This weekend we travel to Hinckley, a town which has been the home of Triumph Motorcyles since the brand was reborn in 1991 after the original company went into receivership in 1983. Within a few short years of being reinvented, Triumph regained its status as a world leader in motorcycle production and gained recognition around the world as a standard bearer for British industry.
The same cannot be said of Hinckley United FC, who went into receivership in 2013 while playing as a Step 3 side in the Southern League. They were reborn a year later following a great deal of work by their supporters as AFC Hinckley, a co-operative community trust club playing at Step 6 of the non-league pyramid.
Twelve years on, AFC Hinckley continue to wave the flag on behalf of the town but are still some way short of regaining their place in the non-league hierarchy. They are currently playing their home games out of town at a venue belonging to Barwell FC at the in Kirkby Road Sports Ground, Kirkby Road, Barwell, LE9 8FQ. This is the clubs third ‘home’ ground as they have yet to acquire one of their own. No doubt that will be a priority on their committee’s ’to do’ list.
We play AFC Hinckley having arrived at Step 5 via a very different route, but both ourselves and our hosts may feel that we capable of performing at a higher level. We get the chance to prove which of us is nearer to regaining our former glories when the sides meet at 3pm. Hinckley have their noses ahead of us at the moment as they currently sit in fourth place in the league table after winning five of their last seven games and drawing the other two. There latest home game was an 8-2 win over Easington Sports, who we play in two week time.
Co-managers Mark Critoph and Matt Payne will be hoping the side have enough left in the tank after the 2-1 win over Sileby Rangers on Tuesday night. Goalkeeper Ethan Endecott and full-back Ben Smith both made outstanding full debuts in that game and the two goals from Danny Baulk on Tuesday night confirmed that he has fully recovered from the knock that kept him out of the side at O.N. Chenocks. With Max York also over his head injury, the Stutes will be at full throttle on Saturday in a bid to gain the ‘triumph’ that will lift us back into the top half of the table. Why not come along for the ride and support the boys on the road.
