Newly promoted SOUL Tower Hamlets come to Mayesbrook Park tomorrow sitting second in the table, one point behind leaders Barking but with a game in hand and will represent a stern test for Boro after Wednesday’s narrow home defeat at the hands of Hackney Wick.

Brief History of SOUL Tower Hamlets:

SOUL Tower Hamlets were formed in 2000 as Bethnal Green United and played in several leagues, including the London Intermediate League before joining the Middlesex County League. They were granted Senior status after winning that league's Premier Division in 2009 and were promoted to the Essex Senior League. They finished fifth in their debut season and won the League Cup, beating Burnham Ramblers 4-1 in the Final.

In 2013 the club were renamed Tower Hamlets FC and continued playing in the Essex Senior League until 2020 when, having moved South of the Thames to play at Phoenix Sports' ground, they were transferred to the Premier Division of the Southern Counties East League.

After relegation to Step 6 and having moved to play at The Mile End Stadium, the club were placed in the Thurlow Nunn League Division One South in 2022 and in advance of the 2024-25 season, they merged with Soul FC and were transferred back to the Southern Counties East League.

Last season saw the newly named SOUL Tower Hamlets FC finish second in the table, pipped to the title on goal difference by Faversham Strike Force. In the Play-Offs, they thumped Sheppey Sports 5-0 in the Semi-Final and then beat Forest Hill Park on penalties in the Final to earn promotion and return to the Essex Senior League.

Previous Meetings:

Romford have not met Tower Hamlets – nor Bethnal Green United – in competitive matches at First Team level, but there have been a couple of previous meetings.

In a friendly played at Fords in Newbury Park in July 2013, Romford beat Tower Hamlets 3-0 with Afful, Smith, and Richardson the scorers. In 2018, Romford’s Under 18 side met Tower Hamlets at the Mile End Stadium in an FA Youth Cup tie which Boro won 1-0 with a late goal.

This Season:

Tower Hamlets’ return to the Essex Senior League has seen them win six of their nine opening league games and they are the only side in the division with an unbeaten record. They were in danger of losing that unbeaten record in their most recent outing as they trailed 2-0 with just four minutes remaining at Basildon United on Tuesday evening but then scored twice to earn a 2-2 draw.

Along with their draw at Basildon, Tower Hamlets were also forced to share the points when they visited Buckhurst Hill at the start of the season where they also drew 2-2, but on their travels they have won 5-2 at White Ensign and 2-1 at Hackney Wick. In all competitions Tower Hamlets have netted five goals in a game twice, and four on three occasions. Leading scorer for Tower Hamlets is a player familiar to Boro supporters – Sheri Artmeladze – who has 12 goals to his name. Other players with Boro connections who have appeared for Tower Hamlets this season are Steve Carvell, Garrett Kelly, Scott Doe, and Ash Siddik.

Tower Hamlets are still in this season’s FA Vase. Having beaten Sheppey Sports and Bridon Ropes in the opening rounds, they face Letchworth Garden City Eagles in the First Round. In the FA Cup, wins over Kennington and Hanworth Villa saw them reach the First Qualifying Round where they lost at home to Flackwell Heath.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Saturday 11th October:

3pm Athletic Newham v Basildon United
3pm Frenford v Woodford Town
3pm Hackney Wick v Saffron Walden Town
3pm Halstead Town v Barking
3pm Hullbridge Sports v West Essex
3pm Ilford v Harwich & Parkeston
3pm Little Oakley v Benfleet
3pm Romford v Soul Tower Hamlets
3pm Sporting Bengal United v Great Wakering Rovers
3pm White Ensign v Buckhurst Hill