It was an emotional afternoon in Chesham as Hinckley United in all probability bowed out of existence on a sunny afternoon in Buckinghamshire. Chesham ran out comfortable 3-0 winners but what happened on the pitch was of little relevance, as what was happening on the terraces was of much more significance, as a hardy group of Hinckley fans said goodbye to their team for the last time.

Having been through an all too similar situation with Darlington two years ago, I am aware of the odd mixture of feelings a supporter can experience on a day like this. There is a feeling of disbelief initially, as you head to the game it still does not really hit you that this is the last game you may see your team play. The songs may be a little louder, the repertoire much more wide and varied to accommodate heroes and incidents of the past but you can’t help shaking the feeling it is still just another difficult away game.

Chesham’s “The Meadow” ground is located up a small round just outside the centre of town, nestled at the foot of some picturesque rolling hills and flanked but some huge, overhanging trees. There is a small, seater stand with 3 terraces on the other sides and a friendly, welcoming clubhouse tucked in one corner. It is certainly a nice ground but perhaps not the most likely place to lay a proud club to rest.

The travelling Hinckley fans managed some gallows humour pre kick off, a round of “We’re Hinckley ‘till Monday” echoing around the ground as the teams entered the pitch. Some of the locals were shocked to see a man from Leicestershire parading round in his Hinckley onesie, apparently their sensibilities were a little too offended for this. Luckily for them however, the Hinckley fans took up occupancy behind the goal on the far terrace, St. Georges Flags with “Hinckley” and “Leicestershire” proudly adorning a football terrace for the last time.

The noise all came from that end, until midway through the first half when Hinckley conceded a soft penalty, coolly dispatched by the Chesham striker. Fairy-tale endings are few and far between in games like these; Hinckley battled bravely and all of the first team played which in the circumstances should be recognised and applauded. Half time came, the Hinckley fans made their way past the bemused locals to the terrace behind the other goal, hoping to see some sort of revival but really just wanting to give their team a proper send off. Hinckley started bright and nearly grabbed a goal but Chesham soon restored order and dispatched two quick goals.

At this point, and it is something I also experience with about twenty minutes left, the magnitude of what is about to happen and what you are seeing really starts to dawn on you. The Hinckley chants were a mixture of vitriol towards their current owners and board and a real pride in their team. The noise was almost continuous for the entire second half, supporters cries of “For the last time lads” channelling Henry V and his “Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more”….even if they were not aware of it. Fans ran through chants not only of appreciation for actions on the pitch, but off it also. Perhaps the most touching part of the day was the appreciation to all those fans, stood next to them on the terrace, who had helped the club in some way, be it through social media (“There’s only one Hinckley Knitter”) or through years of volunteering and service with whatever needed doing.

A red smoke bomb was set off, filling the terrace and earning a telling off from the Chesham Stewards which earned a swift retort, “What are you going to do, fine us, we have no club on Monday”. One final bit of gallows humour before the real emotion set in. The clock ticked down, the sun began to fade behind the Chiltern Hills and the sun began to set on Hinckley United F.C. The chants became louder, the corrugated iron of the terrace taking a pounding as “Inckerley, Leicestershire” rang out over this quiet Southern town. Hinckley’s magnificent take on “Let it Be” was the final song being sung, hymn like, as the referee blew time on this small but proud football club.

That is the moment that everything really hits home. It really wasn’t just another away game. The orange shirts instead of heading for the dressing room turned and filed towards the terrace, the last time they will contest a football game, certainly in this guise. They came over to the fans, led by captain supreme Jazza P, not just applauding them but chatting, hugging and expressing the emotion that they themselves felt. There may have been a small, concrete dividing wall between the terrace and the pitch but this was one club all together, fans, players and management all sharing in grief, anger, pain, helplessness but also a great deal of pride at the town they ALL represented and will continue to do so.

Once more, there was a mixture of emotions. Some stood helpless barely able to take in the connotations, some chanted loudly and vociferously, determined to voice their pride in their team. Some just broke down, the tears flowing, a natural reaction to the shock of finally believing that this is the last time you will see this team turn out. One lone fan stood arms aloft, blue smoke bomb in one hand as the final Hinckley chant was given a rousing chorus as this small terrace in Chesham said goodbye to their football club. Whilst we may all debate difficult losses, bemoaning that it is the end of the world, there really is little crueller in football than having to do what those fans did, saying goodbye to your team. Hinckley United and their fans can be rightly proud of their team and their actions at Chesham however, going out with a bang, showing the pride and spirit that we all have in our own teams and giving their team one hell of a send-off. Whilst the next few days and weeks may be difficult, I am sure Hinckley will be back in a new guise, showing that same pride and spirit as they showed as they laid their team to rest in a small, sleepy corner of Buckinghamshire on Saturday 5th October, 2013.

Postscript:

I have to admit feeling slightly voyeuristic yesterday. I did debate whether to go to the game or not, I felt it is almost like going to someone’s funeral or wake that you never had any personal interaction with. However, as mentioned in the article, having been through similar myself with my club, I thought it 1) a great opportunity to reflect on what clubs mean to English football fans and how integral a part of the community they are (something I fear is all together lost at the top level) but 2) to see how even from a dark day like this, there is still a future to be found for a football club. I think both of these points were answered spectacularly by Hinckley United as a club and although it was hard to watch (I admit to becoming a little emotional at the end), it is important to have any document of an event like this for future reference for either a club going through similar or just for Hinckley as they rise from the ashes.