THIS new book, Harlow Town FC 1879-1900: ‘The Inhabitants Generally are Invited to Attend’ covers the first two decades of the club’s history, and provides an insight into the motivations of the local players that founded the club, including the aristocrats and local gentry that were amongst those early players. The book describes how the players fitted in with the everyday life of the village of Harlow and how football in the late 19^th century was very different to the multi-billion pound game today. The title is from the club’s first press release inviting people to go along to Harlow’s first ever match. 

Harlow Town FC, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest clubs in Essex (there are just four clubs that are still playing that were formed before Harlow) and the club was at the vanguard of football in the county. Most people living in the town today will be unaware that the club is this old and has a long and proud history.

Using original sources such as the census and contemporary newspapers, the book describes the club’s early seasons as well as delving into the personal stories of the players, most of whom were from Harlow, and examines their lives in what was then the small village of Harlow and describes how some had an impact much further afield. There are many original photographs of the players as well as of the places in Harlow where they lived.

The players included one that was selected to represent a football World XI, another that played for one of the top teams in the country whilst also being a player at Harlow, and another that went on to captain the England cricket team and become President of the MCC. Yet another was an excellent tennis player and played twice in the Wimbledon championships.

This book is for anyone who is interested in the history of the town of Harlow, sports history, social history or just wants to find out a bit more about their local football club, and tells the story of how a small village club attracted players from the aristocracy, the landed gentry and a baker!

The book is available on Amazon (just search ‘Harlow Town FC’) for just £13.