Boston United

Boston United
Boston boss begins player search Boston United manager Steve Evans says he has already started looking to recruit players for next season. Evans told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "We're looking in Scotland and England and are making some trips to certain parts of Europe. "The first criteria is that the management team of Paul Rayner and myself think they are good enough. "But ultimately the second step is that nobody will join the club unless it is sanctioned by the chairman."

Stockport swoop to sign up Easter
Stockport manager Chris Turner has completed the signing of former Cambridge United and Boston winger Jermaine Easter. The 23-year-old former Welsh Under-21 winger, who played under Turner at Hartlepool, left the Pilgrims earlier this month. Easter said: "I could have stayed at Boston but I didn't think it was the right place for me. "Now I am hoping to make a name for myself at County."

Johnson calls time on Colchester
Midfielder Gavin Johnson has quit League One side Colchester. The 34-year-old has been offered a six-month contract with League two side Boston United. He told BBC Essex: "I felt by playing 44 games last season, I'd done enough to get another year - and the manager said he wanted to keep me. "But I don't think the chairman wanted to up the offer of six months. I've signed for another club, but I'm sorry to be leaving Colchester."

Boston complete Futcher signing
Boston United have signed towering central defender Ben Futcher from local rivals Lincoln City. Futcher's arrival follows the capture of Torquay right-back Lee Canoville, striker Noel Whelan from Aberdeen and Colchester United's Gavin Johnson. Futcher, 24, has agreed a two-year deal with the Pilgrims. "The boy gives us great height defensively and is a major threat from all attacking set-plays," Boston boss Steve Evans said.

Pilgrims want two more signings
Director of football Jim Rodwell admits Boston hope to sign two more players. The Pilgrims have recently recruited defenders Ben Futcher, from Lincoln, and Lee Canoville, from Torquay, as well as Noel Whelan and Gavin Johnson. "I have another two players at the table but because we lack the funds of others, it is more difficult after each deal," Rodwell told the club website. "We will never compromise the financial stability of the club and that has been at the forefront of my mind."

Rodwell defends Futcher transfer
Boston United director of football Jim Rodwell insists defender Ben Futcher joined them for footballing reasons. Lincoln boss Keith Alexander said: "I am amazed at Ben's decision. It shows a lack of ambition, with the money offered clearly played a part." But Rodwell told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "Nobody is ever going to get rich at Boston United. "We offered Ben the same as Lincoln and he had a straight decision between the clubs. He felt it was the right time."

Boston dismiss Abbey exit reports
Boston have denied reports that they have released goalkeeper Nathan Abbey. Director of football Jim Rodwell insists the 26-year-old will be staying at York Street at least another year. Rodwell said: "We don't know what the source of the story was, but we can assure all Pilgrims fans that Nathan is under contract until 30 June 2006. "We're looking forward to seeing Nathan in pre-season training and hope he will once again demonstrate that he's one of the best goalkeepers in League Two."

Talbot to leave Bees for Boston
Boston United have clinched the signing of Brentford captain Stewart Talbot. The 32-year-old midfielder has agreed a two-year deal at Boston after being allowed to leave Griffin Park by Bees manager Martin Allen. "Stewart spoke of his desire to be successful next season and that matches what we are trying to achieve," said Boston boss Steve Evans. Talbot leaves Brentford after starting 50 league games for them, following spells with Rotherham and Port Vale. The midfielder had told Bees boss Martin Allen earlier this year that he wished to return to the north of England. Allen said at the time: "He has one year remaining on his contract and has been a fantastic captain. "However his family life is most important and I have given him the opportunity, by giving him a free transfer, to move back to the north." The Football Association have closed their investigation into Brentford's game with Tranmere at Griffin Park on 12 April. Referee Grant Hegley's report mentioned "aggressive and threatening behaviour" by Bees fans, and alleged racist comments made by fans to a Tranmere player. However, a statement on Brentford's website reports that "the club's stewarding measures, both during the game and since that time, were deemed more than satisfactory by the FA".

Chemical attack on club's pitch
Boston United face a large clean-up bill after vandals poured chemicals over their newly-laid pitch. The League Two side said the cost of repairing the damage, which could reach tens of thousands of pounds, will hit the club's transfer fund. Lincolnshire Police are now investigating the incident. Club secretary John Blackwell said it looked as if turps or white spirit had been sprinkled on to the pitch, which was only re-sown last month. Chairman Jon Sotnick said funds earmarked to run the club and bring in new players would now have to be used to repair the pitch at the York Street ground.

Joachim completes Boston switch
Boston have signed Leeds United striker Julian Joachim on a two-year deal. The 30-year-old hails from Boston and returns "home" after successful spells in the midlands with Aston Villa, Leicester City and Coventry City. More recently Joachim had a productive loan period at Walsall towards the end of last season, but the clubs could not agree terms on a permanent switch. Leeds insisted they would not offer Joachim a settlement on the remaining year of his contract.

Evans tells Joachim to 'perform'
Boston boss Steve Evans has warned new high-profile signing Julian Joachim he will have to earn a first-team place. "Julian has to perform at his best to be in the team," Evans told BBC Sport. "We've got other decent strikers at this club and as well as Noel Whelan, Jason Lee and Daryl Clare will have a big say in who starts the season. "The benefit that those four have is they have a manager who is known well within the dressing room and who picks on performance and not reputation." The 30-year-old Joachim, who has Premiership experience and dropped down two divisions to join the Pilgrims, is the second former Leeds forward to move to York Street following Whelan's signing earlier in the summer. And as well as Joachim and Whelan, Evans has signed Gavin Johnson, Ben Futcher, Lee Canonville and Stewart Talbot and says there may be more new arrivals. But despite the number of new faces and the high-profile nature of the striking duo, the manager insists Boston are not following the example of Leeds in risking their long-term future by going on a short-term spending spree. "It's well documented that we have one of the lowest budgets in the football league," Evans added. "People will question that when they see Julian arrive but if I had the budgets of eight or nine other clubs in this league I'm sure I'd be talking about automatic promotion. "We can't do that with the money we have available to us and it's a case of sensible budgeting. "We're operating nowhere near the 60% cap put into implementation by the football league. "Financial stability has been at the forefront of the chairman's mind since he bought the club in 2004 and the priority is to ensure Boston survives and competes at League Two level. "And a lot of credit must go to my director of football James Rodwell who has negotiated and took a tough stance and kept the stability of the football club at the forefront of his mind at all times as well. "Julian's a good signing for us but we've worked hard to bring in that sort of quality and in doing so have sacrificed on quantity. "If you look at the total size of our squad we're going to be nearer the 20 than the 25 or 26 that most clubs are going to run with."

Boston seek more coaching options
Boston United manager Steve Evans says he wants to strengthen the coaching staff at York Street. The majority of the coaching at the club is currently done by Evans and his assistant Paul Raynor. Evans told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "I've spoken to four or five people who are out of football presently. "We could not afford to have them permanently but they are prepared to come in and help us on any areas that we might highlight."

Howie hopes to land Boston deal
Goalkeeper Scott Howie hopes he has done enough to secure a deal at Boston. Howie, who was released by Shrewsbury at the end of last season, has spent pre-season at York Street and will seek contract talks with boss Steve Evans. "I am hopeful of staying. I'm planning to speak to the management and am keen to get things sorted as soon as I can," Howie, 33, told the Lincolnshire Echo. He has started almost 450 League games in a career including spells with Motherwell, Reading and Bristol Rovers.

Boston close to unveiling plans
Boston United chairman Jon Sotnick has confirmed that they hope to be able to submit plans for the club's ground move this week. The club officials are meeting with residents living near the four sites the Pilgrims are planning to redevelop. Boston's move will see houses being built at York Street and a new ground being created on the Boardsides and a new ground Boston Town near Wyberton. Sotnick believes the redevelopment plans are vital for United's survival. "It's absolutely imperative that we get the approval because if we don't, it will be the end of professional football in Boston," he said.

Sheff Utd 1-0 Boston Utd
Ian Ross scored a debut goal to settle a dour clash with Boston. The Blades' homegrown star capitalised on Keith Gillespie's corner to spare the Championship side's blushes. Chris Armstrong should then have doubled the advantage but was wasteful when presented with a great chance to shoot inside the box. And then Paul Ifill was unlucky not to score, but flowing football was in short supply and the Blades will simply be relieved to be through. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Utd: Barnes, Kozluk (Wright 62), Morgan, Bromby, Geary, Gillespie (Forte 86), Alan Quinn, Ifill, Armstrong, Shaw (Mulligan 77), Ross. Subs Not Used: Nix, Stephen Quinn. Goals: Ross 50. Boston Utd: Abbey, Canoville, Ellender, White, McCann (Whelan 84), Thomas, Rusk (Maylett 77), Talbot, Noble (Holland 77), Lee, Joachim. Subs Not Used: Clare, Wright. Booked: Ellender, Noble. Att: 6,014. Ref: K Stroud (Dorset).

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