History of AFC Hucknall
04 Jan 2007

The Club was formed in August 2004 as SEVEN STARS FOOTBALL CLUB by former Manager and Current General Secretary Adam Thurman, along with former Assistant Manager Tom Walker (Both are Management Committee Members now)

2004/05 Mansfield League - The side played several friendly matches in August, September and October, with mixed success. This was the plan to prepare for league football for the following season. But due to a vacancy in the Mansfield & District Sunday League, a team in Division 6 (the League has 9 divisions) had folded after only 5 matches, we gratefully accepted the Leagues offer of Membership. If nothing else it helped ease the burden of arranging friendly matches each week, it also proved to be a very competitive League, and many of the players who were with us at the time found it hard to cope with Sunday Football.

The first season was a struggle, having to play "catch-up" on the other sides due to us not being entered into league action until mid November. However the team wasn't totally disgraced only averaging 3-1 defeats, and won the last game of the season, 4-1 away at FC 703 to lift us off the bottom. The team was 1-0 behind at half time but a stirring fight back led by Mike Oxford two goals in the final ten minutes ensured an historic victory.

2004/05 Mansfield League - Div VI record
P W D L F A GD Pts Pos
22 3 3 16 27 70 -43 12 11

The 11 other sides in the Division that year - Cart & Horse (Champions), Oak Tree Ath (Runner up), Old Mill Lane(3rd), Black Swan(4th), Lurcher(5th), Boothys(6th), Lawson Mardon(7th) , The Miller(8th), Shirebrook RBL(9th), FC 703(10th), Sutton Dynamo (Bottom)

Total Players Signed = 38
!!! Presentation Night Winners !!!
Player’s Player of the Year - Lee Weir
Manager’s Player of the Year - Ash Ward
Most Improved Player - Paul Plenty
Sportsman of the Year - Nathan Butler
Outstanding Contribution Award - Adam Thurman
-----------------------------

2005/06 Mansfield League - After a stuttering start the side managed to get some sort of League form together in late November. Despite going out of both cups in the early rounds (Notts FA & Mansfield League Cup) the League was were the team wanted to establish itself after such a difficult first season. The managers, Thurman and Alan Walker, added two key players to the team. Veteran Gary Towle was the first, he had a clutch of clubs chasing for his signature, but Towle put pen to paper during the summer. The second key signing, Martyn Gould, arrived at the start of a 9 match unbeaten run. The un-beaten run was a proud achievement considering the difficult first season.

There were several highlights during the season, a 2-1 home victory over Ritz, who were top of the League with a 100% Record at the time. The 7-0 thrashing of Oak Tree Mango was a great result (this still remains a Club record for a league match) and also the fight back in the final game of the season, at Langwith Gate Hotel. The team was 3-1 down at half time but a superb second half saw the team over turn the deficit and take the lead with minutes remaining. The game ended 4-4 but was a fitting tribute to end the Seven Stars FC and Mansfield League Era.

2005/06 Mansfield League - Div VI record
P W D L F A GD Pts Pos
22 10 3 9 58 52 +6 33 4=

The 11 other sides in the Division that year - Redgate (Champions), Ritz (Runner up), Plough Ollerton(3rd), Langwith(4th), Lawson Mardon (6th), Fox & Crown(7th) , The Miller(8th), Boothys(9th), Bold Forester(10th), Shirebrook(11th), Oak Tree Mango (Bottom)
Total Players Signed = 34
!!! Presentation Night Winners !!!
Player’s Player of the Year - Jimmy Parkes
Manager’s Player of the Year - Paul Coleman
Most Improved Player - Darren Robinson
Sportsman of the Year - Mike Oxford
Outstanding Contribution Award - Gary Towle
Club Loyalty Awards - Tom Walker, Lee Weir & Paul Coleman
-----------------------------

2006/07 Nottingham Combination Div 1 & Nottingham Girls & Ladies League - Div 1 -
During the summer of 2006, the Club grew, changed the name from Seven Stars to AFC Hucknall. Adding the Ladies Team which is competing in the Nottm Girls & Ladies League. Alan Walker became Club Chairman . . .

Men's Team - Several new signings have been made along with key changes within the Team Management. Paul Gillies is now the “Gaffer“, with Adam Thurman taking up the Vice Chairman & General Secretary role within the club. Gillies officially took over the manager position in November, but had been a big help to Thurman since coming to the Club during the summer.

The team has had a mixed start to the first half of the season. Home form has been very poor, with only 1 win in the League. However, the away form has been fantastic, seeing the side collect 15 of the current 21 points on the road. The Team is also through to the Quarter Final of the League Cup, facing a tough match away to Premier side Priory Celtic in early January.

Ladies Team - The side was formed in July 2006 and currently has 26 members. Most of the players are new to football and are new to the 11 a side game. The side has worked hard in all of the matches and won their first ever game in December, a fantastic game against Castle Donington. Alan was manager but due to pressure of the joint role that also involves Chairman, has stepped down and Richard Spence is now the man in charge. The future looks good for this ever improving Ladies Team . . .

More to follow on Both teams as the season develops . . . . . . .