Emley make the 20 mile trip over the border to face Hyde United as we kick off our first season in the NPL in 20 years when we face The Tigers at Ewen Fields in the season opener on Saturday 8th August (3pm).

This away game is sponsored by Agilita Digital.

The sides haven't faced each other for 21 years now but were regular opponents through the 1990's and early 2000's, older and long standing fans will remember some classic battles over the years.

The first ever meeting was a remarkable FA Trophy tie in 1982 which finished 8-3 to Hyde at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground, 4 years later and we met again in 2 classic FA Cup ties, the first game was drawn 2-2 before a Francis double saw us thrash the Tigers 4-1 in Cheshire before we embarked on a legendary 3-game battle with Southport.

The first league meetings came in 1991-92 and saw a 0-0 draw at Emley before a Broadbent double helped Emley to a 3-2 win in front of over 1300 at Hyde, the last competitive meeting came in 2005 when just over 160 saw a 3-3 draw in Wakefield under the Wakefield-Emley name before the split.

Hyde United are a big name in non league circles and have enjoyed good cup runs and were in the conference/national league for 2 seasons between 2012-14.

WHO ARE THEY?
Formed in 1889, Hyde FC became a founder member of the new Lancashire league and changed name to Hyde United following the folding and re-establishing of the club after the first world war, competing in the Cheshire league until they became a founder member of the Northern Premier League in 1968, after moving back into the Cheshire league, they were back in the NPL in 1982.

They competed in the NPL for 20 years until relegation to NPL 1 but only for 1 season in 2003-04 as they stormed their way back and a second successive title win saw them promoted to NLN and then eventually to the national league, following 2 seasons at step 1, they were back down to step 4 by 2018, but returned back to step 3 where they have enjoyed 8 seasons.

The club changed their name back to Hyde in 2010 for 5 years due to the investment by Manchester City, but reverted back to Hyde United 5 years later, the club enjoyed memorable FA Cup runs in the 80's and 90's and again in 2017 where they lost to MK Dons in the first round proper and are 3 times FA Trophy semi finalists.

LAST TIME WE MET:
8th February 2005, NPL Prem
Wakefield-Emley 3-3 Hyde Utd (Curtis, Pell, Muller), Att- 167.

LAST TIME OUT:
Emley 0-0 Bradford PA (5-4 on pens), NPL D1 E, P/O Final, Att- 1,771
Hyde Utd 3-1 Gainsborough T (Redshaw, Kershaw, Maieco) NPL Prem, Att- 717.

HEAD TO HEAD:

Previous 5 meetings:
23rd October 2004, NPL P
HYDE 2-1 EML (Kenworthy), Att- 370 (*as Wakefield-Emley)

24th January 2004, NPL CCQF
HYDE 2-1 EML (Tonks), Att- 282 (*as Wakefield-Emley)

12th November 2002, NPL P
EML 1-1 HYDE (Bambrook) Att- 262 (*as Wakefield & Emley)

31st August 2008, NPL P
HYDE 0-1 EML (David), Att- 333 (* as Wakefield & Emley)

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML: L, D, W, W, D
HYDE: D, W, D, W, W
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION 2025/26:
EML: 3/22 NPL D1 East
HYDE: 15/21 NPL Prem.
GOALS SCORED:
EML: 0
HYDE: 0
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML: 0
HYDE: 0
TOP SCORER:
EML: 0
HYDE: 0
AVERAGE HOME CROWD 2025/26:
EML: 502 (444 league)
HYDE: 542 (577 league)

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Saturday 8th August 2026, 3.00pm

WHERE?
The Project Solar Stadium (Ewen Fields)
Walker Lane, Hyde, Greater Manchester, SK14 5PL

HOW DO WE GET THERE?
Leave the M60 at Junction 24 and take the M67 towards Sheffield. (If coming over the Greenfield/Woodhead passes, take the M67 towards Manchester instead).
Leave the M67 at Junction 3 and at the traffic lights at the top of the slip road, turn right towards Hyde Town Centre.
At the second set of traffic lights turn left onto Mottram Road.
Pass Morrisons store on your left and at the first set of lights turn right onto Lumn Road.
At the top of the road there is a T-junction where you turn left onto Walker Lane.
The entrance to the ground is down just past Hyde Leisure Pool.
PARKING:
There is parking available outside the ground and at the Leisure Pool.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Change at Manchester Piccadilly for rail replacement bus service to either Newton-for Hyde or Godley or Hyde Central.

OWW MUCH?
£13 Adults
£9 Concessions
£6 Under 16's
U6 FREE (must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Seating is and additional £1