Stratford Town Quiz

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To help pass the time before the epic cup tie against the Shrews, our very own historian Martin Kenny has put together this fun quiz on all things STFC and Stratford related.

1. Name the Stratford Town player (below) that made his debut at 16 years old and was transfered from Wigan Athletic to Sunderland in 2018 for £3 million?


2. Which Sky Television pundit provided funds for the club in the 1980s?


3. Name the former Town player that scored a league hat trick at Old Traffford?


4. Name the former goalkeeper shown in the photograph below who now takes on a different role at the club?


5. Name the former resident of Tiddington and composer of Jerusalem and Nimrod who used to cycle from the Malverns to the Moulineux to watch Wolverhampton Wanderers play.


6. How did a spectator prevent our FA Cup tie with Scarborough Athletic from being postponed?


7. Name our former home that is shown here in a derelict state?


8. Name the follow Town Manager shown here overseeing the construction of our current stadium?


9. Name the former Birmingham City player who as  manager achieved two promotions from the Midlands Alliance to our current position in the Midland Premier Division of the Southern League?


10. Name the manager (director of football) that lifted the Southern League Cup in 2019?

The first person to bring 10 correct answers in writing to the club shop on Sunday will receive a highly sought after STFC beanie hat.

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50/50 draw help required

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It promises to be a bumper crowd at the Arden Garages Stadium tomorrow night as Town take on Boston United in their vital FA cup replay. With one or two of our regulars under the weather, we’d really appreciate it if any Bards fans could spare a few minutes to help us sell 50/50 tickets. Come and say hello and you’ll be made very welcome. We really appreciate your help.

Simply the Best

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Martin Kenny looks back to 1983, when one one of the all time greats turned out for this weekend’s cup opponents.

There have been many publicity stunts in non-league football down the years but the appearance of George Best in a Nuneaton Borough shirt in March 1983 must rank as one of the most impressive.

The friendly match against Coventry City attracted a crowd of over 4,000 to Manor Park and the line-up of the teams contained an array of professionals such as Mark Hateley, Steve Hunt and Tony Morley. In fact, Morley would play 222 games for Nuneaton before eventually finishing his career at Masons Road with the Town.

George had confirmed his appearance in advance of the match, and he did not disappoint the fans. Best was 37 years old at the time and even though he was nearing the end of his career his ability was still apparent setting up 2 goals and scoring a penalty. In return for playing Best received a small plastic trophy that is displayed in the National Football Museum. It is ironic that a slightly younger holder of the Man United number 7 shirt Ronaldo has attracted such worldwide coverage for his return to the club in recent weeks.

Improved sports science, diet and training have meant that players can extend their careers at the highest level. Commercial spin offs have ensured Man United can finance their investment amid speculation of share price increases.

However, the memory of George Best dribbling past several players to score 6 goals in the Old Trafford mud feels more

closer to the experience of school games or Sunday league football after a good Saturday night.

In the National Football Museum there is displayed the plastic trophy that Best received for playing against Coventry City. It is remarkable that Best could turn in such incredible performances despite his extraordinary lifestyle.

Also the humour of George Best will remain in the memory, taking the ball off his own team mate Rodney Marsh whilst playing for Fulham and the laughs from his appearances on Michael Parkinson’s chat show.

Nuneaton Boroughs former ground at Manor Road was demolished in 2008, the stadiums capacity was set in 1967 when 22,114 watched the third-round replay with Rotherham United.

Since returning to non-league football more than a decade ago I find that you get more involved in the non-professional game. There are also indications that the profile of the non-league game is increasing. You can now watch 9th tier Lichfield play 7th tier Nuneaton live on BBC television, even if the budget didn’t stretch to showing replays!

Picture credits: Coventry Evening Telegraph

The return of the 50/50 Draw. A request for volunteers.

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With the return of competitive football at The Arden Garages Stadium the Supporters Association will be resuming our matchday sales of 50/50 draw tickets, and we would welcome volunteers to join us as and when supporters are available. The draw has been a tremendous success in raising thousands of pounds towards club projects over the last few years, so we would really appreciate your ongoing help and support on a matchday.

At the moment, with holiday commitments, cover is looking a little thin for the opening Redditch home fixture next Tuesday 17th August, but we would also welcome volunteers for the Royston fixture on Saturday 21st August, and the Banbury match on Bank holiday Monday 30th August. Over the season we hope to put together a rota of supporters for this, but for the moment we are just concentrating on arrangements for these opening fixtures.

Please could you let myself jimboconnolly77@hotmail.com, or Chris Simpson, chris.simpson@gvj.org.uk, know if you would be available to offer your time at any stage.