BEES HAVE CREATED A BUZZ WITH BIG GUNS!
MITCH AUSTIN reckons Harborough Town have already broken into Northamptonshire’s big three of AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Corby Town and Kettering Town – and now wants them to become top dog.
The Bees were promoted from Step 5 two years ago when they won a historic ‘treble’ to cap the most successful season in the club’s history,
Now sit on top of the Northern Premier League Midlands Division and harbour ambitions of reaching Step 3. No wonder Austin is claiming a power shift.
“A dream of mine was to try and break into the top three sides in our area, AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Corby Town and Kettering Town, and make it a top four,” Austin told The NLP.
“At the moment, Diamonds are bottom of our league, Corby are mid-table and Kettering are one place above the relegation zone in the league above, so we’re rubbing shoulders with teams with bigger fanbases and bigger histories.
“I’ve been here three years, in my first season we won the United Counties League South despite the club never previously having finished above 11th. We also won the Cup, the overall Championship final and I got the manager of the year award.
“Last season we missed the play-offs by two points because we lost to Yaxley who only won one game all season. We learnt a harsh lesson and now we’re top of the league. But we’re not dreaming yet because nobody wins anything in February.”
Austin puts Harborough’s success this season down to hard work and an excellent summer of recruitment, which has taken the Bowden Park club to the next level.
Recruitment
“We highlighted a few players and areas we could improve,” he added. “You have to be shrewd in the marHinchingbrooke
ket and one of those, Alex Morris, moved locally to the area from Gresley and has been absolutely phenomenal for us this season.
“We have the highest goalscoring record this season and the lowest goals conceded which is a testament to the defence. Alex is a standout signing and a brilliant addition to the squad.
“I’ve been in charge for 136 games and I have seven players who have played 100 games for me. I’ve gone for experience and players from the Conference, the main thing to try and get better as a club is recruitment and level of players that you sign.”
Austin, though, hasn’t forgotten the important role of the club’s thriving youth section. “We have the best infrastructure in the league, over 1000 youth players,” he adds.
“We’re in the process of making an U21s next season, establishing our U18s and strengthening our pathway for the youth to come through to the first team.
“Our captain Ben Williams has made over 400 appearances and he came through the youth and shows you can make it.”