Romford FC Prepares for New Season with Fresh Leadership and Squad Additions

It’s been a busy close season at Romford as long-time chairman Steve Gardener – who had been in the role for 23 years – stood down at the club’s AGM in May and Sean Desmond was unanimously voted in in his place. In relinquishing the role, Steve said that he was confident that Sean was the right person to take the club forward. Gardener was presented with the President’s Cup at the meeting in recognition of his service to the football club and he will continue to work with the club in other roles.

The club then moved quickly to appoint Darren Manning as manager for the coming season. Manning joins Boro having previously been in charge at Isthmian League North sides Grays Athletic and Basildon United, and at Hullbridge Sports, where he led the club to the Essex Senior League title in 2019.

Manning has been assembling a squad for the coming season with new signings including former Grays man Aron Gordon and ex-Redbridge player Prince Sikiru, while among the players staying with the club is last season’s leading scorer Flynn Hamilton.

Boro begin their pre-season preparations with a home game at Mayesbrook Park against a Southend United U18/U23 side this Saturday, 11^th July. This game kicks off at 4.30pm, and then on the following Tuesday, 15^th July, Boro are at home in another friendly, with 2026 FA Vase Finalists Cockfosters the opponents. That game kicks off at 7.45pm. Admission prices for Boro’s home friendlies are £5 for Adults, £2 for Concessions, and £1 for Under 16s.

The draws for the FA Cup and FA Vase were announced last week and Boro were handed home ties in the opening round of both competitions. In the FA Cup, Romford will entertain Southern League side Barton Rovers on Saturday 8^th August, while in an FA Vase tie a week later, Boro will face Essex Senior League rivals Ilford.

Romford were also recently pleased to be able to announce that PCS Legal have agreed to a fourth season as main home and away shirt sponsor for 2026/27 while Romford Business Improvement District will once again be the club’s shorts sponsors.

After a difficult season in 2025-26 in which Essex Senior League safety was only secured on the final Saturday with a 2-1 win over Harwich & Parkeston, Boro will be hoping for greater success in the coming campaign.

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