For all you town planning fans out there, you could say that Boro’ are part of a unique group of English football teams. It’s not exactly the Bilderberg Group, let’s face it. Unlike many others we come up against, however, we do have the ‘distinction’ of representing a New Town. The first New Town, if you will. Who else is in this group? Well, there’s Crawley Posh, Northampton and *ahem* MK Dons. Oh, and Harlow Town too while we’re at it…
The Hawks have the better head-to-head record – but they haven’t come close to topping our 7-1 win over them in April 1992. Yet. It took us eight attempts to actually overcome them in the end; that, in itself, was only a Knights Floodlit League encounter. Still, a league double over them in the 1991-2 campaign leaves us with something decent to pick back up if we ever do meet again.
Harlow Town: The Facts
The Harlow Arena
Elizabeth Way, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5BE
So, a little history lesson or an awkward segue into the life and times of Harlow Town? Like most of these New Towns, football didn’t suddenly spring up in these places after the Second World War Two. The game had been played in what was Stevenage as far back as 1894, and the same is true of Harlow. In fact, this particular tale is nearly 140 years in the making! And did you know that, until 1957, The Hawks’ team was picked by committee?
By the time team selection was put in the hands of a single manager, Harlow Town had moved into the London League from the Spartan League – and had held senior status for 20 years. The New Town arguably acted as a catalyst for the club’s growth; moving from the Old Town to the new Sportcentre ground in 1960. Then, after two seasons in the Delphian League, the Hawks took their place in the new Athenian League Division Two.
Harlow were promoted at the first attempt. And, in 1972, up they went again to the Premier Division; winning the Div One title. The Premier Division, however, was ‘abandoned‘ after the Hawks’ debut season. So, off they went into the Isthmian League’s new Division Two. It took four years to win promotion to Division One (1977), and two more into the Premier (1979) – seeing in their centenary season at the highest level they’d ever been.
How to get to Harlow Town – Travel Information – Distance: 19 miles
By Road
Go across to Ware on the A602 and join the A10 south. After you cross the viaduct and pass the Hertford exit, come off at the next junction for the A414 (Harlow, Ware (South) and Hoddesdon). The Hertford exit is also signposted A414 – don’t take this one!
Join the A414 for Harlow and continue on until the dual carriageway comes to its end. Take the second exit at the roundabout to stay on the A414. After crossing the railway, take the fourth exit at the next roundabout for Roydon.
Head along Elizabeth Way (A1169), with the ground just before the next roundabout.
Keep on the entrance road and follow it around the stadium. The car park is on the other side. It’s not huge, though. So, just bear that in mind in case you need an alternative.
By Rail
Station: HARLOW TOWN
Services to: CAMBRIDGE
The walk is around 1.2 miles. Leave the station on its main approach road and go up to the roundabout. Go across the A414 (running parallel to the railway) and head along the A1169. You’ll pass some sports pitches as you go. The ground will soon be on the right.
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