You can’t beat a matchday programme. Behind every one is a unique tale of our exploits. From the 2004-5 Nationwide Conference campaign, this one is no exception. Leigh RMI were coming to town for what was the last match of the (normal) season. And, yeah, this end-of-season clash seems as if it came around early; more than a week still left in April.
But that’s how it was. And there was quite a bit riding on it, as it goes…
The Programme: Stevenage Borough v Leigh RMI, 23 April 2005
Latest from the gaffer
GW came into the final “league” Saturday with hopes; buoyed by a crucial three points at Crawley just four days before. But he was somewhat understated when talking about our hopes of promotion. In our view, anyway: “There still remains a good chance that we can win promotion this season“. Unless we are looking back with the benefit of hindsight.
One thing he points to that we somehow missed at the time: we did indeed win more than anyone else in the 2004-5 Nationwide Conference season, except for champions Barnet
Latest from the chairman
“Let’s all relax and enjoy the game today. What will be, will be” – now, we don’t think that Phil was playing it quite that cool. Not when there was so much riding on how it all stood come 5pm that afternoon. It was the difference between a shot at the Football League or another season in Conference purgatory. He got what he asked for, however.
Boro’ news
- SA party to take place in the Broadhall Suite after the game. Be there. GW and the squad will be, so what’s your excuse. Would the promise of a free buffet help?
- More than 700 young ‘uns from 11 local football clubs are here for the match. Roger Austin “had to generate an unprecedented amount of tickets on this occasion”.
- Boro’s new “A” Team takes shape, following in the footsteps of Jim Briscoe and Bert Davies after “30-odd years in and out of Broadhall Way”. Some big shoes to fill!
Latest from the skipper
“There is no better sight as a player than to attack the opposition whilst seeing your own supporters… behind the goal,” says Jase. Lucky, then, that Boro’ fans got to take up their place in the South Stand for this special occasion. But the main focus for the skipper is to complete what was needed. It was three wins from three. Now it’s one from one…
Conference news
- Northwich Victoria have until 31 May to get their new stadium in order or be relegated; “the club knows what it has to achieve by 31 May and there will be no excuses for not doing so,” says Conference chief exec John Moules.
- Accy gaffer John Coleman(!) says his side will come back from their failed playoff bid. “There’s no reason why we can’t go on and win the league,” he predicts. Next season, they bloody did too.
- Exeter are still hoping to sneak into the playoffs, but the odds are stacked against ’em.
- Aldershot have learned from losing on penalties in the 2003-4 Conference playoff final.
- Morecambe skipper Jim Bentley “admits he relishes the tension of the… playoff-race”.
- 35-year-old goalkeeper Tony Roberts extends his contract at Dagenham & Redbridge.
- Danny Ingram says sorry to Halifax fans as the Shaymen mess up their playoff hopes at already-relegated Farnborough.
- Carlisle defender Danny Livesey is sent off at Barnet after calling the ref a cheat. Now he fears his two-game suspension could mean missing out on the playoff charge.
- Losing to us “illustrated the difference between full-time and part-time football”, reveals Crawley Town boss Francis Vines.
- York boss Billy McEwan is planning a mega clear-out after losing 4-0 at Canvey Island.
- Canvey boss Jeff King “never thought we would go down” – and that’s good, because the Essex side ultimately survive.
Match sponsors
Match sponsor: K.B. Coins
Ball sponsor: Style Drive
… and the players:
