Josh Walsh | Harborough Town

Harborough Town ever present Josh Walsh was recently presented with an award for players player of the season after a stellar campaign in the back four of The Bees' defense which puts them 5th with just one game left to play.

📷 Harborough Town

The 24 year old celebrated 400 club appearances earlier this season. The former Leicester City academy starlet left the Foxes in 2017, and joined Oadby Town for a season. The defender joined the Bees at the start of the 2018/19 campaign, and has remained at the club ever since.

The man born in Leicestershire has featured in all 41 league games for Harborough this season, and is the only Bees player to do so. The 24 year old is part of an exclusive 12 player club of outfield players in the Southern Premier Central who have played in all 41 games this season for their respective clubs.

I spoke with Harborough's players player of the season to get his perspective on his coveted award and impressive season. "We came into this 2024/25 season with a lot of players, including myself, who had never played in step 3. The whole group had no idea what to expect, so we as a team and myself individually are delighted with the way the season has gone.

"The Southern Premier Central is a very physically demanding league, so the fact I have made such an impact in my team is amazing. I am delighted to win the players player of the season award. There is nothing better than being noticed amongst your peers. The play-offs has always been a target for the lads, but we just did not expect to get this close to the objective so quick. If we end Saturday in the top 5, it will be an astonishing achievement and proud one for me personally."

I also spoke with Walsh about his time at Harborough, as well as boss Mitch Austin, top scorer Ben Stephens, and centre half Alex Morris. "I have been at Harborough since I was 17, but did not realise I had featured in 400 games until I achieved the milestone a few weeks back. I am very pleased to have played that many games for one club at just 24, and have played with some brilliant players in a Bees shirt over the years.

"The gaffer Mitch joined just before the Covid season, and since, the club have progressed and progressed. I have played under his management for over five years now, and have loved every minute in his company. The record he has achieved since his first day speaks for itself, it is incredible, and without him we would be nowhere near where we are at the moment.

"The addition of Stevo (Ben Stephens) into the side at the start of the season has helped massively. A player who has step 2 and step 3 experience under his belt, as well as a terrific goalscoring record for numerous sides over the years. Ben is just another of those aspects of he team that has pushed us on over recent months. He has fully deserved the accolades for a brilliant individual campaign. Mozza (Alex Morris) has been impeccable as well over the last nine months. He fully deserves the gaffers player of the season award. I have lined up in the starting XI alongside him all season, and he has helped me up my level and made life a lot easier. He's a freak of man in the most positive way possible.

"My best moment at Harborough is not easy to decide between, because I have had many. The play-off final last season against Anstey was an amazing day, but probably a close second to the FA Cup game against Reading late last year. We took a side who were enjoying a positive season near the top of League One to extra time in a 90 minute 3-3 thriller. Despite losing the game, it was an unbelievable experience in a 30,000 capacity stadium, with my family and friends in the audience, and a packed out away end."

The Harborough defender also spoke on the final game of the season this Saturday, and his message to the Bees supporters. "We have a huge game this Saturday, which will decide our fate. Will it be another season at step 3 or a possibility of a history promotion to step 2, our fate is in our own hands. I think every player wants in big games like the play-offs. We are lucky in the fact we only have positive memories of a play-off campaign, but this year with teams like Halesowen, Telford, Kettering and Bedford above us, it would be a mammoth task. We go to Sudbury ths Saturday, a side on a long unbeaten run and a team on a high after they confirmed step 3 status for next season last week. There are not many sides in the division who are on a longer unbeaten run than them, so despite it being 5th vs 16th, it will be a very tough assignment.

"The Harborough fans have been excellent all season. The match a few weeks ago that had 100+ fans from Spain come over for the St Ives game shows how much the club have grown in Leicestershire and globally. I know there is a coach or two of supporters who will travel to Sudbury this weekend, which helps us players a lot. On behalf of me, my teammates, and staff, we can not thank them enough for their terrific support, and I hope we all have something to celebrate with them this Saturday, and beyond."

Harborough's Season In Numbers

4️⃣1️⃣ | Out of all 22 sides in the division, only Bedford Town (42) have won more points than Harborough's 41 in 2025.

3️⃣8️⃣ | Only Kettering Town and Bedford Town (48), and AFC Telford United (40) have scored more second half goals than Harborough's 38.

2️⃣3️⃣ | Only Stamford AFC with 65% (27/41), and AFC Telford United and Bedford Town with 60% (25/41) have a higher scored first percentage in matches than Harborough's 56% (23/41).

2️⃣3️⃣ | No other side in the league have scored more goals after the 75th minute of games than Harborough's 23, tied with AFC Telford United.

1️⃣7️⃣ | Only Banbury United and Stourbridge (16) have conceded fewer first half goals than Harborough's 17.

1️⃣7️⃣ | Only Bedford Town and Kettering Town (10), and AFC Telford United (14) have had less games without a second half goal than Harborough's 17 matches.

1️⃣3️⃣ | No other side in the league have a higher scored first percentage in home matches than Harborough's 61% (13/21)

1️⃣1️⃣ | Only Leiston and Stratford Town (6), and Spalding United (7) have dropped fewer points from winning positions than Harborough's 11.

9️⃣ | Only Bedford Town (16), and Alvechurch (10) have scored more goals in the first 15 minutes of matches than Harborough's nine.

4️⃣ | Only Stamford AFC (3) have conceded fewer goals in the first 15 minutes of matches than Harborough's four.