Hinckley United F.C.: Difference between revisions
DJhinckley (talk | contribs) m Undid revision 268255839 by 143.210.65.201 (talk) - Nwadike is English born, not Nigerian |
|||
| Line 176: | Line 176: | ||
{{fs player| no= | nat=ENG | pos=MF| name=Richard Lavery | other=[[Captain (football)|captain]]}} |
{{fs player| no= | nat=ENG | pos=MF| name=Richard Lavery | other=[[Captain (football)|captain]]}} |
||
{{fs player| no= | nat=ENG | pos=MF| name=[[Callum Lloyd]]}} |
{{fs player| no= | nat=ENG | pos=MF| name=[[Callum Lloyd]]}} |
||
{{fs player| no= | nat= |
{{fs player| no= | nat=ENG | pos=MF| name=[[Chukwuemeka Nwadike|Emeka Nwadike]] | other=on loan from [[A.F.C. Telford United|AFC Telford United]]}} |
||
{{fs player| no= | nat=ENG | pos=MF| name=[[Daryl Taylor]]}} |
{{fs player| no= | nat=ENG | pos=MF| name=[[Daryl Taylor]]}} |
||
{{fs player| no= | nat=ENG | pos=FW| name=Alex Taylor}} |
{{fs player| no= | nat=ENG | pos=FW| name=Alex Taylor}} |
||
Revision as of 20:46, 4 February 2009
 [1] | |||
| Full name | Hinckley United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Knitters | ||
| Founded | 1997 (or 1889) (Merger of Athletic and Town) | ||
| Ground | De Montfort Park - the Greene King Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 4329 | ||
| Chairman |  Kevin Downes | ||
| Manager | Dean Thomas | ||
| League | Conference North | ||
| 2007–08 | Conference North, 19th | ||
|
| |||
Hinckley United Football Club are an English football club, from Hinckley, Leicestershire currently playing in the Conference North. Formed only in 1997, the club has risen from the Southern League Midland/West Division to the Conference North in those 10 years. Hinckley United play their home games at the De Montfort Park Stadium having moved to the purpose built football stadium in March 2005.
Club history
The Town of Hinckley has had an established football team for over one hundred years. The earliest recorded team was Hinckley Town, formed in 1889 and competed in the Leicestershire Senior League, playing their games at the Holywell Ground, behind the Holywell Inn pub. A short spell in the Midland League in 1900 was followed by a name change to Hinckley United and a return to the Leicestershire Senior League in 1905, where the club remained until the outbreak of the First World War. After the war Hinckley United competed in the Birmingham Combination, becoming champions twice in 1923–24 and 1926–27.
After the war, the brewery owners of the Holywell Ground decided they wanted the land for other uses and the football club found themselves without a ground. The club managed to purchase land on Middlefield Lane, for a then sum of £500, in August 1946, and following a name change to Hinckley Athletic in September 1946, the club resumed playing in the Nuneaton Combination league.
Hinckley Athletic subsequently competed in the Birmingham Combination again, the Southern League and West Midlands League before becoming founder members of the Midland Alliance. At the height of their success manager Dudley Kernick took the club into the Southern League Premier in 1964, before a financial crisis led to a relegation and eventual resignation from the Southern League. The club struggled to survive in the West Midlands League for the next 25 years. The early 1990s saw a turn around in fortunes for Hinckley Athletic and manager John Hanna saw the club become founder members of the Midland Alliance league.
Meanwhile in 1958 Westfield Wanderers were formed and played in the Hinckley District League. In 1972 they changed their name to Hinckley Town and joined the Leicestershire Senior League, before their successful period in the 1980s with a switch to the Central Midlands League, then the West Midlands League and gaining promotion to the Southern League in 1990.
Hinckley United, was formed as recently as Wednesday 18 June 1997. A meeting on that date saw shareholders of Hinckley Athletic approve a merger with neighbours Hinckley Town. Merger moves were made immediately at the end of the 1996–97 season when Athletic narrowly missed out on promotion to the Southern League for the third consecutive campaign following finishes of 2nd, 3rd and 2nd again. A meeting of the respective chairmen, Mick Voce (Athletic) and Kevin Downes (Town), established there was some common ground with each club having something positive to offer, and the merger was completed.
Consequently, the new club were to play at Middlefield Lane with Town's Leicester Road set up being used as a training ground, and once the FA and Southern League had approved the merger, United inherited Town's Southern League Midland Division place.
The aim was to provide better quality football in Hinckley and this success was achieved within four years. After a mid table finish in their first season, Hinckley United improved with finishes of fourth, third and then won the Southern League Midland/West Division in season 2000–01. That season saw Hinckley score 102 league goals and extend an unbeaten home record to 51 games.
This success was further coumpounded by becoming founder member of the Conference North. The first two seasons in the Southern Premier Hinckley had mid-table finishes, but he third season however was better than anyone could've expected. Hinckley United finished in sixth place, also meaning they finished in a position to be accepted into the newly established Conference North division for 2004–05.
After two mid table finshes consolidating in Conference North, season 2006–07 was accepted as the season Hinckley would make a serious challenge for the title. However after a good start tragedy struck the club when popular defender Matthew Gadsby collapsed and died on the pitch at Harrogate on 9th September 2006 [2]. Hinckley players took a month away from football and spent the rest of the season playing catch up. When Hinckley returned to action the season was one of up and down, but held on to a play off spot, eventually rallying on and off the field to secure fourth place in the league, reaching the play off final, but missing out on promotion conceding a last minute penalty.
Off the pitch things gathered pace with the development of the club. Middlefield Lane was sold for £4 million which funded De Montfort Park, a purpose built 4329 capacity football ground. The move away from Middlefield Lane happened on 5th March 2005 when the first game at the new De Montfort Park Stadium was played.
Manager
In August 1997 Dean Thomas became team manager with former Hinckley Athletic boss John Hanna being appointed general manager, although Hanna relinquished his position in the new year of 1998, leaving Thomas in sole charge.
Thomas was a professional footballer with Wimbledon, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Northampton Town and Notts County. While at Notts County, Dean was club captain and played twice at Wembley Stadium. His first managerial post was with Bedworth United, his hometown club, and then after the formation in 1997 became Hinckley United's manager. His greatest achievement as a manager so far has been winning the Dr Marten Western Division Championship with Hinckley United in season 2000–01, plus guiding Hinckley United to the FA Cup 2nd round in December 2001 and December 2004. He recently signed an extension to his contract keeping him at the club until 2010.
Thomas has now been Hinckley United manager for 10 years and has been granted a Testimonal Season for 2007–08.
His assistant manager during that time was former Notts County player Charlie Palmer, however at the start of the 2007–08 season Palmer was replaced by Nick Platnauer. Platnauer had previously managed Rothwell Town, Kettering Town and Bedford Town
Colours, crest & nickname
The club colours are red and blue, a blend of the main colours of the former clubs. Athletic played in red and Town played in blue. The original playing kit was red and blue stripes, blue shorts, blue socks - but that has evolved over the past 10 years. Now the playing kit is a solid blue body with red sleeves, and red flashes down the side of the body, blue shorts and red socks.
The original club crest for Hinckley United was the Arms of Honour of Hinckley, basically a red and white halved shield divided in half by a serated line. The Club Crest was relaunched in 2004 still incorporating the Arms of Honour of Hinckley but also taking elements of the Borough of Hinckley and Bosworth crest and mascots of the two merged clubs Hinckley Athletic and Hinckley Town. The Rams were added from the Borough crest signifying the Hosiery industry in the town, and Hinckley Town's Eagle plus Hinckley Athletic's Robin were placed atop the crest.
At the formation of the club, a competition was held for fans to come up with a nickname and The Knitters was chosen. This reflects one of the longest standing industries associated with the town, the wool and hoseiry trade, having been factories in Hinckley since the 17th Century.
Club sponsors
The current shirt sponsors for 2008–09 are Elite Printing, a Graphic Printing firm based in Hinckley. Hinckley United have had an association with the famous Triumph Motorcycles being an Associate Sponor over the last 5 years.
De Montfort Park - Greene King Stadium
Hinckley United began playing their games in 1997 at Middlefield Lane, former home to Hinckley Athletic. Although having the required Grade for Southern League and Conference North, it was old and would take a lot of work to upgrade to a better level. Hinckley United spent two years financing, securing land and building a new ground, and in 2005 Phase 1 of the Stadium was completed. Phase 2 was finished by 2007 adding a full size all weather floodlit pitch and junior changing facilities to the complex.
Marston's Brewery signed to a 10 year sponsorship of the ground and it became known as the Marston's Stadium [3]. However the deal ended early in December 2008 [4] and the name reverted back to the original De Montfort Park Stadium.
In January 2009 the Football Club announced a deal for the Stadium to be sponsored by the Greene King Brewery and the Stadium was renamed the Greene King Stadium [5].
In total the complex covers 22 acres and includes 3 full size pitches, 2 three-quarter size pitches, 3 half size pitches and an All Weather floodlit pitch. The flagship of the complex is the De Montfort Park Stadium, a 4329 capacity purpose built football ground, also comprising gymnasium, sports injury clinic and a social club too.
The first match in the Stadium was on 5 March, 2005 when Stalybridge Celtic were the first team to play Hinckley United on the ground, and drew 1–1, in front of a crowd of over 2000 [6].
- Phase 1 completed in 2005, the Main Stand, The East Stand and the North Stand.
- Phase 2 completed in 2007, the Junior and All Weather pitch changing facilities at the West End.
- Phase 3 will incorporate a 400 seat covered stand at the West End of the ground.
- Phase 4 if necessary planning is in place to extend the stands to increase capacity to 6000.
Performance
Summary
Having won the Southern League Midlands/West Division in 2001, Hinckley United then qualified for the new Conference North league by finishing 6th in the Southern League Premier in 2004. In 2007 Hinckley United achieved their highest ever league position of 4th, qualifying for the play-offs, then reaching the play-off final, only to lose 4–3 to a last minute penalty.[7]
League position
- 1997–98 Southern League Midlands 12th position
- 1998–99 Southern League Midlands 4th position
- 1999–2000 Southern League Midlands/West 3rd position
- 2000–01 Southern League Midlands/West Champions
- 2001–02 Southern League Premier 12th position
- 2002–03 Southern League Premier 13th position
- 2003–04 Southern League Premier 6th position, qualifying for Conference North
- 2004–05 Conference North 12th position
- 2005–06 Conference North 10th position
- 2006–07 Conference North 4th position, losing play-off finalists
- 2007–08 Conference North 19th position
FA competitions
FA Cup
Hinckley United have only ever reached beyond the 1st round of the FA Cup on two occasions, both times losing to Football League opposition in the Second Round.
In 2001–02 Hinckley United beat Grays Athletic 1–2 at the New Recreation Ground in the First Round, then lost to Cheltenham Town 0–2 at Middlefield Lane.
In 2004–05 Hinckley United recorded one of their most famous victories by beating Torquay United 2–0 at Middlefield Lane. In the Second Round Brentford played at Middlefield Lane live on BBC TV as the match was scheduled to be shown on Match of the Day. The game finished 0–0 with Tommy Whittle, the then Hinckley goalkeeper facing a penalty that John Salako put wide of the post. The replay took place at Griffin Park and Brentford won 2–1, after Hinckley United defender Brad Piercewright was sent off for 'handling the ball on the line'.
FA Trophy
In the short history of Hinckley United the furthest progression has been to the 4th round. Yeovil Town beat Hinckley United 3–2 at Huish Park in 1998–99.
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Rivals
Local rivals include Nuneaton Town, Shepshed Dynamo and Barwell.
Honours
- Southern League Western Division Champions 2000–01
- Southern League Merit Cup Winners 2000–01 (Joint-winners)
- Leicestershire Challenge Cup Winners 2006–07, 2003–04, 2001–02, 2000–01
Matt Gadsby
On September 9 2006 Hinckley United defender Matt Gadsby collapsed and died during a Conference North match at Harrogate Town.[2]
The practical response in the days following Gadsby's death included fans voluntarily organising bucket collections at games across the country to donate to Gadsby's widow and daughter. The football club in tandem with the Gadsby family set up a memorial fund to cope with the donations and organised events began to add to the fund. At the time commercial manager Dave Riche said: "The donations just keep flooding in we cannot thank the people out there enough. Everyone in the football community has come together for the fund and long may it continue." These events culminated in a memorial match at the Marston Stadium featuring a Legends XI and a Gadsby Select XI, featuring players from Gadsby's previous clubs.
References
- ^ "Hinckley United Independent - the Hinckley United Crest". Hinckley United Independent. Retrieved 2007-11-10.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b "Hinckley United defender Gadsby dies". BBC Sport. 2006-09-09. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "Hinckley United Independent news May 2004". Hinckley United Independent. 2004-05-19. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "Hinckley United Independent news December 2008". Hinckley United Independent. 2008-12-30. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "Hinckley United Independent news January 2009". Hinckley United Independent. 2009-01-21. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "Hinckley United Independent news March 2005". Hinckley United Independent. 2005-03-05. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "2007 Conference North Play Off Final details". BBC Sport. 2007-05-18. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help)
External links
- Hinckley United official website
- Hinckley United independent website
- The Marston Stadium website
- The Midland Floodlit Youth League (HUFC Under 18's)
Template:Fb start Template:Hinckley United F.C. Template:Conference North Template:Fb end