2022/23 - Issue Nine - Stamford AFC

Greenie’sGreetings WithDirectorMikeGreen

Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today's Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midland Division game.

Today we extend a warm welcome to the Players, Officials and Supporters of Stamford AFC and we hope your brief stay with us here in St Neots is an enjoyable one.

Here we go then, one of the genuine promotion hopefuls here at home. After a really tricky spell over the past month for Pete and the lads due to an horrendous inury list that might, just might be beginning to clear up, we go into today's game with nothing to lose. People expect us to get beat today so what better way to show what we can do by upsetting the form b inin ook? Stamford currently sit in second place and after the midweek games, which saw Hinckley LR record a fine 4-1 win over Coleshill Town, we currently find ourselves second from bottom , in the automataic relegation places. I know Pete and Sean are working tirelessly behind the scenes to try and add to the squadand this brings me onto welcoming back Panny Boxer after a couple of seasons away and welcome to Perez Goumou , who has also joined us recently.

The 2022 Fifa World Cup kicks off shortly and we will be screening the second and third of England's Group Stage games against USA (Friday 25th Nov) and Wales (Tuesday 29th Nov) at the Club. Entry is FREE and there's NO NEED TO BOOK. Families are welcome and the bar and food will be available so spread the word and let's make it a great atmosphere as we cheer on Gareth and the Boys in Qatar.

Back to today and please do get behind the lads from the first whistle, your support really does make a difference out on the green carpet.

PUMP UP THE VOLUME

Greenie Greenie Greenie

BoardroomGossip

BoardroomGossip

WithChairmanBarryCavilla

WithChairmanBarryCavilla

I would like to offer a warm welcome to the Fans, Directors, Management and Players of Stamford AFC to the St Neots Town Premier Plus Stadium for today's game.

Our visitors are in excellent form and are pushing for outright promotion this season and will be high quality opponents for the Saints this afternoon. However Pete and the squad are evolving and following our recent solid performances in the league, I am certain we will give The Daniels a good run for their money. The next few games will be vitally important to build on recent progress and new members to the squad, hopefully this will kick start our season and start picking up some much needed points to draw us away from the bottom teams and get our season moving forward.

As you are aware this weekend we, as a nation, will pay our respect to those very brave soldiers & civilians who gave their lives to protect our country and way of life we live today with our friends and families. So please join us and honour our fallen who gave so much to give us our freedom.

Forget Us not O’land For which we died Keep They Bright Banners without Spot Or Stain Lest we should Think That we have died in Vain. 1914- 1918

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We Will Remember them In memory of the Men & Woman who Gave their lives. 1939 - 1945 Yours in sport.

Barry Barry Barry

BLASTFROMTHEPAST SATURDAY9THNOVEMBER2013

REDDITCHUNITED 1 STNEOTSTOWN 4

St Neots produced a sparkling second half display as a preview to the Bonfire Night festivities to record their first ever away league victory at Redditch at the fifth attempt. With other results going in their favour it was enough to lift them four places up the league table to seventeenth – their highest position since 10th September.Runners-up in the league last season Redditch was beaten in the play offs and have installed a smart 3G pitch since St Neots’ last visit but they were well beaten as the visitors scored three times in a twenty minutes’ spell after the break. Declan Rogers and James Hall each scored twice with Hall also setting up Rogers’ second goal but both should have gone on to complete hat tricks as the second half goal scoring chances kept flowing. Taylor Parr returned from suspension to replace Charlie Ward in defence and Nassim L’Ghoul was handed his first Southern League start with Rogan McGeorge left on the bench. With skipper Tom Ward and striker Sam Mulready hoping to be fit soon there will be plenty of competition for places in the team to travel to Liverpool for the FA Trophy date next weekend.

There was an awful start to the match for the visitors when they conceded a goal after just 63 seconds. A long ball forward by Jordan Jones sent Luke Shearer galloping down the right and although closely marshalled by Parr he was allowed to cross from the bye linetothenearpostwhereDanicoJohnsonmuscledinfrontofthelastdefendertopoke the ball into the net from close range. That seemed to set the standard for the first twenty five minutes as Redditch spread their attacks wide down the flanks and St Neots was guilty of allowing them too much time and space to set up crosses for their forwards.Goalkeeper Alex Archer was kept busy saving from Ahmed Ali and Eli Bako and then Jonny Hall acrobatically cleared off the line from Shearer. When St Neots replied L’Ghoul tested home keeper Bradley Catlow before Johnson should have done better with his head from a Reece Hales free kick. Towards the end of the first half St Neots camebackwithseveralpromisingattacksandParrheadedintothekeeper’sarmsfroma L’Ghoul corner and then six minutes before the break James Hall levelled the scores being quick to pick up a loose clearance to fire low past the goalkeeper.Tom Wood then moved forward to test the keeper and the last action of the half saw Catlow save well fromacurlingRogersfreekick.

Redditch made two substitutions after the break taking off the dangerous Shearer and Hales no doubt to the relief of the St Neots defenders. Full back Nat Kelly had a low shot savedbyArcherbutthisprovedtobeanisolatedeffortfromRedditchasStNeotssettled downtoproducesomeattractiveattackingfootball.Justsixminutesintothesecondhalf St Neots were in front as Tom Spark took full advantage of an overlap by Miles Smith to send the full back towards the corner flag and his deep cross found Declan Rogers unmarked at the far post and his volley was too good for Catlow. This took the wind out of the home side who afterwards showed little resistance. L’Ghoul looked to be brought down as he sped into the area but the Referee waved play on and then eight minutes after the Rogers goal it was he who crossed to the far post for James Hall to score his secondgoalofthematchandhiselevenththisseason.HallthenfoundRogersunmarked at the near post but his header was too high and a shot from Peter Clark hit a defender on the line with another goal looking certain.After 71 minutes James Hall beat the keeper to a back pass and when his shot rebounded from the bar Declan Rogers claimed his second goal of the match to establish a 4-1 lead for the visitors.Catlow then kept the scoredownbysavingwellfromRogersandatthefeetofJamesHall.

Itmayhavebeenasurprisevictorybutitwasverywelldeserved.

STAMFORDAFC

Yearfounded:1896 Chairman:DavidWhitby ClubWebsite:www.theyoungdaniels.co.uk

THIS AFTERNOON AS WE WELCOME STAMFORD AFC TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM FOR THEFIRSTTIMEHAVINGLASTHOSTEDTHEMATOURPREVIOUSGROUND

A special welcome for the players, officials, and supporters of Stamford AFC. The last timewemettheDanielsonhomesoilinleagueactionwasatourformergroundon20th December 1997 when we were both in the United Counties League. Our visitors ran out winners 2-0 on that occasion but a month earlier at Stamford we had registered a creditable 2-2 draw with our goals coming from Richard Fisher and Rhys Price. Stamford wentonthatseasontotopthetablebytenpointstoearnpromotiontoStepFourofthe National League system. Since then, our paths have crossed on two occasions. In November1999wetravelledStamfordinaHinchingbrookeCupfirstroundtiebutlost30andmorerecentlyon3rdSeptember2016wehostedStamfordhereatthePremierPlus Stadium in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. That match finished 1-1 after Declan Rogers had given us a 52nd minute lead but the visitors levelled with a 66th minute penalty from Jevani Brown (remember him?). The incident packed replay at Stamford saw the lower graded side (at the time) beat our lads 4-1 with Peter Clark scoring our second half consolation goal after Taylor Parr had been sent off in first half added time. (a full report can be found later in the programme). Stamford are currently in second place in the league table alongside leaders Halesowen Town these two sides fourandfivepointsclearofthechasingpack. LastseasonStamfordwasdefeatedinthe play-off semi-final by Belper Town having finished as runners-up to champions Ilkeston Town. Two seasons earlier in the first COVID affected season they were also in the runners up spot thirteen points ahead of the third placed side when the season was curtailed. Their record away from home this season is one of the best in the league. They drew at Corby but have won their other five matches – our lads will be hoping to dentthatrecordthisafternoon.

JWMatchlookingahead STAMFORDAFC

STAMFORDAFC 4 STNEOTSTOWN 1

For the second time in three years St Neots disappointingly bowed out of the competition at the first hurdle in this midweek replay. They were outclassed by their hosts who play one level below them at Step Four in the First Division South of the NorthernPremierLeague,inafirsthalfperformancethatalsoreducedAndyDavies’side to playing only for pride in the second 45 minutes. More worryingly they lost defender Taylor Parr who picked up a straight red card in first half injury time and added two further bookings to a catalogue of indiscipline that will greatly affect the teams’ performance as the suspensions kick in.After earning this replay with a gritty first half performance three days earlier St Neots never looked like being able to progress despite having Ryan Hawkins back in the side for only his second start this term, with Jordan Patrick left on the bench. To their credit the ten men did lift their game after the interval and pulled one goal back early in the second half but it was always going to be toolittletoolate. The match began with St Neots looking out of sorts and forced on to the back foot by a very confident looking Stamford side that included former Saints goalkeeper Paul Bastock after injury.However, he was forced into only one save of note to make in the ninety minutes. After ten minutes Jevani Brown latched onto a Delroy Gordon free kick to bring a point blank save from Alex Archer, but the respite was brief for six minutes later Stamford were ahead. Ollie Luto drifted wide right to send a perfectly weighted cross over the square lying St Neots defence and Brown found the net with ease. Sam Mulready was then left unmarked at the far post but failed to take advantage as Archer saved comfortably. After 27 minutes the lead was doubled when Tom Spark was dispossessed in midfield and with the defence in disarray Sam Mulready netted from closerange. With James Hall playing up front for the visitors largely on his own St Neots were not creating chances and Stanford grew in confidence and added a further goal for 3-0 four minutes before the break following a corner when Jordan Smith returned the ball to the penalty area and Tom Batchelor rose above the defence to head home. Any hopesofacredibleStNeotsresponsewerecancelledoutintimeaddedattheendofthe firsthalfwhenTaylorParrpickedupthatstraightredcardforahighchallenge.

St Neots had to plug the defensive gap so upon the restart they sacrificed Tom Spark to send on Tom Wood.It took some time to adjust their game but did try to get an additionalplayerforwardtosupportJamesHallandthisinessencemeantlessattacking opportunity for Stamford but left the visitors more vulnerable in defence. A Jake Duffy free kick in a threatening position was blocked and after 53 minutes a brief glimmer of hope for St Neots as Peter Clark latched on to a Jonny Hall cross to fire home from 25 yards. However, eight minutes later Stamford reinstated their three goals advantage as St Neots were caught short at the back and Luto’s lengthy throw in was not defended and Jordan Smith netted at the far post from close range.St Neots defiantly replaced full back Miles Smith with Jordan Brown to add an attacking threat but Stamford responded by pulling back an additional defender happy to sit on their unassailable lead. A Ryan Hawkins free kick was comfortably saved and with a quarter of an hour remaining a Declan Rogers snap shot rebounded from a post with Bastock beaten.However, the keeper did have to be at his best to save a narrow angled shot by James Hall at his near post. The match ended with Stamford happy to soak up St Neots late vain attempts to salvage something from the match and go on to visit Gresley Rovers in the second qualifyinground.

Partners Visitwww.stneotstownfc.co.uktofindouthowtobecomeapartner.

StNeotsTownFCisnotjustaboutfootballweareacommunityfocusedbusiness.Wehavesomuchmoregoingonwhich ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that whenyouadvertisewiththeSaintsyougetsomuchmoreforyourmoney.

StNeotsTownFCisnotjustaboutfootballweareacommunityfocusedbusiness.Wehavesomuchmoregoingonwhich ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that whenyouadvertisewiththeSaintsyougetsomuchmoreforyourmoney.

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLANDS DIVISION

St Neots Town 0 Boldmere St Michaels 2

An off-colour and out of form St Neots never looked likely to get or deserved any reward from the visit of League newcomers Boldmere St Michaels. The host side were hesitant in defence; their passing was hopeful rather than accurate and they seemed to be woefully short on confidence and fresh ideas. Mamadou Jobe and Dan Barton, both with Cambridge United connections, returned to the side at the expense of Patrick Campbell and Saleem Akanbi but the overall balance of the side looked wrong and Barton limped off injured after picking up another first half knock. The return as a second half substitute of former leading scorer Joe Rider was welcome but he is still far from match fit and he had little chance to contribute anything significant. Promoted from the lowerlevel last season the visitors are a compact, confident and well-organised unit and should do well in their first season at Step Four.

There was a slow start to the contest with only one significant shot on target in the first twenty minutes – that a low effort from the visitors’ Owen Parry well saved by Jamie Greygoose after five minutes. St Neots first effort was from skipper Manny Osei who shot wildly over the bar after good approach work by Declan Nche. Greygoose also had to be alert, to get back to field a speculative lob by Alex McSkean and Dan Barton was upended making for goal to pick up that injury. Then, after 24 minutes, a Jack Burgess corner was not cleared, and Andre Brown turned in the box to open the scoring with a low finish. St Neots responded winning two corners and from the second Toib Adeyemi won the ball, but his finish was wide. Parry went clear of the home defence after 37 minutes, but he also missed his chance shooting high over the bar and then using area wide on the flanks the visitors were beginning to dominate. St Neots did create a couple of openings late in the first half, but Nche shot over the bar after good work by Andre Hasanally and from a free kick Mamadou Jobe’s header tested the visiting goalkeeper. St Neots looked better immediately after the break as they took the game to their visitors. Employed in a more forward position Nche brought a fine save from Gwilliams and then saw an audacious chip from distance also safely gathered. Hasanally should have done better than fire over the bar after good work by Alex Solomon and Aaron Smith but with their first significant attack of the second half after 57 minutes the visiting side added a second killer goal. The ball was delivered across the width of the pitch to Owen Parry who was unmarked, and he advanced to beat the St Neots keeper with a low shot just inside his near post. That second goal signalled a change in tactics by the visitors, confident that they could see out the last half hour preserving their two goals advantage.

BoldmereStMichaels (H)29-10-2022

Leaving one man up front they were happy to soak up St Neots attacks restricting them to lengthy efforts on goal. On the break Greygoose had to be alert, to save efforts from Parry and Kyle Byrne whilst St Neots best efforts came from Nche who shot over the bar and Jobe who saw his close range shot blocked on the line by a defender.

St Neots Town must now regroup swiftly for their tricky looking away Hunts Senior Cup date on Tuesday evening at their lower graded neighbours, Eaton Socon.

St Neots Town: Greygoose, Tarpey, Jobe, Nche, Solomon, Adeyemi, Hasanally, Osei, Charles, Barton, Smith.

Subs: Rider (for Charles 60 mins), Anderson (for Barton 60 mins), Jickiemi, and Tonks. Cards: none Goals: none

Boldmere SM: Gwilliams, George, Westwood, Christophorou, Craven, Burgess, Byrne, West, Brown, Parry, McSkeane,

Subs: Sweeny (for Byrne 46 mins), Thompson-Brown, Shaw, Palmer, and Bowen Cards: none Goals: Brown (24 mins), Parry (57 mins)

Attendance: 189 Referee: Christopher Darling (Newmarket) John Walker

HUNTINGDONSHIRE SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAL

Eaton Socon 3 St Neots Town 1

With their Cambridge United contingent of players and Manager Pete Gill unavailable because of a commitment in the FA Youth Cup St Neots fielded a very weakened side and gave Eaton Socon a Hunts FA Senior Cup passage through to the second round of the competition. Not that the home side did not fully deserve their victory – on the night they were much the better side! Woefully short of ideas and confidence the visitors’ strength was best illustrated by the fact that their two key midfield players named for this match had not started a match for the club this season. St Neots glimmer of hope came when leading scorer Trey Charles pulled a goal back to level the scores just before the break, but two second half goals by the home side saw them thoroughly deserved winners on the night. In front of a bumper midweek crowd the home side continued their excellent record of just one defeat in fourteen league and cup matches this season and will be looking forward to capturing another higher-ranking scalp in the as yet undated semi-final.

It took the home side just seven minutes to stamp their determination on this match as a deliberately placed pass through a square lying visiting defence freed Rhys Thorpe and he rounded stranded visiting keeper Jamie Greygoose to open the scoring from a narrow angle. The keeper then did well to push away an effort by Scott Joseph for a corner and as St Neots tried to respond Try Charles shot across the face of goal and Manny Osei saw his effort comfortably saved by Evan Jeckells. St Neots thought they had levelled after 34 minutes when Toib Adeyemi won an Andre Hasanally corner in the air only to see a defender clear off the line, but St Neots only had to wait another four minutes for an equaliser. It came courtesy of a defensive error and Trey Charles was quickly in to take advantage to net. A minute later another Socon error – an under hit back pass – freed Charles again but his finish was too high and in added time at the end of the first half Dom Mason had a good opportunity for Socon, but he also missed the target.

A storming start to the second half saw the home side grasp the initiative towards an almost inevitable victory. Just four minutes in, the visitors left Rhys Thorpe unmarked at the far post and home skipper Mason set him up for a crisp finish to restore the home side’s lead. Home keeper Evan Jeckells then did well to parry a fierce Charles shot at the other end but now the home side seemed to grow in confidence as Thorpe saw an effort pushed for a corner and Andre Reece-Brown sent an effort wide. St Neots introduced substitute Callum Anderson still not quite fit for Joe Rider who had not impressed and just past the hour Greygoose kept St Neots hopes alive with the save of the match to deny Mason.However,

EatonSocon (A)1-11-2022

it was all in vain as after 64 minutes a right-wing corner was not cleared and from just outside the box Jake Anderson hit a fierce drive through the packed area for a 3-1 Socon lead.It was a blow that St Neots never looked like recovering from and after a series of substitutions by both sides Aaron Smith picked up a second yellow card reducing St Neots to ten men for the final ten minutes.

It was the third successive season that St Neots had been defeated in their first match in the County Senior Cup.

St Neots Town: Greygoose, Nche, Jikiemi, Abbott, Smith, Adeyemi, Hasanally, Stokes, Charles, Rider, Osei.

Subs: Anderson (C) (for Rider 58 mins), Tonks (for Abbott 70 mins), Clark (for Osei 82 mins) Stainsby, and Bent. Cards: Smith (RED – 2xY – 83 mins), Osei (Y – 78 mins) Goals: Charles (38 mins)

Eaton Socon: Jeckells, Hickling, Dixon, Kane, Roberts, Baxter, Anderson (J), Reece-Brown, Thorpe, Mason, Joseph.

Subs: Irvine (for Kane 68 mins), Baxter (for Thorpe 77 mins), Parratt (for Anderson 82 mins), and Flack Cards: Baxter (Y – 59 mins), Kane (59 mins), Anderson (Y – 59 mins) Goals: Thorpe 2 (7 & 50 mins), Anderson (64 mins)

Attendance: Unknown Referee: Josh Crofts John Walker

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLANDS DIVISION

Bedworth United 2 St Neots Town 1

Two goals in the last six minutes (five of those added time) by the home side, condemned St Neots to a cruel league defeat – a match they had led for 86 minutes! Ironically it was one of their best away performances of the season and the defeat came about following the 82nd minute sending off of Mamadou Jobe when he picked up a second yellow card. The dismissal was bad enough but then to concede those two very late goals was a real blow that St Neots did not deserve. Manager Pete Gill applauded the overall performance of his players and had no problem with the sending off which was described as a hot-headed moment by a young player. However, the other major talking point after the match was the performance of Worcester Referee Michael Wright who in addition to the sending-off booked seven other players and the Bedworth Manager in a match that never contained one bad tackle. ‘I know it is nearly Christmas’ remarked a home official ‘but to give out all his cards in one match can only be described as excessive!’ There were four team changes from the midweek defeat with skipper Callum Anderson and Cambridge loanees Mamadou Jobe and Joe Tarpey returning to the side, and there was a welcome return for Panny Boxer who last featured in the side in March 2020 prior to the COVID lockdown.

On the 3G surface St Neots began full of confidence and after just three minutes they were in front when from a Callum Anderson free kick Joe Rider struck a low shot inside the far post across the home keeper.Six minutes later he almost doubled the lead, but this time home keeper Sam Lomax saved well. After 13 minutes Trey Charles netted with a header from an Aaron Smith cross but he was fractionally offside, and his effort ruled out. As the bookings for both sides mounted for trivial offences it seemed difficult to infuse any real pattern to the play but just before the break the home side came into the game and Dilano Reid cut in to see a net-bound shot blocked by Panny Boxer and then left unmarked at the far post Desean Martin shot high over the bar.So the visitors went to the break deserving of their narrow lead which on the balance of play should have been greater.

BedworthUnited(A)5-11-2022

Joe Rider did not appear after the break to be replaced by Brandon Njoku, back after a three months’ injury recovery and after just six minutes on the pitch he could have delivered a lethal blow as he was set up by Manny Osei, but his side-footed effort was just the wrong side of a post with the home keeper beaten. The home side were now looking more positive, and the lively Sanderson broke free, but Jamie Greygoose parried his drive and collected the loose ball. Njoku saw another effort deflected for a corner and then at the other end Reid went clear following a free kick but shot over the bar.More bookings and substitutions followed, and Declan Nche shot wide after good work by Joe Tarpey, but the Jobe dismissal altered the pattern and outcome of the game. Bedworth threw caution to the wind dominating the remainder of the game and with a minute of normal time remaining Ryan Moore converted a Brett Lloyd cross to level the scores. Then with five minutes of added time completed and with a St Neots player lying on the pitch with a head injury, play continued and from a poorly defender corner, Elliott Parratt netted an unlikely winner for the home side.

St Neots Town: Greygoose, Boxer, Tarpey, Anderson, Jobe, Smith, Abbott, Nche, Charles, Rider, Osei.

Subs: Njoku (for Rider 46 mins), Hasanally (for Abbott 66 mins), Goumou (for Anderson 86 mins) and Jikiemi.

Cards: Jobe (RED 2xY – 37 & 82 mins), Nche (Y – 15mins), Anderson (Y – 23 mins), Abbott (Y – 57 mins), Tarpey (Y – 74 mins) Goals: Rider (3 mins)

Bedworth United: Lomax, Moore, Lloyd, Parrott, Barnes, Blyth, Reid, Martin, Sanderson, Dunkley, Lockett

Subs: Murphy (for Lockett 68 mins), Edjenguele (for Reid 75 mins), Pratt, Laws. and Rowe. Cards: Moore (Y – 11 mins), Martin (Y – 15 mins), Storer (Bedworth Manager) (Y – 63 mins), Dunkley (Y – 45+3 mins) Goals: Moore (89 mins), Parrott (90+5 mins)

Attendance: 187 Referee: Michael Wright (Worcester)

John Walker

OpponentSpotlight STAMFORDAFC

STAMFORD AFC – CLUB HISTORY

There is evidence to support the existence of a football club in Stamford as far back as 1870 & various clubs came & went in the next twenty years until 1894 when the town’s two most prominent clubs Stamford Town & Rutland Ironworks agreed to amalgamate. Initially the club adopted the name of the Rutland Ironworks who were viewed as the stronger of the two, but the current club’s existence is generally accepted to date back to 1896 when the Stamford Town name was adopted to give the club a higher profile. It was to be some years before the club became known as “The Daniels” after Daniel Lambert, the heaviest British man ever, who died in 1809 in Stamford weighing 52 stone or thereabouts and is buried in St Martin’s churchyard in the town. The club’s first ever match was played on Hanson’s Field, at the location of Wothorpe Road and the club has enjoyed continuous use of the ground ever since. Evidence has come to light that the site staged football in the early 1870s making it a candidate for the world’s oldest football ground. Stamford Town enjoyed success from the off and won the Younger Cup in their first season. Several other trophies followed in the next decade and a half as Stamford established themselves as one of the area’s most successful clubs. Most notable were back-to-back successes in the prestigious Hinchingbrooke Cup in 1907 and 1908, the trophy being won in front of four figure crowds in the finals at Huntingdon. Encouraged by these successes Stamford turned professional in 1909. Stamford was quick to progress and in only their third season of Northants League football they won the championship. In 1913-1914 Stamford enjoyed their best ever FA Cup run reaching the 5th Qualifying Round before losing 2-0 at Chatham. Financial troubles plagued the club towards the end of the thirties and in 1939 they decided to take a season’s break to put the finances right. Within a few weeks war was declared, and it was 1945 before league football resumed. After a season regrouping in the Peterborough League Stamford returned to the United Counties League, successor to the Northants League, in 1946. They soon earned a reputation as cup specialists winning the Lincolnshire Junior Cup in 1949, UCL Knockout Cup in 1952 & Lincolnshire Senior Cup ‘B’ in 1952 and 1954. Football in the early post war years captured the public’s imagination with a record crowd of 4,200 watching a 3-3 FA Cup draw with Kettering in 1953. In 1955 Stamford joined the Central Alliance before stepping up in class to join the Midland League in 1961. The sixties were years of struggle although 1961 saw Arsenal come to Wothorpe Road to beat the Daniels 9-0 in a match arranged to mark the town's quincentenary.

OpponentSpotlight STAMFORDAFC

1972 saw the Daniels return to the United Counties League where they became a power under the guidance of former Peterborough manager Norman Rigby. Another FA Cup run to the 4th Qualifying Round in 1973-1974 was followed by an excellent FA Vase campaign a year later, Stamford reaching the semi-finals of the new tournament. After several near misses Stamford won the UCL league & cup double in 1976, also going one better in the Vase, losing 1-0 to Billericay in extra time at Wembley. Malcolm Hird – later voted Stamford’s Player of the Century by supporters and goal ace Dick Smith, the club’s highest postwar marksman, were stars of this side. Stamford continued to dominate the UCL under Rigby winning a further title in 1978, their first Lincs Senior Cup ‘A’ success the following season was the highlight of a disappointing campaign under Ray Medwell, but the appointment of ex-skipper Hird as boss in the summer of 1979 proved a masterstroke. Three seasons under the management of the Casterton schoolmaster saw the Daniels complete a hat-trick of UCL championships, Knockout Cup successes in 1980 & 1982 & best of all a Wembley return in 1980, goals from Keith Alexander & Andy McGowan giving Stamford a 2-0 win over Guisborough. Under Chris Corby’s management Stamford enjoyed Lincs Senior Cup ‘A’ success in 19821983 and a third Wembley visit in 1984, losing 3-2 to Stansted in the Vase final, while Paul Brackwell steered the Daniels to Knockout Cup success in 1986. By now the club’s golden age was at an end although the club continued to produce good players with Keith Alexander & Andy Tillson (both Grimsby), Darren Edey (Peterborough) & Brett McNamara (Northampton) all graduating to the pro ranks. The appointment of Steve Evans as manager in 1994 started Stamford’s revival. His policy of signing high profile players brought ex-Posh favourites Trevor Quow, Steve Collins, Milton Graham and Micky Gynn to the club, along with Scottish international David Speedie and ex-Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson. The club’s centenary season saw Stamford win the UCL for a seventh time after a spectacular late burst through the pack, while 1997-1998 was even better as Stamford retained the title, also carrying off the Lincs Senior Cup’A’ & Hinchingbrooke Cup. Promotion to the Southern League was the outcome and the club’s debut campaign in the Midland Division proved hugely eventful. After steering Stamford to Benevolent Cup success and a place in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup final manager Evans moved to Boston United with Billy Jeffrey arriving from Rushden & Diamonds to take the reins. The new manager rebuilt with younger players and a final placing of 18th in the Midland Division. League reshuffling saw Stamford placed in the Eastern Division for 1999-2000 and an 11match unbeaten start – the club’s best ever – proved invaluable as Stamford accumulated a record 18 draws over the season, eventually finishing 17th in the table. Seventh place in the 2003-2004 season was enough to earn the Daniels a Premier Division place for the first time in their history.Unfortunately, too many draws proved costly as Stamford were relegated.

OpponentSpotlight STAMFORDAFC

In July 2005, new manager Graham Drury arrived from Harrowby and his new look side regained the club’s Premier Division place at the first attempt. After finishing fourth in Division One East the Daniels defeated Wivenhoe to progress through the play offs. Stamford fared much better on their return to the Premier Division & briefly topped the table in January.

In 2006-2007 the season ended with silverware on display as the Daniels claimed their fifth different county cup, beating Brigg to win the Senior Shield at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank Stadium.

In the summer of 2007, the club was transferred to the Northern League Premier Division after nine years playing in the Southern League but suffered instant relegation to Division One South after losing manager Graham Drury. Graham Drury returned to take over as manager within a couple of weeks of the 20112012 season ending. Graham departed for Boston United in December 2012. He was replaced by Wayne Hatswell in January 2013, which culminated in the club gaining promotion via the play-offs defeating Chasetown in the final. We then had another managerial change with Hatswell leaving for a coaching role at league 2 Newport County. His deputy David Staff was promoted for his first managerial position for the 2013-2014 campaign. The season culminated in winning the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy in the final against Brigg Town. The 2014-15 season was started at our Wothorpe Road ground, and we played out last game there on the 22nd November before moving to our new home at the Zeeco stadium.

On 13 December 2014 we started a new chapter of the club’s life with our first game at the Zeeco Stadium. Unfortunately, it took us longer than expected to get that first home league win - it came down to the last game of the season against Witton Albion when the win was the only way to say in the Premier Division. The 2015-2016 season was the first full season at the Borderville Sports Complex. This was a turbulent season which saw David Staff replaced by Andrew Wilson whose tenure only last 10 games and saw him being replaced by Graham Drury for his third stint with the club. Despite an upturn in form it was not enough to stop the Daniels being relegated.

OpponentSpotlight STAMFORDAFC

In 2016, club history was made when Stamford made the first-round proper of the FA Cup by beating Wrexham in a replay at the Racecourse ground. They were drawn against Hartlepool United in the first round, eventually losing 3-0. The 2017/18 season saw the Daniels finish sixth in the league and saw them reach the play-off final losing 2-1 in extra time to Bedworth United. 2018/19 season was disappointing for the Daniels, an early exit from the FA cup was offset with getting through three rounds of the FA trophy. In the league, the playoffs were never really threatened, and Stamford finished in mid table. 2019/20 season promised to be one of the best in recent years with the club only losing 3 games in the league before the season was abruptly stopped due to Covid-19. The highlight of a very short 2020/21 season was reaching the last 32 of the FA Trophy, eventually bowing out to finalists Hereford. In 2021/22 the Daniels finished runners up in the league but fell to Belper Town in the playoff semi-final. In the cup competitions we reached the 4th qualifying round of the FA cup going out to National league outfit Stockport Country in front of 3002 at Edgerley Park.

OpponentSpotlight-PLAYERPROFILES STAMFORDAFC

Graham Drury (manager): Third time in charge of the Daniels having previously led the club to promotion in 2005 before leaving to manage Corby, he then returned in 2012 but left to manage Boston United. In this stint with the club he has led the side to the 1st round proper in the FA Cup as well as the Division One South playoff final

Paul Holden: Returned to the club in the summer of 2022. Paul is former Director of Football for The Gibraltar FA and Academy Director at Crystal Palace. He has previously coached at the Daniels during Drury’s previous spells in charge.Also worked at Corby Town & Boston United.

Mike Hogg (Goalkeeping Coach): Has worked alongside Drury before at Boston United. Has also coached at Grantham.

Natalie Halliday (Physio): Joined the Daniels in the summer of 2019. Has also been with Northampton Town & Thrapston Town.

Ben Heath: Joined Stamford in the Summer of 2022 from Corby Town. Started his career at Northampton Town before moving on to Daventry Town. Has also played for Rugby Town, AFC Rushden & Diamonds and St Ives Town

Daniel Wallis: First joined Stamford in the Summer of 2021 before moving on to Matlock Town and Macclesfield. Returned to the Daniels in the Summer of 2022. Started at Derby County as a youngster before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday. Had a short spell in Norway playing for Valdres FK. Upon returning to the UK played for Matlock Town & Gainsborough Trinity.

Mike Armstrong: Joined for the 2017/18 from Belper having impressed the management whilst playing against us. He has also played for Long Eaton where he came through the youth system. Was manager Graham Drury’s player of the year in his first season with the Daniels.

Sean Wright: Sean is in his second spell with the club having previously been part of the promotion wining side of the 2012 13 campaign. Sean is a versatile defender who likes to get forward as well.

James Blunden: Centre-back joined the Daniels in 2019 having previously played for Lincoln United, Grimsby and CGB Humbertherm. He has also represented Lincolnshire at under 18 level.

OpponentSpotlight-PLAYERPROFILES STAMFORDAFC

Connor Bartle: Joined the Daniels in the Summer 2020 from Grantham Town. Connor was part of the Basford United squad that won the league title in 2018. He started his career at Notts County before moving to Basford. He then went onto play for Carlton Town & Grantham.

Isaac Currie: Right back who joined Stamford in Summer 2022. Started his career with Burton Albion. Played for Newark last season.Has previously played for Tamworth, Guiseley. Has also played in the USA for Philadelphia Fire.

Rob Morgan: Former St Andrews player who joined the Daniels in 2017. Has previously won both the Supporters Player of the Year award and the award for most Man of the Matches. Left briefly in 2018 to play for Barwell before returning in January 2019.

Harry Vince: Midfielder joined the Daniels in summer 2019 having previously played for Wisbech, Grantham, Pinchbeck, Matlock and Boston United, where he came through the youth ranks. He made his first team debut for the Pilgrims aged 17 and has also represented the England C side.

Jon Challinor: Capable of playing at the back and in midfield with a giant throw. He originally signed for the Daniels in 2000 having come through the Rushden and Diamonds academy. He has vast experience having won the FA Trophy in 2012 with York as well as gaining promotion with them through the playoffs. He has also played for Cambridge City, Aldershot and Exeter as well as a stint in America. He was also named caretaker manager in November 2015.

Joe Burgess: Joins the Daniels from Boston United in 2017 before leaving for local rivals Corby Town in 2019. Returned to Stamford in 2020. He is a versatile player that can play in midfield whilst being equally comfortable at the back either on the right or centrally. He joined Boston from Ilkeston in February 2016. He has previously played for Ilkeston, Boston United, Histon, Fleetwood, Corby Town and Peterborough United.

Rodrigo Goncalves: Came through the academy at local rival Grantham. Having impressed at academy level, scoring 46 goals to win the golden boot was given a twoyear contract at the Gingerbreads in 2019. Before joining Grantham, he has played football in his native Portugal as well as also gaining experience at Wisbech.

Jake Duff: Returned to the club in September 2021 from Corby Town. Originally joined the club in November 2015. Made over 150 appearances for the club before moving to Corby in the Summer of 2019. Scored the winning goal against Wrexham in 2016 to put the Daniels in the first-round proper of the FA cup.

OpponentSpotlight-PLAYERPROFILES STAMFORDAFC

Jack Duffy: Joined the Daniels in the Summer of 2020 from Quorn where he scored 14 goals in 16 games. He has also played for Long Eaton and Nottingham Trent University as well as the English National Universities side.

Michael Frew: Joined the Daniels in September 2021. The experienced frontman has a wealth of non-league experience having played for Kings Lynn, Histon, Corby Town, Lowestoft Town and Holbeach United.

Jonathon Margetts: Joined Stamford in January 2022 from league rivals Belper Town.He started his career at Hull City where he progressed to the first team. He joined Gainsborough Trinity on loan and further loan deals at Harrogate Town and Cambridge United followed, where he made his professional debut against Stevenage. He then signed for Tranmere Rovers before joining Lincoln City. He then went on to play for Scunthorpe United, Boston United, Matlock Town, Frickley Athletic.

Cameron Johnson: A winger with an eye for goal signed for the Daniels in pre-season 2021 having previously played for Peterborough Sports, Boston United, Tamworth, Rossington Main having also gained academy experience in his early career with Doncaster Rovers.

Charlie Coppola: Joined Stamford in the Summer of 2022. Has previously played for Lewes, Horsham & Whitehawk.

Will Mellors-Blair: Joined Stamford in 2022.Started his career at Manchester United.Has also played for Walsall, Solihull and Kings Lynn.

Billy Bennett: Joined Stamford in October 2022 from Ilkeston. Left sides player who spent six years at the Robins in which time he helped the club to three promotions and two league titles.

Ollie Brown-Hill: Re-joined the Daniels in October on loan from Ilkeston. Originally joined the club during the 2016-17 season where he scored 6 goals in 24 games.Came back to the club in January 2018.Left in 2020 to join Ilkeston. He has also played for Oadby, Corby, AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Barwell as well as representing England at under 18 and 19 level.

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