Club captain Zaki Evans has penned the following message to Hinckley AFC supporters…
It’s with genuine sadness that I have decided to move on from Hinckley AFC.
I could write an essay on my time here but I’ll keep it brief.
For three and a half seasons I have committed everything I possibly could to the club and I’ve loved every minute of it. Anyone who knows me well knows I give up so much to play football and even more so since joining AFC. Playing in the UCL South as the only lad north of Hinckley was a slog at times but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
With circumstances changing around training and my work schedule it means I can no longer give the club, players and management that same level of commitment and ultimately that’s my reason for moving on.
The memories made playing for this club are some of my absolute favourites. The squad in that first season is the best I’ve been a part of in the men’s game. The memories and friends made from it even better. Droitwich away and then winning the league with that group, unreal. Captaining the club’s first game at step five and then the two and a bit seasons after has been an immense honour, privilege and not a responsibility I have ever taken lightly.
To every single person involved along the way, managers, players, anyone behind the scenes and the fans thank you for making Hinckley feel like a home away from home.
I wish the club and everyone involved nothing but the best and every success for the future.
UTH❤️💙”
Zaki played 87 times and scored nine goals in a Hinckley shirt since joining from Stapenhill just over three years ago and was part of the side that lifted the Midland League Division One title in his debut season with us.
Appointed vice captain that summer, he took on a full captaincy role later in 2024/25 and has retained the armband ever since, through three different management teams.
Manager Chris Tullin added: “What can I say about Zaki Evans, an absolute leader on and off the pitch. He has consistently been the go to person for me in relation to the group of players we have and I fully respect his professionalism.
“It’s rare that players stay at clubs for an extended period of time nowadays, especially with the difference between leagues and where Zaki lives, but that’s what Hinckley AFC does, it steals your heart.
I’m absolutely gutted to lose Zaki (especially as I haven’t been able to select him yet!). We discussed alternative options to training that would allow him to stay on, but ultimately your career at any level is short and I would never want to hold a player back from playing as much football as they can. Wherever he ends up is gaining a proper footballer and a good human being.
We hope to see him around in the near future and wish him well in everything he does (unless it’s against us!)”
Thanks for all your efforts in a Hinckley shirt, Zaki, and best of luck for the future.
