Hinckley possible so that I know what it is they want . The fact that we have a team on the pitch , competing is very rewarding . We started 3 years ago with nothing other than an idea and some enthusiasm . We now have a competitive team on the pitch , a dedicated team off the pitch and a lot of people enjoying watching “ their ” team play .”
Present
“ The mood here is very positive at the moment . We had a good FA Cup run last season , we have had a fantastic run in the Vase this season . The supporters have really connected with the players and vice versa and the place has a good vibe at the moment .
We ’ re exceeding our targets this season . We ’ re competing in a division that ’ s incredibly difficult to get out of with only one promotion spot . Bromsgrove Rovers have been here a few years and are now getting gates of 800 +. They have resources that match that kind of match day income and so financially we can ’ t compete . I think we ’ ll give them a run for their money . It ’ s the old cliché of taking each game as it comes . Obviously , we ’ d like to finish top but we ’ re just enjoying our football at the moment .”
Youth
“ Our junior set up is very important to us and it would be good to have a few games where we can start to blood some of the youngsters in . We ’ ve already had one lad from the U16 ’ s come on as a sub in one game and I ’ d like to think we ’ ll have one or two more before the season ends . The upheaval that was caused by HUFC going bust has meant that our older age groups were lost but we ’ re very strong at the younger age groups so it ’ s very much a long term project .
We work hard to ensure players enjoy a smooth transition into the senior game and we have the U16 ’ s training with the senior players . We want them to be around and engaging with the senior squad and feel part of it . As I ’ ve said , we ’ ve already had one 16 year old make an appearance at senior level and we hope for a few more before the season ends . They ’ re not going to play every week , of course not , but being around the squad should allow them to feel part of it so that when they do play , they ’ re playing with friends which should help them to express themselves and feel comfortable .”
Community
“ We are undoubtedly a community club . Apart from the fact that no one individual can own more than one share , we regularly engage with the local community . We ’ ve had sleep outs to highlight the plight of the homeless in the area , we enter floats into the local Burbage and Hinckley carnivals and take part in the switching on of the Xmas lights and carol service . We ’ re building ties with local businesses and we see our sponsorship by DPD who have recently moved into the area as vitally important in growing those links .”
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Lower Bond Street , Hinckley , LE10 1QU Tel : 01455 233 974
Challenges / Ambitions
“ Without a doubt our biggest challenge is returning to the town . We ’ re playing 12 miles outside – sharing with Heather
St Johns FC – and whilst they are great landlords , we really need to be back in the town . Finding available land though is very tough , land inside the town ’ s boundaries are ripe for housing development and so that takes it away from our budget . But we ’ re working hard to identify suitable targets and we ’ re determined to make it happen .”
Getting our own ground is a precursor to anything else . Aside from that , we are working on an appropriate development structure for the juniors so that , as they get older , they play in more competitive leagues that will ease the transition to the first team . I ’ d like to see us gain two promotions which would then put us one step below where
HUFC finished . The supporters deserve that , the town needs that .
HUFC were arguably , the second team in Leicestershire – it has to be our aim to get back there .” www . footballfocus . biz 79