Hyde and seek? Jekyll and Hyde? Hyde-de-Hi? We’re sure the folks up at Hyde United have seen it all when it comes to headlines. You could even say – snork – they’re on a hyde-ing to nothing, no? OK – we’ll stop the rot now and leave you be. As far as things are concerned with the Tigers, we’re still looking back at our only game with them with a sense of regret. It seemed we were on course for the non-league double in 1995-6 – until the Greater Manchester site killed off our Trophy hopes with a shock quarter-final win.
For this story, some context first. A club called Hyde FC were formed in 1885, before merging with Hyde St Georges in 1906 and moving into Ewen Fields. But this club ultimately folded in 1917, leaving the town with no footballing representation. This did not do – so Hyde United were established in 1919 to give the people what they wanted. One season in the Lancashire and Cheshire Federation kicked things off, before the club joined the Manchester League. It’d be a competition they’d win five times in the 1920s.
In 1930, the Tigers moved to the Cheshire League. It saw them through until World War Two and out on the other side; the postwar era definitely the better of the two. They won back-to-back championships in 1955 and 1956, before taking second position in three of the next four seasons. One of them even saw them lose the title on goal average. After that, the 1960s were a bit lean. But it did end with them joining the Northern Premier League.
Mind you, they were only there for two seasons. In 1970, the Tigers switched back to the Cheshire League until 1982. We don’t know what prompted that decision, but we’re sure there’s a good reason. And they’d return to the Northern Premier League eventually.
Once back in the Northern Premier League, the Tigers were a familiar sight in its Premier Division. It was a common sight to find them in the top positions of the division during the 1990s. They just couldn’t win the thing. Things then took a nosedive in the 2000s, with relegation to Division One in 2004. But they bucked their ideas up; winning the Division One and Premier Division titles in succession. It earned them a place in Conference North, where they would drop the ‘United’ part in 2010.
By this point, the Tigers nearly went under. In fact, they were officially wound-up in the High Court– only to be saved at the 11th hour. With their future secure and a new owner, a deal with Manchester City led to that name change to plain old Hyde. And they managed to earn promotion to the National League in 2013. That adventure played out for just one season; the club immediately going back to National League North. There was another relegation in 2015, which sent them back to the Northern Premier League too.
And that was also the year they restored ‘United’ to their name.
The Tigers even lived out a season in the National League
How to get to Hyde United – Travel Information – Distance: 176 miles
By Road
The best way to get to Hyde is likely to be up the A1(M) and A1, before working your way across. To do this, exit at Junction 35 for the M18 towards Sheffield. At Junction 32 of the M18, come off and join the M1 towards Sheffield/Leeds. Next, come off the M1 at Junction 35a for the A616.
At the roundabout, take the second exit onto the A616 and go through two roundabouts on a 10.6-mile stretch. Once you arrive at Langsett Tour de France camping, take the first exit at the roundabout onto A628 and then – after 13.7 miles – continue onto the A57.
After another three miles, turn left onto Grange Road North; the first right of Miles Street taking you up to the ground after.
You can park at the ground for free – or use the Leisure Pool, which is £2 per car. Any street parking will have to be away from the ground as a residents scheme is in place.
By Train
Station: NEWTON FOR HYDE
Services to: MANCHESTER PICCADILLY
Newton for Hyde is the nearest station and is around half a mile. So, it’s not too arduous on the feet. Leave the station and head down Castle Street. Turn left onto Halton Street and get onto the other side of the M67 motorway; turning left into Andrew Street. Follow this around to the right, before continuing onto Villiers Street across the A57.