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- The 2009–10 season was Stevenage Borough F.C.'s 16th season in the Conference Premier. 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 fifth-place finish and subsequent play-off semi-final defeat in the 2008–09 season meant it was their sixteenth successive season of playing in the Conference Premier. It also marked the second year in charge for manager Graham Westley during his second spell at the club; having previously managed the Hertfordshire club from 2003 to 2006. The majority of the squad from the 2008–09 season were retained, with little transfer activity in comparison to previous seasons. Steve Morison, the club's top goalscorer for the past three seasons, moved to Millwall for a fee of £130,000, while both John Martin and Calum Willock were released in late May 2009. Midfielder Gary Mills was the last departure of the close season; rejecting a contract and instead opting to join fellow Conference Premier club Mansfield Town. Five players joined the club during the close season. Charlie Griffin was the first signing of the season, joining Stevenage from Salisbury City on a free transfer. Yemi Odubade, Chris Beardsley, and Joel Byrom signed for the club shortly after; the latter for a transfer fee of £15,000. The last signing of pre-season was Stacy Long; who joined the club on a free transfer from Ebbsfleet United. No players departed the club during the season, with Tim Sills the only addition, signing for an undisclosed fee from Torquay United in January 2010. Stevenage started the season by recording just one win from their first five games of the season. Following a 2–1 defeat to Oxford United in August 2009, the team went on a 17-game unbeaten run from August to December 2009, moving the club into the top two in the league standings. A 4–1 victory against Cambridge United on New Year's Day meant that Stevenage were in first place for the first time in the season. Two defeats away from home within the space of a week in February meant that Oxford United had an eight–point lead going into March 2010. The team responded by winning eight games consecutively; including a 1–0 victory against Oxford United in late March, subsequently replacing Oxford at the top of the league table. Stevenage earned promotion to the Football League with two games to spare following a 2–0 victory against Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough. The team won their last six games of the league season without conceding a goal, and recorded 42 points from a possible 45 from their last fifteen league fixtures. Stevenage finished the season having amassed a total of 99 points from 44 games, winning the league by 11 points. The club also played in the final of the FA Trophy against Barrow – losing 2–1 after extra–time; it was Stevenage's third visit to Wembley Stadium in four seasons. Yemi Odubade finished as the club's top goalscorer for the season after scoring 16 goals, 14 of which came in the league and two in the FA Trophy. Scott Laird, who played 53 games throughout the season, more than any other player in the squad, was named as Player of the Year. (en)
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