User:TheHydeTiger/2011–12 Hyde F.C. season

The 2011–12 season is the 126th season in Hyde F.C.'s history, their seventh in the Conference North. Their nineteenth place finish in the 2010–11 season means it is their seventh successive season in the Conference North. The season covers the period from 1 June 2011 to 31 May 2012.

Hyde went into the league season having only lost two out of seven pre-season friendlies, against Mossley and Manchester City. After Hyde had released their full squad they signed a full new squad and had ten players making debuts for the club on the opening game against Worcester City. The only surviving member of the team from the 2010–11 season was Callum Byrne who had been on loan with the club in the later part of 2010–11 from Rochdale. After six games Hyde were the only team to be on maximum points.

Background
The 2010–11 season was the 125th anniversary of the football club, it saw the club change their name from Hyde United to Hyde F.C. and change the colour of the playing strip from red to white. It was a season where Hyde struggled and manager, Neil Tolson, was sacked in April 2011. Hyde appointed a new manager in May, Gary Lowe, who came to Hyde from their neighbours, Curzon Ashton, Lowe brought with him his assistant manager Martyn Booty, the pair signed one year contracts with the club. The pair of them attended a 'meet the manager' evening at Ewen Fields, where they would meet the fans and talk about what was to come for the forthcoming season. In June, the club announced that they would be changing back to a red strip after just one season in white, the strip would be provided by 'Pelada' and sponsored by the Manchester City Football Club scheme 'City in the Community'.

Pre-season
Defender's Mark Lees and Chris Lynch left the club in early June to join Hyde's league rivals Altrincham. On 17 June, at the 'meet the manager' evening where fans could come and speek to new manager Gary Lowe, Lowe stated that the whole squad would be let go and be filled by a squad of youngsters and 'a few' players from his former club Curzon Ashton would be joining the squad. On 28 June 2011, the club announced that they had linked up with the Glenn Hoddle Academy, after the academy left Spain to set up their new training camp in England. The academy was set to link up with Rushden & Diamonds, but the club were later demoted and subsequently the academy linked up with Hyde. On the same day Hyde signed eleven players including Ryan Burge who joined on a free transfer but was later sold to Port Vale for an undisclosed fee. Ben Williamson was also signed but was later loaned out to Port Vale. Other players signed on that day included Ryan Crowther, Callum Byrne, Joel Richardson, David Carnell, Luke Mack, Gianluca Havern, Joseph Evans, Nathan Martin and Brett Renshaw. Pre-season started with a 1–0 win over Woodley Sports, followed up by another win against New Mills. On 23 July, Hyde took on Mossley and were beaten 1–0. On 30 August, Hyde travelled to Glossop North End where they came away as 5–0 winners after goals from trialists Scott Spencer and Matthew Berkeley. On 1 August they beat Chadderton 8–3. A day later, Dave Birch was signed from Curzon Ashton. On the 5 August they played the first pre season home game against Manchester and were beaten 4–1 by a Manchester City side which contained Craig Bellamy and Nedum Onouha, Hyde's goal came through trialist Scott Spencer. Hyde finished pre-season with a 2–1 win over Chester at the Deva Stadium, after falling behind to a goal from ex-Hyde striker Chris Simm, Ryan Crowther scored two late goals to give Hyde the win. On 11 August, Hyde signed midfielder, Adam Birchall from Skelmersdale United along with Rory Fallon, another midfielder joining from Loughborough University. The day before the start of the league season Hyde signed another nine players, Tom Ingram was confirmed as a Hyde player along with Matthew Berkeley who signed from The New Saints. Hyde also signed midfielder Chris Worsley and striker Danny Broadbent of Curzon Ashton, goalkeeper Andrew Farrimond was signed on after a trial, Andrew Pearson was signed from Rhyl, Scott Spencer was brought in from Lincoln City, Joe Fox was signed from Hull City and Mike Whitwell, a striker signed from Frickley Athletic.

August
Hyde opened the season with a home game against Worcester City on 13 August in which they won 2–1, Ryan Crowther opened the scoring for Hyde before Scott Spencer added a second from the penalty spot. Centre back, Brett Renshaw was sent off in the second half for Hyde. On 17 August, Hyde travelled to Wales to face newly promoted Colwyn Bay, Hyde came out as 1–0 winners through a last minute goal from Scott Spencer, which put Hyde second in the table after the first two games. On 19 August, Adam Griffin was signed on a free transfer from Stockport County after he was not offered a new contract by the club at the end of 2010–11. A day later Hyde beat Corby Town 4–0 away from home, striker Scott Spencer scored all four goals. Hyde went to the top of the table on goal difference after the game. This was followed up by another 4–0 win at home to Hinckley United, Matthew Berkeley scoring twice, Ryan Crowther and Scott Spencer adding the other two goals. The following Saturday Hyde beat Altrincham, 2–1 in the Cheshire derby, both goals coming from Scott Spencer, which took his goal tally to nine in just five games for the club. On the bank holiday Monday that followed, Hyde travelled to Gloucester City without top-scorer Scott Spencer, who picked up a knock in the match against Altrincham. Hyde came out as 2–0 winners, Matthew Berkeley scoring a penalty which was won by strike partner, Danny Broadbent and the other goal was scored by Danny Broadbent himself.

September
On 1 September, manager Gary Lowe was named as the Conference North 'manager of the month' for August 2011 after Hyde finished the month with a 100% recored in the league. Hyde's nine goal striker, Scott Spencer was just beaten to the 'player of the month' award by Stalybridge Celtic striker Phil Marsh who scored a hat-trick whilst Spencer was sat out with an injury, that took Marsh to ten goals, one more than Spencer. On 2 September, Hyde signed defender, Danny Hall from Stockport County along with right sided player, Michael Aspin and former Manchester United player Remi Moses' son, Tunji Moses. Hyde started the month off well, beating Harrogate Town 3–2, Harrogate took the lead through Paul Brayson but Ryan Crowther equalised before Harrogate went ahead again, Danny Broadbent equalised before half time, Hyde full-back Mike Aspin was carried off on a stretcher mid-way into the second half. Hyde took all three points when Matthew Berkeley scored a 92nd minute penalty. On 6 September, Joseph Evans left the club to go and play for Skelmersdale United, Hyde kept the players conference registration. On 9 September, Mike Whitwell left the club to join Northern Premier League side Worksop Town. A day later Hyde travelled to Cumbria to take on Workington where they came out as 3–0 winners, Daniel Broadbent, Scott Spencer and Ryan Crowther scoring for Hyde. On 13 September, Hyde beat local rival Droylsden 3–2 away from home. The following Saturday, Hyde secured thiir tenth win of the season, beating Gainsborough Trinity 3–1 at Ewen Fields, Hyde's goals were scored by Ryan Crowther, Danny Hall and Scott Spencer. This win meant that it was Hyde's best start to a league season since 1925. On 20 September, Hyde faced Chester in the Cheshire Senior Cup and were beaten 2–0. On 24 September, Hyde then dropped their first points of the season as they drew 2–2 away at Eastwood Town, Hyde took the lead through Scott Spencer but Eastwood levelled just before half time and eventually took the lead in the second half. Andy Pearson was sent off for Hyde, before Eastoowd went down to ten men in the last minute. Hye grabbed an equiliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time through Danny Hall. On 29 September, Hyde striker Matthew Berkeley was called up to play for Saint Kitts and Nevis national football team for their World Cup qualifiers against Puerto Rico and St Lucia.

October
Hyde started the month with an away trip to Staveley Miners Welfare in the FA Cup on the 1 October. Hyde came out as 3–0 winners, goals coming from Matthew Berkeley and two from Ryan Crowther. On 7 October, Hyde defender Brett Renshaw joined FC Halifax Town on a one-month loan deal. A day later Hyde faced Nuneaton Town at Ewen Fields, the game ended 1–1, Hyde fell behind before Ryan Crowther equilised. On 14 October, Hyde signed defender Josh Brizell from Rochdale and goalkeeper Will Jones from Corby Town. Hyde were beaten 1–0 in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup by Northern Premier League side Bradford Park Avenue, Hyde midfielder Chris Worlsey was sent off before Bradford scored their winner in second half stoppage time.