[1] Tony Pennock: The latest in a long line of very solid Boro keepers, Tony originally joined on loan from Rushden & Diamonds before being signed for an undisclosed fee in the summer. And I'd have to say he's worth the money - he's one of the best in the Conference, and makes few mistakes. He also played for Hereford and Yeovil, where he was a key member of the side that Rushden beat to the league title in 2001.
[8] Lenny Piper: Lenny is a real hero among Boro fans. He joined the club in the summer of 2000 from St Albans, and has since scored over 50 goals for the club, despite not always starting games. His real position is in an attacking midfield role, behind the front two, but despite this he was sometimes used as a forward by Graham Westley, and was often not used at all. But whenever he's dropped from the side, made available for transfer, or has bizarre fall-outs with Westley over training (not that this is likely to happen again), Lenny always comes back into the side and proves his worth yet again. Before playing for St Albans, he was at Gillingham, and is pretty good for them on Championship Manager 2.
[9] Joff Vansittart: So, is it pronounced Joff, or Yoff? That's the question that has been puzzling Boro fans since Joff's arrival from Dover in the summer of 2001. Joff has been scoring goals in non-league football for a few years now, with his time at Boro being no different. He's one of those players that, if you were being careful, you would describe as 'a strong and powerful striker'...if you weren't, you could describe him as a brick shithouse who happens to be very good at putting the ball in the net on occasion. But I'm a fan of Joff - his workrate and commitment always looks good to me, and his goalscoring record is pretty impressive. He's also played for Sutton and Crawley.
[10] Christian Lee: Christian is a bit of a mystery. He came to the club in September 2001 after having played league football with Gillingham (where he played under Peter Taylor) and Bristol Rovers, put in a couple of solid appearances, and promptly disappeared. Little was heard of him since, until he re-appeared towards the end of 2001/02 and scored a few goals, earning himself a contract. When he does play, he's a centre-forward who has a fair amount of ability. However, these days he also doubles up as a central defender.
[11] Tony Taggart: Tony is a speedy, tricky left sided player with a lot of potential. He sometimes does not appear to know exactly where he's going , but give him the ball in a good position and he'll cause a defence real problems. His form often seems to see-saw a bit, but when he's on form he is an extremely effective player and is very useful coming off the bench to liven up a game. Also has the ability to score some cracking long-range goals. Previously with Brentford's youth set-up, he signed for the club in 2000 after impressing on trial.
[12] Danny Potter: Young player who impressed for the reserves and was promoted to the first team. It's not often a youngster rises through the ranks to the first team at this club, so hopefully he can do well in the side. From what I've seen, he looks like a good forward who will give some defences a few problems.
[13] Mark Osborn: On loan from Wycombe as back-up for the season, he has not yet seen much first team action due to Tony Pennock staying fit and on form. On the few occasions he has appeared, he's looked like a very solid young 'keeper, who is reliable back-up for Pennock.
[14] Chris Piper: Younger brother of Boro legend Lenny. Like his brother, he's a young, talented midfield player with the ability to score goals, and is also a real favourite with the Boro fans. Hopefully the arrival of a new manager will mean that both Pipers are given the treatment they deserve. When you consider how young Chris is (21, I believe), it's exciting to think how good he'll be in four or five years time. Chris was previously with St Albans and Charlton's youth team.
[15] Dean Green: Joined the club in late 2001 from Hampton & Richmond along with Boro midfielder Gary Holloway, and mainly plays in right midfield, although he can also play as a forward. We've yet to see the best of Dean, but he's obviously got a lot of ability and will hopefully make a big impact now that some of the more established players have left.
[17] Gary Patterson: A big name signing from Kingstonian in 2001, it would not be unfair to say that Gary has never really lived up to expectations at Boro. Although to be fair to him, he has had trouble with injury and also with a number of other players in front of him in the queue for places. But since half our team buggered off a while ago, he's established himself in the side, and has looked a lot better than before too.
[18] Ken Charlery: There's not much you can say about Ken that hasn't already been said by supporters somewhere else. Now 38, he sometimes plays with enthusiasm, and after a slow start has done okay. He is of course a proven striker, previously with Watford, Peterborough, Boston and Barnet. He's scored goals everywhere he's been, Boro no exception, and hopefully he'll get plenty more goals this season.
[19] Garry Butterworth: A former Rushden & Diamonds stalwart who joined the club in the summer of 2002, Garry has had a bit of a fight to claim a place in the team since arriving. However, since the player exodus he's become an automatic choice in the side, and has looked very good in his central midfield position.
[22] Rocky Baptiste: To opposition fans, Rocky is one of the best strikers in the Conference. So why is he so often in and out of the team? The answer is, of course, form. Well, that and a fall out with Westley last season, but mainly form. :) When Rocky's on form, he can destroy defences single-handedly, and can score goals that wouldn't look out of place on Match Of The Day (apart from the one that actually was on MOTD, which did). When he's not, he can be frustrating - but he's still an exciting player, either way.
[24] Darren Annon: Darren's been at the club since the summer of 2000, and played a huge part in the title success of 2000/01. Since then he's been in and out of the side a bit, but when he plays he gives 100%. He's a versatile defender who is at his best playing in the middle. One of the shortest defenders I've ever seen, but makes up for it with his power. Has also played for Enfield and Carshalton, and had a spell at Brentford.
[26] Geoff Pitcher: On loan for a month from Brighton, Geoff was one of the best midfield players in the Conference a couple of years ago playing for Kingstonian under Geoff Chapple and McDonald. He impressed enough to move to Brighton for £55,000, and was in their first team until a change of manager. Since then, he's had spells on loan with Woking and Dagenham & Redbridge, and has now ended up at Boro. He's made a good start for us, too. The money we can't afford to pay him is being paid by generous club sponsors Alexander Francis.
[29] Paul Harkness: Recent signing from Walton & Hersham, Paul is a forward player who has also played for Camberley Town and Leatherhead. Often plays down the wing, putting in 100% and making some good crosses. It would be nice to see him stay this summer, I think he deserves a chance to play at this level.
[31] Mark Ayres: Young player currently on the bench for us, a product of our youth set-up if I remember rightly. Was previously playing for our reserves, left the club, but has now returned.
[33] Jim Rodwell: Jim came to the club from Boston United, with a big reputation. Graham Westley planned to use his ability and experience at the back to help us gain promotion, but then it all turned sour as Jim was 'sacked' and then twice appealed against his sacking. But with the change in ownership and the settlement of his unpaid wages, Jim is back in the side and looking solid again.
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