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Boston United Squad 2017/18


Management and Support Staff

John Blackwell JOHN BLACKWELL Club President

Born: Kirton
Now lives: Boston

John Blackwell has been involved with the club for many years, helping with the coaching and running the reserve team in the seventies, as Club Secretary from 1978 onwards and as General Manager from 1998 until he retired in May 2016. He has even been on the substitute's bench three time for the Pilgrims. Following his retirement he was appointed as Club President. He was a member of the Vauxhall Conference Management Committee for nine years and the Unibond League Management Commitee for five years. As a youngster he started off as a goalkeeper with Tower Road School and Kitwood Boys School. He played in successive Pitcher Cup final victories for Kitwood, the first as a keeper against George Farmer, the second as a striker against Sleaford. His prowess at junior level won him a trial with Peterborough United, but he decided to play locally, first with Boston Athletic, then Real Towell. His biggest disappointment is that he was not good enough to play football at a top level. The match he most remembers is the FA Trophy semi-final against Altrincham at York Street back in 1985. In his leisure time he enjoys watching sport on TV, reading the Saturday evening football papers and being with his family.


Craig Elliott CRAIG ELLIOTT Manager

Previous clubs (as manager): Shaw Lane, Glasshoughton Welfare, Ossett Town.

Craig Elliott was appointed manager of Boston United in November 2017. Having guided Shaw Lane to three promotions in four seasons with the Barnsley-based club, Elliott stepped up to become Adam Murray's permanent successor at The Jakemans Stadium. He had previously managed Glasshoughton Welfare and Ossett Town, having retired early from his playing days due to injury.


Playing Staff


George Willis GEORGE WILLIS b. 30/7/1995 Goalkeeper

Born: ?
Previous clubs: Sheffield United, Alfreton Town (loan), Bradford Park Avenue (loan), Matlock Town (loan), Stalybridge Celtic, Gainsborough Trinity.

Goalkeeper George Willis joined Boston United in May 2017 after opting to turn down the offer of a new contract with league rivals Gainsborough Trinity. The former Sheffield United youngster progressed through the Bramall Lane system before spending various spells away on loan.


Brad Beatson BRAD BEATSON b. 15/10/1996 Defender

Previous clubs: Sheffield Wednesday, Gainsborough Trinity.

Former Sheffield Wednesday trainee Brad Beatson swapped life with Gainsborough Trinity for Boston United in May 2017. Having spent the first season of his senior career in National League North at The Northolme, Beatson moved across Lincolnshire alongside team-mate George Willis. He is capable of playing at centre-half or left-back.


James Clifton JAMES CLIFTON Defender

Born: ?
Previous clubs: Brackley Town, Oxford City, Kettering Town, Nuneaton Town.

Experienced right-back James Clifton joined Boston United in June 2017. The former Brackley Town, Oxford City and Nuneaton Town defender switched to The Jakemans Stadium as a player well-versed on National League North, having represented three different clubs in the division.


Jack Cowgill JACK COWGILL b. 8/1/1997 Defender

Born: Wakefield
Previous clubs: Barnsley, Braintree Town (loan), AFC Fylde (loan).

Highly-rated Barnsley centre-half Jack Cowgill joined Boston United on a permanent basis in the summer of 2017. Having already spent loan spells away from Oakwell at Braintree Town in the National League and AFC Fylde in National League North, Cowgill was allowed to leave the Yorkshire club to link up with the Pilgrims ahead of the 2017-2018 campaign.


Taron Hare TARON HARE b. 4/10/1996 Defender

Born: ?
Previous clubs: Scunthorpe United, York City, North Ferriby United.

Versatile defender Taron Hare completed his move to Boston United in June 2017 after compensation was agreed with North Ferriby United. He had appeared 39 times for the Villagers during their National League campaign of 2016-2017, having switched from York City the previous summer. He started his career at Scunthorpe United.


Jordan Keane JORDAN KEANE b. 19/9/1993 Defender

Born: Nottingham
Previous clubs: Stoke City, Alfreton Town, Nuneaton Town, Worcester City.

Versatile defender Jordan Keane linked up with the Pilgrims in July 2017 following a short spell with Worcester City. He had, in turn, joined Worcester from Nuneaton Town, having spent 18 months at Liberty Way. He began his career at Stoke City before moving on permanently to join Alfreton Town.


Jan Yeomans JAN YEOMANS Defender

Born: ?
Previous clubs: Ilkeston FC, Radcliffe Olympic.

Full-back Jan Yeomans joined the Pilgrims in February 2017 and marked his full debut for the club by scoring in the 3-1 home win over Chorley. He had previously played for Ilkeston FC and Radcliffe Olympic.


Liam Adams LIAM ADAMS b. 1/1/1998 Midfielder

Born: Boston
Previous clubs: Nottingham Forest.

Teenage winger Liam Adams rejoined Boston United in August 2016 having spent five years away from the club at Nottingham Forest. He was an integral part of the Pilgrims’ Centre of Excellence before switching to the City Ground but was released after completing his two-year scholarship on Trentside.


Jack Broadhead JACK BROADHEAD b. 2/10/1994 Midfielder

Born: Mansfield
Previous clubs: Chesterfield, Buxton (loan), Worksop Town (loan), Matlock Town (loan), Frickley Athletic (loan), Mickleover Sports.

Versatile performer Jack Broadhead joined Boston United on transfer deadline day in March 2017. The former Chesterfield trainee joined the Pilgrims from Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division side Mickleover Sports.


Ashley Hemmings ASHLEY HEMMINGS b. 3/3/1991 Midfielder

Born: Wolverhampton
Previous clubs: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Walsall, Dagenham and Redbridge, Mansfield Town.

In-demand Ashley Hemmings linked up with the Pilgrims at the end of June 2017 following his departure from Mansfield Town. The pacy winger had appeared under Adam Murray's management during his time in charge at Field Mill. Hemmings had earlier played for the likes of Walsall and Dagenham and Redbridge, after starting his career at hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers.


Jamie McGuire JAMIE MCGUIRE b. 13/11/1983 Midfielder

Born: Birkenhead
Previous clubs: Droylsden, Fleetwood Town, Mansfield Town.

Experienced midfielder Jamie McGuire linked up with Boston United in the summer of 2017 after leaving Football League side Mansfield Town. Having progressed through the divisions with Fleetwood Town during their meteoric rise, McGuire subsequently went on to play over 100 times for the Stags, where he played alongside and was managed by United boss Adam Murray.


Jay Rollins JAY ROLLINS Midfielder

Previous clubs: Askern Villa, Armthorpe Welfare.

Jay Rollins joined the Pilgrims in the summer of 2015 after impressing in pre-season trials. He was voted Player of the Year in 2016/17.


Gregg Smith GREGG SMITH b. 24/1/1990 Forward

Born: ?
Previous clubs: Spalding United, King's Lynn Town, Grantham Town, Stamford AFC.

Powerful Stamford AFC striker Gregg Smith became one of Dennis Greene’s final summer signings in July 2016. Having impressed against United in a pre-season fixture against the Daniels, Greene made his move for the experienced frontman. Smith had previously served the likes of Spalding United, King’s Lynn Town and Grantham Town.


Kabongo Tshimanga KABONGO TSHIMANGA b. 31/5/1996 Forward

Born: Kinshasa, Congo
Previous clubs: Milton Keynes Dons, Corby Town (loan), Throttur Reykjavik (loan), Yeovil Town (loan).

Striker Kabongo Tshimanga committed his future to Boston United in July 2017 by signing an initial one-year contract at The Jakemans Stadium. The frontman left Milton Keynes Dons at the end of 2016-2017 and turned down higher division offers to link up with Adam Murray's new-look squad. He previously excelled during a loan spell with Corby Town.


Tyrell Waite TYRELL WAITE b. 1/7/1994 Forward

Born: Derby
Previous clubs: Ilkeston FC, Notts County, Lincoln City, Skelleftea, Nuneaton Town, Kidderminster Harriers.

Boston United snapped up the services of Tyrell Waite from league rivals Kidderminster Harriers in June 2017. He has scored seven goals from a wide position as Harriers clinched the runners-up position in National League North in 2016-2017. He had previously played briefly for the likes of Notts County and Lincoln City, either side of a spell in Sweden with Skelleftea.


No longer with the club


Adam Murray ADAM MURRAY b. 30/9/1981 Manager

Born: Birmingham
Previous clubs (as manager): Mansfield Town, (as player) Derby County, Mansfield Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Notts County, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Torquay United, Macclesfield Town, Oxford United, Luton Town.

Adam Murray was appointed as manager of Boston United in December 2016 as a replacement for Dennis Greene. He had previously been at Mansfield Town since 2010 as a player and since December 2014 as player/manager.


Adam Chapman ADAM CHAPMAN b. 29/11/1989 Midfielder

Born: Doncaster
Previous clubs: Sheffield United, Oxford United, Newport County, Mansfield Town, Gainsborough Trinity.

Experienced midfielder Adam Chapman joined the Pilgrims in January 2017. The former Sheffield United youngster had previously played under manager Adam Murray at Mansfield Town and moved to The Jakemans Stadium from county neighbours Gainsborough Trinity.


Karl Hawley KARL HAWLEY b. 6/12/1981 Forward

Born: Walsall
Previous clubs: Walsall, Raith Rovers (loan), Hereford United (loan), Hednesford Town, Carlisle United, Preston North End, Northampton Town (loan), Colchester United (loan), Notts County, Crawley Town (loan), Scunthorpe United, Torquay United, Alfreton Town, Stourbridge.

Experienced campaigner Karl Hawley joined the Pilgrims in January 2017 following a short spell with Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division side Rushall Olympic. He joined United in a playing and coaching capacity, having been on Adam Murray's staff at Field Mill earlier in the season. Hawley enjoyed a successful Football League career and excelled against the Pilgrims for Carlisle United.


Tom Batchelor TOM BATCHELOR Defender

Previous clubs: Stamford AFC, Grantham Town.

Centre half Tom Batchelor joined Boston United from Grantham Town in December 2016. Earlier in the season he had been with Stamford AFC where he had impressed in their FA Cup run which had ended at Hartlepool in the first round proper.


Photographs copyright © Ken Fox.

Boston United Database copyright © Ken Fox 2017.


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