Stevenage won the Conference in 1996,but the high courts decided the stadium was unsatisfactory and the promotion was overturned.This was saddening for some fans to see.
The club have struggled this season in League One.They are in the relegation zone in 23rd place and have found it hard to maintain any slight hope of a winning streak.
THE GROUND-BROADHALL WAY
Opened in 1980,Broadhall Way had a £600,000 redevelopment of a stand following structural damages over five years.The stadium now holds 6,700 fans and,because of a deal with Lamex,the stadium has been renamed the Lamex Stadium-the fans still call it Broadhall Way though.
THE GAFFER-GRAHAM WESTLEY
Westley spent most of his career playing non-league football and upon his retirement became the manager of Kingstonian in 1996(who have connections with AFC Wimbledon).
He left his post for Enfield in 1997,and after success there he moved to Farnborough Town in early 1999.He guided them to the Conference National in 2000 and they won the FA Trophy in 2002.He left the club for Conference rivals Stevenage in 2003.He kept them in the league and signed several key players.
He was hired as the new manager of Rushden & Diamonds in 2006.He steered them up the Conference table but a dip in form saw him resign.He then had a spell at rivals Kettering Town in 2007.A few months later,he rejoined Stevenage.As well as winning the FA Trophy in 2009 and promotion in 2010,Westley led the club to League One in 2011.
In 2012,he was named Preston manager.The club successfully maintained their status in the league and he spent wisely.However,in February 2013,he was sacked due to poor form,only to return back to Stevenage a few weeks later.
SIX OF THE BEST
JON ASHTON-DEFENDER
31-year-old Jon has been the captain of Stevenage since his arrival to the Three Counties in 2009.He has been a key influence in leading the side to consecutive promotions in two years,captaining the side to League One being his biggest achievement.Jon has also played for the England C team.
BEN CHORLEY-DEFENDER
Tall central defender Ben Chorley turned down a new contract offer at Leyton Orient to sign for Stevenage in the summer of 2013.He had been at the London club for five years prior to his summer move and is known for his height which enables him to head balls.
Considering Orient are second in League One and Stevenage are bottom,he may wish he'd have put pen to paper...
FILIPE MORAIS-MIDFIELDER
Spending time in Scotland with Rangers,St Johnstone and Hibernian,Portuguese midfielder Filipe moved across the border in 2010 when Paul Dickov signed him for Oldham.He appeared 56 times before moving to Stevenage in 2012 as part of a wage cut.
JIMMY SMITH-MIDFIELDER
Jimmy,an Eastender who grew up supporting West Ham,joined Leyton Orient in 2009 after leaving Chelsea.He never made a mark at Chelsea but he was a fan's favourite at Brisbane Road.Jimmy,26,won two Player of the Year awards by the fans.
FRANÇOIS ZOKO-STRIKER
Zoko was unheard before he moved from Turkey to Carlisle in 2010,and his impressive tally of 26 goals in 88 games caught attention in Europe.The Ivorian signed for Notts County in 2012,becoming a goalscorer on high wages,resulting in his termination of his contract.He is now at Stevenage and his goals will be crucial should they stay up.
MARCUS HABER-STRIKER
Marcus Haber has represented Canada at U19s,U20s and more recently for the national side.He moved to Stevenage in 2012 originally as a substitute but was a regular starter.
No comments:
Post a Comment