Good evening and welcome to the players and officials of Bristol Rovers along with both sets of supporters for tonight’s match at The Lamex Stadium.
After a long spell without a home game in January due to the postponements, tonight is our third home match in eleven days. We have a further two in February with Wycombe Wanderers (Sat 24th Feb) and the re-arranged Cambridge United game (Tues 27th Feb), capping off a busy month.
This season has continued to see our fanbase grow with our average attendance up by 40% and record season ticket holders including a strong take up of half season tickets over the Christmas period. We have some incredibly exciting games to look forward to in the run up to the season’s climax. Huge crowds are expected for the Leyton Orient and Bolton matches so please make sure you don’t miss out and book at borotickets.co.uk
Supporters will have noticed a few changes to the match day operation in recent weeks. Up in the South-West corner, we have now added a
new LED advertising screen. If you are interested in having your company up in lights, please contact our Head of Commercial Dave Hoskins davidh@stevenagefc.com. We also have a small amount of hospitality and match sponsorship remaining between now and the end of the season.
In the West Stand, the tea bar in the NorthWest corner has been closed and replaced with a mobile catering unit inside Exit 6, halfway between the tunnel and away end.
Finally, this Friday sees the launch of our first ’76 Comedy Club in The 76 Lounge. The event has sold out but if you are interested in future monthly dates, visit ‘76 Comedy Club - Stevenage Football Club (stevenagefc.com) for more info.
The team continues to show great form and tonight is another important match and opportunity for us to keep pace at the top, so please get behind them as your cheers really make the difference.
I hope you enjoy the game and thank you for your support, Together in our hearts. Enjoy the game.
CLUB SHOP: Midday-7:45pm
TICKET OFFICE: 6pm-8:15pm
THE BROADHALL SUITE: Open to Home & Away supporters. 6pm – Kick-Off. CLOSED at Full-Time. Bar Food Available
THE 76 LOUNGE: 6pm-Kick-Off (Home & Away Supporters). 3.15pm-80 minutes (North Stand Ticket Holders). CLOSED at Full-Time
Bar Snacks Available
TURNSTILES: 6:15pm
MATCH TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR STEVENAGE VS BRISTOL ROVERS
All tickets must be purchased before reaching the turnstiles either online or from the North Stand Ticket Office.
Tickets are available online at www.borotickets. co.uk or from the Club Shop only. There will be no sales on the day.
Adults: £20 65+: £15 18-21: £15 13-17: £10 6-12: £5 Infant (2-5): FOC
Book coach travel with the Stevenage FC Supporters Association here.
The prominent pitch-facing location ensures that it is visible to all home and away fans, with The Lamex Stadium currently averaging around 5,000 spectators per game – as well as those watching the game via domestic/international streaming.
Advertising is available for £800 plus VAT for the rest of the season.
Contact David Hoskins at davidh@stevenagefc. com or on 01438 223223.
Fans can anonymously message the Matchday Control Room direct on 07935 577897 to report any signs of abuse, anti-social behaviour, foul/ abusive language or discrimination within the stadium, or email info@stevenagefc.com in confidence.
@StevenageFC
JUST WHAT WE NEEDED! ��
stevenagefcofficial
Jamie Reid’s 1️ 7️ th League One goal of the season.��
@StevenageFC I DON’T BELIEVE IT!!!!!
stevenagefcofficial New week. Same goals. �� Bristol Rovers (H) tomorrow. ��️borotickets.co.uk
@StevenageFC
As if you needed any more reason to support Stevenage Football Club.❤️
�� @itvanglia
��️borotickets.co.uk
@StevenageFC
Official X Account for Stevenage Football Club. Joined June 2011 82.8k Followers
StevenagefcOfficial
Stevenage FC. Official Instagram Page for Stevenage Football Club. 51.4k Followers
stevenagefcofficial TVC’s first league goal after 160 games! ❤
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Stevenage Football Club. Official Facebook Page of Stevenage Football Club. 89k Followers
At Garden House Hospice Care, we feel passionate about reaching more people earlier in their journey to receive our support and care, giving them confidence to live well and enjoy life to the fullest. Our community wellbeing hubs and drop-in sessions provide a friendly, welcoming space in the heart of our community where you can:
• Join us for a cup of tea and a chat
• Talk and be listened to by one of our team members
• Gain information about our therapies and support services
• Join us in a seated exercise group
• Take part in creative and fun activities that promote health and wellbeing
• Feel more in control and live life to its greatest potential
Stevenage Community hub locations:
• Symonds Green Community Centre, Filey Close, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2JW - every Monday 10am-12pm
• The Community Arts Centre, Roaring Meg Retail Park, Stevenage, SG1 1XN - every Monday 10.30am-12.30pm
You can find out more by visiting our website
Boro forced to settle for a point after late controversy... SHOTS
H
ere we go again as we have no less than four Boro mascots aiming to give the side the best of luck to get the three points against Rovers tonight.Firstly we welcome Sam Heraty, 15 who lives in Stevenage and attends John Henry Newman. Sam enjoys swimming, football and watching the Boro and Luther
Wildin is his favourite player. Next up we welcome Alfie Saunders, 12, who lives in Stevenage and attends Marriotts School. Alfie’s hobbies are football and gaming and his favourite Boro player is Jamie Reid. It’s also a big Boro hello to Ronnie Pestell. Ronnie, 12, is also from Stevenage and attends Marriotts and his top
SPONSORED
Riley Cuthbert
hobby is watching the Boro home and away while his favourite Lamex legend is Luther Wildin.
Last but by no means least is Riley Cuthbert, 12. Riley lists football and gaming as his hobby and Taye Is his star Boro player.
We wish all our mascots a great evening with us and hope they see yet another Boro win.
Boro and Kingstonian served up an absolute treat in front of more than 2,200 fans with this six-goal thriller. Indeed Boro, who were chasing the leading pack, looked to have taken an iron grip on the three points when they moved quickly into a two goal lead.
After an early flurry of activity from the visitors, goals from Chris Pearson and Carl Alford put the home side well in control. Sadly it was a failure to kill off games which had cost Boro dear and they succeeded yet again as Dave Leworthy netted twice in the first period to make this 2-2 at the break. The game then looked to have moved away from the Broadhall Way side when they went
Saturday 13th February 1999
Football Conference
STEVENAGE 3 KINGSTONIAN
STARTING XI
1 Chris Taylor
2 Lee Harvey
3 Brian Statham
4 Mark Smith
5 Ryan Kirby
6 Steve Berry (15)
7 Dwayne Plummer
8 Michael Love
9 Carl Alford
10 Chris Pearson (14)
11 Jimmy Strouts
SUBSTITUTES
12 Dominic Naylor
14 Errol Telemaque (10)
goals from Chris Pearson and Carl Alford put the home side well in control
down to 10 men after a handball in the box, Brian Statham given his marching orders, while Luckett drilled home from the spot. But Michael Love carved out a goal, and an unlikely comeback on 74 minutes when he drilled in to make it honours even.
DARREN ISTED
Well, this close to Valentine’s Day and no love was lost on the first of our 10 outings on this date in history; Hampton & Richmond Borough unmistakably the better team today in 1988. It was our fifth straight league loss at the time –but it was also the first time in that run that we’d scored a league goal. So, a silver lining there (albeit a very dim one).
Luckily, it didn’t set a tone for 13 February over the years. Out of the 10 times we’ve played on this specific date, we’ve won just three – but also drawn three. Yes, that leaves four defeats – but it hasn’t been a runaway disaster since 1988!
The mid-1990s were obviously a good time for Boro’; recording two straight wins (1993 and 1996) and balancing out a goal difference that clearly took a pounding in 1988. Then came two successive draws, albeit nine years apart.
The first – in 1999 – sticks in the mind as Brian Statham pulled off a stunning goal-line save with his hands. The trouble was that Statham
1988 Hampton & Richmond Borough 5-1
Stevenage Borough, Vauxhall Opel League Division One (Cumberbatch)
1992 Welwyn Garden City 1-1 Stevenage Borough, Eastern Floodlit League (D’Arcy)
1993 Stevenage Borough 1-0 Sutton United, Diadora League Premier Division (Smith)
1996 Welling United 0-3 Stevenage Borough, GM Vauxhall Conference (Hayles, Lynch 2)
1999 Stevenage Borough 3-3 Kingstonian, Football Conference (Pearson, Alford, Love; Statham s/o)
2008 Stevenage Borough 0-0 Forest Green Rovers, Blue Square Premier
2010 Rushden & Diamonds 1-0 Stevenage Borough, Blue Square Premier
2016 Stevenage 2-0 Cambridge United, Sky Bet League Two (Harrison 2)
2018 Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Stevenage, Sky Bet League Two (Wilkinson; Revell s/o)
2021 Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Stevenage, Sky Bet League Two
was playing left back that day, not goalkeeper. And it was his debut too! A red card then, but a point earned in a six-goal thriller at home to Kingstonian; a stark contrast to 2008’s goalless draw against Forest Green.
A rare blip today in 2010 as Rushden & Diamonds checked our title charge. It did us some good in the long term, to be fair; Boro’ winning their next eight successive league games after that. That brings us into the Football League era and a positive start today in 2016 with victory over Cambridge United. Sadly, the current run is now two straight defeats…
It’s only the third time we’ve welcomed the Gas to the Lamex – and that’s perhaps a good thing based on our opening two skirmishes on home turf. We weren’t able to follow up on an encouraging away victory at the Memorial Ground in the early stages of the 2021-2 campaign; capitulating nearly two years ago to the day in the return game as our guests went home with a handsome four-goal win. Our only previous encounter here came back in April 2016. Boro’ had again won the away fixture earlier that campaign – but had to settle for a point as neither side could break the deadlock. It means all our highlights against the Gas up to this point have come on the road. With one draw and one defeat so far at the Lamex to reflect on, maybe it’s only right that we can record a win today and balance out that home head-to-head. Who doesn’t love symmetry?
Gameweek 31
Before we even arrived to Port Vale at the weekend, Boro’ had passed the 50-point mark for the campaign (52 points). This means that, no matter what happened at Vale Park, we’re still in a decent position when comparing our previous efforts in League One. After 30 games in the 2011-2 season, we were still only on 48 pointslargely due to the fact we had hit a run that’d see us win just one in 13 fixtures! And we still made the playoffs that season too!
Of course, we mustn’t get complacent. Win, lose or draw at Vale, we come into this game with the 12th-best return from 30 league fixtures. A gap is starting to emerge in that list,
To play today?: It looks like there’s only one candidate from both squads today who counts both Stevenage and Bristol Rovers on their CV – and it’s one of ours. Unfortunately, we won’t see him in action – Harry Anderson is that man, and he’s currently out on loan at Colchester United. Best of the Rest: You can argue that Bristol Rovers have had the honour of signing Boro’ royalty at one point or another over the years; Barry Hayles being the main man, having moved to the Memorial Stadium from Broadhall Way in 1997. Giuliano Grazioli is another, signing for Rovers in 2002 after his spell at Swindon Town. Other names include Rob Quinn and Ed Upson, while both sides today are among the 1,547 (approx.) clubs that Jefferson Louis has once played for.
however. In joint-10th are the 2007-8 and 20223 seasons with 57 points. And then it begins to get properly serious, culminating in a return of 78 points in the 1990-1 campaign. At the other end of the spectrum, it is of course the 2019-20 season – where 22 points were on the board at this point. That’s 0.73 points per game. Yikes!
By Pete Hayman courtesy of boroguide.co.uk
1 Taye Ashby-Hammond SPONSORED BY BARBARA FOLLETT
2 Luther James-Wildin SPONSORED BY KEN FOLLETT
3 Dan Butler SPONSORED
SPONSORED BY
SPONSOR YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER...
For sponsorship enquiries email
davidhoskins@stevenagefc.com
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17 Finley Burns
SPONSORED BY
Paul Raynor
Alex Revell
Keith Bell SPONSORED BY
Ian Pledger
Steve Evans
19 Jamie Reid
SPONSORED BY 20 Aaron Pressley
23 Louis Thompson
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22 Nesta Guinness-Walker
18 Harvey White SPONSORED BY
THOMAS WILLETT
25 Reece Hannam
29 Kane Hemmings
SPONSORED BY JOHN MACKENZIE
33 Vadaine Oliver
SPONSORED BY HAYDN & FINLEY KETTEL
24 Ben Thompson
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Good afternoon and welcome to the Lamex for tonight’s fixture with Bristol Rovers.
The season is now back in full swing, and I feel settled in my new role and seeing the positive benefits in the players. With a new year always comes new ideas, different methods but ultimately with the same goal of developing better people as well as better players along the way.
As well as overseeing the phase another part of my role is to create an exciting and challenging games programme for our players so over the past couple of months our U11-14 groups have had the chance to test themselves against some of the best young players in the country, away fixtures against Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea & Fulham to name a few as well as post-Christmas treat of hosting Manchester City in some small format fixtures which was brilliant lots of goals and minutes played which definitely burnt off that extra Christmas pudding.
Ultimately my job is made easier by the small but incredibly hard-working team of coaches and MDT staff I have around me so as we enter a new year, I wanted to say a massive thank you them. Phil Hill has settled in and is really getting to grips with his group. As well as the other lead Coaches of Sian, Josh, Ben & Harry. Robyn Reardon has worked hard as ever with the player care side, which sometimes goes unnoticed, but you can see the hard work she does really
coming out with the players that need it as well as the workshops she has delivered. Ben Williamson has worked tirelessly to create group & individual clips for our 13 & 14s for them to focus on in line with their IDPS. However, the hard work continues, and they definitely know that.
Recently and over the next couple of weeks has/will see colleagues & friends move on to pastures new, Colleagues that have made a difference to the academy and have fully earned their next career move. Nick Mountford has worked relentlessly supporting Ronnie Henry assisting with our Under 18s and securing exciting loan moves for our Professional development Phase players as well as much more. Also Robyn Reardon, who I have highlighted above for the great work she has done, is also moving on and both will be a massive loss to the academy not just for the great work that they do but their personalities around the building. However, with change comes new excitement and potential for movement & new staff to come in with new ideas.
I would like to wish Robyn & Nick all the best with their next ventures and know they will have every success in the future.
I hope you enjoy the game, make some noise, and COME ON THE BORO!
TOM FARR Foundation Phase Lead
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM
Our Soccer camps which are available to book for just £20 a day (multi-day discount is available) are only a few weeks away! Soccer Camps combine fun games and activities with the sports principal skills to provide the perfect half-term activity! Our Soccer Camps offer children the perfect opportunity to make new friends and learn new skills in a fun and safe environment.
Taking place at Letchworth County Ground & Stevenage FC Academy, both sessions run from 9am-3pm and are running throughout the duration of the week.
Delivered by FA qualified coaches, at affordable prices our Soccer Camps are aimed at both Boys and Girls aged 5-12 years and provide a full day of fun filled activities with Multi-day discounts are also available!
On Wednesday 21st & Friday 23rd February we are also running a Girls Only Soccer Camp at The County Ground, for girls aged 8-14, starting at 10am till 3pm!
To Book:
Letchworth County Ground Soccer Camps:
CLICK HERE
Letchworth Girls Only Soccer Camps:
CLICK HERE
Stevenage FC Academy Soccer Camps:
CLICK HERE
When: Saturday 2nd March, 6pm - Midnight
Where: Imperial War Museum Duxford
Tickets: £130 per person
To book go to:
ghhospicecare.org.uk/gala-dinner
Good evening, ‘Boro fans – we have a treat in store for you this weekend (Sunday 18 February). We will be hosting a double-header of fixtures with the U23s team kicking off their Hertfordshire County Plate semi-final against St Margaretsbury with a place in the final at stake. Should we overcome St Margaretsbury, we will face the winners of Colney Heath Ladies vs Letchworth Garden City Eagles Ladies on 24 March. The semi-final kicks off at 13:45 at the Herts FA County Ground in Letchworth, followed immediately after by the First Team who face Bowers & Pitsea in a league game, kicking off at 16:15. Tickets will be sold on the gate, and this will grant entry to both matches. A reminder that Stevenage FC men’s season ticket holders get free entry to all women’s games – please do come down and cheer on your ‘Boro!
With the business end of the season in sight, with a League Cup and points on the board the objective, our remaining fixtures are as follows:
• 18 February: Stevenage FCW vs Bowers & Pitsea (H) – 16:15 KO
• 25 February: Stevenage FCW vs Royston Town (H) – 14:00 KO
• 03 March: Wroxham vs Stevenage FCW (A) –13:30 KO – League Cup
• 31 March: Stevenage FCW vs Luton Town (H) – 14:00 KO
• 07 April: Wroxham vs Stevenage FCW (A) –14:00 KO
• 14 April: Haringey Borough vs Stevenage FCW (A) – 14:00 KO
• 21 April: Needham Market vs Stevenage FCW (A) – 14:00 KO
• 28 April: Royston Town vs Stevenage FCW (A) – 14:00 KO
Stevenage won two of their first three league games against Bristol Rovers (D1), but are winless in the two meetings since (D1 L1).
Bristol Rovers are unbeaten without conceding in their two away Football League games against Stevenage (W1 D1).
www.bristolrovers.co.uk
Rovers appointed Matt Taylor late last year after he had a spell at Rotherham.
Taylor took over following a spell with Andy Mangan as caretaker, the former number two was in charge for seven matches after the exit of the controversial Joey Barton in October 2023. Originally from Chorley, Taylor played for Team
Bath, Exeter City, Cheltenham Town and Bath City in his playing career before becoming a manager with Exeter. His first managerial role, he took the Grecians to promotion in 2022 before the opportunity arose to take over at The Millers and although his first season saw a 19th place finish in the Championship, this campaign was less successful.
SEASONS
22/23 League One 17th
21/22 League Two 3rd (P)
20/21 League One 24th (R)
19/20 League One 14th
A representative of the Sierra Leone national team, Conteh, 21, was loaned out by both Watford and Middlesbrough before making his league debut for Grimsby.
After 25 appearances with the Mariners, on January 26 he then signed for Rovers for an undisclosed fee which has been suggested to be around £300,000
18/19 League One 15th
Anthony Evans has made more than 100 appearances for Rovers following a career which began among the youth ranks at Everton in 2017. With international honours for England at U-19 level, Evans has played for Morecambe, Crewe and Blackpool while also appearing in the Bundesliga for SC Paderborn. He initially joined Rovers on a one year deal in 2021.
STEVENAGE LEISURE PARK, KINGSWAY, SG1 2UA
PROUD SPONSOR OF STEVENAGE FC
ACTIVITYS/GA
NT NIGHT/BLUELIGH DISCOUNT
COCKTAILS
SOCIAL EVENTS/PRIVATE HIRE
PRIVATE KARAOKE
FOOD/SNACKS
Menzies are proud to support Stevenage FC Menzies is a leading UK business advisory and accountancy firm with international reach. We help accelerate your ambition, with a proven track record supporting both businesses and individuals to successfully reach their goals.
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They can take their place from:
1st September (Autumn Term)
1st January (Spring Term)
1st April (Summer Term)
Dave Thomas is the chair of the Bristol Rovers Supporters Club and is ably assisted by his most articulate committee comprising Helen Wigmore, Steve Lamble, Sue Williams, Keith Brookman, Samantha Parsons, Leanne Hawkins, Pat Gardener, Jamie Howarth and Janet Wooster. Welcome all, and a special welcome to all the fans and supporters of “The Gas” this evening.
EFL League One is the most-watched third-tier domestic sports league in the world, with an average of 10,613 spectators per game in the 2022–23 season, also making it one of the top ten most watched leagues in Europe. The closest thirdtier association football league in terms of average attendance is the Germany 3. Liga.
Geoff Gibbs did !
Geoff is the chairman of the Stevenage FC Supporters Association and recently indulged in his passion – pies!
Geoff was one of the delegation from the Stevenage SA who met up with their counterparts at our recent away game at Wigan. “The hospitality was absolutely amazing” said Geoff – “as were the pies”. Reminiscent of the days when Stevenage used to journey up to Aggborough at Kidderminster, the pies at Wigan were superlative.
The accompanying photograph shows our Geoff being welcome by Wigan’s club mascot – Crusty.
On Saturday February 17th, the SA buses journey up the M1 to Pride Park, the home of Derby County. We leave The Lamex at 10:00am and the cost is just £25 for members and £30 for nonmembers.
Then, on Saturday March 2nd, we’re on the road again and this time our destination is Lincoln. Same as the trip to Derby, the cost is £25 for members and £30 for non-members with a 10:00 departure from Stevenage.
Advance warning for Tuesday March 12th, when Stevenage are away to Peterborough. Buses for this game depart The Lamex at 5:00pm and cost for a member is £20 whilst non-members pay £25.
Derby, Lincoln and Peterborough – our next three away games.
Who of you will follow the bear with us on our adventures?
Be advised that the rules for travelling on an SA bus consist of the following:
• A deposit may be requested at the time of booking.
• The SA reserve the right to adjust fares on the day, subject to the number of fans travelling.
• We advise that you arrive 30 minutes before departure*.
• No refunds will be given to any individual who does not give more than 24 hours’ notice or is late and misses the coach’s departure.
• No alcohol will be permitted on the coach.
• All under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult To book a seat, please contact John Carrol on 01438 814285 after 6:00pm, or book online here.
Don’t forget to buy you 50/50 tickets from our sellers who are situated outside all the entry turnstiles throughout the stadium.
At just £1 a ticket, our enhanced gate in EFL1 promise a big prize at the majority of our home games. Good Luck!
Stevenage FC Supporters’ Association
Tue
DECEMBER
Tue
TAYE
MANAGER: MATT TAYLOR
1 JAMES BELSHAW
2 JAMES CONNOLLY
3 LEWIS GORDON
4 JOSH GRANT
5 JAMES WILSON
6 SAM FINLEY
7 SCOTT SINCLAIR
8 GRANT WARD
9 JOHN MARQUIS
10 BRANDON AGUILERA
11 LUKE THOMAS
14 JORDAN ROSSITER
15 RYAN WOODS
17 CONNOR TAYLOR
18 CHRIS MARTIN
19 HARVEY VALE
20 JEVANI BROWN
21 ANTONY EVANS
REFEREE: Sunny Singh Gill
ASSISTANT: Gareth Viccars
ASSISTANT: Marc Wilson
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Andy Bennett
