For some reason, we have it in our head that a “blue cross” used to mean a sale at Allders. But not with Wootton Blue Cross. No, they’re a side that we don’t have especially fond memories of. It all leads back to Boro’s time in the United Counties League Premier Division. It’s nothing personal. They were just a real tough nut to crack; us beating the Blue Cross just once in six attempts. It could be much worse, however. After all, the Bedfordshire side beat us twice.
This one takes us right back – well, near enough – to the start of life as we know it at Stevenage. After our storming debut season in the United Counties League Division One, the next step was the Premier Division. There, waiting for us (though not consciously) were the Blue Cross. They had been promoted from the old ‘Div Two’ in 1970, and – in 1980-1 – had enjoyed their best campaign yet, coming second in the table. Such stature and experience didn’t daunt Boro’, of course; the first ever crossing of paths convincingly going in our favour.
That 4-1 win in November 1981, however, was as good as it got for us. Not one of the five other meetings that took place between then and our 1984 move into the Servowarm League are much to write home about. We drew the next two 1-1, before Wootton Blue Cross gained a sense of revenge with their very own 4-1 victory in December 1982. It was also the last time the Blue Cross, to date, conceded against us; the remaining two head-to-head entries ending 0-2 and 0-0 respectively. We then went off to play bigger boys, while they stayed put.
Wootton Blue Cross: Record vs Boro'
Pl
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts*
WR%
Overall
6
1
3
2
7
9
-2
6
17%
Home
3
1
2
0
5
2
3
5
33%
Away
3
0
1
2
2
7
-5
1
0%
League
6
1
3
2
7
9
-2
6
17%
Cup
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
n/a
0%
* league points only
Wootton Blue Cross: Result-by-Result (Boro' Scoring First)
How to get to Wootton Blue Cross – Travel Information – Distance: 31 miles
By Road
Wootton Blue Cross is a club based near Bedford, so the best way to get to the ground is to go north on the A1(M) and A1 as far as Sandy. As you approach Sandy, bear left onto the A603 and continue until you reach the outskirts of Bedford.
Join the A421 towards Milton Keynes for 3.3 miles; taking the exit ramp for the A428 next (Northampton/Kempston). Take the second exit at the roundabout for Woburn Road and – at the next roundabout – take the first exit for Fields Road into Wootton.
After a mile-or-so, turn right onto Bedford Road. The ground will be on the right.
We can’t see any reason why the club’s car park would struggle to cope with the demands of a Boro’ visit. For a friendly, at least. And we’re not even sure if the Blue Cross compete in the FA Cup these days. Apologies to fans of theirs if this is incorrect.
By Rail
Station: KEMPSTON HARDWICK
Services to: BEDFORD (for LONDON ST PANCRAS)
It’s just about acceptable in terms of distance from Kempston Hardwick station; around 2.5 miles, in fact. Turn left out of the station onto Manor Road and go past G Moore Haulage’s depot on the right. Come out onto Woburn Road and turn left, before following the road directions as above.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
