Written by Max
Ground #71
Saturday 26th July 2025
UCL Premier Division North (Step 5)
Hucknall Town 0-1 Blackstones FC
Attendance: 284
Entry: £8
After many years of waiting, Hucknall Town finally moved into their new stadium on Aerial way in December 2022 with the ground officially opened by Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough. Two and a half years later we decided it was about time we gave it a visit and compared it to the former ground on Watnall Road which we visited shortly before it closed in 2021. On our walk to the ground we passed the old site which is currently being turned into a Lidl.
Since we visited the clubs former home the yellows have been promoted to step 5 thanks to a play off win in 2023. Since then they have built slowly and consolidated their place at the higher level with a couple of lower mid table finishes.
Today’s game was the UCL season opener as the yellows took on step 5 newcomers Blackstones who won promotion to this level by shocking both Retford sides in last seasons play offs.
The game started cagily with both teams struggling to create any chances of note. That was until just before the break when Hucknall forced a good save from the visiting keeper before putting the rebound over the bar.
From the resulting goal kick Blackstones countered and the forward should have done better but a scuffed shot wide summed up the game as the ref blew for half time.
Into the second 45 and it was Hucknall who controlled possession, but just like in the first half struggled to create any meaningful chances with both keepers having very little to do.
Just as the game was seemingly sleepwalking towards a 0-0 the visitors piled forward. The winger found the by-line and pulled it across to the forward who tucked it home at the back post to jubilant scenes from the visiting bench. They had snatched the 3 points at the death!
A dreadful game, with both teams still very much in pre season mode, but Blackstones wont care as their step 5 season starts with 3 points!
Now to rate Hucknall’s new ground:
Location 6/10
Hucknalls new ground is located just across the road from the old one. It is around a 30 minute walk from the train station and tram stop, with a couple of pubs en route. There is a car park in front the ground which filled up quickly but there is also an overflow round the back of the ground so there’s plenty of space if you are heading to the ground by car
Kit 6/10
Hucknall’s kit is a distinctive bright yellow shirt with yellow socks and black shorts. This season’s shirt is a nike design with a black pattern on the sleeves. A simple but smart design which many of the fans in the ground obviously liked with a lot of the crowd wearing replica shirts.
Facilities 6/10
Once through the turnstiles you can turn immediately left behind the main stand and down to the clubhouse. As you would expect with a brand new stadium, the bar area is bright and modern, but it seemed a little bit soulless and other than the trophy cabinet in the corner (which included the UCL division 1 play off trophy from their promotion winning game at Birstall in 2023) there was no real features making it seem like the home of Hucknall Town. The area was massive though, with plenty of seating for everyone in attendance.
Look 6/10
The main feature of the new ground is the main stand which spans the full width of the pitch. This includes all of the grounds 270 seats in the middle with covered standing areas at each side of the stand.
Behind one of the goals is another large covered standing area as well as temporary containers which house the hospitality lounge and club shop. The other 2 sides of the ground are open standing. The ground is functional and more than adequate for the level the club currently play at.
Unfortunately I couldn’t help but compare the ground to the clubs former home and in comparison the new place, just like with the clubhouse, it seems a little soulless, and speaking to some Hucknall fans at the ground we aren’t alone in feeling this way. Other than the seats and the odd sign, there is very little that points to the ground being the home of Hucknall Town. The ground is still new and very much a work in progress so maybe in a few years time some more finishing touches will be added to complete the ground and make it seem like a proper home for the yellows.
Food and Drink 4/10
As half time approached we started to get a little peckish so as soon as the whistle blew we headed straight to the food hatch which was located next to the entrance to the bar.
A limited selection of pies were available alongside a variety of crisps and chocolate. Emma chose the chicken whilst I went for the mince beef and onion with mushy peas. At just £3 each these were great value and although not the most exciting or varied choice these filled a gap nicely.
Drinks wise, there was a decent choice on draught, including the unique club branded ‘Yellow Bob’ golden ale which was great to see. Unfortunately no dark fruits in the ground though so no bonus point for the RM! Luckily before the game Emma managed to get her hands on a pint of Strongbow’s finest in the Red Lion in Hucknall town centre!
TOTAL: 28/50
It was great to get our season under way with a new ground on opening day! We enjoyed our day in Hucknall and even used Nottingham’s tram for the first time! The less said about the game the better, but I guess you can’t get 6-6 thrillers every week!
Stay tuned for our next new ground which will be my 100th!!!!
If you’d like to check out our review of Hucknall’s former ground on Watnall Road to compare you can here: Watnall Road
To see where the RM Stadium sits in our Non League Leaderboard click here: NON LEAGUE
If you’d like to see the football league grounds we have visited click here: The 92
Emma’s Ground Guide 