FC Boro

Stevenage have announced they are to do a tour of the town, parading the FA Trophy won at Wembley on Saturday. The tour will begin at the ground before going down Monkswood Way, St George’s Way, Fairlands Way, Lytton Way, around the old town before returning the same way to Broadhall Way. The bus leaves the ground at 4.30pm tomorrow afternoon if you want to get down to the route and cheer on the boys.

Boro defender Mark Albrighton has backed his former club to win at Wembley this weekend and get promoted back to the football league. Albrighton left Cambridge for Stevenage last summer and believes his former side have the edge over opponents Torquay to win promotion this weekend, as long as they play their own game.

“Jimmy Quinn wanted us to play a different way in the final last year and it didn’t work. Looking back, I’d say go in there full of confidence and enjoy the day and give it your all as you might not get another chance.” Albrighton on the play-off final

Albrighton has had a tough first year at Broadhall Way, struggling with both form and injury. However, he has been a useful squad member for Graham Westley. He began the campaign as captain, but that coincided with Boro’s poor start and his own below par form and he handed over the armband to Steve Morison. Albrighton’s form seemed to then improve after giving away the responsibility of the captaincy, but then niggling injuries halted Albrighton’s progress. Boro signed Mark Roberts and Jon Ashton in January and the new arrivals limited Albrighton’s appearances in the side. He has mostly been a bit part player ever since, but when called upon has shown maturity and experience which have helped Boro’s cause this season. It’s possible he could move on this summer, if he still wants more first team football.

In other news around the non league circuit, Grays have appointed Craig Edwards as their new manager. I don’t know much about him, but knowing Grays I doubt he’ll be in charge for too long. Rushden are the latest club to announce their retained list. Andy Burgess isn’t one of them as he has been told he is free to move on. The ex Oxford midfielder looks to be on the move to either Luton or Cyprus. There looks to be tough times ahead for Kidderminster too. At the beginning of the week the club announced 7 players were to be released and now Mark Yates has admitted to having to accept bids for his star players. Kiddy have already been forced to sell Mark Creighton to rivals Oxford and don’t look likely to be the same force in the promotion race next season.