ROYSTON TOWN vs NUNEATON BOROUGH - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - SATURDAY 2nd OCTOBER 2021

SOUTHERN LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs NUNEATON BOROUGH FC Saturday 2nd October 2021 Kick Off: 3.00pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome today's opponents Nuneaton Borough FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central fixture.

We wish their Players, Officials and Supporters an enjoyable afternoon and hope that the match will be a keenly contested and entertaining game.

We also welcome today’s Match Officials and hope they too have an enjoyable game.

TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR

https://www.specialized-security.co.uk/

Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary

Founded 1875 Alan Barlow Steve Jackson Terry McKinnell 9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY

07772 086709

Treasurer Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board

Webmaster Programme Editor Official Photographer

email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk Jeff Gill Angela Baulk Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, David Baulk, Angela Baulk, Chris Coote, Duncan Easley, Giles Parnwell, Neil MacLeod, Matt Clowery Steve Endacott Angela Baulk Kevin Richards

Football Management Team First Team Manager First Team Asst Manager Reserve Team Manager U18 Team Managers Women's Team Manager Vets Team Manager

Steve Castle Chris Watters Lewis Endacott Dan Evans/Matt Campany Lewis Endacott Lee Wilkinson

Ground

Garden Walk, Royston, Herts SG8 7HP Telephone (01763) 241204

Colours

First XI Reserves U18 Women's Vets

White/Black/White White/Black/White White/Black/Black White/Black/White White/Black/Black

Members of: The Hertfordshire Football Association Southern League Premier Division The Herts Senior County League Thurlow Nunn Youth League Eastern Region Women’s Football League The Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Ladies League Royston Town Football Club is an unincorporated association controlled by its members under the Constitution of RTFC

WHO'S GOT WHO? Today's other fixtures SATURDAY 2nd October 2021 Alvechurch v St Ives Town Coalville Town v Biggleswade Town Hednesford Town v Lowestoft Town HitchinTown v Stourbridge Needham Market v Barwell Rushall Olympic v Redditch United

CLUB HONOURS WINNERS Herts County League (Div I) 1969-70, 1972-73 Herts County League (Premier Div) 1976-1977 South Midlands League (Div I) 1977-1978 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II) 1978-1979 South Midlands Reserve League (Div I) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) League Cup, 1978-79, 1979-1980 Herts Charity Shield, 1981-82, 1989-90, 1996-1997 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1988-1989 Chiltern Youth League (Div I) 1989-1990 South Combinations Reserve Floodlight Cup, 1992-1993 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1992-1993 South Midlands Challenge Trophy, 1995-1996 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div II) 1998-1999 Eastern Counties Youth League Cup, 2001-2002 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2004-2005 KB Tyres Division III Champions 2006-2007 South Midlands League (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands League Cup (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands Floodlit Cup 1994-1995 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II East) 2008-2009 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2008-2009 KB Tyres Division I League Cup 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup 2009-2010 BIS Cambs League Division 2A 2010/2011 BIS Cambs League Divisional Champions 2010/2011 Veterans Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup 2010/2011 South Midlands Premier League 2011/2012 South Midlands Premier League Cup 2011/2012 Suburban League North Division 2012/2013, 2013/2014 Joint Winners of the Hinchingbrooke Cup 2013 Eastern Region Women’s League Plate 2013/2014, 2014/15 Suburban Premier League 2015-16 Eastern Region Women’s League Division 1 West 2015/16 Southern League Div 1 Central 2016/17

RUNNERS UP South Midlands Challenge Cup, 1978-1979 Herts Charity Shield, 1978-79, 1998-99, 2004-05, 2008-2009 South Midlands League (Premier Div) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div III) 1981-1982 North Herts (Div II) 1982-1983 South Midlands Res Section Trophy, 1982-1983 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1986-87, 1988-1989 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1989-1990 Herts County Youth Cup, 1992-1993 North Herts (Div I), 1993-1994 South Midlands Floodlit Cup, 1995-1996 Herts F.A. Women’s Cup, 1998-99, 2001-2002 2013/14 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div I) 1999-2000, 2013/2014 2014/15 Eastern Junior Plate, 2001-2002 KB Tyres Division I 2008-2009, 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Trophy 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserves Floodlit Cup 2010/2011 Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup 2013/2014 Eastern Region Women’s League, League Cup 2014/15 Southern League Division 1 Central 2014/15 2015/16

SCORES ON THE DOORS! LEAGUE TABLE PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION

SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN? The history of Royston Town FC After some intensive research, the evidence is that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston the third oldest Club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop Stortford.

The Club’s very first honour came in 1911/12 when they won the Creake Charity Shield beating Wisbech 1-0 in extra time.

The Club’s first major honour in more recent times came in the guise of promotion to the Herts County Premier League in 1969/70 and they went on to be champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77.

In 1978 we rejoined the South Midlands League and won the Division One title at the first time of asking. Success continued with a final appearance in the Herts Charity Shield for the first time in 1979 and runners up spot in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82 and two years later the Club joined the Isthmian League Division Two North where we remained for 10 seasons before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994.

After a period in the doldrums that culminated in relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of 2006/07, Paul Attfield was appointed manager with ex-Spurs favourite Tony Galvin returning to Garden Walk 1st Team Coach in November 2007.

Paul immediately set about building a new 1st Team squad and a run of 17 games undefeated saw the Club move from the bottom of the table to finish in 5th place in the League.

The foundations had been laid for the 2008/09 season and the first team took the South Midlands Division One League title with one of the best sets of stats for any Step 6 Club in the country W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103.

The 2011/2012 season will be seen as a watershed in our history with winning the South Midlands Premier Division title and promotion to Step 4 in the shape of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.

In our first season back at Step 4 after an absence of 19 years, it was hard to know what to expect and how we would perform. Most of our supporters felt a mid-table position would be an acceptable target for the season, but we quickly found ourselves exceeding all expectations as our performances propelled us towards the top of the table. Four straight wins in the first four games set the tone and a run of nine wins with just one defeat between October and December saw us maintain a play-off position. In the very last game of the season a playoff was still a possibility and having gone 2-1 up away at AFC Hayes with just a few minutes of the game left it looked a near certainty. But it was not to be as Hayes scored an 87-minute equaliser and our play-off place was lost.

In our second season at this level, our steady progress to claim a place in the playoff zone was given a severe jolt when Paul Attfield announced his resignation as first team manager due to ill health at the beginning of November. The search for his replacement began almost immediately and we were inundated with applications from some very well know and successful managers. After an exhaustive selection process, the Board appointed Steve Castle at the end of November and on Boxing Day Steve officially took over securing a 0 – 0 draw against the League’s form team and eventual champions Dunstable Town.

Our 2014/15 season opener was at home against one of the promotion favourites Rugby Town but an impressive team display ensured their threat was stifled and we ran out winners 2 -1. That victory really did set things buzzing but we were quickly brought back down to earth when on the following Tuesday night Bedworth United were the visitors winning the game 3 – 1.

As we all know consistency in performances provides the key to long term success and although the early stages of the season produced good results against the likes of Daventry Town and Beaconsfield these were punctuated by dismal performances against the likes of Aylesbury and Egham Town. From mid-November to mid-December We really lost our way with six defeats in seven games but our rollercoaster ride saw an incredible run of form over the Christmas period and into the New Year with five straight wins which helped us maintain a position in the playoff places.

On a miserable Tuesday evening in February we travelled to lowly AFC Hayes and after an abject performance we lost the game 2 – 0. This prompted our Chairman to tell Steve Castle that he had given up on this team making the play – offs and said that we should start preparing instead for next season. That message was conveyed to players and we witnessed a most remarkable transformation in our results with a 14 game unbeaten run during which we scored 29 goals and conceded just seven resulting in us achieving the runners up spot to league champions Kettering Town and securing our place in the play- off semi final where we met local rivals Barton Rovers.

After an incident packed 90 minutes and extra time the game ended in a goalless draw but it was not to be our night and we lost the shoot out 4-5 and had to suffer the agony of all the emotions which go with being defeated in this way.

We started the 2015/16 season strongly and between the end of December and the end of March we produced a rich vein of form with only one defeat in 14 games and this ensured we were sitting on top of the league with just 7 games to go and with the expectation that we could win promotion outright ran high throughout the whole club.However three games in succession proved our down fall when we could only draw 0 – 0 with Bedford and lost to Egham away 3- 1 and Godalming at home 1- 0 and once again we ended up in the play offs against AFC Rushden but we failed to turn up and went out tamely to our opponents 2 - 1.

Having finished runners up for two years in succession Steve Castle was determined to make it third time lucky and began to recruit some experienced new blood in the shape of John Frendo and Adam Murray whilst at the same time giving youngsters Gus Scott Morris and Josh Castiglione extended runs in the first team.

However the season didn’t start well and after four games we’d only mustered five points whilst promotion rivals Farnborough just couldn’t stop winning. Although results did improve, defeat in the FA Cup to Heybridge Swifts 4 – 1 and a thrashing by Barton Rovers at home 6 – 3 at the end of September didn’t do a great of good for our confidence.

Things took a dramatic turn thereafter with 12 successive league wins which ended with defeat 2-1 at Kidlington in early January 2017, interspersed by a magnificent run in the FA Trophy including victory against Step 2 outfit Hampton and Richmond Borough before in the replay against Dulwich Hamlet we eventually went down 1 -0.

With cup football out of the way the team put together an incredible run of 16 league games undefeated including a 5 – 0 thrashing of closest rivals Farnborough which saw us maintain the top spot until the end of the season by a margin of 12 points and the highest number of goals scored, 120, across all three Evostik Leagues.

Promotion to the Southern Premier League means that the Club will be playing at its highest level in its 142 year history!

Season 2017/18 saw The Crows exceeded all expectations in our first season at Step 3.

Throughout the season we managed to maintain our hopes of a play-off place until they were finally put to bed with two successive defeats against the eventually play-off winners Slough Town and we had to be satisfied with a seventh place finish. The signing of Adam Marriott, a proven goal scorer who had played for Lincoln City, Stevenage and Cambridge United was without a doubt a real coup and he was to play a key role in the progress made by the Club by becoming our leading marksman with 31 goals.A good run in the FA Trophy with wins against Enfield Town and Leatherhead came to an end against Eastbourne Borough when having managed to draw at their place we lost the replay on penalties. We managed to get to the final of the Herts Senior Cup were we played Boreham Wood from Step 2 and in spite of a brave performance we never really had the power to compete and lost 2 – 1.

Given where we had started from we definitely exceeded our own and many other peoples’ expectations and this has provided us with the building blocks to face this season in the newly constituted Southern Premier Central League.

Season 2018/19 saw us finishing in a respectable 9th position in what proved to be a very strong Premier Division Central. During February/March we recorded six wins out of seven league games to give us a faint hope of a playoff spot, but three straight defeats in April put paid to our chances.

We suffered another early at AFC Sudbury in the FA Cup and in the FA Trophy we progressed through two rounds before being beaten in a replay at Needham Market.

Season 2019/20 will go down in the Club’s history as one of the most successful and exciting but ultimately one which ended in bitter disappointment.

Steve Castle was quick to ensure we had players who were proven goal scorers and the arrival of Matt Bateman, Brandon Adams and Claudio Ofosu did not disappoint. Perhaps the only sadness that our young and highly talented left wing-back Joe Newton had created so much interest from EFL Clubs that in the end, it was inevitable he would have to leave us and Joe was signed by Coventry City.

No Crows fans will ever forget the team's brilliant performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy and although our FA Cup run ended with defeat to the very talented Maldon and Tiptree in front of a record crowd for Garden Walk of 1152. The interest generated in the Crows both locally and beyond was immense and set the scene for what was to come in the FA Trophy. It all started with very comfortable wins against Brightlingsea Regent and Haywards Heath and then were drawn away at Step 2 table-topping Wealdstone which for many was one of the games of the season as Royston shot into a 2- 0 lead before Wealdstone hit back to pull the tie level 2-2. In spite of being under constant pressure, the Crows mounted a great counterattack down the left and the cross was despatched by Brandon Adams to give the Crow’s victory 3-2. What followed was truly historic with home wins against Step 2 teams Boreham Wood 2-0, Chester 3-0 and away at National League Ebbsfleet 2-0, to set up a quarter-final tie away at Concord Rangers. In the run-up to the game, the rain had been falling heavily but our opponents declared the pitch playable and the invasion of six coach loads of Royston supporters and a convoy of cars and mini-buses descended on Canvey Island. As we started arriving for the kick-off the match referee declared the pitch unplayable and with a sense of extreme disappointment and also a lot of anger we all returned home. The following Tuesday the game went ahead but it was not to be and we were defeated 2-1. There is no doubt the Clubs achievements in the FA Trophy marked a watershed in our history which will be remembered for a very long time.

Running alongside the cup success it was easy to forget that we had got ourselves in contention to win the League with a run of only two defeats in 20 league fixtures. With 3 games in hand and only 2 points behind Peterborough Sports and Tamworth and playing some of our best football, we looked nailed on to win the League. Then out of the blue, the Covid crisis hit all levels of football and with what many felt was indecent haste the League decided to null and void the whole season.

All our achievements were suddenly for nothing and the taste of bitter disappointment amongst all supporters of the Crows was very hard to swallow.

Season 2020/21: As the pandemic took hold it seemed like the chances of seeing a new season start were remote but by summer 2020 there had been a massive improvement and by July the lockdown ended albeit with a host of restrictions in place.

By the time we had assembled a squad, we were without key players such as Matt Bateman who moved to Hemel Hempstead and Claudio Ofosu who joined Hartlepool and with a lot of the momentum and energy generated by the now-defunct season now dissipated we were finding it hard to get going again. In the League, we seemed to slip into the habit of conceding goals when in a winning position and a string of draws meant we languished in the lower half of the division.

The FA cup again promised to provide excitement with wins against Newmarket, Wroxham and AFC Stamford before losing to our old rivals Bishops Stortford. We won our first two ties in the FA Trophy against Hythe Town and Tamworth before going out 3-2 away at Brackley by which time the League season was yet again declared null and void as the second wave of Covid took its stranglehold.

A comprehensive history of the Club can be found in The History of Royston Town FC 1875 - 2012 first published in 2013. The book was written by the Club’s President, Alan Barlow following more than five years of painstaking research and can be purchased via the Club.

WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS Joe Welch (Goalkeeper) Joined us from Chelmsford City in 2016/17, Joe started his career at Southend United before joining Histon where he played over 50 games and earned a loan deal at Stevenage. Joe’s other clubs include Ebbsfleet, Bromley and St Albans City.

Ed Asafu-Adjaye (Defender) Versatile defender who re-joined the Crows in 2019 after spending a season at Hayes & Yeading. Started his playing career at Luton Town and broke into the 1st team during the 2008/9 season. In total he made 64 appearances for The Hatters before moving to Forest Green Rovers and then to Hemel Hempstead Town.

Adam Murray (Defender) Adam joined us at the beginning of 2017/18, having spent the previous two seasons at Cambridge City where he made 60 appearances. He quickly settled into the squad and has proved to be a formidable addition for the Crows.

Ronnie Henry (Defender) Signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season after spending a season at Billericay Town. Ronnie was a product of the Spurs youth system, before going on to play 502 games for Stevenage (the club’s all-time record appearances) in two spells either side of two seasons at Luton Town.

Daniel Brathwaite (Defender) Club skipper, Dan joined the Crows from Chesham United for the start of 2015/16.

He is an experienced defender whose former clubs include Boreham Wood and Dover Athletic.

Dan Newton (Defender) Joined the Crows early into season 2020/21, Centre-Back Dan's previous clubs were Biggleswade FC and Northwood. He is a calm and confident defender and cousin of former Crow Joe Newton.

James Brighton (Defender) Experienced full-back who joined us in November 2019 from Kettering Town, where he had spent a successful four seasons. James has previously played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Cambridge City & Cambridge United.

Scott Bridges (Midfield) Scott re-joined the Crows in season 2020/21 after spending the previous season at Hayes & Yeading, having been a Crow for four years previously, scoring 71 goals in 194 appearances. Originally with Aston Villa until 2007, Scott then played most of his football at Banbury United.

Spyros Mentis (Midfield) Versatile, hard-working and tough-tackling midfielder or defender, Spyros re-joined The Crows in 2018/19 after a season away at Hayes & Yeading, he previously played just under 100 games for us from 2013 during his first spell at Garden Walk.

Tom Newman (Midfield) Joined the Crows at the start of 2018/19, Tom has impressed when called upon and has chipped in with some useful goals from midfield.

Isa Rotimi (Midfield) Young midfielder who signed for the Crows at the beginning of season 2019/20, Isa previously spent two seasons at Colney Heath.

SUPPLIERS OF PRIZES FOR THE FAMOUS ROYSTON TOWN FC MEAT RAFFLE

Dan Green (Midfield) Joined us in December 2018 from Chesham United, Dan is an experienced midfielder whose other previous clubs include St Albans City and Dunstable Town.

Brandon Adams (Forward) Signed for the Crows in 2019, Brandon previously spent four years at Queens Park Rangers which included loan deals at Malaysian club Perlis and Linfield in Northern Ireland. After leaving the R’s in 2018 Brandon dropped into non-league hoping to catch the eye of pro clubs and has certainty impressed. After a short stint at Enfield Town he moved to Ware in 2018/19 and bagged an impressive 23 league goals in 25 games.

Josh Williams (Forward) Signed for the Crows at the start of last season after spending the previous season at Ware, where he scored 17 goals in 30 appearances, Josh previously played for FC Romania.

Isaac Galliford (Forward) Previously with Hitchin Town, St Neots Town & Hemel Hempstead after starting out with Luton Town. Isaac signed for us for the beginning of last season. Whilst with The Canaries Isaac’s performances earned him an England ‘C’ call-up.

Matt Bateman (Forward) Re-joined us for the start this season from Hemel Hempstead, where he spent last season after moving from the Crows. Matt signed for the Crows at the start of season 2019/20 and scored an impressive 24 goals in 41 games during that season to earn his move to Hemel. Previous to that Matt played a big part in Berkhamsted’s push for promotion in 2018/19 where he netted 43 times in 54 appearances for The Comrades.

Harry Draper (Forward) Signed for the Crows on loan from Stevenage at the start of this season. Harry has been with Stevenage from the age of eight, he signed his first professional deal at Boro’ in summer 2019 and then spent that season on loan at Hitchin Town.

Finlay Titchmarsh (Defender) Young defender who signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season, Finlay was originally with Barnet before having spells with Staines Town and Ware.

COME ON

YOU

CROWS!

TODAY'S OPPONENTS Nuneaton Borough FC Club History In 1889, Nuneaton St. Nicholas was the first team to play senior football within Nuneaton. Five years later, they changed their name to Nuneaton Town, and played until 1937, when the club was disbanded. However, two days later, Nuneaton Borough F.C. was founded. In 2008, the club was liquidated and, due to an FA ruling, was renamed Nuneaton Town, suffering a two division demotion.

The club was still known as 'The Boro' by its supporters and in 2018 was rebranded as Nuneaton Borough F.C. 1938-39 Joined Birmingham Combination 1945-46 Birmingham Combination runner-up (on goal average) 1948-49 Birmingham Combination runner-up 1950-51 Birmingham Combination runner-up 1952-53 Joined Birmingham & District League 1954-55 Birmingham & District League Northern Division Champions 1955-56 Birmingham & District League Champions 1958-59 Joined Southern League North Western zone 1960 Relegated to Division One 1962-63 Promoted to Premier Division (on goal average) 1966-67 Southern League runner-up 1974-75 Southern League runner-up 1979-80 Founder members of Alliance Premier League 1981-82 Rejoined Southern League Southern League Midland Division Champions Lost title play-off with Southern Division Champions Wealdstone on penalties after drawing 2-2 on aggregate (Wealdstone 2 Nuneaton 1, Nuneaton 1 Wealdstone 0) 1982-83 Rejoined Alliance Premier League 1983-84 Alliance Premier League runner-up 1984-85 Alliance Premier League runner-up 1986-87 Alliance Premier League renamed Conference 1987-88 Rejoined Southern League Relegated to Midland Division 1990-91 Four points deducted 1992-93 Southern League Midland Division Champions Promoted to Premier Division 1994 Relegated to Midland Division 1995-96 Southern League Midland Division Champions Promoted to Premier Division 1998-99 Southern League Champions 1999-00 Rejoined Conference 2003-04 Rejoined Southern League Premier Division 2004-05 Rejoined Conference in newly-formed Northern Division Football Conference Northern Division runner-up Not promoted after play-offs (SF Nuneaton Borough 1 Altrincham 1, Altrincham won 4-2 on penalties) 2005-06 Not promoted after play-offs (SF Nuneaton Borough 0 Droylsden 1) 2008 Folded 2018 Nuneaton Town changed name back to Nuneaton Borough 2019-20 Joined Southern League A comprehensive history of senior football in Nuneaton can be found at: www.fromtowntotown.org.uk

WHO ARE YA? Nuneaton Borough FC Player Pen Pics Tony Breeden Joined the Boro in November 2019 after beginning the season at Bromsgrove Sporting. His previous clubs include Kidderminster Harriers, Tamworth and Leamington. He made his Boro debut in a 2-2 draw against Royston Town.

Callum Smith Keeper signed from Wolverhampton Sporting.

Damien McCrory Irish born defender who began his career with Plymough Argyle where he earned himself a 12 month contract. The hard-tackling Republic of Ireland youth international made almost 200 appearances for Burton Albion and has also represented Dagenham & Redbridge and Notts County.

Jordan Gough Part of the Solihull Moors side that won promotion to the Conference Premier in 2016, Jordan started his career with Gresley Rovers and has also represented Brackley Town, AFC Telford United and Chester FC. Gift Mussa Joined Boro from Bromsgrove Sporting who he joined from Leamington. Spent several seasons with Coventry United.

Scott McManus Experienced defender who began his career as an apprentice with Manchester United. Played with Prestwich Heys, Curzon Ashton and Crewe Alexandra before settling at Halifax Town where he made 250 appearances.

Carl Baker The midfielder was a product of the Liverpool Academy, from where he joined local side Prescot Cables. He starred for Coventry City and MK Dons where he played over 100 appearances in the Championship. He has spent over a decade playing in the football league. Carl joined the Boro in the 18/19 season making his mark with numerous impressive displays.

Louis Baker Son of club captain Carl Baker. Recently made his full debut against Lichfield City in the FA Cup, scoring in his first appearance.

Tom Armitage 18-year-old defender who signed from Burton Albion in the close season.

Ryan Edmunds A very versatile player being able to play wing back, up front and anywhere in midfield. He has made a total of 43 appearances and has scored a number of vital goals for the club. He joined Boro in November 2018 form Coleshill Town.

Jordan Goddard A very hardworking, skilful midfielder who has played for Bristol Rovers. He joined Boro from Alvechurch at the start of December 2019.

Cain Noble Tough tackling central midfielder who has previously represented Chester. Joined Borough in the close season from Loughborough University.

Alex Tomkinson A talented midfielder who joined the Boro in June 2020 to link up with former boss Jimmy Ginnelly, having worked together at Barwell. His displays at Barwell earned him a trial at Crewe Alexandra. He also played for, Coventry Sphinx, Worcester City and Romulus before joining Boro.

Greg Kaziboni Zimbabwean midfielder who started his career in England with Northampton Town. Has also represented Brackley Town, Banbury, Tamworth and Stratford Town.

Luke Benbow A powerful striker who was born in Birmingham. He started his career at The Glen Hoddle Academy and gained experience with Solihull Moors, Hednesford Town and Redditch United. He joined Boro in June 2019 for an undisclosed fee from Stourbridge. He finished Boro’s top goalscorer in the 2019/20 season.

Harry Jackson A local striker who has progressed through the Boro ranks being in the Under-18s and Under-21 squads. He signed his first-team contract in October 2019. He predominantly plays as a striker but can also play out wide.

Leroy Lita An experienced striker with nine international caps at Under-21 level, Leroy has played at all levels of the game and signed for Boro in June 2020. He began his career as a youth team player with Chelsea before playing for a number of clubs such as, Bristol City, Reading, Middlesbrough, Swansea City, Barnsley, Yeovil and AO Chania. He was impressive in the Premier League scoring 14 goals for Reading in the 2006/07 season which lead him to getting a call up by England. Has played for a number of non-league clubs before joining Boro from Chelmsford City in the close season.

Chris Clements Attacking midfielder who began his career with Crewe Alexandra. Has also represented Hednesford Town, Mansfield Town, Grimsby Town and Cheltenham Town.

Connor Shanks Former Bradford City youngster who joins Boro on a month’s loan from Huddersfield Town.

Nathan Caine 18-year-old graduate from Mansfield Town Academy. Joins Boro on a month’s loan.

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Joe Welch

Ryan Easley

Ed James Brighton Asafu-Adjaye

Kelshall Jake Easley Plastics

Ronnie Henry

David Grey

Daniel Brathwaite Katherine Thompson

Scott Bridges

Luke Easley

Adam Murray

Jeff Gill

Isa Rotimi

Martin Pendrick

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Matt Bateman Brandon Adams Spyros Mentis

Martin Pendrick DFM Mick & Enid Royston Matt Clowery Toovey Plastering

Dan Newton

Graham Haggar

Josh Williams Tom Newman

Trevor & Alison Clive Deards Middlemass

Isaac Galliford

Steve Tuck

Steve Castle

Garrett Pennery

TRAVELLERS TALES

By Brian Buck

47th game of the season. (Match 13,428) Wednesday 1st September 2021.

Clifton 1 Henlow 2 (Friendly Match) att 20 approx.

Tonight was a cloudy and unseasonably cold evening, so it was on with the coat for this derby match between neighbouring villages. You can walk quite easily between the two grounds, but not perhaps if you have had a couple of pints or so in the renowned Engineer pub in Henlow beforehand! So it was that the ref decided wisely, as it turned out, to play the game over two 40 minute periods (approx!) It wasn’t the most exciting match I’ll see this season but both sides gave it a go in what would be their last friendly match before the competitive stuff started on the following Saturday. Division 2 side Clifton had the better of the early exchanges when their lively number 10 took full advantage of some indecision in the Division 1 Henlow defence on 8 minutes, ramming the ball home from about 10 yards out. Gradually though, Henlow got themselves into the match and on 37 minutes a long lob beat the keeper before being helped over the line by a defender trying to keep the ball out. At the break we got talking to a couple who came to watch their two sons play, one for either side, but later on the genial lady started cheering for Henlow asked her, “Why are you cheering for Henlow when we live in Clifton?” The answer was that their son playing for Henlow had been subbed while the other one was still on the pitch. As the evening grew darker quickly, not helped by some funny coloured smoke and smells coming from the occupants in the nearby play area, Henlow won the match with a very late spot kick, given for handball and rightly so according to the Clifton manager.

48. (13,429) Thursday 2nd September 2021.

Royston Town 1 Baldock Town 2 (FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round) att 126.

As always, FA Youth Cup matches are very passionate affairs, as the carrot for progressing is a possible opportunity to end up playing a Football League side. So, tonight’s game fell into this category. Both sides seemed to field some of the youngest players I’ve ever seen play in this competition. I wonder just how young to can be to qualify to play in it. Anyway, the first half of the match saw the Crows well on top and it was they who took the lead on 9 minutes when the ball was curled home from 30 yards out. At this point you wondered just how many they would score, but despite their possession they only created two more scoring chances before the break. Meanwhile, as the half came to an end Baldock started to create some chances of their own. The second half saw much more goalmouth activity from both sides, the game became more physical and the ref, who I wasn’t impressed with, started to show a wadge of yellow cards. Some of these could have been prevented had he instead chosen to speak to players more though. But he did very little of this.

Meanwhile Royston now seemed to be spending more time trying to defend their lead rather than looking for a second goal, whereas Baldock kept plugging away. They got their reward on 71 minutes, with a direct free kick, taken from almost the same position as where Royston’s goal was scored from.

Then on 83 minutes they took the lead. Suddenly the Crows upped their game, but two minutes later they picked up a red card, from what looked like a decent tackle to me. There was no real time left to address the situation as Baldock saw the game out with some modern day tactics!

49. (13,430) Friday 3rd August 2021.

Thrapston Venturas 3 Wollaston Victoria Reserves 3 (Chromasport Northants Combination Division 2) att 70 approx.

It’s a bit easier to get here these days, as after joining the A14 at Godmanchester it’s a straight run, with no roundabouts, until you reach the Thrapston turning. The hosts name is rather curious, as Thrapston Town, the more senior of the two sides who play here, also played under this name until they changed it in 1996. Anyway, as is always the case here for Friday night matches, the place was a hive of activity and the mainly outdoor bar was doing a roaring trade. As usual I tried to sit in the seats. Usually, it’s okay until people turn up to watch and inevitably block your view. But tonight, I did rather well and survived for 50 minutes before I had to stand up. The game was quite an exciting one.

Thrapston took the lead on 16 minutes, but the mother of the scorer missed the goal, because she was too busy yapping, a fact which didn’t surprise her partner who missed the goal as well, because he had been to the chip shop! Anyway, they both saw his second goal, scored just before the break, giving his side the lead which was just about deserved. But in the second half Wollaston were more prominent and they pulled a goal back on 48 minutes. Then on 69 minutes Thrapston restored their

two-goal advantage when a slow-rolling ball was stabbed home at the far post. Even I couldn’t have missed this one! But Wollaston hadn’t given up and on 72 minutes they put away a spot-kick, given for handball and ten minutes later a glancing header gave them a deserved equaliser, bringing to a close and enjoyable evening.

50. (13,431) (3,675th ‘new’ ground) Saturday 4th September 2021.

Magna 73 2 Northfield Emeralds 1 (Everards Brewery Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division) att 45 approx.

The ground of Magna 73 can be found in the countryside on the Leicester road just after you leave the northern end of nearby village Countesthorpe. The club is named after nearby Wigston Magna and after the year they were formed. They have played at their Meadows Sports Ground for most of their existence, but it was also the home of Wigston Rugby club for many years. Buses seem to pass the ground to and from civilization roughly every 15 minutes or so. On my arrival here about an hour before kick-off, a reserve match was taking place on the main, railed off on three sides, pitch, a vets game was taking place on the second pitch and a cricket match was also in progress. There were also four other unused pitches here, so the place was a hive of activity. I had a pint of cider before the match and was surprised that it was from the Bulmers stable. The game I saw was a decent one. Both sides had been ‘put up’ a division this season, a term used by a former ref, who seemed well known locally. He revealed, allegedly of course, that today’s ref could have gone to the top had he not embarked on his hobby of fathering six kids instead! I think by the end of the game we both agreed that although he had a decent game, there were learning points for him to consider. However, my newfound friend tipped new local Premiership ref, John Brooks, to go all the way. As for the match, by halftime, you'd've tipped the visitors to win it. However, it was Magna who were winning, courtesy of a 15th-minute goal, scored against the run of play, when the ball was guided home from about six yards out from a cross. The first half stats showed one goal and two other attempts for the hosts and no goals and eight chances for the visitors. The second half not only saw the cricket match finish early but it also saw Emeralds equalise on 57 minutes when the scorer rushed in to meet and finish off with power, a cross from the right. The goal had been coming and at this point I expected them to go on and collect all three points. But somehow Magna dug in and on 65 minutes they scored what would prove to be the winner when the ball sat up nicely for the scorer to score from about 15 yards out. This goal was still against the run of play though.

So, as the game moved to it's conclusion things became quite tense, even though most of the goalscoring chances created by both sides had dried up by now. On 90(+4) everyone heard what was thought to be the final whistle from the ref, but in fact, it was his attempt to defuse a coming together which was resolved by a couple of yellow cards. Then after the final whistle did go a few minutes later, it looked as though it might all kick off again, but after another blast on the refs whistle the respective parties separated, albeit seemingly reluctantly. Overall, I enjoyed my day out here. This was the best Saturday game I’d seen so far this season and there was plenty of enthusiasm around the place.

SQUADS Saturday 3rd October 2021 Kick Off: 3.00PM

MATCH SPONSOR

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Graham Swanton ASSISTANTS: John Duffy / Mahdi Elhalawany

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Joe Welch Ed Asafu-Adjaye Daniel Brathwaite Scott Bridges Adam Murray Ronnie Henry Finley Titchmarsh Harry Draper Brandon Adams Matt Bateman Isaac Galliford Tom Newman James Brighton Fred Brown Isa Rotimi Josh Williams Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton Ryan Towner

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Tony Breeden (GK) Tom Armitage Jordan Gough Damien McCrory Scott McManus Luke Redfern Carl Baker Louis Baker Luke Benbow Nathan Caine Greg Kaziboni Gift Mussa Callum Smith (GK) Cain Noble Connor Shanks Alex Tomkinson Harry Jackson Ryan Edmunds Leroy Lita Jordan Goddard

MANAGERS SPORTS THERAPISTS

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Jimmy Ginnelly / Steve Hinks Jamie Capes / Richie Norman