Boston United F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Boston United Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Pilgrims | ||
| Founded | 1933 | ||
| Ground | Boston Community Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 5,061 | ||
| Chairman | David Newton | ||
| Manager | Graham Coughlan | ||
| League | National League North | ||
| 2018–19 | National League North, 11th of 22 | ||
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Boston United Football Club is a professional association football team from Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They are often called 'the Pilgrims'. This nickname comes from the Pilgrim Fathers, who sailed to North America a long time ago. The club's badge even shows their ship, the Mayflower.
Boston United plays in the National League, which is the fifth level of English football. Their team colours are amber and black. They have rivalries with other local teams like Lincoln City and Grimsby Town. They play their home games at the Boston Community Stadium, which opened in 2020 and can hold 5,061 fans.
The club started in 1933. They played in different leagues over the years, winning titles in the United Counties League and West Midlands (Regional) League. In 1968, they helped start the Northern Premier League, winning it four times in the 1970s. They also helped create the Alliance Premier League in 1979.
Boston United won the Southern League in 2000 and the Conference in 2002. This meant they reached the Football League for the first time! They spent five years there. However, in 2007, they faced financial problems and were moved down two divisions. After more challenges, they won the National League North play-offs in 2024, returning to the fifth tier.
Contents
Club History
How Boston United Started
Boston United was formed in 1933. It took over from an older club called Boston Town. Their very first game was on August 26, 1933. They lost 3–1 at home to Grimsby Reserves, but a player named Blessed scored their first goal.
Exciting FA Cup Journeys
The club had some amazing moments in the FA Cup. In the 1955–56 season, they beat Derby County 6–1 away from home. This was a record win for a non-League team against a League opponent.
This big win led to a match against Tottenham Hotspur in London. Over 10,000 Boston fans traveled to watch the game! Even though they lost 4–0, it was a memorable day for the club and its supporters.
Joining New Leagues
In 1968, Boston United was one of the founding teams of the Northern Premier League. They won this league four times in the 1970s. In 1979, they also helped start the Alliance Premier League, which is now known as the National League.
Wembley Appearance
In 1985, Boston United played at Wembley Stadium for the FA Trophy Final. This was a very special moment for the club. They lost 2–1 to Wealdstone, but it was still a huge achievement to reach the final.
Reaching the Football League
After winning the Southern League in 2000, Boston United became a fully professional club in 2001. In their first season as a professional team, they won the Conference league. This meant they were promoted to the Football League for the first time ever!
Challenges and Comebacks
After their promotion, the club faced some difficulties. Their manager and a former chairman had issues with football rules. This led to the club being fined and having points taken away in their first Football League season.
Boston United spent five years in the Football League. In 2007, they were relegated from League Two. They also faced serious money problems, which led to them being moved down two more divisions.
Despite these setbacks, new owners took over, and the club worked hard to rebuild. In 2010, they won the Northern Premier League play-offs, earning promotion back to the Conference North.
Recent Success
Boston United continued to fight for promotion. They reached the play-offs several times in the following years. In the 2023–24 season, they had a fantastic run. They won the National League North play-offs, beating Brackley Town 2–1 in the final. This victory meant they returned to the fifth tier of English football.
After beating Gateshead F.C. 2-1, Boston confirmed their place in the National League for the 2025-26 season.
Home Stadiums
York Street Stadium
Boston United played at York Street until 2020. This stadium was also known as the Jakemans Stadium due to a sponsorship deal. It had a total capacity of 6,643 fans.
Over the years, there were discussions about building a new stadium because York Street needed updates to meet modern football standards.
Boston Community Stadium
The club built a brand new stadium outside the town. It is called the Boston Community Stadium. The club announced in 2019 that the 2019–20 season would be their last at York Street. The new ground has a capacity of 5,061 spectators.
The Boston Community Stadium officially opened in December 2020. Their first game there was a 2–0 loss to Chorley. Due to rules at the time, fans could not attend games until July 2021. The first game with fans was a friendly match against Lincoln City, which Boston won 5–0.
Financial Challenges
Boston United has faced financial difficulties at different times in its history. In 2006, plans for a new stadium were rejected, which put the club's future in doubt. The club had significant debts.
In 2007, the club entered a special financial arrangement. This led to them being moved down two divisions by the Football Conference league. The league stated that the club's financial situation meant they needed to rebuild in a lower division.
In July 2007, a local company, Chestnut Homes, bought Boston United. The new chairman, David Newton, promised to manage the club's money carefully and rebuild its reputation. Despite these efforts, the club was relegated again in 2008 due to ongoing financial issues. However, they eventually came out of administration and began their journey back up the leagues.
Team Kits
When Boston United started in 1933, they wore blue shirts, white shorts, and black socks. Later that year, they changed to black shirts with a white 'V' shape. After World War II, they went back to blue shirts.
Since 1951, Boston United's main colours have been amber and black. The design of their kits changes each season. Over the years, different companies have made their kits, including Umbro, Errea, Nike, and Adidas.
Kit Sponsors and Manufacturers
| Year | Kit Manufacturer | Main Shirt Sponsor | Back of Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933–1950 | Umbro | None | None |
| 1950–1983 | Admiral | ||
| 1983–1987 | Lowland's Sportswear | ||
| 1987–1988 | Umbro | Burdens Tractors | |
| 1988–1990 | Batemans Brewery | ||
| 1990–1993 | Influence | ||
| 1993–1997 | Paulas Benara | ||
| 1997–1998 | Vegas | ||
| 1998–1999 | Wards | ||
| 1999–2000 | Stantons Metsä Prima | ||
| 2000–2003 | Finnforest | ||
| 2003–2004 | Oldrids (Home) Oldrids Downtown (Away) |
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| 2004–2006 | Chestnut Homes | ||
| 2006–2007 | Vandanel | Haart | |
| 2007–2009 | Cropley's Suzuki | AC Williams | |
| 2009–2010 | Chris Cook Print | ||
| 2010–2012 | Errea | T&B Containers | |
| 2012–2013 | Thurlby Motors | T&B Containers | |
| 2013–2016 | Kia | Turnbull | |
| 2016–2020 | Nike | ||
| 2020–2023 | Adidas | ||
| 2023–2024 | Umbro |
Team Players
Current Squad Members
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Coaching Staff
| Manager |  Graham Coughlan |
| Assistant manager |  Lee Bullen |
| First team coach |  Jamie Raynor |
| Head of medical services | Carol Holland |
| Youth Team Head Coach | Jamie Raynor |
| Youth Team Assistant Head Coach | Mark Melson |
| Youth Team Coach | Lewis Wright |
Managerial History
Here is a list of the managers who have led Boston United over the years:
| Dates | Manager |
|---|---|
| 1934–1935 | Jimmy Cringan |
| 1935–1936 | Willie Vaughton |
| 1936–1937 | Arthur Greaves |
| 1937–1939 | Fred Tunstall |
| 1945–1947 | Fred Tunstall |
| 1948–1949 | Jimmy McGraham |
| 1950–1952 | Jimmy Ithell |
| 1952–1954 | Fred Tunstall |
| 1954–1957 | Ray Middleton |
| 1957–1960 | Ray King |
| 1960–1961 | Ray Middleton |
| 1961–1964 | Paul Todd |
| 1964–1965 | Fred Tunstall |
| 1965–1969 | Don Donovan |
| 1969–1972 | Jim Smith |
| 1972–1975 | Keith Jobling |
| 1975–1976 | Howard Wilkinson |
| 1976–1977 | Freddie Taylor and Gordon Bolland |
| 1977–1979 | Mickey Walker |
| 1979–1981 | Albert Phelan |
| 1981–1984 | John Froggatt |
| 1984–1986 | Arthur Mann |
| 1986–1987 | Ray O'Brien |
| 1987–1990 | George Kerr |
| 1990–1992 | Dave Cusack |
| 1992–1994 | Peter Morris |
| 1994–1996 | Mel Sterland |
| 1996–1998 | Greg Fee |
| 1998–2002 | Steve Evans |
| 2002–2004 | Neil Thompson |
| 2004 | James Rodwell (caretaker) |
| 2004–2007 | Steve Evans |
| 2007–2008 | Tommy Taylor |
| 2008–2009 | Steve Welsh |
| 2009–2011 | Rob Scott and Paul Hurst |
| 2011–2012 | Jason Lee and Lee Canoville |
| 2012 | Jason Lee |
| 2012–2013 | Graham Drury |
| 2013–2016 | Dennis Greene |
| 2016–2017 | Adam Murray |
| 2017–2022 | Craig Elliott |
| 2022 | Paul Cox |
| 2022–2024 | Ian Culverhouse |
| 2024– | Graham Coughlan |
Club Records and Achievements
Key Statistics
- Highest attendance: 11,000 fans against Derby County in the FA Cup, January 9, 1974.
- Largest Football League win: 6–0 against Shrewsbury Town, December 21, 2002.
- Heaviest defeat: 9–2 against AFC Fylde, November 19, 2016.
- Largest FA Cup win: 10–0 against Bilsthorpe Colliery, September 18, 1937.
- Record FA Cup away win for a non-League team: 6–1 against Derby County, December 10, 1955.
Cup Performances
- Best FA Cup run: Reached the Third Round three times (1955–56, 1973–74, 2003–04).
- Best League Cup run: Reached the Second Round (2004–05).
- Best FA Trophy run: Were runners-up in the final (1984–85).
Honours and Trophies
Boston United has won many titles and cups throughout its history:
League Titles
- Football Conference (level 5)
- Champions: 2001–02
- National League North (level 6)
- Play-off winners: 2024
- Southern League
- Champions: 1999–2000
- Northern Premier League
- Champions: 1972–73, 1973–74, 1976–77, 1977–78
- West Midlands League
- Champions: 1966–67, 1967–68
- United Counties League
- Champions: 1965–66
- Central Alliance League
- Champions: 1961–62
Cup Wins
- FA Trophy
- Runners-up: 1984–85
- Northern Premier League Challenge Cup
- Winners: 1973–74, 1975–76, 2009–10
- Northern Premier League Challenge Shield
- Winners: 1973–74, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1977–78
- Lincolnshire Senior Cup
- Winners: 1934–35, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1945–46, 1949–50, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1959–60, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1988–89, 2005–06
- Non-League Champions of Champions Cup
- Winners: 1972–73, 1976–77
- East Anglian Cup
- Winners: 1960–61
- Eastern Professional Floodlit Cup
- Winners: 1971–72
Images for kids
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York Street in 1983
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Wrexham defender Ryan Valentine scores the penalty kick against Boston United which relegated The Pilgrims.
See also
In Spanish: Boston United Football Club para niños
- Boston United Supporters' Trust
