Issue 2 - Belper Town

Official Digital Matchday Magazine Season 2025/26

Affiliated to the Huntingdonshire Football Association

St Neots Town F.C. Established Established 1879 1879

First Team Club President - John Walker

Board of Directors

Manager - Cameron Mawer Coach - Alex Minall GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Chris Horgan

CEO - Louise Sales Chairman - Barry Cavilla Secretary / Director - Gary Wilson Commercial Director - Mark Gearing Director - Iain Parr

U18Manager - Tyla Joseph Coach - Aiden Sutton

Head of Media - Mike Green Head Ambassador - Jez Green

Club Welfare Officer - Gemma Keech 07734 821330 email - sntfcwelfareofficer@gmail.com

Saints Match Day Team Fixture Secretary - Marion Izzard Stadium Announcer - Mike Green Music - Charlie Green Catering - Diane Sales 50/50 & Merchandising - Shelly Phypers & Lily Dean

Media Team

Academy Manager - Alex Minall Academy Welfare Officer - Chrissie Manly Academy enquiries - Alexsntfcacademy@gmail.com

Club Information Address: Rowley Park, Kester Way, St Neots, Cambs., PE19 6SL Website - www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Enquires - enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk Commercial Enquiries - mgearing@me.com Events - misslouises@yahoo.co.uk

Press Officer - Mike Green Match Reports - John Walker Social Media - Mike Green, Grayham Bonfield, Charlie Green, David Gibbons Photography - Courtesy of David Gibbons Photography

Ground Staff Team Pitch maintenance - Barry Oakley, Barry Cavilla, Bob Carpenter

Ownership: In accordance with the football association league rule 2.15 publication of ownership in relation to step 1-4 within the football pyramid, we hereby confirm the legal status of St Neots Town Football Club Identification Number 02921210, and is a Private Limited Company.

For the purposes of publication of ownership we can confirm that the following are listed as Directors of the Company: Louise Sales, Gary Wilson, Mark Gearing and Iain Parr with Louise Sales (10%), Gary Wilson (10%) and Iain Parr (10%) the majority shareholders Company Secretary Gary Wilson

Greenie’s Greetings With Mike Green "Good afternoon to you all and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today‘s opening Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midland Division match.

Today we extend a warm welcome to everyone connected to Belper Town Town Football Club and we hope you enjoy our hospitality here with us this afternoon”.

Last weekend saw us get underway in a quite emphatic style, demolishing Great Yarmouth Town FC 7-1 here at the Premier Plus Stadium in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round in front of almost 300 fans in the August sunshine. As well as the prize money for the round (£1125), we will be heading to fellow Step Four side Lowestoft Town on Saturday 16th August for our Preliminary Round tie and a chance to progress to the First Round Qualifying and a victory purse of £1444. So, seven goals and some crackers in there and a hattrick for Kieran Barnes with a trio of very tidy finishes.

Back to today then and our opening Midland Division game and they don’t come much tougher than facing Belper Town, who, for many, are one of the favourites to win promotion this season. Our trip up to Derbyshire for the return game will be our longest trip of the season and that is a week before christmas.

Just wanted to say a big thank you to Grayham Bonfield and David Gibbons for all their work as volunteers, producing top quality video productions and photographs / social media memes. You two guys really do help me so much and I will be forever grateful.

Sadly I will be absent from today’s fixture but will be back on the PA mic for our next home game against Rugby Borough.

Get behind the boys and lets make Rowley Park a fortress.

BE LOUD, BE PROUD, BE A SAINT

Greenie

Saints

First Team Shirt Sponsor

Boardroom Gossip From The Dugout With Chairman BarryCameron Cavilla With Manager Mawer “ Good afternoon and welcome to the Premier Plus Stadium for our first home league game of the season. A warm welcome to today’s visitors Belper Town, a really strong side who will be one of the favourites in a really tough division.”

It’s great to be back competing at Step 4. Everyone at the club has worked hard to get us here, and now it’s about proving we belong at this level. We know how tough this league will be, but we feel we are ready for it.

The players are focused, the energy around the group is good and we’re aiming to keep building every week. Last weekend’s 7-1 win at home to Great Yarmouth in the FA Cup was a fantastic start. It was a good performance – we played with purpose, attacked with confidence and looked sharp across the pitch. Of course, that’s just one game, but it was a great way to set the tone for what we want this season to look like.

Our aims this year are simple and realistic: establish ourselves back at Step 4, stay consistent, and make the Premier Plus a place where teams know they’re in for a tough 90 minutes. We’ll keep pushing to improve every week, and we’ve got the right attitude in the dressing room to do that.

This week, the decision was taken to move in a different direction, and as a result, Steve Kuhne has left his role as assistant manager. Steve has been a valued part of our journey over the last couple of seasons and played an important role in helping us get back to Step 4. I thank him for his contribution and wish him all the very best for the future.

Finally, thank you to our supporters. Your backing means everything to the players and staff. We’ll do everything we can to make you proud this season.

Enjoy the game – and let’s keep pushing.

#inittogether

Cam

Saints Social Media Sponsor We are delighted to have ADP Fire and Security as our Media Sponsors again for the 2025/26 Season

Boardroom Gossip In The Chair With Chairman Barry Cavilla With Chairman Barry Cavilla “ Welcome to our Brand new league campaign for 2025/26 season at step 4. We start our new season with a very tough first few fixtures against much fancied teams to be pace setters again for this NPL campaign.”

So today for our first league fixture this season at Step 4. We welcome Belper Town, a very strong contender for honours this season to the Premier Plus Stadium for our first meeting at Step 4. We both probably know very little about each other over the past years as our pathways have not crossed so should be a good contest of styles, skills and abilities.

So I would like to elcome all the players ,officals and supporters of Belper Town to the home of the Saints for this first league encounter.

After a busy pre season for Cameron, the guys looked to get fit and shipshape ready for a tough and demanding season ahead and we kicked off the offical season with a very positive result and performance in the FA Cup last weekend and hopefully the lads can take great confidence into our league campaign and show we aim to be positive, on the front foot and make a good representation of what the Saints can offer this season.

We are so fortunate to have a wonderful team and management, supported by amazing support from our Saints family who will no doubt give the lads that extra push and encouragement to go on and show what they can aspire to.

So let’s get right behind them from the first whistle and see where this journey takes us all and I look forward to seeing you all this season on my walkabouts.

COYS

Barry

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CLUB WELFARE OFFICER GEMMA KEECH My name is Gemma Keech and I am the Club Welfare Officer (CWO) for St Neots Town Football Club.

Each football club that offers youth and open aged football is required to have a Club Welfare Officer. I am responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of the children, young people and vulnerable adults who attend the club, whether that be within the Academy or players aged Under 18 in the First Team.

My role is to be the first point of contact for all club members and parents / carers regarding concerns for the welfare of anyone within the club that fall within this group.

St Neots Town Football Club have appointed me to this voluntary role because of my employment roles in Education and Children’s Social Care, and therefore my knowledge and experience in Safeguarding and Child Protection.

My aim to be an approachable person for young people and their parents or carers, as well as club members, where issues or concerns may arise. These issues may range from worries about not fitting in or feeling left out, an individual dangerous incident or situation, other adult or young persons’ behaviour or more serious allegations against another person, volunteer, member or professional at the Club.

Please feel free to email me on sntfcwelfareofficer@gmail.com if you have any concerns or wish to discuss an issue, however big or small.

Hunts FA Safeguarding Team can also be contacted on 01480 447484 or by emailing Safeguarding@HuntsFA.com.

Gemma

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John Walker's Match Preview BELPER TOWN FC (The Nailers) Year founded: 1883 Chairman: Ian Woodward Club Website: www.belpertownfc.co.uk GOOD AFTERNOON AND A WELCOME TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM FOR OUR OPENING LEAGUE MATCH IN THE NEW SEASON To kick off a new league season our first visitors are Belper Town who have made the long trip from Derbyshire but no doubt will be happy to get this match scheduled in early in the programme. It is of course the first meeting of our two clubs, and we wish them a safe journey home after the match. Out trip for the return match has been pencilled in for the Saturday before Christmas marking roughly the half-way stage of the season. This is, of course the first meeting of our two clubs and celebrates our return to Northern League football after an absence of two seasons. It is new surroundings for both clubs because last season Belper were playing at Step Four in the Eastern Division of the Northern Premier League where they finished fourth but went on to lose to Stocksbridge Park Steels in the play-off semi-final. Next Saturday Belper kick off their new FA Cup campaign with a visit from Kidsgrove Athletic who beat Rugby Borough in the extra preliminary round.

Belper is a town and civil parish in the local government district of Amber Valley in Derbyshire, England, located about 7 miles north of Derby on the River Derwent.

Last Saturday Belper wound up their pre-season programme with a home victory over Congleton Town. Last season they had a busy time in National competitions playing twice in the FA Cup and five times (including a replay) in the FA Trophy. In the Cup they beat Lutterworth Town at home before losing to Bromsgrove Sporting in a replay, whilst in the Trophy they defeated Boldmere St Michaels (H), Kidsgrove Athletic (A), and Hinckley Road LRFC (H), before losing the home replay to Chasetown.

Belper Town Records Best FA Cup performance: First round, 1887–88 Best FA Trophy performance: Second round, 2000–01 Best FA Vase performance: Semi-finals, 1994–95 Record attendance: 3,200 vs Ilkeston Town, 1955 Biggest win: 15–2 vs Nottingham Forest 'A', 1956 Worst defeat: 12–0 vs Goole Town, 1965 Most appearances: Craig Smithurst, 678 Most goals: Mick Lakin, 231 Record transfer fee received: £2,000 from Hinckley United for Craig Smith Record transfer fee paid: £2,000 to Ilkeston Town for Jamie Eaton, 2001 Enjoy the match.

MATCH REPORT Great Yarmouth Town (H) 02 Aug

FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND ST NEOTS TOWN

7

GREAT YARMOUTH TOWN

1

St Neots kicked off their new season with a stunning first half performance that left visiting Thurlow Nunn outfit Great Yarmouth Town reeling. Three goals in six minutes just before half time added to the two already in the bag and put the result way beyond the reach of their Norfolk visitors and although the second half was very much lower key it was a victory to savour. The final scoreline equalled their best ever FA Cup result having beaten Holbeach United at home by the same scoreline 16 years earlier. After a thorough testing set of pre-season matches with fresh faces added to his squad Manager Cameron Mawer opted to name ten of last season’s regular eleven in his starting line-up with the holidaying Sam Willis the only absentee. After the break the maximum five substitutes were given a taste of senior football and this naturally broke up the rhythm of the game, but valuable minutes were spent on the pitch by almost the whole squad. The visitors never gave up competing even after losing a player sent off half an hour from time so with that opener complete the squad will now prepare for their first league match back at Step Four in the National League System at home to Belper Town on 9th August.

It did not take long for the Saints to get into their stride. After just five minutes man-ofthe-match Harvey Williams left his marker in his wake to cross to the near post where Charlie Bowen forced a fingertip save from visiting keeper Brandon Ling at the expense of a corner. Christian Tavernier sent his cross to the far post where Muphy Culkin beat Ling with a rasping low finish. After 14 minutes the visitors made an early substitution replacing the limping Leo Spooner with Aaron Sanders. The closest to a goal for the visitors came after 26 minutes when Ryan Jacobs set up Jake Spooner whose close-range effort rebounded from the crossbar. Three minutes later St Neots extended their lead when a Williams cross found the head of Bowen at the far post and he headed down to hand Rhys Thorpe a close-range tap in finish to make in 2-0. With just seven minutes remaining in the first half St Neots went on a scoring spree adding three further goals. A Culkin corner was not cleared, and Kieran Barnes found a way through the packed penalty area to make it 3-0 and two minutes before the break, a defensive error handed Harvey Williams his side’s fourth goal. Then within a further sixty seconds Kieran Barnes raced onto a lengthy clearance from goalkeeper James Goff to cleverly go round the stranded keeper to tap in a fifth goal.

MATCH REPORT Great Yarmouth Town (H) 02 Aug

Just after the break Yarmouth opted to change the shape of their struggling side with the addition of no less than three substitutes but it had little significant effect as Kieran Barnes helped himself to his third and his sides’ sixth goal after 56 minutes courtesy of a stunning run and set up by Williams. Two minutes later a lapse in the St Neots defence saw Yarmouth grab a consolation goal as two of their substitute players combined, Kyle Baker netting from a Sanders corner. Within two minutes St Neots had reinstated their six goals advantage as Reegan Perry handled on the visiting goal line to pick up a red card and from the resultant penalty kick the impressive Christian Tavernier added his name to the scoresheet – only his second goal in 34 appearances. St Neots then sent on their remaining permitted substitutes, and the game became almost pedestrian with the visiting side defending in numbers. Visiting keeper Ling produced the save of the match to deny Michael Amaeshike and the game ended with St Neots dominating possession but unable to add to their impressive goals tally.

St Neots Town: Goff, Francis, Culkin, Tavernier, Parker, George, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams Subs: Henderson (for Parker 57 mins), Obeng (for Williams 61 mins), Ankrah (for Barnes 61 mins), Jessop (for Furlong 66 mins), Sterling (for Thorpe 66 mins).

Cards: Tavernier (Y – 90 mins) Goals: Barnes 3 (32, 44 & 56 mins), Culkin (5 mins), Thorpe (28 mins), Williams (43 mins) Tavernier -pen- 60 mins) Great Yarmouth: Ling, Wenn, Abbs, Cork, Herbert, Adams, Halliday, Jacobs, Spooner (J), Spooner (L), Dagnino Subs: Sanders (for Spooner (L) 14 mins), Bailey (for Abbs 51 mins), Perry (for Herbert 51 mins), Baker (for Dagnino 51 mins), McNab (for Cork 57 mins).

Cards: Perry (RED – 60 mins), Herbert (Y – 11 mins) Goals: Baker (58 mins) Referee: Jacob Nunn Attendance: 298 (John Walker)

PLAYING RECORD DATE

OPPONENTS

COMP

RESULT

ATT:

1

2

3

4

5

02 Aug 09 Aug

GREAT YARMOUTH TOWN BELPER TOWN Corby Town

FAC NPL NPL

7-1

298

Goff

Francis

CULKIN

TAVERNIER

Parker

13 Aug

NPL

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Suite Hire Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/facility-hire to find out more......

THE REEDMANS SUITE HOLDS UP TO 80 PEOPLE AND IS PERFECT FOR SMALLER WEDDING RECEPTIONS AND PARTIES Suitable For: Smaller wedding venues / receptions & evening parties Smaller conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old Funeral wakes Event hire Music events Presentation events A modern bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drink We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu’s, Hog Roasts, Barbeques, Small dance floor perfect for any party or small wedding reception Comfy dining furniture configured to suit requirements.

This party venue can be dressed / decorated to suit the celebration.

Friendly and experienced St Neots staff Plenty of parking Very adaptable All our facilities are wheel chair accessible

For all enquiries and quotations please contact Louise on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk or call 07753222683 THE GREGORY SUITE HOLDS UP TO 200 PEOPLE AND IS PERFECT FOR WEDDINGS AND LARGE FUNCTIONS. FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED Suitable For: Wedding venues / receptions & evening parties Conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old Large funeral wakes Event hire Trade & Craft Fares etc Music events Presentation events A large, impressive bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drinks We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu’s, Hog Roasts, Barbeques.

Stage area for bands, disco, and productions A large roomy dance floor perfect for any wedding reception Comfy dining furniture configured to suit requirements This party venue can be dressed / decorated to suit the celebration Friendly and experienced St Neots staff Plenty of parking All our facilities are wheel chair accessible We do have a large projector in the Gregory Suite that can be used for corporate events.

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BLAST FROM THE PAST August 2016 - Frome Town (H)

An opening day home match nine seasons ago Southern League Premier Division ST NEOTS TOWN

3

FROME TOWN

2

For a first game of the season at St Neots this match had everything. A first minute goal, a last-minute goal, a red card and six yellows and early season league leaders Frome knocked from their perch.As those details suggest it was a feisty encounter and having led with half an hour left St Neots looked to have blown it when they conceded a second equalizer two minutes into added time.But to the crowds delight they hit back with the latest of winning goals. Without three key players in Tom Ward (suspended) Ryan Hawkins (injured) and Dubi Ogbonna (unavailable), St Neots made two team changes with Peter Clark returning in midfield and teenager Jordan Brown coming in for his first home start in the Southern League. Frome had made a great recovery late last season to finish strongly and avoid what had looked like certain relegation and with maximum points from their two first games they had started this season where they had left off in April. They will feel hard done by to have surrendered that good start but in the final analysis their reduction to ten men early in the second half may have proved pivotal. However, credit to St Neots who showed exactly what it means to keep going right up to the final whistle.

There was a really explosive start when Declan Rogers put St Neots ahead after just 29 seconds with visiting keeper Corey Harvey looking slow to get down to his 25 yards shot but the visitors roared back and three minutes later Peter Clark tripped Jon Davies who had burst past two defenders. The St Neots player was booked and had the referee judged the challenge deliberate rather than clumsy the punishment could have been greater.Frome maintained this early impetus with Darren Jefferies bringing a good save from Alex Archer and Mikey Bryant shooting wide when he had been left unmarked. The same player then headed over the bar after good work by Jefferies and Davies shot across the face of goal. The pressure paid off after 29 minutes when the speedy Jefferies was impeded by Dom Mason and the Referee pointed to the penalty spot. Jon Davies sent Archer the wrong way to level the scores – no less than Frome deserved at this stage of the match. St Neots late first half rally saw Taylor Parr head wide from a Rogers corner and James Hall denied by a good save from Harvey before seeing a second effort blocked.

BLAST FROM THE PAST August 2016 - Frome Town (H)

The second half (like the first) began dramatically with Jordan Brown being mugged by Jordan Walker who rightly received a straight red card. In the melee that followed Dom Mason was unlucky to booked as he tried to break up the warring factions but the match settled with Frome pulling off a striker to balance up their defence. Switched from a wide berth in the first half to play along James Hall, Brown looked lively and after 62 minutes he drifted wide to provide the cross from which Peter Clark netted to reinstate St Neots lead. Lively on the break Frome saw Alex Archer make two important saves blocking Davies effort after he had gone clear of the defence and then denying Jefferies with a smart take. Taylor Parr cleared another effort from Dan Cleverly off the line but St Neots looked generally in control with A Micky Hyem first touch shot blocked on the line, and Brown testing Harvey. With 90 minutes played it looked like a home victory but after two minutes’ time added Frome substitute Jake Jackson beat the home keeper with an angled shot. St Neots roared back and in the dying seconds a Brown shot was blocked and Declan Rogers followed up to claim his second goal of the match and all three points for his team.

St Neots: Archer, Mason, Jon Hall, McGeorge, Wood, Parr, Patrick, Clark, James Hall, Brown, Rogers Subs: Hyem (for James Hall 79 mins), Butt, Hobbs, Ogbonna and Donkin.

Cards: Clark (Y – 3), Parr (Y – 35), Mason (Y – 55), James Hall (Y – 74) Goals: Rogers 2 (29 secs and 90 + 4), Clark (62) Frome: Harvey, Miller, Walker, Mapstone, Roberts, Cleverley, Davies, Miller, Bryant, Page, Jefferies Subs: Green (for Bryant 58 mins), Jackson (for Page 70 mins), Difford, Moss and Teale.

Cards: Walker (RED – 55), Miller (Y – 65), Roberts (Y – 70) Goals: Davies (29 – pen), Jackson (90 + 2) Attendance: 251 Referee: Stephen Bates (St Albans) John Walker

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

The Saints Community Memorial Wall We would like to formally announce that the Saints Community Memorial Wall is now ready and opportunities for Supporters to remember their loved ones, who may have been Saints Supporters themselves, are now available.

The Wall is completely under cover and protected from the elements and the flowers/shrubbery are cared for and tended to on a daily basis by our dedicated grounds staff. We would like to thank Kite Utilities, Ballinger Construction and Oasis Promotions and Print for all their collective help in getting this project from an idea by Chairman Barry Cavilla to a quite splendid addition to our stadium.

Stainless steel wall plaques are now available for loving messages to be engraved in the following two options: 6” x 4” Stainless Steel Wall plaque – Lasered with black text (feels smooth to touch) Can come with 4 countersunk screws – or they can be without and glued Total cost £36.00 8” x 4” Stainless Steel Wall plaque – Lasered with black text (feels smooth to touch) Can come with 4 countersunk screws – or they can be without and glued Total cost £48.00 Any interested supporters should contact Chairman Barry Cavilla for further details via email on bcavilla77@gmail.com or in person at The Premier Plus Stadium on a matchday.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Seasons Past - With John Walker This Edition Focuses on Season 1978/79

This is the second in the series highlighting one of our final seasons at Shortsands to depict both the highs and the lows in the recent proud history of the Club.

This was the best season in the UCL in 15 seasons for goals scored even though the final league position of ninth in a competitive and historically strong group of clubs was not very impressive. Five of the sides ahead of St Neots went on to a higher level of football (Irthlingborough Diamonds, Rushden Town, Kempston Rovers, Rothwell Town and Stamford).

League:

UCL Premier Division

Final League position:

9th/19

League playing record:

P36 W16 D7 L13 F 59 A 51 pts 39 (two for win)

Cup playing record:

P12 W7 D0 L5

For 31 Against 21

We scored five goals in league matches at home against Stamford and Holbeach.

We recorded five league ‘doubles’.

The highlight of the league season were our two home FA Cup victories against higher graded sides Kings Lynn and Histon (both 1-0).

However, we surrendered the Hunts Senior Cup at home to Phorpres Sports losing 1-0 at home in the semi-final.

Leading scorer was Terry Minett (31 goals) followed by Carmino Picillo (12 goals).

The Manager was Jack Blyth in the final year of his third spell in charge.

John Walker

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Goldstraw Goldmiths St Neots Town Main Stand Sponsor

Goldstraw Goldsmiths Goldstraw Goldsmiths is an established, trusted, successful jewellery shop in the Cambridgeshire town of St Neots. At Goldstraws Goldsmiths we’ve been designing and caring for jewellery for over 30 years. We sell all styles of jewellery; new and antique. If you have a particular item in mind, we will always endeavour to source it. Two experienced goldsmiths work on the premises, offering quality craftsmanship with every newly created piece and repair. We take pride in our work and our customers tell us time and time again that wouldn’t go anywhere else. Why not come in and say hello we” be happy to help.

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Opponent Spotlight BELPER TOWN FC

Belper Town's unusual nickname, 'The Nailers', came about because the craft of nail making began In Belper in the middle-ages when it was the site of a hunting lodge for John of Gaunt. The huntsmen needed nails for the shoes of their horses and the trade in nails eventually grew.

Like the nail making industry, Belper Town FC has faded away in the past. Origi­nally formed in 1883, the Nailers went out of existence three times through lack of finance.

The main highlight in those early years was an FA Cup 1st Round tie against Sheffield Wednesday on 15th October 1887 in which the Nailers were narrowly defeated 2-3 by the Yorkshire giants.

The Club reformed again in 1951 and took up residence at the current ground at Christchurch Meadow. In those early days, there were very few amenities on the ground and for a number of seasons, players used to get changed at the Talbot Hotel, a few hundred yards from the ground.

The ground was purchased in 1986 from the owners of the adjacent mill complex, for the princely sum of £6,000 and has afforded the club the security of tenure over its facilities ever since.

Lying in an iconic setting, the club has made many improvements in recent seasons and is widely regarded as one of the most modern, picturesque and friendly stadiums in the country. The stadium capacity is currently 2,200.

On the playing side, the club joined the Central Alliance League on its reformation in 1951. In the early years, Belper Town enjoyed its record attendance when 3,600 fans turned up to see Belper play Ilkeston Town and regular four figure attendances were commonplace at Christchurch Meadow in those days.

Season 1958/59 was a turning point as the Nailers outshone wealthy Heanor Town and Ilkeston Town, their strongly backed neighbours, with 2,000+ gates to win the Central Alliance League championship and the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Three years later, they were invited to join the revamped Midland Counties League although three times the Club finished bottom of the League, the last time in 1978/79, when only the charitable overtures of member clubs at the League AGM saved Belper from comparative obscurity once again.

The following season, the Nailers responded to the challenge in magnificent style by winning the Midland Counties League championship and, just for good measure, the Derby­shire Senior Cup. The Midland Counties League merged with the Yorkshire League in 1982 to form the Northern Counties East League and the Nailers won the League Championship in 1984/85. The championship success that season coincided with the arrival of former Derby County and England striker, Kevin Hector.

Opponent Spotlight BELPER TOWN FC

However, lack of finance at that time held the Club back from taking up a place in the newly formed First Division of the Northern Premier League.

The club has enjoyed success in the FA Vase, reaching a semi-final appearance in which they lost 2-3 on aggregate to Oxford City, having won the first leg 1-0 at home, in front of nearly 2,000 spectators. Highlights that season included a 5-1 win at Falmouth Town (the longest distance ever travelled for a competitive match) and a 1-0 success at Metropolitan Police in the quarter final.

Having achieved the runners-up position in the Northern Counties League in 1996/97, the Club eventually took its place in the Northern Premier League some 12 years after the first opportunity had been spurned.

Initially the club did well in the NPL but then struggled in subsequent seasons. The late Ernie Moss and his assistant, Sean O’Neill, kept the club safely away from the relegation positions during their time in charge at Christchurch Meadow but the club did not really challenge for honours.

Ernie and Sean resigned their positions midway through the 2006/07 season, to be replaced by goalkeeper, Andy Carney and club captain, Danny Hudson. The joint managers did more than enough though to secure the managerial reins on a permanent basis and enjoyed consistently successful results in the League during their time in charge.

The new managerial team achieved their first piece of silverware in 2008 by winning the Derbyshire Senior Cup with a 4-3 aggregate victory over neighbours, Alfreton Town In 2008/09, the Nailers finished the league campaign in second place, having secured 81 points and equalling their record points score of 1984/85 when the club won the Northern Counties East League championship. A heartbreaking home defeat in the play-off final against Stocksbridge Park Steels was a bitter pill to swallow.

But the Nailers went close again the following season before just missing out for a play-off position by finishing in sixth position. They did capture the League President’s Cup with a 3-1 victory over Stamford.

The end of the season saw the resignation of manager Andy Carney after a six-year stint at the club and the appointment of former West Ham and England International defender, Tommy Taylor, as the club’s new manager. Early season expectations failed to materialise and Taylor resigned his position after just nine games in charge, leaving the Nailers with only two wins to their credit.

Opponent Spotlight BELPER TOWN FC

The Belper board acted quickly to appoint former Retford United manager, Peter Duffield into the hot seat, supported by Mick Godber as his assistant. Results in their first season at Christchurch Meadow were quite remarkable with the team winning 44 points out of possible 48 in the final run-in to the campaign, but the club just missed out on the play-offs by a single goal difference.

Despite a poor start to the 2012/13 season and lying in bottom place in mid-October, the Nailers embarked on a 25-match unbeaten league sequence that saw them gain an automatic play-off position. But heartbreak was to repeat itself at the end of the season when a home defeat against eventual promotion club Stamford in the first play-off match, consigned the Nailers to another season in the First Division.

The club finally made it into the NPL Premier Division at the end of a hard fought 2013/14 League campaign in which they finished the regular season in fourth place. A 2-0 semi-final play-off win at Leek Town set up a home tie against Derbyshire rivals Mickleover Sports and a 10 success in that final game earned the Nailers the promotion they had been craving after 17 seasons in the League’s lower tier.

But the 2014/15 season proved to be a major disappointment as Peter Duffield and Mick Godber resigned after a winless opening 10 games.

Arriving in the hot seat was former Grantham Town manager Jimmy Albans and he was joined by his former assistant, Wayne Hallcro, later in the season but despite an encourage spell of late season form and results, the damage had been done and the club lost its place in the NPL Premier Division at the end of the campaign.

Season 2015/16 saw a continued decline in playing fortunes and Albans and Hallcro were relieved of their duties in September 2015 after a dismal start to the season, to be replaced by former Derby County and Notts County defender Charlie Palmer and his assistant, Lee Barrow The new management team steadied the ship, securing a comfortable mid-table finish and an appearance in the Derbyshire Senior Cup final against Alfreton Town, which ended with an undeserved defeat on penalties.

Another mid-table finish was secured in 2016/17 but Palmer decided to end his ties with the club and former Belper player, Anthony Danylyk and Paul Donnelly took over the managerial reins, having earned their positions through their managerial exploits at Leek Town the previous season.

Opponent Spotlight BELPER TOWN FC

The pair decided to cut their ties with the club in December and former Burton Albion legend, Aaron Webster was appointed to the Nailers hot seat, assisted by ex-League professional, Lee Williamson. Their tenure started brightly enough but ended with a disappointing conclusion to the League campaign with six straight defeats, after which they were both relieved of their posts.

Following into the Nailers management roles came Grant Black, who was assisted by former fans’ favourite Mick Norbury. Prior to taking the reins at the Belper Town, Grant had been manager at Ossett Town and led the club away from the relegation zone and into the play-off final, all in the space of 16 months. Building a squad from scratch, Grant and Mick masterminded a superb turnaround in form, with the team finishing a creditable ninth place at the end of the 2018/19 season. The Nailers continued to build on their upturn in fortunes and when the 2019/20 season was brought to a premature curtailment in March 2020.

The Nailers were in a healthy position in the play-off places and were looking forward to a Derbyshire Senior Cup Final at Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium. Promotion ambitions and cup success were cruelly denied when the season was declared null and void. But, the undoubted highlight of the season was a great Emirates FA Cup run that ended in the 4th Qualifying Round with a 2-1 defeat at Notts County in front of 5,729 fans, including 1,800 from Belper. It was certainly a day to remember for Nailers’ supporters Then, the further lockdown in October 2020 brought another season to a shuddering halt with the club in a promising league position again. When football recommenced in earnest for the 2021/22 season, hopes were high for another successful campaign and following a encouraging league season, a play-off berth was confirmed after a dramatic late winning goal at Loughborough Dynamo.

What followed, were two sensational performances to win 2-1 in the first play-off match at Stamford (this despite conceding 10 goals by the Lincolnshire club in the two league encounters) and then a 1-0 success at Chasetown to finally secure Premier Division status, eight years after their previous success.

The Nailers found life in the Premier Division much harder that they expected and were never really out of the relegation places throughout the campaign. Despite the occasional bright spot, the club suffered too many narrow defeats and matters came to a head when Grant Black resigned his position in January 2023.

The club immediately appointed former Corby Town manager, Lee Attenborough and assistant Matt Wain, for the remainder of the season but the damage was already done and the club eventually succumbed to relegation once again.

Lee and Matt completely revamped the playing squad in 2023 assembling a mixture of experienced players and emerging talent which brought them a sixth placed finish, after the season tailed off in the latter stages through injury and suspensions.

And it has been a similar story in the 2024 close season as only six players remained from the previous season’s squad. The management team have created a new group that they feel can go one stage further and capture one those elusive promotion places.

PLAYER PROFILES BELPER TOWN FC

Management Staff Lee Attenborough Lee is a dynamic young manager who was appointed in December 2022 following Steve Kittrick’s departure from the club. Lee was recruited from Corby Town, where he had led the Steelman to a play-off position but decided on the move to the Raygar Stadium, opting for the challenge of keeping the Nailers in the Premier Division. Before that, Lee took charge of Loughborough Dynamo as one of the youngest managers in the Northern Premier League and also has managerial experience at Sileby and Ashby Ivanhoe. As a player, he made appearances for Coalville Town, Shepshed Dynamo and Loughborough before he was forced into retirement through a cycling accident.

Matt Wain Matt was Lee Attenborough’s assistant manager and performance coach at Corby Town and continued their partnership with a joint move to the Raygar Stadium. Holding a UEFA B licence, Matt is responsible for planning training sessions, handling and working on performance data, and developing fitness plans for the players.

Goalkeepers Harvey Adams Goalkeeper Harvey joined the Nailers from local side Holbrook St. Michaels. Earlier in his career he was on the books at Burton Albion and Port Vale.

Kieran Preston Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Northern Premier League, former Scotland U21 international KP started out at Derby County before a spell with Bristol Rovers. Following his release from the Pirates, he moved to Grantham Town, from whom he signed for Basford United in July 2018, where he spent six productive years and was voted Supporter’s and Manager’s Player of the Season last term after another solid season between the sticks. After a great career at Greenwich Avenue, he was signed by the Nailers in September 2024.

Defenders Jack Broadhead Jack joined in the close season ahead of the 2024/25 campaign from NPL Premier Division side Worksop Town. He made over 100 appearances for the Tigers, helping them to the Division One East title in 2023 as well as finishing in the playoffs on their return to Step 3. A vastly experienced centre half, 29-year-old Jack also counts Chesterfield, Mickleover, Boston United, AFC Mansfield and Grantham Town among his former clubs. Jack was presented with the captain’s armband ahead of his first season at the Raygar Stadium and picked up the Managers Player of the Season award.

PLAYER PROFILES BELPER TOWN FC

Ioan Evans A strong and commanding centre half, Ioan joins the Nailers from local rivals Matlock Town where he spent three seasons. The 26-year-old started his career in the Newport County Academy and represented Wales at U17 and U19 levels. He earned a move to Sheffield United, from where he embarked on a loan spell at Boston United before his release. He moved on to Gainsborough Trinity, Tadcaster Albion and Stalybridge Celtic before joining the Gladiators in September 2021. Ioan formed a solid central defensive partnership with fellow new signing Jack Broadhead in his debut season and collected the Players Player of the Season award.

Louis Keenan Louis returned to the Nailers in November 2024, having previously played at Belper during the 2015/16 campaign. A solid and dependable left-sided defender, he links up again with manager Lee Attenborough having played under him at Loughborough Dynamo. He enjoyed success at Leek Town, winning the NPL West division and appearing in the Team of the Season twice. Most recently he was at Hanley Town.

Ben Rhodes Ben is an attacking right back who joined the club from Worksop Town in summer 2020. His adaptability made him a key addition to the Nailers squad last season, particularly as he is able to play anywhere across the back four. With a great attitude, Ben has really made his presence felt at the Raygar Stadium. He has also played at Stocksbridge Park Steels from where he had a dual registration spell with Penistone Church. Ben won the Manager’s Player of the Season award in 2022/23 and Supporters Player of the Season in 2024/25 and has been a consistent high-level performer for the club.

Tommaso Zerboni Left sided player Tommaso caught the eye of manager Lee Attenborough playing against the Nailers on Boxing Day 2024, and his services were secured just ahead of deadline day later in the season.

Midfielders Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi Powerful forward Kingsley joined the Nailers from Kidsgrove Athletic in the Summer of 2025. He had impressed manager Lee Attenborough the previous season, scoring 18 goals while playing mainly as a winger and putting in a star performance in our FA Trophy encounter early in the 24/25 season. He adds pace, trickery and a goal threat to the Belper squad and also boasts a 60 goal season at Silverdale Athletic as well as spells at Widnes FC and Newcastle Town on his CV.

PLAYER PROFILES BELPER TOWN FC

Keaton August 25-year-old pacy winger Keaton bagged 10 goals in the 23/24 season for Heanor Town, catching the eye of Lee Attenborough and earning a move to the Raygar Stadium during the Summer of 2024. He signed for Heanor in September 2023, having spent a brief spell at Anstey Nomads.

Prior to that he represented Ascot United and helped them lift the FA Vase at Wembley in 2023.

Keaton has also represented Windsor FC, Aylesbury United, Walton Casuals and Chalfont St Peter. Born in South Africa and moving to New Zealand at the age of one, Keaton had trials with the Kiwis U17 team as well as at West Ham and Brentford. After a brief spell back at Heanor then on to Belper United, he returned to the Raygar Stadium for the 25/26 season.

Lewis Austin Lewis is a product of the successful Belper Town Academy where his impressive displays have earned him a place in the first team squad. He made his debut for the first team as a substitute in the Derbyshire Senior Cup against Ashbourne Town and scored within minutes of his arrival onto the pitch. In his first NPL League start against Ashington in March 2024, Lewis put in a Man of the Match performance after an assured display.

With composure and accuracy on the ball a trademark of his midfield prowess, Lewis has an outstanding football career ahead of him. After featuring mainly as a substitute, the second half of the 24/25 season saw Lewis cement his place as a regular starter for the Nailers.

Curtis Burrows Born in Nottingham, Curtis began his career in the Colts team at Burton Albion before gaining a scholarship with Ilkeston FC. He graduated from the Robins’ Under-21s and reserves to make his first team debut against Whitby Town in April 2013. In December 2015 Curtis began a loan spell at Grantham before leaving Ilkeston permanently to join Coalville Town. He then moved to Loughborough Dynamo in March 2019 and scored 28 goals in 83 appearances for them before arriving at Corby Town in July 2022. He subsequently followed manager Lee Attenborough to the Raygar Stadium in February 2023. His excellent performance in midfield saw him awarded the Supporters’ Player of the Season in 2023/24.

Micah Edwards Versatile defender/midfielder Micah joined the Nailers from Step 3 side Barwell in the Summer of 2025, having made 130 appearances there over five seasons. He had impressed Nailers manager Lee Attenborough with his performances over a number of years having originally come through the Academy at Derby County. Spells at Ilkeston Town, Gresley and Rugby Town also sit on his CV prior to signing for Belper.

Brad Munns Central midfielder Brad joined the Nailers just before deadline day towards the end of the 2024/25 season. He is known for his energy, getting from box to box and contributing goals.

PLAYER PROFILES BELPER TOWN FC

Jonathan Wafula Kenya-born versatile midfielder Jonathan joined the Nailers from Ilkeston in February 2025. He had previously played for Guiseley, Boston, Matlock and Gainsborough with the majority of his career at Step 2 and 3. The 30 year old can operate through the middle or wide and has an eye for goal.

Forwards Kevin Bastos Kevin is one of the most exciting players in the league after scoring 16 goals and grabbing 17 assists for Loughborough Dynamo last season, having joined the ‘Moes’ in summer 2021 from Tamworth. His exploits captured the attention of Basford United who paid a substantial figure for his services last season. Prior to his spell at Loughborough, Kevin played at Spalding United and before that at Ilkeston Town and Grantham. He decided to follow former manager, Lee Attenborough to Belper, signing in June 2023. After pursuing a full time opportunity in Kosovo, Kevin returned to the UK and joined re-joined Basford before joining up with the Nailers again in January 2025.

Harry Draper 24-year-old striker Harry signed for the Nailers having spent his career to date playing around the south of England. Starting out at Stevenage, he had spells at Hitchin Town and Royston Town before joining Biggleswade Town. It was here that he enjoyed great success in the 23-24 season, netting a goal every other game to help the Waders to promotion and earning a place in the Southern League Division One Central team of the year.

Belper fought off competition from several other sides to bring Harry to the Raygar Stadium when he became available. He bagged 24 goals in his debut season at the Raygar Stadium before seeing it curtailed due to injury.

James Tague James started his career at the Derby County Academy and also earned a scholarship contract at Mansfield Town. He spent the bulk of the 2019/20 season at Matlock Town under Steve Kittrick and broke into the first team at the beginning of 2020, impressing with goals from the middle of the park and his ability to drive into the box. He moved to Gainsborough Trinity in March 2020 but after a short stay opted to sign a two-year deal at Basford United having impressed boss Steve Chettle whilst playing for Matlock. Following the expiry of his contract, James moved on to Loughborough Dynamo at the start of the 2022/23 season but decided on a move to Belper in January 2023, where his goal scoring ability was evident. After spells at Sutton Coldfield Town and Anstey Nomads he returned to the Raygar Stadium in the Summer of 2025.

ANDYSMANCLUB WHAT IS ANDYSMANCLUB?

WHEN IS IT?

ANDYSMANCLUB is a free peer-to-peer group that provides a place for men to come together in a safe and open environment to talk about the issues or problems that they have faced or are currently facing.

ANDYSMANCLUB meet every Monday at 7pm (excluding Bank Holiday Mondays).

HOW DOES IT WORK? The process is about bringing men together who have been in similar situations, to help each other on a peer to peer basis, sharing how they have dealt with various situations through lived experiences. No matter how big or small your problem feels, we are here to support each other. The 5 questions that are asked each week are designed not only to encourage men to talk, but to start to focus on the positives and on strategies to keep moving forward. There is no pressure to answer any of the questions and it is not uncommon for men to just listen for the first few sessions. The clubs all run on the same format and adhere to the same guidelines. A key principle of ANDYSMANCLUB is anything that is said in the club, stayswithinthe club.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Theclub is open toany man 18 or over, who is going through a storm, been through a storm or just wants to meet a good group of people with the aim of improving one another.

WHERE IS IT?

ANDYSMANCLUB has clubs in many locations across the UK. Check our website below for a full list.

HOW DO I JOIN?

Just turnup on the night.

No registration or referral is required, all we ask is that you arrive before 7pm.

The full list of our locations is available on our website.

CONTACT US @andysmanclub @andysmanclubuk

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@andysmanclubuk

info@andysmanclub.co.uk

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Manager - Cameron Mawer Coach - Alex Minall GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Chris Horgan

Manager – Lee Attenborough Manager – Matt Wain KitMan - Keith Mackie

Squad List

Squad List

James Goff (GK) Robbie Parker (C) Murphy Culkin Charlie Bowen Harvey Henderson Christian Tavernier Michael Amaeshike Andrian Ankrah Sam Willis Kieran Barnes Rhys Thorpe Connor Furlong Harvey Williams Jessi Obeng Robbie Sutherland Brandon Jessop Josh Francis Romell Stirling

Harvey Adams Lewis Austin Jack Broadhead Curtis Burrows Harry Draper Ioan Evans James Tague Bradley Munns Louis Keenan Micah Edwards Ben Rhodes Kieran Preston Keaton August Tommaso Zerboni Kevin Bastos Kingsley Adu Gyamfi Jonathan Wafula

Light Blue Shirts Navy Shorts light Blue Socks

Amber Shirts Amber Shorts Amber Socks

Referee Aimee Kier Assistant 1 Michael Dunkley Assistant 2 Ryan Andrews Next Home Match....

RUGBY BOROUGH tuesday 19th August - 7.45pm Northern Premier League Midland Division