It’s been a long path to where Boro’ now finds itself. But it’s nowhere near as long as some we’ve met on the way – like Haverhill Rovers. For the Suffolk club, however, you could say their path doesn’t compare to the thrills and spills of ours; a 40-year run that took us from the United Counties League up to the Football League. And, at some point during that run, our path and theirs just happened to cross. That was because of a single FA Vase clash – which we won – in 1984.
So, let’s go back to 1886. The big stories of the day are the first-ever Crufts dog show, the opening of the Severn Tunnel and the birth of Haverhill Rovers Football Club. But the club itself doesn’t know much about its formative years; Rovers popping up in the East Anglian League in 1906, before moving to the Essex & Suffolk Border League in 1924. They left in 1928 – but returned in 1935. What happened in the seven years between?
We don’t know.
Fast-forward to 1964 and the Rovers’ first-ever campaign in the Eastern Counties League. Over the years that followed, the club became part of the furniture in this competition. A crowning moment came in 1979 with their maiden title; edging out Great Yarmouth Town with just a point between them. It was a rare highlight too. For most of the 70s and 80s, it was more likely you’d find the club in the bottom half of the table.
Why do we know Haverhill Rovers?
Rovers never budged from the Eastern Counties League – despite that title win. So, you probably know where this is heading. It’d be the luck of a cup draw that’d pair us with the Suffolk club. And it eventually happened in the 1984-5 FA Vase First Round draw.
How to get to Haverhill Rovers – Travel Information – Distance: 42 miles
By Road
Take the A505 up towards Royston and continue as you go around the town on your way to Duxford. If you joined the A505 at the A1(M), it’ll be 23 miles until the exit you need; leaving the A505 for The Abingtons exit.
Go across the A11 and then take the third exit onto Pampisford Road. Two miles later, turn right onto the A1307. Remain on the A1307 until you enter Haverhill, taking the first exit at a roundabout by Tesco for the A143. Turn right onto Chalkestone Way after 0.4 miles.
We use cookies. Who doesn't? But we have to be boring and make sure you're fine and dandy with it. Cookie SettingsGo On Then
Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Cookie
Duration
Description
_ga
1 year 1 month 4 days
Google Analytics sets this cookie to calculate visitor, session and campaign data and track site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognise unique visitors.
_ga_*
1 year 1 month 4 days
Google Analytics sets this cookie to store and count page views.
CONSENT
2 years
YouTube sets this cookie via embedded YouTube videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Cookie
Duration
Description
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE
6 months
YouTube sets this cookie to measure bandwidth, determining whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSC
session
Youtube sets this cookie to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devices
never
YouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt-remote-device-id
never
YouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt.innertube::nextId
never
YouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
yt.innertube::requests
never
YouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.