Stevenage FC v Carlisle Utd

B RO

Saturday, September 09 2023

Kick-Off: 3.00pm

MATCH SPONSOR

MANAGER STEVE EVANS

2023/2024 STAT PACK

Stevenage and Carlisle last met at League One level in March 2014, when the two sides drew 0-0 en route to both being relegated.

GOAL TIMES

Carlisle have alternated between defeat (3) and victory (2) in their last five league trips to Stevenage, losing 2-1 in this fixture last term.

AHEAD OF THE GAME

MATCHDAY TIMINGS

CLUB SHOP: Midday-3pm & 15 minutes after FT

TICKET OFFICE: Midday-3.15pm

THE BROADHALL SUITE: Midday-Kick-Off

(Home & Away supporters), Full-Time-8pm

(Home & Away supporters). Bar Food Available

THE 76 LOUNGE: Midday-Kick-Off (Home & Away Supporters), 3.15pm-80 minutes (North Stand Ticket Holders). CLOSED at Full-Time. Bar

Snacks Available

TURNSTILES: 1:30pm

TICKET INFO

BACK THE BORO VS CARLISLE UNITED IN LEAGUE ONE

We recommend arriving at the stadium early to avoid lengthy queues at the turnstiles and ensure you are seated in your allocated seat.

TICKETS & TRAVEL CHELTENHAM TOWN (SAT 23 SEP, 3PM)

Match tickets are available online at www. borotickets.co.uk , from the Stevenage FC Club Shop (open Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays 10am5pm) and from the ground on the day of the game (price increase).

Advance/Matchday

Adult: £26/£28 65+: £18/£20 Student: £18/£20 Under 18: £10/£12 Under 14: £1/£12

LOVE FOOTBALL. PROTECT THE GAME.

• No smoking or vaping anywhere within the stadium perimeter.

• Glass, cans, flasks and umbrellas are prohibited - a full list of prohibited items can be found here.

• Anti-social or disorderly behaviour of any sort will not be tolerated.

• Entering the field of play is a criminal offence. The Club will act swiftly and to its full powers to ban and prosecute individuals who break ground regulations.

fan FOCUS

One last season. I was a flag bearer with my football team Stevenage Boro Junior Titans, and it was the best day ever. I got to go on the pitch twice, and the goalkeeper Lo-Tutala gave me his autograph!

FAVOURITE ALL-TIME PLAYER (AND WHY)

It’s really hard for me to pick but it has to be Dan Sweeney.

FAVOURITE CURRENT PLAYER (AND WHY)

Besides Sweeney, Hegyi is my favourite at the moment. He had a great game against Shrewbury, and I can’t wait to see him back between the sticks again soon. I’m a goalkeeper so the goalies are always the ones I love

WHY DO YOU LOVE BORO?

FIRST GAME? YEAR, SEASON?

31st August 2021 Stevenage v Tottenham Hotspur U21s in the Football League Trophy

WHICH SECTION OF THE GROUND DO YOU NORMALLY WATCH THE MATCHES FROM?

Season ticket holder in the North stand - right behind the goal

BEST MEMORY/ MEMORIES OF SUPPORTING BORO

My favourite memory, and best ever football match was Stevenage vs Grimbsy Town to see us get promoted to League

I’m a massive football fan but my team Sunderland are so far away I only get to see them a few times a year, so my mum said I should try Stevenage as The Lamex is so close. I’ve fallen in love since my first match in 2021, I’ve had the best memories here, and I love that the red and white stripes match the team that I play for. Boro makes me feel like I’m surrounded by friends and I love match days. I love the Boro Bear, he always gives me a high five on match days.

FAVOURITE BORO SHIRT?

It’s so hard to pick, the first one I bought was the Burger King one, but this season’s home shirt is so nice, I love it and I wear it all the time. I love the lightning on the front.

Calling all Boro fans..

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST GAME OR THE FIRST SHIRT YOU BOUGHT? DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE ALL TIME PLAYER?

We would love to feature your memories in our digital interactive programme… if you are interested please drop Alex (dslo@stevenagefc.com) or Carl (slo@stevenagefc.com) an email asap!

Ellis Sigirtmac (age 7)

Offices in UK, USA, Ireland, Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Poland, Germany, Canada, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China. For

2023 2023/24 /24

MATCHDAY MASCOTS

It’s a big day for Boro and also for our mascots and we have four of them this afternoon hoping to help the team to another brilliant three points.

First up we say hi to Lewis Ryder, 13, who lives in Stevenage and attends Richard Hale School. Lewis lists Luther James-Wildin as his favourite Boro player and his hobby is of course football.

Next up it’s a big hello to Maisie Triplow, 11, who lives in Stevenage and attends John Henry Newman School. Maisie’s favourite Boro star is

Carl Piergianni and her hobby is also football! Our third mascot today is Shay White, 11, who lives in Hitchin and attends Highfield School. Shay’s favourite Boro player is keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond. Last, but by no means least, we welcome Sophia Triplow, 8, who lives in Stevenage and attends St Vincent de Paul School. Sophia’s favourite Boro player is Jordan Roberts and football is also her number one hobby. We hope all four have an amazing day with us and that we are all celebrating another win at the end of the afternoon.

Our interactive quiz is back, five teasers on our opponents today Carlisle - can you get a Boro fifer?

Lewis Ryder

Maisie Triplow

Shay White

Sophia Triplow

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Boro romped to this superb success over the Brewers and it was Steve Morison who grabbed the headlines with a brilliant hat-trick.

Lee Boylan put the home side on their way when he netted after just three minutes, and the lead was doubled on 19 minutes when Morison grabbed the first of his treble. Going in at the break with a comfortable lead, Boro rarely looked troubled and it was to be a quickfire brace which turned this into a rout. Morison grabbed his second on 55 minutes and just a minute later the match ball was his and Boro were handing out a real lesson in this Conference clash.

To their credit the stunned Brewers didn’t

Saturday 06 September 2008

16 Chris Day

25 Ronnie Henry

5 Luke Oliver

6 Mark Albrighton (66)

3 Scott Laird

2 Lawrie Wilson

15 John Martin

24 Michael Bostwick

13 Daryl McMahon (90)

10 Lee Boylan

20 Steve Morison

SUBSTITUTES

1 Ashley Bayes

4 Eddie Odhiambo (66)

7 Anthony Thomas

21 Mitchell Cole (90)

30 Peter Vincenti

give up and they did pull one back through Andrew Corbett with 15 minutes to go, but by then the damage was already done.

Lee Boylan put the home side on their way when he netted after just three minutes

BORO HISTORY

ON THIS DAY: 09 SEPTEMBER

It took a while – but, wow, how it was worth waiting for. On this date in 2006, Mark Stimson finally registered his first win as Boro’ gaffer; George Boyd netting a hattrick as we put Stafford Rangers to the sword at Broadhall Way. And it’s no surprise that it’s easily our biggest highlight as far as 9 September is concerned. Mind you, that’s not the only highlight we have to report on this date in history. From 10 previous outings, we have a total of five wins to our name – compared with two draws and three defeats. Our most recent win on this date came 11 years ago in front of the Sky TV cameras at the Ricoh Arena. Boro’ went up to Coventry City and recorded a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Robin Shroot and Marcus Haber. And it was a result that meant we were five unbeaten in League One at the start of that particular campaign. The 1995-6 campaign saw us reach FA Cup Round One for the first time ever. Obviously, that particular milestone was still a good few weeks away at this point. But our path there began on this date; early on in the competition, early on in season. And we were surprisingly held by Brook House of the London Spartan League Premier Division.

IT’S CARLISLE UNITED AGAIN…

We’re barely six weeks into the new League One campaign and – already – we’ve met all three other teams who came up from League Two with us. The Cumbrians are the last of that trio and come to the Lamex looking to defend a headto-head record in which they’ve won 12 of our previous 26 encounters. Boro’, for comparison, have won nine times. A word of warning too: our home form against our guests today has been very topsy-turvy in recent years.

MAGIC MOMENT:

25 April 2015 – Sky Bet League Two

1981 Potton United 0-1 Stevenage Borough, United Counties League Premier Division (Whishaw)

1985 Stevenage Borough 1-0 Letchworth Garden City, Vauxhall Opel League Division 2 North (R Marshall)

1986 Rainham Town 2-1 Stevenage Borough, A.C. Delco Cup Preliminary Round (Gittings)

1989 Basildon United 1-1 Stevenage Borough, Vauxhall Opel League Division 2 North (O’Keefe)

1995 Stevenage Borough 0-0 Brook House, FA Cup R1Q

1996 Stevenage Borough 2-1 Bath City, GM Vauxhall Conference (Bates, Browne)

2000 Northwich Victoria 3-2 Stevenage Borough, Nationwide Conference (Hay 2)

2006 Stevenage Borough 6-0 Stafford Rangers, Conference National (Boyd 3, Dobson 2, Morison)

2012 Coventry City 1-2 Stevenage, npower League One (Shroot, Haber)

2017 Stevenage 1-2 Lincoln City, Sky Bet League Two (Godden; Wilkinson s/o)

It’s not our biggest win against Carlisle United, nor is it our most recent. But it’s possible for you to claim this as being our most significant. This win stretched our unbeaten run in League Two to six matches. More importantly, it left us in sixth position – seven points clear of eighth-placed Luton Town with one game left. And that meant a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. Our guests, meanwhile, were languishing in 20th – albeit now comfortably clear of the bottom two.

Boro’ had their chances in the first half – but couldn’t make the breakthrough before the interval. Luckily, the decisive goal took just two minutes to arrive in the second half; Dean Parrett converting with aplomb from the edge of the box. Brad Potts could’ve spoiled our party on the hour mark. Yet, the chance that came his way wasn’t converted; poking it wide when it seemed easier to get it on target. With that reprieve, Boro’ wrestled back control of the game and nearly had a second when Tom Pett struck the post. It wasn’t to be, but the win was. And a late

Southend winner against the Hatters made sure that playoff place was ours. Funny to think now given the respective positions of all concerned…

BORO’ AT THIS STAGE…

Gameweek 7

Boro’ are looking good six games into the current campaign; a return of 13 points that makes it our ninth-best opener to a league season – based on three points for a win. If that’d been the case for the 1980-1 season instead of only two points for a win, it’d be 10th. There’s always a caveat, isn’t there. Mind you, even 10 out of 44 isn’t bad going at all.

Maybe the two most important points we can take from our opening six games this season.

First, we’re tracking at the same pace as last season – but with a better goal difference. Second, we’ve never had such a good start to a campaign in the third tier; a point better off than 2012-3 and four points better off than when we reached the playoffs in 2011-2.

There are only three seasons where we’ve recorded six wins out of six. The first two were 1984 and 1985 respectively, while the other was in 1999. In contrast, we were still waiting for a first league win at this point on two occasions. The first was when Stimmo took over in 2006, while the other set the scene for an incredibly forgettable 2019-20 season.

ON BOTH SIDES…

The very back to the very front; the list of players to feature on both sides of this particular divide seem to be either employed in scoring goals or stopping them going in. We have three goalkeepers – Paul Farman, Joe Fryer, and Luke O’Reilly for starters. And then we have six recognised attackers, with David Amoo swapping us for them last season. Francois Zoko first arrived on English shores with his move to Carlisle United in 2010, even if it wasn’t necessarily as pro-lific as his time with us a few years later. In contrast, Ryan Loft is a striker who had a better time of it in Cumbria; the ex-Spurs striker at least getting on the scoresheet at Brunton Park.

By Pete Hayman courtesy of boroguide.co.uk

Paul Farman

PLAYER SPONSORS FIRST TEAM 2023/24

1 Taye Ashby-Hammond SPONSORED BY BARBARA FOLLETT

2 Luther James-Wildin SPONSORED BY KEN FOLLETT

3 Dan Butler SPONSORED BY

4 Nathan Thompson SPONSORED BY LAST GOALSCORERS SOCIETY

5 Carl Piergianni SPONSORED BY DAVID GRAY

6 Dan Sweeney SPONSORED BY

9 Elliott List SPONSORED BY

12 Krisztian Hegyi SPONSORED BY JOHN MACKENZIE

14 Kane Smith SPONSORED BY

10 Nick Freeman SPONSORED BY

8 Jake Forster-Caskey SPONSORED BY

11 Jordan Roberts SPONSORED BY ALFIE MILES

7 Alex McDonald SPONSORED BY

15 Terence Vancooten SPONSORED BY

16 Harry Anderson SPONSORED BY MIKE HARNIMAN & LAURA TYLER

17 Finley Burns SPONSORED BY

Paul Raynor SPONSORED BY Alex Revell SPONSORED BY Keith Bell

Pledger

Evans SPONSORED BY

19 Jamie Reid SPONSORED BY 20 Aaron Pressley SPONSORED BY

23 Louis Thompson SPONSORED BY

24 Ben Thompson SPONSORED BY

22 Harrison Neal SPONSORED BY

Charlie McNeill SPONSORED BY 29 Kane Hemmings SPONSORED BY

18 Harvey White SPONSORED BY

25 Reece Hannam SPONSORED BY

STEVENAGE FC ACADEMY

These Academy notes are an opportunity to not only share what we are up to with our players, but also to welcome a number of new staff to our family. Our full-time coaching team has expanded, to include a ‘Fundamental Phase’ Lead Coach, which has seen Chris Barrell take on the coaching delivery and management of the U7-10 age groups. We are delighted to have Tom Farr work with the U11-14’s and Paul Dale with the U15-16’s, with Ronnie Henry continuing to lead the U17-18’s with Nick Mountford as a full-time coach. Ashley Taylor has taken on a full-time role, working alongside Paul in the U15-16’s as well as with Josh ColdicottStevens on the Education Development Programme, which we are delighted to be continuing with at the Herts FA in Letchworth. Thomas Gogo joins us as part of the Professional Player to Coach Scheme, run in conjunction with the Premier League and we are pleased with what our staff have been able to deliver thus far at this early stage of the season. Our schoolboys programme has begun in earnest, with a challenging round of fixtures against Cambridge United last weekend, on top of a host of festival, tournaments and friendly fixtures across the region, including for instance, a trip down to Brighton for our U15-16s and our U10s going to Arsenal for a Friday night game. We welcome a number of coaches to the team as age group leads, Sian Lingham, after a great year as U13 Support Coach, takes our new U13’s group, Harry Smart joins us as U14’s lead and Phil Hill has begun as the U12’s lead. We have also been delighted to have support coaches join our Coaching Team, who will all be tasked with making the absolute most of every session and game, supporting and challenging the players they work with, so welcome to Fabio, Reece and Ben. We welcomed back all of our players and parents at the end of August, with the Coaching Team Induction following, which saw a room full of enthusiastic, driven and open-minded staff discuss the direction we want to head in and how we are going to do it. The sheer number of people in the room (27!)

not only highlighted the investment this club is making in its Academy, but also the excitement of our team, in particular the volunteers, in what we, as a football club, are building. The next CPD event we will be hosting will see our FA Youth Coach Developer collaborate with us to design, deliver and review a bespoke session, on and off the training pitch, about ‘Building a Session – Scaffolding for Learning and Development’. We will be tasking our coaches to, working within our framework, come up with informed ideas about how to get the most out of each practice within a session, they’ll come together to discuss, challenge each other and settle upon a well-planned session and go out to deliver. We believe this model, rather than being lectured at by me, provides the opportunity for great ideas to formulate, to give ownership to the coaches and should, in theory, create a fantastic learning environment for our players. The focus is always on the players, something we pride ourselves in and it is our responsibility to do our best to develop every player under our care. Nothing gives us greater gratification, than seeing one of our own making their debut at the Lamex, so we will continue to strive to make this happen as often as possible.

IEUAN LEWIS Head of Coaching

STEVENAGE FC WOMEN

ST ALBANS CITY 1

Hickey, Burke, Santangelo, Farrell, Paton, Cunningham, L Hancock, Avramova, Shephard, Godino, Georgieva

Subs: Ford, Ward, Small, Nellis, Williams

Goals: Shephard

Booked: Shephard

STEVENAGE FCW 1

Ray, White, Southby, Gunn, Nebbitt, Bodily, Baker-Re, Gooderham, Millen, Hendy, Dempsey

Subs: Clarke, Stubbs, Goodall, Payne

Sub Not Used: O’Brien

Goals: Hendy

Booked: Gunn

The points were shared at Clarence Park this weekend as Becky Shephard cancelled out a first half goal from Sophie Hendy on Sunday. It was an enthralling and captivating match from start to finish and played at an incredible pace despite the searing heat that was present for the entirety of the game.

St Albans thought they had the first real opportunity on target which required a fabulous save from Celine Ray, but despite her heroics, the whistle blew for offside and Polina Avramova was reprieved. Moments earlier, Shephard had tried to find her range but saw her effort fly wide. At the opposite end, Boro were creating too. Lilia Dempsey sent a good ball in from the left that Kelsey Millen couldn’t quite get under control in time, as Kalina Georgieva stole the ball from her toe before she could let fly.

St Albans felt they should have had a penalty, which was waved away by Billy Houghton and Millen thought she had a shot away before falling victim to the offside trap. Ray was bossing her box as she came to collect well from crosses and Stevenage had their own penalty appeal turned down for handball. In fairness, neither shout was particularly strong and the referee –correct.

The best chance of the half so far – and only 17 minutes had elapsed – came from another Hannah Nebbitt free kick. Her inviting ball from the right towards the near post was missed by centimetres as Jodie Southby looked guaranteed to head the ball home. The game finally settled as both sides fought for the ascendancy. Kelsey Millen was adjudged offside when embarking on a solo run, but this paled into insignificance moments later. With just over half an hour played, Amy Gooderham broke

free down the right-hand side. After a few jinks, the ball was looped towards the far post where Hendy somehow got to the ball after it had bounced and delicately lifted it away from the opponents and into the net.

Millen and Hendy nearly doubled the lead just four minutes later. Millen cut inside to her left foot where both Holly Williams and Jess Burke pulled off their best Gandalf impressions whilst not allowing the attacker to pass their defence. The ball was poked out to Hendy whose shot from the edge of the box flew away from the target.

The last action of the half saw Millen again advance before unleashing a relatively tame effort that Annie Hickey was able to collect. The first half came to an end with Borough just ahead, but good value for their lead.

St Albans came out refreshed and invigorated and tested Ray early from distance with a free kick. Ray passed that test with flying colours but two minutes later she was unable to stop Shephard from levelling after a looping shot was placed expertly beyond her reach. Boro’ fans knew all about the talent of Shephard after her clutch of goals for the club last season, but this was one they would not celebrate. Again Boro’ grew into the half and Millen continued to pressurise Hickey, this time with a shot from outside the box which stung the ‘keeper’s hands initially, before claiming at the second attempt. St Albans considered themselves unlucky when Elsbeth Cunningham

saw her effort come back off the post, amongst the collective sighs of relief from the Boro’ faithful.

A Chloe Gunn yellow card was sandwiched between a good cut inside and shot from Hendy and an even better run and shot from Gooderham following a tidy pass from Sarah Payne. Gooderham had her shot perfectly placed, but Burke again got the all-important block. Gunn also saw her low effort from the resulting corner fly just wide, a trick that was repeated by Payne during time added on at the opposite post. As Gunn herself said, “Sometimes they go in – and sometimes they don’t!” In the end, 483 people were treated to an absolute delight of a football match, with both sides registering their first point of the season. Manager Dave Perry had mixed emotions at the final whistle, “I thought we played well, but I’m frustrated with the result. When we play football, we play good football, but we gave the ball away a little too much today for my liking.”

You can see Stevenage FCW in action in their first home game of the season as they do battle with Haringey Borough on Sunday 10th September. Keep your eye on the social media platforms for more details - @stevenagefcw

CLICK HERE to visit our YouTube channel for more Stevenage FCW interviews, challenges and content, including match highlights - don’t forget to like and subscribe!

STEVENAGE FC FOUNDATION

New artwork celebrating Stevenage Football Club & Stevenage FC Foundation has been unveiled at the underpass leading to The Lamex Stadium. As part of the town’s £1bn regeneration plans, Stevenage Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council and street artists MurWalls have worked in partnership to improve the pathways to key areas of our town. Along with two other underpasses themed to represent the town’s achievements in science and technology and its green spaces and active travel routes, the underpass leading to The Lamex Stadium commemorates the history of Stevenage Football Club and its work in the community.

The Stevenage FC artwork includes club record goalscorer Martin Gittings, club record appearance holder Ronnie Henry, plus icons Barry Hayles, Mark Roberts and current Club captain Carl Piergianni. On the opposite wall, Stevenage FC Women

CEO of Stevenage Football Club, Mike Pink said, “On behalf of Stevenage Football Club, I would like to thank Hertfordshire County Council, The Stevenage Development Board and Murwalls for the wonderfully painted historic and community-based murals which now feature in the underpass leading to the Lamex Stadium

“The addition of the murals has added considerably to the overall experience of arriving at Stevenage Football Club for a match day, and I encourage all our supporters, whether using public transport, driving, cycling or walking, to pay them a visit”.

On your next visit to The Lamex Stadium, visit the roundabout connecting the A602 to Monskwood Way and see the fantastic artwork representing Stevenage’s incredible qualities and opportunities for residents, communities and businesses to enjoy.

captain Lucy Webster is featured along with the most-loved mascot Boro Bear.

WELCOME

www.carlisleunited.co.uk

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE SQUAD LIST

Meet the boss

Carlisle lad Paul Simpson returned for his second spell in the hotseat at Brunton Park in February 2022, with the club deeply embroiled in a relegation battle.

There was an immediate upturn in results, with the club securing league safety with a month to spare.

Talks quickly followed and a three-year deal, keeping him with Carlisle until at least the summer of 2025, was agreed.

He repaid that faith with promotion to League One – secured in dramatic fashion with a penalty shootout victory over Stockport County at Wembley – at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

The popular gaffer first became a local hero when he took over a struggling club during the 2003/04 season. He galvanised the Blues, almost saving them from an impossible situation, but led the charge with back-to-back promotions from the Conference into League One through 2004/05 and 2005/06.

A man with a wealth of football and management experience - he won the World Cup at the helm of the England U20 squad in 2017 – he has also managed at Rochdale, Preston, Shrewsbury, Stockport, Northwich Victoria and Bristol City, prior to his return to Cumbria.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Paul Simpson

Last FIVE

One'S to watch

CALLUM GUY

Midfielder Callum Guy initially penned an 18-month deal with the Blues during the January 2020 transfer window.

A triggered clause secured his services for a further 12-months at the end of the 20/21 season. He then agreed a new contract in September 2021 which kept him at Brunton Park until the summer of 2023 before another two-year deal was agreed. A box-to-box midfielder, he started his career with Derby County where he quickly became a regular in the club’s under-23 side. He had loan spells with Port Vale and Bradford whilst with the Rams, where he gained vital league experience, then spent the first half of the 2018/19 campaign at Bloomfield Road, where he made 21 appearances. His performances secured him a permanent move and he made just under 50 appearances for the Tangerines, including 22 through the first half of the 2019/20 season.

His first full season with the Blues earned him a raft of player-of-the-season nominations, many of which ended up on his mantlepiece.

ALFIE MCCALMONT

Midfielder Alfie McCalmont initially joined the Blues on a half-season loan deal from Leeds during the January 2023 transfer window. He scored twice in 19 appearances through that spell, and played his part in the successful promotion winning game at Wembley, prompting discussions on a permanent move. A two-year deal was agreed in the summer of 2023. With plenty of league experience, he spent the 2020/21 season on-loan with Oldham Athletic where he bagged 10 goals in 39 appearances. After impressing at Boundary Park, he was rewarded with an international callup by manager Ian Baraclough for fixtures against Malta and Ukraine. He has appeared at every level for his country from under-17 upwards.

Callum Guy

Alfie McCalmont

STEVENAGE FC COMMERCIAL

MATCH SPONSOR

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They can take their place from:

1st September (Autumn Term)

1st January (Spring Term)

1st April (Summer Term)

LATEST NEWS

WELCOME

Now, if you’re a “die hard” Carlisle fan who lives in the city, then there’s a chance that you set off from home about 7.00am this morning and drove some 280 miles to get here to Stevenage in good time to catch the game before setting off for home again, getting back to Carlisle at about 10.30ish – just in time to see Match of the Day. The mark of a true fan. I know. I did the same reverse journey a couple of years ago. Happily, Carlisle’s ranks should be boosted today by the “Carlisle United Supporters Club – London Branch”. It boasts a membership of over 300, so it’ll be great to see you all today.

YOUR HELP WANTED

Boro fan extraordinaire Lewis Collins sent me a great video last week. It was of a clothes rack he has at home. However, this was no ordinary clothes rack. No, this rack displayed his collection of Stevenage football shirts. Every shirt – home, away and 3rd strip, going as far back as 1994 – and earlier. Absolutely amazing.

This is where I need your help. At some time in the future, either the Stevenage Museum, or the Foundation, or the club itself may want to put together an exhibition – from a social, historical and heritage perspective.

On behalf of the club, I am compiling a ‘directory’ of who has what.

For example, who of you has the biggest collection of Stevenage match-day football programmes? Who has unusual memorabilia connected to the club? Where is the oldest Stevenage programme in existence ? Check out the accompanying photograph of a Hertford v. Stevenage example from 1923.

I first conducted this exercise some twelve years ago at our “Memories Day” which was in October 2011, so my thanks to those who offered their contributions back then. However, I would so love to hear from you if you have “stuff”. If you could enhance our data-base in any way, please contact me here: Lloyd@sfcsa.co.uk

BORO BUS

Away to Cheltenham on Saturday September 23rd. Cost: £25 for members and £30 for non-members. Departure time: 10:30am. Check out the SA’s website for details of how to book.

Cheltenham! Who remembers being evacuated from Whaddon Road in 1998 because of a bomb scare - so we all went across to the park opposite to see a local league game underway.

FSA

Chelsea fans hit the news this week, regarding their buses to away games. For many years, their club has subsidised the buses to the extent that no Chelsea fan has to pay more than £10 per seat. The club have now revoked the gesture citing that it cost the club some £250,000 a season.

Chelsea fan groups are incandescent – at having to pay the same sort of monies that our own Stevenage fans pay for the SA bus.

Hats off to Stoke City though – all their away buses are free for their supporters.

LLOYD BRISCOE Chair - Stevenage FC Supporters’ Association

FIXTURES & RESULTS

HERE’S A I BET YOU DIDN’T KN