Steve Evans says the whole club has been affected by the news of the car crash involving two of their young fans.

Nineteen-year-old Ollie Gatfield lost his life and Liam Sharpe is still in a critical condition after their VW Polo hit a tree in Hitchin on Saturday evening.

And the club will hold a minute's silence for Ollie prior to the League One match with Barnsley as well as a minute's applause for the pair on the 19th minute.

The Boro boss said: "It’s very sad and obviously as a as a football club, we've been in touch with both families sent our condolences to Ollie's family and friends and our thoughts and prayers are extended to all of them.  

"And young Liam as well, he is still in hospital, critically ill and fighting for the most precious commodity that any God can give us, which is life. 

"Both families are with us tomorrow on the East Terrace where both lads have for years watched and sang their hearts out for the team. 

"I became aware on Sunday via our media department and we made all our staff aware. 

"The players are young men themselves and for someone so young to be taken away, and one fighting to stay, it's so sad and reminds us that despite the words of Bill Shankly that football is more important than life, it's simply not."

The game with the Tykes is the return fixture from December 23, one which the South Yorkshire club won 2-1 after Stevenage had taken an early lead through Luther James-Wildin.

That was the fifth match in what has now become a 10-match unbeaten run but the teams go into the contest separated by just three points, having played the same number of games.

That can be a big carrot for Boro says Evans.

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"I think we were unfortunate in December," said the boss. "On the day I said we should win but when you look at it back, I think a draw would have been completely fair on the balance of play.  

"Neil Collins has done a really good job there. They are a well-budgeted team and a big club. 

"But I think it's amazing that if we get three points against them, we will be level with them in the table at this stage of the season. 

"But it isn’t anything that the dressing room doesn't deserve."