Hyde United

Hyde United FC is a non-league football club that was formed way back in 1885 as Hyde FC,  in the cotton town on the eastern outskirts of Manchester of the same name. The club are probably best known for their 26-0 defeat against Preston north End in the FA Cup in 1887.

Hyde’s original colours were Oxford and Cambridge Blue as the club played matches at Walker Fold and Townend Street before settling down at Ewen Fields off Mottram Road, where they had already played a few games in 1906.

The club joined the Lancashire League in 1989-90 and then The Combination in the following season; where they competed for just one year. In 1906-07 Hyde became members of Division Two of the Lancashire Combination.

Promotion to Division One was achieved in 1908-09, before being relegated a season later. Hyde regained a top flight Lancashire Combination place with promotion once again in 1910-11.

Hyde merged with Hyde St George's who also competed in the Lancashire Combination, before folding in 1917 with what was termed as “war fatigue”. In 1918 the club reformed as Hyde United playing in the Manchester League.

The club progressed to the Cheshire League in 1930; becoming the East Section series champions in 1939-40. However, it would be in the 1950’s that ‘The Tigers’ would enjoy a glory period in the Cheshire League.

In 1954-55 Hyde United won the league title and also battled through the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup; before going out in Round One in a 5-1 defeat away to Workington at Borough Park.

Hyde retained the Cheshire League title in 1955-56 before finishing as runners-up in 1956-57, 1957-58 and 1959-60. In 1968-69 the Tigers became founder members of the Northern Premier League, but withdrew after two seasons owing to financial problems.

United returned to the Cheshire League; finishing as runners-up in 1980-81, before lifting the league title for a third time in 1981-82 under manager Les Sutton, at a time when ground improvements were made to Ewen Fields with United returning to the Northern Premier League.

In 1983-84 United reached the FA Cup first round for a second time. Their ‘home’ tie with Burnley was switched to Turf Moor; with the Clarets going through 2-0. In 1987 Ewen Fields was sold to the local council, who installed an artificial pitch and made the site into a leisure centre; renaming it Tameside Stadium.

Manager Peter O’Brien worked wonders as the side as they finished as league runners-up in 1987-88 before reaching the semi final of the FA Trophy before going down to Telford United in 1988-89 as well as finishing in second place once again in the league.

Cliff Roberts, Ged Coyne and a returning O’Brien had spells as manager before Mike McKenzie arrived in 1994. His side reached the semi-final of the FA Trophy in 1994-95, where the Tigers went out 2-1 on aggregate to Kidderminster Harriers as Ewen Fields restored its turf pitch.

The team also reached the first round of the FA Cup during the same campaign; going down 3-1 at home to Darlington. After years of neglect, the ground began to be transformed thanks to help from Tameside Council and Stalybridge and Hyde MP Tom Pendry; who later became Lord Pendry.

McKenzie’s team reached the last four of the FA Trophy for a second successive season in 1995-96 before being denied a Wembley appearance following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Northwich Victoria.

McKenzie departed in 2001 after leading Hyde to a runners-up place in the Northern Premier League in 1999-00, to be replaced by David Nolan and then Gordon Hill before Steve Waywell was appointed as manager in 2002.

Waywell’s side were relegated to Division One in 2002-03 before returning to the Premier Division as champions twelve months later. The Premier Division title was lifted in 2004-05 in controversial circumstances.

Spennymoor United had dropped out during the season, with an argument ensuing as to what should happen with the points in games played against them. Farsley Celtic were originally crowned as champions, until the decision was reversed on appeal.

This led to United joining the Conference North. Waywell departed in 2008 as he fought hard under financial pressure, with Neil Tolson becoming player-manager. Another financial crisis hitting the club during the 2009-10 season as United came close to folding.

At the end of the 2009-10 season, the club reverted to their original name of Hyde FC, as the stadium was given a makeover by Manchester City, in a partnership deal lasting until at least 2013 with City’s reserve team using Ewen Fields and offering a vital financial boost.

The team played in white shirts before the side reverted to playing in red shirts for the 2011-12 season under manager Gary Lowe. A formal link up was made with the Glenn Hoddle Academy which had left Spain to set up in England.

The move appeared to pay dividends, as the Tigers lifted the title and were promoted to the Football Conference. Lowe left soon after the end of the season to be replaced by former player Scott McNiven.

Hyde lasted two seasons in non-league’s elite division before finishing bottom of the table in 2013-14 and were relegated to Conference North. The once again cash strapped club suffered a second consecutive relegation in 2014-15 to drop back to the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League.

McNiven was replaced by Lowe, who returned for a second spell. The downward spiral continued with a third relegation in a row after the club reverted to being named Hyde United. Lowe was replaced by Darren Kelly at the end of the 2015-16 campaign as United were demoted to Division One North.

The Tigers finished in mid-table in 2016-17 before they reached the first round of the FA Cup in 2017-18. Their home defeat by MK Dons was chosen for live coverage by the BBC.

Hyde United FC will compete in the Northern Premier League Division One North in the 2017-18 season.

My visits

Monday 19th July 2010

Hyde was a ground I couldn’t get to in Scarborough FC’s last season in existence, but I’d heard good thing about it. In July 2010 I was embarking on my first of three days in the Greater Manchester area so Ewen Fields was a ground most definitely on my radar. 

To wet my enthusiasm even further the previous day’s Non League Paper had an article about the clubs’ change of name, club colours and refurbishment of the stadium after a relationship had been set up with Manchester City.

I got off the bus in Mottram Road from my previous ground at Abbey Hey and walked along expecting to see the grounds entrance at any moment. I could see the floodlights through the houses up a bank but there seemed no way in. 

Heading up an alley between buildings, I found myself outside the main entrance. A gate was open so I went in and bumped into a gentleman who gave me permission to take some photos. Ewen Fields was indeed very impressive.

The Main Stand was all seated with an unusual roof with two strange shaped fascia panels, one with Hyde’s crest and one with Manchester City’s. Further along this touchline was The Shed, a terracing which housed The Tigers most vocal fans. 

Behind the goal at this end was the Tinker’s Passage End with a roof and terracing. The Leigh Street Stand was on the far side with more covered standing. The other end had yet more covered standing spaces with the Walker Lane or Bath’s End as it’s sometimes called after the leisure centre behind it. 

All surrounds were concreted and the sparkling paint gave away that a lot of work and money had been spent on the ground. It looked a proper football ground, which with the addition of a few extra seats could well stage a higher level of football.

I walked back down to Mottram Road and away from town towards Godley station, which seemed like in another world, such was its location in the countryside, before I went on to Glossop.

Hyde United 3 Scarborough Athletic 1 (Saturday 23^rd December 2017) Northern Premier League Division One North (att: 638)

Every so often you just have to admit to having had one of those days; usually if you have a real interest in a match owing to your support of one of the teams in an important match. This was definitely one of those days.

It had started out well with a fantastic full English breakfast at the excellent Café Sorrento on Woburn Place; close to Euston station. Things began to come unstuck as soon as it came to getting on the train.

The previous two services had been cancelled; meaning three train load of passengers were trying to get on to the 9.40. Many were carrying excess luggage and presents as they headed home for Christmas. It could be best described as mayhem with standing room only.

I managed to squeeze into my reserved seat next to a lady with two huge bags hanging over her knees. There just wasn’t any other space. We departed five minutes late, and then stood outside Leighton Buzzard for no explained reason for ten minutes, before continuing at a snail’s pace.

A further delay outside Crewe station meant a thirty minute delay in total. The remainder of the journey was brightened up after the lady had been replaced by an old fella swigging a can of cider. I turned off my IPod and asked him if he was going to a match?

He turned out to be a Walsall fan heading to his team’s game at Rochdale. We chewed the fat and had a good old chunter about “fans” not supporting their local club, modern players and TV ruining the game. At least I got off smiling at Piccadilly.

I’d bought tickets for my connection on my phone before arriving into Manchester, meaning I could get straight on the service heading to Hadfield; where the TV series The League of Gentlemen was shot, with a couple of minutes to spare.

My destination was Godley. It was hard to believe we were only fifteen minutes outside a major city as I got off in beautiful countryside. Within five minutes I’d found the hidden away Godley Inn Hotel for lunchtime drinks.

My good pals Frazer and Guy were already in watching the El Classico on TV. Frazer lived just round the corner, while Guy had travelled over from Leeds. It was a smashing old fashioned local with friendly folk, despite the real ale not being too brilliant.

We had a good catch up and chat while thoroughly enjoying Barca smashing Real. Far too quickly it became time to head towards the match. Fred had texted me to let me know that the arrangements to segregate the game had been dropped and we could use the clubhouse.

This was good news for Frazer, who’s lad was there supporting Hyde. The segregation came about because of some argy bargy between some of the two sets of fans at the FA Cup tie at the Flamingo Land Stadium a couple of months previously.

It was an over reaction, especially as the majority of the protagonists were absent. We paid £8 admission after a ten minute walk to Ewen Field and entered the clubhouse. The atmosphere was fine; although a handful from both sides were far from exemplary.

I was in the loo when the OTT chants at each other began across the room. I was waiting for that familiar roar as it all kicked off. Fortunately it got no worse than nasty stares and chants. I heard a Dad having to try and explain to his little lad what was going on. It was all a bit embarrassing really.

It turned out that the plans to separate the fans had been abandoned as Hyde couldn’t find anyone with a mobile catering van to go into the away end. It just about summed up the day as a travelling fan.

Hunger had kicked in, so I got myself a meat and potato pie and a Bovril. The highlight of the pie was the spud. It wasn’t the best. The match was just to begin as I stood by the Main Stand; where a Boro fan and a couple of cohorts continued to cover himself in glory.

The vocal home fans were in the terrace just to the side. Boro fans were massed on the covered terrace opposite. The chanting at each other continued. No doubt I was getting older, but surely it had have been better directed at supporting the teams?

In the first minute I was astonished when a Boro defender nearly pulled the shirt off the back off Hyde centre back Tyrone Gay from a set piece. It was a definite penalty. Not for the first time, the weak and inconsistent referee Michael Crusham got it wrong.

Both sides were going at it hammer and tong on the pitch. The challenges were flying in thick and fast in what was a crucial game; with Hyde in third spot and Boro in fifth position. It was obvious that a strong set of officials were required. Alas, they were not.

The Tigers went ahead as I was making my way round to the rest of the Seadogs after mounting the early pressure. Phattharaphol Khamsuk fired in a shot on eleven minutes. I was right behind it and it was heading straight at Boro keeper Tommy Taylor. Unfortunately, Jamie Price limply stuck out a leg and the ball was diverted into the net.

I’d got into position with my pals just behind the dug outs when things went from bad to worse. Price pulled down Matthew Beadle as a cross went into the Boro box. Mr Crusham pointed to the penalty spot.

Beadle’s spot kick was nearly kept out by Taylor, but the ball squirmed under him and into the net to make it 2-0 after fourteen minutes. It’s fair to say that the away support was not very happy, with manager Steve Kittrick taking plenty of flak.

The “fan” who had stood out earlier took it way too far and lent over the barrier screaming at the Boro management staff and subs. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the manager, but this was ridiculous. The vast majority of the 200 or so travelling Seadogs were top class as usual throughout the game.

Scarborough were given a lifeline a couple of minutes later. United danger man Beadle was given a straight red card for use of an elbow in a challenge on Jimmy Knowles and was sent to the dressing rooms.

Kittrick didn’t make any immediate changes to personnel, tactics and formation despite the numerical advantage, the score in such a vital game and Hyde defending far deeper. It was so frustrating to see such an incohesive line up of talented footballers.

The forwards were playing too far apart, with leading goalscorer Michael Coulson often playing behind them. The midfield was playing too deep and didn’t link with any attacks. It was all a bit of a shambles if truth be told and Gay and the Hyde defence were having a relatively easy time.

The pattern continued towards the interval. Hyde deservedly headed down the tunnel with a deserved lead. It was great to catch up with some genuinely good supporters, who all seemed to offer similar opinions.

Substitute Nathan Valentine missed an absolute sitter with his head on a rare occasion that tricky winger Max Wright put in a good cross. The youngster was at his trickiest when he ran to the byline, but he was up against a good full back.

On the hour mark Boro had a great escape as Taylor pulled off a fine save with Tom Pratt firing over when fed from the returning cross. Dominic Marie then broke clear but saw his shot come back off the foot of the Seadogs post.

Tigers keeper Peter Crook made a fine double save from Michael Coulson and Bailey Gooda before former Seadog Paddy Miller cleared off the line from a glancing header. Valentine also missed another guilt edged opportunity with his head.

Marie got clear on the left and fired a low shot inside the near post from the edge of the box. Boro got one back with a fine low shot from Nathan Curtis. Shortly after Crook made a fine save from a Walshaw save.

It hadn’t been really good enough from Athletic. The tactics and formation were wanting and manager Kittrick failed again in a crucial match. The players were there, but big changes in style needed adopting. The loyal fans deserved better.

Guy and I said goodbye to Frazer as the board went up to show four minutes additional time. We’d had enough. It was the first time I’d left a Boro game early since they were 4-0 down at Gravesend after an hour in the pouring rain. I was bloody angry that day as well.

It was definitely an age thing, but I was just as fed up with some of the prehistoric antics on the terracing. The sexist comments and wolf whistling towards the young female Hyde physio belonged to the 1970’s.

I found it rather sad to see a young girl, in her early twenties at most, leaning over the hoardings with her face contorted with hatred shouting foul mouthed abuse at the linesman and opposing full back.

I couldn’t be done with antagonistic chanting across a clubhouse. I love going to football to chat to people and make friends, both old and new. I got enough aggro from the punters at work without having it during my time off. As I say. It was maybe an age thing? I hadn’t always been an angel myself in the past.

We headed on a rather longer route than I thought to The Cheshire Ring pub. The excellent boozer served me a superb pint of Beartown Golden Hoppy Ale. Our pal Butch caught up with us as we took the train back to Piccadilly from Hyde Central.

We had time for a beer in The Mayfield on the station before we headed in our different directions. I was on the 6.35 and soon asleep after Macclesfield with a belly fully of warm pastie.

Back at Euston I rang my pal Steve Barnes and headed to The Midland in Hendon to meet Steve Speller, Richard and Keith. They’d just left Sliver Jubilee Park and had a fantastic day out watching Hendon win again.

That’s football. You have to have the bad days. It makes the good ones even better. Fed up though I was with Boro, I was soon checking the fixture list to see when I could next get to a game.

Hyde United 3 Scarborough Athletic 2 (Saturday 23^rd October 2021) Northern Premier League Premier Division (att: 604)

A Good game, lots of entertainment, an excellent venue, good catering, and proper football fans even if some have a strange hatred towards Scarborough, at least in their choice of songs. Mind you, Boro has some odd bods too.

I was still trying to work out how Boro lost for several days after but that's football. Hyde took their chances and didn't make as many errors. The hosts first goal, a simple ball through the middle expertly lobbed in by Tom Pratt. 

The equaliser before the break came through a fine low effort from Luca Colville, on the wingers’ debut after a move from Greenock Morton. Fellow new winger Bradley Plant smashed one against the underside of the bar as the Seadogs finished the half on top.

Optimism has a habit of biting you in the privates as a fan and sure enough James Cadman filling in at right back was easily beaten by Pratt out wide who then fired in an absolute beauty into the far top corner.

 

I thought from my view that Boro keeper Ryan Whitley had dropped a proper clanger for the third goal, but it appears that Pratt got a touch from the low free kick. My mood was a bit better after reading it in the report later. Colville got one back and the visitors pressed for a leveller, but it wasn’t to be.

I’d stayed the previous night in Rawtenstall, celebrating the 60th birthday of my pal Kes Roscoe, all time amateur record wicket taker in the Lancashire League. They even sorted out his own cask ale for the evening titled Kes' Arm Ball.

 

His band The Rifleman of War played their punk and new wave covers set along with another more established headline act at the cricket club. Crikey, I was seedy come matchday after a very long evening. The previous day’s journey via Leeds and Rochdale must have made me thirsty.

I was assisted towards the bus into Manchester from where I took the 201 service to the Cheshire Ring. It was still a good pub but a limited range on offer compared to my last visit. The Beartown Simcoe acting as hair of the dog. 

By then my brother, nephew and a couple of others had arrived at The Sportsman near the ground. The pub served ales from Rossendale Brewery, with the Halo Pale putting me back to near normal footing. Along with the excellent grub inside the ground.

I took the same bus back to Piccadilly to catch a train back to the metropolis at 18:15 which saw me sleeping for much of the way ready to assist my lovely customers back at work the following day.