Stotfold

[Rhodes]

Stotfold's Development side are in a new look Division One of the Bedfordshire County League for the coming campaign along with a number of new and returning teams, the format looks a little bit confusing though, make of it what you will:

[Rhodes]

Stotfold's Development team are in Division One 'A' of the Bedfordshire County League and will meet with the new Arlesey Town Under 23's and Langford Reserve sides as well as Totternhoe Reserves. A Stotfold XI made up of First team and Development team players locked horns with Totternhoe's first team last Saturday (see match report) and it's all looking good so far for Development team supremo Darren Mitchell who will be working hand in hand with First team boss Luke Gregson and swapping notes throughout the coming campaign:

https://www.stotfoldfc.co.uk/Matchreport.aspx?id=422685

[Rhodes]

I see that, worryingly, there has been a steep increase in Covid-19 cases in the Stotfold, Arlesey and Shefford areas this week, I wonder if this will lead to some of Saturday's pre-season friendly fixtures being called off, I believe Stotfold were still in the process of arranging games for their First team and Development team:

https://cranfieldandmarstonvale.co.uk/covid-19/covid-19-outbreak-stotfold-arlesey-shefford/

The leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, Cllr James Jamieson is urging all residents in Stotfold, Arlesey and Shefford to follow the national Coronavirus guidance, as daily data is showing an increase in cases in this area, particularly among young people.

[Rhodes]

Stotfold's Development side travel to fellow Division One 'A' outfit Wilstead Reserves in the First Round of the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Challenge Cup on Saturday 26 September, should they win they will then travel to the winners of the Stopsley United and Arlesey Under 23's tie:

[Rhodes]

Although Stotfold's Junior Town teams ply their trade in the Herts & District (ORC Sports) Football League, with the First team in the Premier Division and the Reserve team in Division Two, they are still eligible to enter the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Challenge Cup and the Junior Challenge Cup respectively. The First team have a First Round bye in the Intermediate Cup and then travel to the winners of Henlow v Houghton Athletic on Saturday 24 October, the Reserve team also have a First Round bye in the Junior Challenge Cup and travel to Bedfordshire County League Division Three outfit Square FC for a Second Round tie on Saturday 26 September who are based in Dunstable: 

[Rhodes]

On 06/09/2020 at 02:41, Rhodes said:

Stotfold's Development side travel to fellow Division One 'A' outfit Wilstead Reserves in the First Round of the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Challenge Cup on Saturday 26 September, should they win they will then travel to the winners of the Stopsley United and Arlesey Under 23's tie:

Stotfold Development will kick off their Bedfordshire County League Division One 'A' campaign with a home game against AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves on Saturday 3 October, kick off 2.30pm, they then travel to new boys Arlesey Town Under 23's the following week followed by a visit to Houghton Athletic on Saturday 17 October.

[Rhodes]

Don't be misled by Stotfold's website, they have the game with Wilstead Reserves on Saturday 26 September down as a Bedfordshire County League Division One 'A' fixture however it is a Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Challenge Cup First Round tie at the Jubilee Playing Field in Wilstead:

Sat 26	14:30	Away	Wilstead Reserves	League			-
OCTOBER
Sat 3	14:30	Home	AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Rese	League			-
Sat 10	14:30	Away	Arlesey Town (EJA) U23	League			-
Sat 17	14:30	Away	Houghton Athletic Saturday	League

[Rhodes]

On 06/09/2020 at 02:41, Rhodes said:

Stotfold's Development side travel to fellow Division One 'A' outfit Wilstead Reserves in the First Round of the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Challenge Cup on Saturday 26 September, should they win they will then travel to the winners of the Stopsley United and Arlesey Under 23's tie:

An excellent 5-3 win for Stotfold Development at Wilstead Reserves on Saturday (26 September) in the First Round of the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Challenge Cup and they now travel to Stopsley United in the Second Round of the competition on 24 October, Kade Bagge bagged a hat trick at Wilstead Reserves Jubilee Playing Field, no pun intended. This Saturday (3 October) Darren Mitchell's men start their League campaign and host AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves at the New Roker Park, kick off 2.30pm, followed by a visit to Arlesey Town U23's a week later who could possibly find life at this level a little more difficult than they anticipated and lost their first competitive game on Saturday in the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Challenge Cup. Meanwhile Stotfold's First team had a superb 2-1 win over 'the mighty' St Panteleimon on Tuesday (see match reports) despite the visitors taking the lead shortly before the interval, we will probably never know what player boss Luke Gregson said to his team during the break however goals from Gregson himself on 71 minutes and Kym Forsyth on 82 minutes shocked the Championship favourites. Prior to Tuesday evening Stotfold's campaign looked as if it was heading in the wrong direction with a tame 2-1 defeat at Little Oakley in the FA Vase, a 2-0 defeat at Bedford and a fortunate draw with Milton Keynes Irish at Roker Park last Saturday when Owen Robertson needlessly saw red at the end of the first half, now all is forgiven as Luke Gregson's men embark on four successive away league fixtures starting with a trip to the Maccabi London Sports Ground on Saturday (3 October) to face London Lions:

https://www.stotfoldfc.co.uk/Matchreport.aspx?id=466354

http://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2020/09/a-very-rare-defeat-for-saints-as-eagles.html

Edited October 1, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 10/09/2020 at 02:04, Rhodes said:

Although Stotfold's Junior Town teams ply their trade in the Herts & District (ORC Sports) Football League, with the First team in the Premier Division and the Reserve team in Division Two, they are still eligible to enter the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Challenge Cup and the Junior Challenge Cup respectively. The First team have a First Round bye in the Intermediate Cup and then travel to the winners of Henlow v Houghton Athletic on Saturday 24 October, the Reserve team also have a First Round bye in the Junior Challenge Cup and travel to Bedfordshire County League Division Three outfit Square FC for a Second Round tie on Saturday 26 September who are based in Dunstable: 

Stotfold's Junior Town Reserve team had a Bedfordshire FA Junior Challenge Cup Second Round tie on Saturday (26 September) having received a First Round bye, unfortunately they lost 3-2 to Square FC who play in Division Three of the Bedfordshire County League and no connection to Dial Square FC. The Junior Town First team also received a First Round bye in the Intermediate Challenge Cup and now know their Second Round opponents, they will travel to Henlow Park to face Bedfordshire County League Division One 'A' Henlow on Saturday 24 October who beat Houghton Athletic 6-1, not an easy assignment for the team who ply their trade in the Herts & District (ORC Sports) League Premier Division.

[Rhodes]

On 01/10/2020 at 14:11, Rhodes said:

This Saturday (3 October) Darren Mitchell's men start their League campaign and host AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves at the New Roker Park, kick off 2.30pm

An impressive bow for Stotfold Development in the Bedfordshire County League Division One 'A' beating AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves 5-1 at the New Roker Park following on from their 5-3 win against Wilstead Reserves last Saturday in the First Round of the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Challenge Cup, next week (10 October) sees a visit to Arlesey Town Under 23's. The First team disappointed today following their midweek heroics, losing 3-1 at London Lions however the match was marred by a serious looking injury to a home player who had to be taken to hospital by ambulance, there was a lenghty hold up and you always wonder whether players are in the right frame of mind to continue after such an occurence. Next Saturday Luke Gregson's men should have been enjoying FA Vase Second Qualifying Round action at May & Baker Eastbrook FC but instead go to Amersham Town for a SSML Division Two fixture.

[Rhodes]

Over seventy photographs and match report from the annual pre-season jamboree between Stotfold and a Hitchin Town XI at the New Roker Park on Tuesday 25 August, it wasn't a walk in the park this year for the Southern League Premier Division Central Club and they only won 2-0:

https://hitchintownfc.club/event/stotfold-hitchin-town-25-aug-2020/

 

[Rhodes]

On 04/10/2020 at 01:37, Rhodes said:

Next Saturday Luke Gregson's men should have been enjoying FA Vase Second Qualifying Round action at May & Baker Eastbrook FC but instead go to Amersham Town for a SSML Division Two fixture

Although Stotfold would have much preferred locking horns with May & Baker Eastbrook FC on Saturday in the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round, which they certainly should have been doing, at least they picked up another three League points in a 2-0 victory at Amersham Town (see match reports and photographs) with two first half goals from Kim Forsythe, the first from the spot, indeed the scoreline could have been far more convincing against a disappointing Amersham Town side. We will really be able to see what Luke Gregson's men are made of this evening (Monday) when they make a quick re-appearance and travel to New Salamis for a League fixture brought forward due to a groundshare arrangement, at least it will give them an extra day to rest tired limbs before making the excurtion to Buckingham Athletic on Saturday. Unfortunately you can't have everything, particularly in football, and the Development side went down 3-2 to Arlesey Town Under 23's in an exciting contest at the Baldock Arena in a Bedfordshire County League Division One 'A' fixture with Daniel Jones and Ben Southby getting the goals, next Saturday (17 October) they go to Moore Crescent to take on Houghton Athletic who are pointless so far after two matches:

https://www.sportsshots.org.uk/2020/10/11/ssmfl-d1-amersham-town-0-2-stotfold/

https://www.stotfoldfc.co.uk/Matchreport.aspx?id=474402

[Rhodes]

Interesting YouTube footage and photographs of a 2011/12 FA Vase Preliminary Round tie between Stotfold and Enfield Town at Roker Park on Saturday 3 September 2011, Stotfold pulled off a surprise 2-1 win and progressed to the First Qualifying Round where they lost 4-0 at Billericay Town:

(261) STOTFOLD V ENFIELD TOWN - YouTube

The Cold End: STOTFOLD SHOCK TOWN

[Rhodes]

Two 'albums' of photographs and match report from Stotfold v Leighton Town in a 2016/17 SSML Premier Division fixture, at the old Roker Park on Saturday 15 October 2016, resulting in a 4-1 win for Leighton Town, Ashley Fitton netted for Stotfold:

https://www.leightontownfc.co.uk/teams/11587/match-centre/0-3447145/report

https://www.leightontownfc.co.uk/teams/11587/match-centre/0-3447145/photos

Edited December 10, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

I think people forget that Stotfold were a United Counties League Premier Division outfit for many years after leaving the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of the 1983/84 season and before they joined the SSML Premier Division in 2010/11 where they remained until 2018/19 when disappointingly being relegated to Division One, hopefully they can return to their rightful place in the top flight at the end of this season. Here's a programme cover from when they locked horns with high flying Raunds Town in a United Counties League Premier Division encounter at Roker Park on Tuesday 8 September 1992, Raunds Town reached the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round that season eliminating then Conference side Northwich Victoria at Drill Field, one of the biggest ever FA Cup shocks in the Qualifying stages:

[Rhodes]

Numerous photographs from Bishop's Cleeve v Stotfold in a 2018/19 FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie, at Kayte Lane on Saturday 11 August 2018, resulting in a 5-2 win for the Hellenic League Premier Division hosts. Tommy Carroll and Bernard Nkansah netted for Stotfold who were not assisted by the dismissal of Mark Ansell-Carter:

Zenfolio | Rob Campion Sports Photography | Bishop's Cleeve FC

[Rhodes]

On 03/03/2020 at 22:37, Rhodes said:

The legendary Tony Incenzo recently visited Stotfold's New Roker Park for the London Lions fixture, along with Ollie Bayliss from the BBC Three Counties Radio Non League Show, and gives his expert and very complimentary verdict here:

http://buildbase-blog.co.uk/2020/03/03/diary-of-a-groundhopper-talksports-tony-incenzo-stotfold-fc-london-lions/#.Xl7MMfZFwch

It is a year now since Stotfold moved into the New Roker Park and what a great success it has been despite the virus starting up shortly afterwards in March last year and sadly preventing games taking place. There's an interesting thead on another Forum discussing ground moves, some good and some not so successful although if a Council owned ground is sold off to unscrupulous developers there's nothing the Club can do to prevent it:

Ground developments thread | Page 12 | NonLeagueMatters Forums

When ground moves are planned the right way (Wycombe Wanderers is the prime example), they can propel clubs to greater things. If they are ill thought-out (Ilford, Leytonstone, Walthamstow spring to mind), the opposite happens. But if people saw 'progress' as the increase in local support and the involvement of the community rather than a crash and burn existance - Rushden Diamonds for example - non-League football would be much healthier. Semi-pro football is totally different from the professional game, with a different set of priorities, and offering a unique experience that cannot be measured. For many clubs that is sufficient, and why shouldn't it be?

[Rhodes]

Some interesting photographs of Stotfold itself and the leafy surrounding area (see links), there's more to the place than just the New Roker Park:

Stotfold | Flickr    Stotfold | Flickr    Fairfield | Flickr    Radwell | Flickr

Edited March 3, 2021 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

As we know the 2020/21 SSML season has been unceremoniously 'curtailed' as was officially announced by the FA last week that 'Steps 3-6 will be curtailed' although, in the case of the Bedfordshire County League, it has been declared null and void with no promotion or relegation taking place. The League are preparing to run end of season supplementary cup competitions across all its five divisions, these will commence on Saturday 10 April and run until Mid-May. That includes Division One 'A' where Stotfold Development's campaign is sadly at a premature conclusion after just six League fixtures played when sitting in second place in the table, their last outing was on Saturday 19 December when winning 2-1 at Kempston Athletic with a brace from Kade Bagge. Stotfold's First Team meanwhile had not been having things all their own way until prior to the curtailment when impressively winning three successive home fixtures, 4-0 against Hillingdon Borough, 7-0 against London Tigers and 4-1 against Winslow United, see match reports, there was also a friendly fixture at high flying Premier Division Oxhey Jets on Tuesday 8 December following a lengthy lockdown layoff which resulted in a competitive 1-1 stalemate:

Stotfold Football Club : First Team 4-1 Winslow United (stotfoldfc.co.uk)

Stotfold Football Club : First Team 7-0 London Tigers (stotfoldfc.co.uk)

Stotfold Football Club : First Team 4-0 Hillingdon Borough (stotfoldfc.co.uk)

Stotfold Football Club : First Team 1-1 Oxhey Jets (stotfoldfc.co.uk)

[Rhodes]

Who recalls when Stotfold embarrassingly went down 12-1 to Berkhamsted, at Roker Park on Saturday 5 August 2017, in a 2017/18 FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie:

Match photos: Stotfold 1 - 12 Berkhamsted FC (The Comrades) : 1st team (pitchero.com)

Match Report: Stotfold 1 - 12 Berkhamsted FC (The Comrades) : 1st team (pitchero.com)