Riley O'Sullivan | Harborough Town

Largely tipped as 'title favourites' for the Southern Premier Central, Harborough Town have certainly showed the tag has some meaning being linked with the club.

📸 The Brilliant | RB Media

The unbeaten side from Leicestershire currently sit 2nd place with 13 points out of a possible 15, and even progressed into the second qualifying round of the FA Cup during the week. Riley O'Sullivan is a hugely influential player to the club who has contributed to an array of success over the last 12 months for the Bees. The forward last month celebrated his 50th club appearance in the clubs win over Bury Town, a game in which he scored the opening goal.

The 24 year old has featured in all five of Harborough's league games for the current season. In fact he has found the net three times so far this campaign, and only Banbury United's Reece Styche (5) and Bishop's Stortford's Cole Dasilva (4) have scored more.

I spoke with O'Sullivan to get his thoughts on his brace against St Ives the other week, the reasons for his commitment to the club over the summer, and his and his side's expectations for the current campaign.

"It is massive for me and the team to have continued our unbeaten league run against St Ives and Kettering the other week within two days of each other. We know the league is tough this year, probably tougher than it was last year, so any points we can get in any way possible is a bonus. We are the type of side that once wins start coming, they don't end.

"My decision to stay at Harborough over the summer for the 2025/26 season was an easy one. I would always stay at the club if I wanted due to the brilliant relationships I have built here. The club has helped develop my game massively so far this year, and last, with the aim for the next 12 months to kick on and improve even more.

"The club as a whole is unreal from top to bottom. The back room staff, the Chairman, the gaffer (Mitch Austin), and all of the players and volunteers are brilliant to work with, so I didn't think twice when considering where to play this season.

"Over the summer it was easy to stay in shape ready for the new season. I played a lot of 5 a side tournaments, and did a lot of off season work with Rhys (Hilton) at Telford, as I live local which helped me stay in good shape for when pre-season commenced.

"For the new season, our expectations are high, but they have to be with the season we had last year. Add that aspect with the fact we have some superb new signings, used to playing a lot higher than this, and the team cohesion we have, our chances of promotion should be high. It is important we take it game by game, as anyone can beat anyone in this league due to the high level of opposition.

"Absolutely no one expected us to finish as high as we did last season, and get so close to the play-off final as we did. Especially with the position we were in at Christmas, so who knows what will happen this season. One things for sure, it will be exciting. As a message to the fans, the support home and away so far has been unreal. All the lads appreciate it, and it goes a long way, so long may it continue into the big game this weekend, and beyond."

Harborough's Season In Numbers

2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ | Harborough Town - have led in matches for a total of 250 minutes so far this league season, the second most in the Southern Premier Central behind Bishop's Stortford (285)

8️⃣0️⃣ | Harborough Town - have scored first in 80% (4/5) of their games so far this league season, and only Bishop's Stortford with 100% (5/5) have a higher percentage in the Southern Premier Central.

5️⃣7️⃣ | Harborough Town - have won 57 points so far in 2025, and only Real Bedford (61) have picked up more out of all 22 Southern Premier Central clubs.

2️⃣9️⃣ | Harborough Town - have been in the top 5 of this season's Southern Premier Central for a total of 29 days (as of 6th September), the joint most in the league alongside Bishop's Stortford.

7️⃣ | Harborough Town - have scored seven goals in the second half of league matches this season too date, and only Bishop's Stortford (9) have scored more in the Southern Premier Central.

3️⃣ | Harborough Town - have kept three clean sheets so far this season in the league, more than any other side in the division.

1️⃣ | Harborough Town - have failed to score in the second half of just one of their five league matches so far, the fewest number of matches in the whole of the Southern Premier Central.