All supporters are welcome to attend the launch, where new manager Scott McNiven will also be present alongside some members of the playing staff.

Replica home and away shirts will be available to purchase on the day, priced at £30 for adult sizes and £25 for children. All shirts will come with free Hyde FC souvenirs.

Allan has released the following statement to the supporters:

It has been a privilege to be chairman of Hyde FC in a season where we have seen some fantastic football resulting in our players becoming Blue Square Bet North champions for the first time in our history.

It is with deep regret that I have decided to step down as chairman and board member as of Friday 11th May. Due to business commitments I can no longer give the time necessary to fully perform the duties of chairman as I would wish.

I was very saddened that Gary and Martyn felt that they had to leave the club due to budget restraints, but as I have always said, the budget must reflect the income.

I would like to say thank you to John Manship for his financial commitment 2 years ago, without it we would not have survived to witness this special season.

To Ted and Howard who have been very hard working in many and diverse aspects throughout this season your support has been immense.

Andrew McAnulty was elevated from supporters club secretary to football club secretary overnight. This is by far the hardest job in the club and Andrew performed it faultlessly. Andrew’s shrewdness in rearranging games early on in the season, I think, played a part in helping us win the league.

I thank our most recent director Joe Kitchen for his help and the advice he has given me.

Mostly, I thank you the supporters and helpers. I will not name names for fear of leaving anybody out but we all know who you are. Your help and support have been immense this season and it has been a privilege and an honour to work with you.

So next season, in the Blue Square Bet PREMIER, Dee and I will be swapping the boardroom for the terraces again.

See you behind the dugouts,

Allan

Also, as announced at Monday’s supporters’ meeting, Tigers chief executive Ted Davies has resigned from the board to concentrate on his role in developing the club’s new football academy.

Photo: Paul Prole

Scott can already claim that he’s made a huge contribution to Hyde’s recent history. With the Tigers languishing in the Blue Square Bet North relegation zone with 5 games of the 2010 – 2011 season remaining, he was installed as joint-caretaker manager alongside Steve Halford and oversaw a 5-match unbeaten run which saw the club escape the drop to the Evo-Stik League.

But despite being overlooked for the permanent job in favour of Gary Lowe, Scott isn’t bitter and is looking forward to the challenge of managing the Tigers in the Conference National:

When I got the phonecall I couldn’t believe it at first – I thought it was a wind-up! But once I realised it was true I jumped at the chance.

It feels like unfinished business as I enjoyed it immensely first time round and was disappointed not to get the job last time.

It’s definitely a baptism of fire as it’ll be much harder than the league we’ve just come from. Obviously we’ll be in a full-time league but I believe we can stay up. Everyone says it’s difficult, but you look at Southport who just missed out on the play-offs, and they aren’t full-time.

The question we will pose to the lads is that “you’ve won the Conference North. Now can you raise the bar again and stay in the league?”

Scott also made it clear that he doesn’t want to have to make too many changes to last season’s Blue Square Bet North-winning side:

We’ll be looking to keep the squad. I’d be foolish to break it up.

I only saw the team a couple of times last season but I’ve heard such good things about them, so I don’t want to change the winning philosophy. I like us to get down and play anyway so it should be good.

Joining Scott in the dugout will be ex-Everton, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Bolton midfielder Gavin McCann who will take up the role of Hyde FC first-team coach, and “Nivs” thinks he’ll be a top asset to the club:

Gavin McCann is someone I have known from a very early age. He’s a top coach now and will be in the future.

When I spoke to him he jumped at the chance and I didn’t really have to sell it to him.

Despite having played at the top level for most of his career, he’s watched a lot of non-league, so believe it or not he knows the scene quite well and has a lot of friends playing or managing at this level.

The board have always made it very clear that the club will never pay out what they can’t afford, and the new gaffer doesn’t have a problem with the money he’s been given to work with:

Unless we draw Man United in the cup, the budget is the budget we have to use to the best of our advantage.

For me, money isn’t everything, and that’s what I’ll be looking for from the players that I do bring in. As a footballer I wanted to play and not sit on the bench, so I’ll want them to be hungry.

But does Scott still have that hunger to pull his boots on and add to his 78 appearances for Hyde?

Neither myself or Gavin will be playing – unless it’s an emergency or if the fans shout for us!

Meanwhile, the first friendly game of the Tigers’ pre-season schedule has been confirmed as away at Curzon Ashton on Saturday 14th July 2012 at 3pm.

Days after leading the Tigers to the Blue Square Bet North championship and the Conference for the first time in the club’s history, Gary and Martyn rejected the board’s excellent offer of a playing budget and personal terms for the 2012 – 2013 season and have now departed Ewen Fields.

Former Hyde FC caretaker manager Scott McNiven and ex-Everton, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Bolton midfielder Gavin McCann have since been appointed by owner John Manship as manager and first team coach respectively.

Scott will need little introduction to the Hyde supporters. The defender / midfielder made 78 appearances for the club between 2009 and 2011 and was installed as joint-caretaker manager at the end of the 2010 – 2011 season.

Scott oversaw a 5-match unbeaten run which saw the Tigers escape relegation to the Evo-Stik League during this short stint in charge, and has most recently been on the coaching staff at Evo-Stik League First Division North champions AFC Fylde.

New first team coach Gavin made over 300 appearances in the Premier League during his playing career was capped once for England in a 3 – 0 win against Spain in 2001.

The 34-year-old retired from professional football 12 months ago and has since been working with the youth teams at Bolton Wanderers.

The club would like to thank Gary and Martyn for a tremendous year in charge of Hyde FC and would like to welcome Scott and Gavin to Ewen Fields.

Please spread the word about the parade and encourage your friends, family and local pubs to step outside and thank the players for an incredible season.

The coach will leave the ground at 6.30pm and will take the following route:

1. Past the Gardeners Arms and up Lumn Road
2. Left at the Clarkes Arms
3. Up Stockport Road, past the Werneth
4. Through Gee Cross village
5. Down Stockport Road, past the Grapes Hotel, the Cheshire Cheese and  the Lamb Inn
6. Right onto Dowson Road
7. Down Market Street, past the Shepherds Call and the Last Orders

The Tigers will then arrive at the town hall at 7pm for a civic reception with the mayor. Doors for supporters attending the player of the year awards night will open half an hour later.

Tickets for the awards night are priced at just £15 and guarantee a seat and a hot meal, as well as entertainment including a band and a DJ. Club photographer Paul Prole will also be in attendance to capture what promises to be a very special evening.

Only a handful of places remain, so supporters should reserve their tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime event at the earliest opportunity by calling 0161 366 6874 or 07940 736378. Please note that smart dress must be worn.

Match details

Saturday 28th April 2012
Bridge Road att: 667
Blue Square Bet North

Referee: Andy Hendley

Teams

Histon: Stadelmann, Mills, Fitzsimons, Grant Roberts, Clerima, Livermore, Taaffe (Libertucci), Stevenson, Holman, Gomez-Pico, Sparkes

Unused subs: Hawkins, Kitscha, Day, Sessions

Bookings: Stevenson

Goals: Holman (pen 55)

Hyde: Carnell, Brizell, Griffin, Pearson, Hall, Moses (Birch), Worsley (Edghill), Byrne, Abadaki (Broadbent), Spencer, Poole

Unused subs: Havern, Frith

Bookings: Birch

Goals: Pearson (45)

Match report

Hyde travelled to Cambridgeshire under no pressure after securing the league title the week before.

The game had a real end of season feel to it despite Histon needing a point to be certain of staying up. They had a couple of half chances early on through Daniel Sparkes and Lewis Taaffe which David Carnell easily dealt with, and at the other end David Poole’s cross clipped the crossbar with Jorg Stadelmann grasping at thin air.

Taaffe then had a goal ruled out for offside before Hyde took the lead right on the stroke of half-time when Adam Griffin’s inswinging free-kick was flicked in by Andy Pearson.

They nearly doubled the lead when Stadelmann just beat Poole to the ball, but the loose ball fell to Godwin Abadaki who tried to round the Austrian ‘keeper but had it whipped off his toes.

The home side came out with urgency and equalised when Dan Holman ran through and saw his shot well saved by Carnell, but the follow-up shot was handled and the referee Mr Hendley pointed to the spot. Holman steeped up and sent the Hyde ‘keeper the wrong way. Sparkes then burst through but Carnell saved well again.

Both sides seemed content to play out the last 10 minutes without incident, although Scott Spencer’s shot was shovelled around the post by Stadelmann and Poole had a shot just wide, before the curtain came down on a very successful season for the Tigers.

Photos

The awards, in association with Viper 10 Sportswear, look for the outstanding players and personalities of the season, and Hyde have been shortlisted for the Mark Harrod team of the year award, while Gary is in the running for the SharetheMatch manager of the year prize.

Those who come out on top of the readers’ poll will be honoured at a glittering award lunch at Stamford Bridge next month.

To register your vote and help thank the players and gaffer for a wonderful season:

• Tweet your vote to @NonLeaguePaper with the award and hashtag #NGA.
• Write on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NonLeaguePaper.
• Email your choices to NGAvotes@hotmail.co.uk.
• Post your vote to NGA votes, The Non-League Paper, Tuition House, St George’s Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU

Our Blue Square Bet North championship-winning squad will arrive at the town hall at 7pm for a civic reception with the mayor before doors open to supporters half an hour later.

Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime evening are priced at just £15 and guarantee a seat and a hot meal, as well as entertainment including a band and a DJ. Club photographer Paul Prole will also be in attendance to capture what promises to be a very special evening.

Places are strictly limited and so supporters should reserve their tickets at the earliest opportunity by calling 0161 366 6874 or 07940 736378. Please note that smart dress must be worn.

And if you’ve not picked your player of the season yet, voting for the supporters’ player of the year and young player of the year awards remains open until Saturday 28th April. To vote, follow the link below, enter your name and email address and choose your winners.

Click here to vote in the Hyde FC player of the year awards.

The club also hope to confirm details in the coming days of an open top bus tour from Ewen Fields to the town hall.

Once the final whistle was blown after the Tigers’ 4 – 1 defeat of Boston, all eyes were on Guiseley who had beat Bishop’s Stortford if they were to maintain their title challenge.

Despite Guiseley being a goal down, the Lions’ knack of performing remarkable comebacks this season meant that Ewen Fields had to suffer a nervous wait – made even more unbearable when the news of 6 minutes of injury time at Nethermoor filtered through.

With eyes glued on mobile phones, the confirmation that Guiseley had suffered their first defeat in 2 months spread in a matter of seconds, with Mike Pavasovic’s announcement over the public address system sparking jubilant scenes among the players and supporters that will never be forgotten.

The title represents a massive turnaround in fortunes for the club, who escaped relegation to the Evo-Stik League on the final day of the 2010 – 2012 season and were 50 – 1 outsiders to win the championship with some bookmakers when the odds were announced last August.

New manager Gary Lowe and his assistant Martyn Booty completely rebuilt the side over the summer, with just one player – former Rochdale loanee Callum Byrne – surviving from the previous season’s great escape.

A remarkable run of 10 consecutive wins at the start of the season saw the Tigers storm to the top of the table after 4 games, a position that, after a slight dip of form in October, was regained in November and was never relinquished.

Stalybridge, Halifax, Nuneaton and Guiseley have all threatened to challenge Hyde for the title during the season, but the Tigers have kept their nerve to win the league with a game to spare.

Keep an eye on this page over the coming days for more updates and reaction from a never to be forgotten season.

In the media

Gary Lowe is on a high after Tigers clinch promotion – Manchester Evening News
Hyde FC crowned Blue Square Bet North champions – Tameside Radio

Online reaction

A collection of the best tweets from supporters, players, management and opponents from 4.53pm – the moment Hyde clinched the title – and onwards, are available to view on Storify.

Photos

Paul Prole

David Shipman

Available on Facebook.

Match details

Saturday 21st April 2012
Ewen Fields att: 1047
Blue Square Bet North

Referee: Ricky Wootton

Teams

Hyde: Carnell, Brizell, Griffin, Pearson, Havern, Birch, Worsley, Poole (Payne 76), Broadbent (Abadaki 81), Spencer, Gray (Moses 85)

Unused subs: Hall, Byrne

Bookings: Spencer (84)

Goals: Poole (2), Broadbent (19), Spencer (pen 83), Payne (90)

Boston United: Bastock, Marshall, Canoville, Stainfield, Jelleyman, Milnes, Ross, Burge, Newsham, Weir-Daley (Fairclough 66), Smith (Semple 66)

Unused subs: Ward, Austin, Reed

Bookings: Canoville, Burge, Miles (sent off), Jelleyman

Goals: Ross (30)

Match report

Gary Lowe hailed his side’s efforts over the season as Hyde created history and were promoted to the Conference National for the first time in their history:

The success has been down to lots and lots of hard work by the players and the people behind the scenes. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this at the start of the season and it was great to clinch the title today in front of our own fans.

Lowe also paid tribute to their closest rivals in the table, Guiseley:

I have massive respect for what Guiseley have done this season and the way they have chased us. Steve Kittrick has done a fantastic job but we have managed to hold our nerve.

The Tigers had to make sure they did their job and did that emphatically as they got off to the perfect start on 2 minutes when David Poole pounced on a fumble by experienced custodian Paul Bastock to settle the nerves.

Poole could have soon doubled the lead but scuffed wide in the box.

The lead was doubled when Bastock came for a cross but was beaten to it by Danny Broadbent who headed home.

At this stage the league leaders looked like cruising to victory but were pegged back by a superb Ian Ross free-kick.

Poole had a chance to restore the 2 goal advantage before half-time but chipped just wide after going through one-on-one.

Bastock redeemed himself for his earlier mistake when he saved well with his legs after a stinging Reece Gray volley and also had to save well from Scott Spencer and Broadbent, though he was powerless when Broadbent cut inside – but the shot fizzed just wide.

Boston were reduced to 10 men when Milnes, already on a booking, was shown a second yellow card for dissent by referee Ricky Wooton.

Hyde were then awarded a penalty after substitute Shelton Payne was fouled and leading scorer Spencer tucked it away before Payne sprinted away and scored a wonderful individual goal to put gloss on the scoreline.  

Photos