Stevenage FC v Port Vale FC by Hashtag Digital Media

B RO INTERACTIVE DIGITAL PROGRAMME 2023/24 NO. 8

v PORT VALE FC

MATCH SPONSOR

Saturday, October 21 2023 Kick-Off: 3.00pm

www.stevenagefc.com

MANAGER

All photos by Jim Steele unless otherwise stated

STEVE EVANS

SPONSORED BY

We have to look after ourselves

www.stevenagefc.com

DIRECTOR

STUART DINSEY W elcome back to the Lamex for another game between two clubs near the top end of EFL League One. Our opponents Port Vale are enjoying their second season back in the third tier, less than 18 months on from an impressive L2 play-off final win over Mansfield at Wembley. Time moves quickly in football and the pressure is relentless, but both clubs are intent on establishing themselves as high as possible in the league, and it will be yet another tough encounter. League One rolls on at pace, with massive games for us at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night then home to Derby County next Saturday. Attendances have risen, with our average after six home games comfortably over 4,500 – which isn’t too far off double the number at this stage last season. We know we are a small club, but progress is being made and we must thank you for getting

behind the team and for spreading the word. We need you and we appreciate you. I must also thank our Supporters Association secretary Andrew Mugridge and everyone who travelled with the SA coach to Blackpool for their impeccable behaviour last Saturday despite departure being delayed until a good couple of hours after the match finished. The coach had been damaged by locals, but such an incident is incredibly rare, thankfully, and our away support – just as at home – means a lot to the management staff and the players. Keep the faith. Finally, interest has increased across commercial and hospitality as well as in the seats and on the East Terrace. A monthly business networking club has been launched and there are more new events on the way. If you want to get involved, please contact our commercial manager David Hoskins. Enjoy the game.

STEVENAGE FC v PORT VALE FC

AHEAD OF

THE GAME MATCHDAY TIMINGS

CLUB SHOP: Midday-3pm & 15 minutes after FT TICKET OFFICE: Midday-3.15pm 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), Full-Time-8pm (Home & Away Supporters). Bar Snacks Available TURNSTILES: 1:30pm

TICKETS & TRAVEL

BRISTOL ROVERS (TUES 24 OCT 7.45PM) Match tickets are available online at www.borotickets.co.uk, from the Stevenage FC Club Shop (open Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays 10am-5pm) and from Bloomfield Road on the day of the game. • Adult £26 • 65+ £22 • U18 £20 • U14 £7

£5 TICKETS FOR KEY SERVICE WORKERS THIS SATURDAY

TICKET INFO

MATCH TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR STEVENAGE VS PORT VALE All tickets must be purchased before reaching the turnstiles either online or from the North Stand Ticket Office. East

North

West

Adult

£20

£24

£25

Concession

£18

£22

£23

Under 18

£14

£16

£18

Under 12

£5

£10

£12

All NHS staff, Emergency Services workers and Armed Forces members can attend Saturday’s game for just a fiver in appreciation for their selfless and inspiring work in our local area. To redeem this offer, please visit the Club Shop on Friday (10am-5pm) or the North Stand Ticket Office on Saturday (Midday-3pm) with your Blue Light Card, Staff ID or Official Veterans Card.

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STEVENAGE FC

SOCIAL

@StevenageFC

Enjoy your Saturday night, Boro fans!

stevenagefcofficial

💙 THANK YOU 💙

All NHS staff, Emergency Service workers & Armed Forces members can attend Boro' vs Port Vale for just £5.

🔥

@StevenageFC

Fifth-placed Stevenage aim for another home win on Saturday!

❤

stevenagefcofficial Homecoming.

❤️

@StevenageFC

Junior Boro members can WIN a copy of #FC24, SIGNED by Manager Steve Evans!

🤩

stevenagefcofficial

Outstanding noise from 555 of you here today. We’ll bounce back.

😍

@StevenageFC

StevenagefcOfficial

@StevenageFCOfficial

Official Twitter Account for Stevenage Football Club. Joined June 2011 77.8k Followers

Stevenage FC. Official Instagram Page for Stevenage Football Club. 47.3k Followers

Stevenage Football Club. Official Facebook Page of Stevenage Football Club. 79k Followers

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fan

FOCUS

FIRST GAME? YEAR, SEASON?

I first went to matches when Stevenage played on a Monday evening. However my regular attendance began in April 2006 when I retired. I have had a season ticket since the 2006/7 season.

WHICH SECTION OF THE GROUND DO YOU NORMALLY WATCH THE MATCHES FROM? Normally I sit in the West Stand ( overlooking the ‘dugouts’).

DR AND

REW J N

ICHOLL

BEST MEMORY/MEMORIES OF SUPPORTING BORO?

One of my best memories is the first time we won the FA Trophy. A real feeling of excitement that day.

One of my best memories is the first time we won the FA Trophy

FAVOURITE ALL-TIME PLAYER (AND WHY)?

One of my all time favourite players Steve Morison, it seemed we had to just get a ball to him and we scored.

FAVOURITE CURRENT PLAYER (AND WHY)?

It’s difficult to select a single player from our current squad, but if I have to Carl Piergianni - Mr Reliable.

FAVOURITE BORO SHIRT?

As to my favourite shirt- I liked the solid red stripes.

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!

LAMEX FOOD GROUP

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K.B.COINS

Dealers in English Coins and Medals. Excellent prices paid for single items, collections or accumulations (especially proof sets)

K.B.COINS PO Box 499 Stevenage, Herts SG1 9JT T: 01438 312661 F: 01438 311990

www.kbcoins.com

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Match

BLACKPOOL

STEVENAGE

Rhodes 38’, Dale 60’, CJ Hamilton 78’

54%

14 46%

POSSESSION

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CROSSES

ACTION

Defeat in Blackpool full of controversy with questionable offside decision...

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2023/24

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SPONSORED BY

MATCHDAY MASCOTs

e have got no less than three mascots at The Lamex today hoping to give Boro enough luck for another win. First up it’s a big Boro hello to George Payne, 11, who is from Hertford and attends Richard Hale School. George cites football as his main hobby and Carl Piergianni is his favourite Boro player. Next up it’s Henry Bloomfield, 7. Henry Lives in Letchworth and attends St Thomas More School.

George Payne

He also lists football as his main hobby and skipper Carl Piergianni as his favourite home player. Last, but by no means least, we welcome Lewis Suter to our team of mascots. Lewis, 7, lives in Luton and attends Oulton Broad Primary School. His hobbies are football, Lego and playing Nintendo and he also names Carl Piergianni as his favourite player. Let’s hope the skip makes sure it’s a clean sheet for the three mascots this afternoon and that Boro make it three more points.

Henry Bloomfield

Lewis Suter

interactive Boro quiz!

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

CLICK HERE!

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FROM THE

SPONSORED BY

BARBARA FOLLETT

KEN FOLLETT

6 Dan Sweeney

7 Alex McDonald

SPONSORED BY

11 Jordan Roberts SPONSORED BY

ALFIE MILES

JOHN MACKENZIE

LAST

GOALSCORERS

SOCIETY

DAVID GRAY

8 Jake Forster-Caskey

9 Elliott List

10 Nick Freeman

SPONSORED BY

12 Krisztian Hegyi

14 Kane Smith

15 Terence Vancooten

16 Harry Anderson

SPONSORED BY

MIKE HARNIMAN & LAURA TYLER

SPONSOR YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER... For sponsorship enquiries email davidhoskins@stevenagefc.com

17 Finley Burns

18 Harvey White

19 Jamie Reid

20 Aaron Pressley

22 Harrison Neal

SPONSORED BY

THOMAS WILLETT

23 Louis Thompson

24 Ben Thompson

25 Reece Hannam

26 Charlie McNeill

29 Kane Hemmings

SPONSORED BY

HAYDN & FINLEY KETTEL

JOHN MACKENZIE

KEVIN BASHAM

Steve Evans

Paul Raynor

Alex Revell

Keith Bell

Ian Pledger

SPONSORED BY

STEVENAGE FC v PORT VALE FC

STEVENAGE FC

ACADEMY H ello and good afternoon everyone. Wow, a year since I started at Stevenage FC’s Academy, and I feel we are is a good place with all our younger age groups. We continue to find new ways and new competitions to stretch and challenge our boys. During July we embarked on our first football tour or tournament run independently by Stevenage FC Academy as a department. Entering the prestigious Super Cup Northern Ireland (formally the Milk Cup) Considering the age disparity; boys with birth years ranging from 2009 to 2010, we thought the tour was an outstanding success. The boys experienced competing against players from the USA and Ireland, a semi final game against Charlton Athletic and a third and fourth place play off against Glasgow Rangers, losing out on penalties.

PLAYERS AND STAFF VISITING GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

The games programme continues to challenge our boys, facing opposition from across the spectrum of Categorised Clubs including a number of Cat 1 Clubs such as; Brighton and Nottingham Forest through pre-season, both games the U15/16 were victorious in. A combined U15/16 played and trained together for the majority of pre-season. Something that has helped the younger boy, they’ve had opportunities to showcase their talent, not only in training in front of the academy

staff, but in matches and tournaments against other competitive academies. The success of combining the two age groups was evident during a summer tournament that included local rivals Cambridge United, Peterborough United, MK Dons and Oxford United. An 11v11 competition the young lads excelled in, making it through the day undefeated as tournament champions. We continue to nurture our Under 16 for the next phase of their journey, with those already offered scholarships, Frank Norris, Tatenda Mutanga, Ryan Doherty and Riley England, featuring regularly with the Under 18 on match days. Along side being selected for games, the early scholars have been put through their paces during the summer and half term breaks, training on a daily basis with the Under 18. Due to the success of the combined summer programme with Under 15/16 we have also pushed other players across with the Under 18 through pre-season. This regular exposure to the next level of academy football has helped identify additional players in our Under 16 cohort. Lenny Brown performed well, impressing the academy staff during the summer enough to be offered a scholarship with the club for the next two years. All in all, a good period for the Youth Development Phase and the rest of the Academy age groups. I hope you have a great day at the game… get behind the boys, make some noise and COME ON THE BORO! PAUL DALE Youth Development Phase Lead Coach

STEVENAGE FC v PORT VALE FC

STEVENAGE FC

WOMEN 2 STEVENAGE FCW Ray, Thomas-O’Keefe, Edge, Gunn, Brooks, Dempsey, Schofield, Bodily, Makewell (c), Gooderham, Clarke Subs: Nebbitt, Baker-Re, Craig, Ruse Goals: Mehmet (OG), Clarke

0 WORMLEY ROVERS Hebborn, Manning, Daltrey, Mehmet, Ouarel, Purdue, Cooper, Howell, Lang, Japal, Xhema Subs: Stern, Williams, Bishop, Kirkpatrick

tevenage FCW were in unfamiliar territory as they played only their second home game of the season so far in a fairly one sided affair. The game saw Wormley Rovers arrive at The County Ground hoping to avoid a repeat of the 5-0 drubbing they received in the same competition last season and they will be pleased to have achieved exactly that, although Boro’ will wonder how on earth the scoreline stayed so low. It was a game that saw the home side welcome back Nicole Cooper and Ciara Purdue, both of whom represented the club last season, as well as a start for Chloe Gunn that earned her a 50th cap for the team. It did not take Boro’ long to hit their stride and in the opening five minutes, Kristal Clarke had two good half chances to open the scoring. Amy Gooderham attempted a shot from distance and Matilda Thomas-O’Keefe had an excellent opportunity that she couldn’t quite steer goalwards as she stretched for the ball. It took eight minutes for the deadlock to be broken as Lilia Dempsey showed her wizardry down the right hand side, jinking and jiving through the defence and sending the ball square across the goal for Adel Mehmet to send into her own net. Boro’ continued to press forward and Clarke and Thomas-O’Keefe both had a chance to control

the ball in the box and send it goalward before a sizeable break in play for treatment to Aulona Xhema. Thomas O’Keefe and Clarke again saw opportunities presented that flew wide of the near post on three separate occasions before Dempsey tried to emulate Becky Shephard in this same fixture last year, with a goal direct from a corner that Hebborn was equal to. Clarke had the best chance of the half presented to her with a few minutes of regulation time remaining. A stray ball from the defence saw a misplaced pass straight to Clarke who had room to run. She chose to shoot and the ball landed just wide to the relief of a Wormley side who had such bright shirts on, it seemed impossible to miss them. With the whistle ready to blow, Purdue saw an effort, that sent Celine Ray scrambling to her goal line, fly over the bar as Wormley had their brightest spell of the match towards the end of the half. The away side began the second half in the same manner with a ball shot over the bar after five minutes. That marked the best two chances of the game for the visitors as the hosts began to exert yet more pressure.

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Amy Makewell had two efforts from distance that did not test the ‘keeper as she would have liked before Anna Baker-Re gave Hebborn a fright with a superb effort that only just went over the bar. Hebborn thwarted both Makewell and Clarke as each tried to find a way past the ‘keeper, but she stopped everything, saw them wide or used an outstanding reach to steal the ball from feet. Baker-Re saw a speculative drive deflected and then pushed wide again by Hebborn as Boro’ just could not find a way through the force field that seemed to surround the goal. Thomas-O’Keefe saw a left footed drive fly wide and it seemed as though Boro’ were destined to invite jeopardy until Baker-Re provided her third assist of the season for Clarke’s third goal of her Boro’ career. It was a well taken finish as BakerRe left her one-on-one with Hebborn and Clarke won the battle this time as she shot hard past the goalkeeper. It marked her second cup goal for Stevenage, with her last one coming in the 21/22 season against Garston, when an injury occurred to keep her out for the rest of that season following the 4-0 win. Baker-Re and Clarke had efforts batted away as Izzy Ruse was introduced for her official senior debut in between them. Ruse had previously played for thirty minutes in the same game Cooper made her unofficial debut – against Harlow. However as they left the league, the appearances were voided making this an official appearance. Then came a truly unbelievable sequence.

Clarke rounded Hebborn, but sent the ball too wide. Her pull back preceded a great cross that Dempsey collected, only for her shot to cannon off the crossbar and land at the feet of Ciara Craig who sent the ball over from close range. Thomas-O’Keefe had another effort fly wide in injury time, but Boro’ had no problem seeing out the game and advancing to the next round. Dave Perry was delighted afterwards, “Cup games are all about going through and we have so that’s the most important thing. It was a controlled game and we moved the ball well. We could have had the game wrapped up by half time, but we didn’t and we had to make sure the game was safe.” Stevenage will move into the next round now where they will face their opponents from last season’s final – Royston Town - at The County Ground on the 19th November 2023.

You can see Stevenage FCW as they attempt to reach the first round of the FA Cup at high flying Real Bedford on Sunday 22nd October. Keep your eye on the social media platforms – Instagram, TikTok and X 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!

STEVENAGE FC v PORT VALE FC

STEVENAGE FC

FOUNDATION FUNDING PARTNERS

COMMUNITY KITCHEN

We will be supporting families by giving you key tips to take home and replicate recipes

Back by popular demand, our highly acclaimed Community Kitchen programme has returned! Thanks to funding from Stevenage Borough Council, we will be delivering 8 free courses for families over the next year, and we would love for you to join us. The Community Kitchen programme has been designed for families with children aged 5 – 12, for all of you to learn how to cook healthy, simple meals without breaking the bank and spending time together as a family, making meal times fun! The weekly two-hour sessions will be led by our friendly culinary tutor who will take you through all aspects of planning, preparing and cooking great meals. We will

be supporting families by giving you key tips to take home and replicate recipes, plus you will be engaging in some fun family activities too! We provide additional support around managing food budgets, food hygiene and leading healthy, active lifestyles with simple steps in a group environment. Giving you a chance to meet other families from your local community as well! Our next 6 week course begins on Monday 30th October and will take place every week at the Stevenage Education Support Centre from 4:00 – 6:00pm. To register your interest, please email communitykitchen@stevenagefcf.com or call 01438 222222 and ask for the Health team.

STEVENAGE FC v PORT VALE FC

STEVENAGE FC

FOUNDATION FUNDING PARTNERS

LUKE FOSTER DEPARTS

The Foundation says goodbye to one of their long standing members of staff at the game today, as Luke Foster departs for new opportunities. Having joined the team in June 2018 as a Community Coach, Luke has gone on to spearhead our youth engagement work leading both our NCS and Premier League Kicks projects, engaging with thousands of young people during his time, giving them opportunities to grow and live positive lives.

Alongside his youth engagement role, Luke has been a prominent figure in local primary schools and coached on our girls’ talent pathway, most recently with the U16s in our Girls Development Centre. A hugely popular character with everyone at the Foundation and the Club, Luke will be sorely missed, and on behalf of everyone, we wish him the very best in his next step closer to home in London, but with the same goal of supporting young people in his community to be the best versions of themselves.

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STEVENAGE FC v PORT VALE FC

WELCOME

www.port-vale.co.uk CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE SQUAD LIST

Meet the boss

Rotherham born Andy Crosby joined the Valiants on a permanent deal in June 2021, after spending time supporting Manager Darrell Clarke at Vale Park during the latter stages of the 2020/21 Sky Bet League Two campaign. A defender in his playing days, Crosby made 715 career appearances scoring 43 goals, with his first foray into coaching coming in 2006 when he was named player-coach under Nigel Adkins at Scunthorpe United. In 2010 he was appointed as the Assistant

Manager at Southampton under Adkins, where the pair would guide The Saints from League One all the way up to the Premier League with backto-back promotions. Andy Crosby Crosby has played a central role at Port Vale since his permanent arrival at Vale Park, with both Manager Darrell Clarke and Director of Football Dave Flitcroft emphasising how important he is to the football club. In February of the 2021/22 season, Crosby took charge of the first team in the absence of Darrell Clarke who was on compassionate leave due to a family bereavement. Crosby led the team for 17 matches, winning nine and drawing four as helped the team to achieve a Play-Off finish. As an act of gratitude towards Crosby, Manager Darrell Clarke selected him to lead the team out at Wembley ahead of our Play-Off Final victory over Mansfield Town to secure promotion to Sky Bet League One.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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SEASONS

RESULTS

Last FIVE Newcastle U21

Portsmouth

HOME

AWAY

W2-1 22/23 League 1 18th

Bristol R

Bolton

Sutton

L2-0

L3-0

L0-1

W2-1

21/22 League 2 5th (P)

20/21 League 2 13th

19/20 League 2 8th

18/19 League 2 20th

AWAY

ONEs TO watch

NATHAN SMITH

Madeley-based Academy graduate now in his seventh full season in the first team at Vale Park. Nathan Smith signed his first professional contract with Vale in mith the summer of 2014 Nathan S and spent time on loan with both Stafford Rangers and Torquay United, winning both the Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards during his time at Plainmoor in the 2015/16 campaign. His Vale debut came on the opening day of the 2016/17 League One season as he featured in a 0-0 draw at Bradford City, with his first goal following ten days later in a 1-0 victory against Rochdale at Vale Park. Smith was an ever-present in his debut campaign at Vale Park, collecting a clean-sweep at the End of Season Awards, most notably winning the Player of the Year award in an ultimately disappointing campaign for Vale, who were relegated to League Two.

HOME

BEN GARRITY

HOME

2021/22 Player and Players’ Player of the Year, Ben Garrity enjoyed a successful first campaign at Vale Park after joining from Blackpool. Garrity’s debut campaign at Vale Park returned 12 goals and one assist in 43 regular season league matches he played as he quickly endeared himself to the Vale supporters. He played local football in Liverpool, most notably for Lower Breck, before joining Warrington Town in 2018 and starring for the Yellows in 18 months at Cantilever Park, which preceded a move to the EFL with Blackpool in January 2020. However, he was allowed to leave Bloomfield Road on loan early in the 2020/21 campaign, joining Oldham Athletic in League Two and making his league debut, scoring in a 3-0 win over Carlisle United in the EFL Cup on his debut. In total, Garrity made 38 appearances for the Latics before returning to Blackpool, who allowed him to Ben Garr ity move to Vale for an undisclosed fee.

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STEVENAGE FC

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WELCOME