HUCKNALL TOWN FC SEASON REVIEW 2025/26

 Hucknall Town FC 

Season 2025/26 Review

So with last nights awards night bringing the final curtain down on the 25/26 season I thought I'd write a brief summary of the season.

In the end we finished in 8th position with a respectable 55 points and a league record that read

Played 38 winning 16 drawing 7 and losing 15 scoring 58 goals conceding 62 GD -4'

This compares with the previous campaign of

Played 38 winning 13 drawing 7 and losing 18  scoring 53 conceding 61 GD -8 finishing in 12th position with 46 points.

While we flirted with the play off positions up until 3 games to go we never really in truth looked like ever getting there with the top 5 teams deserving there positions and Boston Town taking the crown of league champions with Grantham the play off winners after a great finish to their campaign. 

It was a season of consolidation for us and it was nice not to look up rather than down after recent seasons and credit must go to the management team who have now moved on to Ilkeston. Whilst I'm sad to see them go it was an opportunity to good to turn down and I really do wish them all the best. Inevitably with the management team leaving some players will also move on as other will be brought in though it remains to be seen who will stay and who will go. Whatever for those departing all the very best and thank you for your time in the Yellow shirt. Of course we know that 2 players hung up their boots and were honoured at last nights awards with special awards for their outstanding service. All the very best Sam and Aaron in whatever you choose to do next.

Going back to the season and the cup competitions. We relinquished our hold on the Notts Senior cup when Carlton Town came from 3 1 down with a few minutes left to win on penalties. Basford United eventually won the cup beating Kimberley MW in the final at field Mill.

The FA CUP saw us win a game at long last beating Yaxley at home before we succumbed to a good Basford United side away. After a good first half display Basford came out second half and blew us away 5 nil.

The FA Vase saw us at last beat Boston Town in a game 3 1 at the RM but we fell at the next hurdle at Lutterworth Town.

Boston gained revenge dumping us out of the league cup on their turf and indeed doing the league double over us as normal service returned. 

So once more we didn't have much success in the major competitions which is disappointing.

Moving on to the season ahead. We have a new management team of Jon D'Laryea and Rudy Funk taking the mantle. As mentioned the first task will be keeping as many of the squad together as possible before targeting new players.

Again I wish them all the very best for the season ahead. 

From last nights awards. Lewis Belgrave picked up 3. Managers Player of the year, Top goal scorer and Players Player. Young Player was Mahzi Simmons, Cash Rowe picked up the Management/Committee player and Joey Ashurst scored the goal of the season for his long range effort at Eastwood. Congratulations to them all.

Also a special mention to our Ladies team on winning their League and progressing on to the Midland League. Huge congratulations to all concerned. 

I'd like to finish by mentioning the supporters player of the season. The Robert Thornley Award. Thanks to my daughter Hannah and Grandson Charlie for doing the honours in presenting the award. Our retiring Captain Arron Short being a worthy recipient not just for this season but his service at the Yellows as a whole.

YELLOWS LOOKING TO STOP BULLS CHARGE

 AFC MANSFIELD V HUCKNALL TOWN 

GCE HIRE FLEET UCL PREMIER NORTH DIVISION

SATURDAY 24TH JANUARY 2026 14.00 KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall travel the relatively short distance to the Forest Town Arena to take on AFC Mansfield in a game that kicks off at 2 PM. It is a ground where Hucknall haven't fared that well in recent visits and the Bulls have been a thorn in Hucknall's side up until the Yellows victory at the RM  when goals from Taylor Jaine and Aarron Coyle sealed victory back in October.

The Bulls currently lie in 15th spot with a league record that reads

played 24 winning 8 drawing 5 and losing 11 with a GD of minus 3

The Bulls started the season poorly and had to wait until their 8th league game before registering their first victory. It came away at Clay Cross by 3 goals to 2. This was followed by a first home victory by the same score line over Deeping Rangers. The revival didn't last and defeats followed away at Belper United and Blackstones. However revenge was gained in the home fixture against Belper with victory by the single goal scored. After losing at the RM three victories followed as AFC pulled away from the relegation places. The improved run was halted by a home defeat to Wisbech. Two draws followed before an impressive 5 1 home victory over Newark Town. The inconsistency continued with three further defeats before an impressive draw at Sherwood and an away success at Skegness on their last outing.

In the cups the Bulls exited at the first hurdle in all competitions. Fa Cup saw a defeat away at Blackstones. The FA Vase saw defeat at home to division one side Dunkirk. The league KO cup saw them lose to another division one side Coalville on penalties and the Notts Senior cup saw defeat at home on penalties to Kimberley MWFC.

Hucknall go into the game buoyed by the home success over Newark and Sherwood last Saturday which moved them up to 8th with a record that now reads

played 24 winning drawing 4 and losing 10 with a GD of plus 1

I think this is a difficult one to predict with the home teams inconsistent form. They are certainly capable but the Yellows have good away form. A draw is not really of much use to either side as Hucknall will be looking to close the gap on the teams above and AFC will be looking to close the gap on the Yellows and pull further away from the drop zone. 

All to play for then for both teams.