50/50 DRAW
On Wednesday we held the draw for our second online 50/50 draw live on our twitter feed. Once again many thanks to our social media team for their organisation and to Stewart for hosting the draw. We were really surprised that we sold so many tickets – no less than 1,050. This meant the prize was £420 with the same amount going to the club and £210 to East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity. This means over the two draws the club have benefitted to the tune of nearly £1,000 and the charity nearly £500. On behalf of the club can I thank everyone who supported the draw-it is much appreciated and we have decided to run a new draw each month.

The winner was Peter Glazebrook who lives in Stotfold. He first watched Hitchin as a teenager in the 1980’s when he used to go to Top Field with his friend Richard Foster. He remembers sneaking out of college on Tuesday evenings to get to Top Field instead. Just after passing his driving test he was persuaded by his friends to drive to Haverhill Rovers for an FA Cup game where he had to watch them drinking and enjoying themselves while he could not drink. His father John is a regular Hitchin season ticket holder and out of his winnings Peter bought a 2020/21 season ticket for his dad. Peter’s son Matt has also been to Top Field and there have been occasions when the three generations have watched together.

Peter watched the draw live and when he realised he had won in his words ”I jumped around the room!”. Congratulations Peter.

CHARITY SURPRISE
I received a letter from the FA this week which contained good news for our charity partners. As a result of reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup in 2018/19 season we have been allocated a sum of £2,000 to be allocated to three local charities. The £2,000 is our share of a central fund of £248,000 raised from the Community Shield match which is split evenly between the 124 clubs competing in the FA Cup from the first round onwards.

We have allocated £666.66 each to Garden House Hospice, Herts Disability Sports Foundation and Stevenage Haven (which covers Hitchin).

DONATIONS TO THE FOOTBALL CLUB
I make no apologies for repeating details of our new donations page as every donation made helps to ensure the survival of our club.

We have set up a donations page should anyone wish to make an ad hoc donation to help the club going forward. We have followed the lead of many other clubs in this venture in response to questions about how people can make such a donation. You can see more details of how and why your donations can make a difference on our social media outlets.

Donations can be made via the following link – click here.

The Club will ensure that every penny received is put to essential use. Many thanks to all those who have already made a donation.

COLLEGE SCHEME
Our college scheme is continuing through the current pandemic. All the lessons are being delivered via the internet as are fitness routines. On Friday via Instagram the students took part in a group work out run by former college member Brodie Couzins who is now a PT instructor.

STEVE KIMBERLEY
I have spoken to Steve again this week. Steve, the joint manager of our social club, continues to slowly improve and has now completed his course of antibiotics. He still suffers from breathlessness and the doctors could not predict how long it would be before he fully recovers. He again thanks everyone for their good wishes.

NORTH HERTS FM WITH KATE DELLER
Can I remind supporters to listen in to North Herts FM. It is in times like these that we must all help each other and this wonderful Radio Station really does serve the North Herts Community.

So please head over to their website and listen in to their shows keeping the community up to date and entertained. Don’t forget if you are missing football, they have the old commentary links to listen in again!’

MARK BURKE CHRONICLES
Apologies for the delay but part 2 of the Mark Burke Chronicles is now online. Because of the research needed this series of articles will appear every two weeks.

GROUND UPDATE WITH STEVE BARKER
We were up the ground last Saturday for a couple of hours putting more weed killer down to stay on top of the weeds.

The top boardroom had a huge ivy bush growing over the roof so the roots were found and cut through which will mean it will die off and can then be pulled down. The same was done with one of the trees behind the stand with some more to be tackled this Saturday.

The grass is growing well after the rain we had recently. As I said last week the contractor starts next Tuesday and I will provide photos.

HTFC EASYFUNDRAISING
Did you know that while you are stuck at home and possibly buying more things online, you could be raising funds for Hitchin Town without costing you a penny. Just go to your chosen online retailer via the easyfundrasing website (one time initial registration is quick and easy) and shop as normal. The club will receive a small percentage of what you spend, but you don’t pay any extra.

There are over 3,300 shops in the scheme including Amazon, Argos, John Lewis, Ebay, Asda, and Just Eat to mention just a few of them.

Please do consider signing up and bringing in some totally free cash for the club. Click here to get involved.

BY ROY IZZARD