Stevenage FC v Barnsley FC

Tuesday, April 9 2024

Kick-Off: 7.45pm

v BARNSLEY FC

CEO MIKE PINK

Good evening and welcome to the players, directors and officials of Barnsley FC, along with both sets of supporters for tonight’s match at The Lamex Stadium. With the season coming to a close, we now have just four games remaining including Barnsley, Burton Albion (13/4) and Cheltenham (27/4) at home and Oxford United (19/4) away.

We’re now sitting just outside the play-off spots and whilst it looks a tall order to get back into that final place, I know how hard Steve, the coaching team and players will be pushing to try and put us in contention with a strong run in. Whatever happens in these final matches it’s been a great season for everyone connected with the Club with some memorable results along the way.

There have been so many positives off the pitch as well. This season has seen some real growth in the Club, with record season ticket sales, our average attendance up at almost 5k a game,

strong merchandise sales with almost double the number of shirts sold this season to last and improvements in every department. This is really encouraging and shows how we are better engaging with our supporters and the town, providing an enjoyable matchday experience which bodes well for 2024/25.

We have some exciting developments to look forward to over the next few months and one of these is that we are starting work on improving our digital platforms, including launching a brand-new www.stevenagefc.com website along with an app to ensure you can quickly access all our content. This should be ready towards the end of June.

This will be our last game at home under the lights and we’re expecting a great crowd with a fantastic atmosphere. Please get behind the team again tonight as you have done all season as your support can make the difference. I hope you enjoy the game.

AHEAD OF THE GAME

MATCHDAY TIMINGS

CLUB SHOP: Midday-7:45pm

TICKET OFFICE: 6pm-3:30pm

THE BROADHALL SUITE: Open to Home & Away supporters, 6pm-Kick-Off, CLOSED at FullTime. Bar Food Available

THE 76 LOUNGE: 6pm-Kick-Off (Home & Away Supporters), 8pm-80 minutes (North Stand Ticket Holders). Bar Snacks Available

TURNSTILES: 6:15pm

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

BACK THE BORO’ VS BURTON ON SATURDAY

Get your tickets now for Stevenage’s penultimate home game of the season vs Burton Albion on Saturday.

Match tickets are available at  www.borotickets. co.uk. the Stevenage FC Club Shop (Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays 10am-5pm) and from the North Stand Ticket Office on the day of the game.

TICKETS & TRAVEL: OXFORD UNITED (FRI 19 APRIL)

Match tickets are available online at www. borotickets.co.uk and from the Stevenage FC Club Shop until midday on Friday 19th April and from the Away Ticket Office at The Kassam Stadium.

Book coach travel with the Stevenage FC Supporters Association here.

MATCHDAY MASCOT

REGGIE O’LEARY

We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Reggie O’Leary who is our mascot tonight against Barnsley. Reggie, 9, lives in Welwyn GC and attends Creswick School. His main hobby is football and his favourite player is Jamie Reid. We hope Reggie and his family have an amazing time with us this evening and that they give us all the best of luck to get us the three points and see us back in the play-off chase.

whose BADGE?

Can you work out the badge of a another club from League Two?

ANSWER: Wigan Athletic

Our interactive quiz is back, five teasers on our opponents today and a warm welcome in the league for the first time to Barnsley - can you get a Boro fifer? This one is there for the Tykeing….

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Dino Maamria’s side had pieced together an impressive run that saw Boro pick up 13 points from a possible 15 as they headed into this final game of the season against a Cheltenham Town side that’d secured safety, with performances of late reflecting a sense of relaxation. It was mathematically possible for Stevenage to squeeze into the play-offs with a big victory, albeit extremely unlikely. The hosts had a golden chance to take an early lead as Cheltenham’s Ben Tozer dragged down Kurtis Guthrie as the forward burst into the opposition box. The winner of the penalty was elected to subsequently take the spot kick, for good reason too as Guthrie has netted seven goals in his last five games. Boro’s top scorer

couldn’t add to his tally however as his tame effort was saved by Scott Flinders.

After countless narrow misses, Stevenage did find a breakthrough. Scott Cuthbert was alert to a flicked header from a wayward Boro corner and tapped the ball into the path of Joe Martin who swept his shot into the bottom right corner. Goals were like London buses for Boro as merely a minute after their initial breakthrough, the ball was once again being picked out the back of the Cheltenham net. The goal was courtesy of Jordan Gibson, who cleverly intercepted William Boyle, Gibson bared down and goal, opting to shoot across goal, taking the ‘keeper by surprise and securing the win for the home side.

Victory capped off Stevenage’s impressive end to the season and lifted Boro up to 10th in League One and only a point off the play-offs.

ALFIE NICHOLSON

BORO HISTORY

ON THIS DAY: 09 APRIL

Games at this stage of the season tend to take on a little more importance when you’re involved with battles at either end of the table. Admittedly, that hasn’t always been the case on 09 April over the years. Even so, we haven’t short of drama on this date in history – even when there hasn’t been too much riding on the end result.

One of the greatest games we think we’ve ever seen with our own eyes took place on 09 April 2007. Our league form had somewhat tailed off after securing our place in the FA Trophy final in mid-March. Indeed, we’d lost four out of six ahead of a trip to Forest Green Rovers; a side we’d already drawn 3-3 with (league) and beaten 4-1 (cup) that season. Things looked desperate with 21 minutes on the clock as the hosts raced into a threegoal lead. Craig Dobson got one back before half time, which sparked some hope of a comeback. So too did a red card for the home

1983 Stevenage Borough 5-1 Desborough

Town, United Counties League Premier Division (Jacobs 2, Josiah, OG, Powell)

1988 Stevenage Borough 0-1 Uxbridge, Vauxhall Opel League Division One

1994 Stevenage Borough 0-1 Enfield, Diadora League Premier Division

2002 Boston United 0-0 Stevenage Borough, Nationwide Conference

2005 Accrington Stanley 4-1 Stevenage Borough, Nationwide Conference (Laker)

2007 Forest Green Rovers 4-4 Stevenage Borough, Conference National (Dobson, Cole, Nutter, Morison)

2011 Stockport County 2-2 Stevenage, npower League Two (Roberts, Wilson)

2012 Stevenage 1-1 Preston North End, npower League One (Roberts)

2016 Notts County 1-0 Stevenage, Sky Bet League Two

2022 Colchester United 0-2 Stevenage, Sky Bet League Two (Reid, Norris; Norris s/o)

side just after the break. Boro’ then roared into action; Mitchell Cole, John Nutter, and Steve Morison flipping the game on its head. Going into stoppage time, an incredible win was on the cards. But a late twist saw Lee Dodgson ensure it ended level.

In other events on this date, Steve Evans earned his first win as Boro’ boss in 2022 as we claimed a 2-0 victory away to Colchester United – despite Luke Norris’ late dismissal. Meanwhile, Mark Roberts and Lawrie Wilson were the unlikely heroes back in 2011 as we rallied from two goals down at Stockport County to keep our playoff push on track.

BORO’ AT THIS STAGE…

Gameweek 43

After 42 fixtures, we remain on course to record our best-ever points haul in League One – but only just. We come into this match with 64 points to our name; our 19th best return from this many league games. It’s one point more than we had accumulated by this stage in 2011-2. Back then, however, we won four of our last five fixtures – which shows what will be needed from our remaining four fixtures if this season is to be our best in the third tier.

In some cases, gameweek 42 marked the end of the league programme; the most notable being is the record-breaking 1990-1 Vauxhall Football League Division Two North campaign. Boro’ finished matters having won 81% of their fixtures (34 – a club record). The final goal and points hauls were 122 and 107 respectively –again, club records. Gameweek 42 was also the end of the 1993-4 campaign and our time in the Isthmian League – finishing up on 97 points.

Gameweek 42 also marked the end of the 1987-8 Vauxhall Opel League Division One season. But a 1-0 win at Basildon United came far too late to save our bacon; Boro’ relegated for the first time in our history. That remains our joint third lowest points haul at this stage of a season. The worst remains our most recent season in League One; Boro’ going into gameweek 43 with just 39 points to their name – although relegation wouldn’t be confirmed until gameweek 44.

ON BOTH SIDES…

To play today?: It doesn’t look like the Tykes will be bringing any former Boro’ representation in their ranks today. But, for us, Kane Hemmings can list Barnsley among his former clubs. Hemmings did his time at Oakwell during the 2014-5 campaign; re-turning from Scotland where he’d been most recently with Cowdenbeath. To be fair, it wasn’t a massively successful time for the striker; released after just one reason and making his return back north of the border. Best of the Rest: The list of players to have ourselves and the Tykes on their respective CVs has a very forward-looking feel to it; recent examples including strikers Danny Rose and Jack Aitchison – the latter coming to us on loan from the Tykes. Also on the list are Ryan Hedges, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Isaiah Rankin, and Clint Marcelle. To give a prospective XI some balance, Paul Digby and Simon Hislop will at least give us some cover in midfield!

IT’S BARNSLEY AGAIN…

Less “again” and more “for a change”, perhaps; today being the first time in senior competitive football that Barnsley have stepped out onto the hallowed Lamex turf. Obviously, it means we don’t have any previous fixtures to look back upon. The home head-to-head is a clean-slate and the first Broadhall Way bragging rights are up for grabs. Might it be a similar first home encounter with a new South Yorkshire opponent as we did with Sheffield Wednesday (2011)?

By Pete Hayman courtesy of boroguide.co.uk

Kane Hemmings

Paul Digby

PLAYER SPONSORS FIRST TEAM 2023/24

17 Finley Burns

Paul Raynor

Alex Revell

Ian Pledger

Steve Evans

Reid

23 Louis Thompson

22 Nesta Guinness-Walker

25 Reece Hannam

33 Vadaine Oliver

FINLEY KETTEL

24 Ben Thompson

STEVENAGE FC ACADEMY

We are now two trials into recruitment for our all-new Goalkeeper Development Programme which is due to commence in September 2024. This first-of-its-kind programme offers local goalkeepers the chance to train full-time for two years after leaving school at 16, providing a Level 3 BTEC qualification alongside access to elite-level goalkeeper specific coaching, training facilities, gym programmes and video analysis.

All education and training is delivered in house at Stevenage FC Academy and overseen by Head of Academy Goalkeeping Louis Hrebeniak. We have already seen great interest in this programme with limited spaces remaining for next season, but if this may be of interest to a young goalkeeper you know currently aged 16 and leaving school this year, please contact Louis via louish@stevenagefc.com to register your interest or request some more information.

TODDS GREEN, SG1 2JE, HERTFORDSHIRE

3 DAYS 6 STAGES 80+ ACTS

FRIDAY SATURDAY

THE KILLERZ

SUNDAY

rick parfitt Jnr & THE Rpj band RULE THE WORLD TAKE THAT TRIBUTE

FORE FIGHTERS

U2 UK sTEREOTONICS

arctic monkeyz furnace & the fundamentals

Definitely could be oasis 7 WONDERS OF FLEETWOOD MAC

XODUS - BOB MARLEY TRIBUTE BLURD KAZABIAN

DS: UK IN TRIBUTE TO DIRE STRAITS PET SHOP BOYS TRIBUTE

SHANIA TWAIN STORY STRICTLY UB40

PIANO FACTOR MAX RYAN DIRTY HALF HUNDRED SCAM69

THE NASHVILLE NIGHTS BAND KICKING BACK Snubcat

EMERGENCY BREAK BAND New Town Centres

THE EGG AND BACON BAND SANDY UKELELE GROUP PLUS LOADS MORE

afterparty in the woods

FRIDAY SATURDAY

DAVE PEARCE CAR WASH plus special guests

free shuttle service to train station free parking vintage funfair

DANCE DEN IN THE WOODS KIDS AREnA HOSTED BY AIDAN o’neill

WORLD STREET FOOD CAMPING & GLAMPING VIP AREA

tickets available at

2023/2024 STAT PACK

This will be just the second Football League game between Stevenage and Barnsley, after the Tykes won this season’s reverse meeting 2-1 in December.

GOAL TIMES MATCH FACTS

Barnsley have won three of the last four occasions they have visited an opponent for a very first time in the Football League.

STEVENAGE FC WOMEN

Good evening ‘Boro fans!

It has been a quiet couple of weeks for the First Team, with only the U23s team in action over the weekend.

Out U23s team played Biggleswade United in the ERWFL Plate semi-final, defeating our hosts 2-0 to make it through to our second final of the season. It has been an impressive run for our youngsters who remain unbeaten since the Christmas break, winning 7 and drawing 2 (including a penalty shoot-out victory). That good run in form has seen us reach the final of the League Plate competition with the tie to take place on 19 May where we will play Wormley Rovers.

You might have seen that our County Trophy Cup final was abandoned due to a medical incident with one of our players. We are delighted that our player is recovering well. The final has been rescheduled for 26 May with a kick off time of 10:30am at the Herts FA County Ground.

Our First Team are back in action this weekend as we travel to face Haringey Women and our U23s make the long journey to play Fakenham Town.

Up the ‘Boro!

£12.50 TICKET

£12.50 TICKET

£22.50 £22.50 TICKET MEAL & DRINK TICKET MEAL & DRINK

DAVE THOMPSON RICHARD MORTON

HOSTED BY

DOORS 6PM | FIRST ACT 8PM BOOK ONLINE AT BOROTICKETS.CO.UK

STEVENAGE FC FOUNDATION ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF OUR 2024/2025 SEASON GIRLS PATHWAY TRIALS

With over 220 female players taking part in weekly sessions across this season, it is expected that this number will continue to grow as we head into our sixth season of providing development opportunities for girls in our local community.

Trials for the Women and Girls Pathway will take place across both May and June, with several dates per age group available. Trials are open for all female players aged 8-16, with specific trials taking place for Goal Keepers.

The pathway is made up of four tiers, alongside our Premier League Kicks Girls session which makes up our recreational offer. The pathway includes the ‘Pre-Pathway’, ‘Girls Football Centre’, ‘Girls Development

Centre’ and our FA Emerging Talent Centre. Each tier provides weekly training as a minimum and school holiday fixtures are offered as part of our Girls Development Centre and Emerging Talent Centre.

The pathway is a complimentary training and games programme to girls existing grassroots commitments and Stevenage FC Foundation

do not run any youth squads who compete in leagues.

If you are interested in registering a player to the trials, please use the QR codes on the trial graphics.

Should you require any further information on the Women and Girls pathway, please contact womenandgirls@stevenagefcf.com

Meet the boss

The Scot joined the Reds as Head Coach on July 6th 2023.

After a successful stint in US soccer with Tampa Bay Rowdies, Collins arrived back in Yorkshire where he’d spent many years previously in his illustrious playing career at both Leeds United and Sheffield United.

A Troon native, as a player, Collins - who didn’t

make the grade with boyhood club Kilmarnock - kicked off his career with Queens Park. A two-year stay with Dumbarton followed, before Reds legend Mick McCarthy brought him to England and Sunderland in 2004. Over the next decade, Neill would thrive at the likes of Wolves, Leeds and most notably Sheffield United.

Collins was twice promoted to the Premier League, but surprisingly, was never capped by Scotland.

Neill Collins

Last FIVE RESULTS

ONES TO watch

Devante Cole

A talented forward who can operate all across the frontline, Devante Cole rejoined the Reds in the summer of 2021.

The versatile striker began his career in the youth system of Manchester City and in 2014 he arrived at Oakwell on loan, making his first professional appearance as a Reds player as well as grabbing his first senior goal. Another six would follow before the end of his loan spell, and Cole would enjoy other spells with the likes of MK Dons, Burton Albion and Motherwell before coming back to Barnsley. His 12 goals in 24 starts for Motherwell prior to his Oakwell return saw him hot property before the Reds pounced and secured him on a three-year deal.

Unfortunately, his ‘second coming’ at Barnsley

barely got going under either Markus Schopp or Poya Asbaghi, with Cole limited to the occasional sub appearance as the Reds limped their way to the third tier in 2021/22. It was a different story the following year, playing week in, week out in Sky Bet League One, Cole would spearhead the Barnsley frontline, scoring 16 goals as the Reds unluckily lost out on promotion in the Play-Off Final at Wembley.

The French defender joined the Reds in the summer of 2023, after an impressive 12 months in Ligue 2 for Nimes. Cultured but brave in the challenge, the former Versaille man arrived in England for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

Maël De Gevigney

They can take their place from:

1st September (Autumn Term)

1st January (Spring Term)

1st April (Summer Term)

WELCOME

LATEST NEWS

The last time I wrote notes about Barnsley visiting Stevenage was the ill-fated day when referee Sam Purkiss called the game off just after 1:00pm on Saturday January 20th. We were all set for the big game, but we were beaten by the weather. I did manage to catch up with a few travelling Tykes in the High Street later in the afternoon who, although disappointed, were still prepared to what the hostelries of Stevenage could offer. So, at least some of our Yorkshire guests were able to make the most of a bad job.

Having grown up in pit villages such as Goldthorpe, Wath, Swinton and Wombwell, it’s a real treat for me to hear the distinct Barnsley accent echoing across the South Terrace this evening. Welcome to Stevenage.

FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION (FSA)

Much has been said about the new controversial England kit, especially the altered image of the flag of St George. However, the FSA has chosen to focus on the cost of the new kit having released the following statement last week:

“In our national supporters survey last year, 53% of fans agreed kit prices were important to them and, in that context, £119.99 for a kids’ match top feels expensive, even more so if you want to buy your child the full kit.

“We believe suppliers should put a ‘sell by’ date on kits to make it clear how long they will be in use before being changed. An unwitting parent could easily buy a kit for Christmas or a birthday only to find it’s ‘old’ within a matter of months.

“Clubs such as Brentford, who have previously committed to a two-year cycle, set a good example for reducing costs and waste too as a club doesn’t just produce a home kit – there are multiple away kits, keeper tops and training gear. It’s a lot of stuff to discard after one season.”

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Voting will soon commence for the Supporters Association “Player of the Year” award. Members will be notified shortly about the arrangements.

The presentation will take place in the Broadhall Suite after the last home game against Cheltenham on Saturday April 27th (12:30pm kick off), and only members with a ticket will be allowed entry. Details to follow.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The attached photo relates to a newspaper article which appeared in a local newspaper back in May 1973 – almost 51 years ago!

Can you believe that donkey rides and a funfair actually graced the playing surface of the Broadhall Way pitch back then. Were you there? Did you go? If you did, then I’d love to hear from you

THE LAST BUS

So, our last scheduled EFL away game is on Friday April 19th when we are away to Oxford United. It is a 4:30pm departure for the Kassam and a seat on the bus will cost you just £25.

You can book your seat from John Carroll on Stevenage 814285 (after 6:00pm), or book on-line here

LLOYD BRISCOE

Stevenage FC Supporters’ Association

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