We’re thrilled to announce that two of north Hampshire’s most historic community football clubs are set to merge, with Hook FC and Hook United Youth joining forces to create a single club for all football played in the village.

The merger will unite the long-standing Hook FC - which has served as the village’s senior football club for over 120 years - with the junior-focused Hook United Youth, which has grown substantially in recent times with some age-group sections running as many as six teams.

Effective from the 2025-26 season, the club will play under the collective name of ‘Hook FC’ (with the junior section as ‘Hook FC Youth'). The vision is to create a single club that will support girls and boys football from the age of four upwards. In turn, it will develop a fluid pathway for children within the youth section that will support and strengthen senior football across the men’s and women’s game.

Matthew Pounder, Hook United Youth Chairman, said: “This is great news and an exciting move that we feel will really inject a degree of strength into the football set-up in the village of Hook.

“The village and its population have grown significantly over the last 30 years, and while both football clubs have long formed an important part of the fabric of the community, the fact that there has been something of a disconnect between the two has meant there was no obvious pathway for young players to transition into senior football. Some kids would ultimately move elsewhere or, worse, stop playing.

“By having one club we will have greater focus and cohesion, and we believe the strength in numbers within our youth set-up will go on to push the Hook FC senior teams to greater heights.”

While Hook FC currently only covers men’s football - with one senior team despite the club previously running a Vets section along with a reserve side - the hope is that the numbers and structure of Hook FC Youth will help build the foundations for more players who will continue with the club, with support for the women’s game and minority groups also a priority.

Hook FC Secretary, David Morris, said: “We all want to grow the club so it will be represented by multiple teams across different groups. So re-engaging with Vets football, a senior women’s team, under-23 teams for men and women, as well as teams supporting those with disabilities. If you love football and want to keep playing, there should be no barriers.”

A 2* FA-affiliated club, Hook United Youth was formed in 1987. Running training sessions for girls and boys from the age of four, with mixed teams competing from age six to 18. In recent times, the club has launched a dedicated girls division which now comprises over 50 players, providing the chance to play with friends and build confidence through playing regular football in the area.

With a current total of 42 teams and approximately 550 children signed as playing members, Hook United Youth participates in both the North East Hampshire Youth League (NEHYL) and Peter Houseman Youth League (PHYL). While around 90 per cent of children come from the village, the club also welcomes those from surrounding areas such as Basingstoke, Old Basing, Hartley Wintney and Odiham.

Hook United Youth is run solely by volunteers, with over 100 coaches and support staff made up almost entirely of parents. Local sponsorship has helped to fund the club as a not-for-profit community organisation, with costs largely covered by player subscriptions. Sponsors include Marshall Motor Group, Rawlings Renewables and B&M Fencing.

Matches across 11 age groups are played at various locations, including Hartletts Park (Hook) and Hook Junior School, Robert May’s School (Odiham) and RAF Odiham, Lord Wandsworth College (Long Sutton), Rotherwick Park, Old Basing and Hartley Wintney.

Ongoing developments at a new multi-sport site, North East Hook Sports Ground, will open up more space for the club as playing numbers continue to grow. It is hoped that when the site opens for the 2026-27 season a number of football pitches of varying sizes will be available - ensuring more of Hook’s football can be played within the village, alongside other sports such as rugby and cricket.

Pounder added. “Hook United Youth has always been for any boy or girl who wants to play football, and we are proud that we have been able to introduce and support so many children to the game. But we are also proud of the way the club is run and without the army of volunteers who help us week in, week out, we simply would not be able to function as we do.”

Hook FC was founded in 1903, with the men’s team currently playing its football in the ulhsport Hampshire Premier League, the 11th tier of the English Football League pyramid. The club plays its home fixtures at the village’s King George V Playing Fields.

In recent seasons - with a young and entertaining squad - Hook FC has engaged with a new audience as ongoing housing developments have seen the population in the village soar. Meanwhile, many parents and volunteers of Hook United Youth have established links with the club, with a number of junior coaches being former players themselves.

Morris added: “Having been involved in local football in the area for many years, both managing the senior men’s side of Hook FC and now serving as Secretary, while also coaching my son in the Hook Youth set-up, I feel this is exactly what the village needs for greater stability moving forward.

“The two clubs are already connected in so many ways, from ex players of Hook FC like myself who are now volunteering within the Hook Youth set-up, to parents who enjoy coming to support the senior team on a Saturday afternoon.

“Many youngsters from Hook United Youth also come up to watch the senior side, no doubt watching players who they aspire to follow. In years to come, we want to see more boys and girls representing Hook FC having come through the system and with the clubs merging, this will only make football in the community stronger.”