OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE OF BOSTON UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB | SEASON 2020/21 | FREE

THETHE VANARAMA NATIONAL PILGRIMLEAGUE NORTH PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR 2019/20 SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER 2020 | KICK-OFF: 15:00 | VANARAMA BOSTON UNITED v Jakemans Community Stadium FROM A BLANK CANVAS TO COMMUNITY STADIUM PHOTOGRAPHIC TIMELINE OF BOSTON UNITED’S NEW STADIUM SEPTEMBER 2019 OCTOBER 2019

JANUARY 2020 NOVEMBER 2019

02 | BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY THE PILGRIM MARCH 2020 JUNE 2020

OCTOBER 2020 NOVEMBER 2020

STADIUM READY FOR ACTION

THE PILGRIM BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY | 03 David Newton FROM THE BOARDROOM CHAIRMAN DAVID NEWTON PENS HIS FIRST NOTES FOR OUR FIRST FIXTURE AT OUR NEW HOME

Good afternoon everyone and again. Our scientists are making great way they have faced the challenges welcome to our first-ever fixture progress with vaccines and, if we all so far. Let’s hope that at last we can here at the Jakemans Community look after each other, that day hopefully string a run of games together so they Stadium. will not be too far away. For now, we can really start to make a mark on the We have worked to deliver the new need to remember those that have lost league. stadium for some 12 years. It has been loved ones – and wish those that are ill Our first visitors to the new Jakemans a real rollercoaster, where we have at the present time a speedy recovery. Community Stadium are our old friends survived the deepest recession since Gainsborough Trinity have been Chorley. Although having had a difficult the 1930s; overcome the complex fantastic, welcoming hosts for our first start to the their league campaign, they challenges of the planning system; home games and my sincere thanks go have had a fantastic run in the FA Cup, seen construction costs spiral; secured to Richard Kane for stepping in to help and will now welcome Wayne Rooney’s a number of sources of funding us, alongside all the dedicated people Derby County to Victory Park in the through complex bidding processes; at The Northolme who all made us third round. With Derby currently sitting had ups and downs in footballing incredibly welcome. We will always be in at the bottom of the Championship, terms; vacated our historic home your debt – thank you! Chorley have a great chance of at Street, and have this year of My thanks also go to everyone who has progressing even further and we wish course lived through a pandemic that worked so hard on the new Community them all the very best for the tie. I also many of us would never have imagined Stadium through this very challenging hope that we have a great game here would be thrust upon us. period. It has been a pleasure working today as we open our doors for the Today we play our first competitive with them and everyone understands first time. fixture at the new Community Stadium that building a stadium is a privilege – that has at last emerged out of the and everyone has gone that extra mile Our streaming service has worked well ground following those 12 years of to help create our new home. so far, so thanks to Marc Cucksey for all work. We only have two-and-a-half Work is well under way on the East his help with getting it up and running stands – but we once again have a Stand, but we will still have to wait to and delivering great coverage, and home to call our own, where we can see what is happening in the wider although it will never replace actually now start to make new memories. It is economy before committing to the being at a game, I hope many will join a day to respect our past; treasure the South Stand and sports hall. If the us for this first fixture. memories from York Street, but also economy remains reasonably positive, Finally, I would like to thank all our look forward together. our aim would be to have the stadium sponsors and fans who have continued Since unveiling the plans in the Pilgrim completed by the end of 2021 but, of to support us through this difficult year. Lounge all those years ago, I have course, we need to be sensible in these We are overwhelmed by everyone’s never once doubted that we would unpreceded times, and that timescale support and generosity, whether that deliver this new facility for the club and will have to be adjusted as necessary. is sending a donation; buying some the community – but I know many On a bright note, we are looking to memorabilia from York Street; taking have! A new home where hopefully start the 3G pitch in the spring, which advertising space in a ground devoid we can give the club a sustainable and will be a long-awaited and much- of fans; buying full season tickets while successful future; grow the community needed asset for this area. knowing that many of the games will and education programmes and Despite all the challenges this year, only be streamed, and supporting in continue to cement ourselves at the we have assembled a fantastic squad so many other ways. We cannot thank heart of the community. who are very capable of competing at you enough. Since that night, I have looked forward the top end of the table, however two So let’s keep doing the basic of hands to the day when we would open the 14-day self-isolation periods; a double – face – space, to get on top of this doors and have a great celebration postponement of the Park dreadful virus and keep each other together. Sadly, due to the Covid Avenue game, the withdrawal from the safe, and so we can all be together restrictions, we cannot welcome fans FA Cup and the abandoned game in again soon to share a pint and cheer here today, so it will be a day of real 87th minute at have really the lads on. mixed emotions. However, the day to tested everyone, but the attitude and celebrate has not gone away, it has just togetherness of the squad is fantastic Take care and I hope to see you soon. been postponed for a little while longer, and I cannot praise all the players and David Newton until it is safe for us all to be together management team enough for the Chairman

04 | BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY THE PILGRIM Craig Elliott THE MANAGER MANAGER CRAIG ELLIOTT LOOKS AHEAD TO A BIG AFTERNOON FOR HIS PLAYERS

I write these notes as we approach The main feeling between us in the some teams throughout the football an historic game of which I am dressing room is that we are on pyramid having supporters attend sure there is a lot of emotion and course to be competing with these again. It gives us all hope that soon excitement as we prepare to play teams at the top of the table but we we can have the supporters back and our first-ever competitive fixture just need a bit of luck and a run of we can all share this experience of in our wonderful new stadium. games without interruptions. playing in this new stadium. The occasion is obviously spoiled by You can clearly see with the league It has been a remarkable effort from the absence of many people involved table that it has no clear indication everybody in this club, none more so in the club and all our magnificent of where teams are at as the games than the chairman who has made this supporters. It is a great shame that played column is a mixed bag. I think happen, however I know he will not an occasion like this cannot be shared this is evident in our opponents today rest until it is fully finished. I also know and I can only imagine how you are Chorley who are in a false position this stadium is for the community and feeling to not be able to attend today. due to their amazing efforts in the FA until the day you as supporters can We as management and players will Cup. Incredible results to beat League attend it will then officially start to feel be doing everything we can to start One opposition like they have (twice) like home. this new period in the club’s history mean they can now look forward with a positive result and build on our to an amazing tie against Derby I hope as many of you as possible are good start to the season. County (good luck to them). I am using the streaming service and at least enjoying that experience until I have said many times it will be a sure they will climb this table as they you can sample the real thing. It really season like no other and it continues play more games so today will be an is a great service that at least helps to throw many obstacles in our way exceedingly difficult game for us. you keep in touch with the team and as we plough through the campaign. I am sure like everyone involved in we can feel your support each game. I think since our last home game football the return of supporters Stay positive and safe! we have had abandoned games, cannot come quick enough. We floodlight failure (twice) and another hope supporters can attend games Craig Elliott two-week isolation period due to a soon and it was nice to see this week Manager player having the Covid-19 virus. It has been difficult and personally I found the last two-week isolation period difficult mentally as we had to sit back and watch other teams play games and get points on the board. We were then blessed with a baptism of fire playing two hard away fixtures against the top two teams in the league and both benefiting from a full-time status. I must say, on reflection, the players deserve credit and if we could have sneaked a point at Fylde, it would have been a very satisfactory return “THE MAIN FEELING BETWEEN US IN THE DRESSING to action. But we gained a valuable ROOM IS THAT WE ARE ON COURSE TO BE COMPETING point at Gloucester and I feel content WITH THESE TEAMS AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE BUT we will be more than ready for Fylde WE JUST NEED A BIT OF LUCK AND A RUN OF GAMES on the return game as we clearly tired WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS.” in the second half.

THE PILGRIM BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY | 05 Craig Singleton COMMERCIALLY SPEAKING CRAIG SINGLETON CASTS AN EYE OVER TODAY’S HISTORIC PROCEEDINGS FOR THE PILGRIMS

Good afternoon everybody as the continued absence of supporters Ways of continuing to get involved we embark on a bold new era in stadiums. include Fans Wall and Memorial at Boston United with today’s We have a host of corporate and Wall bricks, seat dedications (all eagerly-awaited opening fixture hospitality facilities on offer at the £100 apiece) and pitch sponsorship at the Jakemans Community stadium, which will be a real asset pledges (£25 and £50). Stadium. moving forward. In the meantime, Do not hesitate to get in touch to Chorley are this afternoon’s visitors our initial commercial efforts this pledge your support. for this re-arranged National League season have been focused on filling It’s been an unprecedented season North fixture which will, sadly, be advertising boards around the to date and there are likely to be played behind-closed-doors and Community Stadium and it’s fantastic more challenges to overcome, but mean supporters will have to wait to see the ‘TV arc’ full ahead of it’s hard to think of a stronger squad a little longer before gracing our today’s opening fixture. being assembled since the Pilgrims fantastic new stadium. We have welcomed a host of familiar returned to non-league football in It’s testament to the efforts of David names alongside plenty of new ones 2007 and the recent acquisitions Newton, ably supported by Neil and it would be appropriate to thank of Joe Leesley and Mitch Rose Kempster, that the Pilgrims now the likes of Michelle’s Mortgage demonstrate the real intent to get have their own home – free from Solutions, Torien Services, Moore promoted this season. crippling rent and costly repairs and Thompson, SRP Hire Solutions, St With the new stadium now up-and- maintenance each season. George’s Prep School, Minster Group, running and the return of supporters Hutsons Signs and First Rate Flat We have published numerous hopefully not too far away, let’s hope Roofing as first time advertisers. photographs outside in and around all the pieces of the jigsaw continue the stadium, but the inside of the There are plenty more spaces to fall into place for a memorable stands has been kept a closely- available and lots more new faces 2021. guarded secret and the chairman coming onboard in the near future. is keen for supporters to see the Craig Singleton Our Building Together campaign facilities first hand when Covid Club Secretary and Commercial has been hugely successful, raising restrictions permit, rather than Manager thousands of pounds to support photographs being published. I can the fit-out and completion of the assure you that it’s worth the wait! Community Stadium. Today’s match is the third fixture of the season to be streamed on Boston United Live and I must acknowledge Marc Cucksey’s brilliant efforts to get the service up-and- running. By day, Marc is one of the chairman’s trusted accountants at Chestnut Homes but by night, he transforms into a tech guru who has done so much brilliant work around the football club over recent weeks and months! I must also thank Russell and Fred Dossett for their continued efforts on the streaming front. We look forward to growing the service even further in

06 | BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY THE PILGRIM Christian James STATISTICALLY SPEAKING CHRISTIAN JAMES TAKES A STATISTICAL LOOK AT THIS AFTERNOON’S ACTION FOR THE PILGRIMS

Presuming no weather conditions, Covid cases or “TODAY IS AN HISTORIC OCCASION THOUGH AND I anything else that could delay HOPE MR NEWTON, MR KEMPSTER, EVERYONE WHO’S it any further have intervened: MADE THIS GROUND A POSSIBILITY WILL FIND TIME TO today is the day! United’s game TAKE PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT BOSTON ARE PLAYING IN one at ground two breaks A FACILITY OF THEIR OWN, FIT FOR THE MODERN DAY.” the seal on the new era, one undoubtedly of hope and opportunity as United continue but an important game as Chorley already missed twice as many to morph into a sustainable – future FA Cup third round tie in league games this season as he did seven-day-a-week entity. their sights – visit with six points last, has been a reliable constant in to their record after eight games. the Boston side for a while now. But of course, just as the York Street United meanwhile haven’t won in The Pilgrims didn’t use Andi Thanoj play-off games in the summer two games since returning to action carried a strange after-the-end at Fylde either, making it the first and while that’s nothing to be overly league game they’ve contested aura; today will no doubt have a ashamed of, especially away to the without either the current numbers dress-rehearsal feel as these new current top two, Craig Elliott will 4 or 7 since September 2018, stands wait for anything close to a be keen to return his side to although in fairness the midfield crowd to occupy them. winning ways. men at the weekend (Green, Rose, I was lucky enough to attend the United are again without midfield Dimaio) were a cut above those that play-off games to write for the Non- general who, having League Paper and entering a bare- turned out at Curzon over two years bones York Street via an emptied ago (Harris, Norris, Abbott). boardroom to an unpopulated With three points, and on an ground (minus its green ‘temporary’ individual level notoriety as the seats) was certainly a bizarre first ever goalscorer at United’s experience. Equally, today’s game new ground on offer, the Pilgrims feels like a strange preview event, will hope they settle in with a the wrappers still very much on this comfortable victory. fantastic new facility. But if a decade in the National Today is an historic occasion League North hasn’t taught you though and I hope Mr Newton, Mr that nothing is that straightforward, Kempster, everyone who’s made living through 11 months of 2020 this ground a possibility will find should leave you under no illusions! time to take pride in the fact that The way this year is going, I Boston are playing in a facility of their own, fit for the modern day. wouldn’t be too surprised if the Chorley keeper opens the scoring The place has its unique down Pilgrim Way. Or, failing that, components, critical to carving you’re actually reading this ahead of character to standout from “every a rearranged game in mid-February other modern ground” and I have and United still have 30-plus games every faith the as-yet-unseen left. concourse, bar and function areas will carry the Boston United identity Enjoy the game (whenever it may through them. Even the car park be). signs have excited a few online... Christian James Today is not only a big occasion, @bostonutdstats

THE PILGRIM BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY | 07 MATCH BY MATCH 2020/21

First teamATTENDANCE fixtures, results and line-ups DATE COMP OPPOSITION RESULT TOTAL AWAY POS OCTOBER 2020 SAT 3 FAC2Q AFC MANSFIELD H W4-2 N/A N/A - FITZSIMONS WARREN SHIELS 1 GIBBENS ASKEW THANOJ PLATT y DIMAIO THEWLIS BURROW 1 HAWKRIDGE 1 CROOK PRESTON 1 TOOTLE GREEN ARCHER DUXBURY GARNER TUE 6 NLN LEAMINGTON A W4-0 N/A N/A 1 FITZSIMONS y TOOTLE SHIELS 1 GARNER 1 y DUXBURY THANOJ PLATT GREEN 1 y PRESTON BURROW HAWKRIDGE WARREN DIMAIO THEWLIS 1 ARCHER ASKEW SAT 24 NLN AFC UNITED H W3-2 N/A N/A 5 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE SHIELS y GARNER 1 DUXBURY y THANOJ PLATT GREEN THEWLIS 1 BURROW 1 HAWKRIDGE CROOK ASKEW DIMAIO ARCHER WARREN TUE 27 NLN H D1-1 N/A N/A 3 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE SHIELS GARNER y DUXBURY y DIMAIO PLATT GREEN THEWLIS BURROW HAWKRIDGE 1 CROOK THANOJ ASKEW ARCHER WARREN SAT 31 NLN SOUTHPORT A W1-0 N/A N/A 3 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE y SHIELS GARNER DUXBURY THANOJ PLATT GREEN THEWLIS 1 BURROW HAWKRIDGE CROOK PRESTON DIMAIO ARCHER WARREN NOVEMBER 2020 SAT 28 NLN AFC FYLDE A L1-2 N/A N/A 13 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE SHIELS GARNER DUXBURY PRESTON ROSE y GREEN DIMAIO BURROW 1 HAWKRIDGE CROOK THANOJ LEESLEY THEWLIS ROLLINS DECEMBER 2020 TUE 1 NLN GLOUCESTER CITY A D0-0 N/A N/A 14 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE SHIELS y GARNER DUXBURY THANOJ ROSE LEESLEY DIMAIO BURROW HAWKRIDGE CROOK GREEN PRESTON THEWLIS ROLLINS SAT 5 NLN CHORLEY H 15:00 TUE 8 NLN BLYTH SPARTANS A 19:45 SAT 12 NLN FC H 15:00 TUE 15 FAT R2 TBC - 19:45 SAT 19 FAT R3 TBC - 15:00 SAT 26 NLN ALFRETON TOWN H 15:00 MON 28 NLN FARSLEY CELTIC A 15:00 JANUARY 2021 SAT 2 NLN ALFRETON TOWN A 15:00 TUE 5 NLN KETTERING TOWN H 19:45 SAT 9 NLN YORK CITY H 15:00 MON 11 NLN BRADFORD PARK AVENUE A 19:45 SAT 16 NLN GATESHEAD A 15:00 TUE 19 NLN SPENNYMOOR TOWN H 19:45 SAT 23 NLN BRACKLEY TOWN H 15:00 SAT 30 NLN FC H 15:00 FEBRUARY 2021 SAT 6 NLN CURZON ASHTON A 15:00 TUE 9 NLN HARRIERS H 19:45 SAT 13 NLN GUISELEY A 15:00 SAT 20 NLN LEAMINGTON H 15:00 SAT 27 NLN AFC TELFORD UNITED A 15:00 MARCH 2021 SAT 6 NLN BRADFORD PARK AVENUE H 15:00 LEAGUE TABLE 2020/21 SAT 13 NLN DARLINGTON H 15:00 # Pl W D L F A GD Pts SAT 20 NLN CHORLEY A 15:00 1 GLOUCESTER CITY 12 7 TUE 23 NLN KETTERING TOWN A 19:45 3 2 27 15 12 24 SAT 27 NLN AFC FYLDE H 15:00 2 AFC FYLDE 10 6 3 1 15 10 5 21 APRIL 2021 3 KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 10 6 2 2 17 8 9 20 FRI 2 NLN SPENNYMOOR TOWN A 15:00 4 AFC TELFORD UNITED 11 5 2 4 15 13 2 17 MON 5 NLN BLYTH SPARTANS H 15:00 5 GATESHEAD 9 5 1 3 12 8 4 16 SAT 10 NLN CHESTER FC A 15:00 6 CHESTER 9 4 2 3 16 13 3 14 TUE 13 NLN GLOUCESTER CITY H 19:45 7 SOUTHPORT 11 4 2 5 11 12 -1 14 SAT 17 NLN SOUTHPORT H 15:00 SAT 24 NLN KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS A 15:00 8 FARSLEY CELTIC 12 3 5 4 14 17 -3 14 MAY 2021 9 LEAMINGTON 9 3 4 2 15 15 0 13 SAT 1 NLN FARSLEY CELTIC H 15:00 10 BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) 11 3 4 4 17 18 -1 13 MON 3 NLN YORK CITY A 15:00 11 SPENNYMOOR TOWN 8 3 3 2 11 10 1 12 SAT 8 NLN GATESHEAD H 15:00 12 CURZON ASHTON 12 3 3 6 11 19 -8 12 SAT 15 NLN BRACKLEY TOWN A 15:00 13 YORK CITY 6 3 2 1 11 6 5 11 SAT 22 NLN HEREFORD FC A 15:00 10/11/1999 SAT 29 NLN CURZON ASHTON A 15:00 14 BOSTON UNITED 6 3 2 1 10 5 5 11 15 DARLINGTON 7 3 0 4 11 8 3 9 TBA NLN DARLINGTON A TBC 16 HEREFORD 7 2 3 2 9 8 1 9 17 ALFRETON TOWN 11 2 3 6 10 20 -10 9 18 KETTERING TOWN 8 2 2 4 13 14 -1 8 19 GUISELEY 8 2 2 4 10 11 -1 8 20 BRACKLEY TOWN 8 1 5 2 8 11 -3 8 21 CHORLEY 8 1 3 4 6 11 -5 6 22 BLYTH SPARTANS 9 1 2 6 6 23 -17 5

08 | BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY THE PILGRIM MATCH BY MATCH 2020/21 KEY: GOALSCORER 1 | y BOOKED | y SENT OFF | $ OWN GOAL SUB 1 | SUB 2 | SUB 3 | SUB 4 | CUP FIXTURES – YELLOW’ NLN - NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH | FAT - THE FA BUILDBASE TROPHY | FAC - EMIRATES FA CUP

First teamATTENDANCE fixtures, results and line-ups DATE COMP OPPOSITION RESULT TOTAL AWAY POS OCTOBER 2020 SAT 3 FAC2Q AFC MANSFIELD H W4-2 N/A N/A - FITZSIMONS WARREN SHIELS 1 GIBBENS ASKEW THANOJ PLATT y DIMAIO THEWLIS BURROW 1 HAWKRIDGE 1 CROOK PRESTON 1 TOOTLE GREEN ARCHER DUXBURY GARNER TUE 6 NLN LEAMINGTON A W4-0 N/A N/A 1 FITZSIMONS y TOOTLE SHIELS 1 GARNER 1 y DUXBURY THANOJ PLATT GREEN 1 y PRESTON BURROW HAWKRIDGE WARREN DIMAIO THEWLIS 1 ARCHER ASKEW SAT 24 NLN AFC TELFORD UNITED H W3-2 N/A N/A 5 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE SHIELS y GARNER 1 DUXBURY y THANOJ PLATT GREEN THEWLIS 1 BURROW 1 HAWKRIDGE CROOK ASKEW DIMAIO ARCHER WARREN TUE 27 NLN GUISELEY H D1-1 N/A N/A 3 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE SHIELS GARNER y DUXBURY y DIMAIO PLATT GREEN THEWLIS BURROW HAWKRIDGE 1 CROOK THANOJ ASKEW ARCHER WARREN SAT 31 NLN SOUTHPORT A W1-0 N/A N/A 3 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE y SHIELS GARNER DUXBURY THANOJ PLATT GREEN THEWLIS 1 BURROW HAWKRIDGE CROOK PRESTON DIMAIO ARCHER WARREN NOVEMBER 2020 SAT 28 NLN AFC FYLDE A L1-2 N/A N/A 13 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE SHIELS GARNER DUXBURY PRESTON ROSE y GREEN DIMAIO BURROW 1 HAWKRIDGE CROOK THANOJ LEESLEY THEWLIS ROLLINS DECEMBER 2020 TUE 1 NLN GLOUCESTER CITY A D0-0 N/A N/A 14 FITZSIMONS TOOTLE SHIELS y GARNER DUXBURY THANOJ ROSE LEESLEY DIMAIO BURROW HAWKRIDGE CROOK GREEN PRESTON THEWLIS ROLLINS SAT 5 NLN CHORLEY H 15:00 TUE 8 NLN BLYTH SPARTANS A 19:45 SAT 12 NLN CHESTER FC H 15:00 TUE 15 FAT R2 TBC - 19:45 SAT 19 FAT R3 TBC - 15:00 SAT 26 NLN ALFRETON TOWN H 15:00 MON 28 NLN FARSLEY CELTIC A 15:00 JANUARY 2021 SAT 2 NLN ALFRETON TOWN A 15:00 TUE 5 NLN KETTERING TOWN H 19:45 SAT 9 NLN YORK CITY H 15:00 MON 11 NLN BRADFORD PARK AVENUE A 19:45 SAT 16 NLN GATESHEAD A 15:00 TUE 19 NLN SPENNYMOOR TOWN H 19:45 SAT 23 NLN BRACKLEY TOWN H 15:00 SAT 30 NLN HEREFORD FC H 15:00 FEBRUARY 2021 SAT 6 NLN CURZON ASHTON A 15:00 TUE 9 NLN KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS H 19:45 SAT 13 NLN GUISELEY A 15:00 SAT 20 NLN LEAMINGTON H 15:00 SAT 27 NLN AFC TELFORD UNITED A 15:00 PLAYER APPEARANCES 2020/21 MARCH 2021 LEAGUE TABLE 2020/21 CURRENT PLAYERS DATE OF BIRTH APPEARANCES GOALS YELLOW CARDS RED CARDS SAT 6 NLN BRADFORD PARK AVENUE H 15:00 28/05/1994 7 (0) 0 1 0 SAT 13 NLN DARLINGTON H 15:00 SAT 20 NLN CHORLEY A 15:00 Matt TOOTLE 11/10/1990 6 (0) 0 1 0 TUE 23 NLN KETTERING TOWN A 19:45 Scott DUXBURY 02/05/1995 6 (0) 0 3 0 SAT 27 NLN AFC FYLDE H 15:00 Tom PLATT 01/10/1993 5 (0) 0 2 0 APRIL 2021 20/09/1989 6 (0) 1 2 0 FRI 2 NLN SPENNYMOOR TOWN A 15:00 MON 5 NLN BLYTH SPARTANS H 15:00 Luke SHIELS 21/09/1989 7 (0) 2 2 0 SAT 10 NLN CHESTER FC A 15:00 Andi THANOJ 19/12/1992 5 (0) 0 0 0 TUE 13 NLN GLOUCESTER CITY H 19:45 Paul GREEN 10/04/1983 5 (1) 1 1 0 SAT 17 NLN SOUTHPORT H 15:00 12/09/1992 7 (0) 1 0 0 SAT 24 NLN KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS A 15:00 MAY 2021 Jordan THEWLIS 24/10/1992 4 (1) 1 0 0 SAT 1 NLN FARSLEY CELTIC H 15:00 Jay ROLLINS 01/06/1994 0 (1) 0 0 0 MON 3 NLN YORK CITY A 15:00 Peter CROOK 22/04/1994 0 (0) 0 0 0 SAT 8 NLN GATESHEAD H 15:00 Lewis GIBBENS 10/11/1999 1 (0) 0 0 0 SAT 15 NLN BRACKLEY TOWN A 15:00 SAT 22 NLN HEREFORD FC A 15:00 Tyrell WARREN 05/10/199810/11/1999 1 (2) 0 0 0 SAT 29 NLN CURZON ASHTON A 15:00 Josh ASKEW 20/02/1998 1 (0) 0 0 0 Connor DIMAIO 28/01/1996 4 (2) 0 0 0 TBA NLN DARLINGTON A TBC 23/02/1990 7 (0) 1 0 0 15/10/1993 0 (4) 0 0 0 Mitch ROSE 04/07/1994 2 (0) 0 1 0 Jake FRESTLE 11/12/2002 0 (0) 0 0 0 Fraser PRESTON 05/03/1999 2 (3) 1 1 0 Joe LEESLEY 29/03/1994 1 (1) 0 0 0

THE PILGRIM BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY | 09 Richard Collins PILGRIMS PUZZLER RICHARD COLLINS BRINGS YOU ANOTHER ROUND OF FOOTBALL TRIVIA WORLD DOMESTIC BOSTON FOOTBALL FOOTBALL UNITED Q1 Which former French Q11 Apart from the Pilgrims, international full-back had a which other club side do Tyrell three-year spell as manager Waite, , of Fulham during the early Greg Tempest, David Staff, 2000s? Jim Rodwell, Gary Jones, Andy Kiwomya, Stewart Hamill, Q2 Which Scandinavian Brendan Phillips, Mickey Brown, goalkeeper’s proposed move Ross Weatherstone and Mark to Arsenal fell through in the Clifford all share in common? 1980s after he was denied a Q6 At which two London stadiums work permit, but he was later did Charlton Athletic play Q12 Which former England full able to sign for Tottenham home matches during their international winger scored Hotspur after winning an exile from The Valley between the winning goal for Sheffield international call-up? 1985 and 1992? United against Cardiff City in the 1925 FA Cup final, and later Q3 Which African nation beat Q7 Which team played in the managed Boston United for Argentina 1-0 in the opening UEFA Cup in 2006-2007 a long spell either side of the match of the 1990 World Cup season, just five years after Second World War? Finals in Italy? they had been playing in the Northern Q13 Who joined the Pilgrims from First Division? Leyton Orient in 2005, later moving on to play for Notts Q8 Which club County? finished second in the 1992- 1993 GM Vauxhall Conference, Q14 From which team did the its first season at that level, Pilgrims sign striker Frank and spent a further four Mulhern on loan last season? years in that league before Q15 Brad Abbott, who left the being relegated back to the Q4 Pilgrims during the summer, Which Senegal international Southern League? made five Football League striker played club football for Q9 Who broke his appearances at the beginning the likes of Liverpool, Bolton of his career. But which team leg while playing Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, was he playing for? Sunderland, Doncaster Rovers for Blackburn and United? Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup Q5 Which former final, but later Premier League returned to Wembley as midfielder was chairman of Wigan Athletic for appointed as the 2013 final? head coach of Nice in the Q10 Which current National League French top flight North club lifted the FA Trophy in 2018? in 2018-2019, beating Leyton

Orient in the final?

Q15 Barnsley. Q15

Q8 Bromsgrove Rovers; Q9 David Whelan; Q10 AFC Fylde; Q11 Borough; Q12 Freddy Tunstall; Q13 Alan White; Q14 Stockport County; County; Stockport Q14 White; Alan Q13 Tunstall; Freddy Q12 Borough; Nuneaton Q11 Fylde; AFC Q10 Whelan; David Q9 Rovers; Bromsgrove Q8

Q1 Jean Tigana; Q2 Eric Thorstvedt; Q3 Cameroon; Q4 El Hadji Diouf; Q5 Patrick Vieira; Q6 and Upton Park; Q7 Gretna FC; FC; Gretna Q7 Park; Upton and Park Selhurst Q6 Vieira; Patrick Q5 Diouf; Hadji El Q4 Cameroon; Q3 Thorstvedt; Eric Q2 Tigana; Jean Q1 ANSWERS:

10 | BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY THE PILGRIM Duncan Browne MEDIA VIEWPOINT DUNCAN BROWNE, OF THE BOSTON STANDARD, PENS HIS FIRST COLUMN AT THE QUADRANT.

It wasn’t meant to be like this. Today Boston United will begin a new era as they kick-off life at the Jakemans Community Stadium. Sadly, the atmosphere will not be a deafening din. The stadium will not come alive to the smell of fried onions and spilt pints. You, the fans will not get the chance to raise an eyebrow and crack a smile at those heartwarming, special touches around the place that gives the stadium - and club - its unique “IT’S TAKEN SEVEN LONG, HARD YEARS OF PLANNING, identity. You can’t even look for HARD WORK, STEEL PRICE RISES, FINANCIAL STRUGGLES, your name on the buy-a-brick wall FUNDING BIDS, RED TAPE, BREXIT UNCERTAINTY AND A or under the flatscreen TV you’ve GLOBAL PANDEMIC TO CREATE A STADIUM THAT WILL paid for. MAKE THE CLUB SELF-SUSTAINABLE.” The cocktail of Covid pandemic and tier three status mean the fans’ first Over the years I’ve had the fortune pandemic to create a stadium that glimpse of a game down Pilgrim Way to see behind-the-scenes at a will make the club self-sustainable. will be via a live stream. number of brand-new stadiums At last, after leaping so many It was hard enough for the while covering United. Too often hurdles, chairman Newton and supporters not getting the chance there was there was a ‘look upon my vice-chairman Neil Kempster have to say farewell to York Street, that work ye mighty’ feel. delivered a stadium ready for beautiful old stadium where they Being guided to a press box, at a football, and the supporters still can’t have been making memories - and club which shall remain nameless, get in. longstanding friendships - since one club employee delighted in The building looks beautiful, but it is 1933. telling me how much it had cost to the people that give it its soul. It was bad enough that there was carpet the place behind-the-scenes. It shouldn’t be like this. The crowds no summertime family fun day for That price alone would have covered should be roaring the players onto you all to get together, meet the by mortgage more than eight times the pitch, just like the Town End new team, catch up and check out over. should have gone wild as Jay Rollins’ behind-the-scenes. I’ve seen chairman splash their low 20-yarder found the net below in It’s downright tragic no fans will be names and likenesses all over the July’s play-off victory over Gateshead. able to say ‘I was there for the first walls. One even named the arena Right now it’s a frustrating waiting game at the Jakemans’ as their kids after themselves. In Wyberton they game for all. But one day you shall and grandkids talk about the place chose to use the word ‘community’. return, cheer, have a drink and shout with wonder and awe in years to Today Newton will be hurting just as rude words at a bloke because he’s come. much as you. Not because of the lost having an off day. David Newton - the man who revenue but because he wants you, At present divided, but with a stopped the club going to the wall the supporters, in there with him. stadium and club that makes you and is in the final throes of building It’s taken seven long, hard years of proudly United. you four new ones - said just that planning, hard work, steel price rises, Duncan Browne this week, making it clear to me that financial struggles, funding bids, red @DuncanBrowneJPI ‘football exists for the fans’. tape, Brexit uncertainty and a global Boston Standard

THE PILGRIM BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY | 11 Rob Makepeace COUNTY SCENE ROB MAKEPEACE PREVIEWS HIS FIRST-EVER VISIT TO THE JAKEMANS COMMUNITY STADIUM.

So it’s finally here. After what “ON THE PITCH, IT’S BEEN A GOOD START FOR THE feels like a very long wait, Boston PILGRIMS. WITH THE STOP START NATURE OF THE United move into their new home SEASON SO FAR, THE TABLE MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY and play their first competitive fixture in it. SHOW JUST HOW WELL THEY’VE DONE EARLY ON. ” I had a sneak peek around the ground a few weeks ago – not indoors though! As soon as I stepped foot in the stadium, my first reaction was WOW. As you would expect with the chairman, every detail has been thought through. The main stand is terrific and I can’t wait to take my seat in the new press box this afternoon against Chorley. The standout for me though is the floodlights. It must be so hard to try and make a football stadium not look like any other and the floodlights are the feature I’m sure supporters of clubs up and down the country will remember from their trip to Boston. As Boston say goodbye to Gainsborough Trinity’s Northolme, it’s been nice to see our clubs working together and helping each other out. There’s certainly benefits from clubs at all levels helping out their near neighbours, whether that be temporary ground Looking through the league, there’s the BBC Sport website. I know the sharing, sending out players on loan probably eight or nine sides who all sports team have loved bringing to get fit and also sharing ideas and feel they’ve got a shout of the title, you the action so far this season thoughts around football. with Boston being one of them. The and we will continue to do so this On the pitch, it’s been a good start next month is an extremely busy week with the trip to Blyth Spartans for the Pilgrims. With the stop start one with six league games on the on Tuesday evening where Dale nature of the season so far, the way between now and January 2. It’s Storey will be guiding you through table might not necessarily show hard to know what would be classed the action. just how well they’ve done early as a good points total come the A big thanks to Craig Singleton for on. They’ve already ticked off three start of 2021, but a solid 12 should joining us on commentary duty so of the top seven away from home see Boston remain in and around far this season. It’s a big help and is and managed to get four points. those play-off places as we enter the appreciated. The usual suspects are up their New Year. challenging so far and I think this Finally, a reminder that we’ve got Rob Makepeace year could be tighter than ever for commentary of Boston United @rob_makepeace top spot. online for you this afternoon, on BBC Radio Lincolnshire

12 | BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY THE PILGRIM Adam Shergold THE BIGGER PICTURE ADAM SHERGOLD SAYS HELLO TO THE JAKEMANS COMMUNITY STADIUM TODAY.

History is made today. An But we’ll all get there in the end I’m writing this column before the exciting new chapter in the epic and enjoy these new surroundings Gloucester City game on Tuesday story of Boston United Football all the more for the various trials but it seems on the evidence of Club begins here. A new home, and tribulations the club has gone the season so far - the few games a new sense of belonging, new through to get here. we have played amid those Covid memories to be made. For all of us who’ve watched that interludes - we do have a team that Of course, history is always webcam like hawks this year, will challenge at the top end of the imperfect in some way or another. eager to see the slightest hint of table this season. There’s usually some kind of snag, construction progress, the first That was always going to be some unfortunate flip side. lockdown in the spring was all the essential to draw people to this new And so it transpires that we begin more demoralising. stadium, to generate a buzz about life at the Jakemans Community Everything just stopped, seemingly the place. Stadium today without quite the size overnight, as with every other Now the matches will come thick of audience that would be here had construction project, large or small, and fast. Some 17 matches in nine ‘events’ and ‘the current situation’ up and down the land. Nothing weeks is quite possible. Hopefully not grabbed hold of the occasion. could be built, no progress could be fans will soon be allowed in to As I’ve found myself saying an awful made, when you’re being told to stay provide the vocal support to push lot this year, it is what it is. indoors. the players through this relentless succession of games. So we’ll begin with those But when society emerged blinking magnificent amber and black into the light and returned to some Some studies have shown that seats in the main stand largely pale imitation of normality, progress new stadiums create a boost in unoccupied but with an enormous on this stadium was astonishingly attendances of between 40 to 50 sense of anticipation building. rapid. per cent. The time will come, when it’s safe One day there was the grey shell of Many clubs have also seen success again, when the data and the a stand, seemingly the next there in terms of promotions and graphs show Lincolnshire not to were coloured seats and the name silverware follow hot on the heels of be within the dreaded Tier Three of the club spelt out in smart letters. moving into new surroundings. parameters any more, for Boston One day there was a mound It wasn’t meant to be that York United to play at home in front of of brown earth, the next an Street’s farewell involved a long- crowds once more. immaculate grass pitch to play on. awaited promotion to the National And it’ll all feel doubly strange. Not The floodlights seemed to spring up League. It was such an agonising only will it not be York Street and the in next to no time. Let there be light! afternoon. old rituals and routines of matchday In recent days, we’ve seen fast But it’s also history, the previous will have to be modified or perhaps progress on two of the other stands. chapter. The next one remains abandoned altogether. We now see something that does unwritten but promises so much. We’ll all need a little bit of time to resemble a football stadium. The Adam Shergold work out where we’re meant to be time has come to play. @adamjshergold going, where to sit or stand, what’s located where. Plus, for a little while yet when the “NOW THE MATCHES WILL COME THICK AND FAST. fans are allowed to return, there will SOME 17 MATCHES IN NINE WEEKS IS QUITE POSSIBLE. be all the Covid rigmarole of social HOPEFULLY FANS WILL SOON BE ALLOWED IN TO distancing and temperature checks PROVIDE THE VOCAL SUPPORT TO PUSH THE PLAYERS and maybe even masks on the THROUGH THIS RELENTLESS SUCCESSION OF GAMES.” terraces.

THE PILGRIM BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY | 13 Glen Champman BUSA ROUND-UP BUSA CHAIRMAN GLEN CHAPMAN LOOKS AHEAD TO A MEMORABLE DAY IN THE CLUB’S HISTORY.

Saturday August 1, 2020 was an incredibly significant day in the history of Boston United Football Club in that it was the last game to be played at our beloved York Street Stadium. As we move the clock forward just over four months to Saturday December 5, 2020, we arrive at a point in time that will also be recorded as an incredibly significant day in the history of our club. The Pilgrims will play their first competitive game at their new Community Stadium. There were no spectators at the August game so perhaps it is poignant that the same criteria applies for our first game at our new home: that to mark the last season at York steer and say to them, on behalf of The Jakemans Community Stadium Street by offering two-year BUSA BUSA members and Boston United Pilgrim Way memberships for the price of one, fans… THANK YOU. Wyberton we had no idea of the significance of Although the stadium will be Boston that decision. devoid of paying fans today, there Lincolnshire is no doubt at all that hundreds if PE21 7NE It would have been very challenging to try and process membership not thousands of Boston United BUSA always intended to play its applications during the pandemic, supporters will be watching the part in the move to a new home but but thankfully because of our offer game today on the edge of their the circumstances we find ourselves that has not been necessary. seats, with tensions building and in has restricted what we have only shortly abated when a picture been able to do. BUSA has made David and Neil were always clear actually appears at the point the a substantial donation to the club in their intentions to construct a streaming countdown reaches zero! in respect to the provision of the new stadium for the football club, Although not physically present, I am irrigation system for the new pitch but to manage to do that while sure the United board of directors, but please be assured that once we enduring the unprecedented times staff members, volunteers, along come through the other side of this we find ourselves is a marvellous with the Gaffer and his players, are pandemic BUSA will make further achievement. ‘The Chestnuts’ are contributions. aware of the support they continue known for keeping things simple and to receive from Pilgrims fans. When the BUSA committee agreed focused so I would like to use their Please stay safe, enjoy the game “DAVID AND NEIL WERE ALWAYS CLEAR IN THEIR today and remember as much INTENTIONS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW STADIUM FOR THE as you can of what is and will be a significant day in the history of FOOTBALL CLUB, BUT TO MANAGE TO DO THAT WHILE Boston United Football Club. ENDURING THE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES WE FIND OURSELVES IS A MARVELLOUS ACHIEVEMENT. ” Glen Chapman BUSA Chairman

14 | BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY THE PILGRIM Pete Brooksbank TERRACE CHATTER PETE BROOKSBANK WRITES ABOUT A MAJOR MILESTONE IN THE CLUB’S HISTORY.

Seven years ago, Boston United watch this historic occasion from him for it, but I get it. He wants fans chairman David Newton and the sofa. to see the place for the first time with vice-chairman Neil Kempster And it really is an historic day. This their own eyes, and as annoying as it took to the stage at a packed ground has been in the planning is, you can’t deny him that privilege. fans’ forum in the Pilgrim Lounge for years; a real labour of love. “It’ll The Jakemans is his baby. and revealed, to widespread never get built!” some protested. I’ll be honest, I semi-jokingly tried astonishment, their plans for a Well, turns out it did. Well, most of to blag my way in. It wasn’t a long new stadium and community it anyway. We’ll have to wait a bit conversation. Even spending complex, along with a huge longer for the sports hall and 3G hundreds of pounds on old York commercial and residential pitches, but what Boston United Street signage that my wife hates development that would have built is - from a distance at least isn’t enough to defeat the Covid completely transform a part of - one of the best new stadiums in protocols. I’m as welcome at the Wyberton once bisected by a non-league football. If you’re going Jakemans as a Chorley overhead kick. railway line next to Tytton Lane to replace a stadium as loved as York And rightly so. East. Street, you’d better not mess it up What’s even more distressing is that The plans were sleek and - and the owners certainly haven’t. Craig Elliott’s 2020 United are an professional. Glass. Loads of glass. Even the signs look posh. incredibly exciting bunch. A blip at Curved floodlights that didn’t look But as it stands, the closest any of Fylde last weekend spoiled what had anything like those at York Street, but us can get to the new building is been an otherwise brilliant start for looked like someone had dropped Costa Coffee, where plenty of fans the Pilgrims, but they swiftly put that Trent Bridge on the edge of the have stood and taken their photos behind them with an excellent point village. Concourses. Bars. Televisions! dreaming of the day they’ll actually at Gloucester, although technical Jaws dropped. Especially mine: my be allowed to have a look inside. We issues with the streaming service mum and dad live on Tytton Lane were hoping that would be today: left a number of fans unable to see West. Finally, I thought, I could pile alas, the coronavirus had other the whole game. That better not into my dad’s collection of real ales plans. happen today. Elliott has assembled and stroll down to watch my team, But weirdly, it’s not even Boston the strongest Boston United side a mere 10-minute walk from ‘home’. fans I feel most sorry for. It’s the in years, which is typical when you He was horrified at the prospect and two chairmen. They’ve ploughed consider no-one can actually see has now hidden his beer stash. a staggering amount of time and them play and we had to abandon Well. Turns out he didn’t need to money into this project and by all the FA Cup just when we started to bother. I’m not strolling anywhere accounts agonised over every little get good at it. today. What I didn’t reckon with detail. They are, rightly, proud of With games coming up at an was the biggest public health crisis what they’ve achieved. It might not incredible pace over the next few since McDonald’s launched the be finished, but this new facility is a weeks as Boston try and make up triple cheeseburger absolutely stunning testament to what you can for lost time, the squad depth we tearing society to pieces, to the point do with patience and determination, have acquired will be vital. But even even when the odds seem politicians are now openly arguing so, the brutal nature of the schedule overwhelmingly against you. The pair on TV about scotch eggs. As such, may still take its toll. The odds may have, with literally no assets, created the first game at our sparkling new be against us, but then they were in a stadium that the town should be home is now being played behind- 2007. And look what we’ve got today. closed-doors under the guidance proud of. Enjoy the game. of fearsome Covid enforcer Neil It’s taken time, it’s not happened Kempster. It’s a crushing reality that, overnight, but look at it - happened. Pete Brooksbank denied a final farewell to York Street, David Newton has been particularly @petebrooksbank United fans will also now be locked keen to ensure photos of the place out of today’s match and forced to don’t leak onto social media. I hate

THE PILGRIM BOSTON UNITED v CHORLEY | 15 THE TEAMS

BOSTON UNITED Saturday 5th December 2020 | 15:00 FOOTBALL CLUB Vanarama National League North Jakemans Community Stadium Pilgrim Way Wyberton BOSTON CHORLEY Boston UNITED PE21 7NE MANAGER: CRAIG ELLIOTT MANAGER: JAMIE VERMIGLIO CLUB DIRECTORY ROSS FITZSIMONS 01 01 MATT URWIN President: John Blackwell Chairman: David Newton MATT TOOTLE 02 02 ARLEN BIRCH Vice-Chairman: Neil Kempster SCOTT DUXBURY 03 03 HARVEY SMITH Director: Chris Cook TOM PLATT 04 04 ANDY HALLS Chief Executive: Mike Hardy SCOTT GARNER 05 05 Club Secretary: Craig Singleton LUKE SHIELS 06 06 LEWIS BAINES Office Administrator: Claire Bennett Head Chef & Catering Manager: Phil Pack ANDI THANOJ 07 07 SEAN MILLER Head Groundsman: Jim Portas PAUL GREEN 08 08 MIKE CALVELEY First Team Manager: Craig Elliott JORDAN BURROW 09 09 Assistant Manager: John McDermott JORDAN THEWLIS 10 10 LEWIS REILLY First Team Coach: Lee Stratford JAY ROLLINS 11 11 ELLIOT NEWBY Goalkeeping Coach: Rich Lawrence Chief Scout: Richard Boryszczuk PETER CROOK 13 12 WILL TOMLINSON Head of Medical: Hayden Clifton LEWIS GIBBENS 14 13 OLLIE SHENTON THE PILGRIM TYRELL WARREN 15 14 Programme Editor: Craig Singleton JOSH ASKEW 16 15 OLIVER PUTNAM Photography: Tim Hoff, Russell Dossett, CONNOR DIMAIO 17 16 TYLER GARRATT Eric Brown, Oliver Atkin TERRY HAWKRIDGE 18 17 MALAKAI Design: Mark Tomlinson (Full Circles) MITCH ROSE 19 18 LEO ROBERTS Print: PDM - Print Digital Media JAKE FRESTLE 20 19 SEWA MARAH DISCLAIMER FRASER PRESTON 21 20 LEWIS DUTTON The views expressed within this programme are not necessarily those of JOE LEESLEY 22 23 CHRIS CONN-CLARKE Boston United Football Club, the board of 27 CONNOR HALL directors or the editor. FA RULE 2.13 MATCH OFFICIALS Club Name: Referee: James Bancroft Boston United Football Club Limited Assistant Referees: Ian Jackson & Lewis Saunders-Johnson Company Number: 00303529 (Limited by Shares) FORTHCOMING FIXTURES Primary Shareholders: NEXT AT HOME NEXT ON THE ROAD Boston United Holding Company Limited (06552437) - primary shareholder David Sydney Newton; Anthony Dowse; Chestnut Homes Limited (02757691) - primary shareholder David Sydney Newton. CHESTER BLYTH SPARTANS Saturday 12th December 2020 Tuesday 8th December 2020 Kick-Off: 15:00 Kick-Off: 19:45 Vanarama National League North Vanarama National League North The Jakemans Community Stadium Croft Park Boston United would like to remind Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the Jakemans Community Stadium all supporters to refrain from racist, and to smoke you need to be outside the stadium in the Main Car Park. homophobic or discriminative chanting.