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- The 2012–13 season was Stevenage F.C.'s third season in the Football League, where the club competed in League One. 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 sixth-place finish and subsequent play-off semi-final defeat during the 2011–12 campaign means it was Stevenage's second season of playing in League One, having only spent two years as a Football League club. The season also marked the third season that the club played under its new name – Stevenage Football Club, dropping 'Borough' from its title as of 1 June 2010. It was manager Gary Smith's first start to a season as Stevenage manager, having been appointed in January 2012. However, Smith was sacked in March 2013 following a run of 14 defeats in 18 games. His successor was Graham Westley, returning for his third spell in-charge of Stevenage, having previously managed the club for three years from 2003 to 2006, and then four years during his second-spell from 2008 to 2012. Ahead of the season, there were wholesale changes involving the playing squad. Eight players were released in May 2012, including Ronnie Henry, subsequently ending his seven-year association with the club. With a number of players out of contract, further departures were revealed as Chris Beardsley, Joel Byrom, Scott Laird and John Mousinho all rejected the offer of contract extensions at Stevenage, and all four ended up signing for Preston North End, who at the time were managed by Westley. Three more first-team players left Stevenage before the start of the new campaign, both Michael Bostwick and Lawrie Wilson made the step up to the Championship, signing for Peterborough United and Charlton Athletic for respective undisclosed fees; while Craig Reid signed for League Two side Aldershot Town for a five-figure fee. Smith's first three signings of the close season were announced at the end of May, with goalkeeper Steve Arnold joining from Wycombe Wanderers, as well as midfielders James Dunne and Greg Tansey signing from Exeter City and Inverness Caledonian Thistle respectively. Five more players joined the club before the start of pre-season, and Lee Hills and Matt Ball were further additions following successful trials. In terms of transfer activity during the season, both Don Cowan and Rob Sinclair left the club on free transfers. Strikers Patrick Agyemang and Dani López were signed before the close of the summer transfer window, while defenders Andy Iro and Ben Chorley were acquired mid-season. Despite the squad overhaul, Stevenage began the season positively, going on an eleven-match unbeaten run, six of which victories, to open the new campaign. Following the club's 2–1 home victory over Portsmouth in late October 2012, Stevenage found themselves in second place, just a point behind the league leaders at the time. However, Stevenage were defeated heavily in three of their next four matches, conceding four goals in each of the three defeats. Sitting in fifth position at the start of December, Stevenage would go on to win just five league matches out of the remaining 25, although did secure notable victories over promotion-chasing Brentford and Sheffield United. A run of 14 defeats in 18 matches ultimately resulted in Smith's sacking on 20 March 2013, ". Captain Mark Roberts briefly took caretaker charge, before it was announced that Westley would be returning for a third spell in-charge of the club, joining on 30 March. The club ended the season in 18th position in League One, with 54 points. Stevenage also competed in three cup competitions during the season. The club opened the season by beating AFC Wimbledon in the League Cup, and as a result won a League Cup fixture for the first time in their history. They lost to Premier League side Southampton at Broadhall Way in the Second Round. The club fell at the first hurdle in both the Football League Trophy and FA Cup, losing 3–2 away to League Two opposition in both competitions; firstly to Dagenham & Redbridge in the Football League Trophy, before losing to Rotherham United in the FA Cup. Winger Lucas Akins, who had joined the club in August 2012 for an undisclosed fee, was the club's top goalscorer for the season with ten goals, all of which came in the league. Akins also played in all 46 of Stevenage's league matches during the campaign, the only Stevenage player to remain ever-present during the league season. Another pre-season signing, James Dunne, won the Player of the Year award, as well as being voted Players' Player of the Year, for the season. (en)
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- The 2012–13 season was Stevenage F.C.'s third season in the Football League, where the club competed in League One. 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 sixth-place finish and subsequent play-off semi-final defeat during the 2011–12 campaign means it was Stevenage's second season of playing in League One, having only spent two years as a Football League club. The season also marked the third season that the club played under its new name – Stevenage Football Club, dropping 'Borough' from its title as of 1 June 2010. It was manager Gary Smith's first start to a season as Stevenage manager, having been appointed in January 2012. However, Smith was sacked in March 2013 following a run of 14 (en)
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