Our first-ever season in senior football was barely one week old before we came up against Sharnbrook. But who are these early acquaintances of ours? Just a select few were there at the start of Boro’s footballing odyssey. So, we’ll let you off if you’re sitting there with no idea who we’re talking about. Given it’s now 40 years ago, even those who were there might also be none the wiser.
An opponent from our United Counties League days, you’ll since find them playing their football in county competition. Our time with ’em was brief; our fourth-ever opponents as a senior football side in the 1980-1 campaign. While a long-time member of the United Counties League, they left the competition after the 2000-1 season. In more recent times, the club competed in the Bedfordshire County League.
It isn’t proving easy to prove this one together, actually. From anecdotal evidence, the word is that 1891 is when the club formed in the Bedfordshire village. We can’t be 100% sure on that front. Mind you, we have no reason to doubt it either. The next part of the story we can find, however, is from the Football Club History Database; placing them in United Counties League Division Two for the start of the 1969-70 season.
Why do we know Sharnbrook?
The club made a decent enough start to UCL life; ending up fourth in both of their opening two seasons. As the 1970s wore on, however, they started to find themselves falling down the table; Division Two now called Division One, by the way. But they’d be back in Division Two soon enough. The 1977-8 season saw them relegated after finishing bottom with only three wins all season. Hmm. That sounds familiar. Not that they were gone for long…
How to get to Sharnbrook – Travel Information – Distance: 38 miles
By Road
Head north on the A1(M) – and keep goingonto the A1, passing Biggleswade and Sandy on your way. Once you reach the Black Cat Roundabout, however, take the first exit. This is Bedford Road and NOT the A421, if this bit proves a puzzler.
After just 0.3 miles and the entrance to Roxton Garden Centre, turn right onto Roxton Road. This will take you over the A421. Nearly 1.5 miles later, the road bends round sharply to the left at a T-junction. Follow it round to the left. This is a bit confusing because it now becomes Staploe Road; the road fanning off to the right from the junction also called Staploe Road.
Just over 3 miles later, turn left onto Church Road and then right shortly after onto New Road. This is at a junction where you’ll find Cornfields Restaurant and Hotel (for reference). At the end of the road, turn right onto the B660 for nearly a mile. Then, it’s left onto Thurleigh Road. Google says this road might be closed at certain times. We have no idea why it’d say that.
Keep heading straight for the village of Thurleigh. After passing through the village, the road bends round to the left onto Mill Hill. Go on a further 1.3 miles and then turn right; weirdly, onto another Thurleigh Road. This will soon bring you onto a roundabout with the A6. Take the third exit here onto the northbound A6 for around 1 mile.
Next, turn left onto Park Lane to take you into Sharnbrook. When faced with a Co-op, turn right onto the High Street and then left soon after onto Church Lane. You’re only on here for another 0.2 miles until there’s a right turn; this time, for Lodge Road.
There’s a small car park at the ground. If this is full, which is entirely possible, you may have to find local street parking. But please be mindful of local residents.
By Rail
It seems the nearest station to Sharnbrook is Bedford, which means either a taxi or bus (route 50) ride to complete the journey.
