Get the lowdown on our next opponents: Boston United.
The Opposition
The appointment of former Plymouth Argyle defender Graham Coughlan proved to be the turning point in Boston United’s 2024/25 season, with the Pilgrims sealing their place in the National League for another year after winning the National League North Play-Offs in 2024.
Having replaced popular predecessor Ian Culverhouse back in November, Coughlan took on a side sitting in 23rd at the time of his appointment, seven points from safety, but went on to guide them to an incredible turnaround to mark their first ever campaign at fifth tier level.
He was named National League Manager of the Month for March 2025 following a run of 20 points from nine matches, leading the Pilgrims outside of the relegation zone having been 12 points from safety at the start of the month, and they eventually secured safety against all the odds in their penultimate match of the season, with Keaton Ward and James Gale scoring the goals to seal a 2-1 win over Gateshead.
Ward had played all but two games throughout the campaign prior to his move to Altrincham this summer, and was a reliable presence in the Pilgrims team, while the performances of a defence made of Cameron Gregory between the sticks, and a backline consisting of Jai Rowe, Tom Leak, Zak Mills and Cameron Gregory were key to the club’s change of fortunes. Furthermore, Jacob Hazel’s 13 goals were invaluable in their fight to avoid an immediate return to the sixth tier.
Ward, Gregory, Rowe and Leak have all since exited the Jakemans Community Stadium though along with a host of other key players, including Michael Bostwick, Kieran Coates, Adam Marriott, Cameron Green, Brad Nicholson and Mitchell Roberts.
The Pilgrims have since bolstered their ranks in an attempt to cement their position in the National League for another season though, bringing in a host of experience and quality. The likes of Manni Norkett (Nottingham Forest), Lenell John-Lewis (York City), Kieron Donnell (Halesowen Town) and Jordy Hiwula (free agent), have seen them bring in additional firepower up front, while Matty Carson (Grimsby Town), Greg Sloggett (Hartlepool United), Rhys Lovett (Welling United), Jordan Cropper (Barnet), Liam Waldock (Alfreton Town), Bobby Jones (Curzon Ashton), Michael Kelly (Scunthorpe United), Alex Lankshear (Blackpool), Ben Grist (Leicester City), Tom Fogarty (Birmingham City), Owen Hampton (Sheffield United) and Rocco Coyle (Hull City) has increased their strength in defence and midfield.
The Pilgrims have started the campaign with a respectable three wins and two draws from their opening ten games, seeing them sit 17th in the National League, as well as topping their National League Cup group with impressive 4-0 wins over Leeds United and Sunderland, as well as a strong 2-1 victory against Middlebrough in their opening game of the campaign (due to Morecambe’s off-the-pitch issues).
The Manager
Graham Coughlan
Former defender Graham Coughlan has taken the reins at the Jakeman’s Community Stadium since November 2024, and guided the Pilgrims to safety against all the odds last season.
The Irishman had enjoyed a successful two decades in professional football, notably turning out as a player for Plymouth Argyle with over 150 appearances to his name, as well as appearing frequently for Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Shrewsbury Town and Southend United, before hanging up his boots in 2013.
When Coughlan had joined Southend, he took over at Reserve Team manager alongside his playing career, and subsequently ended his time at Roots Hall as player/assistant manager, before taking on the role of First Team Coach upon the expiry of his playing contract.
Looking to pursue a career in coaching, he later joined Bristol Rovers as a defensive coach, but was appointed as caretaker manager following the departure of Darrell Clarke and Marcus Stewart, and was made the Gas’ permanent boss after picking up ten points from a possible 15 during his spell in temporary charge. He would subsequently secure Rovers’ League One status come the end of the season, and subsequently guided the club into the play-off places the following season.
However, despite a spectacular change of fortunes at the Memorial Stadium, Coughlan opted to move to Mansfield Town towards the end of 2019, taken on the role for a year before departing the One Call Stadium following a poor start to the season.
This was followed by a stint as a coach at Sheffield United’s Under-23’s, which preceded a return to senior management with a move to Newport County in 2022. His time in Wales saw him guide the club to two mid-table finishes, along with an appearance in the FA Cup Fourth Round where the Exiles were defeated by Manchester United, before departing the club by mutual consent last summer.
Coughlan subsequently spent a few months out the game, but returned to management once more when Boston were looking for a replacement for their former promotion-winner Ian Culverhouse in aid of their survival bid. Taking over with the Pilgrims sat 23rd in the division and seven points from safety, he led them to safety in the penultimate game of the season, something which Coughlan himself dubbed a ‘miracle’.
One to Watch
Zak Mills
Experienced defender Zak Mills has been a key part of the Boston team for a number of years now, and has notably captained the club to both promotion to and survival in the National League.
Born in Peterborough, Mills played youth football at Boston before joining Histon, where he began his senior career. He made his debut in a 3-1 win over Barrow and went on to feature 40 times in his debut season, although it ended in relegation from the Conference.
Nonetheless, he continued to establish himself in the Stutes’ side and went on to play over 100 times for the club across a four-year spell, before returning to Boston in 2014.
Now with a host of games under his belt, Mills helped the club achieve successive top half finishes in the Conference North including a shot at promotion via the play-offs, although they were eliminated in the semi-final, before being eliminated at the same stage the following season, this time against North Ferriby United, with Mills scoring in the first leg.
Despite the Pilgrims’ defeat, Mills found himself stepping up two divisions with a move to Grimsby Town, and he soon established himself as a reliable Football League defender with further stints at Morecambe, Oldham Athletic, Port Vale and Walsall which saw him rack up over 150 appearances in League Two.
He notably won the Player of the Year award during his single campaign at Morecambe, before returning to former club Boston in 2022, making the decision to drop back into the sixth tier.
Mills finally won a coveted promotion with the Pilgrims in his second year back in Lincolnshire, playing 29 times as they beat Brackley Town in the National League North play-off final, before winning Player of the Season in their successful first year back in the National League which saw them secure survival on the last game of the season.
He has since replaced Michael Bostwick as club captain following the midfielder’s departure to St. Albans City, and has continued to be a mainstay in Graham Coughlan’s backline this term.
Recent Form
Boston United 2-0 Braintree Town
Boston United 0-2 Boreham Wood
Boston United 4-0 Sunderland
Southend United 1-1 Boston United
Boston United 1-2 Solihull Moors
Boston United 1-1 Hartlepool United
Last Time Out
Second half goals from Jordan Cropper and Dylan Hill secured a valuable home victory for Boston United on Wednesday evening.
Cropper broke the deadlock against Braintree Town two minutes before the hour mark, edging his side in front when he rifled home a low drive from the edge of the area which left Town keeper Mason Terry with no chance.
Rhys Lovett then laid the platform for Hill’s clinching strike with a magnificent save to deny Frankie Terry, clawing away his header, with the Boston midfielder wrapping up maximum spoils with United’s second goal two minutes later, and three minutes in stoppage time, rolling the ball home at the second attempt and clinch the win.
Photo Credit: Boston United Football Club
