MP warns 8th tier club faces possible closure at the end of the 2025/26 season

Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas warns that 8th tier club Harrow Borough FC faces possible closure at the end of the 2025/26 season.

In its 93rd year, the team who sit 9th in the Isthmian League South Central Division, could close at the end of the 2025/26 season due to rising costs, including energy, business rates and wages along with and a decline in local interest linked to demographic changes in South Harrow.

Ahead of Non League Day, he said that the club’s potential closure would be “a major blow to the community” and is urgently appealing for financial backers or partners to ensure short-term survival and a sustainable future.

Save Harrow Borough Football Club 🔴⚪@uncs37 https://t.co/wZc2PzwzCf

— Chris Guy (@ChrisGuyW12) March 23, 2026

He said to Harrow Online this week: “Harrow Borough FC faces the very real prospect of closure at the end of this season.”

The MP warned that losing the club would be “a major blow to the community” and could also result in the site being lost to redevelopment.

“Despite the long-standing dedication and substantial financial support provided by directors, volunteers, and supporters over many decades, rising costs and continued uncertainty have pushed the club to a critical point.

“Urgently needs financial backing and partners who can help secure its short-term survival and contribute to a sustainable long-term plan.

“In its 93rd year, Harrow Borough Football Club faces its biggest-ever challenge, with the serious likelihood of closure at the end of the season. The club faces the same issues as any small-to-medium size business, with ever-increasing energy costs, business rates and minimum wages to list but a few.

“At the same time, a massive change in the demographics of their home (South Harrow) area has seen a decline in those with a serious interest in football. Although not at the level they reached in the 1970s and 1980s, the football side still competes at the 8th tier of English football, in a purpose-built, floodlit stadium.

“Efforts to sell the ground to a property developer and thereby gain the funds to continue to play there for a couple more seasons, while exploring a ground-share elsewhere, have fallen through, with the public-facing wish by the local authority to build more affordable housing not matched, it seems, by any enthusiasm for this particular project.

“This appeal is to the wider community in Harrow and beyond: is there a person, or persons, out there, who’ve always wanted to have a major stake in a football club, and have the financial means to back that wish up? If so, the club would be delighted to talk to you.”

Gareth posted via Facebook: “As Harrow Borough FC nears its centenary, we must act now to protect its future.

“Back in 1997, I was proud to wear Harrow Borough FC’s kit when I had the opportunity to meet England legend Geoff Hurst. It’s a reminder of the important role the club has long played in our community.

“I am very concerned to learn that Harrow Borough FC now faces a real prospect of closure at the end of the season without urgent financial support.

“For more than 90 years, the club has been a cornerstone of local football in Harrow — bringing people together and supporting the development of local football talent.

“I would encourage everyone to take a moment to read more about the situation and, if you are able, consider how you might support the club.

If you may be able to help save the club, please email me at Gareth.thomas.mp@parliament.uk and I will put you in touch with the club directly. Thank you to everyone who has already come forward to offer support.

We’re excited to announce our plans for #NonLeagueDay on Saturday when we will be playing @Binfieldfc

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 🐣 ⚽ 🎤 👕

More information on our website:
👉🏻 https://t.co/TJNL1IN6Az pic.twitter.com/EejmKxtpgH

— Harrow Borough F.C. (@harrowboroLive) March 24, 2026

CLUB STATEMENT AHEAD OF NON LEAGUE DAY:

Saturday isn’t just a home game against Binfield. It’s also Non-League Day and we are offering numerous incentives, including Pay What You Like……

As mentioned, we are offering Pay What You Like for all Adults, Concessions and 12-16 year olds. The usual admission fee for those would be £12, £8 and £2.

– Under 12s are FREE with an accompanying adult, regardless of the adult entry fee paid.

– The first 25 Under 12s through main turnstile will receive a FREE Easter egg.

– A half time on pitch child and parent competition, with prizes for the winning child and parent.

– We are also encouraging youngsters to wear the shirt of the league team they support, to help show that Non-League Football is for everyone and there’s nothing wrong with supporting your local smaller club, as well as your regular bigger one.

– Post Match karaoke in the clubhouse. Our players and coaching staff have already shown that they’re not shy to a sing-a-along, so this is not to be missed.

James Clouting, the club’s Community Outreach Lead, said, ‘Non-League Day is the biggest day in our season. It gives us the chance to show how important volunteer-led local football is, as well as giving fans an affordable alternative when their usual team either isn’t playing or has an away fixture. Like it did with me 15 years ago, this will then hopefully grow into people attending more local Non-League games. It needs to for clubs like us to survive. If Premier League clubs gave even 0.1% of their revenue to clubs at our level and below, many of them wouldn’t be facing the major issues that they are’.

With most other local Non-League teams away or playing in ‘All Ticket’ fixtures, our game is the highest level league game in the area, and it is easy easy for supporters to turn up and pay on the gate. Up The Boro!

Non League Day 2026: Nearest games for fans of Premier League and Championship clubs to attend

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Here the social media reaction after the MP warns 8th tier club Harrow Borough  faces possible closure at the end of the 2025/26 season…

@JeremyArnold31: Why aren’t the people supporting them? I’m a hendon coming in peace. Yes there is Barnet and formerly Wealdstone in the borough playing at a higher level. Yes, the demographics of South Harrow aren’t full of football fans. But surely the club can survive, people of Harrow?!

@james_clouting: Appreciate your concern Jeremy. More people through the turnstile would certainly help, but there’s a bit more to it. Hopefully we’ll see some new faces on Saturday for Non League Day.

@mmhot72: It’s a club with zero ambition, social footprint or drive to bring in younger fans. There’s probably other reasons too, which is sad, because I enjoyed that place as a youngster

@hfc_felix: They’ll get a decent payday when we rock up.

@nleaguescout: A ex local side to myself. Need someone to love and care for the club. Very dated

@NickDuGard1: This is sad to see but not too surprising given their declining gates for many seasons now. Despite our fierce rivalries now long ago it feels I do hope that Boro find a way to survive.

@ChrisGuyW12: Save Harrow Borough Football Club 🔴⚪ @uncs37

@GloryHunterYT: I fell in love with football and with the Boro as a teenager, thanks to my dad, as a child I spent many Saturdays on the terraces. Sadly it feels like the writing has been on the wall for a long time, more so in recent years but that doesn’t make this any less heartbreaking.