Stevenage Borough

Taylor targets Stafford defender
Stevenage Borough manager Peter Taylor is planning to sign defender Fred Murray from Blue Square Premier rivals Stafford Rangers. The 25-year-old's short-term contract at Stafford has now expired and Taylor wants to conclude a deal. Murray has previously played for Northampton Town and Cambridge United. "We are hopeful that's going to happen," Taylor, who is also tracking a midfield player and a couple of strikers, told his club's website.

Stevenage sign two and sell three
Stevenage have completed the free transfer signings of Stafford's Fred Murray and Millwall's Peter Vincenti. Murray, a 25-year-old left-back joins after previous spells with Northampton Town and Cambridge United. Vincenti, 21, is a Jersey-born midfielder or striker and Millwall were his first professional club. Meanwhile, Adam Miller and John Nutter have joined Gillingham for undisclosed fees, while Santos Gaia has gone to Grays Athletic on a free transfer.

Stevenage to sign Vale's Willock
Port Vale striker Calum Willock has agreed to join Stevenage Borough. The 26-year-old rejected the chance to extend his short-term contract at Vale Park in favour of a move to Peter Taylor's Conference side. The former Fulham, Brentford and Peterborough forward joined Vale in August and scored four times in 20 appearances for the League One side. Vale also expect to lose the services of on-loan Manchester City midfielder Mark Laird, who is wanted by Millwall.

Stevenage complete Willock swoop
Stevenage have completed the signing of Port Vale striker Callum Willock. The 26-year-old had rejected the chance to extend his short-term contract at Vale Park in favour of a move to Peter Taylor's Blue Square Premier side. Willock scored four goals in 20 appearances for Vale, who are currently bottom of League One. "Callum was Peter's first choice for a strong, quick forward who knew how to play with his back to goal," chairman Phil Wallace told Boro's website. "He obviously wants to get back into the League and is determined to do that with Stevenage." The former Fulham, QPR, Brentford and Peterborough forward joined Vale in August 2007.

Southend capture Brentford keeper
Southend have signed Brentford goalkeeper Clark Masters on a free transfer - then immediately sent him on loan to Stevenage Borough. The 20-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Roots Hall, but will spend the rest of the season on loan at Broadhall Way. Masters had made just 16 first-team appearances for Brentford. Meanwhile, Southend are pondering whether to make an offer to re-sign Luton striker Dean Morgan, 24. Morgan recently had an 11-game loan spell at Roots Hall, but returned to Luton earlier this month - only to see a proposed move to Leeds fall through after he failed to agree personal terms there. "Dean is in the background. His last game was his best for us," Shrimpers assistant boss Paul Brush told SSB. "There aren't too many wide men with pace available. Dean's on our list but not at the top of it."

Crewe chase Stevenage's Morison
Crewe Alexandra are reported to be lining up a £150,000 bid to lure Steve Morison away from Blue Square Premier side Stevenage Borough. The 24-year-old England C striker has netted 13 goals so far this season. Crewe had been chasing Stuart Fleetwood at Forest Green Rovers but had their £175,000 bid rejected. Alex have also pulled out of their pursuit of Cheltenham Town front man Damian Spencer after the 26-year-old failed a medical last week.

O'Sullivan seals Stevenage switch
Stevenage Borough manager Peter Taylor has swooped to secure the services of winger Wayne O'Sullivan from Rymans League side Hendon. The 23-year-old has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Broadhall Way after the impressing Borough boss while training with the club. O'Sullivan had also caught the eye of several scouts by scoring 18 goals in 31 appearances for Hendon this season. According to Stevenage, the player was also a target for a League Two side.

Taylor hails five-star Stevenage
Boss Peter Taylor was thrilled after Stevenage beat the Blue Square Premier's bottom club Droylsden 5-0 and cut Aldershot's lead to six points. "The opposition weren't five goals worse than us, but some of our finishing was first-class," he said. "I'm very pleased with the squad, which is looking very strong. "It's not easy to keep 30 players happy but we've got 20 cup finals coming up, and if we've got cover for every position we'll be well set."

Gillingham snap up Stevenage duo
Gillingham have completed the signings of defender Barry Fuller, 23, and midfielder Stuart Lewis, 20, from Stevenage Borough for undisclosed fees. The pair have signed deals that take them to the end of the 2010 season. "Both are good players and will enhance our playing squad," said Gills boss Mark Stimson. "They have good qualities and are good characters too. I am sure the fans will quickly appreciate what they have to offer," he added. Stimson signed Fuller from Charlton and ex-Tottenham youngster Lewis from Barnet during his time in charge at Stevenage. The Gills boss has already signed Adam Miller and John Nutter from Stevenage since his move to the League One club earlier this season.

Stevenage chairman in fan appeal
Stevenage Borough chairman Phil Wallace has called for unity from the club's supporters in a bid to keep Boro's promotion push on track. Stevenage, who sit third in the Blue Square Premier table, have lost manager Mark Stimson and a number of players to Gillingham in recent months. And they have taken just one point from the last nine under boss Peter Taylor. "We've gone through a traumatic time and we need to come out the other end as soon as possible," said Wallace. "We can only do that with the total support of the fans for the players and the management - anything less and we'll self destruct," Wallace told his club's website.

Manager Taylor to leave Stevenage
Stevenage Borough manager Peter Taylor will leave the club this week after failing to guide them to a Blue Square Premier play-off place. The former England caretaker boss took over in November after Mark Stimson resigned to become Gillingham manager. Boro chairman Phil Wallace told the club website: "It's been difficult for all of us, but now we need to regroup, rethink and go again next season. "We expect to make an announcement very quickly - hopefully within 10 days."

Poppies set to report Stevenage
Kettering will report Stevenage to the Football Association and Conference for allegedly making an illegal approach for 23-year-old striker Craig Westcarr. Westcarr, who is out of contract this summer, had talks with Boro on Friday. Boro chairman Phil Wallace told his club website: "They may be paying him until 5 June, but we were told that his registration is until <3 May>." But Poppies chairman Imraan Ladak told their website: "No club is currently allowed to speak to Craig Westcarr." Meanwhile, Boro have released Damian Batt, Mark Molesey and Tyrone Berry, who were all out of contract this summer.

Stevenage aim for Wembley double
Stevenage Borough take on Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, hoping they can keep alive hopes of a Wembley double. The game is the quarter-final of the FA Trophy and they are also aiming to finish in the Blue Square Premier play-off places. Manager Graham Westley told Three Counties Radio: "We could end up at Wembley twice if we get about our work. "Everyone in the camp is just focussed knowing that if we keep winning we'll end up with two Wembley finals." His side go into the tie unbeaten in 14 games having won their last seven whilst only conceding three goals. Westley added: "From our point of view we are in good nick, good shape, winning games and we fancy ourselves against anyone. We know what we have got to do." "We don't want to be having a replay, that's for sure. We just think about winning every game that we play. We have to, because that is the situation we are in. We have to keep winning football matches, we are under no illusions." Stevenage won the FA Trophy two seasons ago, beating Kidderminster in the first cup final to played at the new Wembley Stadium. But Forest Green Rovers are no strangers to the trophy, having twice finished runners-up, in 1999 and 2001. This season though they have struggled to find league form, although they did beat Rochdale in the FA Cup, before exiting at the third round stage when they took Derby County all the way in a 4-3 scoreline. The Stevenage manager said "We are under no illusions about them. I don't think their league position is realistic, they are a much better side than that. "They have some good players and a very experienced manager. They had a win on Wednesday that will give them some confidence, so we won't underestimate the challenge they are going to bring."

FA Trophy semi-final draw is made
Blue Square Premier side Stevenage Borough will face FA Trophy holders Ebbsfleet United or Wrexham in this year's two-leg semi-final. After a 0-0 draw at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham will travel to Ebbsfleet on Tuesday for the replay. Conference North sides AFC Telford and Southport will also replay on Tuesday after a 2-2 draw at the New Bucks Head. The winner will face Blue Square Premier strugglers York City in the other semi-final. The first-legs will be played on 14 March with Stevenage and AFC Telford or Southport at home followed by the second-leg on 21 March before the final is held on 9 May at Wembley Stadium.

Odubade completes Stevenage move
Stevenage have signed pacy forward Yemi Odubade, following his release by Blue Square Premier rivals Oxford. The 24-year-old made 134 league appearances for the U's, netting 28 times following his switch from Eastbourne Borough in January 2006. He was United's player of the year in 2006/07 and was their top scorer the following season. But he played a peripheral role for the U's this term, scoring seven goals, and was let go by manager Chris Wilder.

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