Between now and the start of the season, we’ll introduce our new opponents in this season’s United Counties League Division One.
Today, the focus is on the sides from Nottinghamshire who will feature in the division this coming campaign – all of whom will be brand new opponents to us.
Clifton All Whites
Home colours: As you may have guessed by the name – all white!
Last season: 5th in East Midlands Counties League (11 matches, 19 points). Clifton won four of their first five EMCL matches last term before a couple of defeats saw them slip back into fifth. Ex-AFC right back Chad Timson played for them last season.
Ground: Green Lane, Clifton, NG11 9AZ
Distance from Hinckley: 36.2 miles
We’ll meet: 12th October (a), 12th February (h)
Dunkirk
Home colours: Red and black
Last season: 11th in East Midlands Counties League (10 matches, 14 points). Dunkirk were four games unbeaten when the season was halted and only failed to score in one match all season. They were fourth at the null and voiding of the previous season and only narrowly missed out on promotion this summer.
Ground: Ron Steel Sports Ground, Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2SA
Distance from Hinckley: 37.5 miles
We’ll meet: 28th August (a), 16th April (h)
Gedling Miners Welfare
Home colours: Yellow and blue
Last season: 14th in East Midlands Counties League (8 matches, 10 points). Gedling only managed to squeeze in eight games before the season was wiped out, but those eight were provided more than enough entertainment. They scored four in a match three times, including winning both of their last two games 4-1. They also had a 4-3 win, a 4-2 defeat and a 3-3 draw in the FA Vase.
Ground: Plains Road, Mapperley, Nottingham NG3 5RF
Distance from Hinckley: 44.6 miles
We’ll meet: 14th August (h), 11th December (a)
Hucknall Town
Home colours: Yellow and black
Last season: 7th in East Midlands Counties League (9 matches, 18 points). An old foe to Hinckley United from their Conference North days, Hucknall were another side in contention for promotion when the season was cut short. They scored five in a game three times and leading the line for them is another ex-Hinckley man, Grant Ryan.
Ground: Watnall Road, Hucknall, NG15 6EY
Distance from Hinckley: 44.6 miles
We’ll meet: 2nd October (h), 9th April (a)
Kimberley Miners Welfare
Home colours: Red and black
Last season: 8th in East Midlands Counties League (12 matches, 16 points). Another side who enjoyed goals in their games. Their last five matches finished 4-2, 4-2, 4-2, 3-2 and 5-2! Only the league’s top three scored more, nobody in the top half conceded more than Kimberley in the shortened season.
Ground: The Stag Ground, Nottingham Road, Kimberley, NG16 2NB
Distance from Hinckley: 41.7 miles
We’ll meet: 6th November (a), 2nd April (h)
Radford
Home colours: Claret and blue
Last season: 20th in East Midlands Counties League (6 matches, 4 points). Radford were bottom of the league at the season’s end point but mostly by virtue of playing fewer games than everyone else. They only got on the field six times in the league but had an excellent FA Vase run which included a 4-0 win over Hinckley’s old Midland League Division One rivals, Paget Rangers. They’ve recently signed ex-AFC goalkeeper Yinka Adebowale.
Ground: Selhurst Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, NG7 5AN
Distance from Hinckley: 40.6 miles
We’ll meet: 13th November (a), 19th March (h)
West Bridgford
Home colours: Red and black
Last season: 15th in East Midlands Counties League (10 matches, 10 points). They started the season well and reached the first round qualifying of the FA Cup, only bowing out 1-0 to Halesowen Town. But they were seven without a win when the season was cut short which left them further down the table than their impressive previous season’s top six finish.
Ground: Regatta Way Sports Pavilion, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5AT
Distance from Hinckley: 40.8 miles
We’ll meet: 30th November (h), 5th March (a)
