Stevenage FC v Cheltenham Town FC

First Team Coach ALEX REVELL

We have to make sure we end the season on a high

All photos by Jim Steele unless otherwise stated

SPONSORED

CHAIRMAN PHIL WALLACE

Good afternoon and welcome to the players and officials of Cheltenham Town.

Well, I always planned to do the notes for the last game of the season, but I didn’t think I’d be writing them without a manager.

The approach from Rotherham for Steve came out of the blue, but they did everything correctly and he wanted to go, so there was little to discuss other than to say our goodbyes. It’s always good when matters like this are handled professionally and in a cordial manner. Steve has left us in a far better position than when he joined and that’s all you want as a club owner. It’s the ultimate statement.

We asked Revs to step up and take the team until the end of the season and he’s agreed to do that, so my thanks and those of everyone connected to our Club to him. As usual, Revs put his work before his own personal situation, and I can’t speak highly enough of people that do that. I’ll be sitting down with Revs to discuss the way forwards prior to this game, and we’ll go from there. My intention is to appoint a new Manager asap. There are recruitment decisions to be made and, whilst the core of our squad is

signed up for next season, we would like to add a few quality players and have another go at the top six positions next season.

Once the last ball is kicked on Saturday, we go into a different model – it’s all about recruitment for two months or so. We have a week or two to play community style games on the pitch and then we move into pitch refurbishment.

This year, we will be adding new goals, new secondary drainage and converting the allnatural grass pitch to a hybrid pitch, with artificial grass woven into the soil. The outcome will be a truer surface that will allow us to play more games without the deterioration in pitch quality that would ordinarily bring.

Finally, I want to thank the players, management, staff, my fellow directors and of course you the fans for your marvellous support this season.

If we can continue to build our attendances, we can reinvest that extra income into the playing budget and, hopefully, continue the good times we’ve enjoyed for the last two seasons.

Whether you’re playing or watching – enjoy the game and we’ll see you next season!

AHEAD OF THE GAME

MATCHDAY TIMINGS

CLUB SHOP: 10am-12:30pm

TICKET OFFICE: 10am-1pm

THE BROADHALL SUITE: Open to Home & Away supporters, 11am-Kick-Off, OPEN at FullTime for SA Awards. Bar Food Available

THE 76 LOUNGE: 11am-Kick-Off (Home & Away Supporters), 12:45pm-80 minutes (North Stand Ticket Holders), OPEN at Full-time. Bar Snacks Available

TURNSTILES: 11am

All tickets must be purchased before reaching the turnstiles either online or from the North Stand Ticket Office.

SFCSA END OF SEASON AWARDS

Taking place inside The Broadhall Suite after the game, there will be a limited number of tickets made available for non-SA members, to be collected from the Club Shop on a first come, first serve basis from 10am on Saturday –maximum two per person.

• Doors/Bar Open: Full-Time

• Buffet Served: 2.45pm

• Presentation Starts: 3.30pm

• Bar Close: 5pm

Like previous years, the Supporters’ Association will be presenting the following three awards:

• The SA Player of the Year Award – Voted by SA Members

• The Players Player of the Year Award

• The Young Player of the Year (in memory of Pitbull) – selected by First Team staff

UP TO 50% OFF END OF SEASON SALE

As our 2023/24 season in League One comes to a close, the Stevenage FC Club Shop has slashed its prices for all home, away and third replica kits as well as all of this season’s Macron training wear.

• Adult Home/Away/Third Shirt: was £48 / now £25

• Junior Home/Away/Third Shirt: was £38 / now £20 Click here to make your purchase online or visit us in-store.

SOCIAL

@StevenageFC ��"Let's end the season on a high in front of everyone at our home ground". ��

a special day at The Lamex tomorrow - come join us!��

stevenagefcofficial �� “Get Revs his first win as manager in League One & finish on as many points as possible”. ��

stevenagefcofficial Puttin’ on a show. ⛳️

stevenagefcofficial Boro’ will once again be the community partner for North Hertfordshire’s biggest live music festival @toddintheholefestival this summer.

JANICE COMERFORD

The past and present staff and players of Stevenage FC would like to pay tribute to Janice Comerford who has given no less than 30 years of service to the club. Here Janice tells us about a fantastic career with the Boro.

Ihave chalked up 30 years being involved with Boro! Where has the time gone? Good times, sad times too. In 1994, I was still at Barnet FC having worked for them for 9 years, but had moved to Stevenage with my parents. Victor Green rang me and offered me a job as Assistant Club Secretary, which I accepted. Within a couple of weeks, I was promoted to Club Secretary as the previous secretary, John Jackson retired. I was the first female Club Secretary in the Vauxhall Conference and I was lucky as Derek Almond, the Dagenham and Redbridge secretary took me under his wing.

I left temporarily in 1997 to look after my terminally ill parents but still volunteered in the tea bars, and watched the team when I could. My parents passed away in 1998 and I was working at other clubs, but still volunteered and supported Boro when time allowed.

In 1999, Phil Wallace asked me to come back full time but the timing was wrong as I was working

for the Herts FA and I was suffering from ill health, so I declined but helped out on the Spurs Reserve matches and watched Boro when I could. My husband Sean then became Safety Officer of the club and I carried on supporting the team and worked on Spurs matches and turnstiles. In 2009, I became Cash Office Manager on match days, organising turnstile and programme staff and general match day troubleshooter, which I did until two years ago. Over the years, I have been Club Secretary, kit washer, tea maker, cash office manager, COVID temperature checker, ticket office and the best role of all, my current role as players receptionist. I love being around the players –such a special bunch of lads.

There are lots of memories including the infamous FA Cup and FA Trophy runs, beating Kenny Webster at bowling, Wordle competitions with the players, sharing cups of tea with the A Team, Stevenage carnival with the players on the Stevenage FC float, celebrating last year’s promotion with the most wonderful bunch of players.

Funniest memories – John King, manager of Altrincham deliberately giving me the telephone number of a launderette instead of a fish and chip shop, as he said that our players would need a launderette as in his Northern accent “Altrincham are going to put Stevenage through the ringer!” We beat them 2-1 so Kingy paid for 20 portions of fish and chips! Then there was Vauxhall Conference Awards Weekend – we had won the League and couldn’t go up. Victor Green was quite defiant at the time and insisted that all the Stevenage FC attendees, including myself, should wear a white tuxedo with red tie, instead of the obligatory black one. I refused, but compromised by wearing a red dress. We walked into the room, deliberately

late, to make an entrance. The room went silent and Peter Wragg, the Stalybridge Celtic manager started singing “Just one Cornetto”. I knew Peter Wragg very well and it was so typical of him. The whole room laughed – very embarrassing but looking back, very funny.

I also attended League meetings on behalf of the club, and there was one where the Dagenham and Redbridge management and staff, and Peter Wragg from Stalybridge got so

drunk the night before, they were snoring in the meeting. I couldn’t stop giggling.

I have met some very special people over the years at Boro – volunteers, staff, supporters and players. Boro is in my heart and always will be.

FAN FOCUS

Another season over already! It only feels like yesterday that we were celebrating our promotion to League One!

Our Disabled Supporter family has continued to grow and so many lovely friendships continue to be made, I feel very proud to be a part of that! I am always delighted to meet new supporters, so please don’t be afraid to say hello!

There are so many highlights for me from this season, so I wanted to share some of them with you.

SAMANTHA

We started a Disabled Supporters birthday club to celebrate together on matchdays….we had two very special birthdays this year, Dawn was 60 and Samantha 40! Despite the floodlights going down unexpectedly, we still managed to make Samanthas 40th Birthday special outside the stadium!

Leo had a very special 14th Birthday as Mascot for the Day and walked out with his favourite player Taye. He is nearly as tall as him!

Level Playing Fields Unite For Access campaign was as amazing as ever and this year we were delighted it featured on Anglia News! It was such a pleasure to invite Elliot accompanied by his brother Nathan to lead out the first team which they both thoroughly enjoyed and also did a fantastic TV interview too!

It was then followed by another amazing performance from the Purple Allstars at half time spreading their very important health and inclusion message and this year the East stand joined in by singing along!

I have been very lucky to have Jamie helping me set up our Disabled seating areas on matchdays. It has been a real pleasure to work with Jamie as he is always so helpful. Keep it up Jamie!

Finally I wanted to thank all of the staff that help support me and our disabled supporters to make their matchday experience as inclusive as possible. We are lucky to have such wonderful stewards, ticket office staff, 50/50 ticket sellers, refreshment staff and many others that make our matchday experience how wonderful it is.

I also have to say a huge special thank you to Boro Bear who never says no to a photo, selfie or a high five! We really do have the best mascot in League One!

I hope you all have a lovely summer break and really look forward to seeing you all again next season!!

EDDIE

AMATCHDAY MASCOTS

fter a long season we have our final selection of marvellous mascots who have done so well to give Boro plenty of good luck this season.

We have no less than seven super Boro fans who will be cheering the lads from close up today and we wish them all a great afternoon with us.

First up we say hello to Ben Chapman, 8, who lives in Sandy and attends Robert Peel Primary. Ben’s hobbies are football, cubs and art and his favourite player is Alex MacDonald. It truly is a family affair as brother Lewis Chapman, 11, is also a mascot today. Lewis attends Sandy Secondary School, his big hobby is football and his favourite player is Dan Sweeney.

Next we welcome Shai Williams-Doughty, 11, who lives in Welwyn GC and attends Commonswood School. Shai enjoys both watching and playing football and his favourite players are Carl Piergianni and Jamie Reid.

Our fourth mascot is Taylor Packer, 13, who lives in Stevenage and attends Marriott’s School.

Taylor loves following Boro home and away and also gaming and his top Boro star is skipper Carl Piergianni.

Our next mascot is Jack Hearne, 6, who lives in Dunmow in Essex and attends Rodings Primary School. Jack enjoys football, rugby, WWE and rugby and his favourite player is Kane Hemmings. Next up we keep it in the family with George Hearne, 9, who also attends Rodings Primary School. George loves all sports, especially football and basketball and Carl Piergianni is his big Boro pick.

Last but by no means least we welcome Jacob McEvoy, 10, to the Lamex. Jacob lives in Meppershall and attends Biggleswade Academy with football and PlayStation being his top hobbies.

It has been a remarkable season for Boro and we would like to thank all those who have been a mascot for the side this campaign. We hope our magnificent seven enjoy the game today and as always bring home the three points for our side.

interactive Boro quiz!

Our brilliant interactive Boro quiz is here, five questions to test your knowledge.

SPONSORED BY

Taylor Packer Shai Williams-Doughty

Lewis & Ben Chapman Jack Hearne George Hearne Jacob McEvoy

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Defeat on the last day of the Blue Square Premier season ended a club-record 24game unbeaten run, but the conclusion of a historic run wouldn’t stop the club’s promotion hopes as they hosted rivals, Cambridge United, in a first-leg play-off semi-final.

Merely weeks after beating The U’s 2-1 at Broadhall Way, Cambridge returned, seeking revenge. This time, however, with a lot more at stake. The importance of the game perhaps got the better of Stevenage’s number 7, Darren Murphy, who ignited the game’s fire after being sent off moments before the half time whistle for what was deemed a deliberately late challenge on a Cambridge player. Manager, Graham Westley, had clearly rallied his troops at half time as they came flying out the

Thursday 30th April 2009

Blue Square Premier Play-Off Semi-Final (1st Leg)

Gary Mills (45’)

Calum Willock (88’)

Peter Vincenti

blocks. The hosts took an unlikely lead just two minutes after the game’s restart, courtesy of Mark Roberts, who nodded a looping cross just over the line.

Boro’s lead didn’t last long though as Lee Philips thundered home a superb strike from the edge of the box, sending the away fans into raptures. Determined to wrestle back the semi-final into his team’s favour, Steve Morrison, launched himself towards the ball on the hour mark, with his header looping over Danny Potter in the Cambridge goal and handing Stevenage the advantage once again. Morrison sent Boro into dreamland with six minutes left as dispatched another long ball over the top, into the back of the net. It was a result that seemed unthinkable at half time when Stevenage went down to ten men, although the result infamously was thrown away in the away leg as Boro fell to a 3-0 defeat and crashed out of the play-offs.

ALFIE NICHOLSON

CLICK BELOW TO CHECK OUT THE PROGRAMME

Stats courtesy of Boroguide

BORO HISTORY

ON THIS DAY: 27 APRIL

The last weekend of April means the end of the season is firmly in sight – if not already reached in years gone by. On eight previous occasions, Boro’ have been in action on 27 April. Half of them ended all square, while three delivered welcome victories. And, on one occasion, today was a day on which a championship was confirmed.

Going into the final three matches of the 1995-6 GM Vauxhall Conference season, Boro’ held a seven-point lead over Woking. So, a win at home to Morecambe would’ve confirmed – without a doubt – the title was ours. In the end, we had to settle for a point. But the Cards’ failure to win meant one, not three, was enough to be crowned champions. It’s hard for any other game on this day to live up to such a momentous occasion –understandably.

Drama wasn’t in short supply today in 2019. We gave ourselves a hint of a chance of gatecrashing the League Two by winning at Mansfield Town; Ilias Chair bagging the decisive goal in stoppage

1982 Desborough Town 2-2 Stevenage

Borough, United Counties League

Premier Division (Jacobs 2)

1991 Berkhamsted Town 0-0 Stevenage

Borough, Vauxhall Football League

Division Two North

1995 Stevenage Borough 4-2 Altrincham, GM Vauxhall Conference (Nugent, Hayles 2, Fortune-West)

1996 Stevenage Borough 1-1 Morecambe, GM Vauxhall Conference (Browne)

1998 Stevenage Borough 1-1 Leek Town, Football Conference (Smith)

2002 Stevenage Borough 3-1 Hereford

United, Nationwide Conference (Jackson, Goodliffe, Stirling)

2013 Stevenage 0-2 MK Dons, npower League One

2019 Mansfield Town 1-2 Stevenage, Sky Bet League Two (Guthrie, Chair)

time. It was the second of three straight defeats that cost the Stags automatic promotion. Meanwhile, we were one of four teams just two points off seventh.

Boro’ signed off their league campaign on 27 April 2002 with a 3-1 home win over Hereford

United; Broadhall Way in festive spirits ahead of our maiden FA Trophy Final appearance. But the mood was the opposite in 2013; a 2-0 defeat at home to MK Dons wrapping up a tumultuous 2012-3 campaign in which we ended just six points clear of the drop.

IT’S CHELTENHAM TOWN AGAIN…

Not unlike Burton Albion recently, Cheltenham Town are a side we’ve faced a reasonable amount of times in seasons gone by. But this is the Robins’ first visit to the Lamex Stadium for three years – give or take a week. A 1-0 defeat (for us) here in April 2021 marked the end of a run that had seen us win five out of five with a handsome return of goals. Overall, our record against the Robins is five wins and four defeats from 10 meetings here – with 20 goals scored.

BORO’ AT THIS STAGE… Gameweek 46

With one game left to go in this current and memorable season, Boro’ sadly cannot now register our best-ever League One campaign. In 2011-2, we made the playoffs with a final haul of 73 points – which will be at least two points better than what we can ultimately achieve this season (a maximum of 71).

Just 16 of our previous 43 seasons have gone this distance – and they’ve all been inside the past 17 years. The only ex-ception, for obvious reasons, is the 2019-20 campaign. That would’ve been a 46-match one, but y’know…

Our best return from a season of this length is clearly the 102 points we had on the board after 45 league matches during our 2009-10 titlewinning campaign. Yes, we know – six points were lopped off our tally for that season as a result of Chester City’s results being expunged. If they’d stood, however, we’d have hit a century of points. Our next best effort is much more recent, mind you; the 2022-3 season yielding 82 points by the time we got to the last day. At the bottom of the pile are two seasons in which we were tracking at less than one point per game. Boro’ were en route to League Two already by the time we got to gameweek 46 of the 2013-4 League One campaign – with a mere 42 points to our name. Meanwhile, a not-thatmuch-better return of 44 points from 45 league fixtures two years ago (2021-2) is also a far cry from where we find ourselves now.

MAGIC MOMENT... Sky Bet League Two – 15 November 2014

STEVENAGE FC 5

CHELTENHAM TOWN 1

Our biggest-ever win over the Robins came back in November 2014; Graham Westley’s team moving into the top half of the League Two table with a swashbuckling 5-1 victory. We were quick out of the blocks too; Chris Beardsley giving us the lead on five minutes, before Charlie Lee doubled it on eight minutes. And the contest was effectively done and dusted on 34 minutes as Beardo added his second thanks to some liberal defending by our visitors.

The goals dried up for a period after that; the fourth not coming until the 74th minute when Lee Barnard converted a cross from Charlie Adams. The Robins did contribute to the scoring themselves two minutes later when former Boro’ striker Byron Harrison got his name on the scoresheet. But we were determined to have the last laugh and ensure we won the second half; Barnard tapping home or a brace after Adam Marriott charged down Trevor Carson’s clearance.

ON BOTH SIDES…

To play today?: Just one name leaps out of the potential teamsheets today and that’s former Boro’ winger Tom Pett – now plying his trade at The Completely-Suzuki Stadium.

Best of the Rest: The relatively short list of players to feature for both sides in years gone by has a distinctly attacking feel to it. Craigs Dobson and Reid both had spells with the Robins, before making their way to SG2.

Meanwhile, Barry Hayles and Justin Richards were both at Whaddon Road around the same time (2009-10). And let’s not be forgetting Byron Harrison, who was handy up top by all accounts for both sides. With so many attackers, there has to be an odd person out and that’s goalkeeper Chris Taylor.

By Pete Hayman courtesy of boroguide.co.uk

PLAYER SPONSORS FIRST TEAM 2023/24

1 Taye Ashby-Hammond

BY

BARBARA FOLLETT 2 Luther James-Wildin

BY KEN FOLLETT

3 Dan Butler

BY 4 Nathan Thompson

BY LAST GOALSCORERS SOCIETY

5 Carl Piergianni SPONSORED BY DAVID GRAY

6 Dan Sweeney

BY

9 Elliott List

BY

12 Craig MacGillivray SPONSORED BY JOHN MACKENZIE

14 Kane Smith

BY

10 Nick Freeman

8 Jake Forster-Caskey

11 Jordan Roberts

ALFIE MILES

7 Alex McDonald

BY

15 Terence Vancooten

SPONSORED BY

16 Harry Anderson SPONSORED BY MIKE HARNIMAN & LAURA TYLER

17 Finley Burns

SPONSORED BY

Alex Revell

SPONSORED BY Keith Bell

SPONSORED BY Ian Pledger

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19 Jamie Reid

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20 Aaron Pressley

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23 Louis Thompson

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22 Nesta Guinness-Walker

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18 Harvey White

SPONSORED BY

THOMAS WILLETT

25 Reece Hannam

SPONSORED BY 29 Kane Hemmings

SPONSORED BY JOHN MACKENZIE

33 Vadaine Oliver

SPONSORED BY

HAYDN & FINLEY KETTEL

24 Ben Thompson

SPONSORED BY

STEVENAGE FC ACADEMY

Good afternoon and welcome to our final game of the season.

Best of luck to Alex Revell, Ian Pledger and the staff in this afternoon’s fixture.

We also host our final Merit League 1 fixture against Leyton Orient at 10:30 as our U18s look to finish their season in winning ways.

I want to start by saying some huge thank yous. Firstly, our Chairman Phil Wallace and our Director or Football Leon Hunter, who over the course of the season have supported the academy. Having been here for 10 years or so, the club is in a fantastic position, and we will be working together to add to the academy and continue the good work that is going on.

I would like to thank all the staff in the academy, there would be too many to name but from the full time to part time to interns, you have made the season another enjoyable one, we have shared plenty of ups and some downs, we have endured countless hours of stress and laughter and for that, I have thoroughly enjoyed coming into work every day.

We have said goodbye to some key staff who cannot go unnoticed and over the summer we will make an announcement on their permanent

replacement. You would have seen we are advertising for a new PDP Lead. Ronnie IS NOT LEAVING, simply changing roles but will maintain a huge role in the running of the U18’s after one of the most successful seasons we have had.

Finally, I wanted to thank every one of our U18 apprentices who depart this summer, I wish Tyrique Tekasala, Noah Mosanya, Kymani Skyers and Darnel Bailey the best of the luck in the next stages of their career, they have been a real credit to us, and we will continue to work with them as they pursue other options.

Who knows what the off season will bring, our 9-13 will continue to train for the next month and our U16’s will focus on their education and GCSEs before they start with us in pre-season, good luck to those.

One thing is for sure, I cannot wait for the start of the new season and whatever it has in store for us, we will be ready to work to make our club even better.

Enjoy the game and let’s end the season on a high.

JORDEN GIBSON Academy Manager

STEVENAGE FC WOMEN

WROXHAM 2

Williams, Newcombe, Clarke, Cossey, Croft, Drummie, Densley, Russell, Middleton, Fuller, Connell

Subs: Bullard, Gambell, Hodgson, Eagle, Alexander

Goals: Densley x 2

Booked: Hodgson

STEVENAGE FCW 1

O’Brien, Nebbitt, Brooks, Edge, Schofield, Bodily, Baker-Re, Makewell, Dempsey, Millen, Gooderham

Subs: Clarke, Rogers, Day Goal: Nebbitt

Stevenage FCW were unable to achieve a small measure of revenge for their extra time defeat at Trafford Park last month as they fell to defeat again in a scrappy affair. A brace from Lara Densley was enough to secure three points for Wroxham despite a late charge from the visitors and another spectacular attempt from Hannah Nebbitt.

The hosts had the lead within ten minutes as they took advantage of a slightly weakened defence. Grace Brooks, who had just been floored a minute earlier, had done well to get back and win the tackle in the box. However, as Wroxham continued the attack they sent the ball past Mia O’Brien and Brooks was unable to clear off the line as Densley netted her first of the game.

Chances were at a premium throughout the game, but Lillia Dempsey did well to cut in from the left and send the ball goalwards after a delicious through ball from Amy Makewell. The effort was straight down the throat of Bryony Williams though and the lead remained with Wroxham.

Beyond the half hour, Emily Schofield broke free down the right and sent a superb cross into the box that Williams had to get down for. The goalkeeper could only parry it and as the ball broke free, Makewell narrowly lost out on the race to the ball.

Perhaps the best opportunity of the half for Boro’ came right before the half time whistle as Williams miskicked the ball to Amy Gooderham who saw her first time shot from outside the box fly wide of the target, much to the chagrin of the flying forward.

After eight minutes of additional time, due to the stop-start nature of the tie, the whistle blew and Boro’ came out refreshed with three changes to the lineup in a bid to regain control of the game.

It didn’t have the require impact as the game continued in the same vein. One such altercation led to Ella Gambell being sent to the sin bin after the hour for dissent.

Despite the numerical advantage, Boro could not get into their rhythm and with thirteen minutes remaining Wroxham extended their lead as Densley beat O’Brien at her near post. It was simply not their day as Stevenage could not break the defences. It took a free kick a minute before time, to finally get on the scoresheet. Once again, Nebbitt placed it on the ground and from distance sent it goalwards. The ball crashed against the bar, bounced down and was eventually cleared. The referee however wanted to check with his assistant and the goal was awarded as the ball had crossed the line when it bounced. A superb call, backed up by video evidence at the end of an otherwise unremarkable game.

You can see Stevenage FCW First Team in action at Garden Walk against Royston Town on Sunday 28th April. This will be an away fixture in the League – keep your eyes on the social media platforms for more details@stevenagefcw

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

TODDS GREEN, SG1 2JE, HERTFORDSHIRE

3 DAYS 6 STAGES 80+ ACTS

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

THE KILLERZ

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

STEVENAGE FC FOUNDATION

FAN ENGAGEMENT ROUND UP!

FUNDING PARTNERS

“This really is the stuff of dreams and something he’ll be talking about when he’s 80 in a rocking chair. You’ve made a little boys dreams come true”.

Just a snippet of the incredible feedback we’ve had this year about our Mascot & Matchday Packages.

The engagement numbers with our next generation have been nothing short of exceptional. Let’s start with Mascot packages!

Over the course of the season, we have played host to 86 mascot packages to fans aged 4-14 years old. 8 of those 86 purchased a home replica kit with their package. A few away mascots that came to The Lamex to represent their clubs have also had a great time with us. Each mascot was brilliant, unique and they all made a lasting impression on both the players

and us. We have had a great time this season, from seeing their faces light up when they meet their heroes to playing on the pitch with Leon and/or Aaron.

A FEW QUOTES FROM OUR MASCOTS BELOW!

Sonny truly felt like a VIP

If you would like to register your interest for next seasons mascot wait list- please CLICK HERE!

Leo said today was the best day of his life. This club is just the best

She had an amazing day and will take the memories of this day with her forever! You guys are amazing!

Moving on to our Matchday Packages, and our engagement with our Local community groups, including schools, grassroot teams, party packages, is continuing its upward trajectory.

72 groups have visited The Lamex this season to take advantage of one of our three package options. As part of our Bronze package, 29 groups have brought their teams to the game with discounted tickets.

34 groups enjoyed a penalty shootout, waving the flags for guard of honour as the players take to the pitch and also enjoyed the game with discounted tickets. Finally, 9 groups enjoyed our gold package with a training session with one our of FA qualified coaches, on top of a silver package. We trust all groups loved

their experience with us, with more incredible feedback!

Every matchday, hundreds of young fans visit our Kidszone to participate in the Foundation’s pre-game activities, which range from Connect Four to our inflatable target challenge. and has enhanced the matchday experience for future generations creating a family feel to the club.

THANK YOU’S:

Firstly, a massive thank you to our ball collectors of the 23/24 season. All of you have contributed to the seamless operation of our matchday duties and following all rules set by the EFL, Officials and us! Thank you to Alex Potter who has helped arrange the ball collectors for the games. Secondly, a thank you to the club staff & players for their support in helping us deliver first class & high-quality packages and engagement activities. Lastly, a HUGE thank you to the Foundation Matchday team that have supported with the delivery of all the above weekly, Lucy Webster, Aaron Doherty, Leon O’Brien, Lucas Murley & David Barrett!

I hope you enjoy the final game of a very successful season & we look forward to seeing you next season!

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE SQUAD LIST

Meet the boss

Darrell Clarke was appointed first team manager in September 2023 after most recently being in charge at Port Vale.

The club’s 12th permanent Football League manager, the 45-year-old, joined following the departure of Wade Elliott and signed a twoyear-deal at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium. Clarke enjoyed an 18-year playing career as a midfielder with the likes of Mansfield Town,

Hartlepool

United and Salisbury City before moving into management at the Wiltshire outfit.

As playermanger he won two promotions in three years and made history by guiding the club into the FA Cup Third Round for the first time in their history with victory against Grimsby Town. Another successful spell followed this time with Bristol Rovers. Clarke spent four and a half years at the Memorial Stadium, winning backto-back promotions. He then took over at Walsall before moving to Vale Park, where he won a fifth promotion of his managerial career via the League Two playoffs at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Darrell Clarke

ONES TO watch

An experienced striker in the EFL, Matt Taylor became the clubs first Deadline Day signing in January 2024, reuniting with manager Darrell Clarke, who he worked with at Bristol Rovers and Port Vale.

The 33-year-old arrived at the club with over 100 EFL goals to his name with the likes of boyhood club Oxford United, Forest Green Rovers and Bristol City.

Taylor scored on his debut for the Robins, netting a consolation in a 3-1 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.

Veteran English defender Curtis Davies made the move to Cheltenham Town at the start of preseason ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Having previously played with former Robins manager Wade Elliott at Birmingham City, the centre-back signed a one-year-deal with the club following his release from Derby County. Davies began his senior career back in 2003 with now Premier League outfit Luton Town, where he spent time in the academy system. He would go on to play for the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa in the top flight before his stint alongside Elliott at St Andrews. Curtis then made the move to Hull City where he spent four years, most notably scoring in the clubs 3-2 FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.

Curtis Davies

Matt Taylor

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Place your business on our brand-new LED screen at The Lamex Stadium

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)

WELCOME

LATEST NEWS

On behalf of the Stevenage FC Supporters’ Association, I bid welcome to the players, officials and fans of Cheltenham, especially as this is our last game of the season in what has been a truly remarkable, magical campaign.

I’d like to extend a special welcome this afternoon to James Young who is the chair of the Robins Trust as well as a National Council representative on the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA). Welcome James and welcome too to Dave Beesley who is the ‘Fan Elected Director’ (FED) at Cheltenham. Both David and James made significant contributions to the interim findings of the recent government’s ‘Fan Led Review of Football Governance’, led by Tracey Crouch MP.

NATHAN TELLA

Nathan grew up in Stevenage. In August last year he signed for Beyer Leverkusen for a reported fee of £20m from Southampton. This season, he’s already scored five goals for Leverkusen and last week celebrated winning the Bundesliga with them. A remarkable achievement for the Stevenage youngster. Well done Nathan.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The Supporters’ Association have arranged and organised the traditional “end-of-season” awards taking place in the Broadhall Suite after this afternoon’s game.

This year the Supporters’ Association has taken the decision to make this a “members-only” event. Itinery: (approximate timings)

• Doors/Bar Open: After final whistle around 2:30pm

• Presentation Start: 3:30pm

• Bar Close: 5:00pm

As in previous years, the Supporters’ Association will be presenting the following three traditional awards: –

• The Supporters’ Association ‘Player of the Year’ Award – voted by Supporters’ Association members only.

• The ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ Award – voted by all the players

• The ‘Young Player of the Year’ (in memory of ‘Pitbull’) – nominated by the backroom team. Please be advised that the event will only be available to Supporters’ Association members and admittance is evidenced by a pre-issued ticket and membership card.

FEBRUARY 14TH 1998

A date that will live for an eternity between Cheltenham and Stevenage.

Location: Whaddon Road Recreation Park, Cheltenham.

Fixture: Northern Senior League – Crescent United v. Hardwicke.

Attendance: 2,580

Circumstance: The Robins were scheduled to play Boro in a Conference fixture. A suspicious package was found in the ground, so the game was delayed and the stadium temporarily evacuated – to the park next door!

Crescent went on to beat Hardwicke 2-1, but the players of both clubs – and the referee - had never experienced such a crowd watching them, before or since.

When the delayed Conference game resumed, it resulted in a 1-1 draw with goals from Dale Watkins for Cheltenham and Dean Wordsworth for Stevenage.

STEVENAGE FC SUPPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION

Next season, the Supporters’ Association will celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Stevenage Borough FC was a club that was run by an enthusiastic volunteer committee, but back in 1994 the club became a limited company and the flamboyant Victor Green was appointed chairman.

The club needed an independent supporters’ group with a formatted constitution which is how the SA came about.

The SA is part of the club’s heritage – and so are you. Make sure you renew your membership for 2024-25. Have a great break.

LLOYD BRISCOE

Stevenage FC Supporters’ Association

WHO WE ARE...

FIXTURES & RESULTS 2023/24

LEAGUE TABLE

2023 2023/24 /24

HERE’S A I BET YOU DIDN’T KN

DAYS

STEVENAGE FC

FIRST TEAM COACH: ALEX REVELL

TAYE ASHBY-HAMMOND (GK)

LUTHER JAMES-WILDIN

CHELTENHAM TOWN

OFFICIALS

Lee

Hugh

David