Harefield United Football Club, nicknamed “The Hares,” is a non-league football club based in Harefield, Hillingdon.
Established in 1868, they currently compete in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Premier Division North, which is part of the ninth tier of English football. The team calls Preston Park their home ground.
Founded in 1868, Harefield United Football Club is the oldest in Middlesex. The club has undergone several name changes throughout its history, starting as Harefield Victoria, with documented matches dating back to 1891. The club also played as Breakspear Institute FC, participating in local leagues, before merging with Harefield FC in 1934 to become Harefield United. Initially competing in the Uxbridge & District League, they later joined the Great Western Combination in 1947, achieving notable successes including winning Division 2 in their debut year and Division 1 in 1951.
Harefield United moved through several leagues, including the Parthenon League, where they won the Championship in their first season, and the Middlesex League, where they had a highly successful period, winning the league Championship four times and the League Cup twice between 1966 and 1971. They joined the Athenian League in 1975 and, after nine seasons, moved to the Isthmian League. The club faced challenges, particularly in Division Two (North), but improved performances in Division Two (South) led to them securing a spot in the newly formed Diadora (Isthmian) Division Two.
The club’s fortunes fluctuated over the years, experiencing relegation and a move to the Spartan League in 1996. Despite early struggles, they eventually found success, gaining promotion to the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division and winning several cup competitions. Under manager Jason Shaw, Harefield United achieved an unbeaten league season in 2018-2019, securing promotion with five games to spare, joining the ranks of clubs like Arsenal and Preston North End in this remarkable achievement.