Hickory

Appalachian FC is the name that comes up first when Hickory's supporters talk about who they want to beat. The two clubs play for the Old North Cup, a trophy that Asheville City also has a stake in. The other grudge is closer to home: Statesville, up the road along the interstate, gives its name to the "I-40 Derby".

Hickory FC has had little time to build up that kind of history. Planning began among a group of local families in late 2022. The club was founded in 2023 and played its first match in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in 2024. Five families own it, and Thomas Deeley and Eric Levin run it as managing directors. Nothing had existed in the town before them, so the crest, the black and red kit and the nickname "The Trees" all came from scratch. The nickname comes from the hickory tree on the badge.

The first season ended with the Southeast Conference title. Hickory won the conference again in 2025 and then went on to take the South Region and the national championship. The final was a 3–2 win over El Farolito. Tomas Pollacchi, an Argentine forward, scored the winning goal. Antonio Pineda, who was named Southeast Conference MVP and won the Golden Ball, was the other name behind the run. Head coach Carlos Rubio was voted NPSL Coach of the Season.

Home games are played at Moretz Stadium on the Lenoir-Rhyne University campus, which holds around 8,500.

The title was won at the NPSL level, and in 2026 the club stepped up to USL League Two. There the Old North Cup rivalries carry more weight.