B RO
MATCH SPONSOR
v BURTON ALBION FC
Saturday, April 13 2024
Kick-Off: 3.00pm
MATCH SPONSOR
v BURTON ALBION FC
Saturday, April 13 2024
Kick-Off: 3.00pm
To have any chance, we need to win every gamewe'll be like the cavalry
Football’s football… who knows?
This comment on the club’s social channels after that long awaited and much deserved win over Barnsley on Tuesday night perfectly summed up how most of us will be feeling as we head into the final three games of the season.
Could a surge into the play-offs materialise? It’s still possible. For Steve Evans and his team to be in with a chance in our first season back in EFL League One is an achievement in itself. And as we welcome the fans, players and officials from Burton Albion, everyone who backs the Brewers will be thinking similarly… football’s football, who knows. This excellently run club arrives at The Lamex fighting for survival after nine years in L1 or above (that dream of Championship football coming true in 2016, proving that it can be done!) and they want the points today just as much as we do. Meanwhile, everyone at Stevenage FC has
stretched every sinew this year to stand next to the many giants in our league on equal terms. Average home crowds have stayed at the highest in our history, around 4,500 – 5,000. Sponsors like GRILLA, Thameslink and many more have been excellent partners. Matchday experience has been enhanced (shout out to the efforts of Jay Drackford and fan participation here), the Foundation continues to serve the community brilliantly and player recruitment last summer has provided a depth of squad surprising rivals and critics alike.
Jamie Reid’s call-up into the Northern Ireland team and Steve Evans featuring in this weekend’s EFL Awards is further evidence of the club’s progression.
At the very least, we can enjoy what will surely be a thrilling run-in and say we are proud to be Stevenage FC.
Tell your friends and get behind the boys. Together in our hearts.
CLUB SHOP: Midday-3pm
TICKET OFFICE: Midday-3:30pm
THE BROADHALL SUITE: Open to Home & Away supporters, Midday-Kick-Off, CLOSED at Full-Time. Bar Food Available
THE 76 LOUNGE: Midday-Kick-Off (Home & Away Supporters), 3:15pm – 80 minutes (North Stand Ticket Holders), OPEN at Full-time. Bar Snacks Available
TURNSTILES: 1:30pm
All tickets must be purchased before reaching the turnstiles either online or from the North Stand Ticket Office.
We’ll be wearing our 2023/24 Third Kit on Saturday, to celebrate Garden House Hospice Care and raise awareness of their work in the community and help fundraise for its free palliative care.
Wear your Garden House Hospice Care third shirt or any other yellow Stevenage kit to show your support. Replica jerseys are available to purchase at www.stevenagefcshop.com and from the Stevenage FC Club Shop, with 25% of net profit going to Garden House Hospice Care. To find out more about Garden House Hospice Care, please visit www.ghhospicecare.org.uk
Match tickets are available online at www. borotickets.co.uk and from the Stevenage FC Club Shop until midday on Friday 19th April and from the Away Ticket Office at The Kassam Stadium.
Book coach travel with the Stevenage FC Supporters Association here.
It’s our charity takeover day, but what does it cost to run the Hospice for a day?
Last year, Garden House Hospice Care supported over 300 families living in Stevenage alone. They need to raise £15,300 every dayup from £9,700 last year to continue providing their services in Stevenage and across the rest of North Hertfordshire and surrounding villages and towns.
Help the Hospice to continue providing free, compassionate care for local patients and their families
You can either donate by putting some cash in the collection buckets around the stadium, or you can donate £5 by texting
(all one word) to 70085
You can also support the Hospice and have a chance to WIN a 3rd kit shirt signed by the players, or a voucher for a table for 10 at our ‘76 Comedy Club worth £225 (includes food and drink). Hospice staff will be walking around the stadium selling raffle tickets, so keep an eye out!
There will be a halftime goal scoring competition between the Hospice’s ‘Harry the Bear’ and Stevenage FC’s ‘Boro Bear’ mascots, so make sure you stick around and cheer them on!
Stevenage F.C. fans who have been helped by the Hospice
Derek and Vivien Underwood who are long-time supporters of Stevenage FC and have first-hand experience of how much of a difference the Hospice can make. You can read their story here
The Hospice’s Community wellbeing hubs and drop-in sessions provide a friendly, welcoming space in the heart of our community where members can enjoy a cup of tea and a chat, join in seated exercises, take part in creative and fun activities, and more. Find out more here
Stevenage hub locations and times: Symonds Green Community Centre, Filey Close, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2JW - every Monday 10am-12pm
The Community Arts Centre, Roaring Meg Retail Park, Stevenage, SG1 1XNevery Monday 10.30am-12.30pm
As well as their Community wellbeing hubs, the Hospice also run the following free services (click on the links to find out more):
At the Hospice: Rehab and Wellbeing Inpatient Unit
Family Support Service
Supporting children & young people Dementia care
In the community: Hospice at Home Care home support Compassionate Neighbours Schools, colleges & youth outreach
Boro fans might feel they are born to support the club, but there can’t be many like Callum Grace who were almost born AT the club.
When Ware mum Lauren Grace went into labour six years ago this week and a drive to Lister Hospital ensued, few would have known that she would fall short of the maternity unit and actually give birth outside the Lamex. As someone who teaches first aid to children, she easily managed to give birth in the back of her Kia Sportage. And it meant that her son Callum, 6, has a special affinity with the Boro. And today’s game is extra special for the family as Callum will visit The Lamex for the first time with dad Stuart.
The pair are due to be interviewed by our match day mic man Jay Drackford and let’s hope it is a winning debut for the boy with Boro at his heart!
It’s our penultimate home game of the season and we have no less than five mascots at Boro today hoping to bring good luck and a win in the race for a play-off spot.
First up it’s a big hello to Cohen Wiegand, 7, who celebrated his birthday last weekend. Cohen lives in High Wycombe and attends Gateway School, Carterton. His hobbies include football, Pokemon card and Nintendo and his favourite Boro player is Jamie Reid.
Next we say hello to Theo Kendrick, 9, who lives in Stevenage and attends Aston St Mary’s School. Theo is mad keen on football and Jamie Reid is his hero Boro player.
Our third mascot is Alice Pretty, 7, who lives in Datchworth and attends Datchworth School. She loves dance, drama, football and pottery and she is a fan of the entire squad!
Last but by no means least it’s Elliot Woodward who celebrated his fifth birthday on Tuesday. Elliot lives in Much Hadham and attends St Andrew’s School. His hobbies include football, Lego, Harry Potter and Star Wars and Luther Wildin is his Boro fave player.
Our Garden House Hospice mascot is Benjamin Marley. We trust they all have a great time with us this afternoon and that they help Boro to three more massive points.
Stevenage faced Margate with three games left of the season and Graham Westley’s side required a win at Broadhall Way to remain in the hunt for a play-off place. A win was expected too with a Margate side simply going through the motions in their final games of the season, having thought to be safe from relegation but too far adrift from the top six.
It was the visitors however who drew first blood as Margate defender, Graham Porter as he netted one of his seven goals at the club in his five-year stay.
Graham Westley’s men battled on through the second half and in the 60th minute, Dino Maamria drew a goal back to breathe belief into his team’s chances of a crucial victory.
Determined to at least preserve their draw,
Margate started to become desperate, as the visitors striker, Che Stadhart, entered the book with ten minutes of the game left. Just as the game seemed to be nearing its conclusio, substitute, Justin Richards netted a vital goal. Richards’ scored with just five minutes remaining, sealing a victory that meant Boro had recorded back-to-back wins for the first time February. The hosts’ play-off bid did eventually fall short as Exeter snatched the last top six spot. However, the most interesting story from the match is what occurred to the visiting side come the end of the season.
Margate travelled to Broadhall Way assuming the club were safe, being mathematically clear of the league’s relegation zone. However, due to mishaps in the club’s ground sharing arrangements and the league subsequently arguing the team’s ground wasn’t suitable, Boro’s opponents did exit out of the Conference, despite finishing with 51 points.
ALFIE NICHOLSONWell, isn’t today a good day to be a Boro’ fan – if the history books are to be believed, at least. We’ve played 10 times on 13 April over the years, winning seven and scoring 25 in the process. There has only been one blip in that time too – a 2-0 defeat at home to Yeovil Town in 2013 as we stumbled towards the end of that League One campaign.
Wolverton Town ended up being one of our bunnies in years gone by; Boro’ winning nine out of 10 meetings between 1981 and 1989. Two of them occurred on 13 April and both saw us put four past our hapless opponents. A brace from Martin Gittings helped us towards a 4-1 win in 1982, while Steve Armsby’s brace set up a 4-0 victory in 1985.
Into the 1990s and we don’t need any excuse to call out a win against Hitchin Town; Boro’ beating our near neighbours by a single goal in 1992 –even if was only the Southern Combinations Cup. Boro’ were forced to dig deep in 1996 when
1982 Stevenage Borough 4-1 Wolverton Town, United Counties League Premier Division (Wilcox, Gittings 2, Herring)
1985 Stevenage Borough 4-0 Wolverton Tow n, Servowarm League Division Two North (Armsby 2, Sperrin, Pirie)
1991 Clapton 0-5 Stevenage Borough, Vauxhall Football League Division Two North (Debnam 2, Marshall, Whitehead, Burns)
1992 Stevenage Borough 1-0 Hitchin Town, Southern Combinations Cup SF (Hann)
1996 Stevenage Borough 2-2 Stalybridge Celtic , GM Vauxhall Conference (Beevor, Hayles)
1998 Stevenage Borough 2-2 Dover Athletic , Football Conference (Perkins, Trebble)
2002 Stevenage Borough 2-0 Morecambe, FA Trophy SF (McMahon, DJ Campbell)
2009 Crawley Town 0-2 Stevenage Borough, Blue Square Premier (Bostwick, Willock)
2013 Stevenage 0-2 Yeovil Town, npower League One
2019 Stevenage 3-0 Carlisle United, Sky Bet League Two (Iontton, Guthrie 2)
Stalybridge Celtic threatened to upset the title charge at Broadhall Way. A couple of late goals from Stuart Beevor and Barry Hayles rescuing a point. Perhaps there was also the element of Boro’ suffering from a hangover, being as it was the game that immediately followed our famous 4-0 win over Woking. And bringing us right up to date (nearly) is our 2019 victory over Carlisle United. Kurtis Guthrie scored a brace after we went ahead through Arthur Iontton. The 3-0 scoreline didn’t flatter us as we maintained faint hopes of a surge into the League Two playoffs with four to play, while – at the same time – dealing a hefty blow to the Cumbrians’ own hopes.
Can you believe it’s nearly 10 years since the Brewers last visited the Lamex Stadium? October 2014 saw them come to us for a League Two clash, which we won thanks to a late own goal. And can you also believe it is almost 40 years since we first played them – an FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie in September 1984. In total, we’ve played each other 22 times. We’ve won 11 and lost eight overall – with seven wins from 12 meetings on home turf, compared to their four.
Blue Square Premier – 06 September 2008
STEVENAGE FC 4
BURTON ALBION 1
For the Brewers, the 2008-9 Blue Square Premier campaign was a huge success. They won the title by two points from Cambridge United; securing a place in the Football League for the first time. But they were easily swept aside by Boro’ early on in the campaign. For us, it was a first home win of the campaign – coming at the fourth attempt as we started to adjust to life under Graham Westley for a second time. It took just three minutes to get on the board; Lee Boylan’s scissor kick finish ensuring a fast start for Boro’. One would soon become two as Steve Morison netted his first of the campaign, while Boylan missed a great chance to add a third inside 20 minutes. A terrific Chris Day save just before the break ensured a comfortable 2-0 half time lead – and it’d be one that would double within 11 minutes of the restart; Moro’ scoring
To play today?: In today’s Boro’ squad, you’ll find a trio of players who once stepped out in the yellow and black shirt of Burton Albion. Kane Hemmings, Alex MacDonald, and Craig MacGillivray may all be in contention to feature versus their former side. On the other side of the fence, Steve Seddon – in on loan at the Pirelli Stadium – is a former loanee here too. Charlie Lakin is another Brewers player once of this parish, but he’s currently away out on loan elsewhere.
Best of the Rest: Lucas Akins and Darius Charles are two notable chaps who swapped the Lamex for the Pirelli in years gone by. Michael Bostwick and John Mousinho too have served both clubs at some point in their careers. Others from our time in the Foot-ball League to feature for both teams include David Gray and Phil Edwards. Go back a little further, meanwhile, and the likes of Sam McMahon and Jamie March have both Boro’ and the Brewers’ on their footballing CV.
twice in the space of two minutes. Hopes of a first clean sheet of the season, however, were sunk when Corbett scored their consolation on 74 minutes.
By Pete Hayman courtesy of boroguide.co.ukGood afternoon and welcome to the Lamex for today’s fixture with Burton. It has been a busy couple of weeks for everyone at the academy as our players break up for the Easter holidays. With some enjoying the time to get away recharge and be kids away with family and some enjoying our varied games programme in which half terms can bring.
Firstly, I spent the first week attending our Emerging Talent Fixtures with Brentford, having a look at players trying to make the step into our academy age groups through our pathway. Some of the players took the opportunity and ran away with it with fantastic performances that impressed us as academy staff. One player got the fantastic opportunity to join our U13 squad in their fixture with Chelsea at their Cobham training ground on
Sunday. So, a massive well done to Riley A for earning this opportunity. This week has been as hectic as ever, which has seen most of our academy staff on the road and away from Shephalbury, playing in tournaments, fixtures & attending Talent ID days. This week has seen our schoolboy players play the following teams Charlton, Bournemouth, Chelsea & Arsenal as well as some grassroots clubs which as always create a different learning experience for our players as we as coaches must adapt to each individual fixture and experiences that tournament football brings.
I hope you enjoy the game, make some noise, and COME ON THE BORO!
TOM FARR Foundation Phase LeadTODDS GREEN, SG1 2JE, HERTFORDSHIRE
3 DAYS 6 STAGES 80+ ACTS
FRIDAY SATURDAY
THE KILLERZ
SUNDAY
rick parfitt Jnr & THE Rpj band RULE THE WORLD TAKE THAT TRIBUTE
FORE FIGHTERS
U2 UK sTEREOTONICS
arctic monkeyz furnace & the fundamentals
Definitely could be oasis 7 WONDERS OF FLEETWOOD MAC
XODUS - BOB MARLEY TRIBUTE BLURD KAZABIAN
DS: UK IN TRIBUTE TO DIRE STRAITS PET SHOP BOYS TRIBUTE
SHANIA TWAIN STORY STRICTLY UB40
PIANO FACTOR MAX RYAN DIRTY HALF HUNDRED SCAM69
THE NASHVILLE NIGHTS BAND KICKING BACK Snubcat
EMERGENCY BREAK BAND New Town Centres
THE EGG AND BACON BAND SANDY UKELELE GROUP PLUS LOADS MORE
afterparty in the woods
FRIDAY SATURDAY
DAVE PEARCE CAR WASH plus special guests
free shuttle service to train station free parking vintage funfair
DANCE DEN IN THE WOODS KIDS AREnA HOSTED BY AIDAN o’neill
WORLD STREET FOOD CAMPING & GLAMPING VIP AREA
tickets available at
£12.50 TICKET
£12.50 TICKET
£22.50 £22.50 TICKET MEAL & DRINK TICKET MEAL & DRINK
DAVE THOMPSON RICHARD MORTON
HOSTED BY
DOORS 6PM | FIRST ACT 8PM BOOK ONLINE AT BOROTICKETS.CO.UK
STEVENAGE FC FOUNDATION ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF OUR 2024/2025 SEASON GIRLS PATHWAY TRIALS
With over 220 female players taking part in weekly sessions across this season, it is expected that this number will continue to grow as we head into our sixth season of providing development opportunities for girls in our local community.
Trials for the Women and Girls Pathway will take place across both May and June, with several dates per age group available. Trials are open for all female players aged 8-16, with specific trials taking place for Goal Keepers.
The pathway is made up of four tiers, alongside our Premier League Kicks Girls session which makes up our recreational offer. The pathway includes the ‘Pre-Pathway’, ‘Girls Football Centre’, ‘Girls Development
Centre’ and our FA Emerging Talent Centre. Each tier provides weekly training as a minimum and school holiday fixtures are offered as part of our Girls Development Centre and Emerging Talent Centre.
The pathway is a complimentary training and games programme to girls existing grassroots commitments and Stevenage FC Foundation
do not run any youth squads who compete in leagues.
If you are interested in registering a player to the trials, please use the QR codes on the trial graphics.
Should you require any further information on the Women and Girls pathway, please contact womenandgirls@stevenagefcf.com
Martin Paterson was appointed as the new manager of Burton Albion FC in January of this year. The former Burnley and Northern Ireland striker enjoyed coaching experience in America before joining Head Coach Michael Duff as his assistant at first Barnsley in League One and then Swansea City in the Championship. He was born in Staffordshire and began his career at Stoke City.
Paterson is working with the current backroom staff at the Pirelli Stadium which includes Gary Mills who was acting as caretaker manager since Dino Maamria left the club on December 9. At the time of his appointment Burton Albion Chairman Ben Robinson said: “He brings great experience as a player and as a coach and we believe he’s the right candidate to become our new manager. “We were impressed with Martin’s vision for the future and his understanding of what we are all about as a football club and at 36, we see the same abilities and potential that we have successfully recognised when we appointed Neil Warnock, Nigel Clough and Gary Rowett as young managers.”
Centre-Half Sam Hughes returned for a second loan spell with the Brewers in the summer of 2021 - a move which would be made permanent the following January.
Having come through the academy at Chester in 2015 he became a regular in their defence and was one of their youngest captains before earning a move to Premier League Leicester City, joining up with the Foxes Development Squad in 2017.
Sam made his EFL debut during a loan spell with League Two side Salford City in 2019 going on to make eight appearances for the Ammies. Sam made a big impression on everyone at the Pirelli Stadium in his first loan spell prior to a seasonending knee injury suffered in Decemberbut returned to the Brewers in November 2021, again on loan prior to signing on a permanent basis in January.
An exciting and attacking midfielder, Joe Powell is a product of the famed West Ham academy joining the club at the age of eight and signing a first professional deal in 2015, quickly earning a new three-year deal in 2016.
Joe made his Hammers bow in the League Cup in an 8-0 win over Macclesfield Town in September 2018 before heading out on loan to gain first team experience with Northampton Town in January 2019.
Impressing in West Ham’s U23s side he caught the eye of former Brewers boss Nigel Clough who paid a nominal fee to bring Joe to the Pirelli on a two-and-a-half-year contract in January 2020.
The 2020/21 season saw Joe establish himself in the Brewers side with a real eye for goal, dominating the Goal Of The Season award with a number of stunning long range efforts, most notably a 35-yard stunner at Portsmouth to take the award, before impressing again the following campaign and signing a new two-year contract in 2022.
Whether you’re a motor trade customer, a sole trader or a private individual, they offer a wide range of services to suit your needs – including regular live public car auctions.
If you’re a motor dealer looking to dispose of part exchange or overage stock, they can tailor a package that will benefit your company.
Looking to buy or sell a light commercial vehicle? Our regular auctions provide amazing opportunities to both acquire and dispose of quality used vans and commercial vehicles of all types, ages and conditions. To arrange a call-back click here www.letchworthmotorauctions.co.uk
The prominent pitch-facing location ensures that it is visible to all home and away fans and those watching the game via domestic/ international streaming and TV. Contact our Head of Commercial David Hoskins at davidh@stevenagefc.com or on 01438 223223 for more information.
They can take their place from:
1st September (Autumn Term)
1st January (Spring Term)
1st April (Summer Term)
A big ‘Boro’ welcome to our old sparring partners from the midlands, Burton Albion. Our two sides first met in the 1960’s in the Southern League Premier Division. In 1968, Burton were destined for relegation, but were saved because of the demise of Stevenage Town FC. Burton now play at the Pirelli Stadium, but I well remember going to the old Eton Park ground –and being introduced to Brian Clough! Lots of memories about Burton – all good.
Our last appointed game away is on Friday April 19th, when our hosts will be Oxford United. Cost is £25 and we depart at 4:30pm for The Kassam Stadium. Kick-off is at 8.00pm. Who of you will come to this last game? Who of you will join Boro the Bear and come to our last away fixture of this amazing 2023-24 season – and what a season! You can either book on-line via the SA’s website here, or you can contact John Carroll on 01438 814285 (after 6.00pm).
That the first passenger train from Stevenage to Hertford was on May 2nd 1924 – that’s 100 years ago next month! Back in the day, “Stripes” fans would catch the train from the old Julians Road station to go watch Stevenage Town play at Hertingfordbury Park. And, before you ask - no, I wasn’t around back then.
The FSA’s annual general meeting for 2024 has been set for Sunday July 21st in London. CLICK HERE for more details if interested in attending.
When I opened the link, I was pleased to see that the FSA had used a photo of the main stand at Hitchin’s Top Field ground – one of the oldest football grounds in the country. If anyone’s interested in attending, then do let me know.
At a recent committee meeting of the Supporters’ Association (SA), a number of topics came to light which prompted discussion and debate. The SA will soon be celebrating its 30th anniversary, and there was a positive view to re-launch the “Baby Boro” initiative. There was talk about whether the SA logo needed a re-brand, and consideration was afforded to reviewing the tasks and actions which individual committee members undertake. This was especially poignant in establishing where more help was required and the general direction of travel of the SA, given the status if the senior cub and its ongoing aspirations.
Have your say. Get involved. Keep your eye out for the SA’s own AGM this year and give some serious thought about engaging with the Stevenage FC SA – your SA!
The attached photo depicts the Roebuck Juniors from the early 1970’s. Amongst its number there are at least two future Stevenage Borough players (Mark Vooght and Martin Gittings). If any other players can remember this photograph being taken, then do get in touch. I’d love to record your memories.
Stevenage FC Supporters’ Association
*©2024 Kellanova. *18+, GB only. Purchase a promotional pack during 01/04/24 – 24/06/24 and claim your free day at an available Football Camp for your child aged 7 – 14 (with limited clubs offering places for children aged 5 – 15) by 16/08/24. To claim, visit kelloggsfc.com & register/sign into your Kellogg’s account, enter the last 4 digits of the bar code & provide your name, email address & postcode to view available camp places and request your code. Codes be completed with the chosen football club within 2 weeks of r be forfeited & reallocated. At least 30,000 places will be available throughout GB across the promotion period, with 2,500 codes released weekly between 01/04/24 – 24/06/24. For Celtic camps only - 5 free days. Subject to availability. Any unclaimed codes each week will roll into the next week. Offer only available whilst places last & may be limited geographically depending on club location and availability. Football Camp dates available throughout July & ember 2024. Max 2 claims per household. Offer does not include t
We are a family-run business covering all domestic and corporate plumbing and heating requirements. Based in Hertfordshire, we cover all the surrounding areas, including London.
Heating Controls Water Softeners
Powerflushing Blocked Drains and Pipes
New Heating Installations
Commercial Services