WEEKLY BULLETIN – 16TH APRIL

FRIENDLIES
We are making good progress in organising our pre-season programme. This week we have agreed a number of dates but some dates still have to be confirmed. We will make an announcement once the programme is complete.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE
We had another well attended session on Thursday and the players enjoyed another three team round robin tournament as well as other drills. It is proving a worthwhile exercise to hold these sessions and it has enabled me to keep a very positive team spirit.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
Wednesday 14th April we had two fixtures at Top Field against F2 Academy.

It was a very successful day for all involved, with all players getting the experience of playing on the first team pitch and performing well with two wins out of two. We won the first game 2-1 with goals coming from Marlow Gough and Tyrese Oates and the second game 2-0 with the goals coming from Oliver Parsbey and Bailey Smith.

We now move onto our next fixture which will be at Top Field again as we host MK Dons Academy on Tuesday 20th April in the evening. Unfortunately no spectators can attend, however everyone can be kept up to date with the match as the game will be broadcasted on our very own htfc.radio12345.com by Freddie and Marac.

HITCHIN TOWN LADIES UPDATE BY CALLUM ELLIS
Both teams returned to action on Sunday 11th April 2021 within Division E of the Beds & Herts Women’s Football League.

Herts Vipers Development v Hitchin Town Ladies FC Firsts

The First team opened the scoring through captain Chaffey after a perfected floated ball by Coffey deep within Hitchin’s half. Vipers equalised just before half time. Shortly after the interval Vipers took the lead via a penalty. Ten minutes before full time Darling nodded in from a Klausner corner. Final score 2-2. Day was awarded player of the match.

Hitchin Belles FC v Hitchin Town Ladies FC Reserves

Hitchin Reserves were unlucky against Division one opponents Hitchin Belles as they lost 5-2 with goals from Janice Allen and Jo Harrower (her first for the club).

Harrower was subsequently awarded player of the match for her performance along with Mandy Mercer.

Upcoming fixture – Sunday 18th April 2021, 14:00

Hitchin Town Ladies FC Firsts v Hitchin Town Ladies FC Reserves

Venue: Top Field, Fishponds Road, Hitchin

Sadly still no spectators allowed.

Keep update to date with news, scores & results via our social media channels:

Twitter: @HitchinTownLFC
Instagram: @hitchintownladiesfc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HTLFC

GROUND AND CROWDFUNDER UPDATE BY PAUL SPRAGUE AND KATE DELLER

The last few weeks have continued to see a huge amount of work being completed at Top Field by our fantastic group of volunteers. Just some of the projects to be progressed include:

• Completion of the preparation for the new boundary fencing ready for handover to the installation contractor – this has required a significant amount of old fencing and overgrown vegetation to be cleared.
• Repairs to the rear of the main stand, at the boardroom end of the stand. This will now stop the rain coming in onto the back row of seating
• Refurbishment of the two timber terraces behind the dugouts has now commenced – this is a crucial step towards ensuring the ground meets the necessary ground grading requirements.
• Work on this year’s end of season painting project has now commenced. This year will see the main stand being repainted – the team are now well on with preparation for this, sanding and cleaning the existing woodwork.
• Works at the Fishponds Road end of the ground in anticipation of new terracing. (We will bring you further updates on this in the coming weeks as the plans are finalised)

On top of all this, Steve and the ground staff have been keeping the pitch in a great condition and preparing for the Luton U23, Youth team, and Ladies team games that Top Field is/has been hosting during March and April.

Looking ahead, the continued volunteer efforts will be supplemented by works from outside contractors in the next few weeks. This will include:

• Installation of the new boundary fencing
• Erection of the new fixture board and other signage in the ground
• Works to the pitch – including the installation of new drainage to the side of the pitch closest to the dugouts

We can’t wait for you to see the progress we are making when we can welcome everyone back to the ground in the summer. In the meantime, keep an eye on our social media and we will bring you as many updates as we can as the works progress.

HTFC RADIO UPDATE BY FREDDIE CARDY
After months staying at home I joined Marac Alionic at Top Field last Sunday to commentate on Hitchin Town FC’s Under-15 side in their 1-1 draw against Berkhamsted in the EJA League, and we’re returning this Sunday for the Under 15s clash with top of the table Enfield Borough, kick-off 10:30am. A couple hours later we will be back on air for Hitchin Town Ladies’ in-house game at Top Field against the reserve side, which gets under way at 2pm. Both of these commentaries will be uploaded as podcasts too if you’re unable to listen live.

Our final game is on Tuesday evening, once again at Top Field, with Michael Jones’ Pro:Direct Academy side facing MK Dons Academy, a 6:00 kick off. The likes of Kye Tearle and Dan Weaver will hopefully be in action in a behind-closed doors affair.

Listen on htfc.radio12345.com, or search for the Canary Club Podcast to listen back to every commentary.

SUPPORTER ENGAGEMENT UPDATE BY SASCHA-GUSTARD BROWN
Over the last few weeks, I’ve reached out to several clubs across all levels of the football pyramid, to kindly ask if they will support us with a supporter engagement project. I am pleased to confirm that we’ve received help from the following clubs thus far:

• Bradford City AFC
• Brighton and Hove Albion FC
• Bristol City FC
• Norwich City FC
• Sheffield Wednesday FC
• Swansea City AFC

Can anybody guess what the theme of the project might be given the clubs involved?

We still have a few responses to receive but I want to thank all of the clubs who have responded and supported us so far; the help is very much appreciated and I look forward to sharing the final project with everyone over the coming months. It should prove to be another great addition to Top Field.

BY ROY IZZARD