Darlo transfer target Julian Joachim underlined
why Boston put a big price tag on his head with two goals and a man-of-the-match
display. Of course, he joined Darlo two days later in a £100,000 move.
The second half demolition followed Barry Conlon's first half equaliser.
The Staffsmart Stadium has a 6,600
capacity (1,800 for away fans, so plenty of room). It's a neat and comfortable
little stadium and away supporters have been allocated the Town End terrace
behind the goal - the opposite end to the coach park. Admission to the
terrace is £14 (OAP £10.50/Under 16s £7.50) via
turnstiles 7-10 in Spayne Road, up £1 on last season. Programmes:
£2.30. There are more ground directions on the unofficial
Boston website
Boston
United FC:
Staffsmart Stadium, York Street, Boston, PE21 6HN
Tel: 01205 365506
History: Formed in 1887, as Boston Utd from 1933; beat Derby
County 6-1 away in FA Cup, 1955. Promoted to Football League in
2002. Record Attendance: 10,086 v Corby Town, 1955 Capacity: 6,868 Last Season: 11th Honours: NPL treble 1973-74, Conference champions 2001-2002 Record victory (Non-league): 12-0 v Wisbech Res, UCL,1965/66 Defeat: 0-14 v Spalding, FA Cup, 1964/65 Nickname: The Pilgrims. Colours: Orange and Black. Manager: Steve Evans. Chairman: Jim Rodwell Players in: January: Justin Richards (Peterboro
- loan), Colin Cryan (Lincoln); Summer: Mark Albrighton (Doncaster),
Anthony Elding (Kettering), Dave Farrell (Peterboro), Francis Green
(Lincoln), Andy Marriott (Torquay), Richie Ryan (Scunthorpe), Tim
Ryan (Peterboro), Paul Tait (Rochdale), Dany N'Guessan and Bob Davidson
(Rangers - loans). Players out: January: Tom Ryan (Darlington), Paul Tait (Southport), Mark
Albrighton (Rushden - loan), Lee Canoville (Shrewsbury - loan), Chris Holland (Boston); Summer: Julian Joachim (Darlington,
£100,000), Alan White, Austin McCann, Lawrie Dudfield (all
Notts Co), Danny Thomas (out of contract) and Steve Melton (released),
Dane Harper and Rob Norris (St Albans). Famous fans/connections: Ex-England international Freddy
Tunstall (player), Jim Smith (player-manager), Paul Gascoigne (player,
albeit briefly).
Leave the A1 on the A17 Sleaford to Boston, over railway crossing, take a right at The Eagle pub to the lights over the Haven Bridge. Then straight on, along the John Adams Way dual carriageway. Turn right at the lights into Main Ridge, then right again into York Street. Away fans are advised to use the NCP car park off John Adams Way (after crossing the river take the first exit left off John Adams Way into the car park).
Car journey summary: Darlington-Boston, 152 miles,
3hrs 18 mins. Central London-Boston, 120 miles, 3hrs 30 mins.
Central Birmingham, 108 miles, 2hrs 50 mins.
A tricky ground to get to - and
especially back from - if you're travelling by train, thanks to
Boston's location to the rest of the rail network; even the rail
network in the rest of Lincolnshire.
Walking, York Street itself is
around 10-15 minutes from the station. Head down Station St
towards the church tower. At the police station, go through a car
park, around the right of it, and walk over the bridge over the
river. Turn right up an alleyway - Church Lane - towards the market
place. Pass the Britannia Inn, cross a pelican crossing and keep
going. Turn right down South Street and cross the road. Take a small
road to the left called Spain Lane, past the Blackfriars Arts Centre
onto John Adams Way. There's a pelican crossing across the dual
carriageway. The stadium is in front of you down Spayne Road.
Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach - time
10.30am, cost £14. Contact: 01325 243911. See DFCSC
site for more details.
Suggested
Trains: Don't say we didn't warn you - Darlington
09.29-Doncaster (10.28) 10.36-Grantham (11.12) 11.35-arr Boston 12.22
Duration: 2hrs 53 mins Return: Earliest is Boston 18.55-Grantham
(19.49) 20.35-arr Darlington 22.09 Dur: 3hrs 14 mins. Sample fares:
From £34 APEX return, £56.10 Saver return. Other: London Kings Cross 10.10 via Grantham (11.15) 11.35-arr
Boston 12.22 Duration: 2hrs 12 mins; return 18.55 (Grantham
19.49) 19.56- arr London Kings Cross 21.15. Dur: 2hrs 20 mins.
Sample fares: GNER advance returns from £34, Saver return £45.70.Birmingham New Street 08.19 (Nottingham 09.35) 09.50 -arr Boston
10.57Dur: 2hrs 38 mins, Return: 18.06 (Nottingham 19.20)
19.40-arr B'ham New Street 20.54. Dur: 2hrs 48mins. Sample fares:
Saver Return £33.60. A comparative doddle from Sheffield
08.38 via Nottingham (09.30) 09.50-arr Boston 10.57 Dur: 2hrs
19 mins Return: 18.06 via Nottingham (19.15) 19.28-arr 20.25
Dur: 2hrs 19 mins. Sample fares: £23 Saver return.
A good start is the Boston
tourism guide, which has a local accommodation list or contact Boston Tourist Information Centre on
01205 356656.
Not so much a Boston tea party as a beer fest! The Lincolnshire town has
plenty off decent pubs.
The
Eagle 144 West Street A short walk from the
station - and if you've travelled by train, you'll need a drink! This two-room bar has guest ales ranging from Adnams to
Taylor's. Also has Sky screens. Run by the Tynemill chain who do the DAFTS' choice of pubs at Lincoln and Nottingham too. DAFTS recommended.
The
Britannia Inn 4 Church Street Town centre Bateman's
pub close to the Assembly Rooms. Serves food at lunchtimes, plus Sky Sports.
The Coach and Horses 86 Main Ridge Football-friendly real ale bar, on the small side though, although near the ground. Visiting fans welcomed but it gets full.
There are snack bars in the ground, the catering won an award for
Division Two in 2004. Apparently they still sell Pot Noodles alongside
the pies, Bovril and sausage rolls.
If
you'd like to be e-mailed a regular bulletin with the latest updates on
this site - including details of DAFTS members known to be travelling
then
E-mail DAFTS
Unusual and welcome that the official
site is not one of the usual Premium TV generic ones. Easy to navigate
and to the point as Boston's. Simplicity is the key and it's unfettered
with pop-ups and betting offers. The Boston
Fever Rivals site is the usual alternative, although Boston
On The Brain seems to have gone, a shame as it was a newer, decently
designed independent site. Dr Ken Fox’s excellent and very comprehensive
Boston United Website (which
served as the Official site prior to the arrival of Jon Sotnick as chairman),
is now a well laid-out unofficial site. There's also the unofficial
Pilgrim Pages site, which has some old photos and reports.
Joachim jolts Darlo
Full match previews on the 
History: Formed in 1887, as Boston Utd from 1933; beat Derby
County 6-1 away in FA Cup, 1955. Promoted to Football League in
2002.
Not so much a Boston tea party as a beer fest! The Lincolnshire town has
plenty off decent pubs.
