MY YORK STREET: Professor Jonathan Van Tam on that glorious promotion at Hayes, savouring Boston United's survival under the Chestnuts and his admiration for Jim Kabia, Carl Piergianni and Tom Denton

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 Professor Jonathan Van Tam...
My York Street: Professor Jonathan Van Tam.My York Street: Professor Jonathan Van Tam.
My York Street: Professor Jonathan Van Tam.

My first game: Cannot honestly say, but the first memories were about aged seven, going with my grandad. I do remember games against Macclesfield Town for some reason

My favourite game: Has to be our famous away day at Hayes FC.

My least favourite game: Play-off semis, May 2016, away at North Ferriby. Party atmosphere before the game turned to utter dejection.

My strangest game: Can’t really say, maybe North Ferriby away because no way should we have chucked away that lead from the first leg.

My happiest memory: Knowing that the club had been saved from extinction by the Chestnuts.

My worst memory: Thinking that the club I had supported since boyhood might perish in receivership in mid-2007

My favourite goal: Simon Weatherstone versus Lincoln City in August, 2002

My favourite player: Jimmy Kabia – has to be. He featured in so many happy childhood memories at York Street. And like my grandad he also worked at the dock. But in modern times Carl Piergianni by a country mile.

My favourite manager: Purely in terms of ability to spot talent, Steve Evans was probably the best. But my favourite is Craig Elliott – honest, humble, hard-working, earnest.

Best opposition player: This is going to be controversial but Tommy Denton; maybe not an obvious favourite for a Boston fan but so hard to play against – respect.

Best away side: FC United of Manchester – what brilliant fans, friendly, and they travel everywhere and sing their hearts out for 90 minutes.

I'll miss York Street because: Basically it’s my football home. I stood there with my grandad, squeezed in with everyone else for Derby County (have the programme framed) and recently for Rochdale. I’ve taken my daughter for years to York Street (she’s now 22) and now I go with my two sons, their mate and Mrs VT. And it’s next to Eagles!

Previous My York Street contributors: Andy Butler, Roger Smith. Christian James, Ken Fox.If you'd like to take part in My York Street, email [email protected]