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.
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.[1] It was a season where Hyde struggled and manager, Neil Tolson, was sacked in April 2011.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] 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'.[5]
Defender's Mark Lees and Chris Lynch left the club in early June to join Hyde's league rivals Altrincham.[6][7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10][11]Ben Williamson was also signed but was later loaned out to Port Vale.[12][10] 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.[12][13] Pre-season started with a 1–0 win over Woodley Sports,[14] followed up by another win against New Mills.[15] On 23 July, Hyde took on Mossley and were beaten 1–0.[16] 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.[17] On 1 August they beat Chadderton 8–3.[18] A day later, Dave Birch was signed from Curzon Ashton.[19] 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.[20][21] 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.[22] On 11 August, Hyde signed midfielder, Adam Birchall from Skelmersdale United along with Rory Fallon, another midfielder joining from Loughborough University.[12] 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.[23]
^ abcdefghijklmn"New Signings". hydefc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2011. Cite error: The named reference "New Signings" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ ab"Match Details: Woodley Sports 0-1 Hyde". hydefc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2011. Cite error: The named reference "Match Details: Woodley Sports 0-1 Hyde" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
David Carnell
Matthew Berkeley