After winning promotion from Division One, Boro’ took up their position in the United Counties League Premier Division for the 1981-2 campaign. It was an eye-opener, however. For Boro’, there was to be no level of dominance they’d achieved in the lower level. Form was often patchy, if not erratic – and Derek Montgomery‘s men struggled for consistency. For the likes of Danny Dance who had been so fluent in front of goal during our Div One campaign, the defences we came up against were often a lot meaner.
Boro’ made it to the Eastern Floodlit Cup semi-finals, but were outclassed by Chelmsford City over two legs. Meanwhile, hopes of retaining the United Counties League Cup were scuppered by Irchester Eastfield on penalties in the quarter finals. And there was also a semi-final appearance in the East Anglian Cup – only for Hertford Town to cruise to a 4-1 victory. All in all, it was a tough season but an important learning curve for a growing club.
