Stevenage FC v Exeter City FC

B RO INTERACTIVE DIGITAL PROGRAMME 2023/24 NO. 13

v EXETER CITY FC

MATCH SPONSOR

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FINLEY KETTEL

Saturday, December 16 2023 Kick-Off: 3.00pm

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MANAGER

All photos by Jim Steele unless otherwise stated

STEVE EVANS

SPONSORED BY

It's a wonderful period if you' re a Stevenage supporter we' re going to need them

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DIRECTOR

I

STUART DINSEY

nto the Christmas schedule then, whilst still catching our breath at the latest cup thriller on Tuesday night.

The double comeback at Vale Park took us to our fourth penalty shoot-out of the season and the positive outcome evened things up. We’d previously had a win (Watford) and a defeat (to our guests today, Exeter City) in the league cup and another defeat, to AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy.

Our FA Cup run has been full of goals and late drama, perhaps when least expected. But that’s football. It’s why we go to games, and your brilliant support is hugely important to everyone at the club.

Our average attendance so far is the highest ever by some distance. After nine home games it is 4,796 – up 56% on the same stage last season.

And in welcoming the players and officials of Exeter today, it brings to mind how that club has

successfully built its fanbase and infrastructure in recent years, firmly establishing itself in League One along the way.

Stevenage is still a young, small club but we believe the connection with the town, and especially young fans, is growing and if we all stand shoulder to shoulder we can evolve and grow together.

More people are experiencing our neat stadium for the first time and coming back. Thank you to everyone who has been spreading the word.

Fans, sponsors, multi-channel influencers, back office staff, hospitality and bar staff, the Academy, the Foundation, the squad, the management… everyone makes a difference.

But as we play our final home fixture before Christmas, it is the perfect time to give an extra special thank you to the volunteers who contribute to matchday operations every week.

Take a bow, you deserve it.

Enjoy the game, get behind the lads.

6

STEVENAGE FC v EXETER CITY FC

AHEAD OF

THE GAME MATCHDAY TIMINGS

CLUB SHOP: Midday-3pm & 15 minutes after full-time TICKET OFFICE: Midday-3:30pm 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). Open again at Full-Time.

Bar Snacks Available TURNSTILES: 1:30pm

Mondays, Tuesdays & Friday 10am-5pm) and from Oakwell (£2 increase) on the day.

ADULTS: £15, 65 & OVER: £10, 19-21: £10, UNDER 19: £5, UNDER 14: £2 Travel with the Stevenage FC Supporters Association for just £20 for members and £25 for non-members. Book travel online here.

CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE AT STEVENAGE FC

Looking for New Year’s Eve plans? We’ve got you covered.

• DJ Through The Decades • Hot & Cold Buffet • Doors Open at 7pm Celebrate the turn of the year at the home of Stevenage Football Club.

Email jenniec@stevenagefc.com or call 01438 223223 to book.

TICKET INFO

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

TICKETS & TRAVEL: BARNSLEY

Kicking off at 3pm on Saturday 23rd December, Stevenage make the 294-mile roundtrip to take on Neill Collins’ Tykes.

Match tickets are available online at www.borotickets.co.uk, the Club Shop (open

7

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STEVENAGE FC

SOCIAL

@StevenageFC

You know what time it is.

stevenagefcofficial

😍

The moment of the night!

🚀

@StevenageFC

💬“I had no bottle to refer to!”😂 Taye talks us through last night’s shootout victory. ⏱

@StevenageFC

🏆

stevenagefcofficial

stevenagefcofficial

🚀️

⏱️119’.

What a time for NT to bag his first Boro’ goal!

🔥

Our FA Cup journey continues!

Game-changer Harvey White!

@StevenageFC

StevenagefcOfficial

@StevenageFCOfficial

Official X Account for Stevenage Football Club.

Joined June 2011 82.8k Followers

Stevenage FC. Official Instagram Page for Stevenage Football Club.

51.4k Followers

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Official Facebook Page of Stevenage Football Club.

89k Followers

.

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CHRISTOPHER’S STORY

DONATE TO GARDEN HOUSE HOSPICE CARE

Christopher discovered he had an aggressive brain tumour after losing vision from the side of one eye. His daughter, Charlotte, shared her perspective on her dad’s story and the care the family received from the Hospice at Home team. Read Christopher’s story and watch the video of Charlotte talking about how the Hospice helped them spend their last Christmas Day together.

Help pay for Christmas Day for our patients by texting GARDENHOUSE to 70085 to donate £5 to Garden House Hospice Care.

Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from us.

If you would like to donate but don’t wish to hear more from us, please text GARDENHOUSENOINFO instead.

ENTER THE HOSPICE’S RAFFLE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A 3RD KIT SHIRT SIGNED BY THE PLAYERS

The Hospice will also be doing a raffle on match day. If you want to be in for a chance of winning a new 3rd kit shirt signed by the players, make sure you stop by the Hospice’s stand in the 76’ Lounge to buy your raffle tickets before kick-off and at half-time. The winner will be announced after the game and all of the money raised from the tickets will go towards providing care for people in our local community living with lifelimiting conditions.

LAMEX FOOD GROUP

proud to Be prIncIpal sponsors of steVenaGe fc Importer and exporter of food products worldwIde

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

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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

3

V

PORT VALE

STEVENAGE

Garrity 6’, 55’, Loft 114’

3

White 81’, Hemmings 90+6’, Thompson 119’ Stevenage win on penalties 4-3

51%

49%

16 12

POSSESSION

6

SHOTS

6

SHOTS ON TARGET

7 5

CROSSES

ACTION

Stevenage’s never-say-die attitude evident in shootout victory after two last minute levellers at Vale Park…

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SPONSORED BY

MATCHDAY MASCOTS

Charlie Endersby

I

Bonni Mclean & Skye-Patrick Mclean

t’s a warm Boro welcome to our four mascots today as we go hunting for another three points against Exeter.

First up, hoping to bring a bunch of good luck, is Charlie Endersby, 8, who lives in Stevenage and attends Woolenwick School. Charlie is a fan of the entire Stevenage squad and he lists football and more football as his hobbies!

We also welcome Bonni Mclean 10 and Skye-Patrick Mclean 7 as mascots today.

Both attend Woolenwick School, and both list

William Adams

football as their main hobby. Skip Carl Piergianni is a favourite of Bonni while Jamie Reid is the first pick of Skye.

Last but not least we welcome William Adams and say a big happy birthday as he will be 11 tomorrow! William lives in Sandy and attends school in the town.

Among his hobbies are football and cycling and Carl Piergianni is his favourite player.

We hope all four have a great day at the Lamex and get to see another Stevenage success.

interactive Boro quiz!

Welcome to our latest interactive quiz of the season, the focus is on our visitors Exeter City.

CLICK HERE!

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FROM THE

ARCHIVES

S

heffield United travelled to Boro full of confidence, they hadn’t lost in their last four games, winning two and drawing two. Stevenage wished they’d had the same type of results as Nigel Clough’s side; Boro’ hadn’t won in three games and had only managed to amass four points across the previous six games.

The first chance of the game fell to Aidan White who unleashed a venomous curling effort from the left wing. His effort was unorthodox and got the better of the unexpecting Stevenage ‘keeper, Chris Day, the post was the only thing preventing the visitors from leading.

Saturday 21 December 2013

Nationwide Conference

Stevenage’s first chance was a miss that proved to be costly, as Francois Zoko worked his way down the right wing, he then cut the ball back to Jordan Burrow who managed to put the ball wide of the post from close range.

Sheffield United struck the woodwork again in the second half as Chris Porter nodded a long ball forward into the feet of Jose Baxter, but his strike thundered off the inside of the post and bounced out.

Despite a late effort from Greg Tansey: which was easily saved and then headed clear by Harry Maguire, neither team threatened to break the deadlock.

ALFIE NICHOLSON CLICK BELOW TO CHECK OUT THE PROGRAMME

0 STEVENAGE 0 SHEFFIELD UTD

STARTING XI

16 Chris Day 20 Jimmy Smith 4 Ben Chorley 5 Jon Ashton 15 Luke Freeman 7 Filipe Morais (24) 14 Simon Heslop 17 Greg Tansey 13 Dean Parrett (53) 10 Jordan Burrow (86) 12 Francois Zoko

SUBSTITUTES

1 Steve Arnold 2 Sam Wedgbury 6 Luke Jones (24) 8 James Dunne (58) 19 Marcus Haber 21 Oumare Tounkara 25 Bruno Andrade (86) Stats courtesy of Boroguide

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STEVENAGE FC v EXETER CITY FC

BORO

HISTORY

ON THIS DAY: 16 DECEMBER

We should probably look at this weekend as the calm before the storm. Whatever today’s result, we have the benefit of one last clear week before the festive schedule kicks into gear. But what will today’s result be? If history is anything to go by, it’ll go one way or the other – seven past outings on 16 December have yielded four wins and three defeats.

One one hand, we’ve been on a run of alternating results since the turn of the century – win, loss, win, loss. So, a win should surely follow? Perhaps. But will our record on this date even itself up with a fourth defeat?

The elephant in the room is our last fixture on this date in the diary. Specifically, our 2017 League Two encounter with today’s opponents – albeit down in Devon. The promotion-chasing Grecians scored twice in the second half to give us a mountain to climb. Matt Godden halved the arrears with 10 minutes left, but it wasn’t to be enough.

In more positive times, one of the most memorable solo performances occurred on this date in 2007. Boro’ may have been highly-fancied to get past Merthyr Tydfil in the FA Trophy. But George Boyd wasn’t taking that for granted; a four-goal haul from the young wing wizard setting us on course for a handsome 7-0 thrashing against our Welsh visitors.

A shout-out too for Drewe Broughton, scoring twice on debut today in 2000 to help us defeat Forest Green Rovers.

IT’S EXETER CITY AGAIN…

Since first meeting each other during the 2003-4 season, we’ve become quite accustomed with the Grecians. Today is the 33rd meeting between the teams – putting them joint fifth with Yeovil Town in the list of opponents we’ve played most in competitive fixtures. Sadly for us, our headto-head record is pretty dire – six wins, 11 draws, and 15 defeats.

So, where did it all go wrong for us against the Grecians? Well, it never really went right – except for four straight wins between December 2004

1985 Stevenage Borough 3-2 Stansted, Eastern Floodlit League (Gittings, Marshall, Armsby) 1989 Potton United 2-0 Stevenage Borough, FA Vase R3 1995 Northwich Victoria 1-3 Stevenage Borough, GM Vauxhall Conference (Hayles 2, Browne) 2000 Stevenage Borough 3-1 Forest Green Rovers, Nationwide Conference (Broughton 2, Illman) 2003 Stevenage Borough 0-1 Aldershot Town, Nationwide Conference 2006 Stevenage Borough 7-0 Merthyr Tydfil, FA Trophy R1 (Boyd 4, Morison, Guppy, Dobson) 2017 Exeter City 2-1 Stevenage, Sky Bet League Two (Godden) and March 2006. In our time as a Football League club, we’ve met them 20 times – and won just twice. April 2018 is the last time that happened; Alex Revell with a hattrick and Terence Vancooten also featuring.

BORO’ AT THIS STAGE…

Gameweek 22 The halfway point is now in clear view – and a 39-point haul is Boro’s 11th best-ever return from 21 league fixtures. It puts us two points better off than our previous best in League One (20123). We’re also seven points further on when compared with the 2011-2 campaign; one in which we ended up in the playoff mix at the end of the season.

Even at this firmly-established stage of the season, Boro’ were romping it in 1990-1; sitting pretty with 17 wins and the one solitary defeat at this stage. No other campaign comes close to our 54 points from a possible 63 back then. Even if the 1980-1 season awarded three points for a win, we still wouldn’t have hit the half century mark at this point.

Worst return at this stage of the season? It’s very clearly the 2019-20 season. With two wins and 10 draws, we had just 16 points to our name. But this was only one point worse off than this stage during the 2002-3 campaign; Wayne Turner’s fortunes as manager taking a nosedive – and ultimately costing him his job just a couple of games further along.

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MAGIC MOMENT

Nationwide Conference – 11 December 2004

3 STEVENAGE FC 2 EXETER CITY It wasn’t far off this time in December 2004 when the Grecians arrived for what was only their second-ever visit to us. In terms of the 2004-5 season, we’d already been down to Devon – recording a second defeat in as many trips to their place. Our first-ever meeting at Broadhall Way in the 2003-4 season, meanwhile, had ended in a 2-2 draw.

Hopes rose for a first-ever Boro’ win against Exeter City when Anthony Elding put us in front on 33 minutes. But Steve Flack had other ideas; scoring twice inside two minutes at the end of the first half to turn things on their head.

Into the second half and Boro’ plugged away in search of an equaliser. It duly came on the hour mark when a George Boyd free kick was headed home by Dino Maamria. As the match entered the final 10 minutes, a repeat of the previous year’s 2-2 draw was on the cards.

But a spectacular Maamria bicycle kick with six minutes to go sealed the points.

ON BOTH SIDES…

To play today?: On current form, you’d have to say the Grecians’ loss is very much our gain when it comes to Big Goal Reidy. After start-ing his career and turning pro at St James’ Park, our top goalscorer ended his time with Exeter City in 2017 with a move to Torquay United (after a handful of loan spells).

On the other side of the fence, meanwhile, is Jack Aitchison; the Scottish forward who came to us on loan from Barnsley in 2020.

After a brief spell at Motherwell, the forward signed for Exeter City during the summer.

Best of the Rest: A few names catch the eye when it comes to the others who have played for both ourselves and the Grecians.

Jake Tay-lor is one of the most recent examples, having joined us from Exeter in summer 2021. James Dunne made a similar move in 2012 too. Corey Browne, Lee Boylan, and Santos Gaia have also spent time at both clubs.

By Pete Hayman courtesy of

boroguide.co.uk

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22

STEVENAGE FC v EXETER CITY FC

STEVENAGE FC

ACADEMY G ood afternoon and welcome to the Lamex.

Today’s notes give us an opportunity to share some of the terrific work going on at the Academy over the last few months, with some great performances, explorative coaching and a progressive programme of work being delivered across our phases.

Our games programme finished with the visit of Norwich City, which closes off a fantastic calendar year of fixtures, something that our staff are tasked with providing in addition to the EFL games we participate in. It has been Tom Farr’s (and of course the other coaches) mission to take us to all corners of the country and he is having a real go, with the likes of Swansea, Brighton, Manchester City and Wolves (and many more) hosting us to provide excellent experiences for our young players.

We recently hosted our second CPD event of the season, exploring the topic of ‘Periodisation and Cognitive Effort’ with different learning tools, ideas and challenges being proposed.

The staff engaged fully and made it an enjoyable experience for all involved, and hopefully one which will stretch our young players in the future. I have been really lucky in my time here to have such brilliant coaches to work with and it is something I will greatly miss.

This will be my last programme notes as a member of the Stevenage FC Academy, as I move on to a new challenge in the new year. I would like to thank all the club staff, past and

Ieuan Lewis present players, parents, coaches and multidisciplinary staff I have had the privilege of working with over the past nine and a half years. The last 18 months have been hugely enjoyable for me as I have worked closely with our Academy Manager, Jorden Gibson, to develop our programme and environment to become such a fantastic place to work. I believe the Academy is in great hands and I will keep a keen eye on our brilliant coaches, staff and of course the young players under their care for years to come. There are clearly too many people to thank individually, so I will simply say that it has been an honour to spend a near decade here and I will be forever grateful for the experiences I have had at Stevenage FC. Up the Boro.

IEUAN LEWIS HEAD OF COACHING

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STEVENAGE FC v EXETER CITY FC

STEVENAGE FC

WOMEN 1 HARINGEY BOROUGH Hensel-Burg, Shack, Dennis, Wade, Hourigan, Ions, Pickard, Lowe, Manktelow, Haynes, Boabonay Subs: Humes, Pollendine, Campbell, Malik, Leighton Goals: Humes Booked: Campbell Off: Hensel-Burg

2 STEVENAGE FCW O’Brien, Nebbitt, Edge, Brooks, Schofield, Gunn, Bodily, Makewell, Millen, Dempsey, Thomas-O’Keefe Subs: Mercer, Gooderham, New Signing Goals: Makewell x 2

S

tevenage advanced into the quarter finals of the ERWFL League cup with a statement victory against Haringey Borough. An Amy Makewell brace, that saw her net her 50th goal of her career, was enough to see Boro’ home despite a late goal from Ronnell Humes to give Haringey a glimmer of hope.

Within the opening ten minutes, as both sides fought the battle of the midfield, it was Hannah Nebbitt who was first to try her luck. Having scored an outstanding goal the previous weekend against St Albans, Nebbitt tried to outdo herself with a shot from just inside the half and with Liamara Hensel-Burg off her line, only for the ball to drop just over the bar.

Lilia Dempsey had a couple of opportunities, the first a simple save, but the second was harder for Hensel-Burg who pushed it away at her near post. On attempting to collect the follow up from Matilda Thomas-O’Keefe, the latter was seemingly felled, but the referee deemed it a fair challenge and play continued.

Eight minutes later, Boro’ were ahead. Dempsey did excellent work down the left before dropping it back to Nebbitt, instead of shooting, the left

back crossed the ball for Thomas-O’Keefe – only for Tayla Dennis and Saoirse Hourigan to intercept. Makewell robbed the latter, shifted the ball left and dragged the ball to the near post and beyond Hensel-Burg.

With five minutes of the half remaining, ThomasO’Keefe was sent through one-on-one with the ‘keeper after showing excellent strength to get past her defender. The idea was there as the youngster attempted the lob, but the ball curled wide of the goal.

Within sixty seconds, Boro’ had doubled the advantage. Emily Schofield broke free down the right and sent her ball into the middle for Makewell to scoop it goalwards and in off the far post for a glorious fiftieth Boro’ goal.

Haringey came out fighting for the second half, to the surprise of nobody. Having been 5-0 up against Boro’ in the game at the Herts County Ground at this point, this scoreline was unexpected and Boro’ did well to keep them at bay with O’Brien doing her fair share of goalkeeping duties.

Thomas-O’Keefe thought she had scored again following her disallowed effort last week, but as in that game, the offside flag put paid to any ideas of celebrating that she had. Makewell saw two free kicks off target while Ella Mercer was close to opening her Boro’ account, but the ball was always curling wide.

As the final ten minutes began, Dempsey cut in from the left and sent the ball towards goal, for Hensel-Burg to collect. Her kick was a good one and after bouncing found Humes who put the ball beyond O’Brien and into the net.

Haringey were revitalised, although they had to suffer the dismissal of their goalkeeper after she took down Thomas-O’Keefe to stop her from what surely would have been the tie settler.

David Dice reluctantly produced the inevitable red card as she was the last player.

The hosts were pressing more and more, with a shot against the post and a great save from O’Brien, but the defence stayed firm as Boro’ took the win and the progression in the cup.

Following the previous result, Stevenage had laid down a marker and with Kings Lynn around the corner in the final match of 2023, things finally start to look brighter for the Boro.

2023/2024 STAT PACK STEVENAGE

EXETER CITY

MATCH FACTS & TOTAL CARDS Stevenage have failed to win any of their last eight League Two matches against Exeter (D2 L6), their longest winless streak against them.

46

Exeter City are unbeaten in their last four away trips to Stevenage (W2 D2), winning two of their last three (D1).

35 3

2

�� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� 31

12

GOALS

248

243

SHOTS

28

20.8

20

30

EXPECTED GOALS

GOALS CONCEDED

40.4

12.5

55.4

AVERAGE POSSESSION %

4.9

SHOT CONVERSION RATE %

25

27.6

10

EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST

3

6

CLEAN SHEETS

1

11

POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING

6

POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING

GOAL TIMES 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90

SCORED

CONCEDED

5 5 7 3 5 6

2 2 3 5 1 7

0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 _

POWERED BY

SCORED

CONCEDED

2 1 1 1 3 4

3 4 6 2 4 11

26

STEVENAGE FC v EXETER CITY FC

STEVENAGE FC

FOUNDATION FUNDING PARTNERS

CHRISTMAS CARD COMPETITION 2023

1 ST

Congratulations to Theo, Age 9, who has won our Christmas Card Competition 2023!

Theo joins us today where he will be presented with his card in a frame, on the pitch before Stevenage FC Vs Exeter City. Theo has also won a free mascot package, goody bag and certificate!

His design is also on sale in the Stevenage FC club shop, as our official Christmas card 2023!

Congratulations to Nathaniel who won second place and Nathan who won third!

Both join Theo on the pitch today where they will receive a goody bag and certificate for their designs.

A huge Thank you and well done to everyone who took part in our 2023 Christmas Card Competition! We had some amazing entries, some of which we have included in this programme as a special mention! Hopefully we will see everyone next year for another great competition!

All entries can be viewed on our website - Christmas Card Competition 2023 – Stevenage FC Foundation

2ND

3RD

Supporting you to be the best father Being a father is extremely rewarding and wonderful, but at the same time it comes with many challenges and can be a big learning curve, particularly for new dads.

With so many resources being aimed at mums, Hertfordshire County Council have collated a collection of places to go for advice, guidance and support especially aimed at dads and male carers to support you to become the best father you can be.

View the page at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/familiesfirstdads or by scanning the QR code above.

‘It’ is discrimination, in all its forms. Racism. Homophobia, Misogyny. Disablism.

If you have seen it or heard it, follow the QR code to report it to Kick It Out. Together, we can put an end to it.

Take action today at kickitout.org

30

STEVENAGE FC v EXETER CITY FC

WELCOME

www.exetercityfc.co.uk CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE SQUAD LIST

Meet the boss

Gary Caldwell joined Exeter City as First Team Manager on October 24.

Caldwell, 40, joined the club on a long term contract. The former Celtic and Scotland defender, was most recently assistant manager at Hibernian.

Prior to his appointment at Hibs, he managed Partick Thistle and Chesterfield; these

Gary Caldwe

ll

appointments followed a stint as manager of Wigan who he led to a successful promotion to the Championship.

In a joint statement, Nick Hawker, chair of Exeter City Supporters’ Trust, and Julian Tagg, club president, said the club was delighted that Gary had accepted the position.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

31

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SEASONS

RESULTS

Last FIVE Port Vale

Shrewsbury

HOME

HOME

L0-1 22/23 League 1 14th

Bolton

Swindon

Fleetwood

AWAY

AWAY

D0-0

L7-0

W0-1

21/22 League 2 2nd (P)

20/21 League 2 9th

19/20 League 2 5th

AWAY

L3-0 18/19 League 2 9th

ONE TO watch

The popular Irish-born full-back started his footballing career with Bray Wanderers where he was spotted by former Exeter City manager and then head of the Reading academy Eamonn Dolan.

Pierce never played a first-team match for the Royals but won the 2013/14 Under-21 Premier League Cup during his time at the Madjeski Stadium.

Having been recommended to City by Eamonn, Pierce came on trial at the club during the summer of 2016 and, after impressing in preseason games, he signed as the club’s 1931 fanfunded player.

The 1931 Fund – named after the year City made the quarter-finals of the FA Cup – is a group of supporters who, through a monthly payment, raise money to pay or help pay for an extra member of Exeter City’s squad.

In his first season Pierce turned out for the club 37 times and built on that in his second season as he found the net on nine occasions as he played a further 49 times.

His third season, this time under Matt Taylor, saw the full back play 46 times as he added a further four goals to his account. He was also a consistent performer last campaign making 48

Pierece S

weeney

appearances and netting three times.

At the end of the 2020/21 season, Pierce left the club for Swindon, but quickly returned to St James Park where he was been handed the vice captaincy.

Sweeney signed a two-year extension in July 2023, taking his time at City to 2026.

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WELCOME

LATEST NEWS

The Greasy ‘Uns are here! Now then, here’s a question for you. Why are Exeter nicknamed the Grecians?

Prominent within the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust is Neil Le Milliere. Neil won the coveted national “Supporter of the Year” award back in 2013, and although our paths have yet to cross, I note Neil’s regular correspondence within the family of the Football Supporters’ Association.

A warm welcome to all Exeter’s fans and supporters to The Lamex this afternoon.

11:00 and costs just £25 for members.

On New Year’s Day, we’re away to Portsmouth. The bus to Fratton Park leaves Stevenage at 11:00 at a cost of just £30 for members.

To book a seat, you can see John (Carroll) at today’s game, or phone him on 01438 814285 (after 6:00pm), or on-line here.

LONDON ROAD

Many people have asked me of late as to what the old London Road ground used to look like and where was it situated.

DID YOU KNOW . . . .

Olympic Decathlon Daley Thompson played for Stevenage once – in our reserves (!)

GEOFF GIBBS

At the SA’s AGM in October, after 18 years as chair, Lloyd Briscoe stood down. Long-serving committee member Geoff Gibbs was duly appointed as the new chair.

A hearty welcome to Geoff as he leads the organisation through this new chapter in the SA’s history – and as a League 1 club.

FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION (FSA)

Reading have been in the news recently with their plight being mentioned in the House of Commons.

MPs from across the political spectrum backed the Government’s commitment to an independent regulator at a Parliamentary debate held by Reading East MP Matt Rodda. At the time of writing, Reading lie 23rd in League One after being docked four points by the EFL for financial irregularities, as well as facing two winding-up petitions from the HMRC in relation to outstanding tax bills. Rodda has hit out at the “financial mismanagement” by the current owner, Chinese businessman Dai Yongge, which has seen the club deducted 16 points in the last two years.

INTER-CITY BORO

The Supporters Association bus to Barnsley on Saturday December 23rd departs The Lamex at

Despite my best efforts, I’m unable to source a decent image of the ground, but I am able to share with you an ariel photograph taken in the late 1950’s. The sharp eyed amongst you might recognise the original “Our Mutual Friend” pub toward the left of the pitch, or even the Geo.W King factory which is situated just top-side of the railway line.

The ‘new build’ at the bottom left of the photograph was the new London Country Bus Garage Back in the late 1890’s, this was the site of the original Stevenage Cricket Club. Stevenage Town FC became the tenants when the cricket club relocated to its present site in Ditchmore Lane.

The new Stevenage Interchange next the Leisure Centre now occupies the footprint where much of the playing surface would have been.

LLOYD BRISCOE Stevenage FC Supporters’ Association

Using digital to speak directly to your customers Tel: +44 (0) 7539 782979 Email: hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com www.hashtagdigitalmedia.co.uk

39

www.stevenagefc.com DATE

OPPONENT

ATT

RES BORO SCORERS 1-0

FIXTURES & RESULTS

2023/24

AUGUST 2023 Sat Aug 05

Northampton Town

FL1

7,049

Tue Aug 08

Watford

CC

4,495 1-1 (4-3) March

Piergianni

Sat Aug 12

Shrewsbury Town

FL1

3,962

2-0

Pressley, Reid

Tue Aug 15

Cambridge United

FL1

7,529

2-1

Roberts, Reid

Sat Aug 19

Reading

FL1

11,674

0-2

Sat Aug 26

Portsmouth

FL1

5,352

0-0

Tue Aug 29

Exeter

CC

4,006 1-1 (5-3) Roberts

APPEARANCES

Sat Nov 04

Tranmere Rovers

EFAC 2,404

4-3

Sat Nov 11

Wycombe Wanderers

FL1

4,936

1-0

Reid

Tue Nov 14

Crystal Palace U-21

EFLT

607

5-2

OG, Forster-Caskey, White, Pressley x2

Sat Nov 18

Lincoln City

FL1

5,075

1-0

Reid

Sat Nov 25

Fleetwood Town

FL1

2,771

3-0

Reid, Thompson, List

Tue Nov 28

Peterborough United

FL1

5,041

2-2

Wildin, Thompson

Carl Piergianni Dan Butler Jordan Roberts Taye Ashby-Hammond Jamie Reid Finley Burns Nathan Thompson Nick Freeman Luther James-Wildin Louis Thompson Jake Forster-Caskey Aaron Pressley Terence Vancooten Alex MacDonald Dan Sweeney Ben Thompson Elliott List Krisztián Hegyi Kane Hemmings Kane Smith Harrison Neal Reece Hannam Charlie McNeill Harvey White Josh March Theo Alexandrou Harry Anderson Makise Evans David Hicks Rylee Mitchell Max Woodford

LEAGUE TABLE

SEPTEMBER 2023 FL1

8,287

Tue Sept 05 AFC Wimbledon

EFLT

1,317 1-1 (6-5) Reid

Sat Sept 09

Carlisle United

FL1

4,228

2-2

Reid x2

Sat Sept 16

Charlton Athletic

FL1

5,118

1-1

Reid

Sat Sept 23

Cheltenham Town

FL1

3,947

3-0

Roberts, List x2

Sat Sept 30

Oxford United

FL1

5,512

1-3

Reid

Sat Sept 02

Leyton Orient

3-0

McNeill, Sweeney, Freeman

OCTOBER 2023 Tue Oct 03

Bolton Wanderers

FL1

17,997

2-3

Reid x2

Sat Oct 07

Wigan Athletic

FL1

4,402

1-0

Pressley

Tue Oct 10

Wycombe Wanderers

EFLT

902

0-1

Sat Oct 14

Blackpool

FL1

10,516

0-3

Sat Oct 21

Port Vale

FL1

4,047

0-0

Tue Oct 24

Bristol Rovers

FL1

7,143

1-1

Reid

Sat Oct 28

Derby County

FL1

5,866

3-1

Roberts, MacDonald, Hemmings Roberts, Reid x2, Hemmings

NOVEMBER 2023

DECEMBER 2023 Sat Dec 02

Port Vale

EFAC 2,491

1-1

Reid

Sat Dec 09

Burton Albion

FL1

2-1

Hemmings, Reid

Tue Dec 12

Port Vale

EFAC 2,073 3-3 (4-3) White, Hemmings, Thompson

Sat Dec 16

Exeter City

FL1

Sat Dec 23

Barnsley

FL1

Tue Dec 26

Northampton Town

Fri Dec 29

Cambridge United

PL

GLS

22 (1) 21 (0) 21 (2) 19 (0) 17 (6) 16 (5) 15 (6) 14 (7) 14 (1) 13 (6) 12 (6) 12 (3) 11 (2) 10 (8) 8 (0) 8 (10) 7 (12) 6 (0) 6 (7) 6 (3) 4 (4) 3 (4) 3 (0) 3 (1) 2 (3) 1 (1) 1 (2) 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 (0) 0 (1)

1 0 5 0 15 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 0 1 1 1 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

P

W

D

L

Pts

1 Portsmouth

20

13

6

1

45

2 Bolton Wanderers

19

12

3

4

39

3 Stevenage

21

11

6

4

39

FL1

4 Peterborough United

20

11

5

4

38

FL1

5 Oxford United

20

11

4

5

37

6 Derby County

19

11

3

5

36

JANUARY 2024 Mon Jan 01

Portsmouth

FL1

Sat Jan 06

Maidstone United

EFAC

Sat Jan 13

Shrewsbury Town

FL1

Sat Jan 20

Barnsley

FL1

Sun Jan 27

Wigan Athletic

FL1

2,406

7 Barnsley

19

10

4

5

34

8 Blackpool

21

9

6

6

33

9 Lincoln City

21

8

7

6

31

10 Charlton Athletic

19

7

6

6

27

11 Shrewsbury Town

21

8

3

10

27

FL1

12 Northampton Town

20

8

2

10

26

Port Vale

FL1

13 Bristol Rovers

19

6

7

6

25

Bristol Rovers

FL1

Sat Feb 17

Derby County

FL1

14 Wigan Athletic

20

9

4

7

23

Sat Feb 24

Wycombe Wanderers

FL1

15 Wycombe Wanderers

19

6

4

9

22

16 Leyton Orient

20

5

7

8

22

17 Port Vale

19

6

4

9

22

18 Cambridge United

20

5

6

9

21

19 Burton Albion

20

5

5

10

20

FEBRUARY 2024 Sat Feb 03

Blackpool

Sat Feb 10 Tue Feb 13

MARCH 2023 Sat Mar 02

Lincoln City

FL1

Sat Mar 09

Fleetwood Town

FL1

Tue Mar 12

Peterborough United

FL1

Sat Mar 16

Leyton Orient

FL1

20 Exeter City

19

5

3

11

18

Sat Mar 23

Carlisle United

FL1

21 Fleetwood Town

19

4

4

11

16

Fri Mar 29

Bolton Wanderers

FL1

22 Carlisle United

20

3

6

11

15

23 Reading

20

5

3

12

14

24 Cheltenham Town

19

3

4

12

13

APRIL 2024 Mon Apr 01

Charlton Athletic

FL1

Sat Apr 06

Exeter City

FL1

Sat Apr 13

Burton Albion

FL1

Sat Apr 20

Oxford United

FL1

Sat Apr 27

Cheltenham Town

FL1

CLICK HERE FOR FULL TABLE AND STATS

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STEVENAGE FC

MANAGER: STEVE EVANS TAYE ASHBY-HAMMOND (GK) LUTHER JAMES-WILDIN DAN BUTLER NATHAN THOMPSON CARL PIERGIANNI DAN SWEENEY ALEX MACDONALD JAKE FORSTER-CASKEY ELLIOTT LIST NICK FREEMAN JORDAN ROBERTS KRISZTIÁN HEGYI (GK) KANE SMITH TERENCE VANCOOTEN HARRY ANDERSON FINLEY BURNS HARVEY WHITE JAMIE REID AARON PRESSLEY HARRISON NEAL LOUIS THOMPSON BEN THOMPSON REECE HANNAM CHARLIE MCNEILL KANE HEMMINGS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 29

OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Ross Joyce ASSISTANT: Paul Lister-Flynn ASSISTANT: Damith Bandara FOURTH OFFICIAL: David Harrison

MATCH SPONSOR

BALL SPONSOR

OLIVIA PARRY • RUBY SHAW MAX SHAW • ZACHARY SHAW ALYSSA SHAW • HARRY SHAW

FINLEY KETTEL

EXETER CITY FC

MANAGER: GARY CALDWELL 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 19 21 23 24 26 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 47 48

VILJAMI SINISALO ZAK JULES WILL AIMSON ALEX HARTRIDGE TOM CARROLL DEMETRI MITCHELL RYAN TREVITT ADMIRAL MUSKWE JAMES SCOTT REECE COLE YANIC WILDSCHUT ILMARI NISKANEN HARRY KITE CALEB WATTS SONNY COX DION RANKINE KYLE TAYLOR JACK FITZWATER PIERCE SWEENEY JACK AITCHISON SHAUN MACDONALD VINCENT HARPER GARY WOODS GABRIEL BILLINGTON JOE O’CONNOR MITCH BEARDMORE HARRISON KING MAX EDGECOMBE CHEICK DIABATE EDWARD JAMES PEDRO BORGES TOM DEAN JAKE RICHARDS SANTINO OHANAKA

UP NEXT AT HOME NORTHAMPTON TOWN 26/12/2023 | KO 3.00PM SKY BET LEAGUE ONE

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