A Magical Day: Successful Stevenage boss Steve Evans opens up after his Boro boys deservedly clinch promotion

By Layth Yousif

29th Apr 2023 | Local Sport

A Magical Day: Successful Stevenage boss Steve Evans opens up after his Boro boys deservedly clinch promotion

Successful Stevenage boss Steve Evans has been sharing his take on a never-to-be-forgotten afternoon at an emotional Broadhall Way.

Evans excellent Stevenage side sealed a well-earned promotion to League One on Saturday afternoon at a sold-out Lamex Stadium after easing past Grimsby Town 2-0.

Second half goals from Jamie Reid and Luther James Wildin - his first for two years - capped a memorable day for battling Boro and their charismatic Scottish boss.

Speaking after the match, modest Evans reflected on the match and a hugely successful season.

"It's a magical day. For everyone in the town. For everyone at the football club. For the chairman and all the board - they've been fantastic. And of course the players: they're the real heroes.

"A general sends his troops into battle. Then looks at a screen. The real heroes are the boys out there on the field of battle.

"They've been written off by some - but we've never written them off. We said before the game that if we stick to the plan, and stick to the way we do things, it will come good. I'm delighted for them."

Boro have won more home points - 53 - than anyone else in the division, with Evans' side also the highest home scorers in the division, with 40.

They also reached the FA Cup fourth round this term, thanks to a memorable win at Premier League side Aston Villa and despite a wobble during the month of February, Evans' Stevenage managed to regroup, find form and get over the line.

"I spoke to the players before the game: I said: 'I've never been 66-1 outsiders to win the league," said Evans.

"I said to them: 'When you're 66-1 to win automatic promotion, then you're the distant outsiders, then you're the strong favourites for relegation for the last five years then it just shows every manager that you don't need the resources that some have got'."

Evans attributed his side's success to his gut instincts after a lifetime in football that saw him collect the eighth promotion of his career. "You just need to trust your eye, to judge it by your opinion, your values," the successful Boro boss explained.

Evans added: "Myself and the chairman went to work and what he made available to use, we said we could build a team that make the town proud.

"There's been five years where the fans wouldn't have wanted to open their curtains to watch us - they're not thinking that anyone. The atmosphere here today was as good as I have seen it at Elland Road. It was bouncing - especially when we scored."

After a cagey opening 45 minutes In front of a sellout crowd of 6,533, Jamie Reid's 57th minute header broke the deadlock to put Boro 1-0 ahead, prompting wild celebrations among the home faithful, wildly excited about the prospect of a first season in the third tier since 2014.

Promotion was sealed ten minutes later when Luther James Wildin's first goal of the season, with a neat finish from the edge of the box beat Grimsby keeper Max Crocombe.

Evans added with a smile: "And now we've found a new striker {Luther] comes up with that finish," before going on to thank those closest to him for their unstinting backing.

"I'd like to thank my wife and my family for their support - as well as my backroom staff who are always first in, last out."