The Opposition - Key Facts
Full name: Boston Town Football Club
Nickname: The Poachers
Founded: 1964
Ground: Tattershall Road
Capacity: 6,000 (450 seated)
Chairman: Mick Vines
Manager: Chris Funnell (since October 2024)
Last season: 1st/20 (United Counties Premier North) (Promoted)
Journey distance: 74 miles

The Opposition - History
Boston Town FC was founded as Boston FC in 1964 by former Boston United officials concerned about United’s financial difficulties. The club joined the Lincolnshire League, winning it in their first season, before moving to the Central Alliance and claiming a second successive title unbeaten. In 1966 they joined the Eastern Counties League, later moving to the Midland League.
Boston won the Midland League in 1974–75, 1978–79 and 1980–81. They reached the FA Cup First Round for the first time in 1976–77, losing 3–1 at Barnsley. In 1982 they joined the Northern Counties East League following the merger of the Midland and Yorkshire Leagues, later dropping into the Central Midlands League, which they won in 1988–89.
Renamed Boston Town in 1994, the club won the United Counties League in their first season under the new name and again in 2000–01. They also won the League Cup in 2003–04 and 2006–07, and the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy in 2008–09 and 2022–23.
Following the 2021 restructuring of the United Counties League, Boston were placed in the Premier Division North. In 2024–25 they reached the promotion play-off final after beating Eastwood, but lost to Bourne Town on penalties. The following season, Boston Town were promoted as Premier Division North champions.

The Opposition - This Season
The Poachers had a great start to the campaign, winning their first three matches.
However the last of those, on 15th August remains their most recent victory.
Since then they have exited the FA Cup and FA Trophy, as well as failing to win any of their last four NPL matches.
The last two have been draws, with two goals shared at home to Bourne Town on Saturday before a goalless draw at Coventry United on Wednesday.

League (9th/22): P6 W 2 D 2 L 2 F 7 A 7 Pts. 8
Cups: P 3 W 1 D 0 L 2 F 3 A 4
FA Cup: Eliminated by Sherwood Colliery in Preliminary Round
FA Trophy: Eliminated by Nantwich Town in First Qualifying Round
County Cup: N/A

NPL Stats
Top goalscorers: Harry Limb (3), Matthew Cotton (2)
Most minutes played: Finley Ging (513), Ted Gibbons (499)

Overall stats
Biggest victory: 3-1 vs. Corby Town (12th August)
Heaviest defeat: 0-2 vs. Wellingborough Town (18th August)
Highest home attendance: 240 vs. Bourne Town (31st August)
Average home attendance: 207 (17th/22)
Most consecutive wins: 3
Most games without a win: 6*
Most consecutive defeats: 4
Most games without a defeat: 3

The Nailers
Belper started with successive goalless draws before succumbing to a home defeat at the hands of Coventry United.
They gained some traction with back to back wins against Boldmere St. Michaels in the NPL and Rugby Town in the FA Cup but since then have lost four in a row, albeit playing well enough to deserve more, and including defeat at the hands of Step Three Evesham United, against whom there was only one goal in the match until the 89th minute.
Most appearances: Eight players have appeared in all nine matches so far, with two playing every minute (Kieran Preston and Louis Keenan)
Top goalscorers: Harry Draper (4), five players on one goal

Head to Head
The two sides have met on 47 previous occasions and things are fairly even.
The first encounter was in April 1963 with Belper suffering a 3-0 defeat in Lincolnshire.
There were regular meetings in the old Midland League throughout the 60s and 70s, with Boston having the better of them.
In April 1981, the Poachers defeated the Nailers 4-0 to secure the league title.
However, two seasons later Belper recorded one of their greatest ever victories. In October 1982, they raced in to a four goal half-time lead before adding another six in the second half to record an incredible 10-0 win! Doug Newton bagged four goals but only 98 people were there to see it!
That was the first of 10 NCEL meetings, with Belper losing only two and winning five in a row between February 1985 and October 1986 (conceding only one goal in the process). This clawed Belper back towards parity in the head to head record.
The last meetings between the sides were both FA Cup Preliminary Round ties. Both went to replays following draws at Belper and both were won by the Nailers at the second time of asking! Ross Hannah scored both goals in the most recent match back in September 2006.

Overall record for Belper: P 47 W 17 D 14 L 16 F 66 A 62
(32 x Midland League, 1 x Midland League Cup, 10 x NCEL, 4 x FA Cup)

The return fixture at Belper is scheduled for Saturday, 20th March 2027.

Form Guide (all competitive matches)
Boston Town: LLLLDD
Belper Town: WWLLLL

Team News
Full team news will be announced at 2:15pm.

Permutations
If other results go in Belper's favour, a win could take us as high as 8th while a draw will only be good enough for 15th at best.
A drop in to the relegation zone is possible but perhaps unlikely; only one of the bottom four are playing, basement side Long Eaton United.
Corby Town will knock us down a place if they better our result.
For the Poachers, they could go as high as 5th with a win but could slip a few places if they don't.
A huge amount of movement is unlikely with only five matches in the division today.

Match details
Boston Town vs. Belper Town
Pitching In Northern Premier League Midlands Division

Saturday, 12th September 2026 - 3:00pm kick-off

Mortgages For You Stadium
Tattershall Road
Boston
PE21 9LR

Admission prices: Adults £9, Concessions £7, U16s £1

Directions and Parking
From Belper, head for the A38 northbound then cross the roundabout at J28 of the M1 to rejoin the A38 eastbound.
Turn right on to Sherwood Way South (A617) then go straight over the roundabout and join the A46.
Take the second exit at the next roundabout to stay on the A46 then shortly after join the A17 (second exit).
Stay on the A17 until you reach Swineshead then turn left on to the A1121.
At the roundabout, take the third exit on to Boardsides then the first exit to join the A52.
Turn left on to Brothertoft Road then take the fourth right on to Argyle Street.
Follow this road, crossing the Haven water, follow the bend to the right but then immediately turn left on to Tattershall Road.
Keep following this road until you see Witham Way on your left. Take this left and the ground is ahead and to the right.

There is an on-site car park, please park responsibly whether here or on surrounding roads.

Follow the match
Full coverage of the match:

Audio commentary with Joey on Belper Town Live
Full text coverage on X and Facebook.
Match reports on the website (all matches) and in the Non-League Paper (Saturday matches only)

NPL Midlands fixtures
Only five matches in the division today, with nine teams still in the FA Trophy, the Second Qualifying Round of which takes place today.

(9th) Boston Town vs. Belper Town (17th)
(16th) Coleshill Town vs. Rugby Borough (3rd)
(18th) Corby Town vs. Coventry United (10th)
(8th) Grantham Town vs. AFC Rushden & Diamonds (6th)
(22nd) Long Eaton United vs. Basford United (14th)