Football Season Guide

Stevenage

In


Jamie Fielding (Defender, Hastings United), Chris Stokes (Defender, Bury), Paul Digby (Defender, Forest Green Rovers), Tyler Denton (Defender, Leeds United), Charlie Carter (Midfielder, Chesterfield), Dean Parrett (Midfielder, Gillingham), Jason Cowley (Attacker, Bromsgrove Sporting)

Out


Oliver Byrne (Goalkeeper, released), Will Appleyard (Goalkeeper, FC Halifax Town), Joe Martin (sp) (Defender, Northampton Town), Johnny Hunt (sp) (Defender, Hamilton Academical), Luke Wilkinson (sp) (Defender, Yeovil Town), Ronnie Henry (sp) (Defender, Billericay Town), Donovan Makoma (Midfielder, released), Ilias Chair (k) (Midfielder, Queen’s Park Rangers, Loan ended), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Midfielder, released), James Ball (sp) (Midfielder, Ebbsfleet United), Mark McKee (Midfielder, released), Michael Timlin (r) (Midfielder, released), Moses Makasi (sp) (Midfielder, West Ham United, Loan ended), Alex Revell (r) (Attacker, retired), Joe White (Attacker, Biggleswade Town, Loan)

Last season was one of consolidation for Stevenage in Dino Maamria’s first year as manager. They briefly flirted with the play-offs towards the end of the campaign; due largely to the influence of Queens Park Rangers loan midfielder Ilias Chair, whose performances were heads and shoulders above most players in League 2. He couldn’t do it all himself however and Boro’ missed out on a play-off place by a single point. Owner Phil Wallace has cut a frustrated figure in recent years with the club seemingly treading water in League 2. He has offered up shares in an attempt to grow the club and return to League 1. Midfielder Michael Timlin’s release this summer was something of a surprise having been a regular last season whilst they will miss the presence of striker Alex Revell, who has announced his retirement. The mercurial talent of Chair will be almost impossible to replace and Dean Parrett faces that unenviable task having returned from AFC Wimbledon. Maamria will be hoping to get the best out of striker Danny Newton, whose season was hampered by injury. Luther James-Wildin had an outstanding first season at right wing-back and has been attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal. The Tunisian has returned to non-league football for the capture of prolific striker Jason Cowley from Bromsgrove Sporting and will be hoping to following in the footsteps of Newton and Matt Godden.

Target


Play-offs. Having gone so close last time out, Maamria will be expected to deliver a top-seven finish this time around.