Opening Day Jitters

Tomorrow sees the start of the new League One season as Exeter City travel to The Lamex Stadium for the opening game of the 2011/12 campaign. But what are the chances of seeing a win - for either team? Not much if you look back in the history books.....

Dino - scored in Boro's last opening day win

• Exeter have not won on the opening day of the season since they returned to the Football League in 2008, losing four and drawing two.

• Boro have not won a fixture on the opening day of the season for five years (2 draws, 3 defeats) and have just two opening day victories in 11 years.

• The last time Boro won on the opening day of the season was in August 2005 when they demolished Altrincham 3-0 at Broadhall Way – Elding, Stamp and Maamria the scorers.

• Boro have won six points from their opening five games in the previous two seasons – both of which they won promotion.

• In 2007/08 they took ten points from their first five games, however the seasons either side of this saw them take just two points.

• Boro’s best start to the season came in 1999/2000 where they won their first six games.

Other random Exeter stats:

• Exeter won 7 of their final 8 games last season, including victories at Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol Rovers.

• The last meeting in April 2008 between the two sides saw Exeter snatch a 1-0 win. It was their first and only ever win at Stevenage.

• Survivors from the Boro team that day are Alan Julian, Ronnie Henry, Scott Laird and Lawrie Wilson.

Pre-Season: Half Term Report

Boro are now halfway through their preparations for the 2011/12 season so let's take a look at some of the facts and figures so far:

• All four games have been settled by a single goal.
• On the plus side we've only conceded two goals.
• On the down side we've only scored two goals.
• Robin Shroot and Chris Beardsley are our only scorers to date.
• Graham Westley has used 29 different players in these four games.
• Michael Bostwick has played the most minutes (292).
• Alan Julian (276) and Mark Roberts (270) have played the next most.
• Guy Madjo has played the least number of minutes (27).
• 10 players have played in just one game.
• From last year's squad these are: Chris Day (39 mins), Jon Ashton (73), Joel Byrom (45) and Peter Winn (45).
• Trialists: Joe Welch (45), Jack Parkinson (45), Liam Davis (79) and Rohan Ricketts (45) and Jerome Federico (30).
• New signing: Guy Madjo (27).
• Six players have started three of Boro's four games: Alan Julian, Ronnie Henry, Michael Bostwick, Mark Roberts, Scott Laird and Lawrie Wilson.
• Only five players have appeared in all four fixtures: Alan Julian, Scott Laird, Michael Bostwick, Jennison Myrie-Williams and Chris Beardsley.
• Robin Shroot and Chris Beardsley have made the most sub appearances so far (3).
• Our most used goalkeeper (Julian) has played 276 mins.
• Our most used defender (Bostwick) has played 292 mins.
• Our most used midfielder (Wilson) has played 251 mins.
• However our most used striker (Beardsley) has played just 147 mins (Charles has played 217 mins but 90 at Dover were in defence).

More stats to follow once pre-season has concluded!