Born: Kirton
Now lives: Boston
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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. | |
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STEVE EVANS b. 30/10/1962 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. 20/11/1970 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. | |
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PILGRIM THE PANTHER b. 13/12/2003
Mascot
Previous clubs: None. |
| 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. Pilgrim entered the annual "Mascot Grand National" at Huntingdon Racecourse in September 2005. The race - which has been run every year since 1999 - involves mascots from League and Non-League clubs, as well as assorted charities, racing around a special course with six fences to produce one of the funniest sites to be seen on a racecourse. After a slow start Pilgrim finished in the middle of the pack in 26th place - a very creditable performance by young Stevie Owens in the Panther suit. | |
| CONRAD LOGAN b. 18/4/1986 Goalkeeper
Squad No: 30
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| Leicester City's third choice goalkeeper Conrad Logan joined Boston United in an emergency loan deal in December 2005 when the club were left without any goalkeeping cover following an injury to Chris Wright. The young Republic of Ireland Under 18 international went straight into the side that faced Lincoln City on Boxing Day at Sincil Bank and he acquitted himself well in the 0-0 draw. When his initial loan spell ended he signed up until the end of the 2005/6 season. However he was recalled to Leicester in February 2006 to provide cover following an injury to first choice keeper Rab Douglas. He then returned to Boston when Michel Kuipers loan-spell ended. | |
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CHRIS WRIGHT b. 27/9/1986 Goalkeeper
Squad No: 26 |
| Chris Wright joined Boston United as a third year scholar from Arsenal after impressing in trials with the reserves. As well as providing goalkeeping cover for the first team he is also eligible to play for the Youth team in the Youth Alliance. | |
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ALAN WHITE b. 22/3/1976 Defender
Squad No: 6 |
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| Experienced central defender Alan White signed up for Boston United in March 2005 to plug the gap made by the departure of Lee Beevers to Lincoln City. He started his footballing career on schoolboy terms with Derby County before joining Middlesbrough as a trainee in 1995. After making one first team appearance for Middlesbrough he was transferred to Luton Town for £40,000 in 1997. After two seasons with the Hatters he joined Colchester United where he was very popular, being made Player of the Year three times and captaining the side. He joined Leyton Orient in June 2004. Before arriving at Boston he had made 250 League appearances, scoring 7 goals. | |
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PAUL ELLENDER b. 21/10/1974 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. 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: 15 |
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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. | |
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AUSTIN MCCANN b. 21/1/1980 Defender
Squad No: 3 |
| Defender Austin McCann agreed a one year contract with the club in June 2004. McCann started his footballing career as a trainee with Wolves, but signed up with Scottish First Division side Airdrieonians in July 1997. After almost four seasons and making more than 100 first team appearances he joined Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premier League in February 2001. He was released by Hearts in April 2004 to allow him to help Clyde in their push for the First Divison title. | |
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RICHARD CHINN b. 5/2/1989 Defender
Squad No: 27 |
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| Youngster Richard Chinn was added to the first team squad in April 2006 after performing well for the youth team and the reserves. He had previously been on the books of Preston North End before switching to the Pilgrims in the summer of 2005. | |
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STEVE MELTON b. 3/10/1978 Midfield
Squad No: 20 |
| 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. He had a ten match loan spell with Tamworth in 2005/6. | |
| JAMIE CLARKE b. 18/9/1982 Midfield
Squad No: 10
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| 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. | |
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STEWART TALBOT b. 14/6/1973 Midfield
Squad No: 17
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| 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. | |
| LEE CANOVILLE b. 14/3/1981 Midfield
Squad No: 2
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| 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. | |
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BRAD MAYLETT b. 24/12/1980 Midfield
Squad No: 7 |
| 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. | |
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CHRIS HOLLAND b. 11/9/1975 Midfield
Squad No: 11 |
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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. | |
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SIMON RUSK b. 17/12/1981 Midfield
Squad No: 12 |
| 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. | |
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DANNY THOMAS b. 1/5/1981 Midfield
Squad No: 16 |
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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. | |
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DAVID GALBRAITH b. 20/12/1983 Midfield
Squad No: 14 |
| 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. | |
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GARY SILK b. 13/9/1984 Midfield
Squad No: 25 |
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| Midfielder Gary Silk joined Boston United on-loan from Portsmouth in January 2006. The 21 year old had yet to make his first team debut for Pompey, but had a loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers in 04/5 that saw him turn out 28 times for the Chairboys. | |
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PETER TILL b. 7/9/1985 Midfield
Squad No: 22 |
| Right winger Peter Till joined Boston United on-loan from Birmingham City in January 2006. The 20 year old came up through the Academy at Birmingham and was included on the first team subs' bench on a few occasions in 04/5 without playing. However, he finally made it on to the pitch for the last five minutes of Birmingham's 2-0 win over Scunthorpe United in the Carling Cup second round. A loan spell with Scunthorpe followed that has seen him make 10 appearances for the Iron. | |
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JULIAN JOACHIM b. 20/9/74 Forward
Squad No: 19 |
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| 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. | |
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LAWRIE DUDFIELD b. 7/5/80 Forward
Squad No: 23 |
| Boston United signed up striker Lawrie Dudfield from Northampton Town as the transfer window closed on 31st August 2005. Dudfield started his footballing career with Kettering Town, before joining Leicester City in 1998. Loan spells with Lincoln City and Chesterfield followed before he was snapped up for £250,000 by Hull City. He moved on to Northampton Town and then Southend United, before briefly returning to the Cobblers in the summer of 2005. | |
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JAMES KEENE b. 26/12/1985 Forward LEFT TO JOIN SWEDISH SIDE GAIS
Squad No: 27 |
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| James Keene joined Boston United on loan from Premiership strugglers Portsmouth in mid January 2006. The young striker had worked his way up through the ranks at Pompey and had made his first team debut in May 2005, coming on as a substitute for the last half hour of a 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers. He had loan spells with Kidderminster Harriers and AFC Bournemouth and had scored four goals in his 14 appearances for the south coast side. | |
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NOEL WHELAN b. 30/12/1974 Forward CONTRACT TERMINATED
Squad No: 18
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| In June 2005 Boston United signed up former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan on a two year deal after he was released by Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen. The 30 year old had 23 starts for Aberdeen in 2004/5, picking up five goals and seven yellow cards. He started his footballing career with his local side - Leeds United - before moving on to Coventry City in a £2 million pound deal. A further £2 million pound transfer to Middlesbrough followed before spells with Crystal Palace, Millwall and Derby County. He joined Aberdeen at the start of 2004/5 on a free transfer. | |
| NATHAN ABBEY b. 11/7/1978 Goalkeeper CONTRACT TERMINATED
Squad No: 1 |
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| Nathan Abbey joined Boston in July 2004 to provide cover for Paul Bastock. He started his career as a trainee with Luton Town in 1995, making his League debut in February 1999 in a 2-1 win against Burnley. In the following season he became the first choice keeper for the Hatters. In 2001 he joined Chesterfield on a free transfer for one season, then he switched to Northampton Town. For the 2003/4 season he had spells with Stevenage Borough, Luton Town, Macclesfield Town, Ipswich Town and Burnley. | |
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FRANCIS GREEN b. 23/4/80 Forward LOAN PERIOD ENDED
Squad No: 10 |
| Francis Green joined Boston United on-loan from local rivals Lincoln City in November 2005. | |
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DARYL CLARE b. 1/8/78 Forward TRANSFERRED TO CRAWLEY TOWN
Squad No: 10 |
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| Boston United originally signed up Republic of Ireland Under 21 International Daryl Clare from Grimsby Town in the summer of 2001. He had two loan spells with Northampton Town and one with Cheltenham Town during his time with Grimsby. Overall he had made 118 League appearances, scoring 13 goals before joining Boston. When Boston United won the Conference title in 2002 he topped the Conference goalscoring charts with 25 goals and picked up both the club and Conference Player of the Year awards. After turning out eight times for the Pilgrims in their first season in the Football League he was contraversially dropped by manager Neil Thompson and then transferred to Chester City. At Chester he again proved to be a successful goalscorer, scoring an amazing 49 goals in 67 appearances. With his contract at Chester coming to its end he rejoined Boston United in November 2004 for an undisclosed five figure transfer fee. | |
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GAVIN JOHNSON b. 10/10/1970 Midfield JOINED NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Squad No: 14
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| Gavin Johnson signed up with the Pilgrims in June 2005 after failing to win an acceptable deal with Colchester United. After scoring ten goals for Colchester in 2004/5 he was offered a six month contract for the upcoming season, but he turned it down to join Boston United. | |
| MICHEL KUIPERS b. 26/6/1974 Goalkeeper LOAN SPELL ENDED
Squad No: 25 / 1
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| Michel Kuipers joined Boston United on a month's loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in November 2005. He then returned to Boston in February 2006 on another loan-spell after Conrad Logan was recalled to Leicester City. | |
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DAVID NOBLE b. 2/2/1982 Midfield TRANSFERRED TO BRISTOL CITY
Squad No: 8 |
| 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. | |
| BEN FUTCHER b. 4/6/1981 Defender JOINED GRIMSBY TOWN
Squad No: 5
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| Boston United snapped up tall (6'7") centre half Ben Futcher from local rivals Lincoln City in June 2005. He had been a key member of the Lincoln City squad that had made the end of season play-offs for the previous three seasons. His uncle Ron Futcher also played for Boston United, making two appearances back in 1992. | |
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ASA HALL b. 29/11/1986 Midfield LOAN PERIOD ENDED
Squad No: 8 |
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| Midfielder Asa Hall joined Boston United on-loan from Birmingham City in January 2006. A product of the Youth Academy at the Blues and a regular in their reserve side, he had yet to make a break through to first team action for the Premiership strugglers. | |
| IAN ROSS b. 13/1/1986 Midfield LOAN PERIOD ENDED
Squad No: 22
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| Boston United signed midfielder Ian Ross from Sheffield United on a month's loan at the end of August 2005. Ross had scored the goal that knocked the Pilgrims out of the Carling Cup a few days earlier. The Carling Cup match against Boston was his first team debut. He joined the Blades at the age of 12 and went through their Academy. He signed up as a trainee with them in July 2003. | |
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JASON LEE b. 9/5/1971 Forward JOINED NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Squad No: 9 |
| Former Nottingham Forest striker Jason Lee was signed up by the Pilgrims in July 2004 after impressing in pre-season training. Jason started his footballing career as a trainee with Charlton Athletic. After a loan spell with Stockport County he moved on to Lincoln City. A transfer to Southend United followed, but he was soon spotted by Nottingham Forest who snapped him up. In four seasons with Forest he scored 14 goals in 76 League appearances. He then went on to play for Charlton Athletic, Grimsby Town, Watford, Chesterfield, Peterborough United and Falkirk. | |
| LEE TAYLOR Club Physiotherapist LEFT FOR PERSONAL REASONS |  |
| Lee Taylor joined Boston United as physiotherapist in September 2004 after Jim Woods left the club to spend more time with his family. He had previously been physiotherapist with a number of other clubs, including Wimbledon, Maidstone United, Cambridge United, Leyton Orient, Scarborough, Barnet and Luton Town. He has also worked on Sky TV's Dream Team programme. | |
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JERMAINE MCSPORRAN b. 1/1/1977 Forward LOAN PERIOD ENDED
Squad No: 9
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| This unlikely named English striker joined the Pilgrims on-loan from Doncaster Rovers in February 2006. He had scored 2 goals in 30 appearances for Doncaster since joining from Walsall in June 2004. He had also turned out for Wycombe Wanderers, having signed up for them from Oxford City in November 1998 for a £75,000 transfer fee. | |
Photographs copyright © Ken Fox.
Boston United Database copyright © Ken Fox 2005.
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