Dr Martens Football League

1999/2000


After being relegated from the GM Vauxhall Conference in 1993 Boston United spent five seasons in the Northern Premier League before deciding to take the opportunity of moving sideways into the Southern League in the hope of gaining the elusive top spot that would give them promotion in the days before promotion playoffs made the task slightly easier. After a poor start results eventually picked up and although never being close to catching runaway leaders Nuneaton Borough, Boston finished the season as runners-up and soon became hot favourites for the league title the following season. The squad for the new season was strengthened. Out went top scorer Matt Carmichael and winger Richard Mason. Experienced midfielder David Rennie joined the club after being released by Peterborough United. Young attacking midfielder David Norris was signed from Stamford. Defender Colin Hoyle signed up in pre-season from King’s Lynn along with thirty year old forward Mickey Nuttell who returned to his home town club for the third time.

The league campaign got off to a flying start as the Pilgrims recorded a 6-0 win over Salisbury City courtesy of goals by Andrew Stanhope, Mickey Nuttell(2), Paul Wilson (pen), Colin Hoyle and Mark Rawle. It was the start of a run of five straight wins before Boston were brought to earth with a bump by a 1-0 defeat at Ilkeston Town on August Bank Holiday Monday. Boston returned to the top of the table a week later with a 1-1 draw at title rivals Burton Albion. Mickey Nuttell opened the scoring against his former club but the Brewers equalised ten minutes from the end before Colin Hoyle and Anton Thomas were both sent off following a clash. A big crowd of 2090 packed into York Street for the return game at the beginning of December and they witnessed a memorable match. Burton took the lead on twenty three minutes when Darren Stride headed past Paul Bastock. Five minutes from half time Boston equalised in style when forgotten striker Andy Kiwomya picked up the ball from Bastock then left defenders trailing in his wake as he ran the length of the field before crossing for Lee Power to tap in. Five minutes into the second half Boston won a penalty but Paul Wilson blasted the spot kick over the bar. It didn’t matter though as two minutes later Boston went in front when Mickey Nuttell headed home Peter Costello’s whipped in cross. Boston clinched the points when substitute Kevin Noteman rifled home a cross from Andrew Stanhope twenty minutes from the end. More than three thousand fans turned out at York Street for the Boxing Day clash with local rivals King’s Lynn, but as often seems to be the case for big occasions with big crowds and big expectations Boston lost. The Linnets went in front when Dave Robinson lobbed Paul Bastock from 40 yards out, then a few minutes later they went two up when Lee Wilson broke clear and fired under Bastock’s dive. Peter Costello scored Boston’s goal from the spot after Mark Rawle had been fouled. The good form returned in the New Year with ten wins in their next eleven league games. These included an impressive 6-1 win at Crawley Town, with a hat-trick by David Norris in what was to be his last game for the Pilgrims before joining Bolton Wanders for a lucrative six figure fee. The Pilgrims clinched the league title in front of 4137 fans at York Street in their local derby against Grantham. The visitors took the lead in the first minute when Jim Neil cracked a 20 yard free kick over the defensive wall beyond the reach of Paul Bastock. Boston equalised on 27 minutes when Mark Rawle headed home after Paul Raynor had fed the ball back into the area following a corner. In the 66th minute Rawle pounced on a loose ball to get his second goal and to give Boston the lead. Gary Childs extended the lead when he slid the ball home after the Grantham ‘keeper dropped the ball following a challenge by Mickey Nuttell and Mark Rawle.

Mark Rawle finished the season as top scorer with 22 goals and Peter Costello was voted “Player of the Year”.


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