It has been confirmed that 9th tier club Harlow Town have been issued with a ten point deduction after falling into administration.
A judge at London’s insolvency court appointed administrators on Friday (9th January) following an application by the trustees of the Platinum Sports Management Limited Pension Scheme.
Harlow Town Council owns the freehold to the Harlow Arena, however, the club itself is a private limited company.
They currently play in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, with the table adjusted with the deduction, seeing them go from 10th to 14th, 33 points has gone down to 23 points.
Harlow Town Football Club goes into administration https://t.co/guOrbUMIc0
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 12, 2026
A spokesperson for administrators MHA issued the following statement, per Your Harlow: “Liam Short and Andrew Duncan of MHA were appointed administrators of Harlow Town football club on Friday 9 January.
“This appointment was made following a hearing at London’s insolvency court after an application by a creditor of the club namely the trustees of the Platinum Sports Management Limited Pension Scheme.
“As administrators the immediate responsibilities are to identify the financial position of the company and to understand the scale of the challenges facing Harlow Town while working with all interested parties to resolve the issues as soon as is practically possible.
“We hope to provide further updates shortly.”
🗣️The Council will do everything in its power to safeguard football in our town.
Read the statement from Dan Swords, Leader of the Council, on the sad news about Harlow Town FC 👇 pic.twitter.com/bOPG3OofcQ
— Harlow Council (@HarlowCouncil) January 10, 2026
DAN SWORDS LEADER OF HARLOW COUNCIL:
“The news that Harlow Town FC has entered administration is deeply concerning. For generations, thousands of Harlow residents have supported the club through good times and bad, and it is their interests that must come first.
“Unlike any other sporting club in the town, Harlow Town operates as a limited company owned by an individual rather than as a community-run organisation.
“My sole focus is on protecting football in our town, the volunteers, and the supporters – not the company itself.
“We are working urgently to establish the full facts, and I am clear that the council will do everything within its powers to safeguard football in our town and stand firmly behind the supporters.”
HARLOW MP CHRIS VINCE:
Mr Vince said, per Your Harlow: “I spoke to the administrators at Saturday’s game. They are keen to ensure the continued steady running of the football club and are proactively looking for investors.
“It is my understanding no one has been asked to leave but some have chosen to depart.
“At this time we do not know if this will lead to any points deductions.
“I would encourage those who want to support the club to continue to attend games and get behind the team.
“Saturday’s game showed from a really solid performance from the Hawks and a fantastic goal!”
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Here’s the social media reaction as the 9th tier club are issued with ten point deduction after falling into administration…
@MikeWaltersMGM: That’s terrible… the club who knocked Leicester (Smith and Lineker up front?) out of the FA Cup in 1980 and then gave Watford a run for their money (in front of 24,500 fans), being allowed to disappear off the football map? Follow the Macclesfield road to rejuvenation…
@laurenceallen89: This is my local club and long term this could be for the greater good. A wonderful catchment area with a bit of community support could drive the club forward. The council own the freehold to the ground which gave me great comfort. If we need to start again then so be it
@Lawrenc52859337: Its been badly managed for some years now and has become, sadly, quite a toxic club
@ConnaireMcG:
Seems to have lost 100k plus per year.
Any idea on what turnover was?
@elig775: Devastating news! Best hospitality in the Spartan league by miles!! 🥹💗⚽️
@GREGHAR53808006: Not long ago they were asking for £2k to hire the ground for a game . This may have been why. Or the Problem
@WhiteNoise1879: 1879. A good year for founding football clubs. I wonder if Fulham could help their ‘Formation year twin’ in any way? @TonyKhan #ffc
@SpecksRSC: Real shame seeing a Essex club get into shit, Harlow have a quality ground too. They have a air raid siren for when they scored or at least did last time I went over there. Really hope someone buys them as Essex football is moving in the right direction with so many new wealthy owners.
@VFTAE: Very sad news. 1879! That’s a lot of football heritage in the community. Hopefully the issues can be resolved, perhaps as a phoenix club. And hopefully all the junior sides can continue.
@ghop345: Such a shame, hope they can survive it. Decent little club.
@kyangulliver: Have I read this right.. Harlow town in administration? How has that happened 🤷♂️
@Deano4x8: Harlow Town at Step 5 gone into administration is awful news. Being involved at a Step 5 club is often a timely reminder that the PL is dying and it really shouldnt bother me as much as it does. Real football down the pyramid is often make or break for clubs and players.
@Iwantyo51423781: All ill say about this is. Look at stevenage who was built the same time as harlow why arnt harlow town a half decent side instead losing to teams like Sawbridgeworth its a joke and charge the most in the league to watch dire football
@RobGWarren4: Mad. Potential been there to be a Step 3 club but they’re just a disaster.
@PaulWickers1: Sad to see , unfortunately run by someone that has never had the town at heart . A club I would have loved to have managed hopefully things will be sorted and the town finally get a club to be proud of
@matt_waldron: Sad times but not really a surprise!! 😪
@dapul__90: Absolute fucking travesty how they’re being run.
@aroundgroundsss: Ahh this is sad. Played for their youth set up when I lived down there. Someone buy @HarlowTownFC
@ahmettoygun87: Very sad news, hopefully it can be arranged to get it out of administration. It’s the club that is in the town I live in and wouldn’t like to see any club in this situation considering all the hard work that goes behind the scenes from a fellow club owner.
@DannyCNorton25: Absolute clowns in charge 🤡 Has the potential to be an unbelievable club and been run like a circus for years.
Sad to hear this news. Harlow Town aren’t at the non-league level they once were, but they were a big part of the football scene in the part of Essex I grew up in. Worked at the current stadium’s bar one year as well https://t.co/2MP69IgGJL
— George Thorpe (@MrGeorgeThorpe) January 12, 2026
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