Stevenage FC v Tranmere Rovers FC

B RO INTERACTIVE DIGITAL PROGRAMME 2023/24 NO. 10

v TRANMERE ROVERS FC

Saturday, November 04 2023 Kick-Off: 3.00pm

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MANAGER

All photos by Jim Steele unless otherwise stated

STEVE EVANS

SPONSORED BY

The FA Cup is a wonderful competition & everyone wants to do well in it

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CHAIRMAN

G

PHIL WALLACE

ood afternoon and welcome to the players and officials of Tranmere Rovers for today’s FA Cup First Round fixture at The Lamex Stadium.

Our win against Derby County last Saturday was a pivotal point in our season. We had dropped points in a few games before that we didn’t deserve to, and that win has kept us in the top six.

Derby are a fine club but our desire to win the match was relentless and they couldn’t live with that. It’s been a difficult run of games recently, but we have learnt a lot and it will make us stronger.

This game - against Tranmere - will be just as tough. The FA Cup is the holy grail for League One and League Two clubs and every club playing today will raise their game to get to

the next round. We have to make sure that we raise ours too.

Our attendances recently have been fantastic. Our home gate is growing and anyone that saw our game against Derby will surely come again. If we can continue to grow our fan base, we can continue to grow the Club.

We are really enjoying life in League One and we want another FA Cup run to match the wonderful times last year.

Back to the match - let’s hear you today and let’s hope we can progress to Round Two.

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STEVENAGE FC v TRANMERE ROVERS FC

AHEAD OF

THE GAME MATCHDAY TIMINGS

CLUB SHOP: Midday-3pm & 15 minutes after FT TICKET OFFICE: Midday-3.15pm THE BROADHALL SUITE: Open to Home & Away supporters. Midday-Kick-Off. CLOSED at Full-Time. Bar Food Available THE 76 LOUNGE: Midday-Kick-Off (Home & Away Supporters). 3.15pm-80 minutes (North Stand Ticket Holders). Full-Time-8pm (Home & Away Supporters). Bar Snacks Available TURNSTILES: 1:30pm

ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE FIXTURE VS TRANMERE ROVERS

To commemorate servicepeople’s sacrifices in past and present conflicts, the two teams will be led out by representatives from the Stevenage branch of the Royal British Legion before holding a moment’s silence upon the sounding of the Last Post.

Military personnel of the British Legion will be in attendance throughout the day to help raise money for the Poppy Appeal, while all Stevenage players will wear poppy armbands on their sleeve for the match.

TICKET INFO

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

East

North

West

Adult

£15

£20

£20

Concession

£15

£20

£20

Under 18

£10

£12

£12

Under 12

£3

£8

£8

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STEVENAGE FC

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@StevenageFC

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Saturday night special.

😎

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Putting on a show against Derby County.

A masterpiece.

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Sunday 8th January, 2023. Stevenage travel to Premier League Aston Villa in the FA Cup Third Round.

In January 2011, Stevenage would host Premier League Newcastle United again, this time in the FA Cup’s Third Round.

Paul Fairclough’s Stevenage continued to make FA Cup history in the 1997/98 season.

💫 FA Cup memories 💫

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fan

FOCUS

FIRST GAME? YEAR, SEASON?

Having moved to Stevenage in July 1969, my first visits to the Boro would have been for midweek games in the 69/70 season.

WHICH SECTION OF THE GROUND DO YOU NORMALLY WATCH THE MATCHES FROM?

I stood on the East Terrace for many years and enjoyed its development into its current state.

Then my knees and back demanded a seat in the West Stand with the golden oldies (Seat H98).

BEST MEMORY/MEMORIES OF SUPPORTING BORO?

So many memories of away trips all over the country, Carlisle to Dover, Gateshead to Torquay even to foreign parts, Wrexham, Swansea and Newport. The most enduring memory has to be the trip to Kidderminster on 17th April 2010 when we sealed our promotion to the Football League.

Goals from Charlie Griffin and Joel Byrom will not be forgotten nor the on pitch celebrations at the end. More recently, I was Dave Smith’s (aka Boro Bear) Driver/Minder/Carer at away games.

Dave would invariably charm/blag his way into

KEVIN BOYDEN

the car park//ground for free. We once beat the 3 Counties Radio car to the last parking space at the York City ground having shown the Boro ALAN FARR bear outfit in the IER boot of the car to the Stewards. Our reception at some of the bigger clubs visited, was always very friendly, Sheffield United, Preston and Portsmouth in particular. I also well remember flying to a game at Exeter with Dave and Mick la Mare. A friend of Micks had a four seater single engine plane at Fowlmere International airport near Duxford and offered to take us down for a great day out. That was 11th October 2015 and we drew 3-3.

FAVOURITE ALL-TIME PLAYER (AND WHY)?

Favourite player has to be, Captain Fantastic, Robbo, Mark Roberts. Such an inspirational leader. Impossible to match him but of the current team Pidge, Carl Piergianni, is doing his best.

FAVOURITE BORO SHIRT?

Best shirt has to be the red diagonal strips, instantly recognisable because it was unique.

Our second Fan Focus this week is long time supporter Kevin Boyden. We are honoured that as an ex-serviceman, Kevin is laying the Remembrance Day wreath before the match on behalf of the club.

Kevin joined the Army as an apprentice chef (Army Catering Corps) at 16 in September, 1991, undertaking two years training then out to the real world. Starting at Woolwich with the Royal Artillery, then off to Germany with the medics and Royal Engineers. He served in Bosnia and tours of Canada, Kenya and the USA. He served a total of nine years, leaving as a Lance Corporal. His favourite past player has to be Barry Hayles.

Favourite present player ‘well as I sponsor him I must say Dan Butler!’ Favourite game has to be the awesome promotion party at Kidderminster where destiny took over or the Villa game!

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Match

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V

STEVENAGE

DERBY COUNTY

Roberts 32’, MacDonald 45+2’, Hemmings 84’

Mendez-Laing 38’

62%

13

11

38%

POSSESSION

SHOTS

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6 3

SHOTS ON TARGET

1

3 CROSSES

ACTION

Goals from Jordan Roberts, Alex MacDonald and Kane Hemmings wrap up an enjoyable afternoon at The Lamex Stadium...

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MATCHDAY MASCOTs

e are delighted to welcome two mascots to The Lamex today as Boro aim to get on the road to a glorious FA Cup run.

First up we say a big Boro hi to Logan Stannard, 12. Logan celebrated his birthday on Wednesday and the Stevenage lad attends Barnwell School.

His hobby is football and favourite player is Carl Piergianni.

We also welcome Oscar Timlett to Boro this afternoon. Oscar, 9, also lives in Stevenage and attends Featherstone Wood School. His hobbies are football and Pokemon and his top Boro player is Elliot List.

We are sure both will have an amazing time with us today and trust they give us the good fortune and support needed to see us into the next round.

Logan Stannard

Oscar Timlett

interactive Boro quiz!

Welcome to our latest interactive quiz of the season.

Tranmere are the visitors and they are close to water so 5 questions on clubs based near rivers.

CLICK HERE!

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FROM THE

ARCHIVES

G

raham Westley led his Stevenage team into FA Cup action at home with the confidence of being victorious in five of their first eight home games of the 2014/15 season. The Stones made the journey to Stevenage as the underdogs, the visiting nonleague side were dreaming of generating a bit of cup magic, seeking to reach the first-round proper since 1991.

Stevenage’s start to the game was lackluster as Maidstone threatened to take the lead early into the game, as Matt Bodkins slid a pass out to the left of the box, Frannie Collin’s effort flashed just past the post.

The first half was mostly a boring watch for the home faithful, however, in the 41st minute Boro did fashion their first opportunity of the game

Sunday 9th November 2014

FA Cup 1st Round

through Tom Pett who drove with the ball down the left flank to then swing in a low ball towards Stevenage forward Chris Whelpdale who was unlucky to not have scored from his touch and swivelling volley which was well saved.

Despite another early chance for Maidstone’s Frannie Collin, the visitors mainly sought to hold what they had, which they did successfully but it didn’t happen without scares. Stevenage hit the woodwork twice in the closing stages as substitute Roarie Deacon saw his left-footed volley denied by the near post, with Chris Beardsley hitting the same post later in the which meant that his headed effort wouldn’t be the winner for the hosts.

Boro would subsequently be forced into a replay away to Maidstone for a place in the first round.

Stevenage fell to a 2-1 defeat in the away tie.

ALFIE NICHOLSON CLICK BELOW TO CHECK OUT THE PROGRAMME

0 STEVENAGE FC 0 MAIDSTONE UTD

STARTING XI

16 Chris Day 25 Ronnie Henry 5 Jon Ashton 19 Dean Wells 9 Darius Charles 11 Tom Pett (85’) 12 David McAllister (60’) 37 Lee Barnard 7 Chris Whelpdale 22 Charlie Lee 49 Charlie Adams (60’)

SUBSTITUTES

1 Dave Beasant 3 Bira Dembele 8 Simon Walton (60’) 20 Chris Beardsley (85’) 23 Jerome Okimo 32 Tom Conlon 34 Roarie Deacon (60’)

Stats courtesy of Boroguide

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STEVENAGE FC v TRANMERE ROVERS FC

BORO

HISTORY ON THIS DAY: 04 NOVEMBER

We’re at that point in the year where the FA Cup qualifying rounds are done – and it’s time for Football League sides to enter the fray. But it’s been more unusual than not for Boro’ to be in action on this particular date. That might just be a quirk of the calendar. Or it could also be in part due to some early FA Cup exits during our time in the Conference?

Whatever the reason, we’ve only played six times on 4 November over the years. That’s six times out of the 44 seasons we’ve been involved in senior competition. From that six, four of those past fixtures on this date have come in one cup competition or another – starting with a 2-1 Knights Floodlit League defeat to Royston Town in 1987.

To be fair, it’s the only blot on our copybook for this day in history; Boro’ currently on a run of five successive wins that started with an FA Vase Round One triumph over Flackwell Heath in 1989 and most recently saw us demolish Nantwich Town in our 2017 FA Cup Round One

1987 Royston Town 2-1 Stevenage Borough, Knights Floodlit League (Madden) 1989 Stevenage Borough 2-1 Flackwell Heath, FA Vase R1 (P Lindsay, Williams) 1995 Telford United 1-3 Stevenage Borough, GM Vauxhall Conference (Sodje, Crawshaw, Browne) 1998 Dagenham & Redbridge 0-3 Stevenage Borough, FA Cup R4Q (Alford, Love, Samuels) 2000 Stevenage Borough 2-0 Kettering Town, Nationwide Conference (Hay, Armstrong) 2017 Stevenage 5-0 Nantwich Town, FA Cup R1 (Godden 3, Smith 2) draw. Can our formidable record on this date stand us in good stead in 2023?Buckingham, Yeovil, and even that draw at Nuneaton all came away from home. Aside from a 0-0 draw with Witham Town in 1989, our home form today in history is flawless. And hopefully that will curry some fortune against an opponent as decorated as Derby County.

IT’S TRANMERE ROVERS AGAIN… You’d have been forgiven for thinking that

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we’d seen the last of Tranmere Rovers for a while; promotion to League One putting us one division higher than today’s guests. But, here we are – barely eight months on from their last visit to the Lamex. And let’s hope we don’t have a repeat of that February afternoon; Rovers winning by a goal to nil.

It was actually the first time we’d lost at home to our guests from the Wirral. And it’s certainly not something we want to see develop into an ongoing trend. What it also means is that our head-to-head is finely balanced after 16 previous meetings: five wins, five defeats and six draws. All of them are league fixtures too, so who’ll claim the first cup scalp?

MAGIC MOMENT

npower League One – 17 December 2011

2 STEVENAGE FC 1

TRANMERE ROVERS

This being our return season in League One, let’s look back at our first-ever encounter with Tranmere Rovers from our first-ever campaign in the third tier. At the time, we were on a very good run of form – unbeaten in 10 league and cup games. And it looked like it would get better when Chris Beardsley put us ahead seven minutes before the interval.

Our push towards another three points was somewhat disrupted with 20 minutes remaining; Ben May being sent off for a foul on Rovers’ keeper Paul Rachubka. Of course, our side back then was made of strong stuff and Mark Roberts underlined that with our second goal with six minutes left to play.

The game wasn’t done and dusted, however.

Scott Laird brought down Mark McChrystal in the box as the clock ticked over to 90 minutes.

Joss Labadie was the man who stepped up to convert for the visitors – and make things a bit more nervy for the remaining seconds. Still, we held on – and would extend our unbeaten run to 11.

BORO’ AT THIS STAGE…

FA Cup Round One Can you believe there was a time when we had no choice but to wade through the FA Cup’s

ON BOTH SIDES…

Two names spring to mind right away when talking about the players who have turned out for both Boro’ and Rovers – Luke Luke Norris Norris and Kane Hemmings. Nozza is a striker who needs no introduction to us at the Lamex; leading the line for two-and-a-half years, which culminated in promotion from League Two at the end of last season. As Nozza moved on and make Rovers his new home in the summer, in the opposite direction came Kane Hemmings.

Going further back, Lucas Akins swapped Prenton Park for Broadhall Way in summer 2012 – while other players to pull on both shirts include Ben Chorley, Jennison MyrieWilliams, David Amoo, Calvin Zola, and Michael Blackwood. qualifying rounds? Back in our Conference days, just getting our name in the FA Cup Round One draw was seen as a handsome reward. Of course, it did become easier to make it through.

We made our Round One debut during the 1995-6 season – having started on the road to Wembley in the First Qualifying Round! From 1999-00, we’d enter at the Fourth Qualifying Round stage.

Needing just one win instead of four made it increasingly expected that we’d get through to FA Cup Round One. But it was never guaranteed. In total, Boro’ have been involved at this stage of the FA Cup on 25 occasions – 12 while still as a non-league side. Our hit rate is relatively decent too, with Boro’ recording 15 Round One victories. At present, we’ve made it through to Round Two in the last three seasons.

And we’ve only lost once at home in Round One (2009-10).

By Pete Hayman courtesy of

boroguide.co.uk

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STEVENAGE FC v TRANMERE ROVERS FC

STEVENAGE FC

ACADEMY G ood afternoon all and welcome to the Lamex for today’s fixture in the FA Cup. Today I am writing these programme notes with my ‘Emerging Talent Lead’ hat on rather than my goalkeeping coach one! We are just off the back of an incredibly busy half term week for us as staff but, as always, it is extremely rewarding to see the lads playing football and performing so well. Here is an overview on how last week went.

On Tuesday, our U11-U13 Emerging Talent groups travelled to Oxford and performed excellently, winning every game by convincing scorelines. Our Emerging Talent goalkeepers were also distributed around a number of games throughout the week - we try to travel with one goalkeeper per fixture to ensure individuals are not travelling for just a half game, which in turn presents opportunities for others to take part in fixtures elsewhere within our development programme.

On Wednesday, our U9 and U10 groups took on Harlow Town which had to be organised at extremely late notice due to some difficulties we encountered with first arranging opposition and then our venue becoming waterlogged with the heavy rain. We are extremely grateful to Harlow for stepping in last minute and providing us with some very competitive fixtures, we hope their players enjoyed them as much as ours did. I’d also like to thank my colleague Chris Barrell

for his quick thinking and extensive network of contacts for his help in sorting!

Also on Wednesday, our U14-U16 Emerging Talent groups travelled to Oxford, coming away with two wins and a draw which I feel reflected the excellent performances all round. It was a pleasure to lead these games personally and witness first-hand how far these groups have come since our last fixtures away to Swindon at the back end of last season.

On Thursday (with my goalkeeping coach hat back on) we delivered a sold-out GK Experience event which is always a pleasure to lead. These are open to all local grassroots goalkeepers to come in and spend the morning with myself, supported by current older goalkeepers within the Stevenage Academy system. We also have our younger Academy goalkeepers taking part in the session, training side-by-side their local counterparts and ensuring the Stevenage goalkeeping union remains very strong.

Finally, I am delighted to say that we have had a few players earmarked for Academy opportunities following positive performances in the last block of training sessions and fixtures – myself and my staff of course continue to draw the attention of Academy recruitment staff to our Emerging Talent top performing players as we move into the next block of training.

Have a fantastic afternoon, make sure to get behind the lads and come on the Boro!

LOUIS HREBENIAK EMERGING TALENT LEAD

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STEVENAGE FC v TRANMERE ROVERS FC

STEVENAGE FC

WOMEN 0 AFC DUNSTABLE

Hassall (c), Cook, West, Robb, Sapwell, Devereux, H Smith, Surridge, Claridge, Knox, Fundikira Subs: S Smith, Thayalan, Whitburn, BrazelHawkins, Hogan

5 STEVENAGE FCW Ray, Edge, Gunn, Brooks, Baker-Re, Bodily, Southby, Makewell, Gooderham, Dempsey, Millen Subs: Clarke, Schofield, Thomas-O’Keefe Goals: Makewell, Dempsey, Millen, Gooderham, Schofield Booked: Ray

S

tevenage notched up their second league win of the season with a comprehensive victory over AFC Dunstable at Creasey Park this weekend. With the fixture being moved from the traditional pitch to the 4G surface where last season’s Pre-Season Friendly was played, it was literally an uphill trek for both sides before the game had even begun.

Boro’ began reasonably well with a number of crosses being sent in from the flanks, all to no avail as Kezia Hassall collected each one confidently. The visitors continued to grow into the game and with just under a quarter of an hour elapsed, Kelsey Millen unselfishly opted to lay the ball off for Amy Makewell who was unable to get her shot off as she was closed down quickly.

It was Makewell again who tried her luck from the angle, watching her effort curling off target, just before Anna Baker-Re tried her luck from the same position, only to see Hassall tip the ball onto the apex of post and bar before collecting the rebound.

It was not completely one way traffic with Dunstable continuing to show Boro’ that they were capable of testing the defence – especially with the pace of Mollie Knox. When they earned a corner, it was Knox who sent the ball goalwards and past Celine Ray, only to see Lilia Dempsey

stretch out her right leg to its fullest extent to swipe the ball off the line.

Boro’ returned to testing Hassall with efforts from Hannah Bodily going over from distance and narrowly wide following a run across the area from Amy Gooderham. The latter had her own attempt from a Dempsey cross that was just too high for her to fully connect with, resulting in a looping header that was well claimed by Hassall.

Knox continued to cause havoc with the defence as she beat the offside trap only to see the imposing figure of Ray bearing down upon her.

Ray bravely made the save, receiving a leg to the face for her trouble, which delayed the game while reminding Boro’ that Dunstable were still in the game.

Upon the restart, Bodily had another attempt, much closer in this time, following a ball in from Rebecca Edge. This header however found the arms of Hassall. It was to be the last heroic effort from the Dunstable stopper. The next ball in from the left came from the excellent Dempsey and following some experienced movement, Makewell stole in front of Olivia West and cushioned the ball past the helpless goalkeeper.

Gooderham saw a speculative shot goalwards stopped down low with an unorthodox save before a triumvirate of corners. The first saw Edge’s bullet header receive a slight deflection from Ella Claridge that knocked it onto the bar and out for a second corner. This one arrived for Jodie Southby to hook a shot goalwards

25

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that Hassall turned behind although the ball was slipping just wide. The final corner saw Claridge’s header fall to the feet of Makewell whose shot was turned in at close range from Dempsey. There was a suspicion of offside, but upon review – the assistant referee had the call spot on. The goal stood and Boro’ went in at the break two goals to the good.

Dave Perry made three changes at half time and with a revitalised Dunstable pushing to get back in the game, chances were at a premium.

As the hour mark ticked over, a backpass to Ray was controlled, but closed down and the second touch from Ray never came as she upended the attacker and Alec Hill pointed to the spot. Knox stepped up to take it, sending the ball low to Ray’s left - the direction that the Boro’ ‘keeper chose to dive – resulting in a good save.

With the clean sheet intact, Boro’ reacted.

Makewell was unlucky to see her effort strike the base of the post, but three minutes later Makewell sent an inch perfect cross for the onrushing Millen to head home unmarked.

Boro’ had broken the resistance and went for the jugular. Wave after wave of Boro’ attacks were either repelled or incomplete before the pick of the goals. Lilia Dempsey caused mayhem for the defence once more as she drove goalwards before sending a low cross in that Harriet Sapwell could only brush with her foot, before watching Gooderham unleash a left footed curler into the top corner from eighteen yards.

Thaarmishaa Thayalan thwarted Makewell with

a well timed block just as the striker unleashed a right footed rocket. There was nothing anyone could do about the final goal however. The ball in was laid off by Millen with her back to goal for Emily Schofield on her 70th first team appearance, who placed the ball past the outstretched arm of Hassall from the edge of the box.

Makewell and Dempsey both had golden chances as the game drew to a close, but the score remained at five, giving Boro’ their second clean sheet of the league season and their third of the season as a whole.

“I still feel we have gears to go up,” manager David Perry said after the game. “That said, we were moving them around well and we played well. All of them deserve credit today.” With the double header against Barking coming up it was a welcome three points that meant Boro’ are now closer to fifth in points than the relegation zone.

You can see Stevenage FCW in action in yet another away game as they do battle once again with Barking in the ERWFL League Cup on Sunday 5th November. Keep your eye on the social media platforms for more details @stevenagefcw CLICK HERE to visit our YouTube channel for more Stevenage FCW interviews, challenges and content – don’t forget to like and subscribe!

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STEVENAGE FC v TRANMERE ROVERS FC

STEVENAGE FC

FOUNDATION FUNDING PARTNERS

G

ood Afternoon and welcome to todays game vs Tranmere Rovers.

Last Wednesday saw both the Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) and Girls Development Centre (GDC) girls pathway teams travel to Flitwick to take part in an exciting day of fixtures.

Our U10s, U12s and U14s teams played Ipswich and Bedfordshire FA teams in each age group along with one mixed and one boys team in the GDC and ETC fixtures respectively.

The ETC fixtures saw a very successful set of games for Stevenage U10s and U12s with a number of positive results and outstanding performances, both individually, and as a team.

Boros’ U14s played one game against a boys side, this gave them a variety of different challenges than they would normally face. The U14s then played two very competitive fixtures against Bedfordshire FA and Ipswich etc.

The afternoon saw the GDC girls play against

the same teams and a number of outstanding performances at each age group was very encouraging. This has resulted in a number of GDC players being asked to trial for the Emerging Talent Centre which highlights the strength in depth of the girls pathway.

Last Friday night our under 16s took on Leyton orient under 16s and run out 10-1 winners on the night, in what can only be described as a very dominant performance.

On Friday (3rd November) our U12 and 14 ETC teams were again in action as they faced Leyton Orient ETC. If you would like to find out more about our girls pathway, please contactwomenandgirls@ stevenagefcf.com Enjoy today’s game. Up the Boro!

DAVID PERRY GIRLS PATHWAY PLAYER DEVELOPMENT LEAD

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STEVENAGE FC v TRANMERE ROVERS FC

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

Meet the boss

Nigel Adkins is the Interim Manager of Tranmere, having assumed the position on 10th September 2023.

Born in Birkenhead, he first joined his hometown side Rovers in 1981 and made his first-team debut aged 17. A reliable goalkeeper, he would go on to play for Wigan Athletic and Bangor City.

With Bangor, Adkins was a player-manager, twice winning the League of Wales, and he also managed in the UEFA Cup. He left the Welsh side in 1996.

Adkins graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in physiotherapy, and went on to join Scunthorpe United as a physiotherapist.

It was here where he was appointed Nigel Adkins permanent manager of an English club for the first time, in 2006. He would go on to win League One promotion with the Iron twice, in 2007 when they won the title, and also via the playoffs in 2009.

Adkins joined Southampton a year later, who were 23rd in League One at the time. He led the Saints to back-to-back promotions to the Premier League. He then went on to manage Reading, also of the top tier.

He has since had spells with Sheffield United, Hull City in the Championship, and Charlton Athletic - before becoming Rovers’ Technical Director in the summer of 2023.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

31

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SEASONS

RESULTS

Last FIVE Stockport

Morecambe

Doncaster

AWAY

AWAY

HOME

L2-0 22/23 League 2 12th

L1-0 21/22 League 2 9th

Crewe

Leicester U21

AWAY

HOME

L1-2

L2-0

20/21 League 2 7th

19/20 League 1 21st (R)

ONEs TO watch Central defender Tom Davies is known for his aerial dominance, tackling ability and leadership qualities.

Born on April 18th, 1992, he started his career s at Manchester Tom Davie United and Blackburn Rovers as a youth player, before playing for several nonleague clubs.

His determination to succeed secured a move to Fleetwood Town and later Accrington Stanley, where he made his League debut. This was followed by successful spells at both Portsmouth and Coventry City, where we won promotion from League Two with both, in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

In 2021, Davies made the move to Prenton Park from Bristol Rovers, quickly becoming a key figure in defence where his tenacity and commitment to the cause make him an essential asset to the team.

L0-1 18/19 League 2 6th (P)

The man who needs no introduction to Tranmere fans, Connor Jennings rejoined the Club on a one-year contract this summer.

Thriving in the Connor J pressure of big ennings games, the striker enjoyed a thrilling first spell at the Club between 2016 and 2020, scoring the winning goal at Wembley in the 2019 League Two Play-Off final against Newport County as well as providing the cross for James Norwood to nod in for the winner in the National League Play-Off final in 2018.

Jennings started his career at Stalybridge Celtic and has since made over 500 career appearances for clubs including Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town and Wrexham. More recently, Jennings spent three years with Stockport County after his first spell at Prenton Park and, following a short stay at Hartlepool United, returned to the Wirral in the summer of 2023.

His finishing, aerial ability, and non-stop work rate continue to make him a constant threat on the pitch.

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STEVENAGE FC

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35

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WELCOME

LATEST NEWS

To Tranmere – a fascinating club with an interesting history.

In July 2019, Tranmere fan Ryan Ferguson wrote a book called “Planet Prentoria”, which is adorned with many facts about Tranmere Rovers. Here’s just a few examples: • Eleven percent (11%) of all professional British footballers who died during World War II played for Tranmere Rovers.

• When Tranmere Rovers last won a league title of any description, Adolf Hitler was Time magazine’s Man of the Year.

• The Rockford Files theme song is played before every Rovers game at Prenton Park.

• Tranmere were the fourth major club to adopt the Rovers adjunct, following their counterparts in Blackburn, Doncaster and Bristol.

I note that Ryan’s book is still available at Amazon.

A big, warm Boro welcome to all of Rovers fans and supporters who have made the long trip down from the Wirral today. I hope you enjoy your day here, and a safe journey back home afterwards.

SA AGM

The Supporters’ Association’s Annual General Meeting was just ten days ago. Almost fifty members attended and the theme for my final address as Chairman was cribbed from the big sign that currently adorns the back wall of the club’s admin offices, which reads “Doing things differently”.

For a while now, I’ve been attempting to promote a different way of thinking in the SA without drifting too far from the core raison d’etre of the organisation. Happily, a committee, now chaired

by Geoff Gibbs, allows the opportunity for the volunteers within the SA to promote such thinking,

especially with the increased support which League 1 demands.

BORO BUS

Our next away game is to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday November 11th (Armistice Day). The bus will leave The Lamex at 12:00 mid-day and costs just £20 for members.

On Saturday November 25th, we journey north again – to Fleetwood. This will be an 8:00am start from the Lamex at a cost of just £30 per member.

For details and booking, either CLICK HERE or phone John Carroll on 01438 814285 after 6.00pm

STEVENAGE EX-PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

Since I first started promoting the notion of an ex (former) player association in last week’s programme, I have received a number of promising suggestions from potential volunteers who are ready, willing and able to administer such a scheme.

I’ve yet to establish an informal meeting from likeminded people to consider an action plan of sorts, but its not too late for your opinions to be taken into account, If this sort of thing appeals, then do get in touch with me at Lloyd@sfcsa.co.uk

THEY FOUGHT FOR OUR CLUB, AND DIED FOR OUR COUNTRY

Today is the last home game at Stevenage before Remembrance Sunday. In accordance with tradition and precedent, we remember those individuals who played for Stevenage, but sadly perished in one of the world wars.

We remember: Herbert Day – died 01/11/1917 aged 23 Alan Ward – died 17/07/1944 aged 23 Owen Abbiss – died 02/08/1944 aged 28 Eric Ward – died 22/10/1944 aged 27 Lest we forget.

RIP lads.

LLOYD BRISCOE Chair - 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

37

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

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

NOVEMBER 2023 Sat Nov 04

Tranmere

Sat Nov 11

Wycombe Wanderers

FAC FL1

Tue Nov 14

Crystal Palace U-21

EFLT

Sat Nov 18

Lincoln City

FL1

Sat Nov 25

Fleetwood Town

FL1

Tue Nov 28

Peterborough United

FL1

DECEMBER 2023

APPEARANCES

PL

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

LEAGUE TABLE

GLS

17 (1) 16 (0) 16 (2) 15 (3) 13 (0) 12 (4) 12 (6) 12 (4) 10 (4) 10 (6) 9 (1) 9 (2) 8 (0) 6 (0) 6 (7) 6 (7) 5 (4) 5 (2) 4 (10) 4 (3) 3 (0) 3 (4) 2 (4) 2 (3) 2 (0) 1 (1) 1 (2) 0 (0) 0 (0)

1 0 3 0 0 0 10 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

P

W

D

L

1 Portsmouth

15

10

5

0

Pts

35

2 Oxford United

14

9

2

3

29

Sat Dec 09

Burton Albion

FL1

Sat Dec 16

Exeter City

FL1

Sat Dec 23

Barnsley

FL1

3 Bolton Wanderers

14

9

2

3

29

Tue Dec 26

Northampton Town

FL1

4 Peterborough United

15

8

4

3

28

Fri Dec 29

Cambridge United

FL1

5 Barnsley

15

8

3

4

27

6 Stevenage

16

7

5

4

26

JANUARY 2024 Mon Jan 01

Portsmouth

FL1

Sat Jan 06

Reading

FL1

Sat Jan 13

Shrewsbury Town

FL1

Sat Jan 20

Barnsley

FL1

Sun Jan 27

Wigan Athletic

FL1

FEBRUARY 2024

7 Blackpool

15

6

5

4

23

8 Lincoln City

14

6

4

4

22 21

9 Derby County

14

6

3

5

10 Wycombe Wanderers

14

6

3

5

21

11 Burton Albion

16

5

5

6

20 20

Sat Feb 03

Blackpool

FL1

12 Leyton Orient

15

5

5

5

Sat Feb 10

Port Vale

FL1

13 Bristol Rovers

14

5

4

5

19

Tue Feb 13

Bristol Rovers

FL1

14 Cambridge United

15

5

4

6

19

Sat Feb 17

Derby County

FL1

Sat Feb 24

Wycombe Wanderers

FL1

MARCH 2023

15 Charlton Athletic

14

5

3

6

18

16 Port Vale

15

5

3

7

18

17 Exeter City

15

5

2

8

17

18 Shrewsbury Town

15

5

2

8

17

19 Wigan Athletic

14

7

1

6

14 14

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 Northampton Town

14

4

2

8

Sat Mar 23

Carlisle United

FL1

21 Carlisle United

16

3

5

8

14

Fri Mar 29

Bolton Wanderers

FL1

22 Fleetwood Town

14

3

3

8

12

23 Cheltenham Town

15

2

2

11

8

Mon Apr 01

Charlton Athletic

FL1

Sat Apr 06

Exeter City

FL1

24 Reading

14

3

1

10

6

Sat Apr 13

Burton Albion

FL1

Sat Apr 20

Oxford United

FL1

Sat Apr 27

Cheltenham Town

FL1

APRIL 2024

CLICK HERE FOR FULL TABLE AND STATS

A T STE VENA GE SW IMMIN G CE NTRE

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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: Neil Hair ASSISTANT: Joseph Stokes ASSISTANT: Scott Williams FOURTH OFFICIAL: Aaron Farmer

TRANMERE ROVERS FC MANAGER: NIGEL ADKINS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

LUKE MCGEE LEE O’CONNOR JAKE LEAKE BRAD WALKER TOM DAVIES JORDAN TURNBULL KIERON MORRIS REGAN HENDRY LUKE NORRIS KANE HEMMINGS JOSH HAWKES CHARLIE JOLLEY JOE MURPHY KRISTIAN DENNIS BEN HOCKENHULL CHRIS MERRIE RHYS HUGHES CONNOR JENNINGS HARVEY SAUNDERS SAMUEL TAYLOR JOSEF YARNEY PAUL LEWIS REECE MCALEAR DAN PIKE ROB APTER JAMES NORRIS CONNOR WOOD MIKEY DAVIES CONOR ROBSON JEAN BELEHOUAN JOSEPH STARBUCK

UP NEXT AT HOME CRYSTAL PALACE U21 14/11/2023 | KO 7.00PM EFL TROPHY

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