Rocky Baptiste Player Profile
Debut: Chester City (H, 0-0), 09/08/2003
It was very much a case of Graham Westley finally securing his man, having aimed to capture Rocky Baptiste since his move from Farnborough to Stevenage in January 2003. The front man was made somewhat of a national icon following his goal in Farnborough’s 6-1 defeat at Arsenal in the 2002/3 FA Cup, while scoring regularly for the Hampshire team.
It had, however, been thought that Southend United of Division Three were to secure Baptiste’s signature during the close season, but Westley made a move to tie up the free transfer, and add another senior striker to the Stevenage Borough squad, joining comrades Elding, Battersby and Richards in competition for the opening day places up front.
Baptiste often flattered to deceive while at Boro’ – having established himself as a semi-regular fixture up front, goalscoring exploits were at a premium and good performances were few and far between. Having virtually seen off eventual champions Chester City at the Deva Stadium on his own, such halcyon demonstrations were rarely seen again.
