was shocked when Boro were reprieved at step 3. There had been no inkling of a reprieve. The last couple of months in the Southern Premier league, there were incredibly strong rumours that only the bottom club would be relegated, and reprieves would be handed to every other club in the relegation zone. These rumours were way off the mark and after close to five decades at step 3 – Harrow would be playing in the Isthmian South-Central Division. A move back to the Isthmian league was welcomed by all at the club. The travel costs associated with being in the Southern League are contributing to putting established clubs out of business. However, at least the club have finally been reimbursed for the money spent on a wasted journey to a wet Plymouth in early February.

White smoke appeared above Earlsmead on the afternoon of June 1st. A new manager had been appointed. There were several names that were mentioned as possibilities by supporters as soon as the position became vacant. One name that was at the forefront from the very start was Northwood’s manager Ben Bukowski. Who had taken our near neighbours into the play-offs at step 4 a couple of seasons ago. When it was announced that Ben had left his position at Northwood, fuel was added to the fire and indeed it was Ben who was announced as the new manager – bringing his backroom team with him from Chestnut Avenue.

A new manager meant that a new team would have to be put together. Social media had been awash since the end of last season with clubs at steps 3,4 and 5 already announcing that players X, Y and Z had signed for next season. Seeing as it’s not possible to register any players until July 1st, a lot of this was appendage swinging for likes on Twitter. Numerous players who were announced as committed and signed for clubs had signed for a different club before a ball was kicked in pre-season anger. Previous tweets hurriedly removed and appendages back in their trousers.

Before work on a new squad could begin, Harrow fell victim to what was undoubtedly a Machiavellian plot to gain full control at another club. I will save my thoughts until the trojan horse makes its way here in September – which gives me a few weeks to get a better understanding of the libel laws…

Pre-season for Boro saw 5 wins, 2 draws and a single defeat. It’s never a good thing to get too high or low with pre-season results. Especially when a new squad is being assembled. These games are used to get the players to build relationships on the pitch. A noticeable and pleasing difference to last season became apparent after the first pre-season fixture, played on a wet Tuesday evening at the Bannister Sports Centre, against Oxhey Jets. Approximately 25 Boro supporters had chosen standing in the rain at a sports centre over watching France v Spain in the Euro semi-final. At the conclusion of the game that Harrow won 3-0 and supporters had fun playing ‘guess who’ with nearly every player appearing in the famous Boro red – the entire Boro squad walked across from the dugouts, applauding the fans. A great way to start building the crucial relationship between players and supporters.

A first game at step 4 since the mid-70s saw 10 players making their Harrow first team debut. Only the popular James Gurteen remained from last season – no doubt in part to having previously played for Ben at Northwood in 2022/23. Ashford Town were the visitors to Earlsmead on a warm afternoon. The pitch was lush but dry. The away team featuring ex Boro man Prince Kandolo in their starting eleven.

Harrow started on the front foot. Forcing a couple of early corners. With the big 3 centre backs all inside the six-yard box it was frustrating to see both corners barely reaching the front post. In the 11th minute, Javon Marquis did well on the right side. His curling cross was just out of reach for Jordan Hamilton-Olise at the far post.

It was Hamilton-Olise who had the first effort on goal for Harrow. His 25-yard effort going several yards wide of the target.

The first half was a very scrappy affair. In the 37th minute Boro’s Stephan Langley gave the ball away with an under-hit pass inside the Harrow half. The visitors Jack Arnold carried the ball into the Harrow area and squared the ball to Brad Sweeney. Harrow’s new custodian Andrew McCorkell saved his close-range effort before a red shirted defender hacked the ball away to safety.

Then the drama and controversy started. As the game entered first half stoppage time Boro forward Leo Sery went down under challenge just inside the Ashford half. Leo still had the ball between his feet with a blue shirted defender nibbling away at the ball. Referee Mr Wiggington blew his whistle to award Ashford a free kick for obstruction. Leo was clearly a tad unhappy at the efforts of the Ashford defender whilst he was on the floor. Very minor handbags began with players from both teams rushing to join in. Harrow #7 Jeremiah Luwero was the first Harrow player on the scene and exchanged shoulder pushes with Ashford’s James King. Mr Wiggington ran towards the scene with his arms flailing and blew his whistle as loud as possible in double peeps for at least 20 seconds. It would have been no shock to see a flock of sheep appear on the pitch from behind the main stand, followed by a couple of sheep dogs and Phil Drabble.

The players all separated. Mr Wiggington called both of his assistants onto the pitch. After a good 2 minutes of intense discussion, Mr Wigginton called Luwero over and showed him a red card. Jeremiah becoming the first Harrow player to be red carded on their debut – on the opening day of the season since way back in 2023, when Ross Oulton was sent off against Totton. The visitor’s King was then called forward and shown only a yellow card. The referee’s assessor, who had the privilege of sitting next to me in the press box, instantly confirmed that nothing happened during the fracas that was worthy of anything more than a yellow card. Luwero, as nearly everyone else in the ground, was stunned by the decision.

In the remaining time before the interval Aaron McLeish dragged a shot wide of the Harrow goal when he should have done better.

Half Time 0-0

Harrow made tactical adjustments before the second half began. Mack Miskin – the only other player in the Harrow squad who appeared for Boro last season coming on for Javon Marquis. Luke Ifil coming on for his debut to solidify the midfield, replacing Hamilton-Olise.

Despite having a man less, the half time talk on the terraces was that we still fancied Harrow to nick a goal. Those thoughts came to fruition in the 49th minute. A Boro corner on the right at the school end was worked to Luke Ifil on the edge of the penalty area. His cross was met by the head of Leo Sery at the back post. His goalbound header took a slight deflection off the shoulder of an Ashford defender, giving visiting keeper Toby Fisher no chance to stop it. The net bulged and Sery was mobbed by his ecstatic team mates.

Could the 10 men of Harrow hold on gallantly for the next 40 minutes?

Ashford began to see a lot more of the ball, but never created any real opportunities. A cross from the left that was allowed to bounce inside the Harrow six-yard box before McCorkell gathered was the only alarm before the game took another dramatic turn in the 57th minute.

A ball into space behind the Harrow defence tempted Andrew McCorkell out of his area in an attempt to clear the danger. The Harrow custodian was never going to get there before Ashford’s Jack Arnold or his own defender, Deago Dunbar -Bonnie. Arnold got a toe to the ball pushing it past McCorkell. With an empty net in front of the Ashford forward, Dunbar-Bonnie bundled over Arnold. 100% a red card for the Harrow defender. However, Mr Wiggington decided to have another 2-minute discussion with the assistant who was less than 20 yards away from the incident, with a clear and unobstructed view of what happened. The result of this meeting of minds – a red card for Boro keeper McCorkell. The referee assessor commenting that ‘They’ve got this one badly wrong as well’.

So, McCorkell became the first Harrow player to be sent off on their debut on the opening day of a season in an entire 12 minutes. Joining a club that is quickly becoming about as exclusive as the ‘men who have fathered a child with Ulrika Jonsson’ one.

James Gurteen took over in goal for the second league game in a row, having been pressed into action at Merthyr when Tyler Tobin was sent off.

Still over half an hour to go and down to 9 men. If this situation had occurred last season, I expect that every Harrow supporter in attendance would have been expecting the game to end in a defeat. However, there’s something that appears different already. Every tackle won by a Harrow player was greeted with cheers and applause. Ashford looked devoid of ideas to break down the Harrow wall of 9. In fact, it was Harrow who came close to extending their lead in the 71st minute. Addison Garnett nearly capping a fine debut with a goal. The towering defender’s header going just wide of Fisher’s right post.

Harrow brought on the fresh legs of Keegan Bloom in the 72nd minute for Jethro Odumosu who had run himself into the ground on debut. A very welcome return home to Harrow for Keegan. Supporters were baffled when he was never given a chance last season, despite close to 50 players being used in the league, resulting in him departing to North Greenford and then Aylesbury in search of playing time.

Gurteen pulled off a fine save to deny Ashford an equaliser in the 76th minute, and the rebound was then blasted over the clubhouse by a visiting forward.

As the minutes went by the tension grew. The board went up to advertise the added minutes. 800 minutes appeared. I’m not sure I’d have fancied our chances of holding out until 8am on Sunday morning. However, the busy assistant on the far touchline stated it was in fact six minutes.

On the opening day last season Boro were leading 1-0 as the game went unto second half stoppage time, with the visitors holding a numerical advantage. Were we going to witness a similar heartbreaking ending? Sery, Dunbar-Bonnie and Bloom all put in lung busting runs with the ball from deep inside their own half, deep into enemy territory to give their team-mates respite. However, it looked as though their efforts were going to be in vain, when in the 94th minute, McCleish headed past Gurteen from six yards out. Thankfully the assistants’ flag was raised and the goal ruled out for offside. Harrow had to endure another 6 minutes of pressure. Garnett and Langley throwing themselves in front of loose balls in the Harrow area. Gurteen displaying a masterclass in sh*thousery to help run the clock down.

Finally, after 101 minutes Mr Wiggington decided that the game was over and blew his whistle for the 874th and final time of the afternoon.

Full time: 1-0

Harrow players collapsed on the pitch in exhaustion, only to rise to their feet to hug each other in celebration. The Harrow faithful celebrated in similar fashion on the terraces.

The post-match cold beers in the front bar tasted even sweeter after a victory. The entire playing squad along with the management team joined the supporters in the bar after the game. James Gurteen was the first winner of the newly introduced ‘Supporters Man of the Match’ award and was presented his bottle of fizz by James Clouting.

All the players stayed for at least an hour after the game. Chatting with the Boro supporters and making sure they came around and shook hands with them before departing. Some stayed a lot longer. James Gurteen the last to leave over 4 hours after the game had ended. Heading off with his dad for a succulent Chinese meal (RIP Jack Karlson). Ben Bukowski leaving only shortly before him and apologising that he couldn’t stay longer.

A hard fought, against the odds win with head scratching decisions from the officials – it appears that life at step 4 is going to be very similar to life at step 3.

We go again at home next Saturday 17th in the FA Cup when the other Ashford (United) are the visitors. Get yourself down to Earlsmead and support our boys if you can.

Come on the Boro!

Harrow Borough: Andrew McCorkell ©, Javon Marquis, Deago Dunbar – Bonnie, Addison Garnett, Stephan Langley, James Gurteen, Jeremiah Luwero, Harry McCorkell, Jethro Odumosu, Leo Sery, Jordan Hamilton – Olise.
Used Subs: Mack Miskin (Marquis 46 mins), Luke Ifil (Hamilton – Olise 46 mins), Keegan Bloom (Odumosu 72 mins), Dan Williams (Sery 90+7 mins).
Unused Subs: Kunle Otudeko.
Red Cards: Jeremiah Luwero 45 mins. Andrew McCorkell 57 mins.
Yellow Cards: Jethro Odumosu 61 mins.

Ashford Town: Toby Fisher, Archie Larkham, Callum Hope, James King, Prince Kandolo, Kyron Mckay, Brad Sweeney, Ben Holder, Aaron McLeish, Callum McAlister, Jack Arnold.
Used Subs: Sam Humphreys (King 46 mins), Chris Kelly (Holder 60 mins).
Unused Subs: Scott Day, Deven Reid – Solanki & Faris Khallouqi.
Yellow Cards: James King 45 mins. Callum Hope 85 mins.

Attendance: 154
Referee: Sam Wigington.
Weather: Dry 74f
Supporters' Man of the Match: James Gurteen.

Report: Brian Walter
Photo: David Bonkale