Ex-England youth goalkeeper Ashley Bayes joined Stevenage Borough in summer 2008 – mainly to replace the outbound Alan Julian. The aim was that Bayes would come in and take the number one spot for himself; arriving at Broadhall Way after standing out as the keeper at both Grays Athletic and Crawley Town. And with Football League experience to his name too, Bayes went into the twilight years of his career with the same zest.

His fellow players at Boro’ would talk of a man who hadn’t got past the age of 18; Bayes becoming as vital a presence off the pitch as on. During his spell with us, Chris Day just happened to be in some top form. That made it nigh on impossible for Bayes to reclaim the number one jersey on anything more than the odd occasion. But his importance to the team transcended the goalposts and the pitch.

Ashley Bayes: After Boro’

In summer 2011, the club announced that Bayes had decided to concentrate on coaching – and the player moved on to Basingstoke Town in a bid to also further his playing career.

Stats do not include expunged Chester City fixtures in 2009-10.