From Tier 6 to the Football League: The Shock Story Nobody Saw Coming

From Tier 6 to the Football League: The Shock Story Nobody Saw Coming

Amongst the extensive competition of North London and Hertfordshire football teams, Boreham Wood have managed to build their portfolio right up to the pinnacle of non-League, despite a plethora of setbacks.

As of this season, the Wood have stepped back into the National League, after dipping back into the sixth tier last season. Already, Luke Garrard’s men are flying in the place they called home for nine years.

Third in the league, with 24 points after 11 games, the Hertfordshire side couldn’t have dreamed of a better start. And when considering the fairytale stories we have witnessed from other non-League sides in recent years, it wouldn’t be ludicrous to imagine a scenario where they play League Two football next term.

Whilst exercising their fluctuating rise, Boreham Wood continue to ground share with the Arsenal Women, as well as constructing a fan base of their own in a location where many have already pledged their allegiances elsewhere.

Boreham Wood Season Start In Depth

In recent years it has become much less of a surprise when non-league sides weather the storm of a step up, but it’s fair to say nobody expected such a phenomenal opening 11 games from Boreham Wood.

Another 🌲 points in the bag!

🎥 @JackPatmore_#WeAreTheWood pic.twitter.com/Qw879kSr52

— Boreham Wood FC (@BOREHAM_WOODFC) September 27, 2025

Luke Garrard’s outfit achieved promotion from the National League South last term after finishing fifth in the league and winning three separate playoff matches, with one of these three matches being a miraculous 4-3 late comeback against Dorking Wanderers in the first eliminator match.

Their perseverance was truly deserving of a promotion, and there is no doubt they have grabbed that opportunity with both hands since.

The Wood lost their first game of the season, in a 2-0 home loss to National League giants Rochdale. Whilst this was obviously disappointing for the club following the highs of the summer promotion, it was of course still early days and the process needed trusting.

Since that anticlimactic opening, the club has won nine of 12 games, drawing the other three. Moreover, two of those wins were against West Brom’s academy and Nottingham Forest’s academy in the National League Cup.

They have beaten the likes of Morecambe, Woking, and Sutton and drawn with both Carlisle and Scunthorpe in the process.

This now puts the Hertfordshire side third in the league table on 24 points. Whilst Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers are reaching new heights in top spot, the Wood aren’t too far off their tail.

Rochdale are also marginally hovering above Boreham Wood by one point. However, at this point in time, the third-placed outfit are six points clear in a playoff position and certainly in good stead.

Luke Garrard

One thing that has made Boreham Wood the force they are is the dedication manager Luke Garrard has put into the club. The local has now spent ten years with the Wopd, despite a three-month break in between back in 2024.

An emotional goodbye pre kick off for Luke Garrard

If his Boreham Wood side stay up, it’ll be even more emotional at full time 🥹pic.twitter.com/5Ftdlrvo4d

— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) April 20, 2024

Garrard was appointed as gaffer in October 2015, when he was just 30 years old and the club’s assistant manager at the time, but has never looked back. At such a young age, he had the responsibility of securing Boreham Wood’s safety in their first ever National League season.

What proved to be a tricky campaign all paid off in the end, as the Wood retained their place in the league by two points.

Since that year, Garrard kept Boreham Wood in the fifth tier for eight more seasons, three of which featured playoff campaigns and their highest ever league position of fourth in 2017/18.

However at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, the Wood’s fate was sealed in the wrong direction, as they suffered relegation back to Step 2. However as previously mentioned, it only took one year to bounce back.

What Has Spurred the Club’s Growth?

Boreham Wood have invested a lot into the local community and continue to reap in all the benefits.

The club offer their stadium to Arsenal Women on match days which aren’t played at the Emirates Stadium. This has not only generated plenty of revenue for the club through licensing and broadcasting, but also helped the club bring a lot more supporters in.

🔴 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 ⚪️

🆚 Manchester City
⏰ 7pm (UK)
🏆 Subway Women's League Cup
🏟️ Meadow Park pic.twitter.com/b3ZtCUIwUD

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) February 6, 2025

Boreham Wood have traditionally been people’s so-called ‘second team’ in and around the North London and Hertfordshire area, and this has only been enhanced since Arsenal’s cooperation with the club.

More supporters travel down and are able to behold the promising setup they have in such a small town, attracting them to revisit and create a soft spot for the National League outfit.

The club also has some fantastic facilities, which makes Meadow Park an extremely welcoming place on a match day. They offer a true footballing feel and community spirit, which can only reward them in many ways.