Mitch Austin makes ‘stick together’ demand as Harborough Town kickstart pre-season
Harborough Town’s pre-season preparations began last weekend and boss Mitch Austin is thrilled to get back to coaching his group.
The Bees are preparing for a first-ever campaign in the National League North after winning the Southern League Premier Central title and clincing promotion in 2025/26.
Harborough were dominant last term as they lost just three games, but the division above is a different kettle of fish and it will be pivotal to get ready properly.
Austin and the players have savoured two months off but any longer would have driven Harborough’s manager mad. He has been craving getting back on the training pitch.
“I need the environment personally, I am a bit lost without it,” Austin admitted. “As much as I have enjoyed the summer, it has been a bit empty. I needed it to come back.”
It’s not long until Harborough’s friendly fixtures get underway, with the first away at Moulton FC this Saturday (July 4), near to where Austin resides in Northamptonshire.
There’s then a trip to Real Bedford the following weekend - on Saturday, July 11 - before a return to the beehive to take on Coventry United three days later.
On what a successful pre-season looks like, Austin suggested: “Injury-free, loads of camaraderie and teamwork built and a fit group of players.
“One thing that did make us ultra-successful last season was we had a really good changing room, a group of players who care. With the players coming in now, there are big boots to fill.”
Austin and his assistant, Dave Staff, know the Bees won’t have the same authority in the league standings this upcoming season, but the team certainly won’t be walked all over.
On his hopes for 2026/27, Austin added: “It’s going to be challenging. I’m certainly not here to win the league, I don’t want to sound deluded. But I’m certainly not here to get kicked about. Fact.
“We don’t want to be anybody’s easy afternoon. That is the theme that I want my team to carry through this season: be successful, stick together, be united. We’ll have our moments.”