Football Season Guide

Last season was one of consolidation for Stevenage in Dino Maamria’s first year as manager. They briefly flirted with the play-offs towards the end of the campaign; due largely to the influence of Queens Park Rangers loan midfielder Ilias Chair, whose performances were heads and shoulders above most players in League 2. He couldn’t do it all himself however and Boro’ missed out on a play-off place by a single point. Owner Phil Wallace has cut a frustrated figure in recent years with the club seemingly treading water in League 2. He has offered up shares in an attempt to grow the club and return to League 1. Midfielder Michael Timlin’s release this summer was something of a surprise having been a regular last season whilst they will miss the presence of striker Alex Revell, who has announced his retirement. The mercurial talent of Chair will be almost impossible to replace and Dean Parrett faces that unenviable task having returned from AFC Wimbledon. Maamria will be hoping to get the best out of striker Danny Newton, whose season was hampered by injury. Luther James-Wildin had an outstanding first season at right wing-back and has been attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal. The Tunisian has returned to non-league football for the capture of prolific striker Jason Cowley from Bromsgrove Sporting and will be hoping to following in the footsteps of Newton and Matt Godden.