MY YORK STREET: It's where Josh Butler saw the 'exceptional' Marc Newsham, that Carlisle United side and Stevenage's comeback kings... and that's why Boston United's stadium will always make Boston feel like home

As Boston United prepare to begin life in the Jakemans Community Stadium, The Boston Standard is asking Pilgrims fans to share their memories from the glorious - and sometimes forgettable - years at York Street. Today is the turn of Josh Butler...
My York Street: Josh Butler.My York Street: Josh Butler.
My York Street: Josh Butler.

My first game: My dad tells me it was April 11, 1992. A 2-2 draw versus Stafford Rangers. Stan Collymore allegedly got a couple of scorchers for Stafford.

My favourite game: The 4-3 League Cup win over then-League One table toppers Luton, having known the winners would host Premier league Fulham in the second Round. We took the lead four times, got pegged back three times but held on to wins that particular classic.

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My least favourite game: Around Easter of the 2012-13 season, I remember us being tonked 4-0 by Bradford Park Avenue in conditions so arctic I was expecting to see a polar bear invade the pitch.

My strangest game: Being 3-0 up against 10-man Stevenage in the conference in 2000-01 you'd think we'd be home and dry, but a side who scored three in the last 15 minutes to win 3-2 at their place earlier that season managed to get back to 3-3 here and then still looked more likely to nick it when they had another sent off.

My happiest memory: Jordan Thewlis nodding home in front of a packed town end to equalise against Rochdale in the FA Cup in December. We all thought Newcastle were coming to York St in the new year.

My worst memory: Adam Roscoe happened.

My favourite goal: Kaine Felix with a foot like a traction engine to hit a volley sweet as a nut to get us level in a do-or-die match to get into the play-offs against Nuneaton.

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My favourite player: Marc Newsham. In an era where loyalty is thin on the ground to have the goalscoring record he did, in some horrendous teams, was exceptional.

My favourite manager: We've hardly been spoilt for choice so it's easily the double act of Rob Scott and Paul Hurst.

Best opposition player: Robbie Earnshaw ripped us apart that night for Cardiff in a 5-1 win.

Best away side: Carlisle with Hawley and Bridges up top in League Two. Won 5-0 and left us chasing shadows.

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I'll miss York Street because: It's a proper old school town centre ground and it's the place where I've met a lot of brilliant people and experienced so many highs. It'll always remind me that whilst I live 120 miles away, Boston is my real home.

Previous My York Street contributions: Andy Butler, Roger Smith, Christian James, Ken Fox, Jonathan Van Tam, Richard O. Smith, Pete Brooksbank.If you'd like to take part in My York Street, email [email protected]

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