Chapter 1 - The Dream Begins - July 2007 
2nd July 2007 The Stevenage Borough F.C board have pulled of a major shock by appointing local rookie manager Tom Hooper as manager of the Blue Square Premier club following the departure of Mark Stimson due to family commitments. The appointment came as a major shock to the fans and the players due to the appointment of a manager with a good footballing mind but no experience.
Hooper was born in Stevenage in August 1992 on the same date that Brian Deane scored the first ever Premier League goal for Sheffield United against Manchester United. Hooper's young age was another major factor in the disbelief of everyone involved with club, after he was made the youngest manager in history. This is what he had to say, "I am delighted to have been appointed manager of this illustrious football club and I strongly feel that I can bring great things to this football club and restore our football league status. Obviously my appointment's a shock to everyone but I firmly belief I can do a good job."
Hooper has been given full backing by the club and is believed to have a transfer budget in the region of 500k, indicating that the board believe Hooper has a strong chance of sealing promotion for the Hertfordshire side. Hooper intends to bring in some strong signings to prepare the squad for the new season, which kicks off at Broadhall Way, home to Droylesden on the 12th August 2007.
5th July 2007 New manager at Broadhall Way, Tom Hooper has wasted no time in a busy transfer market having had responses for two bids. Hooper's first move was an attempt to secure the loan services of 4th choice Everton keeper John Ruddy for the season. We can now confirm that this offer has been accepted and Hooper has offered the goalkeeper a contract. Scunthorpe, Bristol City, Brighton and Swansea are also reported to be interested in the 20 year old. However, Hooper has failed in his second attempt to sign a player having had a 120k bid for former Southampton flop and Ecuador legend Agustin Delgado. The striker, 32, has recorded 71 caps for South American nation, Ecuador.
8th July 2007 – Pre Match Ahead of this afternoon's friendly away to Eastleigh, Hooper has accepted an offer for youngster Sam Hatton from Macclesfield Town. Hooper describes his reasons for accepting the offer for the youngster as an attempt to bring in extra transfer funds and further the 18 year old's career. Hooper described his team as ready and raring to go for the friendly this afternoon.
8th July 2007 – Post Match Stevenage and Tom Hooper recorded an impressive 3-0 away win at Eastleigh. Goals from Tesfaye Bramble, Mitchell Cole and an own goal secured Hooper’s first win in his first game at the club. He had this to say on the impressive win, “We can take huge positives out of this game. We dominated away from home against good quality Blue Square South opposition and were in full control of the game from the minute the game kicked off. I was especially impressed with Mitchell Cole, Luke Oliver and Barry Fuller. All three played brilliantly and played a big part in the victory.”
Sam Hatton has completed his move to Macclesfield for a fee believed to be around 100k. Hatton was sad to leave the fans behind but is ready to embark on a new part of his career.
11th July 2007 – Pre Match The fans and players are in a positive mood ahead of tonight’s fixture with Tottenham Reserves. Crowds are expected to be high at Broadhall Way for Hooper’s first home match in charge. Striker Steve Morison was particularly positive ahead of the game. “We have the quality in the team and the manager to win this game and prove ourselves as a force to be reckoned with this season.” This indicated how quickly the squad have warmed to Hooper following his arrival just nine days ago.
11th July 2007 – Post Match 700 people were present at Broadhall Way to see their team record an inspiring victory over Tottenham Reserves. It was an evenly contested game, with veteran Steve Guppy clinching a late goal to kill off a Tottenham side which included Younes Kaboul, Teemu Tainio, Hossam Ghaly, Adel Taarabt and Ben Alnwick. Borough opened the scoring with a fantastic volley from the in-from Tesfaye Bramble. Spurs pulled one back through Finnish international Teemu Tainio, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a strong Stevenage side. On the negative side for Stevenage, an injury received by goalscorer Steve Guppy in the 90th minute of the game, looked threatening and after having a scan later in hospital Guppy confirmed his retirement. It was a fantastic night ruined later on but the fans will always remember Guppy for the fantastic player he was.
13th July 2007 Stevenage have had a second bid believed to be worth around 300k accepted for Ecuadorian forward Agustin Delgado. Stevenage have offered a contract.
14th July 2007 Everton goalkeeper has rejected interest from a number of clubs to join Swansea on loan until the end of the season. Stevenage manager Tom Hooper shared his comments, “Obviously it’s a disappointment to miss out on John but I wish him well at Swansea and we believe that Alan Julian can do a solid job in goal for us here.
15th July 2007 – Pre Match Stevenage have had offers accepted for Birmingham’s young midfielder Asa Hall, and Oxford midfielder Michael Standing. Borough have offered both players contracts.
15th July 2007 – Post Match Stevenage remain unbeaten in pre season after recording a home win against League 1 opposition, Port Vale. The only goal of the game was scored in the 86th minute – a penalty from John Nutter. There was once again disappointment for Mitchell Cole as he picked up an ankle injury early on in the game and is expected to be out for around three to four weeks.
16th July 2007 Agustin Delgado has accepted a 2 year contract at Stevenage and is set to sign subject to gaining a work permit.
18th July 2007 Stevenage have completed the signing of 19 year old Asa Hall from Birmingham City on a 3 year deal for a transfer fee of 45k. Hall has stated his ambition to do well for the Blue Square Premier side and new manager Tom Hooper. Michael Standing has also signed for Borough completing a 2 year deal in a transfer believed to be valued at 40k.
19th July 2007 – Pre Match Borough fans are confident ahead of their home game with Charlton reserves this evening and the mood in the dressing room is just as upbeat.
19th July 2007 – Post Match Another fantastic result for Stevenage Borough saw them retain their 100% record so far in pre season. Borough ran out 4-2 winners in a thrilling encounter against a Charlton Reserve side, which was outclassed by the Blue Square Premier team. However, Borough did have to come from two goals down after Izale McLeod had scored twice to give Charlton a 2-0 lead after 56 minutes. But the Stevenage side were heroic in rescuing a victory from the grasp of Charlton. Three goals in six minutes from Adam Miller and two from Oliver Allen were scored to give Borough the lead. The rout was completed in stoppage time as youth player Hector Mackie scored his first goal for the club. Another impressive Stevenage performance!
20th July 2007 Tom Hooper has failed in an attempt to bring back fans’ favourite Efe Sodje from Gillingham after having a 50k offer rejected.
22nd July 2007 – Pre Match Fantastic news for Stevenage Borough as Ecuadorian striker Agustin Delgado has received a work permit and completed his move from Ecuadorian side, LDU de Quito in a 2 year deal for a fee of 300k. The shirt sales at Broadhall Way have been boosted with this big name signing.
22nd July 2007 – Post Match Tom Hooper looks to have pulled off a major coup as Stevenage’s record signing scored on his debut in a 2-0 away win at Stamford to increase Stevenage’s impressive pre season winning streak to five games. Paul Hakim scored the opener after six minutes and Delgado doubled the lead in the 24th minute, although the game already appeared to be settled.
23rd July 2007 Rookie Stevenage manager Tom Hooper has failed in a second attempt to bring back Borough legend Efe Sodje. Hooper has had an offer rejected, believed to be around 85k.
26th July 2007 Gillingham have indicated that they will require 200k from Stevenage Borough if the Hertfordshire team would like to sign him. Stevenage have accepted these demands from the League 1 club.
28th July 2007 - Pre Match Stevenage have pulled off two major signings as exciting young wingers Mitchell Cole and Daryl McMahon renewed their contracts. Cole has secured a four year deal, whilst McMahon has renewed his stay for a further two years.
28th July 2007 - Post Match Stevenage secured a 100% record in pre season after they won their sixth pre season game under Tom Hooper 3-2 away to Blue Square North side, Vauxhall Motors. Tesfaye Bramble opened the scoring for Borough to score his third goal of pre season but Motors took the lead in the 55th minute after goals from David McGorry and Brian Paterson. But it was Borough’s resilience that paid off with goals from Barry Fuller and Oliver Allen securing victory for the away side in the 65th and 79th minutes. Hooper expressed his delight at the 100% record after the game, “We have dominated every game in pre season and the players have been fantastic. This gives us every chance of securing promotion if we continue to persist and work hard, starting at Droylesden on the 12th.” Hooper, who celebrates his 15th birthday next month has quickly won round the fans and players since he joined the club earlier this month.
29th July 2007 Efe Sodje has expressed his desire to stay put at Gillingham following interest from Stevenage. Sodje explained his decision to stay due to the fact that he had only recently signed for the League 1 side.
31st July 2007 The title odds for The Blue Square Premier have been released to day and Oxford have been made evens favourites to gain promotion to the football league. The rest of the odds are as follows;
Stevenage – 5-4, Oxford – 6-4, York – 6-4, Torquay 7-4, Aldershot 2-1.
The real surprise was the high odds for Stevenage to gain promotion due to the recent appointment of rookie manager Tom Hooper. Hooper described himself as utterly shocked with the decision to place his team as second favourites, but has clearly stated that he intends to win promotion whether it be automatically or through the play offs.
