Harleston Town kick off their 2025/26 campaign with a challenging trip to Ely City this Saturday, looking to build on the foundations laid last season under manager Matt Halliday.

This marks Halliday’s first full season in charge, and after guiding Town to a respectable 13th-place finish last term, expectations have rightly risen. An improvement on that finish is the bare minimum — and with a strong summer of recruitment, the squad looks well-equipped to push on.

The club has welcomed six new signings over the summer: Ollie Sutton, Tom Huckerby, Archie Gilmour, Max Willett, Alfie Bell, and Shane Cox — all bringing quality, energy, and competition for places across the pitch. Halliday is optimistic about what’s to come

“We’ve had a really positive pre-season and the new signings have settled in well. The group feels hungry, unified and ambitious — and I believe we’re in a much stronger place than we were 12 months ago. We want to get off to a fast start, and that means going to places like Ely and making a statement.”

Saturday’s opponents Ely City won’t make things easy — they finished inside the play-offs last season and will be aiming to go even further this year. But Harleston have proven they can match top sides when at their best, and a strong result away from home would be the perfect platform to launch a successful campaign.

In a key leadership update, following the departure of long-serving skipper Matt Cook, the club is pleased to announce Joe Manning as the new captain. Having joined the club in 2020, Manning has become an ever-reliable presence in the squad and a natural leader on and off the pitch.

“It’s a real honour to be named captain of this football club,” said Manning. “I’ve loved every minute here since I joined, and I’m proud to lead a group of lads who care about the club as much as I do. We’ve got a good mix of experience and fresh talent, and there’s a real buzz around the place. We know we need to kick on from last season — and we’re ready for the challenge.”

Kick-off is 3pm at the Unwin Ground, and your support on the road could make all the difference as a new season begins — full of belief, determination, and ambition.