Hinckley AFC will be celebrating our tenth birthday on Saturday 10th February with our home game against Coventry Copsewood.
Given recent events just up the A5, where all at the club are saddened at the announcement of Nuneaton Borough resigning from the non-league pyramid, and facing a possibility of liquidation, it is a reminder to us all of how we felt when Hinckley United was wound up ten years ago and the ensuing wilderness we faced at the time.
Club Director Lee Sharrard said: “We cannot celebrate our tenth birthday without mentioning the people who came forward at the time to organise meetings, take on responsibilities, and relaunch a football club that would represent the fans and the town of Hinckley. They were determined not to make the same mistakes as previously, with a one member, one vote ethos and a football club that belonged to all who wanted to be a member.
“A thanks to those people who worked hard to make our club the FA-recognised continuation club of Hinckley United, and enabled those of us on the board now to move the club forward in slow but sustainable steps.”
Club Director Dave Jackson added: “We have striven to be a club for the community, even when we have had to play miles away from the town, and with our official anniversary of the registering of our club on 6th February, we already had plans in place to offer FREE entry to Under 16s for our home game against Coventry Copsewood on Saturday 10th.
“Now, following the announcement from Nuneaton, we would like to extend this. Ten years ago I remember how I felt at Chesham with Hinckley United, knowing full well it was our last game, and the nomadic five months afterwards where myself, Simon Blyth and a few other United fans, wandered around in search of football.
“I have many friends who are Boro fans and I feel for them right now. It may not be a big gesture but we’d like to offer Nuneaton Borough season ticket holders free entry to our match at Kirby Road on 10th February when we play Coventry Copsewood.”
While we may have shared rivalries in the past, as patrons of the continuation club for Hinckley, the elected Directors of Hinckley AFC extend a hand of comradeship and collaboration for the future. We would like to make the pledge that we will help wherever we can with advice and learning experiences to assist with a supporter-owned start up model that Boro supporters may hope to launch in the future. And, while we know we will never be a replacement, all Boro fans will be welcomed at Hinckley should they wish to watch a game now and then.
As part of our own birthday festivities in the match against Coventry Copsewood, the club will be providing free cake and light refreshments at the community hub in the portacabin for all supporters in attendance. We encourage all to come and join us in celebrating ten years of supporter-owned community football for Hinckley.
All Under 16s will have FREE entry to our home game on Saturday 10th February, and Nuneaton Borough season ticket holders showing their ticket will also gain FREE entry for this match. Added to this a reminder for all fans that our Under 18s matches at Rugby Borough’s Kilsby Lane ground are also FREE entry to all.
