Harrow Borough are running a reserve side for the first time for several years following their election to the Capital League.

They are joining a very strong competition, matching themselves against Leyton Orient, Rushden & Diamonds,Stevenage Borough, Welling and Woking.

Though membership of the league has been greatly reduced, following the defection of several Football League clubs to the combination, the management are determined to maintain the quality of the competition, and are not seeking to extend their numbers at this stage.

Each side will play each other four times, and there is a league cup with a maximum of three games. This means a minimum of 21 competitive games, with a maximum of 23, considered to be ideal for this level of football.

Boro will be playing their home Capital League matches on Wednesdays, to avoid clashing with the first team fixtures, which are normally played on Tuesdays, and will be using their second string to bring on younger players.

Their pre-season programme starts tonight (Thursday), and will take place at the Brunel University Sports Ground, Osterley Campus, just off the Great West Road (opposite then Four Ways Hotel) between Osterley (Piccadilly Line) and Isleworth (BR Southern) Railway Stations.

Sessions will be held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from then on when friendly matches are taking place. Anyone interested should contact manager Alan Paris on 0956-580-258) for more details.

Boro's pre-season starts at home to Luton Town on Tuesday, July 21 (7.30pm).

That's followed by Saturday July 25 Stevenage Borough (home, 3pm); Tuesday July 28 Hayes (home, 7.30pm); Thursday July 30 Marlow (away, 7.30pm); Saturday August 1 Berkhamsted Town (away, 3pm); Tuesday August 4 Wealdstone (home, 7.30pm); Saturday August 8 Wembley (home 3pm) & Hillingdon Borough (away 3pm). Tuesday August 11 Hitchin Town (home 7.45pm); Saturday August 15 Maidenhead United (home 3pm) & Kingsbury Town (away 3pm). Season starts Saturday August 22.

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Harrow Hill Rovers, who have gained intermediate status within the Middlesex County FA, will be competing in the Chiltonian League in the coming season.

This gives the club a stepping stone on to the non-league Pyramid system. Rovers will also be fielding a second Saturday side.

Club founder Stefan Poulos said: "It has taken a lot of hard work to get the club to this level of football, and I am sure it is the start of big things."

Gordon Wallis will continue in the role of general manager and first team boss, and Poulos adds: "If the players display the same commitment and enthusiasm as Gordon, we will be unbeatable. He must take a lot of the credit for getting us where we are today.We are very lucky to have kept hold of him."

The Saturday Reserve team manager will be Michael Jennings, and Steve Frimley will again manage the Sunday side.

It is also hoped that last year's sponsors Dominos Pizza of Rayners Lane are happy to continue their relationship with the club for the forthcoming season.

The first team start their friendlies against Yeading Reserves on Saturday.

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