Boston United F.C.: Difference between revisions
m →Current squad: tom evans northern ireland flag |
added link |
||
| Line 87: | Line 87: | ||
{{Fs player|no=-|nat=England|name=Danny Davidson|pos=FW}} |
{{Fs player|no=-|nat=England|name=Danny Davidson|pos=FW}} |
||
{{Fs player|no=-|nat=England|name=[[Marc Newsham]]|pos=FW}} |
{{Fs player|no=-|nat=England|name=[[Marc Newsham]]|pos=FW}} |
||
{{Fs player|no=-|nat=Spain|name=Mikel Suarez|pos=FW}} |
{{Fs player|no=-|nat=Spain|name=[[Mikel Suarez]]|pos=FW}} |
||
{{Fs player|no=-|nat=England|name=[[Spencer Weir-Daley]]|pos=FW}} |
{{Fs player|no=-|nat=England|name=[[Spencer Weir-Daley]]|pos=FW}} |
||
{{Fs end}} |
{{Fs end}} |
||
Revision as of 12:35, 4 January 2010
| File:Boston Utd Badge.png | |||
| Full name | Boston United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Pilgrims, The Friars | ||
| Founded | 1933 | ||
| Ground | York Street, Boston | ||
| Capacity | 6,643 (5,711 seated) | ||
| Chairman |  David Newton | ||
| Managers | Paul Hurst Rob Scott | ||
| League | Northern Premier League Premier Division | ||
| 2008–09 | Northern Premier League Premier Division, 1st | ||
|
| |||
Boston United Football Club are a football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They are members of the Northern Premier League after being demoted for financial reasons. They are currently managed by Rob Scott and Paul Hurst who were appointed on 14 May 2009 as successors to Steve Welsh. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's crest, a ship, is also a reference to them. The club's traditional colours are amber and black. Boston's neighbours include Lincoln City, Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town, Grantham Town and Kettering Town. The club is one of only 12 in the country to run a Centre of Excellence, provides a Study Support Centre and is also the basis of the 'Boston United Football in the Community Scheme'.
History
The club was founded in 1933 as a successor to a club called Boston. Their first game was a 3-1 defeat at home to Grimsby Reserves on 26 August 1933, when a crowd of 1,544 watched Boston's no.7, Blessed, score United's first ever goal. They then had a moderate amount of success in various leagues, including the Midland League and Southern League.
On 7 January 1956 Boston played Tottenham Hotspur in the 3rd round of the FA Cup in front of their largest ever crowd, 46,185, at White Hart Lane. The Pilgrims lost 4-0, but the match was more notable for the travelling support. Over 10,000 Boston supporters attended the game. A special train line from Boston to King's Cross was set up for the day.
They were founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968, of which they were champions four times, and of the Alliance Premier League (now the Football Conference) in 1979. However, their Northern Premier League title wins were not enough to gain them election to the Football League, and when they won the title in 1978 they surprisingly missed out on league status in favour of runners-up Wigan Athletic, who took the Football League place previously held by Southport.
In 1985 Boston United went to Wembley for the first and only time in their history for the FA Trophy Final of the 1984/85 season, after Bob Lee scored a winning last minute goal in the 2nd leg of the semi-final against Altrincham at York Street to put the Pilgrims through. Boston lost 2-1 to Wealdstone in front of 20,775, with Chris Cook scoring United's only goal.
Boston United finished third in the Conference in 1988/9, but were unable to build on this and were relegated to the NPL in 1993. They were transferred to the Southern League, winning the title in 2000, and went fully professional in 2001. In their first season as a professional club, Boston won the Conference and were promoted to the Football League.
However, in the wake of their promotion, Boston's manager, Steve Evans, and former chairman, Pat Malkinson, were charged with breaking the Football Association's rules over the registration of players. Both men received bans from the FA, and the club were fined and docked four points from their first season in the League. This angered some, especially the Conference runners up Dagenham & Redbridge, who believed that any points deduction should have applied to the previous season, which would have meant Dagenham being promoted instead. After their promotion to the Football League, Boston never really looked like challenging for promotion to the third tier of the league and most of their time from 2002 was spent in mid-table, with occasional flirts with relegation and the play-offs.
In May 2007 Boston were relegated from Football League Two on the last day of the season. Steve Evans and his assistant Paul Raynor on May 27 resigned from the club, and two days later joined Crawley Town.[1]
Because of the relegation Boston were originally scheduled to play the 2007/8 season in the Conference National but this position was immediately placed in doubt after the club's chairman Jim Rodwell entered Boston into a Company Voluntary Arrangement late in their last game so that 10 points would then be deducted in the 2006/7 season instead of the 2007/8 season.[2] Although this meant that Boston started the 2007/8 season without a points penalty FA rules dictated that they be demoted 2 divisions as a result of HM Revenue & Customs placing a restriction into the CVA of Boston not being allowed to pay football creditors 100% of what they were owed. They therefore played the 2007/8 season in the Conference North division, two steps below the Football League. This would be United's first season under the new ownership of David Newton and Neil Kempster, who took control of the club over from ex-Chairman Jim Rodwell.
Despite finishing the 2007/8 campaign in 10th place under the guidance of Tommy Taylor, United were still in administration by the 2nd Saturday of May in 2008. This meant they were relegated again to the Unibond League Premier Division for the forthcoming 08/09 season. Despite coming out of administration just before the start of the new season anyway, Boston United failed to have this decision overturned. Another result of this was that they would also have to enter the FA Cup in the 1st qualifying round, something which they hadn't done for many years. They reached the final of the Lincs Senior Shield but were swept aside by Stamford 4-1,and finished the league campaign in 16th position.
Stadium
Boston United play at York Street, currently styled as The Jakemans Stadium through a sponsorship deal. There are four sides to the stadium, the Staffsmart Stand, Benton Brothers York Street Stand, Spayne Road Terrace and the old away end — now known as Jakemans and turned into a home stand. The away fans now sit in a section of the York Street Stand.
Former club chairman Jon Sotnick claimed it was not up to Football League standards and called for a new ground during the Pilgrims' time in the Football League.[citation needed] Planning applications were made to Boston Borough Council in June 2006, but the council turned down the application. The ground has a total capacity of 6,643.
Financial situation
On the 4th of December 2006 Boston's plan to relocate to a new stadium on The Broadsides was unanimously rejected by Boston Borough Council. This plunged the club's future into serious doubt. Chairman James Rodwell said the club's future was "Hanging in the balance" as York Street did not have the facilities to allow the club to operate at a profit, and a ground move was required to wipe out the club's debts. Rodwell confirmed that he would be meeting with shareholders over the next couple of days to determine the best course of action, but did admit that the club’s future was ultimately now in the hands of the Inland Revenue, who were owed a sizable six-figure sum by the club.
In a statement he released to the club's official website on the 5th of December he said: "The club’s financial situation at the present moment is dire. I would urge all supporters and anybody interested in the future of the football club, be that investors or potential purchasers, to come forward immediately".
In November 2006 Boston manager Steve Evans and his former chairman Pat Malkinson pleaded guilty to "conspiring to cheat the public revenue between 1997 and 2002". Both were given suspended jail sentences.
In May 2007, Boston entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement towards the end of their last game of the season when they knew they would be relegated to the Conference.[2] This allowed them to avoid a points deduction in the next season,[3] but has proved a controversial move.[2]
On the 10 June 2007 the Football Conference's annual general meeting voted in favour of demoting Boston United to the Conference North, stating that the terms of the Company Voluntary Agreement which Boston entered was behind the decision. Altrincham were subsequently spared relegation for the second season running. Chief Executive John Moules released this statement:
"Because Boston United are in breach of certain rules, it was felt Blue Square North was the best place for them. The Inland Revenue put a caveat on that CVA that Boston could not pay football creditors. That breaks Football Association, Football League and Football Conference rules and regulations. We're giving Boston the opportunity to re-establish themselves as a leading club outside the Football League. They believe the decision we have made is fair and just, and they are not going to appeal. We had meetings all day on Friday with Boston United and then informed Altrincham that they were staying up."
On 4 July 2007, Chestnut Homes, a local housing development company, announced that they had acquired Boston United FC.[4]
In a statement at a press conference the new Chairman David Newton said: "...we are happy to sit here today and make certain pledges to the loyal supporters of the club. While we are involved in the club, the club will be whiter than white. While we are here, everyone will be paid. We will be prudent in the management of the club's finances. We will strive for excellence on and off the pitch. As finances permit, we will develop the youth side of the club, and if managed well that should pay dividends in the medium to long term for the club. Above all, we will try to rebuild the reputation of this football club."[5]
During the summer of 2007 Boston lost their entire squad but for Stewart Talbot and Paul Ellender, and new manager Tommy Taylor had to start from scratch. They eventually finished mid-table, but taking everything into consideration it was not a bad season. However, at the end of the season it was announced Boston would be expelled from the Conference league structure after they failed to exit administration by the 10 May deadline. The Conference is the only league in the world to have this appendix, which is not as such a rule, but only a guideline to be used at the League's discretion. The Pilgrims came out of administration before the end of the summer.
Players
- As of 26 July 2009.
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Notable Former Players
Below is a list of notable former players in chronological order of their last appearance for the club.
- Steve Melton :Featured for Nottingham Forest amongst others
- Paul Ellender :Captained the side for a long period of time at four different levels of football
- Tony Crane :Centre back who featured for Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby Town
- Mark Greaves :Former Hull City right back
- Francis Green :Played for Peterborough United and Lincoln City
- Ernie Cooksey :Former Oldham Athletic midfielder. Died in July 2008
- Anthony Elding :Lower league journeyman who went on to move to Stockport County and Leeds United Now at Lincoln City
- Julian Joachim :Former Premiership forward with outings for Aston Villa and Coventry City amongst others
- David Noble :Former Arsenal Trainee Played for Bristol City in 2007/08 Championship Play-Off final against Hull City.
- Ben Futcher :Famed mainly with local rivals Lincoln City
- Noel Whelan :Former Premiership striker who played for Middlesbrough and Leeds United amongst others.
- Zema Abbey :Played Championship football for Norwich City
- Paul Gascoigne :England International who played for Tottenham Hotspur amongst others
- Paul Bastock :Played for the club at four different levels
- David Norris :Famed at playing for Plymouth Argyle
- David Riley :Former Nottingham Forest and Port Vale player
- Chris Cook :A striker who scored Boston's only ever goal at Wembley
- Howard Wilkinson :Former Leeds United Manager who had a brief spell in the England job
- Jim Smith :Former manager of Derby County
Managerial history
Below is a list of Boston United managers in chronological order:[6]
| Dates | Manager |
|---|---|
| 1934–1935 | Jimmy Cringan |
| 1935–1936 | Willie Vaughton |
| 1936–1937 | Arthur Greaves |
| 1937–1939 | Fred Tunstall |
| 1945–1947 | Fred Tunstall |
| 1948–1949 | Jimmy McGraham |
| 1950–1952 | Jimmy Ithell |
| 1952–1954 | Fred Tunstall |
| 1954–1957 | Ray Middleton |
| 1957–1960 | Ray King |
| 1960–1961 | Ray Middleton |
| 1961–1964 | Paul Todd |
| 1964–1965 | Fred Tunstall |
| 1965–1969 | Don Donovan |
| 1969–1972 | Jim Smith |
| 1972–1975 | Keith Jobling |
| 1975–1976 | Howard Wilkinson |
| 1976–1977 | Freddie Taylor & Gordon Bolland (joint) |
| 1977–1979 | Mick Walker |
| 1979–1981 | Albert Phelan |
| 1981–1984 | John Froggatt |
| 1984–1986 | Arthur Mann |
| 1986–1987 | Ray O'Brien |
| 1987–1990 | George Kerr |
| 1990–1992 | Dave Cusack |
| 1992–1994 | Peter Morris |
| 1994–1996 | Mel Sterland |
| 1996–1998 | Greg Fee |
| 1998–2002 | Steve Evans |
| 2002–2004 | Neil Thompson |
| 2004 | James Rodwell (caretaker) |
| 2004–2007 | Steve Evans |
| 2007–2008 | Tommy Taylor |
| 2008–2009 | Steve Welsh |
| 2009– | Rob Scott and Paul Hurst |
Honours
- Conference champions: 2001-02.
- Southern League champions: 1999-2000.
- Northern Premier League champions: 1972-73, 1973-74, 1976-77, 1977-78.
- Northern Premier League Cup winners: 1973-74, 1975-76.
- Northern Premier League Challenge Shield winners: 1973-74, 1974-75, 1976-77, 1977-78.
- Lincolnshire Senior Cup winners: 1934-35, 1936-37, 1937-38, 1945-46, 1949-50, 1954-55, 1955-56, 1956-57, 1959-60, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1985-86, 1987-88, 1988-89, 2005-06.
- Non-League Champions of Champions Cup winners: 1972-73, 1976-77.
- East Anglian Cup winners: 1960-61.
- Central Alliance League champions: 1961-62.
- United Counties League champions: 1965-66.
- West Midlands League champions: 1966-1967, 1967-68.
- Eastern Professional Floodlit Cup winners: 1971-72.
- FA Trophy runners-up: 1984-85.
- Southern League runners-up: 1998-1999.
- Northern Premier League runners-up: 1995-96, 1997-98.
- Northern Premier League runners-up: 1996-97.
Records
Club Records
Highest attendance
- FA Cup 3rd Round replay - 11,000 vs Derby County (9 January 1974)
Biggest FA Cup Win
- FA Cup Preliminary Round - 10-0 vs Bilsthorpe Colliery (18 September 1937)
Club Football League Records
- Biggest win - 6-0 vs Shrewsbury Town (21 December 2002)
- Heaviest defeat - 0–6 vs Grimsby Town (3 February 2007)
- First club to start on less than 0 points.
National Records
Biggest FA Cup away win for a non-league side against League opponents:
- FA Cup 3rd Round - 1-6 vs Derby County (10 December 1955)
References
- ^ "Evans & Raynor leave Boston roles". BBC Sport. 27 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ a b c "Boston await news on League fate". BBC Sport. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-07. Cite error: The named reference "Conference" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "League confirm Boston deduction". BBC Sport. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ "Boston United and Chestnut Homes - The Details So Far". Boston-United.com. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
- ^ "Chestnut Homes Take Over Boston United - Press Conference in Full". bufc.co.uk. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ^ "Evans signs off in second place". Boston United official website. 27 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-28.