Boreham Wood's chairman has detailed the club's preparations for Thursday's National League match against Boston United and the ongoing transfer saga involving forward Abdul Abdulmalik. The comments were made in a set of notes published by Boreham Wood Football Club ahead of the 19:45 kick-off at the Mangata Developments Stadium, Meadow Park.
Boston United, known as the Pilgrims, currently sit 12th in the National League with six points from four games, having won two and lost two. They travel to face a Boreham Wood side that has also started the season well, with both clubs looking to build momentum. The match will be played under full segregation, with ticket prices ranging from £20 for adults to free entry for children under five.
The chairman provided a detailed update on the situation with Abdul Abdulmalik. The forward has two years remaining on his contract but has refused to train or play for the club. Boreham Wood has agreed a transfer fee with an unnamed buying club and has lowered its initial asking price by £350,000. Negotiations are now focused on the structure of add-ons, which are reported to include clauses related to league success, UEFA competition, appearances, an international call-up, and a sell-on fee.
With the transfer window closing next Tuesday, the chairman admitted his gut feeling is that the buying club might not return and Abdulmalik could stay. He also suggested an unauthorized approach to the player may have been made, and that press leaks about the deal had occurred, including to Sky Sports. This follows a club policy set after a Wembley defeat, where agents for eight or nine players were told certain individuals were not for sale at any price.
Despite the immediate transfer drama, the club maintains a long-term vision for sustained success. This includes continued investment in stadium infrastructure, with the ambitious South End Project now underway. Phase one, which includes new groundworks, drainage, utilities, roads, changing rooms, and landscaping, is scheduled for completion before Christmas. Work is set to begin in earnest on 14th September.
Phase two, an Away Fan Zone and maintenance building, is targeted for February 2027. The final phase, a new South Stand and additional facilities, is planned for completion between February and July 2027, ready for the start of the following season. The chairman, now in his 28th season at the helm at age 64, described the dream as building an EFL-standard ground.
The visiting Pilgrims present a tough challenge. Promoted via the National League North in 2024, they narrowly avoided relegation before finishing a respectable 12th last term thanks to a late-season surge. They have carried that form into the new campaign, currently level on points with Boreham Wood. Their attack has been productive, scoring four goals while conceding three for a +1 goal difference.
Key to their threat is 24-year-old forward Tom Cursons. Boreham Wood manager Danny was quoted in the notes, saying, "God loves a trier, so with a bit of belief, a fair wind, a little bit of luck and a win this evening, we could be celebrating being top of the league by 10pm tonight." The club has also secured its own future by tying down Zak Brunt and Tom White to new long-term contracts. Fans can see the full squad list on our squad page.
The immediate focus is on the pitch against Boston United, a match that could see the winner close the six-point gap to league leaders Sutton United. Off the field, the next week will be critical regarding Abdulmalik's future. The chairman concluded on the matter, stating, "least said, best mended is my stance." Regardless of the outcome, the club's direction is clear, with infrastructure development and squad planning aimed at long-term improvement. Supporters can follow the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures list.
