Histon Football Club will finally get their league season underway on Saturday after a summer of high activity caused by player departures, changing Covid restrictions and relocation into a different league.
It has been 42 weeks since the Stutes last played a league match, causing unprecedented challenges for the village club to overcome. Club Director John Payne told us, “Much of the last nine months has been spent trying to maintain our income streams so that the club could emerge from the enforced shutdown relatively unscathed. This we have largely managed to do through a combination of reducing our spending, seeking alternative sources of income and claiming every grant we could possibly find.”
As previously reported, the club was moved into the Northern Premier League as part of the FA’s restructuring programme, a decision against which the club lost its appeal.
On the eve of the new league season, Payne added, “It comes as a huge relief that the club can now concentrate on playing football again. We have lost some good players as a result of our switch to a different league but Lance has recruited some very able replacements over the summer and the opportunity has opened up for some highly talented youth team players to show what they can do.
“We have now come to terms with the reality of having to travel further distances at greater cost to away matches and having to play against teams we know little about, but it is a challenge we will meet head on and with a positive attitude. In fact, there is something of a buzz emerging around the club with season tickets selling well and a lot of new interest being shown in the club.”
On Saturday the Stutes make the 234-mile round trip to play Belper Town, before hosting Daventry Town at Bridge Road on Tuesday evening with a 7.45 kickoff. Tickets for this match can be purchased in advance by visiting the club’s online shop at Ticket Home | Histon FC Web (ktckts.com)