This lot almost sound like they could be a firm of chartered accountants or perhaps even lawyers. Y’know. The sort who use a smooth-talking actor with fake empathy for ads that get shown during This Morning and whatever else ITV bangs out before Corrie. But, trust us – Brook House are actually a football team. And Boro’ once played ’em. We gotta use the present tense with a bit of caution, however. The FA Cup saw us come up against them for the first time during our 1995-6 GM Vauxhall Conference title campaign; the Brooks since changing their name to AFC Hayes.
Brook House: The Facts
Farm Park
Kingshill Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 8DD
Formed just a couple of years before Boro’, the Brooks originally started out as a Sunday League side; created when Saturday sides Charville and Hayes North needed even more football in their weekend. It turns out they were quite good at the Sunday malarkey. So, in 1982, the powers that be decided to switch to Saturday action. First, they joined the South West Middlesex League. Then, in 1984, came the Middlesex County League.
In 1988, however, the Brooks turned to the Spartan League. Like all newcomers, they had to start in Division One – with its two promotion spots. Now, you’d be right in assuming the club would have to finish first or second to go up. But no. After finishing sixth in their debut Spartan League campaign, up they went into the Premier Division. We can’t tell you why – and we can’t seem to find anyone else who can.
Why do we know Brook House?
So, this happened at the end of the 1988-9 season and the Brooks made themselves feel right at home in the Premier Division. Here at Boro’, however, we were busy going further ahead of them in the pyramid with each passing season. It’s obvious we’d never do battle with them in the league, right? Right. It took our first involvement in the 1995-6 FA Cup to put us on the same pitch as each other. Surely, for a strong Boro’ side, it’d be a formality?
How to get to Brook House – Travel Information – Distance: 40 miles
By Road
From Stevenage, head south on the A1 and join the counter-clockwise M25 until you get to Junction 16. Here, join the London-bound M40 and continue onto the A40 as soon as the motorway bit ends after six miles.
Nearly four miles later, leave the A40 for the A4180 and go towards Hayes, Heathrow Airport and Southall. Take the third exit at the roundabout for the A4180 West End Road and follow for a mile. At the next roundabout, you want the fourth exit for Yeading Lane, before turning right onto Kingshill Avenue.
There seems to be a small car park near the stadium on Kingshill Avenue.
By Rail
Station: HAYES AND HARLINGTON
Services to: LONDON PADDINGTON
The nearest stations aren’t great for walking it in. For National Rail services, Hayes & Harlington is the nearest. By Tube, it’s Northolt on the Central Line. Either way, you’re advised to get bus route 90 for 10-15 minutes to complete the journey.
