The Southern League`s Outstanding Teams – St Neots Town 2011/12

John Walker reports on a great campaign for the Saints.

St Neots Town’s most outstanding season in their 132 years of history came in 2011/12.

Promoted to Step 4 of the National League system to reach their highest ever level in the game had deservedly arrived on the back of a championship season in the United Counties League when they had pipped big-spending King`s Lynn Town by just two points, smashing a whole raft of records along the way.

• A new goalscoring record of 105 points from 40 league matches

• The highest ever attendance for a UCL Premier Division match (1,481 v King`s Lynn) in February 2012 since 1971 – St Neots lost 4-2!

• Highest ever number of goals in a UCL season (160 in 40 matches)

• Equal number of most points in a season (105)

• Equal fewest goals conceded in a season (33)

• Equal fewest number of defeats – just one in 40 matches

In their new Southern League environment, they began very confidently with five wins in their first six matches to establish an early perch heading the league table.

Their only early defeat was at home to Bedworth United, who beat them by the odd goal in three, but revenge was gained later that season.

Their first venture into the FA Cup as a Southern League club began badly with a defeat at lower graded Thurnby Nirvana in Leicester, but they won their first FA Trophy match that season at home to Sutton Coldfield Town before defeat to higher graded Billericay Town away from home.

Several runs of three or more consecutive league victories maintained their momentum and there was further cup disappointment when they were beaten in the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup at home by neighbours St Ives Town.

However, they did have a trophy on show at the end of the season from their cup exploits as they sailed through the local Hinchingbrooke Cup competition, beating Biggleswade United, Royston Town, Rothwell Corinthians and Huntingdon Town, before thrashing Stotfold 6-0 in a memorable final.

As the season progressed, they had a battle royal with Slough Town for the title.

The Berkshire side took over at the head of the table on 29th October and stayed there for 13 of the next 16 weeks until the end of February when St Neots went ahead, and their superior goal difference became a factor until the final week of the season when St Neots won the league by 6 clear points.

They scored 115 league goals – 25 more than any other team in the division to win a second consecutive league title and move up to Step 3.

Stefan Moore (40 goals), Shane Tolley (22 goals), Ben Mackey (21 goals) and Dan Jacob (19 goals) did the damage in an outstanding season for St Neots Town FC.

St Neots Town Web Site