
WEEKLY BULLETIN – 10TH MAY
UPDATE FROM BRETT DONNELLY
There is no article from Brett this week but I have spoken to him and he has updated me with what has been happening since the season ended. He has been working on our pre-season friendlies which entails plenty of phone calls and is a balancing act to get different types of opposition to fit our needs.
He has also been sorting through the squad and will announce his retained/released list next week. As you would expect Brett has also been making countless phone calls to potential new players. He has already secured some and details will follow at a later date.
Brett will also announce his management team next week. He has also met with the management committee to discuss his ideas and to make sure the whole club is united moving forward.
NEXT SEASON
The management committee have also been busy since the season ended. A survey of the ground has been undertaken to identify any repairs that are needed as well as deciding on what painting is needed to refresh the dressing rooms and certain areas of the ground.
Budgets have been set for the coming season as well as admission prices and season ticket prices (which will be announced shortly) . The commercial team have been very active in retaining existing sponsors and securing new ones. Match day arrangements have been analysed to see if any improvements can be made. Everything possible is being looked at to ensure we return to step 3 as soon as possible.
PRE-SEASON FIXTURES
We have confirmed the following pre-season games–
- Saturday 13th July Away to Histon kick-off 3.00pm.
- Saturday 20th July Away to St Neots kick-off 3.00pm
- Friday 26th July Away to Stotfold Development kick-off 7.45pm.
- Tuesday 30th July Home to Biggleswade Town kick-off 7.45pm.
Other games have been arranged with League and National League teams which will be announced in the near future.
HERTS CHARITY CUP
The draw has been made for the Herts Charity Cup. We have been drawn at home to Hertford in the first round (date to be advised) and if successful will then be at home to St Albans. Then we could meet Welwyn Garden City or Royston in the semi-final.
NEW HOME AND AWAY SHIRTS
Just a reminder, our fantastic new shirts for 24/25 are still available to pre-order now.
To ensure you are the first to get your hands on one of our new shirts ensure you place your order by the first pre-order window deadline which is 12th May. We will then continue to run further windows as we move towards pre-season and expect to also have shirts and other new fanwear items such as hoodies available to purchase from the Top Field Club Shop from the start of our Pre-Season fixtures in early July.
Full details here: NEW HOME AND AWAY SHIRTS – Hitchin Town FC
Online shop here: Merchandise | Hitchin Town Tickets (ktckts.com)
For all orders placed between 1st May and 12th May you will be entered into a prize draw to WIN A FREE SHIRT! So order by Sunday and look out on Social Media to see if we will be paying for your shirt!
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Monday 13th May Pro:Direct are hosting their annual showcase event, this is where scouts/managers from Professional/Semi Professional clubs come to watch players who Pro:Direct have selected. The following players have been selected from our Academy Henry Silver, Chris Khoo, Frankie Webster and Tyrese Kamara, we look forward to seeing how they get on.
On Friday 31st May we have our next open training session between 12noon – 2pm at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU on the all weather pitch.
To register your details or for further information please email – hitchin@prodirectacademy.com
HTWFC UPDATE BY CALLUM ELLIS
Hitchin Town Women FC First Team – End of Season Review
It was an interesting season for the First Team, they just never were able to find their rhythm. At the start of the season we saw the introduction of a new coach assisting Cathryn in her managerial duties however it was short lived. The Firsts opened their campaign against LGCE Ladies, which both Cathryn & Trevor know so much about. The First team felt hard done by sharing the points with LGCE .However it was time to move onto focusing against Real Bedford. The firsts travelled over to Kempston Rovers FC and went into the break level pegging. Real Bedford pressed on the Firsts mistakes and capitalized with two goals. However the Firsts grabbed a last minute goal but sadly it wasn’t enough to share the points. However brushing themselves down they focused on Watton, a team they knew ever so much about. Five goals from the Firsts saw them obtain their first win of the season.
An away game at Stotfold Juniors saw the Firsts loose by eight and it was the start of a new beginning. Cathryn and Trevor departed which saw the implementation of myself put into the fold. It was a massive uphill battle as the First team were struggling to find their mojo and with a plague of injuries and illnesses they had to throw the game at EB Lions. I went on holiday for a week and the Firsts were within the County Cup against Buntingford. I was sat in sunny Spain, cocktail in one hand and phone in the other, keeping updated with the score. After a one all draw after ninety minutes it saw the Firsts glide through the shootout. If all they needed was for me to go on holiday for them to win, I’m booking a holiday every weekend. Due to the rainy conditions it saw the Firsts go a month without a game, it saw them fall down the league to second from bottom. However it was Hitchin Town FC to the rescue due to a fixture clash and they hosted our League Cup fixture. A one nil win over local team Bedwell started to ignite the revival, However, again plagued with illnesses and injuries and gave the win to Langford to progress into the next round. Next up was our Canaries team who had developed into a strong set up. Sadly three minutes into the fixture saw the game postponed due to a serious injury. We are hoping to see Hannah in pre-season if all goes well with the scans.
After the Christmas break it saw us against EB Lions back to back, once in a cup match and the second within the league. I was solely focusing on the league to survive relegation. The Firsts came from being one nil down to bringing it level with a screaming effort from Moore. The Firsts put me through another penalty shootout worry however pushed on through to the next round. However it saw EB Lions hungry to beat the First team in the next fixture. The Firsts opened the score and ended up at half time leading three goals to one. However EB Lions switched on in the second half and got two goals in short succession. EB Lions were dangerous and looked like they were going to get the winner however a last minute goal from the Firsts saw them pick up points for the first time since September 2023.
Due to the weather conditions it saw the First team’s fixtures postponed till March. It was the second attempt of the inter club fixture against the Canaries. A goal from the Canaries saw them live time close the gap on the First team in the table however a last minute goal from the First team saw them share the points. Again we saw another two weeks without football due to the weather and the Firsts were up against Buntingford. Sadly they couldn’t find an equalizer in an evenly matched game. The Firsts were on the road to Top Field to visit the Canaries in a midweek game and again it was just like before, the Canaries opening the scoreline and the First team immediately hitting back with the equalizer. This saw the relegation of Watton Ladies due to the their games being over for the season and the Firsts were still not clear of relegation. The Firsts were hosting Buntingford again and went into the half time break needing a goal to bring things level. Knowing three points would get them in touching distance of survival. Sadly a late goal from Buntingford sealed the points and their fourth place.
The Firsts were in action again in another midweek game and the opposition were league leaders Real Bedford. Real Bedford had been enjoying life at the top of the table all season and Letchworth had caught them up with a couple of games to go. Real Bedford required the win in their final game of the season. LGCE were playing EB Lions and required four points to pick the title up from their remaining two fixtures. With bare eleven players like most games of the season, the Firsts were determined to pick up a point in the push for safety. The game got underway and Bedford enjoyed a fair bit of possession however the First’s defence stood strong and each and everyone supported each other. Bedford opened the scoring however the Firsts still continued to frustrate Bedford as they were not getting their own way. Their game plan was falling apart and some were losing their heads. The First team brought themselves together at half time and strived on. The equaliser! Bedford were left stunned and frustrated and they threw everything they had even a few kicks to attempt to get themselves the three points. With die hard defending in the closing chapter the Firsts picked up a well hard earned point but a valuable one too. With LGCE beating EB Lions on the same night and Bedford dropping points, the league was won by LGCE. The final game of the season was called off due to the weather again.
It has not been the season the First team have wanted, performances have improved and they started to find themselves and work as a unit, sadly it was just too far gone in the season. However there was a core eleven that turned up week in and week out and I applaud you. With so much disruption to their season, we look to rebuild, with new management, coaches and players. I am stepping down as First Team manager due to work & personal commitments however I am still working in the background building the future of HTWFC.’
BY ROY IZZARD