Boreham Wood FC are delighted to announce the contract extension of Club captain David Stephens on a new deal that will see the central defender remain at the LV BET Stadium Meadow Park until the end of the 2023/24 season.
Current longest serving player Stephens arrived at Meadow Park in October 2015, 3 months into Wood’s inaugural season at National League level, making his debut for the Club in a 2-1 FA Cup victory over AFC Hornchurch.
Seven years later, Stephens has been a figurehead in Wood becoming an established National League side, helping the Club reach new heights on the pitch. In his first season at Meadow Park, the Club needed to win its last last three matches in order to maintain our National League status, securing victories over Aldershot Town, Guiseley and Welling United against all odds to fend off relegation on the season’s final day.
Two years later, and in stark contrast to the struggles of our first season at Non-League’s top table, Stephens walked out under the famous Wembley Arch as part of a Wood side that had reached the National League play-off final, though we agonisingly lost out to Tranmere Rovers for a place in the Football League.
Another play-off campaign came calling during the curtailed 2018/19 season, where Wood reached the semi-finals on this occasion but with no crowds. This season has seen Stephens re- emergence on the pitch and he remains a critical member of Luke Garrard’s squad that is again pushing for a play-off position this season in arguably the most competitive National League line up during our 7-season stay in Non-League’s top flight.
League ambition has not only been met but surpassed by cup success during Stephens time at Meadow Park, as Wood have experienced unrivalled success in the historic FA Cup. Firstly, Wood beat a Football League side for the first time in the Club’s history in November 2017 when an inspired come-from-behind victory saw Wood overcome Blackpool 2-1 with late goals from Blair Turgott and Dan Holman, before the Club reached the FA Cup Third Round for the first time in the Club’s history last campaign; defeating Wimborne Town, Southend United and Canvey Island to set up a Third Round tie with Millwall at Meadow Park albeit without crowds.
However, this season’s FA Cup exploits gazumped all others, with Stephens an integral part of the Wood side that won the hearts of the nation, reaching the FA Cup Fifth Round for the first time ever, whilst also becoming just the tenth Non-League side to do so since World War 2. Wood caused historic cup upsets with victories over AFC Wimbledon and AFC Bournemouth in Round’s 3 and 4 respectively to set up a historic tie against 5-time FA Cup winners Everton at Goodison Park. Despite defeat at the home of the people’s club, Stephens and his teammates held the Premier League outfit for nearly an hour, as the team went over 550 minutes of FA Cup football without conceding a single goal.
Upon capturing Stephen’s signature on a 2-year contract extension, Wood Gaffer Luke Garrard commented,“I’m really happy to get Dave signed for a further two seasons. He has shown in his recent performances how important he is for our progression. We have achieved some remarkable things together in his time at the Club and we truly believe there are many more memories to come…
“He is loved by everyone at the Football Club, and I can imagine not only the playing staff and management will be thrilled to see him with us for the near future, but also all the day-to-day staff adore him also. Let’s hope in his next two seasons here, we are creating even more history.” Garrard concluded.
During his 7-year stay at Meadow Park, Stephens has built tight-knit bonds with the staff and management, none closer than the one he holds with Chairman Danny Hunter, who had this to say on Stephens’ contract extension, “Quite simply he is my friend and a man amongst men, forget the football just for one second because off the pitch he really is a giant of a club man who cares deeply about this Football Club. He inspires others and he motivates the Academy boys he coaches.
“In terms of the new contract, firstly it’s been well and truly earned on the pitch and secondly, his standing within the dressing room is unquestionable and his team ethic as Luke’s Club Captain made this a very easy decision on our part, and it honestly took David two minutes to agree.” Hunter concluded.
Stevo, we are delighted you will still be calling Meadow Park home until the end of the 2023/24 season, at least!
OUR CLUB. OUR TOWN. OUR COMMUNITY.
