After 70 years?: Homefields sees a new dawn for Boxford Rovers FC
Boxford Rovers game against Brantham Athletic was notable for more than just Rovers’ excellent 4-2 win. It wasn’t the impressive condition of the recently upgraded Homefields pitch or even their sparkling new white kit sponsored by the Stoke Club. No, Boxford’s game made village history for an altogether different reason.
Estimates vary, but the village football historians agree that Boxford Rovers game on 13th September 2008 ended a gap of at least 50 years without a Saturday football team at Homefields. Some even suggest that Boxford’s last footballing foray into the FA Pyramid was back in the late 30s. Box River News, Boxford's local newsheet, took up the story and found evidence of a successful footballing past in the village - but little evidence of a Saturday team.
Boxford FC, display some silverware in the 1948 season - but were they a Saturday team?
Edwardstone Lads FC, a nearby Saturday side from 1932/33 season, looks like a successful season.
Nevertheless, Boxford have been building the foundations for this return for many years and are now reaping the rewards. The youth set-up has been extremely strong and successful since its inception in 1977 and now boasts eight youth teams (including an outstanding Girls team). The two men’s teams collectively account for 55 players – only two of which didn’t don the Rovers kit as a youth team player. An impressive statistic for a club and one unlikely to be repeated locally.
Boxford Rovers are now represented in the Colchester and East Essex League on a Saturday and will play their home games at Homefields. The team have made an encouraging start, winning all five games so far (including three friendlies against superior opposition) and beginning their league campaign with a fantastic 4-1 victory away at Sudbury Athletic. They are skippered by Lee Wilkins and both Tim Kerr and Ben Patrick have been hitting the back of the net regularly in the early season encounters.
The Sunday team, who will play in the Third Division of the Sudbury Sunday League (SSL), are also facing a tough challenge. The SSL is also a good standard of football and the club aims to continue their run of four straight promotions. Why not pop along and see the Homefielders as they make a new start in Saturday football? Kick offs at Homefields are currently at 3pm, but as the light fades the starts will move to 2pm. The Sunday team play at Webbs’s Meadow in Nayland and kick off home games at 10.30pm. Follow the progress of both teams at www.boxfordrovers.com and find out more about the successful youth set up at www.intheteam.com/boxfordrovers. Manager, Richard Robinson, can be contacted on 01787 211114.
Boxford Rovers 2008: (l-r) Back row: Richard Robinson (Manager); Andy Mackie, Luke Delves, Matt Silver, Lee Wilkins, James Elkin, Matt Patrick, Tim Kerr, Matt Kerr and Peter Whitwell. Front row: Ben Martin, Joel Harris, Will Crisell, Ben Patrick and Dan Swansborough. Not in picture: Brett Deeks, Dom Emery and Chris Hamilton.