HARLOW historian Colin Barratt has just published a fascinating book covering the founding of Harlow Town Football Club and the twenty one years after that.

The full title of the book is Harlow Town FC 1879-1900: The Inhabitants Generally are Invited to Attend.

The book is a window into a time of “Gentleman and Players”.

The majority of players were from the upper middle classes, with close links to the landed gentry.

But even in those twenty one years, you can feel the socio-economic landscape of the sport changing.

The book is so much more than a book on football. It is an essential part of Harlow’s history.

At the back of th ebook, there is an extensive pen portrait of sixty footballers who played in those years. You may find a relative who played for Harlow Town.

We went down to Mulberry Green to interview Colin.

We went there as there is a bench dedicated to the founder Dr Thomas Day.

You can find the book at Harlow Museum, in the shop at Harlow Town FC and on Amazon.