Toolstation NCEL Division One
FC Humber United say their changing their name again after merging with Central Midlands League side Askern Miners.
Since their formation in 2016, the club have been known as East Yorkshire Carnegie, East Hull, FC Humber United and now Askern Miners.
Whether the name change and move is ratified by the FA remains to be seen.
Askern finished second bottom of the Central Midlands League with just two wins.
An ‘Askern Miners’ has also applied to play in Division Two of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League and were due to be interviewed this week.
There is also an integrity issue.
Such a jump to Step 6 would be controversial as it would anger a host of Step 7 clubs who have hoped to be promoted this season and in previous campaigns.
It is unclear what the rules are regarding league placements following mergers.
As well, according to the statement, Askern’s ground hasn’t even received a ground grading visit – another bone of contention given Yorkshire Amateur were booted out of the NPL by the FA for not meeting the ground grading deadline of March 31st.
The news comes a day after Humber were reprieved from relegation.
Chairman, Richard Smales said: “It has been another interesting period for the club since the final game of last season. We knew we always had to find a permanent home and I am pleased to finally be able to secure this for the club. Yes we know, another name change but this time it has more substance and meaning behind it.
“We are pleased to be working with a group of likeminded football people, they are hard to come by these days in non-league football, however everyone involved at Askern has done a fantastic job in creating 20 junior teams and now aligning a senior team in Step 6 we can begin to create a long term pathway for players to aspire too and play at semi-professional level.
“Since initial conversations started only a few weeks back we have built a strong relationship and I am confident Marc, Danny and Sarah can form an amazing working relationship with everyone at Askern for the whole club to flourish in the coming years.
“We have also been able to secure the future for the FC Humber United brand as this will be based in Hull and compete in the East Riding Counties League and more details on this will be released in the near future. We look forward to a long term partnership with everyone at Askern.”
Askern Miners FC Secretary, Jaimi North said: “I would like to take this opportunity first and foremost to offer our thanks to the community for their continued support of Askern Miners Football Club and to our supporters, volunteers and families. Without you, we would not be the club we are today. To our players of all ages, you are amazing, talented, committed and our biggest asset. We are so proud of you all.
“We hope to see many of you at our upcoming end of season celebrations. The 2022-23 Season will soon be upon us. We are confident with your continued support, we will meet any challenges with the strength and might we always do and have many, many successes on and off the pitch.
“For the 2022-23 season and for the foreseeable future we are proud to announce the merging of FC Humber United with our club under the AMFC umbrella. The merging of the team into our club is a positive coming together of our club and a prestigious side who play semi-professional football in the Northern Counties East Football League.
“They were seeking a permanent home and the support of a community and we are thrilled to welcome a Step 6 Team into our club. Our current First and Youth Teams will work alongside their new associated team colleagues to continue to promote an inclusive, successful face of adult football, providing positive role models for our juniors. Aspirations and goals are important to everyone, particularly children.
“We are confident that our supporters, volunteers, families and our community will extend their welcome too and support this coming together. It will be a seamless transition for the team into AMFC. The club will continue to wear the same club colours, kits and training range.
“It has been a whirlwind of activities and meetings to make this happen. The AMFC committee have already struck up positive relationships with the leadership members of FC Humber. They have embraced our aims, objectives and ethos of the club and are excited to work alongside our already successful club adding their wealth of knowledge and experience in Step 6 football.
“Step 6 football was always an aspiration of AMFC and we have been fortunate to secure this much sooner than anticipated. Exciting time ahead for everyone.”