York Manager Hinshelwood Faces Former Club Wycombe in FA Cup

Adam Hinshelwood, the manager of York City, previously played alongside Matt Bloomfield, the current manager of Wycombe Wanderers. York City, currently leading the National League, have commenced their season strongly, securing victories in 10 of their initial 16 league matches. However, this Saturday presents what is arguably the most challenging fixture of manager Adam Hinshelwood’s tenure to date, as the Minstermen travel to face League One side Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup first round. Hinshelwood, who played for Wycombe during the 2009-10 season, assumed the role of York’s manager in February. At 40 years of age, he shares the same birth year as his former Chairboys team-mate and current manager, Matt Bloomfield. “We pay huge respect to our opponents,” Hinshelwood stated to BBC Radio York. “They are on an unbelievable run, flying high in League One, they have got some real firepower.” Bloomfield’s team is similarly experiencing a successful start to the season, with Birmingham City being the sole team positioned above the Chairboys in the standings, following a notable streak of eight victories in 12 league fixtures. In September, Matt Bloomfield’s side notably challenged Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in the third round of the EFL Cup. “It is a great test – one that we feel we are ready for,” Hinshelwood commented. “We want to pit ourselves against the best and see where we are.” He added, “We are going to need a lot of luck and us to be at our best to even compete, but that’s the challenge.” York’s most successful FA Cup campaign occurred almost 70 years prior, when they were defeated 2-0 by Newcastle United in their semi-final replay during the 1954-55 season. Wycombe famously experienced a 2-1 loss to Liverpool in the semi-finals in 2001, preceding Bloomfield’s commencement of his 19-year playing career at Adams Park by two years. While the former midfielder holds legendary status at the club, Hinshelwood, a defender, only played 13 times before his retirement due to a knee injury. “I was made club captain in January and we got relegated [from League One] and I didn’t really contribute as much as I wanted to,” he admitted. He further reflected, “One of the darkest days…in my football career was seeing the team get relegated at Leyton Orient, I was just sat in the stands…it was tough.” Despite the limited playing time rendering the experience “bittersweet,” he expressed anticipation for his return to Buckinghamshire. “I had a great time there. Lovely people, they couldn’t do enough for you as a player,” the York boss stated. He added, “I look forward to going back and seeing Blooms and some familiar faces.” The prospect of an FA Cup run for York raises the question of whether it could mark the newest achievement for the Hinshelwood family’s football legacy. This match presents an opportunity for Adam’s managerial accomplishments to gain recognition, which has recently been overshadowed by his son Jack’s performances in the Premier League for Brighton & Hove Albion. “We are all ultra competitive,” Adam, whose father and grandfather were also footballers, recently informed Football Focus. He continued, “We are taking our advice off of people who have been there and done it, so I’m sure that does have a bit of a factor to play.” He concluded with a jest, “The games in [our] garden get a little bit tasty.”