Think it's hotter than last week. Definitely hotter than a nun's first curry to be honest. Anyway, back in town for Stevenage v Colchester United in Boro's last pre-season friendly, complete with the sounds of the Caribbean Festival over in Fairlands Valley. Edition of The Boro out tomorrow morning.

HT: Stevenage 0 Millwall 0 - Friendly Not a bad little half that. Marschall has kept Stevenage in it with four or five very good saves but there have been moments of promise for Boro. Patterson with a couple of crosses, Malcolm continues to look sharp, Jack Taylor OK.

I'm going to boo the inevitable drinks break today because I'm hip and do what the cool kids do, however, there absolutely should be a drinks break because it's a bit George and Andy out here. Stevenage v Millwall pre-season friendly incoming. #Scorchio

Broadhall Way no more again? Put the white smoke up, we might have a new stadium sponsor. npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/the-boro-s...

"Yeah, I saw that. I’m not sure where that’s come from to be honest with you." The response of Stevenage boss Alex Revell when I asked about Mikael Mandron. So, it seems to be a load of rubbish, or expect him signed by Friday. Plenty more from Revs in The Boro tomorrow

First matchday graphic of the new season for me. Will be at the Stevenage v West Ham game tonight and there will be an edition of The Boro out first thing tomorrow with thoughts and reaction. Might even put up a short match report. #HowayStevenage #UpTheBoro

Felt like a proper Saturday again. There was one Stevenage game in Spain while I was at another, and able to do some honest to goodness journalism. Coming up in The Boro is news from both matches and an interview with academy boss Jorden Gibson. Much more too. (1/2)

HT: Bishop's Stortford 0 Stevenage 0 Chances at both ends and it's a fairly even game. Mistakes costing Boro and some decisions in the final third.

Stevenage team for the friendly with Bishop's Stortford today: Woodford, Miller, Olowojoba, Sadiku, Saji, Thornton, Wright, Benton, Norris, Mustafa, Ayolie. Max Woodford was playing for Stortford last week v Chelmsford. Mark Hughes in charge of Boro with Nick Mountford in Spain.

Stevenage's fixture list for the new season. Fully updated with the Cambridge and Luton switches, just missing the Carabao Cup fixture on Friday, August 7, at Wycombe.

First chat of the new season coming up, will be in The Boro later. Currently no news about EFL TV picks or a confirmed date for the launch of the away shirt.

A reminder of Stevenage's League One fixtures for the 2026-2027 season. npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/stevenage-...

Stevenage's fixtures for the 2026-2027 season. npmetcalfe.substack.com/p/stevenage-...

Silly season they call it. Nothing more silly than trying to predict the season before the transfer window has even opened but then why be boring? If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly, so here’s how I see League One going , as well as a few Stevenage-related things.

Seven players released by Stevenage at the end of the season, including longer-serving players like Taye Ashby-Hammond and Dan Sweeney, and there are another two "still in discussion" but perhaps expected to depart too. Full reaction and more to come in The Boro soon.

One final bit: "League One Clubs also approved a change to remove the staggered approach to equity injections in the division, 50 per cent of which will be included within the calculation." I take that as of the (roughly) £1.2m Phil injected this season, 600k could be used on wages.

The final reaction piece of the season. Not one to reflect on Stevenage’s campaign as a whole, although I do touch on it, but a look at the League One play-off second leg. Sometimes, it's OK to say you were beaten by the better team. Disappointing of course but this is football.

It's not quite sunrise, but it is definitely getting lighter. Night night all.

It's the future they say, electric cars. Second stop on the way back to charge up and we're onlybat Northampton. Be lucky to see my pit before sunrise...

HT: Stockport County 2 Stevenage 0 (agg: 3-0) Stockport the better side and have put Boro to the sword twice, both times the men in white switched off. #StevenageFC #StockportCountyFC #LeagueOne

The gaffer. No, not that one, the other one, the Jedi master.

They're either all concentrating or they're all asleep. Your 3CR team for tonight.

The waiting is almost over. Strap in lads and lasses, this could get nervous...

For me, I have no problem with this team. The middle two in a 4-4-2 have to work their socks off. Give them a break and have them in reserve. Stevenage don't have to win 2-0 in the first five or 10 minutes. They have to do it after 90 or 120. Stay in the game, repeat Villa.

Graphics sorted, even penned an intro to the reaction piece. All that's left to do know is travel to Stockport, live blog, do a match report, take photos and/or videos, travel back and finish the reaction/ratings. Should get to bed after most people have got up tomorrow...

I love defending, to me it can be an art form, and a ridiculous, slapstick moment like that usually horrifies and angers me. Strangely, not this time, I’m actually positive. So, while I go off for a brain scan, here's the League One play-off reaction as Stockport beat Stevenage.

HT: Stevenage 0 Stockport County 0 - League One play-off Those two chances at the end were the best Stevenage could conjure in what was a typically cagey half. Lot at stake and both will be happy with how it is going so far. #StevenageFC #StockportCountyFC #LeagueOne #PlayOffs

Team news for Stevenage v Stockport County in the League One play-off semi-final: 🔴One change in total - Houghton for Lubala on the bench ⚪️Fifth game in a row for this starting XI 🔴3pm kick-off at Broadhall Way

Don't know about anyone else but I am not nervous in the slightest this week. Panic stations last week but a real mellow vibe all through the last 7 days. Wednesday may be different but this is just another game for me, same again from Stevenage and they'll be in a good place.

Even the rain held off long enough. Chucked it down 10 minutes after everyone had left, it truly was Stevenage’s day. Reaction, report and ratings as Boro secured a League One play-off spot. Time to celebrate it, especially how it happened, but the real work starts now for me. Promotion the prize.