The Season that Was : Boston
By Nathan Jackson
June 1 2005
In our first of our season reviews, we look at naturally, the team that are alpahbetically first, Boston United. Having started the season with a bang, they soon faded out but will be hoping to rekindle their easly season form to mount a promotion challenge in 2005/6
Team Manager : Steve Evans
Average Crowd : 2,932 (Highest : 6445 vs Lincoln City, Lowest : 2053)
Season Review: Boston were in national newspapers before the season had even kicked off because of the transfer coup that brought Paul Gascoigne to York Street. Gascoigne was to leave not long afterwards but during his time, he helped Boston into the playoff positions and looked like a dark horse for promotion. They probably would hav achieved that promotion had it not been for a poor away record. They only lost 4 at home, one of the best records in the division, however, that is more games than then won on the road, only recording 3 away victories all season.
Their first home defeat of the came very controversially as Lee Trundle was "fouled" and Swansea won by the odd goal in 5 from the penalty spot. From then on, it all went downhill. Lead scorer Andy Kirk had a record of a goal every 135 minutes on average, but he was sold to Northampton and Boston's slim chances of promotion at this point, went with him. They ended the season seriously out of form, winning just 3 of the last 16 games.
Biggest Wins : Notts County and Kidderminster Harriers (both 4-0)
Biggest Defeats : Lincoln (0-2), Rushden and Diamonds (2-4)
Top Goalscorer : Andy Kirk (20)
Turning Point of the Season - The home defeat to Swansea, they had a great chance of at least a playoff place at the time but their season fell apart after this controversial home defeat.
Next Season? : If Boston could regain their form that saw them look like getting that a playoff place then they could easily be a force. However, that will mainly depend on whether they can find another Andy Kirk. If they do, there's no reason why Boston can't be challenging at the right end of the table.
Interview with a Boston fan
Name : Scott Trust
In one sentence not exceeding 10 words, describe your season : Relying to much on two players cost us dear.
Was your season a success or a disappointment? Overall it was good because we were involved at the right end of the table for a long time rather than our relegation battles the 2 years previous.
Your Player of the Season: Paul Ellender
Best performance of the season : Kidderminster away
Worst performance of the season : Pretty much every game since our victory at Wycombe.
From what you've seen of the 4 promoted sides, do you feel that they all deserved promotion? Yeovil yes, the other 3, no
From what you saw of the 2 relegated sides, do you feel that they deserved relegation? Cambridge seemed unlucky but Kidderminster were just awful, backed up by the fact they would face finished bottom if Cambridge hadn't gone into administration.
Best Opposition: Darlington
Best Opposition Player: Ben Smith of Shrewsbury
Least Favourite Opposition Player: Simon Yeo
Least Favourite Opposition Manager: Kenny Jackett
Finally, how do you believe you will do in 2005/6? Hopefully a promotion push