Earlsmead will host a very special game tomorrow night as former Harrow Borough manager and long-serving referee Keith Chamberlain takes charge of his 5,000th match.
A Harrow Borough XI will take on a Harefield Academy XI from 7.15pm to mark the milestone occasion for the ex-Reds manager at his old stomping ground.
Chamberlain is a grassroots veteran who has dedicated more than 40 years to local football in Harrow.
As well as managing Boro in the 1980s, Chamberlain has bossed Southall, Pitshanger and the Middlesex FA Youth Representative Squads but it is his role as the man in the middle that has brought him his greatest recognition.
The 63-year-old has been using his whistle since 1971 and is delighted current Harrow boss Dave Anderson will be among the interested spectators for what promises to be a memorable evening at Earlsmead.
Chamberlain said: “I started on November 25, 1971, and I’ve been going ever since. Tomorrow is my 5,000th game. I’m receiving an award in June but we thought it would be nice to have a game and we can’t wait until June for that!
“I do more than most. I’m 63 now and I’ve been a qualified referee since I was 21. I’ve got a few games left in me, I do college games and the Harrow Youth League and two years ago I was given an FA award, which was a nice bit of recognition.
“I managed Harrow so it is a special club to me. Oliver Sprague, who plays for Northwood now and I actually work with, and Gregory Dear have got a load of the old Harefield Academy boys down so it should be a great night.”
Fans are encouraged to attend. The match is due to kick-off at approximately 7.15pm on Wednesday evening.
Chamberlain returns to his Harrow Youth League refereeing duties this Sunday.
