Final plans are now in place for Saturday’s ‘Non-League Day’ showdown at the Royal Oak.
The Essex Senior League clash, which kicks off at 12 noon on March 28, sees mid-table Harwich and Parkeston play host to title-chasers and near neighbours Little Oakley with a big crowd expected – 643 attended when these sides met at the Oak in 2019. That remains the club’s highest attendance for a competitive game this century.
Non-League Day is designed to promote the importance of affordable, volunteer-led, community football. It always takes place during an international break in the professional game so that more people can attend matches.
This weekend there are no Premier League or Championship games scheduled, while England are not in action on Saturday either.
Further details about what to expect at the 128-year-old Royal Oak are set out below.

Entry – Adults £8, concessions £6, 16-18-year-olds £2, Under-16s free. With a large crowd expected, two entrances will be in use. It will cash only at the top gate on Main Road. Anyone wishing to pay via card should use the turnstile, which is close to the main stand. For anyone who doesn’t know, the Royal Oak is situated in Main Road, Dovercourt, opposite the Asda supermarket. There is a car park adjacent to the ground. For those travelling by train, Dovercourt railway station is around a 10-minute walk away.

FA Vase – The famous non-league trophy will be on display - either outside or in the Social Club, depending on the weather - with fans able to have their photo taken with it prior to the match. Later in the day, the Vase will be joining the Essex Senior League’s ‘groundhop’ and heading to Halstead Town and then Hullbridge Sports.

Programme – HPFC offers a printed programme – priced at £2 - for every first-team game. This week’s offering includes a feature on our 1952/53 season which included the famous trip to Wembley for the FA Amateur Cup final. There’s also a look back at previous Harwich v Oakley matches. Groundhoppers with one of the ESL’s ‘boarding pass’ tickets can claim a free programme, which will be available on the gate.

Merchandise stand – Club merchandise, including the club's new pin badge, scarves, hats and mugs, will be on sale at our special NLD stand, next to the tea hut. ‘Boarding pass’ holders will be entitled to a 10% discount. Also on offer will be copies of the Essex Senior League special NLD programme and pin badges from Prostate Cancer UK – money raised from the sale of the latter items will go directly to the cancer charity. Cash-only please.

Tea hut – Hot food, including burgers and chips, will be on sale from the tea hut. Hot and cold drinks, plus other snacks, are also available. Please note, it is cash-only at the tea hut which will be open from 11am.

Bar – Alcoholic and soft drinks will be available from the Social Club bar, which will be open from 10.30am. All drinks can be taken outside to watch the match, as long as they are in plastic cups. ‘Boarding Pass’ holders will be able to buy their drinks at discounted members’ prices. The Social Club walls are also home to some interesting club memorabilia which may interest first-time visitors to the ground.