With the World Cup dominating recent weeks, it seems as though football hasn't really been away, but tomorrow it will be 77 days since Boro's final home game of the 2025-26 season when a 2-1 win over Harwich & Parkeston secured another season of Essex Senior League football.

Since then there have been a number of changes at the football club with Steve Gardener standing down as chairman and Sean Desmond being elected in his place at the club's AGM. Darren Manning was then installed as team manager and he has been assembling his management team and playing squad, and fans will get their first chance to see the new faces in action tomorrow as Boro face a Southend United U18/U23 side at Mayesbrook Park in a game that kicks off at the slightly later than usual time of 4.30pm.

Romford have not played a side representing Southend United since reforming in 1992, but prior to Boro's demise in 1978, there were nine meetings between the teams, seven of which were Essex Professional Cup ties, including two Finals. In 1966 Romford played Southend United in a two-legged Final and after Boro had won the first game 3-2 at Brooklands, Southend lifted the cup after winning the second game 3-1 after extra-time at Roots Hall. In 1969 the teams met in the Final again, a one off tie played at Brooklands this time, A crowd of 2,412 saw Romford race into a 3-0 lead before finally winning 3-2.

Tomorrow is likely to be another hot day with temperatures expected to reach 30C (86F), so a hat, plenty of liquids, and even sunscreen will be the order of the day!

After tomorrow, Romford's next game is scheduled to be the visit of last season's losing FA Vase Finalists Cockfosters to Mayesbrook Park on Wednesday evening. However, should England beat Norway in tomorrow's World Cup Quarter Final game, then the Three Lions' Semi-Final clash would also be played that night, and Boro's game would likely be brought forward 24 hours, so keep an eye on this website and social media for any changes to the game.