Between now and the start of the season, we’ll introduce our new opponents in this season’s United Counties Premier Division South.
Our furthest trips of the season will see us head east to Cambridgeshire, where six of the 19 sides in the division are located.
Hinckley AFC have never faced any of these sides before, although a couple of them are former league rivals of Hinckley United…
Eynesbury Rovers
Home colours: Blue and white.
Last season: 17th. Eynesbury lost just one of their last seven home matches last season in a run that was pivotal in their battle against relegation. 22 of their 31 points came at home, including one from a goalless draw in their Boxing Day derby with St Neots which was watched by a division-high crowd of 793. They also had a decent run in the FA Vase, reaching the second round. Our visit to Hall Road will be our first as a step five club.
Ground: Hall Road, Eynesbury, PE19 2SF
Distance from Hinckley: 69.3 miles
We’ll meet: 27th July (a)
Godmanchester Rovers
Home colours: Blue
Last season: 18th. ‘Goddy’ finished behind Eynesbury only on goal difference last season. Among their most impressive results was a 5-1 win at Oadby on the opening day and a 4-3 win over play-off finalists Aylestone Park. Like Eynesbury, around two thirds of their points came at home and their top scorer, Emmanuel Gbejuade, is registered with them again this season.
Ground: Bearscroft Lane, Godmanchester, PE29 2LQ
Distance from Hinckley: 65.7 miles
Histon
Home colours: Red and black
Last season: 11th. A former league rival of Hinckley United’s, Histon spent two seasons alongside the Knitters in the Conference North from 2011 to 2013. They also spent time in the top tier of non-league football, and had their most famous day when they beat Leeds United in the FA Cup in 2008. In the following year’s competition, they were knocked out by Hinckley at the Greene King Stadium. Now about to head into their third season at step five, Histon finished in mid-table last season after a sixth-place finish the season before. They lost just three of their last 14 games in all competitions, and are managed by former AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Chris Nunn.
Ground: Bridge Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9PH.
Distance from Hinckley: 76.4 miles
We’ll meet: 7th September (h)
March Town United
Home colours: Amber and black
Last season: 5th. An 80-mile trip to March marks our furthest away day of the new season. With a 13-point gap to sixth, March eased into the final play-off spot last term but saw their promotion hopes ended in the play-off semi-final by eventual winners Racing Club Warwick. Only the two promoted sides had a better home record and their average attendance of 288 was the second-highest in the division.
Ground: Robin Goodfellows Lane, March, PE15 8HS.
Distance from Hinckley: 80.3 miles
St Neots Town
Home colours: Sky blue and navy
Last season: 4th. The other side to be beaten in the play-off semi-finals, St Neots had one of the stories of the season when their goalkeeper, James Goff, scored a stoppage-time equaliser in their semi-final at Aylestone Park. But they went on to lose on penalties and are now heading into their second season at step five, after being relegated in 2022/23. St Neots had the second-best away record in the division last season, picking up 40 points on the road. Another former league rival of Hinckley United’s, the only meeting came just a couple of weeks before the previous incarnation of Hinckley’s club was liquidated. For fans who like an away day on the train, this is perfect – the Premier Plus Stadium sits right adjacent to St Neots railway station. Their average crowd of 355 was the highest in the league last season.
Ground: Premier Plus Stadium, Kester Way, St Neots, PE19 6SL.
Distance from Hinckley: 67.3 miles
Yaxley
Home colours: Blue
Last season: 7th. A decent first season back at step five after their relegation from step four saw Yaxley finish seventh, albeit 19 points back from the play-off places. They might have got closer to challenging the top five, but won just one of their last eight games. Matthew Harris-Hercules scored 24 goals for them and is still with the club, and like Kirkby Road, their home ground has a 3G pitch.
Ground: Leading Drove, Yaxley, Peterborough, PE7 3NA.
Distance from Hinckley: 57.6 miles
