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JOHN BLACKWELL General Manager
Born: Kirton |
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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 b. 30/10/62 Manager
Born: Glasgow 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. |
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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. 20/11/70 Style consultant
Born: Lincoln |
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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. |
PILGRIM THE PANTHER b. 13/12/04 Mascot Previous clubs: None. |
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Pilgrim the Panther became Boston United's mascot following a competition run by BBC Radio Lincolnshire and BBC Look North, when various characters were proposed as the new mascot. Pilgrim is sponsored by Pizza Hut. |
JIM WOODS Club Physiotherapist | |
After studying part-time at Keele University, Jim became a qualified FA physiotherapist through attending a course at Lilleshall. He then joined Boston on a part-time basis when they were in the Dr Martens League. After leaving Boston and spending a few seasons as Grimsby Town's Reserve and Youth team physiotherapist, he returned to the club in 2001. He is the brother of former Norwich City and England goalkeeper Chris Woods. As a teenager he represented Great Britain at clay pigeon shooting. |
PAUL BASTOCK b. 19/5/70 Goalkeeper
Squad No: 1 Paul is a highly regarded goalkeeper and is now in his twelvth season with the club after joining United from Kettering Town in 92-3. |
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First choice keeper for Boston United, "Bazza" was voted "Player of the Year"
for the second time after finishing the season by equalling the all-time
appearances record for the club - turning out for the 572nd time.
Always popular with both home and away supporters, he had an outstanding
season, making many spectacular saves, often at crucial moments and keeping 15
clean sheets.
As he used to live a few miles down the road from Birmingham it is no surprise that he supports Birmingham City. Paul believes that you should support your local team. "Bazza" enjoyed his schooldays although he came away with no qualifications, as he spent most of his final year training with Coventry City. Paul is one of the few United players to have settled locally, living in the town with wife Ann (a Bostonian), and children Laura and Callum. He said "becoming a father has changed me because I have grown up and steadied down and it has taught me a lot about myself." Away from football his main priority is his family but he also likes to play golf and snooker. One of the sporting events outside football Paul would like to go and see is the Ryder Cup. It is not surprising that when he was younger he admired Peter Shilton and Neville Southall and nowadays one of his favourite players is Chris Woods, all great international goalkeepers in their time. During the earlier part of his career Paul spent six months playing football in Malaysia, which he enjoyed considerably. He said it was a fantastic experience, but the standard was only about Vauxhall Conference level. Paul's advice to any youngsters who want to make a career in football is to get an education and prepare for the high points when they come because you can suffer a lot more low points. After "Bazza" has finished playing football he would like to coach boys football teams. He says that an advantage of being a footballer is that you become a bit of a personality and you get a lot of free time, but a disadvantage is that you never get to celebrate at Christmas and the New Year. Paul does have a superstition, which is that he does everything three times, for example if the ball is coming towards him in a game he will touch his gloves three times. When asked what he thought about the Boston fans he said: "The majority are critical, but the youth element of the crowd are the supportive ones. They all pay their money so they are entitled to have their say." Paul also said he would like to hear the fans get behind the team more. He would like to be remembered as a steady goalkeeper who was always committed to the team. |
STEVE CROUDSON b. 14/9/79 Goalkeeper
Squad No: 13 |
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Steve Croudson was signed just before the start of the 2003/4 season to provide goalkeeping cover, after extensive trials during pre-season matches. He had previously been with Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town, having made 9 League appearances. |
BEN CHAPMAN b. 2/3/79 Defender
Squad No: 3 |
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Ben Chapman was signed up from Grimsby Town after being released in the summer of 2002. He had been with Grimsby since 1997, having joined as a trainee. In his five seasons with the Mariners he had made 21 League appearances. |
PAUL ELLENDER b. 21/10/74 Defender
Squad No: 4
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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. Took over as team captain from Ben Chapman halfway through the season. |
STUART BALMER b. 20/9/69 Defender
Squad No: 5 |
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Experienced defender Stuart Balmer was signed up on-loan by Boston United from Oldham Athletic in December 2002 to provide defensive cover following an injury to Mark Greaves. He had played against Boston earlier in the season whilst on-loan with Scunthorpe United. When his loan period ended he was soon signed up for the rest of the season. Overall he had previously made 364 League appearances, scoring 18 goals. |
MARK GREAVES b. 22/1/75 Defender
Squad No: 6 |
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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. |
MATTHEW HOCKING b. 30/1/78 Defender
Squad No: 12 |
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Matt Hocking joined his home-town club on a free transfer when his contract with York City expired in the summer of 2002. He had started his footballing career with Sheffield United, but moved on to Hull City after failing to break into the "Blades" first team. After two seasons at Hull he had a loan spell with York City at the end of the 98/9 season which ended with a permanent move to the "Minstermen" for the following season. Overall he has made 154 League appearances, scoring 4 goals. |
LEE BEEVERS b. 4/12/83 Defender
Squad No: 20 |
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After impressing in trials with the reserves, Lee Beevers was signed on loan from Ipswich Town until the end of the season just before the transfer deadline in March 2003. After making his first team debut when coming on as a substitute for the last few minutes of the final game of the season at Cambridge United, he signed up with Boston for a further year. |
RYAN CLARKE b. 22/1/1984 Defender
Squad No: 21 |
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After impressing in trials with the reserves at the end of the 2002/3 season, Ryan Clarke was offered a contract and he signed up in the close season. He had previously been a scholar at Notts County. |
GREG STRONG b. 5/9/1975 Defender
Squad No: 29 |
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Defender Greg Strong joined Boston United from Hull City in March 2004. A former England schoolboy and youth international, Greg started his footballing career with Wigan Athletic in 1992. He then moved to Bolton Wanderers, but after failing to establish himself in the first team he moved north of the border to play for Scottish League Premier Division side Motherwell. He returned to England in 2002 when he was signed up by Hull City. He has since had loan spells with Cheltenham Town, Scunthorpe United and Bury. |
TOM BENNETT b. 12/12/69 Midfield
Squad No: 7 |
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Tom Bennett joined Boston United in the summer of 2002 after being made available by Walsall. He had started his footballing career as a trainee with Aston Villa. After one season with Villa he moved on to Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he stayed until 1995. He then signed up with Stockport County. For the last three seasons he has been with Walsall, where he was team captain. Overall he had made 341 League appearances, scoring fifteen goals before joining Boston. |
STEVE MELTON b. 3/10/1978 Midfield
Squad No: 9 |
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Midfielder Steve Melton joined Boston United from Hull City in March 2004. He can play in either in the centre or right side of midfield. During his League career he has made 99 first team appearances scoring five goals. |
SIMON RUSK b. 17/12/81 Midfield
Squad No: 16 |
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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. |
LEE THOMPSON b. 25/3/82 Midfield
Squad No: 18 |
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Lee Thompson was signed up from Sheffield United on a month's loan in October 2002. A former England Schoolboy international, he had yet to make a first team appearance for the "Blades". He scored a spectacular winning goal in his second match for Boston, when a long range shot from the right wing curled over the keeper and into the net. When his loan period finished he was keen to gain more first team experience with Boston, so he signed up with the Pilgrims. |
DAVID NOBLE b. 2/2/82 Midfield
Squad No: 27 |
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Former Arsenal midfielder David Noble joined Boston United on loan from West Ham United in February 2004. He had joined Arsenal as a trainee in August 1999 and moved to West Ham in January 2003 without making any first team appearances for the "Gunners". He had made fifteen first team appearances for Watford during a loan spell with them in the 2001/2 season. He has played for the England youth team and for Scotland Under 21s. |
LLOYD FREEMAN b. 20/3/1988 Midfield
Squad No: 31 |
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Schoolboy Lloyd Freeman was brought into the first team squad in October 2003 to provide cover following a spate of injuries that reduced the available players to the bare bones. He had already played a few games for the Reserves and is a member of the club's Centre of Excellence. He is at Kesteven School, Lincoln. |
CHRIS HOLLAND b. 11/9/1975 Midfield
Squad No: 10 |
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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. |
DANNY THOMAS b. 1/5/1981 Midfield
Squad No: 14 |
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Left sided midfielder Danny Thomas joined Boston United from AFC Bournemouth in March 2004. He made an immediate impact, scoring with a spectacular long range free kick on his debut, with two more goals following in his next match. |
GRAEME JONES b. 13/3/70 Forward
Squad No: 8 |
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Striker Graeme Jones signed up for the Pilgrims in March 2003 after obtaining release from his contract with Southend United. He had previously played for Bridlington Town, picking up an FA Vase winners medal in 1993. He stepped up into the Football League with Doncaster Rovers and Wigan Athletic before going "North of the Border" to play for St Johnstone. He scored on his debut for the Pilgrims with a stunning volley from the edge of the area. |
MARK ANGEL b. 23/8/75 Forward
Squad No: 11 |
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Boston United signed up Mark Angel from Darlington in June 2001. A skilful winger in the traditional mould, he had been on-loan at Queen of the South for much of the previous season. |
DENE CROPPER b. 5/1/83 Forward
Squad No: 15 |
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Dene Cropper was signed up from Lincoln City in March 2004. He had begun his footballing career as a scholar at Sheffield Wednesday, before joining Lincoln City in May 2002. He made 55 first team appearances for the Imps, scoring 3 goals. He has also had loan spells with Worksop Town and Gainsborough Trinity. |
STUART DOUGLAS b. 9/4/78 Forward
Squad No: 17 |
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Stuart Douglas joined Boston United on non-contract terms in August 2002. He had previously spent seven seasons with Luton Town and also had loan spells with Oxford United and Rushden & Diamonds. |
KEVAN HURST b. 27/8/85 Forward
Squad No: 22 |
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Kevan Hurst joined Boston United on loan from Sheffield United at the end of March 2004. He had joined the "Blades" as a trainee in July 2003. A regular in Sheffield United's under 19s side, and had made one appearance for their first team in a Carling Cup match. |
JERMAINE BROWN b. 12/1/83 Forward ON LOAN AT KING'S LYNN
Squad No: 23 |
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Former Arsenal striker Jermaine Brown joined Boston United from Colchester in February 2004. He had joined Arsenal as a trainee in August 2001 and had moved to Colchester in October 2003. He had made one first team appearance for Colchester, scoring the winning goal after coming off the bench in extra time in their LDV Vans Trophy match against Wycombe Wanderers. He had also been on-loan at Crystal Palace, playing in their reserve side. |
SCOTT BROUGH b. 10/2/83 Forward
Squad No: 33 |
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Scott Brough joined Boston United on non-contract terms in October 2003 after a long trial period that began pre-season. He had previously made 57 first team appearances for Scunthorpe United, scoring three goals. |
PETER DUFFIELD b. 4/2/69 Forward TRANSFERRED TO CARLISLE UNITED
Squad No: 9 |
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Much travelled striker Peter Duffield joined Boston United at the end of January 2003 after being released by York City. A proven goalscorer, he had previously scored 153 goals in 389 first team appearances, including one for York City against Boston earlier in the season. |
ERIC SABIN b. 22/1/75 Forward MOVED TO NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Squad No: 28 |
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Frenchman Eric Sabin was signed up on a month's loan from QPR in March 2004. Eric is a strong centre forward with lots of pace. |
NEIL THOMPSON b. 2/10/63 Manager LEFT THE CLUB
Squad No: 32
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Joined the club from Scarborough to help with the coaching. He was later drafted into the Boston first team after all the regular defenders were ruled out due to injury or suspension and ended up playing four times during the season. He was given the managerial reins when Steve Evans was suspended by the club after charges were brought against him by the FA. He had a creditable first season in charge by overcoming the four point deficit imposed by the FA and steering the club to mid table respectability. |
GRAHAM POTTER b. 20/5/1975 Defender TRANSFERRED TO MACCLESFIELD TOWN
Squad No: 22 |
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Experienced defender Graham Potter was signed up in the summer of 2003 from York City. A left sided player who can play in either defence or midfield. A former England Youth and Under-21 International. He started his footballing career as a trainee with Birmingham City. He was later transferred to Stoke City for £75,000, followed by a move to Premiership Southampton for £250,000 - where he made ten first team appearances. After six months with the "Saints", West Bromwich Albion snapped him up for £300,000. He had made 236 League appearances, scoring 8 goals before signing for Boston. |
ANDY WHITE b. 6/11/81 Forward LOAN PERIOD ENDED
Squad No: 23 |
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Andy White was signed up on a month's loan in September 2003. He started his footballing career with Hucknall Town, but was soon snapped up by Mansfield Town. He has scored 11 goals in 66 appearances, including 29 as substitute for Mansfield. |
ADEBAYO AKINFENWA b. 10/5/82 Forward LOAN PERIOD ENDED
Squad No: 25 |
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Adebayo Akinfenwa signed up with the Pilgrims in October 2003 after impressing in trials with the Reserves. He had previosuly played for Welsh Premier League champions and Welsh Cup winners Barry Town. Prior to that he had turned out for Atlantas Klaipedas of the Lithuanian Virsliga. He scored a goal for Atlantas in their Lithuanian Cup Final victory. He scored on his debut for the Pilgrims, grabbing a last minute winner against Swindon Town in the LDV Vans Trophy. |
RICHARD LOGAN b. 4/1/82 Forward TRANSFERRED TO PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Squad No: 14 |
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Richard Logan was signed on a one month contract in November 2002 after being released by Ipswich Town. Richard had joined Ipswich as a trainee in August 1998 and had made five substitute appearances in the first team. He had also had loan spells with Cambridge United and Torquay United. After extending his loan spell with Boston, he ended up the season as the club's top scorer with ten goals to his credit in 26 appearances. |
ALEX HIGGINS b. 22/7/81 Midfield CONTRACT EXPIRED
Squad No: 19 |
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Alex Higgins was signed up on non-contract terms in October 2002. He had previously made one League appearance after coming on as a substitute for the last ten minutes of a match for Queens Park Rangers. |
SIMON WEATHERSTONE b. 26/1/80 Forward TRANSFERRED TO YEOVIL TOWN
Squad No: 10 |
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A young striker signed from Oxford United on a free transfer in February 2001. He settled well into the side and soon got on the scoresheet, producing five goals in his thirteen starts in his first season. His impressive form continued into his second season with the club, resulting in a trial with Bolton Wanderers. He came through the youth scheme at Oxford, and was offered a professional contract at the club when just seventeen years old. He scored his first League goal in the dying seconds of a match against Nottingham Forest, after coming on as a substitute. Overall he made 56 League appearances, scoring 4 goals for Oxford United. |
ADAM BOYD b. 25/5/1982 Forward LOAN PERIOD ENDED
Squad No: 25 |
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Adam Boyd joined Boston United on a month's loan from Hartlepool United in November 2003. Adam had joined Harlepool as a trainee in August 1999 and had since made 76 first team appearances, scoring 15 goals. |
NEIL REDFEARN b. 20/6/65 Midfield LEFT THE CLUB
Squad No: 15 |
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Experienced midfielder Neil Redfearn joined Boston United in the summer of 2002 after being released by relegated Halifax Town. Overall he has made 701 League appearances, scoring 146 goals. He had seven seasons with Barnsley, which saw them twice win promotion, first to Division One and then to the FA Premiership. A £1 million transfer to Charlton Athletic followed, before moving on to Bradford City, Wigan Athletic and Halifax Town. |
DARYL SUTCH b. 11/9/71 Defender AGREED SEVERANCE DEAL
Squad No: 2 |
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Daryl Sutch was signed up from Southend United in the summer of 2003. A former England Youth and Under-21 international, Daryl had previously been with Norwich City for thirteen seasons, having joined them as a trainee in 1990. He made a total of 365 first team appearances for the "Canaries" and the "Blues", scoring 10 goals. He was a member of the Norwich City team that beat Bayern Munich in the second round of the UEFA Cup in November 1993, before being narrowly beaten by eventual champions Inter Milan in the following round. He is a versatile player who can play as a right or centre back or in midfield. |
CHRIS HOGG b. 12/3/1985 Defender RETURNED TO IPSWICH
Squad No: 24 |
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Signed on a month's loan in October 2003 to cover for injuries in the squad. He had started his footballing career as a member of York City's youth team, but he switched to Ipswich Town in June 2001 for a six figure fee. He had previously been captain of the England Under-15 side. He has also recently played for the England Under-19 side. He was released by Ipswich shortly after his loan period with Boston ended and he was subsequently signed up on a further loan spell by the Pilgrims. |
SAM MORROW b. 3/3/85 Forward LOAN PERIOD ENDED
Squad No: 23 |
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Sam Morrow joined Boston United on loan from Ipswich Town in December 2003. He had joined Ipswich as a trainee in July 2003 and had made one appearance for their first team in a Carling Cup match. He has represented Northern Ireland from Under 14 to Under 20 level. |
Player interviews by: Becky Thompson.
Photographs copyright © Ken Fox, 2003.
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