There’s a lot of choice for non-league clubs in the Nottinghamshire area, Hucknall Town are making themselves a viable option for those in and around the area.
Hucknall Town’s inaugural season at Step 6 football has been full of ups and downs. The Yellows have only picked up 22 points this season, but that looked enough to ensure survival and a second season at their highest level as a club.
Leading Pinchbeck United by 3 points and a 40-goal-difference going into this meeting with Boston Town, Semi-Professional took a trip to Ariel Way for their penultimate fixture of the season…
Accessibility
For those using public transport to come from Nottingham City Centre, there are a couple of options to make the journey as smooth as possible. The Threes fleet of buses to Mansfield and Sutton will stop outside the ground 20 minutes or so after leaving Nottingham City Centre’s Victoria Bus Station.
Alternatively, you can hop on the tram to Hucknall and depart at Baths Lane stop before walking 20 minutes, where you will find Ariel Way.
Drivers have plenty of spaces to park outside the ground and on busy match days, the retail park across the road will allow parking on their site, so there’s no chance of missing out on a spot.
Rating 9/10
State of the pitch
As to be expected for the ground of a step 6 side, there were plenty of bobbles during the game, but it’s important to note Nottingham has had extreme spells flooding to deal with since the start of the season, taking its toll on the surface.
It was far from carpet-like, but equally didn’t have too much impact on the fixture, bar the odd heavy bounce. Overall, I think the ground staff can be pleased with their efforts considering some of the conditions thrown their way at times.
Rating 6/10
Scran
There’s a food van right outside the ground once you collect your ticket with all the matchday classics on offer. I went with the hot dog. It came to £6, which I was sceptical about at first in all honesty, but the portion and quality was a big plus in all fairness. I’d have said £5 would have been fair value.
After I finished eating, I had time to spare to pop into the clubhouse, where I picked up a pint of Fosters for £4, probably on par with my local pub so no complaints there (bonus points for allowing fans to drink on the side lines)..
Overall, food and a pint for ten quid can’t be knocked, and the service made up for any concerns.
Rating 8/10
Atmosphere
With it being the final home game of the season, fans were given free entry into the game, and this contributed to a nice buzz around the ground. The pressure was off for Hucknall with their safety all but confirmed, also helping ease the tension around the ground, allowing Town fans to enjoy a free hit of a fixture..
A section of supporters behind the goal were instigators of many creative and catchy chants throughout the 90 minutes, and despite the lack of goals, noise didn’t go amiss. All credit to the handful of Boston Town fans who turned up, playing their part in the atmosphere, especially when victory for them was confirmed after the final whistle.
It was nice to see a mix of all ages supporting the club, an encouraging sign for the future of the club.
Rating 7/10
Facilities
I won’t pretend it’s a particularly glamorous ground, but its got the essential needs of a non league stadium pretty much nailed. The clubhouse and tea bar seat plenty of people and are nicely laid out.
The stadium seats 270 people, all located in one spacious stand, while fans are allowed to stand behind both goals and move as they please.
If you’re feeling fancy the club offers hospitality seats in the form of a porta building, a bit of charm rooted in non-league.
Rating 7/10
Overall
The matchday experience at Hucknall was a very pleasant and welcoming one with a great initiative to get families into the ground.
Having come up to a new level and consolidated, the future could be very promising for the yellows both on and off the pitch, which will only continue to make the matchday experience
Rating 37/50