A non-league club is changing its name - for the fourth time in just six years.
FC Humber United will from next season be known as Askern Miners FC but the controversial change will now see them relocate from its current base in Hull, East Yorkshire down to Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
The old Humber United is effectively merging with Askern's existing side. They will play in NCEL Division One despite Humber finishing in the relegation places in the season just gone. The new name change is the latest in a series of reincarnations. The club were known as AFC Rovers from formation to the 2015/16 season. For three seasons they were then known as East Yorkshire Carnegie. They then had a two-season spell from 2019-2021 being named East Hull - during which time former Hull City legend Dean Windass briefly managed them.
They were then reformed as FC Humber United for the 2021/22 season but yet another change is on the cards.
A club statement said: "Following last night’s announcement from the FA regarding the league constitutions for the 2022/23 season we can confirm the football club has received a reprieve and will continue to play at Step 6 this coming season within the NCEL Division 1. Firstly we would like to confirm our new ‘home’ which will be in Askern, Doncaster (subject to ground grading visit imminently).
"As everyone in the NCEL knows, we have been actively looking to secure a long term home and we have explored every opportunity over the past 18 months in the East Yorkshire region. Having been unable to secure a venue good enough for Step 6, one that’s financially viable and longer than a season tenure we have had to look further afield. As with a long term home now secured, we also have to announce yet another name change to the club. For the 2022/23 season and foreseeable future the club will be known as Askern Miners FC and all will be ratified by the NCEL & County FA’s in the coming weeks."
Club chairman Richard Smales said of the changes: “It has been another interesting period for the club since the final game of last season. We knew we always had to find a permanent home and I am pleased to finally be able to secure this for the club. Yes we know, another name change but this time it has more substance and meaning behind it.
"We are pleased to be working with a group of likeminded football people, they are hard to come by these days in non-league football, however everyone involved at Askern has done a fantastic job in creating 20 junior teams and now aligning a senior team in Step 6 we can begin to create a long term pathway for players to aspire too and play at semi-professional level.
"We have also been able to secure the future for the FC Humber United brand as this will be based in Hull and compete in the East Riding Counties League and more details on this will be released in the near future. We look forward to a long term partnership with everyone at Askern."
