Boston United was formed in 1933 as a successor to the short-lived Boston Town. Reflecting their position on the map, they’ve competed at various times in the Midland League, Northern Premier League, and Southern League. Their golden era came in the 1970s, when they topped the Northern Premier League four times. Unsurprisingly, the Pilgrims were invited to become founding members of the nationwide fifth tier – the Alliance Premier League – in 1979. Of that original cohort, only Altrincham, Wealdstone and Yeovil Town remain alongside them in the 2025/26 National League.

The club spent five seasons in the Football League (2002–07), all in the fourth tier, though their time there – and the circumstances of their promotion, some argue at the expense of Dagenham & Redbridge – were mired in controversy. Much of the focus centred on their then-manager, the undeniably capable but combative Steve Evans, who was suspended from football for 20 months over contract irregularities at Boston and later received a suspended prison sentence for tax evasion. Remarkably, Evans returned to the club following his suspension but resigned after their relegation from the Football League in 2007. Financial collapse followed, with Boston dropping directly from League Two to the sixth tier, and then falling down another level a year later. The whole sad story is told in somewhat colourful terms by a Yeovil fan here. The Pilgrims returned to the Conference North in 2010, and finally reclaimed a place in the National League in 2024.

Now playing at a new ground, under fresh leadership and with a renewed sense of ambition, the club seems to be leaving behind the shadows of its troubled past.

Not the greatest oddity of Boston United’s stay in the Football League in the 2000s was the appointment of Paul Gascoigne as player-coach. He stayed for five matches.

Paul Hurst returned to Boston Utd as manager in January 2026, after a disappointing start to the team’s season had left them floudering. Hurst had served as joint manager of the Pilgrims early in his career as a manager, working alongside Rob Scott from 2009 to 2011. On that occasion, Hurst had been instrumental in gaining promotion for the Pilgrims from the Northern Premier League to the Conference North. After leaving Boston, he went on to serve as manager for two of the larger football teams in Lincolnshire – Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe Utd (leading Grimsby on two separate occasions) – and also spent two spells in charge of Shrewsbury Town. He also spent a short period in charge at Ipswich Town. Before going into management, Hurst had spent almost his entire footballing career (as a left back) at Rotherham Utd, making over 430 appearances for them over a period of 15 years. By finishing last season in 12th place in the National League, Hurst had brought their team to their highest-placed finish for nearly 20 years.

Last year’s 12th placed finish, seven places higher than the 19th achieved the previous year, in Boston’s first season in the fifth tier since 2001/02, suggests a team slowly but surely on the way up. There has been a great deal of transfer activity in this quiet corner of Lincolnshire over the summer, with expectations riding high of a good season. Newcomers include centre-back Jack Rooney (cousin of Wayne), freshly arrived from Derby County, centre-back Lewis Shipley from Barrow, whence centre-back Niall Canavan has also arrived. Other players to watch include centre-back Jamie Grimes from Chesterfield, left-winger Connor McBride from Rochdale, and attacking midfielder Gavan Holohan from Hartlepool. Central-midfielder Nicholas Pozo has arrived from the Lincoln Red Imps who play, not in Lincolnshire, but rather in Gibraltar. With a substantially new team to form, it will be interesting to see how so many new signings from such a range of backgrounds gel on the pitch.

..with some difficulty, it would seem. Eight matches into the season, and the Pilgrims have won two (against Altrincham and rock-bottom Solihull Moors), drawn two, and lost four. Early days, but still a work in progress.

Rovers’ home fixture against the Pilgrims last season came at a rather dark time in the season for the club – not only because it was a midweek evening match in February. Ending up as 3-2 in favour of the east-coast team, it was the 4th loss in five games for Rovers (with the other game in this sequence being a draw). Although Harvey Bunker and Tom Knowles both scored for Rovers, they couldn’t quite catch Boston, who had taken an early lead.  The away fixture, on a Wednesday evening in October, was also one to forget, ending 0-0 after an uninspired performance – even if it did leave Rovers top of the table.

Forest Green Rovers F.C. – The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL6 0FG

Parking is available in the adjacent school car park, just a short walk from the stadium. Spaces cost £15 per car and must be booked in advance by calling 0333 123 1889 (Monday, Thursday and Friday at 11am to 2pm) or by emailing reception@fgr.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can use the Park and Ride service from Renishaw (Bath Road, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL5 5EY). It opens at 12:30pm on matchdays and costs £5 per car (card only).

If parking on surrounding streets, please be considerate of local residents.

Rovers Raffle – organised by the Supporters Club to subsidise away travel, ground improvements, Academy teams etc. Tickets cost £1 each (cash or card accepted) with winners announced at half time or check winning numbers here – Raffle Results – Forest Green Rovers Supporters Club

Fan Zone – Fan Zone to the right of the ground entrance, behind the North Stand. Open to home & away supporters. The Fan Zone has a food truck, bar, toilets and a large marquee with picnic benches and live music from about 1:30pm.

The Green Man  – Normally home fans only,  serves food and drink. Opens 12pm.

Gym Bar – Open in the East Stand, and open to other home supporters after the match.

Club Shop – Opens 12pm. TNL is a cashless stadium. To find out about hospitality and events, please email hospitality@fgr.co.uk.