Exeter are looking to build on their nine-game unbeaten run as they travel to Stevenage this weekend.
Here’s a preview of Saturday’s opponents.
- Founded: 1976
- Nicknames: The ‘Boro
- Honours: Conference (1995/96, 2009/10)
- Home Kit: MACRON Red and White horizontal halved shirts, red shorts, white socks.
- Away Kit: MACRON yellow and black horizontal halved shirts, black shorts black socks.
- Form: LLDWW (17th in League Two)
There have been several associated with the town of Stevenage. Stevenage Town was formed in 1884. They absorbed Stevenage Rangers in 1955 and moved to Broadhall Way. The club went into liquidation in ’68 and by 1976, the current iteration Stevenage Borough were born.
Stevenage has a rich sporting heritage away from football. The Hertfordshire town is the birthplace of many big names in the world of sport. Five-time Ryder Cup winner Ian Poulter grew up in the area, as well as other footballers such as Ashley Young and Jack Wilshere. The standout on Stevenage’s list is undoubtedly seven-time Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton.
Stevenage Borough started its life on the modest grounds around the King George V playing fields with roped off games in the Chiltern League. A change of competition followed to the Wallspan Southern Combination and by 1980 the club returned to Broadhall Way.
After successes in the United Counties League and Isthmian League saw Borough promoted to the Conference in the mid-nineties. Despite winning the 1996/96 Conference title, Stevenage were denied a place in the Football League because of ground regulations.
In 2010, the club rebranded, dropping the ‘Borough’ from the name and in 2011 they were finally promoted to League Two. Since elevation to the Football League, The Boro have had a brief stint in League One, before returning to the basement tier where they have resided ever since.
Manager
Alex Revell
The 37-year-old is in his first managerial position after taking the job following the departure of Graham Westley last season. Revell had a strong playing career featuring spells at Swindon, Leyton Orient and Wigan amongst others.
Revell’s finest moment though came whilst playing for Rotherham United in the 2014 League One play-off Final. The midfielder scored twice against his former side Orient including the most sumptuous of 40-yard-volley’s, which is down as one of the best-ever goals scored at the National Stadium.
Manager Alex Revell has history against Exeter City. In Stevenage’s last win over the City back in 2013, Revell netted a hat-trick to end Exeter’s automatic hopes for the 2017/18 season.
Battling for form in the dugout, Revell has brought Stevenage off the foot of the table and is in somewhat of his first purple patch as the Boro’s boss.
Stadium
- Name: The Lamex Stadium
- Capacity: 7,800
- Year opened: 1961
- Record Attendance: 8,042 (vs Newcastle, FA Cup 4th Round, 1998)
- Address: Broadhall Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 8RH
Former home of Stevenage’s Town and Athletic, Broadhall Way was not used for the first few years of Borough’s formation due to financial reasons.
The record attendance came in bizarre circumstances. When Borough were drawn at home to Newcastle United in the 1998 FA Cup, the Magpies tried, unsucessfuly, to have the game switched to an alternative venue. Stevenage installed a temporary new stand which raised the capacity from 6,500 and were rewarded with a record attendance and even earned a lucrative replay at (the other) St James’ Park.
After the ground’s capabilities denying Stevenage’s 1996 promotion, a new £600,000 renovation was made. In 2009 Lamex gained naming rights, and two years later the ground was hosting Football League fixtures.
Ones To Watch
Elliot List
Scoring over double anyone else’s tally this season at Broadhall Way, Elliot List is keeping the goals ticking for Stevenage. The 24-year-old has five strikes to his name and has remained a constant threat in the eleven fixtures he’s played in this term.
The ex-Crystal Palace youth player joined Gillingham in 2015 and notched seven goals in 85 appearances for the Gills, but after joining Stevenage in 2019 has doubled that tally (14) in 13 fewer games, thanks to his goal against Hartlepool last weekend.
Last year List was voted Stevenage player of the season.
Out on the wing, he’ll not only be looking to find the net himself, but also tee up Luke Norris and former City striker Jamie Reid as the new Boro attacking force gels and takes shape.
Head to Head
The Grecians have been a bogey team to the Hertfordshire side since the first meeting in the first round of the FA Cup in 2007. A 4-0 win in that game for Paul Tisdale’s men set the standard for fixtures to follow, as Exeter have a 60% win rate over Saturday’s opposition.
The Boro have only bettered City on two occasions most recently in 2018. In eighteen fixtures, 41 goals have been shared between the two clubs.
Exeter City wins: 10
Draws: 6
Stevenage wins: 2
Recent encounters
Stevenage 0 Exeter City 1 | Sky Bet League Two | Lamex Stadium | February 2, 2021
Rory McArdle scored the winner as City returned to winning ways in Hertfordshire.
Exeter City 3 Stevenage 1 | Sky Bet League Two | St James Park | January 23, 2021
Archie Collins scored the pick of the bunch as The Grecians ran out comfortable winners at the Park. Matt Jay and Ryan Bowman also found themselves on the scoresheet.
Exeter City 2 Stevenage 1 | Sky Bet League Two | St James Park | February 8, 2020
Matt Jay slotted home an 81st minute winner after Randell Williams’ opener was cancelled out by Dan Kemp.
And Finally
Stevenage Athletic was a short-lived football club for the town. Its history descended into farce when, after the club's demise, chairman Javier Revuelta (who was the leaseholder for Broadhall Way) dug a trench down the centre of the pitch to stop the new Stevenage FC playing a youth game.