Hucknall Town Football Club formally opened their new ground in a ceremony featuring local footballing hero Nigel Clough on Thursday, 8 December.
The new RM Stadium had its ribbon-cutting ceremony led by club chairman Bob Scotney alongside Clough, with hundreds of fans in attendance for a first glimpse around the facilities.
It follows over a decade of planning that has gone into the move, with the ground just a stone’s throw away from Hucknall’s former Watnall Road home.
Scotney, who has been involved in the move throughout, said: “This was first mooted about 15 years ago, and then with one setback after the other, it just ground to a halt.
“We have finally got there, though, and it is hugely exciting.”
The state-of-the-art facilities, as well as the appearance of Mansfield Town manager Clough, were a big draw on the night for fans, with well over 300 in attendance for the ribbon cutting.
It is a duty that Clough’s father, Brian, performed when Watnall Road was redeveloped back in 2003, so Nigel was always the top target on this occasion.
Clough said: “I remember the old ground from 20 years ago when we played there with Burton [Albion].
“New grounds are special; I think they get extra supporters coming in to see the facilities, they like it, and it is very important to have the bar and everything as well as the beautiful stadium.
“It can be a good platform to build on for success – we know that from being at Burton.”
As one of the best-supported clubs at step ten of the English footballing pyramid, Hucknall’s sights are firmly set on progress.
The club’s leadership were quietly confident about delivering this improvement, too.
First-team manager, Andy Ingle, said: “For me, tonight is the start of a project.
“It is not a football club anymore; it is more than that.
“I have always had that thing in my head that I would like to be involved in a project, and now that I’m top of the tree, if you like, I’m looking at it and thinking ‘yeah, let’s make the most of it’.”
Scotney, meanwhile, said: “We are aiming to reach step four [of non-league] with the crowds that we are hoping to generate.
“That should be sustainable, though, and without any outside financial input.”
Reaching such a level would see Hucknall compete with the likes of Basford United, Carlton Town and Eastwood CFC to regain a status they once held in the 2000s as the premier semi-professional club based around Nottingham.
Fans at the event were optimistic about the stadium’s role in these aims.
Garry Callan, 60, said: “I think it will improve the standard of player the club is able to bring in.”
Liam Neale, 21, said: “I started going across the road about two years ago and I thought it was a bit run-down, so this is fantastic.
He continued: “The facilities here are top-class, so I hope we can push on in the next few years.”
Feature Image Credit: Will Hugall