Harrow Hill F.C.
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| Full name | Harrow Hill Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Harry Hill, The Hill | |
| Founded | 1932 (82 years ago) | |
| Ground | Larksfield Road, Harrow Hill, Gloucestershire, GL17 9JP | |
| Capacity | Approx. 500 | |
| Chairman |
 Reg Taylor | |
| Manager |
Jonathan Phillips | |
| Coach |
Sam Jones | |
| League | Gloucester Northern Senior League Division One | |
| 2013–14 | Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One, 9th | |
|
| ||
Harrow Hill A.F.C. is an English football club based in the village of Harrow Hill, Gloucestershire. The club are currently members of Division One of the Gloucester Northern Senior League and play at Larksfield Road. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.
History
Established in 1932, the club joined the Gloucestershire County League in 1982.[1] After finishing runners-up in 1994–95, they were promoted to Division One of the Hellenic League.[1] They finished third in 1994–95, earning promotion to the Premier Division.[1] Despite finishing in the bottom three every season, the club avoided relegation until 2001–02, when they were demoted to Division One West.[1] In 2005–06 the club finished runners-up,[1] earning promotion back to the Premier Division.
In November 2009 the club resigned from the Hellenic League due to financial problems, and took their Reserve Team's place in Division Two of the Gloucester Northern Senior League. In the 2010–11 season the club were very likely to be promoted and did so, just being pipped as champions by Frampton FC. The club went onto play in Division One of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League for the 2011–12 season.
2011–12 season was full of positives and negatives for Hill. It has been a couple of difficult years for Hill's first XI and a lot of pressure was put on the side after dropping 3 leagues due to the lack of money in the club. Although there were early exits from the Reg Davis Cup and County Cup along with some inconsistent form, Hill can take away many positives from this season including victories against high flying Broadwell, Brockworth and a memorable 3–1 win against league leaders Frampton. The player of the season was Hill's midfielding stalwart Andy Symonds.
In the 2012–13 season there were some early league defeats, the side did well in the Reg Davis Cup, clocking up wins against Smith's Athletic, Ramblers and local side Soudley to reach the Semi-finals where they lost to the eventual cup and league winners Gala Wilton.
Hill's season finally came to life at the end of September beating Cheltenham Civil Service 2–0 at Larksfield Road, Hill then went on a 6 match unbeaten run as they climbed 12 places up the league table within a month.
Towards the Christmas break came another inconsistent spell for Hill, going out of the GFA County Cup on penalties against Smith's and losing their final game before Christmas against league leaders Gala Wilton 2–0.
Post-Christmas came another unbeaten run for Hill who found form at just the right moment, not losing for 8 matches and rocketing up to second place in the league, breathing down Gala Wilton's neck. One match included in this run was against local Forest side Lydbrook Athletic where Teddy Adams came on with 5 minutes remaining and gave Hill an important 3 points with just seconds to go at a packed Larksfield Road.
Hill again failed to capitalise on this good form and won just 2 of their last 10 matches of the season, but the players can hold their heads high on a much improved season and will be looking for a top 3 finish in the 2013/2014 season.
On Wednesday, 22 May 2013 Manager Martin Reid and goalkeeper Andy Reid have both decided to leave the club with immediate effect after the 2012/2013 Season where Hill had improved their league position compared to the previous season when they finished 11th in the 2012/2013 season the club finished 4th. Former manager and ex Gloucester City and Derby County player Steve Boseley was appointed the new manager on 1 June 2013.
A famous fan of the club is comedian Harry Hill whose name is also a nickname of the club (Harry Hill being a former name of Harrow Hill).[2][3] Harry was presented with a club badge in 2008, and has worn it on his TV Burp programme.
Honours
- Hellenic Football League Division One West, runners-up – 1994–1995
- Hellenic Football League Division One West, runners-up – 2005–2006
- GFA County Cup, Winners – 2010–11
- Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two, runners-up – 2010–11
Records
- Best Club performance:- Hellenic Football League Premier Division, 21st – 2007–08
- Record Gate:- 320 vs Slimbridge FC. Sunday, 27 August 2006
- Average Gate:- 35
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Harrow Hill at the Football Club History Database
- ↑ http://www.fweb.org.uk/towns/5-Drybrook
- ↑ OS One inch Series Sheet 143 1968 edition