Harborough Town secure goalkeeper and striker as retained list grows to 16
Two more of Harborough Town’s title-winning heroes are staying at the club, bringing the Bees’ retained list up to a total of 16 players.
Manager Mitch Austin was determined to keep a strong core and he’s maintaining just that, aiming to carry momentum into the National League North next season.
Although they didn’t play too often - if at all - last term, the latest two retained are goalkeeper Jake Laban and striker Jutorre Burgess.
Laban joined from Corby Town last December before heading out on loan to Rushall Olympic for the remainder of the season.
The 22-year-old is seen as a backup to first-choice shotstopper Elliott Taylor but he is expected to push hard for a more regular spot between the sticks.
As much as he’s not had a chance in Harborough yellow just yet, those behind the scenes - including boss Austin - have huge faith in Taylor.
Meanwhile, striker Burgess is in the latter stages of rehabilitation following a crushing anterior cruciate ligament injury, suffered at the end of last year.
Burgess, who has made over half a century of Harborough appearances since joining from Hamilton Parish in 2024, is eager to get back firing as soon as possible.
Still only 19, Burgess is another player highly rated by Austin and it’s hoped the centre-forward can contribute goals and assists in Step 2.
It’s no wonder, as Burgess received a senior international call-up from Bermuda before his injury.
Although Burgess was an unused substitute in the World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica and Curacao, the teenager was still thrilled to get the call-up.
Including new signings Silvio Bello, Sam Osborne and Prince Mancinelli, Harborough are now up to 19 players for next season.
That number is expected to increase further in the coming weeks as adding more to the retained list cannot be ruled out, while more fresh additions are an inevitability.
It’s not too long until fans can see the Bees back in action, with eight pre-season fixtures now confirmed between July 4 and August 1.
Among those are five home matches, against Real Bedford, Coventry United, Chesham United, St Ives Town and Peterborough United Under-21.
Those retained, as well as new signings and potential trialists, will be fielded in those games.