Following their promotion back to the National League, Boston United will have their eyes on making sure they retain their league status but do they have what it takes?
This article in particular is the fifth instalment of our countdown to the 2024/25 National League campaign, having already covered AFC Fylde, Aldershot Town, Altrincham and Barnet so far.
Continuing the series, I will take a closer look at newly-promoted Boston United and whether they have what it takes to survive during their debut National League campaign.
Let’s begin…
How did Boston fare last season?
It was certainly a season to remember for Boston United in the National League North as Ian Culverhouse’s side clinched promotion back to the fifth tier after winning the play-offs.
Boston United clinched the play-off places on the final day of the 2023/24 campaign, following their 2-0 victory against Hereford, setting up a play-off quarter-final against Alfreton Town.
Penalties saw Boston eliminate both Alfreton Town and Scunthorpe United to reach the play-off final, where goals from Keaton Ward and Jimmy Knowles saw the club beat Brackley Town 2-1 to confirm promotion.
Consistency was key for Boston United, finishing with the seventh-best home record and sixth-best away record in the division whilst conceding just 46 goals which was only bettered by Tamworth (29), Scunthorpe (38), Brackley (37) and Chester (37).
Summer transfer activity thus far:
The off-season has proven a tricky situation for Boston United, who have lost several first-team players with two of which both signing for the same EFL side.
Beginning with the club’s retained list, Boston confirmed that four players had been released, whilst popular loanee Deji Sotona returned to his parent club.
Elsewhere, play-off final hero Keaton Ward and EFL veteran Michael Bostwick had their contract options triggered but 11 players were still left with their futures in the air.
Dylan Hill, Tom Leak, Cameron Gregory, Jack Lovelace, Zak Mills, Jordan Richards and Martin Woods all put pen to paper on new contracts but unfortunately, four players didn’t.
Kelsey Mooney and Jimmy Knowles were both snapped up by League Two side Accrington Stanley, Brad Nicholson was signed by NL North side Scunthorpe United and full-back Jai Rowe remains a free agent.
However, it isn’t all ‘doom and gloom’ for Boston United as the football club have landed eight new signings so far this summer, with the key additions being Sheffield United’s Frankie Maguire, Bromley’s Adam Marriott and Oxford City’s Mitch Roberts.
Roberts in particular has Championship experience with Birmingham City in his locker and has played in the National League before with the likes of Solihull Moors.
Their other signings are; Kieran Coates (Chester), Dan Mooney (Altrincham), Sam Osborne (Buxton), Cameron Green (Welling United) and Tony Weston (Derby County, loan).
Verdict so far: Unfortunately for Boston, it is no secret that they have lost at least four players that I argue would have been guaranteed starters for the football club this season, in particular losing two big players to the EFL.
This has understandably had a significant effect on the squad heading into the summer transfer window, although Boston United supporters probably expected at least two of the four departures to occur – so their exits will come as no surprise.
Looking closer at Boston’s incomings, almost all of their new signings are yet to prove themselves at National League level which will be a concern, but could also work in their favour as the motivation to prove themselves is there.
I worried for their season ahead whilst looking at their business but the one arrival that fills me with a bit of hope is Mitch Roberts. He has versatility and experience in the fifth tier, which makes him a leader within this squad and two to three more of those kinds of additions will change people’s outside perspectives of what the club can achieve this season.
Pre-Season 2024:
So far this month, Boston United have participated in four pre-season friendlies this month, with a mixture of success thus far.
Ian Culverhouse’s side beat neighbours Boston Town 1-0, but then suffered back-to-back losses against Spalding United and League Two side Grimsby Town. Fortunately, their run of defeats didn’t last as the side picked up a 4-2 victory against Kettering Town.
With two wins and a clean sheet in the locker thus far, Boston United have four matches left to play, with two coming against EFL opposition.
These remaining friendlies are; Peterborough United (23rd July), Peterborough Sports (27th July), Notts County (30th July) and Gainsborough Trinity (3rd August).
Verdict: It’s safe to say that pre-season has been far from straightforward in terms of results for Boston United, but as I’ve repeatedly said – results don’t mean anything.
Their matches have been full of trialists as the football club continues their preparations ahead of the new season.
Boston have seen positives thus far, picking up two wins and a clean sheet whilst seeing a variety of different scorers so far.
With two EFL opponents on the horizon, Boston United need to use these matches as a true way of analysing what they have in the building, where they need to improve and how the new signings (especially those unproven) fare against better opposition.
Star player:
Whilst I have closely monitored Mitch Roberts as a key player for Boston, the standout name for me has to be their ‘big name’ in the squad – in the form of former Peterborough United and Lincoln City man Michael Bostwick.
The 36-year-old signed from League One side Stevenage last summer and made 47 appearances in either the league or the play-offs, scoring once and helping to keep 20 clean sheets as the captain.
Bostwick has won the League Two title with Lincoln City as well as being a two-time EFL Trophy winner before adding to the tally with a National League promotion last season.
Despite his age, Bostwick’s experience and leadership will be a vital asset for Boston United in the National League next season and as long as he stays fit – Ian Culverhouse’s side have a greater chance of trying to avoid the drop.
What do Boston fans think of their sides’ chances this season?
To be completely honest, the National League North & South aren’t my strong points, so I decided to speak to two supporters instead of one, to try and gain a better explanation as to what we should be expecting from the club this season.
Firstly, I spoke to supporter Kyle (@1Graveseh on Twitter), who stated…
“I personally think we can avoid the drop and I think we will do it by playing entertaining football.
“We play better against better teams so I think we will surprise a few fans with some big results against teams that are expected to beat us.
“I’m also very happy with the signings we have brought in so far (still need three-four more though).
“My big concern is goals, we’ve lost our two highest scorers and replaced them with an unfit Adam Marriott and Tony Weston on a six-month loan from Derby. I expect us to bring one more striker in but I think it will be another young player on loan.
“I was also concerned about centre-back’s but very happy with Mitch Roberts coming in.”
Meanwhile, fellow supporter Charlie (@charliebufc on Twitter) added…
“I think the off-season has been productive. We’ve signed several players who complement each other brilliantly and have adequately replaced those we’ve lost.
“From the few games we’ve played, we already look like a stronger side. We like To play expansive, passing football and with probably the best pitch in the league.
“Naturally, as a newly promoted team, we will be favourites for relegation. However, I believe that with a tactically astute manager and players with high potential we have the capability to survive.
“We still need an experienced defender and a reliable goalscorer. It’s going to be a tough season but if we manage to stay up, we have the facilities and people to build on this and establish ourselves in the National League once again.”
Where do I think Boston will finish?
Whenever a side gains promotion into the National League, their priority in their debut campaign has to be avoiding relegation back to the sixth-tier and that’s exactly my thoughts towards Boston United.
The football club has a long and proud history, with a strongly committed fan base and have risen through previous pains and torments to bring themselves closer to a dream return to the EFL one day.
However, I do have several concerns when it comes to the football club at this current moment in time which has greatly increased the reasoning behind why I think they could be in danger of going back down.
Losing the likes of Rowe, Mooney and Knowles have seen the overall quality decrease and almost all of the new signings are unproven – plus Kieran Coates stood out for Chester last season but is yet to feature this month due to an injury, which sets him behind the rest.
Similarly, of the four clubs that were promoted to the National League last season – only two of them survived (AFC Fylde & Ebbsfleet United) with one of them only confirming their survival on the final day. Meanwhile, Oxford City and Kidderminster Harriers went straight back down.
I have seen some Boston United supporters who are rightly full of confidence and believe they have what it takes to stay up this season, but sadly I think their aim has to be trying to avoid relegation at this stage – whether they can achieve that remains to be seen…
Boston United fans, where do you think you will finish this season?
