Boston United

Boston United
Clubname	Boston United
Fullname	Boston United Football Club
Nickname	The Pilgrims
Founded	1933
Ground	The Jakemans Community Stadium
Capacity	6,643
Chairman	David Newton
Manager	Craig Elliott
League	National League North

Boston United is a semi-professional association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. The club competes in the National League North and plays home matches at the Jakemans Community Stadium. Founded in 1933, the club has a history spanning regional leagues, cup competitions, and fluctuations between the English Football League and the National League system.

History

The club was formed in 1933, succeeding earlier teams in Boston, Lincolnshire and joining the Midland League. Early decades involved competition against clubs such as Grimsby Town, Scunthorpe United, and Notts County reserve sides. Post-war years saw participation in the Northern Premier League and the Southern League, with promotions and cup runs that brought fixtures against York City, Doncaster Rovers, and Lincoln City. In the 1990s and early 2000s Boston United experienced notable success under managers who guided the club through the Conference National into the Football League Two, playing against clubs including Macclesfield Town, Shrewsbury Town, and Bury. Financial challenges and sanctions later resulted in relegations back to the Conference North and the Northern Premier League. Recovery involved restructuring by board members and investors, with management changes linking to figures associated with Alan Brazil and local business supporters. Recent seasons have focused on consolidation under managers who previously worked in the FA Cup qualifying rounds and the FA Trophy.

Stadium

Home matches are played at the Jakemans Community Stadium, historically known as York Street, situated in Boston, Lincolnshire. The ground has hosted fixtures against visiting supporters from clubs such as Oxford United, Port Vale, AFC Wimbledon, and Accrington Stanley during cup ties and league fixtures. Facilities have been upgraded to meet English Football League and National League ground grading, including seating, hospitality, and floodlighting used for evening matches against teams like Hartlepool United and Wrexham AFC. The stadium sits near local landmarks and transport links serving Lincolnshire and the wider East Midlands region.

Supporters and Rivalries

Supporters originate from Boston, Lincolnshire and surrounding towns including Spalding, Skegness, and Horncastle. Traditional rivalries involve nearby clubs such as Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, and Scarborough Athletic in historic regional competition. Local derbies have attracted fans from counties like Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire when matches against teams including Worksop Town and Ilkeston Town occurred. Supporters' groups have organized travel to cup ties against clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley, and engaged with community initiatives involving Boston United Foundation partners and regional charities.

Club Identity and Colours

The club nickname reflects the local heritage of Pilgrim Fathers history associated with Boston, Lincolnshire and maritime links to Boston, Massachusetts. The traditional home colours are black and amber, worn in matches versus opponents including Cambridge United, Aldershot Town, and Wycombe Wanderers. Away kits have featured white and blue combinations in fixtures against Wrexham AFC and Altrincham. The club crest incorporates symbols referencing local civic emblems and the Lincolnshire coastline, used on merchandise sold in club shops and at stadium kiosks during matches against teams such as Crewe Alexandra and Rochdale AFC.

Players and Staff

The playing squad has included a mix of experienced professionals and academy graduates from regional youth systems, with former players transferring to clubs like Peterborough United, Nottingham Forest, and Derby County. Management and coaching staff have featured figures who previously worked at clubs including Boston Town and within the English Football League structure. The backroom team handles matchday preparation for fixtures in the FA Trophy and league seasons against clubs such as Boreham Wood and Alfreton Town. The club has a history of loan agreements with higher-tier sides, bringing in players from clubs like Sheffield United and Leicester City.

Honours and Records

Major honours include league titles and cup achievements in competitions such as the Northern Premier League and regional cup tournaments contested against sides like King's Lynn Town and Gainsborough Trinity. The club's best runs in national competitions have included notable performances in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy, facing clubs such as Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace in memorable ties. Individual records include appearances and goalscoring milestones held by prominent former players who later featured for clubs like AFC Bournemouth and Portsmouth FC.

Category:Football clubs in Lincolnshire Category:Association football clubs established in 1933