GOALKEEPER

DAN HAYSTEAD born 13.2.86. The keeper rejoined the club this summer from Hucknall Town. Haystead began his career with Sheffield United with the youth and reserve team and joined the club during the 2005/6 season. His second term with Hinckley was blighted by a broken foot and he was loaned to Quorn upon recovery. Haystead made 40 appearances at the club during his previous spell.

DENHAM HINDS born 26.5.92. Young keeper who has come through the ranks at the club and spent time with Leicester City.

DEFENDERS

CONNOR FRANKLIN - born 01.09.87 in Leicester. Highly rated left-sided defender signed from Nuneaton Borough. Previously with Leicester City before Nuneaton where he was voted Player of the Year. Sponsored by

RICHARD MUNDAY - born 24.08.87. The tall defender has previously played for Ilkeston Town, Solihull Moors, Stratford Town and Romulus and favours getting into the opposition box for set pieces.

STUART STORER Born 16.1.67 in Rugby. Signed towards the end of 2000-01 from Chesham United. Veteran of nearly 400 league games with Birmingham, Wigan, Bolton and Brighton. Versatile player who excelled in the role of sweeper and played over 300 games for The Knitters. Club coach.

PAUL LISTER born 03.12.89 in Sheffield. Centre-half who joined from Grantham Town. Previously with Burton Albion.

JAMES MACE born 05.03.85 in Solihull. Right sided full back who joined after impressing in pre-season. Played for Atherstone Town in the Southern League and now into his second season with Hinckley United. Sponsored by Dave Jackson.

MIDFIELD

GAVIN STRACHAN - born 23.12.78. The former Coventry City midfielder has represented Scotland at Under 21 level joins after leaving fellow Blue Square Bet North side Corby Town. Strachan lists Peterborough United, Notts County, Southend, Stockport and Hartlepool among his clubs. 

DAN DILLON  - born 06.09.86. The midfielder made 37 appearances for the Knitters last season after joining from Team Bath. Dillon made 16 appearances for Carlisle United and skippered their reserves during his time in the Football League before he moved to Bath and then Loughborough to gain his education.

LOUIS HAMILTON  - Young pacey right-sided midfielder who has broken into the first team squad. Now entering his second season with the club. The 19 year-old who has come through the ranks at the Greene King Stadium playing for the club's youth team and for Hinckley Downes last season has made 12 full appearances for the first team.

JACK ROBERTS -  Born 10.11.90 - Young midfielder who has been on loan at Loughborough and Coalville Town this season but was recalled for the FA Trophy matches with York City. Into his second season with the club.

DANNY NEWTON Born 18.3.91 – impressive performances in United’s development side have seen him included in the first team squad of late. Broke into the first team last season and high hopes for him during the coming campaign. Sponsored by Oadby Building Plastics.

BEN LAXTON Born 30.10.84 - midfielder who has come through the ranks of the Hinckley Downes setup in recent seasons.

FORWARDS

ADAM WEBSTER Born 03.07.80 in Leicester. Signed from Worcester City after spending seven years at St Georges Lane. Began with Leics Senior League side Thurmaston before a move to Notts County. After his release from Meadow Lane, he scored prolifically for Bedworth to earn his move to Worcester.

ALEX TAYLOR - born 11.11.85 in Wolverhampton. Striker who joined at the start of the season after spells with Kidderminster and Stafford Rangers.

GARY KING  - born 27.1.90. Striker King signed following his release from League Two side Accrington Stanley. The 20 year-old started his journey in Lincoln City's U9's team. He went up through the ranks for ten years. He also played for East Coast Juniors and scored 50 goals from midfield in one season. King signed his first professional contract on April 19, 2008. Later that day, he made his first start for Lincoln and scored against Brentford in the 39th minute of the game. Lincoln later went on to win this match 3-1. He joined Boston United on loan on 8th January 2009 till mid-March. He joined Accrington prior to the 2009-10 season making eight appearances last term.

ANDRE GRAY - born 26.6.91. Joined the club following his release from League Two side Shrewsbury Town. The 19 year-old who is known for his pace and aggression upfront has agreed a one year deal with the Knitters who he spent a month on loan with last term. Gray's stay at the Greene King Stadium came to an end after he was harshly red carded against Gloucester City following four first team appearances. The lively forward signed a First-Year Professional contract with Shrewsbury at the beginning of the 2009/10 season. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2009-10 campaign, coming on as a substitute in the Shrews' 3-1 win over Burton Albion. Gray has also been on loan at AFC Telford United.

 MANAGEMENT

DEAN THOMAS Born 19.12.61 in Bedworth. A former pro with Notts County, Wimbledon and Northampton as well as spending time in Germany  with Fortuna Dusseldorf and a spell in Finland. Spent two years as manager with Bedworth before joining Hinckley upon their formation in 1997 and enjoyed a testimonial with the club two seasons ago. Sponsored by P.I.E

NICKY PLATNAUER Born 10.06.61 in Leicester. Represented Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester during his professional career before playing for Hinckley ten years ago. Having been in management with Kettering and Bedford, he returned to United as Assistant Manager.

Information supplied by Andy Gibbs and photos by Dave Riche.