Good afternoon and welcome to Second Meadow. Well, here we go again, another season is upon us and we start with a new man at the helm and several new faces playing in a United shirt. Jimmy Martin took over the first team reins from the departing Cristian Colas and following a meeting with the players in May he set out very early on what he is looking for in the United squad for this season. And Jimmy has certainly had his work cut out during pre-season starting with the trials at the end of June that saw over 70 hopefuls turn up in the hope of playing for us. That number – as far as the first team is concerned – is now 27 and after some challenging pre-season friendlies I am sure Jimmy is confident that he has the makings of a squad that will deliver from day one of the season.
What you will see today is a mix of experience and youth. The experienced players have all played at levels above Step 5 and the young players will learn and develop alongside them. There are of course familiar faces who have returned for another season at United and they too will be among the starting line- up today. Preseason training, three times per week and the friendlies have seen the players gel in to a solid unit. I am sure you will give them a United welcome to the club and a thank you to those returning players. The Under 23 team will be starting their League season at the start of September and will be managed by last season’s highly successful Under 18s manager, Keith Castle who is assisted by former United player and coach Nyasha Sagwete. Their pre-season has gone superbly well with three wins and one loss to date. Today they make the short trip to Beds Premier Division side, Caldecote FC. There have been changes within the Board room also. Gareth Davies is the club’s new chairman, taking over from Chris Lewis who is stepping aside to concentrate on the commercial and social media side of the club. All others remain as before and we will all be working hard to support our teams from Under 7s to the first team. I will be elaborating further in future match programmes so for now let’s enjoy the opening fixture and let’s hope we get the result that is deserved after the hard work put in by everyone at the club. Tracey James (Club Secretary)
Biggleswade United Football Club was re-formed on the 16th July 1959. However, local history records indicate that there was a Biggleswade United side playing at Second Meadow as early as 1929. Our first season (1959/60) saw us competing in Division Three of the North Herts. League (NHL). After 10 successful years in the NHL the club made the step up to South Midlands League (SML) football. But towards the end of a 15-year association with the SML the club began to struggle and after three years of finishing in the bottom three of Division One we sought fresh fields. The club joined the Herts. Senior but club continued to find the going tough. In 1986 we elected to return to local League football, joining the Bedford and District Football League and began to build again. The appointment of Brian Swords as first team manager in 87/88 proved to be the turning point in the club's fortunes. During the next ten years the club achieved a tremendous amount of success on and off the football pitch. Our record of League and Cup honours speak for themselves but aligned to this a great deal of work went on behind the scenes to match the on-field success. The club now boasts one of the best clubhouse and ground facilities in the Mid-Bedfordshire area. The success of the club has also attracted many new players as well as commanding a great deal of loyalty from those players who helped the club progress from Division Three of the Bedford and District League to County Senior Club status in just 15 years. The 1995/96 season was the most successful in the club's history - winning five major honours; the Beds Intermediate County Cup, Bedford and District League Championship, League Cup Championship and as the League's representatives the club won the Beds. FA Centenary Cup. Having won every major Bedford League honour the club felt it was time to move on and made the decision to make the step up once again and returned to Division One of the SML. In an exceptionally successful first season we celebrated a Division One "double" by winning the Championship and the Division One Cup. We also retained the Beds. FA Intermediate County Cup, only the second club in the competition's history to achieve this feat. To crown our success the club were awarded the SML Special Achievement Trophy in July 1997. In the season 1997/98 we finally achieved Senior status. This was achieved not only through the endeavours of the players on the field but ultimately as a result of an extremely hard working committee. With the help of the Biggleswade Town Council a new stand was erected and perimeter fencing installed. And two seasons later the club erected floodlights and on the evening of 26th October 1999 we played our first-ever floodlit game at Second Meadow, Ryman League side Leighton Town were the visitors in the Bedfordshire Premier Cup.
The next eleven years saw the first team led by Steve "Snowy" Wright and under his management the club continued to enjoy a very high level of League and Cup success ultimately achieving promotion to the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division and with it the opportunity to compete in the FA Cup. And under Snowy the club made three Beds FA Senior Challenge Cup final appearances, winning two of the three with victories over Stotfold (4-1) and Leighton Town (1-0) but missed out in 2006/07 going down 2-0 to Dunstable Town. Snowy's other cup successes came in the form of the Hunts Premier Cup, North Beds Charity Cup, Hinchingbrooke Cup, the SML Division One Cup and the SML Special Achievement Award once again. The end of the 2006 2007 saw Snowy step down as manager with his assistant, Nick Burton taking over the first team reins. January 5th 2009 saw the club embark on further ambitious ground improvements. With financial backing from Biggleswade Town Council, Mid Beds District Council and the Football Foundation we installed a 260-seater stand, fully enclosed the ground with a double turnstile entrance and players' secure walkway, which raised the ground to Grade E status. After several years of stability in terms of first team managers the next six years saw a regular turnover of first team and reserve team managers with Nick Burton, Dave Elkin and Phil Childs all taking over the first team reins for a time. At the start of the 2013-2014 season we appointed Mick Reardon and Mark Royal as first team managers both of whom had enjoyed success as coaches at the higher levels of football. Their disciplined approach was quickly adhered to and responded to by the players and under their stewardship we achieved the highest Premier Division position in nine years and first silverware in seven years winning the North Beds Charity Cup for the first time in the club’s history. In November 2014 the club took a further positive step to realise our ambitions with the appointment of Sky Sports Presenter and renowned author, Guillem Balague as Biggleswade United’s Director of Football. Following Mick and Mark’s decision to step down at the end 2014 2015, Guillem was quick to act and recruited a new Head Coach in Cristian Colas Beccera. Cristian was assisted by former professional player, Stuart Bimson, and under their guidance the team finished in eighth spot in the Premier Division in 2017 2018 - the highest position in the club’s history. Having built a strong reputation for their outstanding coaching ability and playing philosophy Cristian and Stuart moved up to Step 3 level club, Staines Town, for the start of the 2018 2019 season. Guillem was again in search for a high quality coach and Jimmy Martin came highly recommended by his predecessor, Colas, who worked with Jimmy at Stevenage FC Academy. Jimmy was appointed Manager in May 2018 and will be assisted by a former United playing legend and well respected character in SML football, Dean Bull. Also on the coaching staff is Spanish coach Emilio Gutierrez. The club has certainly come a long way in relatively few years but we could not have done it without the help of a very supportive Town and District Council who clearly understands the benefits of having a community based club in Biggleswade. Our success is also very much down to a very hard working committee who throughout the year - not just the football season - continue to volunteer their time and commitment to the club, to help it continue to thrive and be a source of enjoyment for our supporters and the Biggleswade community.
Hi Everyone, Let me say what a pleasure and a privilege it is for me to have been chosen to be the next Head Coach of this wonderful club. I give you my word that I will do my very best to build - and hopefully improve - on the solid foundations put in place by my predecessor, Cristian ColĂĄs. It is easy to see why Cristian found it so difficult to leave. The welcome I received right at the very start from everyone at the club from new Chairman, Gareth Davies, Director of Football, Guillem BalaguĂŠ and Club Secretary, Tracey James, as well as our band of indispensable volunteers, bodes well for the future. I am also indebted to our first team, a top draw and totally dedicated bunch of players who I know will give their all in their efforts to achieve the greatest success possible. I, along with my assistants Emilio Gutierrez and Dean Bull, will be working tirelessly to ensure that all of the players continually strive to play to their full potential. I am also heartened by the camaraderie and team spirit that runs all the way through this club through tomorrow's first teamers now learning their trade in Fran Constancio's ever growing Academy and also our Under 23 development side, which will largely comprise of last year's successful Under 18 side. This year they will be one further rung up the footballing ladder and I will be keeping a keen eye on them as well as liaising closely with their coach Keith Castle with a view to seeing who might be of sufficient quality to make the step up into the first team at some point in the campaign. And finally let me pay tribute to you - the fans. Hopefully we can provide a brand of football that will guarantee that regular trips to watch our games are a no-brainer. Please don't ever underestimate the importance you make to a club like ours with your support both verbal on the touchline and tangible in the bar and club shop. Exciting times ahead! Jimmy
By Leon Waite – @leonwaite98 The World Cup provided an essential distraction from the absence of club football over the past couple months and whilst pre-season can make for interesting viewing- particularly when there are new players and a new coach to observe- nothing quite compares to the competitive action on a Saturday afternoon. And following a summer reshuffle that has seen changes on and off the pitch, United begin their league campaign against Cockfosters at Second Meadow this weekend with a fresh face in the dugout. Jimmy Martin has been tasked with building on the progress made by departed manager Cristian Colas, who steered the club to 10th, 9th and 8th placed finishes in his three seasons, and a victory on opening day would undoubtedly help his cause. Cockfosters Fosters have also had to contend with a managerial departure in the offseason after Leigh Wooldridge stepped down having guided his side to 20th last term- only avoiding bottom spot on goal difference. Former St Margaretsbury player Ryan Wade was subsequently appointed and will seek to rediscover the club’s form in 2016/17 that saw them achieve 3rd place. Recent meetings between the two teams have been fairly even with a distinct absence of an away win. United have won each of the previous three games at home, 1-0 twice and 2-0 respectively, with Cockfosters prevailing 3-2 and 2-0 in the last two contests at Chalk Lane- United earning a 2-2 draw in North London the year prior.
The summer seems to have dragged on and on but finally the season is upon us! Welcome back to Second Meadow for what I think promises to be an exciting season. Since I joined the club a few months back now so much has gone on that I don’t actually know where to start. The club appointed Jimmy Martin as Head Coach and that’s an appointment I believe will be fantastic for the club. We have worked closely together behind the scenes and, believe me when I say, we would be hard pressed to find a more hard-working, talented and dedicated man to lead the team. The team has started to take shape nicely with some quality players joining the club to add to the talented lads from last season and I personally think that we are on the cusp of something special here. Behind the scenes I am looking to strengthen the work that has already been put in place and build on it to move the club forward. Best Wishes, Gareth Davies
It only feels like yesterday that we were bringing the curtain down on last season yet here we go again; ready, willing and able to launch a new campaign with a renewed spring in our step and with a new refreshing impetus at the club. The indomitable force that is Gareth Davies, a man brimming with energy, ideas and enthusiasm, is our new chairman with a commitment to take this club forward. We are in good hands; we are all singing from the same song sheet and the only way is up. I know we will be able to work together both this season and for many more campaigns in the future. Our new coach is 27-year-old, Jimmy Martin, a man of quiet strength, authority and a personality that belie his tender years and he is being ably supported by Emilio Gutierrez and Dean Bull and I firmly believe that between them we have the perfect blend of badges, experience and youthful enthusiasm to lead us to where we want to be. The first team has been strengthened by the addition of players, many of whom have competed at a higher level, with a view to trying to build a team that can combine youth with experience. Much of our Under 23 side will include the core of last season's very successful Under 18s who won the County Cup and will be run by Keith Castle. The priority this season will be, as a development side, looking to teach players the right way hopefully leading them towards the first team. If around half a dozen players can graduate to playing in the first team at some point during the season, then their job will have been achieved. There will be a lot of connection between the first team and the U23s and Emilio will also be involved with the Under 18 Elite Development Programme that we are working with Stevenage on. And it will be this side that will represent us in the FA Youth Cup Our Academy with Fran Constancio at the forefront continues to thrive and we have a brand new ladies first team that will be starting this season and we will also be looking to start new girl’s teams across the age groups. And finally let me welcome you, the supporter, to the new season. Never underestimate the part you play. When you pay your admission, buy a drink at the bar or a hot dog from our kitchen, or cheer us on from the terraces, you should know that you are making a difference. Thank you so much and let's hope we can now repay your support and loyalty with a season that we can all be proud of. Onwards and upwards!! Guillem
About: Based in the London Borough of Enfield, Cockfosters FC, also known as the Fosters, were founded in 1921. They play their home games at Chalk Lane where they have been based for 97 years. Last Meeting: The last meeting between the two sides came in last season’s final home game. United ran out 2-0 winners with Abraham Eze, now of Oxford City, scoring twice to secure all three points for United. The reverse fixture took place in late January on a cold, wet winters afternoon in North London, which saw United fall to a 3-2 defeat. Cockfosters took an early two-goal lead before United got back on level terms in the second half. A last minute Cockfosters penalty secured the North London outfit all three points. Recent Form: Cockfosters recently secured an impressive 6-2 victory against Isthmian League Division One South Central outfit Northwood FC in their penultimate pre-season friendly. On Tuesday night they were defeated 2-0 by Norsemen FC in their final friendly match. Recent History: During the 2016/17 season Cockfosters finished third place in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. They finished a narrow four points behind Hertford Town who were promoted to the Isthmian League South Central Division due to London Colney choosing not to take promotion despite becoming champions. Last season Cockfosters finished 20th on 35 points, narrowly avoiding relegation to Division One, a difference of 53 points from their third place finish the previous season. They equalled their best FA Cup performance last season reaching the First Qualifying Round for the third time in their history when they were defeat 3-0 by Colney Heath. Their most recent pieces of silverware came during the 2013/14 season where they won the Challenge Trophy and the Floodlit Cup.