There was a unique atmosphere at Harborough Town on Saturday thanks to a large group of recently-acquired Spanish supporters who came along to give their backing to the play-off chasers.
Earlier this year the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central club entered into an agreement with leading Spanish media channel, La Media Inglesa, who were looking for an English club to ‘adopt’.
They had been gripped by the club’s Emirates FA Cup adventure which saw them hit the headlines by signing former Brazil international, Sandro, on their way to reaching the second round proper for the first time in their history, eventually succumbing to a thrilling 5-3 extra-time defeat at Sky Bet League One Reading.
Part of the partnership is that games are live streamed throughout Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico, Argentina and across Latin America.
“This is a ground-breaking partnership,” said Harborough Town co-Chairman, Peter Dougan. “It will help the club to grow a global fan base as well as create a global scouting network and increase revenues through merchandising opportunities.
“The project shows the ambitions of the football club to grow and create other partnerships that will ultimately benefit the whole community of Market Harborough.
“It’s still early days, but we’re excited about how far we can take things. Seeing so many new fans at Saturday’s game and the atmosphere they created was absolutely brilliant and this is only the start.”
The Bees have already built up a cult following online and Saturday’s game saw supporters from across Spain in attendance, bringing with them plenty of flags and chants from their homeland which contributed to the occasion.
Sadly, there was no happy ending as Harborough Town slipped to a 2-1 defeat as St. Ives Town grabbed a stoppage time winner.
It failed to dampen the spirits of the Spanish contingent, which included Carlos González, who looks after the Spanish social media accounts for the club.
“The story began with Ilie Oleart, the CEO of La Media Inglesa, who was looking for a club to affiliate with within the English football pyramid system,” González told us. “It took a while to find the right club that ticked all of the boxes and so conversations began with Harborough Town.
“The relationship was finally made official at the beginning of February, but over the course of the season we have built up our following on X (Twitter), Instagram and TikTok to more than 33,000.
“Saturday was the first game in which we have been able to organise a visit, but hopefully if the team makes the play-offs we will return for these games.
“I must say that the standard of the Southern League is much better than we expected with it being the seventh-tier; the professionalism, facilities, quality of players and the overall package is considerably better than lower level football in our homeland.
“The atmosphere was good too and hopefully our presence was able to enhance it even further!
“Despite the defeat at the weekend, we are all excited for what lies ahead for the club, not just over these final games of the current season, but beyond that too.
“Whether the club makes the play-offs or not, it has already been an historic season that will be looked back upon for many, many years to come.”
Saturday’s game was also significant as it marked popular manager, Mitch Austin’s 200th game at the helm.
“I am extremely proud to have reached this figure,” he told us. “When I first took over I said that if I could win the United Counties League Premier title, that would be a big achievement. Targets and goals change, but to now be challenging for the play-offs at Step 3 having reached the second round of the FA Cup earlier in the season, it’s just unbelievable stuff.
“I remember my first game; Holbeach away, Harborough had never won there before, but we nicked a 1-0 win with Dan Forbes, who is still with us now, getting our goal. It seems like only yesterday, but look how far we have come since.
“Obviously it was disappointing that we couldn’t get something out of Saturday’s game. St. Ives Town are my bogie team – it must have been due to my time at that great club!
“They were worthy winners in the end, but at this time of the season there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves, we quickly move on and our focus is now firmly fixed on the Easter weekend, which will be extremely tough against two teams in Redditch United and Barwell who need the points to get away from relegation danger.
“There will be twists and turns to come across the whole League in these final games, that’s been the nature of this season, but we have our eyes firmly fixed on the play-offs; the players know what is expected of them, so we have to go out there and do it.
“The same thing will be being said at Spalding United, Stratford Town and Stamford AFC, of course, so let’s see what these final three games bring. I’ve never known a season like it, to be honest, it appears as though nobody wants to win it as the leadership has changed hands so many times!
“There are some huge clubs in the division, the likes of Kettering Town, AFC Telford United and Halesowen Town. From what I have seen, Kettering Town are the best side; we got a last-minute penalty to make it 1-1, but they were a very impressive outfit. Bedford Town too have built on the momentum of promotion at the end of last season and look strong too.”
Finally, we asked the Gaffer about how grateful he is to the club’s new Spanish fan base.
“It’s absolutely fantastic, “he added. “They are so passionate about the club and are getting stronger and stronger in numbers. The turnout at Saturday’s game was brilliant and really captured the imagination of everyone.
“I’m looking forward to some pre-season games in the sunshine in our second home!”
Sitting three points shy of the play-off places going into the Easter weekend, after hosting Redditch United on Good Friday and then heading to Barwell on Monday, they close the regular season away at AFC Sudbury.
IMAGE: @R__BMedia
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