Hinckley United F.C.
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| Hinckley United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Hinckley United Football Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | The Knitters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Founded | 1997 (Merger of Hinckley Athletic and Town) |
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| Ground | Marston's Stadium, Hinckley |
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| Capacity | 4,329 (630 seated) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman |  Kevin Downes |
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| Manager | Dean Thomas |
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| League | Conference North | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005-06 | Conference North, 10th | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hinckley United Football Club are an English football club, from Hinckley, Leicestershire currently playing in the Conference North.
One of the newest clubs in senior Non-League football, Hinckley United, was formed as recently as Wednesday 18 June 1997. A meeting on that date saw shareholders of Hinckley Athletic (Midland Alliance) approve a merger with neighbours Hinckley Town (Southern League Midland Division). Merger moves were made immediately at the end of the 1996-97 season when Athletic narrowly missed out on promotion to the Dr Marten's 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.
Formed in 1889, Athletic had the traditional support of the Hinckley people, averaging 250 and a Dr Marten's League approved ground at Middlefield Lane with good and ever improving facilities as well as exciting development plans in hand.
Town were formed in 1958 and made rapid strides from local football to the Dr Marten's League with the 1980's being a successful decade. 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 Dr Marten's League spot.
The new club acted quickly in appointing it's managerial team, and so Dean Thomas became team manager with former Athletic boss John Hanna being appointed general manager, although Hanna relinquished his position in the new year leaving the former Notts County player in sole charge. United run a reserve side, a Youth side and numerous junior sides. The club colours are red and blue stripes, a blend of the main colours from Athletic and Town whilst the club held a competition for fans to come up with a nickname and The Knitters was chosen reflecting one of the longest standing industries associated with the town.
Hinckley United have recently moved to the purpose built De Montfort Park Complex. De Montfort Park covers 22 acres and includes 3 full size pitches, 2 three-quarter size pitches, 3 half size pitches and an all weather surface pitch. The flagship of the complex is the Marston's Stadium, a 4329 capacity purpose built football ground, also comprising gymnasium, sports injury clinic and a social club too.
The Main Stand is covered seated spectating with a capacity of 630 seats. The complex houses the changing rooms, gymnasium, lounge, boardroom and offices of the football club, and also the VIP's Club Bar is located at the top of the Main Stand. The East Terrace Stand is covered standing spectating with a capacity of 970. This is the Social Club end as the stand is adjoined to the Social Club. The Thomas Powers Stand is covered standing spectating with a capacity of 1095.
Even though it is brand spanking new and named after the family which owned the land the Stadium is built on, it will still probably be known as 'the Shed'. Currently the West Side is hard standing for 586 spectators. Should the need arise for segregation then away fans will be allocated the West end of the ground. The Away Turnstiles are only operable when segregation is in place. This stand is due for completion for end 2007. Once completed, the West Stand will be covered seated spectating with a capacity of 400, plus hard standing. The junior facilities and changing rooms will be situated behind this stand.
Local rivals include Nuneaton Borough, Shepshed Dynamo and Barwell.
Shirt sponsors for Hinckley United are the famous Triumph Motorcycles.
Having won the Southern League Western Division in 2001, Hinckley United qualified for the new Conference North league by finishing 6th in the Southern League Premier division in 2004.
The club suffered a tragedy on September 9, 2006 when defender Matt Gadsby collapsed and died during a Conference North match against Harrogate Town[1].
Contents |
[edit] Current First Team Squad
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[edit] Players In/Out 2006-07
[edit] In
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[edit] Out
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[edit] Honours
- Dr Marten League Western Division Champions 2000-2001
- Dr Marten Merit Cup Winners 2000-2001 (Joint Winners)
- Leicestershire Challenge Cup Winners 2003-2004 | 2001-2002 | 2000-2001
[edit] Famous Players
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2000s
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[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Hinckley United Official Website
- Hinckley United Independent Website
- The Marston Stadium Website
- The Midland Floolit Youth League (HUFC Under 18's)
| Conference North 2006/07 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Alfreton Town | Barrow | Blyth Spartans | Droylsden | Farsley Celtic | Gainsborough Trinity | Harrogate Town | Hinckley United | Hucknall Town | Hyde United | Kettering Town | Lancaster City | Leigh RMI | Moor Green | Nuneaton Borough | Redditch United | Scarborough | Stalybridge Celtic | Vauxhall Motors | Worcester City | Workington | Worksop Town edit |
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