York Street - Boston United

 Aware that yet another former Football League ground was about to disappear, I had pencilled-in a visit to York Street sometime during the second half of season 2019-20.  But along came that bastard Mr. COVID, and my opportunity was lost.  I had, of course, been given ample warning that Boston United's 87-year tenure at York Street was coming to an end, but I find it easier to blame some faceless little virus, than accept my own complacency.

So, my consolation prize was to pitch up and take a few unprepossessing shots of the exterior of the ground – shots made all the more unprepossessing by the fact all the advertising hoardings and other signage has already been taken down – much of it subsequently auctioned on eBay I learned.

A further outcome of COVID has been the inevitable delay to the completion of Boston United's new stadium, on the south western edge of the town.  And whether or not the ground will be able to host football when the Vanarama League North returns in October 2020 is debatable.

York Street - Boston United F.C.

Boston United's new home - currently named The Boston
Community Stadium - is still a work-in-progress as of September 2020.

Boston United had enjoyed a brief flirtation with league football courtesy of winning the 2001/02 Conference title – this the last season of just a single promotion spot for the league.

The Pilgrims enjoyed four seasons of mid-season respectability in the third tier, before the wheels came during season 2007/08, when a last day defeat by Wrexham relegated the club out of the Football League.  A subsequent decision by the club chairman to enter into administration, saw Boston United punished by being pushed down a further tier into the National League North (Blue Square North, as was).

The club have never managed to achieve even National League status since; coming closest in (ironically enough) the final match played at York Street - a 0-1 National League North Play-off Final defeat to Altringham.  

Which was a pity, as win in that match would have proved a rather fitting send off for the old place, I feel.