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Boston United Squad 2006/2007


Management and Support Staff

JOHN BLACKWELL General Manager

Born: Kirton
Now lives: Boston

John Blackwell
John Blackwell has been involved with the club for many years, helping with the coaching and running the reserve team in the seventies, as Club Secretary from 1978 onwards and as General Manager since 1998. He has even been on the substitute's bench three time for the Pilgrims. He was a member of the Vauxhall Conference Management Committee for nine years and the Unibond League Management Commitee for five years. As a youngster he started off as a goalkeeper with Tower Road School and Kitwood Boys School. He played in successive Pitcher Cup final victories for Kitwood, the first as a keeper against George Farmer, the second as a striker against Sleaford. His prowess at junior level won him a trial with Peterborough United, but he decided to play locally, first with Boston Athletic, then Real Towell. His biggest disappointment is that he was not good enough to play football at a top level. The match he most remembers is the FA Trophy semi-final against Altrincham at York Street back in 1985. In his leisure time he enjoys watching sport on TV, reading the Saturday evening football papers and being with his family.


Steve Evans STEVE EVANS b. 30/10/1962 Manager

Born: Glasgow
Previous clubs: Bolton Wanderers, Clyde, St. Johnstone and Ayr United as a player and Holbeach United and Stamford A.F.C as manager.

Appointed manager in October 98, following the resignation of Greg Fee. Previously manager of Dr. Martens Midland Division side Stamford AFC, where he enjoyed huge success, bringing them the United Counties League Title in both 96/7 and 97/8 and promotion to the Dr. Martens League.

Hailing from Scotland, he began his playing career with Bolton Wanderers, but he soon moved back north of the border to play for Clyde, Ayr United and then St. Johnstone. He was forced to give up playing football at the age of twenty eight, by a cruciate knee-ligament injury. His dramatic impact on United's fortunes in transforming them from relegation candidates to title challengers and ultimately the runners-up spot in his first season, then the league title in his second season, has made him a cult hero with the fans on the terraces.

He resigned in September 2002 after being suspended by the club after charges were brought against him by the FA. He was subsequently banned from football for twenty months and fined £8000 by the FA after being found guilty of charges of contractual irregularities and of trying to bribe witnesses to mislead and hinder the FA inquiry.

He was reappointed as Boston manager following the takeover of the club by new owner Jon Sotnick in February 2004.


JIM RODWELL b. 20/11/1970 Style consultant

Born: Lincoln
Previous clubs: Boston FC, Halesowen, Dagenham & Redbridge, Rushden & Diamonds, Farnborough Town, Aldershot Town.

Jim Rodwell
Jim Rodwell was appointed caretaker manager when Neil Thompson left the club. Following the subsequent reappointment of Steve Evans as team manager, Jim was given the job of "Director of Football". Jim Rodwell had originally joined Boston United on a free transfer from Rushden & Diamonds in February 2002. He had been with the Diamonds since May 1996 and had made 84 appearances for them, scoring four goals. He also appeared on the TV show "Britain's Brainiest Footballer", finishing third. He was part of the Boston United squad that won the Conference title in 2002, but he left to join Farnborough Town soon after Boston took their place in the Football League. He later played a few games for Aldershot Town. He became club chairman when Jon Sonick left to become Chief Executive at Darlington.


Playing Staff


Andy Marriott ANDY MARRIOTT b. 11/10/1970 Goalkeeper

Squad No: 1
Born: Sutton-in-Ashfield
Previous clubs: Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion, Blackburn Rovers, Colchester United, Burnley, Wrexham, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic, Barnsley, Birmingham City, Coventry City, Bury and Torquay United.

Andy Marriott arrived at Boston United in the summer of 2006 after turning down a new contract with Torquay United. He began his footballing career as a trainee with Arsenal back in 1988 before joining Nottingham Forest for £50,000. Since then he has played for a host of other clubs including Wrexham, Barnsley and Bury. He has also turned out five times for Wales in the late 1990s whilst with Wrexham.


Lee Canoville LEE CANOVILLE b. 14/3/1981 Defender

Squad No: 2
Born: Ealing
Previous clubs: Millwall, Arsenal, Northampton Town, Torquay United.

Boston United signed up Lee Canoville on a two year contract in June 2005 after he was released by Torquay United. He began his footballing career as a trainee with Millwall. He then joined Arsenal in 1997, making a single appearance from the substitutes' bench before moving on to Northampton Town. He had four seasons with Torquay, seeing them both promoted to Division Two in 2004 and relegated back to Coca Cola League Two in 2005.


TIM RYAN b. 10/12/1974 Defender

Squad No: 3
Born: Stockport
Previous clubs: Scunthorpe United, Buxton, Altrincham, Southport, Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United.

Tim Ryan
Experienced defender Tim Ryan joined Boston United in the summer of 2006 from local rivals Peterborough United. He had previously visited York Street back in May 2004 when he played in the Doncaster Rovers side that clinched the Division Three title that season with a 0-0 draw.


Paul Ellender PAUL ELLENDER b. 21/10/1974 Defender

Squad No: 4
Born: Scunthorpe
Previous clubs: Scunthorpe United, Gainsborough Trinity, Altrincham, Scarborough.

A central defender who was Boston United's record signing when he joined the club from Scarborough one day before the start of the 2001/2 season. He joined Scunthorpe United on leaving school but was released at the end of the 93/4 season. He was snapped up by Gainsborough Trinity where he was a great success. Moves to Altrincham and Scarborough followed, and at each club he has played at he has become an instant hero with the fans for his commanding displays. He has shown great versatility since joining Boston, playing in defence, midfield and even as an emergency striker. He had a loan spell with Chester in February 2006, but was recalled early following injuries in the squad.


MARK GREAVES b. 22/1/1975 Defender

Squad No: 5
Born: Hull
Previous clubs: Brigg Town, Hull City.

Mark Greaves
Mark Greaves was signed up by Boston United on a free transfer from Hull City in August 2002. He started his footballing career with Brigg Town, with whom he gained an FA Vase winners medal. He joined Hull City in June 1996 and during his time with them made 204 first team appearances, scoring 12 goals.


MARK ALBRIGHTON b. 6/3/1976 Defender

Squad No: 6
Born: Nuneaton
Previous clubs: Atherstone United, Telford United, Doncaster Rovers and Chester City.

Experienced defender Mark Albrighton joined Boston United in the summer of 2006 from Chester City. He had previously visited York Street back in May 2004 when he played in the Doncaster Rovers side that clinched the Division Three title that season with a 0-0 draw.


Brad Maylett BRAD MAYLETT b. 24/12/1980 Midfield

Squad No: 7
Born: Manchester
Previous clubs: Burnley, Swansea City.

Midfielder Bradley Maylett joined Boston United on a month's loan from Swansea City in March 2005. His attacking style soon won him many fans and Boston United were able to get him to sign up on a two season deal when his loan period ended. He began his footballing career with Burnley, making a handful of starts before joining Swansea in 2003.


CHRIS HOLLAND b. 11/9/1975 Midfield

Squad No: 11
Born: Clitheroe
Previous clubs: Preston North End, Newcastle United, Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town.

Chris Holland
A former England youth and under 21 international, midfielder Chris Holland signed up with Boston United from Huddersfield Town in March 2004. He had joined Huddersfield from Birmingham City in February 2002 for a fee of £100,000. He had been a regular member of the Huddersfield first team during his time at the club.


Simon Rusk SIMON RUSK b. 17/12/1981 Midfield

Squad No: 12
Born: Peterborough
Previous clubs: Peterborough United, Cambridge City.

Simon was signed from the Peterborough United Academy side in March 2001 after being released by the Posh. He has played three times for the Scotland Under 18 team. Previously also had a loan spell with Cambridge City. He scored the only goal of the game on his home debut in the match against Southport, after running sixty yards to get into the right position to bundle the ball home.


DAVID GALBRAITH b. 20/12/1983 Midfield

Squad No: 14
Born: Luton
Previous clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Northampton Town.

David Galbraith
Midfielder David Galbraith joined Boston United on-loan from Northampton Town in November 2005. The loan deal was later made permanent in a swap deal that saw Jason Lee depart for the Cobblers. Galbraith started his football career as a trainee with Tottenham Hotspur, but he moved on to Northampton Town before making any first team appearances for Spurs. He had made 37 appearances for Northampton, scoring 1 goal before his move to Boston.


DAVID FARRELL b. 11/11/1971 Midfield

Squad No: 15
Born: Birmingham
Previous clubs: Redditch United, Aston Villa, Wycombe Wanderers and Peterborough United.

Experienced midfielder David Farrell joined Boston United in the summer of 2006 from local rivals Peterborough United where he had spent the previous nine seasons making 395 appearances scoring 52 goals. He can play on either wing.


JAMIE CLARKE b. 18/9/1982 Midfield

Squad No: 16
Born: Sunderland
Previous clubs: Mansfield Town, Rochdale.

Jamie Clarke
Midfielder Jamie Clarke joined Boston United on a free transfer from Rochdale during the January 2006 transfer window. The 23 year old signed an 18 month conract with the Pilgrims. He started his footballing career as a scholar with Mansfield Town. After making 41 appearances and scoring one goal for Mansfield he joined Rochdale in June 2004. He made 73 appearances for the Dale scoring one goal.


Stewart Talbot STEWART TALBOT b. 14/6/1973 Midfield

Squad No: 17
Born: Birmingham
Previous clubs: Moor Green, Port Vale, Rotherham United, Shrewsbury Town, Brentford.

Midfielder Stewart Talbot joined Boston United from Brentford in June 2005. The 33 year old signed a two year deal with the club after requesting a free transfer from the Bees. He began his footballing career with Moor Green, helping the Beazer Homes League side to win the Midland Floodlit Cup. A move into the Football League to Port Vale followed in 1994. After six seasons with the "Valiants" he joined Rotherham United in July 2000 and he had three seasons with them before having a loan spell with Shrewsbury and then a free transfer to Brentford in February 2004. He was team captain for Brentford in 2004/5 and saw his side reach the League One play-offs, only to be beaten in the semi-final by Sheffield Wednesday. Overall he had made 308 League appearances, scoring 23 goals. His desire to move closer to his family prompted his request for a transfer.


RICHIE RYAN b. 6/1/1985 Midfield

Squad No: 19
Born: Kilkenny, Ireland
Previous clubs: Sunderland, Scunthorpe United.

Young Irish midfielder Richie Ryan signed a two year contract with Boston United in July 2006 after being released by Scunthorpe United and failing to win a contract after a trial with Port Vale. He began his football career as a trainee with Sunderland and made two appearances for them from the subs' bench in Premiership matches against Newcastle United and Arsenal. He joined Scunthorpe United in March 2005 and made seventeen appearances for them, scoring one goal.


DREWE BROUGHTON b. 25/10/1978 Midfield

Squad No: 9
Born: Hitchin
Previous clubs: Wigan, Brentford, Peterborough, Nuneaton, Dagenham & Redbridge, Stevenage, Kidderminster, Southend, Wycombe, Rushden & Diamonds and Chester.

The much travelled 28 year old striker joined Boston on-loan from Chester City in October 2006. He began his footballing career as a trainee at Norwich and had since turned out for more than ten different clubs. Overall he had scored 70 goals and picked up 64 yellow cards and 8 red cards in 322 appearances. In 2005/6 he was the dirtiest player in League Two having committed 115 fouls and received 7 yellow cards and 2 reds.


Francis Green FRANCIS GREEN b. 23/4/80 Forward

Squad No: 10
Born: Derby
Previous clubs: Ilkeston, Peterborough United, Lincoln City.

Francis Green first joined Boston United on-loan from local rivals Lincoln City in November 2005, but returned early after turning out six times and scoring one goal for Boston. He was then snapped up by Boston in the summer of 2006 after being released by the Imps.


NO LONGER WITH THE CLUB


JULIAN JOACHIM b. 20/9/74 Forward TRANSFERRED TO DARLINGTON

Squad No: 9
Born: Peterborough
Previous clubs: Leicester City, Aston Villa, Coventry City, Leeds United, Walsall.

Julian Joachim
Julian Joachim agreed to join Boston United from Leeds United in July 2005 on a two year contract. After finishing the 2004/5 season with a highly successful loan period with Coca-Cola League One side Walsall - where he found the net six times in eight appearances, Joachim expressed a desire for regular first team football. It was that desire that led him to agree to sign up for the club in the town where he spent his schooldays. He began his footballing career in the youth team of Boston FC, but was soon spotted by Leicester City where he signed up as a trainee. After scoring 31 goals in 92 starts for Leicester a £1.5 million transfer to Aston Villa beckoned in February 1996. In the summer of 2001 he joined Coventry City in a swap deal that saw African Player of the Year Mustapha Hadji heading for Villa Park. After three seasons with Coventry he joined Leeds United on a free transfer. Overall he has scored 83 goals in 331 League appearances.


Anthony Elding ANTHONY ELDING b. 16/4/82 Forward TRANSFERRED TO STOCKPORT COUNTY

Squad No: 8
Born: Boston
Previous clubs: Wyberton Colts, the Nottingham Forest Centre of Excellence, Grimsby Town Academy, Lincoln City Academy, Boston United, Stevenage Borough and Kettering Town.

Youngster who joined the Boston United Academy at the end of the 1998/9 season.

His impressive goal scoring with Boston United Reserves soon resulted in a call up to the first team squad. He finally made his full debut for the first team in a Nationwide Variety Club Trophy match against Nuneaton in September 2000, and what a start it was, he headed home the opening goal after just 32 seconds of the match. With strong competition for forward places he only managed to start one more first team match in the season, but he was often on the subs bench, sometimes being brought on for the last few minutes to pick up vital experience. He soon made his breakthrough into more regular first team action and after picking up 6 goals in 12 starts was soon attracting the attention of League scouts. Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers were amongst the clubs to give him trials. He was eventually allowed to leave to join Stevenage Borough, where he scored 54 goals in 118 appearances. He then fell out of favour with the management at Stevenage and he finished last season playing at Conference North side Kettering Town. He jumped at the chance of returning to his home town club in the summer.


BEN KIRBY b. 18/03/1987 Goalkeeper LEFT THE CLUB

Squad No: 13
Born: ?
Previous clubs: Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday.

Youngster Ben Kirby was signed up for a year just before the start of the 2006/7 season to provide goal-keeping cover after impressing in pre-season trials. He had previously been with the youth teams of Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday.


Photographs copyright © Ken Fox.

Boston United Database copyright © Ken Fox 2006.


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