Our review of 2014 continues with a look at events on and off the pitch at Stevenage FC from July through to September...
July
On the pitch...
Pre-season begins with a 3-0 win at Arlesey Town with goals from new signings Wells, Marriott and Pett before two late strikes from West Ham denied Boro a great win at The Lamex the following weekend. Goals from Pett and trialist Connor Calcutt put the hosts 2-0 up in front of 3,811 but wingers Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing rescued the Hammers’ blushes.
A 1-0 defeat at Barnet was overshadowed by an injury to Ronnie Henry with two Simon Walton free-kicks then helping Stevenage to a 2-2 draw at home to Millwall. Trialist Cameron Lancaster, Bira Dembele and Adam Marriott all scored as the match action continued with a 3-1 win at Tonbridge Angels with Marriott then notching a hat-trick in a 3-1 win at Chesham.
Off the pitch...
- Over 650 Stevenage fans flocked to The Lamex Stadium to enjoy a special 'behind the scenes' tour and be introduced to the new 2014/15 squad. Supporters were queuing in their hundreds when the doors to the Directors Entrance opened, allowing them to begin their stadium tour which took in the corporate hospitality area, the boardroom, the players' lounge, the home dressing room and match officials room before walking out into the stadium through the tunnel.
- The club signed an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur to host a minimum of five of their home U21 Barclays Premier League games at The Lamex Stadium during the forthcoming season. The fixtures are later confirmed as being against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Norwich, West Ham and Everton.
- The Football League announced the trial of vanishing spray, as used in the World Cup, during Johnstone’s Paint Trophy games.
- A select few young lucky Stevenage fans were given a big surprise when some of the 2014/15 squad turned up on their doorsteps to present them with their season tickets! Andy Bond, Simon Walton, Adam Marriott, Harry Worley, Chris Day, Dean Parrett, Charlie Lee and Chris Beardsley all took time out after training one afternoon to visit local addresses to meet some of their youngest supporters, all of whom have an Under-12 season ticket for this season.
Video of the Month
Fans attend the Meet the Players event at The Lamex Stadium
Photos of the Month
Fans queue for the Meet the Players event
GW introduces Dean Wells to the fans
Summer recruit Andy Bond closes in on Mark Noble in the 2-2 draw with West Ham
August
On the pitch...
Goals from Simon Walton and Roarie Deacon saw Boro past Coventry 2-1 with a Dale Gorman equaliser seeing a 1-1 draw at St Albans in the final pre-season friendly. Chris Whelpdale secures an opening day win for Stevenage with a 1-0 victory over Hartlepool but Boro are knocked out of the Capital One Cup with a 1-0 defeat against Watford.
A disappointing 2-0 defeat at Southend is followed by a 1-1 draw at Plymouth. Connor Calcutt scores his first Stevenage goal but a penalty deep into added time denies Boro. The bad news continues as a 3-1 defeat against Wycombe is the first home league defeat of the season and then it’s confirmed Harry Worley suffered an anterior cruciate ligament at Southend.
New signing Cameron Lancaster scores a contender for goal of the season with a fine effort from distance in a 3-2 win at AFC Wimbledon. Charlie Lee and Dean Wells score the other two goals as Boro picked up their first away win of the season.
Off the pitch...
- 12-year old Joe Bryan ends up in the annual Stevenage FC team photo. The youngster only came into the club shop for tickets and a brand new hoodie but left having met the manager, players and been part of the annual squad pic.
- Jerome Okimo and Connor Calcutt both sign for Stevenage with Cameron Lancaster also arriving at The Lamex Stadium in late August.
- The Club was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Supporters’ Association President Jim Briscoe. Jim’s involvement with football in the town stretches back almost 50 years, with the Yorkshireman instrumental in establishing Stevenage Athletic in 1968 and then Stevenage Borough in 1976. Chairman Phil Wallace and manager Graham Westley both lead with moving tributes.
Players In
Jerome Okimo (Wealdstone)
Connor Calcultt (free)
Cameron Lancaster (free)
Video of the Month
Photos of the Month
Chris Whelpdale's goal gives Boro an opening day win over Hartlepool
Charlie Lee celebrates his goal at AFC Wimbledon
Young fan Joe Bryan in the 2014/15 squad photo
September
On the pitch...
Stevenage’s participation in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is brief thanks to a narrow 1-0 defeat at The Lamex to Gillingham. Luke Norris scores the only goal of the game and the Gills progress despite being down to 10 men for the latter stages.
Days later Graham Westley’s men showed great determination to battle back from 2-0 down against York to make it 2-2, only for a late penalty to see the game swing back in the favour of the Minstermen.
Darius Charles scored the only goal as we bounced back with a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury. A 2-1 defeat at high-flying Bury is followed by a goalless draw at Oxford, before early goals from Chris Whelpdale and Charlie Lee help Boro to a 3-0 win against Mansfield. Whelpdale adds a third late on.
Off the pitch...
- Tom Conlon and Michael Richens both arrive on loan from Peterborough United until January
- The Lamex Stadium tea bars have been awarded the highest possible food hygiene rating of ‘5’ by the Food Standards Agency following a recent inspection.
Video of the Month
Stevenage beat Mansfield 3-0 at The Lamex Stadium
Photos of the Month
Tom Conlon congratulates Darius Charles on his goal against Shrewsbury
The Lamex Stadium tea bars get 5 stars