The club, based in the Hertfordshire town of Borehamwood—spelled as one word, unlike the club’s name—was founded in 1948 following a merger between Boreham Wood Rovers and Royal Retournez, beginning life in the Mid-Herts League. They later progressed through various ‘Greek’ amateur leagues based around Greater London and surrounding areas, including the Parthenon, Spartan, and Athenian leagues, before joining the Isthmian League in 1974. Nearly three decades later, they were transferred to the Southern League, earning promotion to the Conference South in 2010, and then to the newly renamed National League in 2015.

Aside from their relegation in 2023/24, Boreham Wood have generally been play-off contenders, reflecting the ambition and stability provided by long-serving chairman Danny Hunter. They’ve also enjoyed some notable FA Cup runs—most memorably in 2021/22, when they reached the fifth round after knocking out AFC Wimbledon and AFC Bournemouth, before falling 2–0 to Everton. They also reached the third round in 2020/21 (losing to Millwall) and 2022/23 (losing to Accrington Stanley after a replay, and beating Bristol Rovers 2-0 on the way).

Their home ground, Meadow Park, also hosts the Arsenal youth team, and until 2024, served as the main venue for the Arsenal Women’s team.

We have to go back some way…as far as February 2017….to recall our last encounter with the Wood at Nailsworth.

It was a 2-0 victory to Rovers, with Christian Doidge and Omar Bugiel – the latter making his debut appearance for FGR, as a substitute – both scoring goals in the final ten minutes of ordinary time. Bugiel had just joined Rovers from Adam Hinshelwood’s Worthing.

If you want to refresh your memory, there is a report on the Boreham Wood website here

Squad pic from the start of the 2016/17 season

Boreham Wood were active in the summer window, adding depth and experience across the pitch. New arrivals include left-back Joe Newton from Solihull Moors, right-back Jeff King from York City, and defensive midfielder Aaron Henry from Charlton Athletic. Up front, they’ve brought in centre-forwards Luke Norris from Tranmere Rovers—who returns to the Wood over a decade after a brief spell on loan there—and Junior Dixon from Birmingham City.

Boreham Wood finished fifth in the 2024/25 National League South, and earned promotion back to the National League the hard way—by edging past Dorking Wanderers, Torquay United, and Maidstone United in the play-offs, each by a single-goal margin. Their relegation the previous season had come as a surprise, given their recent track record of consistency in the National League, with play-off finishes in 2017/18, 2019/20, and 2022/23.

Manager Luke Garrard, who had overseen all of those successful campaigns, was sacked as the drop became inevitable—but in a dramatic twist, he was reappointed just weeks into the new season after his replacement, Ross Jenkins (now at Oxford City), failed to make an impact

By any measure the Wood Army have made a really successful start to the season – this is the first match so far this season at which Rovers will face a team above them in the league.

As regards the other high-flying teams , they have been beaten by Rochdale and drew with Carlisle Utd in a thrilling six-goal encounter. They also drew with Southend Utd and Scunthorpe Utd. Draw specialists then? Not quite. Of their 14 league games played, they have won nine (Rovers have won eight of 15). Forward Matt Rush, with seven goals is the joint fifth supplier of goals in the National League as things stand.

….and they play York City between this being published and their meeting Rovers, clearly an important match (3rd v 6th as things stand)

Not many, to be honest.

Of our current squad, Adam May played for Boreham Wood, on loan from Portsmouth in the 2019/20 season. However, his loan begin in late February, meaning he only got to play in two games for the Wood before the COVID pandemic led to the season being ended early.

Adam May

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.

The Green Man bar and Fan Zone will be open pre-match for food, drink, and live music, with bands performing before each game. Both will also be open at half-time, while the Green Man stays open after the final whistle, showing live Sky Sports games. This season, the Gym Bar also returns for East Stand ticket-holders.

The New Lawn is a cashless stadium — card and contactless payments only. This is a kids go free match.

Hospitality details and offers:

The FGR Shop will be open in the Fan Zone, East Stand concourse, and the Carol Embrey Suite.

A free digital matchday programme will be available online before each home game. Keep an eye on the club’s social media channels for the download link ahead of kick-off.