Town's big kick-off washed out

HUCKNALL TOWN's eagerly-awaited start to the new football season turned into a damp squib.

For their opening match in the Blue Square North, away to Fleetwood Town, was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Mick Galloway and Andy Miller's new-look Yellows had just arrived at the Highbury Stadium in Lancashire when the referee made his decision after more than three hours of heavy rain in the Blackpool area. Most observers agreed that it was the correct move.

The match, against last season's Unibond League, Premier Division champions, will be re-arranged for a later midweek date.

Hucknall's new 2008/09 season will now kick-off on Tuesday night with a home game against Gainsborough Trinity (7.45 pm).

Gainsborough's assistant manager/coach is former Nottingham Forest and Chesterfield defender Steve Blatherwick (34), who hails from Hucknall and was strongly linked with the managerial vacancy at Watnall Road at the end of last term.

The Lincolnshire outfit finished strongly to end up in 11th in the Blue Square North in 2007/08 – nine places and 18 points in front of The Yellows.