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‘Final farewell’ from 10th tier club as they announce decision to resign from league

A ‘final farewell’ from 10th tier club Hillingdon Borough as they announce the tough decision to resign from their league.

The club currently sit 13th in the Combined Counties League Division One with 52 points from 41 games played, with three games remaining.

Sadly they are added to a growing list of non league clubs face folding and resigning from their division amid tough times during the 2025/26 season.

Please get down to support your local non league club, they need it more than ever, especially during the cost of living crisis and the challenges they face.

CLUB STATEMENT:

After 35 years, a proud chapter in non-league football draws to a close.

Hillingdon Borough Football Club has announced, with a heavy heart, that it will be resigning from the league at the conclusion of the current 2025/26 season. The decision was made last week by Chairlady Davinder Dhand, bringing to an end a journey spanning more than three decades of dedication, sacrifice, and passion for the beautiful game. While the club steps away from competitive football, the Hillingdon Borough name remains in the possession of Dee Dhand.

The club was re-formed in the summer of 1990 by a founding group whose vision and determination laid the foundations for everything that followed: Roy Lovell, Jack Whitehead, John Alexander, Dave Pook, Graham Smith, Ken Taylor, Harold Brown, Graham Hiseman, and Malcolm Bridges. It is thanks to their efforts that Hillingdon Borough existed at all, and the club’s legacy is as much theirs as anyone’s.

Over the 35 years that followed, the club carved out its place in non-league football, competing across the pyramid from Step 4 to Step 6. There were promotions to celebrate, relegations to endure, and countless moments in between that reminded everyone connected with the club why they fell in love with football in the first place.

The club wishes to extend its deepest and most heartfelt thanks to every player who ever pulled on the Hillingdon Borough shirt, and to every manager who ever stood in that dugout and gave their all for this football club. You are the lifeblood of everything this club has been, and your contributions across the years will never be forgotten.

Davinder (Dee) Dhand — Chairlady, Hillingdon Borough FC

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, and it is one that has not been taken lightly. Hillingdon Borough is more than a football club — it is a family, a community, and a way of life for so many people. Thirty-five years of history do not simply fade away. I want to personally thank every single person who has contributed to this club over the years, whether you played, managed, volunteered, or simply turned up on a cold Saturday afternoon to cheer us on. You are what made this club truly special, and I will carry that with me always.”

Gary Pitt — Manager, Hillingdon Borough FC

“It has been the proudest honour of my managerial career to lead this club this season. Every single player in that dressing room has given everything for the badge, and I could not be more proud of each and every one of them. To manage Hillingdon Borough has meant the world to me, and I will look back on this season with enormous pride, even if the final chapter has come sooner than any of us would have wished.”

A Final Farewell

The club is inviting supporters, former players, officials, and anyone who has ever been touched by Hillingdon Borough Football Club to come and join us during the final month of the season, with the last home game taking place on Saturday, 11th April. Come and be part of the farewell. Come and remember what this club has meant.

“To every player who wore the shirt, every manager who took the reins, every volunteer who gave their time, and every supporter who stood by us through the years — from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. It has been a privilege and an honour. Hillingdon Borough may be stepping away, but the memories, the friendships, and the pride will last a lifetime. Goodbye, and thank you for everything.”

Growing list of non league clubs folding and resigning amid tough times during 2025/26 season

Here’s how fans reacted to a ‘final farewell’ from the 10th tier club as they announce the decision to resign from league…

@danifdl: Can’t remember a season with so many Clubs resigning.

@AumonierNick: This is a huge shame. I dont know the backstory but seeing the state of the ground and pitch last week when we played them was a real surprise. I hope everyone has the clubs best interests at heart and hopefully it can be reborn with a fresh perspective.

@97coreymcknight: Another local club gone

@jonsmithUC: So sorry to read this. I do hope something good for the community can rise with development work at the ground to improve further the facilities here.

@danifdl: Can’t remember a season with so many Clubs resigning.

@opearman: Well this is gutting. Really hope the club can survive and rebuild in the Middlesex County League. Haven’t been able to get to Hillingdon Borough in recent years, but have some good memories there: my first FA Cup qualifier against Stowmarket, the FA Vase semi final v Bury Town

@Rootz_TV: Sad news to hear 😢 One of my local clubs and the first we covered when starting @Rootz_TV 8 years ago… Thank you @hbfc1872 for the memories #nonleague

@YoursTrulyMrMac:
Was a great club.
Been ran into the ground.
Heartbreaking.

@gerrypimm: End of an era; the end did look inevitable for a while.

@joesweeney4: So sad to see, local communities and councils need to do more

@LeeCotton1: Come and support non-league. It’s not about the have and have nots like the EFL and Premier League are. Honestly…

@terryesar: A name synonymous with all that is good about non league football from as far up North as York. Sad day.

@stumpyspurs: Folded for the 2nd time. When I was growing up in the area Hillingdon Borough were in today’s Conference League. There was Hayes, Southall, Yeading, Ruislip Manor, Ruislip Town. All folded or have been ‘reborn’. Most turned into flats etc. The whole area fucked in 40 odd years.

@JGGoalkeeping87: Such sad news! Used to be a massive club in the area. Poor management, lack of recruitment , the moment you take it easy running a non league club the moment the decline starts

@gjpurser: Really sad news, hope you continue your journey in some capacity.

@redwine_rebel: So sorry to see this 😢 x

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