Club History  cont..
Club History 3 of 3

3. Club History cont..


1992/93, however, saw a dramatic improvement, with both the Middlesex Senior Cup and Middlesex Charity Cup returning to Earlsmead. The semi-final of the latter saw Chelsea defeated 4-1. A league placing of 8th was also their best for 6 seasons. This form continued over the next three seasons under the management team of Harry Manoe, with the Club finishing 9th in 1993-94, 10th 1994-95 and 9th again in 1996-97. A dip in the Club’s fortunes saw his departure, to be followed by a succession of managers. A disastrous run of form during the 1999/00 season saw the Club avoid relegation by just a single goal.

Despite an encouraging start to the season to the 2000/01 season, which saw Boro’ reach the 1st Round Proper of the FA Challenge Cup for only the second time (losing 0-3 at Wycombe Wanderers), a poor run of performances after Christmas saw the Club finish 4th from bottom again with just 2 points to spare.

2001-02 saw the club commence a long-term plan, targeting youth development. As well as fielding a young side, which managed to retain Premier Division status once more, close partnerships were formed with local youth football clubs. The summer of 2004 saw the formation of an Allied Counties under 18’s squad, designed to bridge the gap between youth and senior football.

Under the stewardship of manager David Howell Boro’ continued their youth and community development and they now have links with a number of local youth football clubs and schools.

Season 2006/07 saw Boro’ finish in a relegation position only for their Premier Division place to be saved by Lancaster City whose financial difficulties saw them being relegated instead.

On a pleasanter note season 2005-06 saw Boro’ win the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup for the 3rd time with a 2-0 success over Enfield Town. Season 2006-07 saw the feat replicated with victory over Brook House 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 scoreline with that game being played at Staines Town FC. Season 2008-09 saw Boro’ finish as Runners-Up in the Isthmian League Cup, losing out to Tilbury 2-0 in the Final played on the ground of Staines Town FC. That season also saw Boro’ reach the Semi Final of the London Senior Cup, a competition which they had entered for the first time in a considerable number of years.

Enforced cost cutting during the summer of 2008 saw the Club resigning its membership of the Allied Counties Youth League. This proved to be only a one season absence from youth team football as Boro’ entered the expanded Ryman Youth League for the 2009-10 season.

Season 2009-10 saw Boro’ finish in a very creditable 14th position in the Ryman Premier Division, At Reserve Team level Boro’s Capital League side, under the stewardship of Stuart Crawford, brought much success to the Club by winning the double of the Capital League: Western Division Title to go along with that of Capital League: President’s Challenge Cup winners. Added to the fact that Boro’ had cleared their longstanding debt with HM Revenue & Customs and the Club entered the 2010-11 season with new found optimism.

A final position of 5th at the end of that season was their highest placing for a considerable number of years and earned the Club a place in the end of season play-offs for promotion to the Conference South. Defeat at Tonbridge Angels in extra time in the Semi Finals saw an end for the timebeing of that dream but it was still a brilliant season for the Club. And Boro’ were the highest goalscorers in the Ryman Premier Division with 77 goals scored. They also reached the 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup, losing out narrowly to the eventual League 2 Champions, Chesterfield, and giving the Boro’ faithful much pleasure and entertainment on the way.

But during the summer of 2011 Boro’ received shock news that Manager David Howell had decided to resign his position, taking with him his Assistant, Ken Charlery, Reserve Team Manager Stuart Crawford and Physio Samantha Backhouse. This meant a hard summer for the Boro’ Board and for new manager David Anderson who had returned to the Club he had served previously as Reserve Team Manager and then Assistant Manager on three separate occasions