WEEKLY BULLETIN – 11 SEPTEMBER
Fixtures
vs Stourbridge (H) – Saturday 12 September (3pm KO)
We return to Southern League action and welcome Stourbridge to Top Field this Saturday. Stourbridge last visited Top Field in October 2024. The game ended with Stourbridge taking all 3 points in a 5-1 win with Hitchin Town’s only goal coming from Rio Deall. In the reverse fixture we visited Stourbridge in February 2025 and lost 3-1 with Hitchin’s only goal from Lewis Franklin.
Tickets
Where possible we advise purchasing online. As well as being cheaper, it will ensure your quick and easy entry into the ground through the turnstiles.
Please purchase your tickets online here:
https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets
The online box office remains open until 30 minutes after kick off.
If you do need to buy your tickets in person, our Matchday ticket office will be open from 13.30-15.15 , and can be accessed from the rear car park (behind the Canary Club). Payment at the ticket office is by card only. Once you have purchased a ticket at the Matchday Ticket Office you will then present your ticket at the turnstiles for entry. More details here:
https://hitchintownfc.club/admission-prices/
Turnstiles open at 14.00
Parking
Unfortunately supporter parking is not available in the club car park (unless you are a registered blue badge holder and have made prior arrangements).
Food and Drink
The Canary Club bar is open from 11.00 with some of the lowest prices in Hitchin! Drinks can be taken into the ground in a reusable plastic cup. (£1 deposit required). You can exit to the bar during the match and will be re-admitted via the side gate by showing your hand-stamp.
Please enter the ground as early as possible before kick off to avoid congestion at the turnstiles. We have the following options inside the ground and you can still exit to the Canary Club Bar too:
Mad Squirrel Brewery are serving a great range of craft beers, ciders and lager. The Mad Squirrel 1865 Bar is located adjacent to the main stand.
Canary Kitchen will be open from when the turnstiles open serving a great range of food and soft drinks including our signature HTFC Pies. Their menu has been updated for the season bringing some price reductions to the most popular items and introducing chicken burgers.
Club Shop
Get your matchday programme, teamsheet, chocolate bars, sweets and HTFC merchandise from the club shop.
For full details on the facilities at Top Field see our Matchday Info page here:
https://hitchintownfc.club/matchday-info/
We look forward to welcoming everyone to Top Field and hope that everyone has a great afternoon.
There is no mid-week fixture.
Managers Notes
Two games against Biggleswade Town in the FA Cup
On Saturday we travelled to local rivals Biggleswade Town FC in the FA Cup. We were looking for a reaction from our previous game against Bishop’s Stortford.
We started the game stronger and we were looking threatening in behind. We did take the lead after Temi brushed off the defender and composed himself for a good finish. We then broke through some more times but some good defending/goalkeeping kept us at bay. We then seemed to allow Biggleswade back into the game and they were starting to get a foothold. They hit the post and had a couple of chances that just missed and then they equalised with a wonder strike. They finished the half strong but we always looked threatening in behind. We had a golden chance to take the lead from the spot but Kye had his penalty saved.
We then came out in the second half and looked to push for the much needed goal but lacked the end product and if there was a moment in the second half that had summed up our season to date it was the goal line scramble where somehow we failed to score. The game got to a situation where one moment of quality would win it but neither team could find it and we had to settle for a replay.
Tuesday we wanted a better performance but knew at the very least the objective was to get into the next round, no matter how it happened. Biggleswade should have taken the lead inside the first 30 seconds but they missed an open goal and this was a massive let off. We then capitalised on this with a goal not long after and a bit of redemption for Kye who took his goal well. We then created some good chances but Temi was unable to take them. I felt we had more of a foothold In the first half, although it was a very end to end game. Biggleswade then created some good chances and they finished the half the stronger and could have equalised due to some madness from all of our 11 in the closing stages.
Half Time and we needed to settle everyone down again and refocus all of them as we had totally lost our way towards the end of the half. We needed the next goal to give us the breathing space we needed and to kill the belief of Biggleswade.
We got the much needed goal early on in the second half from Cole and I thought this would help us control the match and knock the belief of Biggleswade. This did not happen and the game became very stretched and looked like a basketball match with Biggleswade having the better chances but somehow not scoring. We had to rely on some good defending, excellent saves and a bit of luck to keep them out. We then got a third in added time to finally put the game beyond their reach.
I am delighted to get our first win, clean sheet and score more than 1 goal in a game. I know we have plenty to work on but it’s always the hardest getting the first and I am hoping this will now kick us on for the rest of the season.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the two games and I am glad you finally got to see a win and some goals.
A return to League action against Stourbridge
On Saturday we host Stourbridge, a team that has become a very solid mid table team in previous years. They know what it takes to get points at this level and they have had another strong start to the season. They will be confident they can come away with the three points on Saturday.
We need to build on our first win of the season on Tuesday as we now look to get our first league win.
Please continue to remain positive and give this group all the support you can.
I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
Player News
- Luke Stokoe serves the final match of his suspension on Saturday
- Temi Akinbusoye is suffering with a strain which will keep him out of Saturday
- Simeon Olarerin is suffering with a strain which will keep him out of Saturday
- Rio Deall is recovering from the injury he received against Kettering Town
- Boni Pagano will be getting some much needed minutes on a dual registration this weekend
New Signings
We have signed defender Jamie Breen from Leighton Town. Jamie will provide further depth and competition.
Taylor Rhiney has signed on an initial short term deal after leaving Biggleswade Town.
Both players will come straight into the squad for our game on Saturday.
I would like to thank both Leighton Town and Biggleswade Town for allowing both of these transfers to happen in time for the weekend.
Academy News
We played a friendly on Wednesday against Samuel Whitbread. We had a different team for each half to give players from both our squads an opportunity.
First half we were very dominant for 30 minutes without scoring and In the last 15 minutes this allowed the opposition to create some good chances.
Second half and the opposition had the majority of the chances but a Tyler Myers wonder strike gave us the lead and despite a lot of late pressure we were able to hold on for the 1-0 win.
A great workout for all involved as we look forward to starting our league campaign.
If you would like to be part of the academy or for further information please use this link
Or email Michael.jones@wearescl.co.uk
Michael Jones
Season Ticket Sales
Four more new Season ticket holders this week! Still not too late to buy a ticket for the remaining 18 League games of the season and still make a significant saving on Match tickets – both online and at the window on match day.
Chris Newbold
Coach to Bury Town
There are still some seats available on the coach to Bury Town on Tuesday 22nd September.
Departing Top Field at 16.30
Of course subject to any FA Cup involvement.
Walking Football Update
The weekly WALKING FOOTBALL SESSIONS begin tonight (Friday 11th September) from 7pm to 8pm at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock and everyone is welcome.
Next week’s session is followed by a social evening of a few beers and a curry in Baldock.
There are a couple of forthcoming friendlies…
Fri 2 Oct 7pm Home v Biggleswade United at The Arena
Sat 10 Oct 10am Away v Buntingford at The Muga, Buntingford
Barry Swain
Thank You to Supporters and Volunteers
The Executive Committee wanted to send out a very big thank you to our fantastic supporters and volunteers who have given up their time to work on raising funds for the benefit of the Club, you really are the life blood that keeps us going.
The successful Cider Festival event, the Prediction Game, the achievement sponsorship initiative and personal donations have all contributed to the improvements made to our facilities at Top Field over the past 12 months.
The funds raised have seen a much-needed upgrade to the tannoy system improving the match day experience for fans.
Four new CCTV cameras have been installed within the stadium with a monitor based in the club office creating a Match Day Control Centre to create a safe and secure environment for fans to come and support the team whilst also improving security of the facilities 24 hours a day.
A new printer was purchased to support the match day ticketing operations and to print team sheets for up-to date match information for the benefit of the fans.
New signage both outside and inside the stadium has been installed to help supporters new and old navigate our facilities.
Our hardworking voluntary ground / pitch maintenance team have been provided with a replacement mower, new mobile water sprinkler and pitch protective systems to maintain our excellent playing pitch that is one of the best in the League.
The appearance of the car park at Top Field has been improved with additional lighting, and the cutting back of bushes to make our facilities more visible for potential new supporters. As well as barriers to protect infrastructure.
We have invested funds into improvements in the Canary Club to encourage more use by supporters on match days and to try and attract new fans to a vibrant venue.
In summary the funds raised by our superb fans and volunteers contributed to the following overall costs of improving the facilities for supporters at Top Field.
- Tannoy Replacement £4,028
- CCTV Cameras & Monitor £2,700
- Printer £500
- Signage £264
- Mower £650
- Sprinkler System £1,400
- Pitch Protective Systems £995
- Car Park Improvements £925
- Canary Club Improvements – Ceiling, Doors & CCTV £3,460
Total £14,922
Letter from Last Week’s Comet
Last week supporter Katie Wilson sent the following letter that was published in the Comet. I thought it deserved a wider audience:
Where loyalty Lives
In the times I’ve watched Hitchin Town, one thing has stood out more than anything else: the supporters stay with the team. Whatever the scoreline, whatever the weather, whatever the moment, the fans always clap the players off the pitch. It’s a small gesture, but it says something big. It’s so different from the Premier League, where applause often depends on winning — and where one end of the stadium can empty quickly the moment a result goes the wrong way.
At Hitchin, it isn’t just about results. It’s about loyalty, pride, and belonging.
After last season’s promotion, nobody is under any illusions — everyone knows this year will be a hard season. The step up is challenging, the opposition is stronger, and there will be tough afternoons. But one thing is certain: the players will give their all, and the supporters will stay with them. You can feel it in the ground. There’s no turning on the team, no early exits, no negativity. Just a community standing behind its club.
And when you look around at the yellow and green — scarves, shirts, flags, and the familiar colours around Top Field — you realise it’s more than football. It’s identity. It’s pride in the town. It’s people choosing to stand together, week after week, whatever the result.
In a football world that often feels dominated by money, pressure, and instant judgement, Hitchin Town shows something different. Something quieter, but stronger. A club where supporters stay until the final whistle, and where applause is given because the team represents the town — not because of the scoreline.
So if you want to be part of something real, get yourself up to Top Field. You’ll find a club where the players give everything, the supporters stay with them, and community still means something.
Community Update
October Holiday Courses
The Arena, Baldock – Football Holiday Camps
We will be running a Football Camp at the Arena in the October half term from Tuesday 27th October for 3 days to Thursday 29th October 2026.
The camp will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm with an option of a late pick up at 4.30pm
Preston Primary School – Multi-Activity Holiday Camps
We will also be running a Multi-Activity Camp at Preston Primary School in the October half term from Tuesday 27th October for 3 days to Thursday 29th October 2026.
The camp will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Coaching Courses at the Arena
Junior Ability Counts
The Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock start from 5pm until 6pm on a Monday and from 5.30pm – 6.30pm on a Wednesday. The sessions are open to children from 5 – 16 years old with physical and or SEN but be able to walk.
We will be starting the new courses on Monday 7th September and Wednesday 9th September.
Safe Hands Goalkeeping Course
The very popular Safe Hands Goalkeeping sessions at the Arena, Baldock start at 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
We will be starting the new course on Wednesday 9th September.
Coaching in Schools
We start the new school term delivering coaching sessions in our local schools with sessions taking place at:
- Preston Junior Wraparound Care
- Oughton Primary Lunch Time & After School Clubs and PE Lessons
- Icknield Infants After School Clubs
- Woolgrove Lunch Time Clubs
- Brandles PE Lessons
- Samuel Lucas After School Clubs everyday Monday – Friday
If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, After School and Breakfast Clubs please contact us at info@htcfc.co.uk
Blast from the Past
I was sent this picture of myself with Ashley Young by Matt Tutton via Chris Newbold and it brought back some great memories of the Playing for Success (PFS) programme that was operated from the Arena in Baldock for numerous years from 2007.
Ashley kindly came to the Arena to be interviewed by school children attending the PFS session that week. He also helped promote the donation of football kit the Club had made to the Kit Aid charity.
I remember his visit well as he had scored against Reading for Aston Villa the previous weekend (24th February 2008) in a 2-1 away victory.
A certain Dave Kitson was in the opposition team playing up front for Reading having previously played 6 matches for Hitchin Town between 6th April 1998 and 2nd February 1999.
It was great to see Ashley supporting our recent Charity Golf Day.
Mark Burke