@npmetcalfe.bsky.social
Freelance sports journalist, formerly for the Comet newspaper and more in Hertfordshire. Cover Stevenage FC and others. A cycling loving, Tottenham supporting Geordie from Hebburn.
From yesterday, a preview for Lincoln City v Stevenage in League One but a whole lot more. Managing the returning internationals, Lewis Orford, the rise of the underdog and the success of British managers. Enjoy!
#StevenageFC #UpTheBoro #HowayStevenage
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-b...
I was particularly happy with the answers to the Lewis Orford question and the one about managing the return of the likes of Jamie Reid and Dan Phillips from internationals. The last one brought up a few issues I had not previously considered.
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-b...
Also in tonight's edition:
๐ดthe lessons learned from previous international breaks
โช๏ธLewis Orford and why he hasnโt been playing
๐ดAlex Revell on the rise of the underdog in League One and their British managers.
#StevenageFC #UpTheBoro #HowayStevenage
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-b...
They are deservedly catching national attention at last but that doesnโt mean everything is being covered. For that, you need The Boro. Thursday's edition is jammed packed with Stevenage FC news ahead of the trip to Lincoln City.
#UpTheBoro #HowayStevenage
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-b...
While I'm rounding up, and before someone else at Vodafone decides to plug in their phone to charge, here's my non-league round-up from the weekend. Clubs like Hemel, Potters Bar Town, Welwyn Garden City, Harpenden Town and Hebburn Town (obviously) covered.
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/non-league...
There was also the small matter of the FA Cup first round draw last night and all the information is here, my take on it plus my guess at five matches that are possible choices for TV.
#FACup
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/fa-cup-fir...
While someone at Vodafone was unplugging the wrong thing, I was writing the latest edition of The Boro. It got published but in the confusion, I didn't push it out to you lot, so here you go.
#UpTheBoro #StevenageFC #HowayStevenage
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-m...
A favourite quote of mine from Drop The Dead Donkey, one of my favourite TV shows ever: "'Nostalgia is the last bastion of the moron', to paraphrase Dr Johnson, and they don't make writers like him anymore".
14.10.2025 08:57 โ ๐ 1 ๐ 0 ๐ฌ 1 ๐ 0
Maybe Iโm too wrapped up in nostalgia and yearning for the โgood old daysโ but this was a draw that was lacking romance. All the fixtures plus possible TV choices from the FA Cup first round draw.
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/fa-cup-fir...
Order of play today:
๐ดWork on The Boro
โช๏ธWatch the FA Cup draw tonight.
๐ดSee ball number 42 immediately follow ball 56
โช๏ธGet in touch with the kids and let them know I'm coming home for the weekend
Nothing complicated about that and surely not too much to ask for...
#FACup
Busy and decent week in non-league for Hertfordshire and north-east clubs, especially in the FA Cup. My non-league round-up.
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/non-league...
Thought it was just going to be waffle but ended up with plenty of news and opinion. Might be getting good at thisโฆ
Stevenage FC news including:
๐ดthe new deal with Xsolla
โช๏ธa draw for the ladies
๐ดSaturday's League One round-up
โช๏ธa look ahead to the FA Cup draw
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-w...
A reminder of the piece for The Boro, you can hear the enthusiasm reverberating in every word Berkley Egenes of @xsolla.bsky.social said here about the link-up with @stevenagefc.com:
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/xsolla-and...
Having spoke to Berkley Egenes of @xsolla.bsky.social
the other week, it wasn't hard see the partnership with @stevenagefc.com extending. The collaboration benefits both and it's also hard to under-estimate how much potential there is to this deal. Xsolla have a huge, global reach...
Seen way too much frustration, heartbreak and disappointment in football over many years. Iโm going to ride this start for all its worth and dream impossible dreams. The latest edition of The Boro looking at Stevenage FC is a bit different to normal.
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-m...
All the fallout from Stevenageโs 2-1 win over Bromley in the Vertu Trophy. Report, reaction and ratings all in a special midweek edition of The Boro.
#StevenageFC #TheBoro #HowayStevenage
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-s...
Unconvincing but still a win. Match report from the 2-1 success for Stevenage over Bromley in the Vertu Trophy.
#VertuTrophy #StevenageFC #TheBoro #HowayStevenage
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/stevenage-...
The latest edition of The Boro, now with the full draw for the Women's FA Cup. Stevenage handed a home tie after beating Chelmsford City yesterday. News from elsewhere in the club too.
#StevenageFC #TheBoro #HowayStevenage
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-f...
This week it was the women winning through to the first round, next Monday weโll have the draw for the men and then it will be the U18s in the FA Youth Cup. Who doesnโt love the FA Cup and its draws? All the latest news from Stevenage FC for a Monday evening.
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-f...
Will be more from The Boro too later on today, but here's yesterday's edition which focused on the win over Luton.
06.10.2025 08:59 โ ๐ 1 ๐ 0 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0
Been wanting to keep my hand in with non-league since I was laid off. This seemed the way to do it - a round-up of games around Herts (and elsewhereโฆ) each Monday morning. The format will be an ever-evolving thing but hereโs the first look.
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/non-league...
Well 25 points is halfway to the magical 50 isnโt it? Or should we be looking higher? Might be more on that later this week but for now, all the reaction from the 2-0 win for Stevenage over Luton Town with the player ratings in there too.
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-s...
Reckon this is worth putting out there again, the match report from yesterday, a 2-0 win for Stevenage over Luton Town. The winds of change blowing round these parts?
05.10.2025 09:07 โ ๐ 0 ๐ 0 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0
Top of the league (again) but this time after beating Luton Town 2-0. Happy days at Stevenage. The match report.
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/stevenage-...
Team news is in for Stevenage v Luton Town. Two changes - Reid and Sweeney in for Ahadme and Piergianni.
#StevenageFC #TheBoro #HowayStevenage
The build-up to Saturday begins. Thoughts turning to the match itself and what might happen in Stevenage v Luton Town. Boro manager Alex Revell gave his thoughts on that and other things ahead of the League One battle.
#StevenageFC #UpTheBoro #HowayStevenage
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-p...
Off to Bragbury End shortly for the pre-match chat with Revs. Anything you want asked, give me a shot and I'll see what I can do.
02.10.2025 10:05 โ ๐ 0 ๐ 0 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0
Stevenage are a smaller club than many but with passionate fans just like everybody else and it is a pleasure (especially at the minute!) to report on them for you.
Up the Boro and hoโway Stevenage.
(2/2)
A small milestone for me and The Boro.
Just went through 50 paid subscribers, or 10 per cent of the target Iโve set myself. Itโs small but not inconsequential and humble thanks to everyone who has parted with their cash so far. Itโs truly appreciated.
(1/2)
To read the full interview, click the link below:
#StevenageFC #UpTheBoro #HowayStevenage #EnjoyTheGame
npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/xsolla-and...
