Premier Central title win is ‘pure joy’ for Harborough Town boss Austin

The Bees secured the championship and the sole automatic promotion place with two matches to spare thanks to their 3-1 win at play-off chasing Halesowen Town.

It means Borough will be playing their football in the National League North next season, at Step 2 of the non-League ladder, and they will be the first Leicestershire side to play at that level since Hinckley United were relegated in 2013.

The Bees had to win it the hard way on Saturday too, recovering from going behind in first-half stoppage time to win it thanks to second-half goals from Connor Kennedy, Riley O'Sullivan and Ryan McLean.

The win sparked wild celebrations among the Harborough players, staff and travelling support in the 1,800-strong crowd, and when asked how he was feeling, Austin told BBC Radio Leicester: "It is just pure joy, pure joy.

"It was a big occasion, and the lads have truly delivered.

"It was a packed crowd, Halesowen are well supported, and we go 1-0 down just before half-time.

"But everyone believed that Harborough could do it, and they did just that."

The promotion is a third in five years for Harborough, who were playing at Step 5 in the United Counties League in 2022, and Austin added: "The boys have been relentless, any challenges they have faced they have dealt with superbly, apart from a couple of hiccups.

"Losing away to Spalding in January, losing to Banbury, but after those we just kicked on and I am proud of them as men.

"That is a great group I get to manage, they have made my job easy.

"They've been a pleasure to coach, they have been a pleasure to manage and they have truly delivered. They should be extremely proud of themselves."

The Bees now have a free week before they play Bishop's Stortford in their final home game of the season on Saturday (ko 3pm).

The team will be presented with the Southern League title shield after the match.