Hinckley AFC’s first match of the new campaign will be at home to Cadbury Athletic on Tuesday 8th September after the Midland League provisionally released the early season fixtures today.
With the league running one team short this season, we are the team to miss out on a fixture on the opening weekend, meaning Courtney Belford’s side have an extra few days to prepare for the start of the season when the Chocolatemen visit Kirkby Road.
It’s an especially exciting game for the club, with the match also being our first game back in the borough after agreeing our groundshare deal with local rivals Barwell.
After that, we welcome Uttoxeter Town on Saturday 12th September before our first away match of the campaign quickly follows, a visit to Chelmsley Town on Monday 14th September.
These fixtures are, however, subject to supporters being allowed back into grounds by this date.
In an email to clubs, the League said: “These fixtures are released with the assumption that the FA will shortly announce that crowds will be allowed at Steps five and six matches.
“If we are informed between now and 5th September that this is not the case, then we will make further announcements regarding these matches.”
The League also plan to release fixtures from 19th September onwards, once leagues at higher levels have confirmed theirs.
“Given that the Northern Premier League and Southern League do not plan to start their season until 19th September, this means that their fixtures for the season will not be released until the end of the month. As we are planning to start on 5th September these timescales would impact our ability to release a full season’s fixtures in timely fashion.
“Therefore, we have made the decision to release the initial two weeks’ fixtures early so that clubs have the maximum time to make preparations. The balance of the fixtures will be released shortly after the Steps 3 & 4 Leagues have released theirs.”
