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- The 2010–11 season was Stevenage F.C.'s first season in the Football League, where the club competed in League Two. This article shows statistics of the club's players in the season, and also lists all matches that the club played during the season. Their first-place finish and subsequent promotion means it will be their first ever season of playing in the Football League, having featured in the Conference National for the past sixteen years. The season also marked the first season that the club played under its new name – Stevenage Football Club, dropping 'Borough' from its title as of 1 June 2010. It was the third year in charge for manager Graham Westley during his second spell at the club; having previously managed the Hertfordshire side from 2003 to 2006. Ahead of the club's first season in the Football League, Westley stated a desire to give the majority of the squad that had won promotion from the Conference National a chance to play in League Two. This subsequently meant there was a similar level of transfer activity to the club's 2009–10 campaign. Three players left the club ahead of the 2010–11 season. Andy Drury decided to leave Stevenage in favour of a move back into non-league, joining Luton Town on a free transfer, while both Mark Albrighton and Eddie Odhiambo were released in June 2010. Five players joined the club during the close season. Darius Charles was the first signing of the season, joining Stevenage from Ebbsfleet United for a fee set by a tribunal. Wingers Peter Winn and Rob Sinclair signed on free transfers from Scunthorpe United and Salisbury City respectively, while defender Luke Foster joined the club after being released by Mansfield Town. Stevenage also announced the signing of midfielder John Mousinho in late June 2010, who rejected a contract extension at Wycombe Wanderers in order to sign for the club. In terms of transfers during the 2010–11 campaign, strikers Lee Boylan, Tim Sills and Peter Vincenti were all allowed to find new clubs in January 2011, while both Marvin Williams and Taiwo Atieno had brief spells with the club. Three strikers joined the club during the season, Ben May and Byron Harrison signed for the club on free transfers, whilst Craig Reid joined from Newport County for what was a "club record fee" in January 2011. Stevenage recorded just one league win from their first seven league fixtures, and suffered from inconsistency for the first half of the league campaign. Following four defeats in six games in December 2010 and January 2011, Stevenage found themselves in 18th position, just four points above the relegation zone. However, during a congested period throughout February and March 2011, Stevenage won nine games out of eleven, propelling the club up the league table and into the play-off positions. This included winning six games on the trot, a sequence only matched by Bury. A 3–3 draw on the last day of the season against Bury confirmed Stevenage's place in the play-offs, finishing sixth with 69 points. This meant that they faced fifth placed Accrington Stanley over two legs in the play-off semi-finals, winning both legs and securing an aggregate 3–0 win. They beat Torquay United 1–0 in the final, held at Old Trafford, thanks to a goal from John Mousinho just before half-time. The win meant that Stevenage would play in League One, the third tier of English football, during the 2011–12 season for the first time in their history. The 2010–11 season also witnessed Stevenage compete in both the League Cup and Football League Trophy for the first time in their history as a league side, falling to home defeats in the first round of both competitions to Portsmouth and Brentford respectively. Stevenage also reached the Fourth Round of the FA Cup, only the second time the club had reached this stage. The cup run included beating League One side Milton Keynes Dons on penalties, as well as beating AFC Wimbledon live on ITV. Stevenage were drawn against Premier League side Newcastle United, a tie which resulted in many recalling the previous meetings between the two clubs in 1998. The tie ended 3–1 in Stevenage's favour, becoming only the third team in the fourth tier of English football to beat a Premier League side since its formation. Stevenage eventually lost in the following round 2–1 to Championship side Reading. Byron Harrison, who joined the club in January 2011, and John Mousinho, finished as joint top goalscorers for the season with eight goals each. Goalkeeper Chris Day played every minute of every one of Stevenage's 56 games during the season. Jon Ashton won all three end of the season awards, including Player of the Year. (en)
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