PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL

We now start to look forward to the play-offs at Top Field. Organising these matches is a huge undertaking and we want to ensure they meet our usual matchday standards and provide everyone with a hugely enjoyable experience whatever the result. To cope with the expected crowds there will be some changes to the usual matchday organisation and we will keep you updated with everything you need to know here. Please check back for updates as information is confirmed.

Tickets

We are expecting a large crowd for the semi final. If you want to be guaranteed to obtain a ticket for the game, please buy on line in advance.

https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets

Please be aware that season tickets and any other concession passes will not be valid for this game.  As with any cup games, it is all pay for this game. This is because the gate receipts have to be split with the league and the opposition. There are therefore strict limits on the number of complimentary tickets issued to each club.

Please remember also that Child Under 13 tickets (maximum of 3 per adult) can only be bought in conjunction with an adult or concession ticket. They cannot be bought in isolation)

Tickets will go on sale at the following times:

• All Season Ticket holders at 10:00am on Sunday 26^th April.
• General sale at midday on Monday 27^th April.

Assuming tickets still remain available on the day, we will open the match day ticket office window from 18:00 on the night of the game to sell any remaining tickets – card payment only. It is stressed again – waiting for this option does not guarantee that you will obtain a ticket. The Club reserves the right to close the match day ticket office at any time if capacity is reached or there are any safety concerns due to overcrowding.

So as soon as they are released – don’t delay, buy your tickets on line when they go on sale. Do not rely on tickets being available on the evening.

Please ensure you access the ground as early as possible once the turnstiles open. We will be doing everything we can to get everyone through the turnstiles quickly but will not be able to get everyone in by kick off if everyone turns up at 7.30pm!

Food and Drink

All of our usual facilities will be open. We have also created an additional area at the rear of the car park stand. This can be accessed through the double gates between the car park stand and the concrete terrace. This area will be securely fenced so there is no access to the Canary Club via this gate. This additional hospitality area will contain a Mad Squirrel Brewery Bar, the Canary Kitchen Pie stand (serving pies, sausage rolls and soft drinks), as well as additional toilets.

We hope this will help to reduce queuing at other locations in the ground although we expect all outlets to be busy. So please respect other supporters in the queue and respect our staff who will be doing everything they can to get you served as early as possible.

The Canary Kitchen are also using this match to trial some other measures we are considering to help reduce queuing at our busier fixtures:

• Order Online – At tonight’s fixture you can order from the normal menu online at www.thecanarykitchen.co.uk between 5pm and 10pm and then collect your order from the window on the car park side of the Canary Kitchen unit.
• Mobile Hot Food Sales – look out for the Canary Kitchen staff outside the ground or around the ground as they will be coming round with some hot food items that can be purchased rather than having to go and join the queue at a food outlet.

We hope both of this trials are successful at improving the experience for busier fixtures.

Behaviour

Supporters are reminded of our Code of Conduct and asked to respect the club and other supporters at all time. Please also be reminded that the use of pyrotechnics/smoke bombs and entering the field of play at any time (including after the final whistle) is strictly prohibited. These offences can result in serious consequences to the club and can lead to a ban for any individuals involved. Please be loud, show your support, get behind the team but ensure you do this positively and respectfully.

Parking

With grateful thanks to North Herts District Council we are delighted to say that we have been granted permission to use Butts Close for additional parking at the semi-final and if necessary the final. This will really help ease congestion around the localility of the ground. We are not looking to benefit financially from this but instead we are asking for a donation to be made to Garden House Hospice if you use Butts Close. We thank Alan North and Thomas Ayres from NHDC for their help and co-operation and to Councillor Ian Albert who has worked diligently to help us make a successful application to use Butts Close.

The Butts Close Overflow Car Park will be open from 5.45pm on Wednesday.

Access will be via the footpath from Fishponds Road adjacent to Hitchin Swimming Centre. Marshal’s will be in place to ensure you are able to park up safely. Please drive slowly at all times and be aware of any pedestrians.

In accordance with the terms of use set by North Herts Council the barrier will be closed and locked at 7.45pm to prevent unauthorised access/parking on Butts Close.

The barrier will be opened shortly after completion of the match. All vehicles must then be removed from Butts Close within 40 minutes of the completion of the match, at which point the barrier will be locked.

Please ensure you follow all instructions from the marshals and be patient at busy periods to ensure that everyone is parked safely.