Hinckley United

Hinckley United were wound up in Birmingham high court today. Very sad day. 

BBC Leicester

Hinckley fans vote to form new club for town The campaign group said it would need a new ground, a new name and players Continue reading the main story

Football supporters have voted to start a new club for a Leicestershire town after the previous one folded earlier this year.

Hinckley United FC was wound up at the High Court in October with debts of more than £200,000.

On Monday, more than 150 people showed their support to form a new club for the town.

The campaign group said it would need a new ground, a new name and players before the start of next season.

Fans said they had sought funding to get started from Supporters Direct, an organisation to help community-owned clubs.

"It is a massive task to undertake and there's lots of work to be done, so it is a challenge," said Simon Blyth, a supporter of the former club for 16 years.

"If everyone works together we can only give it our best shot.

"Hopefully along the way more people will get involved and help us get a club back for Hinckley."

The Knitters had been playing in the seventh tier of English football after being relegated from the Conference North.

Fans trying to set up a football club to replace their collapsed town team are inviting supporters to vote on the side's new name.

A community working group is holding a meeting on Wednesday at which the name and club colours will be voted upon.

Supporters of Hinckley United, which was wound up in the High Court in October, are invited to the meeting at 7pm, at the Clarendon Club, in Coventry Road.

At a meeting this week, the working group came up with the names Hinckley AFC and Hinckley Nomads FC and colours options of white and black or red, white and blue.

Working group spokesman Russ Abbott, 47, of Hinckley, said the public could come up with alternative choices.

He said: "This is to be a community club and as such we want the public to help us create a club for them.

"The people can put suggestions via Twitter, Facebook and an independent website and the most popular one from each will be part of the vote on Tuesday.

"There will be a presentation on the proposed club constitution and we will be voting on subscription and membership fees.

"We were all overwhelmed by the support shown at the first meeting, so we are hoping for another bumper turnout."

The group, which has taken advice from Supporters Direct, an organisation which has helped set up a number of community trust clubs, hopes to have the club ready for entry into a non-league division this August.

It has lodged a notice of intent with the FA, which will review the information and decide on which step of the non-league ladder to place the club.

Mr Abbot said once the constitution and name were organised they could begin to explore in earnest elements such as a home ground and playing staff. "We need to get the foundations right first so we know where we are with budgets and finances," he said.

"Obviously, it would be fantastic if the new club could play at Leicester Road, because the facilities are fantastic, but we would be foolish not to look at all options.

"We know there is a long way to go and we will need to arrange fund-raisers to help boost the coffers, but it would be brilliant to bring football back to Hinckley."

Fans have already posted suggestions for a name on Facebook.

Paul Smith said: "Hinckley Nomads is good for me. Red and black kit. Phoenix on the badge."

Alan White posted: "Name Hinckley Phoenix. Colour white and violet."

Stacey Weeks said: "AFC Hinckley."

Fans can put forward suggestions by going to #hinckleyname on Twitter, search for "the future of football in Hinckley" on Facebook or via the website:

http://z11.invisionfree.com/ hinckley_independent/ index.php?showtopic=3664


Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Fans-vote-new-club/story-20430495-detail/story.html#ixzz2qHZCQ7Vj

http://www.hinckleytimes.net/sport/football/football-news/fans-preparing-bid-forge-hinckley-6560277

FANS GET TO SHARE IN NEW CLUB'S FUTURE
By Karen Hambridge, from www.hinckleytimes.net

Supporters of Hinckley AFC, set up by fans following the demise of the
Knitters, were given the news and were able to buy membership at the latest
public meeting

Leaders of Hinckley's new community run football club hope their
soon-to-be-recruited team will be playing in the Midland Alliance next
season. Supporters of Hinckley AFC, set up by fans following the demise of
the Knitters, were given the news and were able to buy membership at the
latest public meeting. Membership number one was offered to the widow of the
late Matt Gadsby who died playing for Hinckley United in 2006.

Held in the TF Bell Suite at the Greene King Stadium - which Hinckley AFC
are eyeing as their home ground - the gathering saw more than 100 people
signing up to become members. A spokesman said: "This meeting was the first
opportunity for members of the community to buy their share and membership
in the club as part of the one member one vote system."

Basic membership has been set at GBP6, made up of a GBP5 annual fee and GBP1
share while membership can also be bought at GBP26, to include a Hinckley
AFC T-shirt, founder membership at GBP100, with life membership costing
GBP1000. Demand was so high people were queuing out of the door to sign up.

During the meeting a packed room was told the Greene King Stadium remained
the club's first choice of home pitch and negotiations were still ongoing
over a bid made by Hinckley AFC secretary Steve Jelfs. Mr Jelfs and his wife
have put in an offer to buy the site which is in the hands of liquidators,
BDO. It is believed issues over disputed ownership of various parts of the
ground are holding up acceptance of the bid, the only one apparently made
since the Knitters went bust in October last year amidst crippling debt and
backroom controversy.

Explaining there were hurdles to overcome Mr Jelfs said he was confident he
would have control of the ground eventually, although no timescale could be
put on it. The club have contingency plans and have spoken to organisations
across the borough about using other suitable facilities so should the
Greene King deal not come off in time the outfit will still have a home.
Fans were also told the club hoped to apply to the Midland Alliance, at step
five of the non-League system for their inaugural season, playing the likes
of Quorn, Loughborough University and Coventry Sphinx. This was the tier
Hinckley Athletic played in before the merger with Hinckley Town.

The final decision as to a League spot however will be made by the FA who
will receive the club's business plan by the end of March. The club is still
asking for people to write in support of the business plan on its Facebook
page. A raffle was held on the night raising GBP217 for club funds.