End Of A Decade 2010-2019
Where to start with this. Well the rot had already begun to set in and the downward spiral was a swift one. Having been relegated for the first time in our history at the end of the 2008-9 season Hucknall began the decade in the Northern Premier league finishing the 2009-10 campaign in 17th a place above the relegation places and under the management of Tommy Brookbanks. Brian Chambers was the manager at the start of the decade being replaced by Danny Bryant in January.
2010-11 saw us relegated again to the Evo-Stik Division 1 South.
Financial woes had gotten much worse culminating in the 'Black Sunday' meeting when the very existance of the club was under extreme doubt. Tommy departed to be replaced by Des Lyttle. Lyttle's reign was short and Brett Marshall came to the club. I always felt sorry for both Tommy and Brett in the fact that both in my opinion are great managers as they have proved to be elsewhere. They came to the club when we were on a downward spiral unable to stop it. Marshall's reign itself was short and 2012 saw us have three more managers in Gary Sucharewycz, Jason Truscott and Darren Kelk making 6 in total that year.
At the end of the 2012-13 season the decision was made to replace our reserve side in the Central Midlands League. The other choice was to fold completely.
Ducan Russell who had replaced Kelk left and our present manager Andy Graves took charge with a new set of players, some from the old reserve side and others players bought in.
The first season back in the CML South was mainly a rebuilding job and not a lot was expected. We finished 13th in an 17 team division (Barrowby pulled out) but off the field things were getting better though not brilliant by any means.
The 2014-15 season saw us in my opinion turn a big corner. We finished 4th in a 15 team league and won our first silverware for a long time winning the CML League cup at Alfretons Impact Arena. In my opinion this was when the fans began to see a brighter future.
The big problem with the CML was the one promotion place on offer and Hucknall suffered because of it. At the start of the 2015-16 season Hucknall were one of half a dozen sides with a realistic chance of the title. As it was a very good Selston team waltzed the league but then didn't take the promotion allowing belper to take the promotion spot finishing 2nd just above Town and securing the 2nd spot in their last game of the season. Hucknall could also been promoted that season but were thwarted by the CML management committee who refused to allow the promotion. Hucknall also lost to Selston in the league cup final and whilst it was a good season it was a case of what might have been.
The 2016-17 season was similar when 4 teams fought it out for the top spot. Selston once again triumphed and this time took the promotion ahead of Sherwood, Eastwood and ourselves in 4th.
Although we finished off the pace that season our squad of players were improving game by game learning from mistakes made and the team spirit was in good shape. There was also a new bond developing between the players and the fans.
2017-18 saw us again be up there but not close enough as Sherwood and Eastwood fought it out for the title. Eastwood eventually pipping Sherwood by winning the game between the two on the last day of the season which was Sherwoods first league defeat of that season. Sherwood were deservedly promoted though thanks to Holbrook Sports taking a voluntary demotion to the CML.
2018-19 was to be Hucknall's season though. Finally winning the league in a campaign that saw us defeated just once at our bogey team Holbrook St Michaels. Matlock Reserves had battled with us all season for top spot but a fine 4 nil away victory on a Tuesday night in Matlock virtually sealed the title. Disappointment was to follow in in defeats to Pinxton in the Floodlit Cup Seme and the League Cup final but our main aim was achieved by winning the league.
Our current campaign has seen us suffer just one defeat and though we have played more games than others as I write this we are currently on top of the EMCL.
Whilst the decade started on a very low note it has certainly finished on a high.
