For some Boro’ fans perhaps, the name Boston United will forever be linked to the club’s contentious 2001-2 Conference title win. Going from the Southern League to the Football League in just two seasons sounds like a fairytale. But the murky underbelly of their story behind their stunning success didn’t go down well; no love lost between the Pilgrims and Dagenham & Redbridge at the time, that’s for sure.
After a rapid rise up into the Football League, it wasn’t too long before Boston United came back down to earth with a bump; relegation in 2007 resulting the Pilgrims being demoted more than one division. After last meeting us during their 2001-2 promotion-winning campaign, we didn’t get a reunion; them going straight down into Conference North stopped from that happening.
Boston United: The Facts
The Jakemans Community Stadium
York Street, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 6JN
In every story, there must be a start. In this one, it’s 1933; the year that Boston Town was wound up and replaced by the Pilgrims. Like the club before them, United were members of the Midland League – at least to start with. The 1955-6 season was arguably their best in the competition; coming second in the table. After two successive third-placed finishes, the time came to move on (and up). In 1958, the Pilgrims joined the Southern League.
To start with, however, it might seem that leap came too soon. In 1961, the Pilgrims were due to be relegated; instead leaving the competition and returning to the Midland League – albeit after a one-year gap in the records. The same happened again two years later as the club left the Midland League. In 1965, they popped back up again; this time as one of the teams taking part in the United Counties League. It was a stunning success; a league title claimed in their first season.
The Pilgrims didn’t stick around to defend their title; joining the West Midlands (Regional) League and claiming two straight titles. In 1968, the club would be a founder member of the Northern Premier League. And it started a decade-or-so of success; winning the title four times and going onto help form the Alliance Premier League (Conference) ahead of its first season. It also took them to the cusp of FA Trophy glory; losing to Wealdstone in the 1984-5 final.
Why do we know Boston United?
Sadly for the Pilgrims, their time in the Conference wouldn’t last. The 1992-3 season saw them relegated back to the Northern Premier League. The club would regularly feature in the top six of the competition over the next five campaigns. But second was as good as it got. So, in 1998-9, they moved sideways into the Southern League and – at first – picked up where they left off; finishing second.
Just one year later, the Pilgrims cracked it; claiming the Southern League championship. With it came promotion back to the Conference. The main difference, in our biased view, is that we were there waiting for them this time; missing them by two seasons when they were relegated.
Boston United: Record vs Boro'
Pl
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts*
WR%
Overall
4
1
2
1
7
7
0
5
25%
Home
2
1
0
1
4
4
0
3
50%
Away
2
0
2
0
3
3
0
2
0%
League
4
1
2
1
7
7
0
5
25%
Cup
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
n/a
0%
* league points only
Boston United: Result-by-Result (Boro' Scoring First)
How to get to Boston United – Travel Information – Distance: 86 miles
By Road
Go north on the A1(M) and A1 up to Peterborough. Come off the A1(M) at Junction 17, which puts you on the Fletton Parkway (A1139). Stay on here for seven miles until you come to a roundabout. Take the third exit to remain on the A1139, then it’s the third exit at the next roundabout for the A47.
In under a mile with a McDonalds and Esso on your left as you come to a roundabout, take the first exit onto Crowland Road. Keep going straight for about four miles in total. You’ll come to another roundabout, at which point take the third exit for the A16. Stay on the A16 for around seven miles.
As the road bends around to the left, turn right onto Mill Drove North. Go up here for two miles, before turning left onto Weston Hills Road (B1165). In under a mile on the outskirts of Spalding, take the third exit at the roundabout to rejoin the A16 north.
Stay on the A16 all the way to Boston now; crossing the River Witham and snaking round to the right and then left. Turn right onto Main Ridge East, then right onto York Street. It’s then another right onto Spayne Road.
With no parking at the ground unless you’re lucky enough to be a permit holder, you’ll have to make do with local Pay and Display options – or find some on-street parking.
By Rail
Station: BOSTON
Services to: GRANTHAM (for STEVENAGE)
The walk from the station is around a mile and can be done in under 20 minutes. Go east from the station on Station Road; turning left onto Tower Street and following it round to the right. This brings you out onto the riverside. Turn right and follow the path to the first bridge you come to.
Go across the river here and turn right onto Church Street. Keep following the river down towards the Guildhall. Next, turn left onto John Adams Way at the end of this stretch. The next step is to follow the road around to the left and take a right into Spayne Road.
