WEEKLY BULLETIN – 17TH MAY
LEAGUE ALLOCATION 2024/5
The FA today announced the league allocations for next season. As you can see there will be plenty of local derbies and a big reduction in our travelling.
MANAGER’S NOTES BY BRETT DONNELLY
Last week the list of departed and retained was sent out. Always a tough job for any manager to release players but I did say we needed to clear the decks as last year wasn’t good enough and I couldn’t risk a hangover at the start of next season. Some of the conversations were relatively straight forward, some were particularly hard as I had played with a number of the squad over the years so it was a little brutal to say the least. But change is needed and I have been shouting that since I came in.
With regards those players still undecided I will be calling them all this week on what they want to do. It’ll be a simple “do you want to stay or do you want to go?” No hard feelings if you want out. I just want players here that want to pull on the shirt and put a shift in. Simple.
Management going was also tough. Josh Bickerstaff, I played many games with and he’s family but I couldn’t give him a role that would fulfil him so we decided it was best to part company. He’s a top lad and I hope he stays involved. John Albon the GK coach is one of the hardest working coaches I’ve worked with. Nothing was too much and he had a great relationship with Charlie Horlock. With Charlie going and me wanting people around I’ve worked with before sadly he was another I had to let go. Finally Sam the physio was really hard. I had played when she was physio and was brilliant when I came in. It was just time to part ways and bring my guy in.
Ryan Jeffries the new physio will be working along side Chloe Ping. He’s been with me at Stotfold since the start and a man whose opinion I value and his injury knowledge is superb. He’s also Eddie’s mate so I had to bring him in! Nathan Godfrey joins as goalkeeper coach. Excellent coach who knows the local level better than most. Another whose opinion I hold in high regard. They are both excited about the new project we’re about to undertake. Finally Mick Devine is coming in as head scout. I was informed of Mick by Burkey and having met him his appetite for helping is unquestionable. I’m looking forward to working with him. Sadly him coming in means Ian Stratford (Stratts) is no longer needed but I am hoping he can now watch a few games at Top Field!
So recruitment for next season. I know you all want names but at the minute we are keeping them close to our chests. It’s silly season so we don’t want egg on our face. But I can say we have a couple of defenders in, 2 midfielders and 2 possibly 3 forwards. It’s gone well. There’s some faces in there the fans will have seen before playing for Hitchin and some that have played against us. It’s a mixed group so far of youth and experience. I can’t wait to share because I’m excited about what’s happening.
I’ll return in a couple of weeks hopefully with a few names for you. ”
Donners
BUDGET PLANNING AND TICKET PRICING
Over the last few weeks we have been dedicating a significant amount of time to planning for the season ahead. This has included reviews of our operations over the past season and our plans and objectives for the season ahead. We have reviewed our financial performance for the last season and have started to set the business plan for the upcoming season. In line with all businesses we have continued to face growing pressure from price rises across the board but particularly with items such as energy prices, insurances and materials for maintenance etc. We are proud of all the improvements we have made to how we operate at Hitchin Town FC during the last few years and want to ensure we keep delivering the best experience for all on matchday’s and beyond. Although we will be competing at Step 4 next season we don’t want any of the off-field activities to change as a result of our relegation. We are also clear on our immediate ambition of a quick return to Step 3 and we are intent on ensuring we support Brett and his team to provide a squad that is able to be in a position to compete to win the league.
One of our core values as a club is to be financially sustainable. We are hugely grateful for the growth in attendances last season with an increase of 25% on our average attendances. Whilst this does help to provide some respite against our rising costs it hasn’t even fully met these increases. We are also very appreciative of our sponsors and commercial partners who have continued to support Hitchin Town FC despite economic conditions that are also affecting many of their businesses. All of the income generated by the club is reinvested in providing the services and facilities we all enjoy. Their is no profit being diverted to a board or owners as may be the case at some clubs. As we are also VAT registered (which is not the case for many clubs – particularly at Step 4) 20% of all of our income, such as match tickets goes straight to HMRC – so for every £13 adult ticket sold we actually recieve £10.40.
So this leads us to ticket pricing for the season ahead; we don’t want to have to make any reductions to the playing budget we are able to provide Brett as we want to have the most competitive squad we can. As a result we have made the decision to freeze our matchday ticket prices for the upcoming season. We do however recognise the tremendous support over the last difficult season and the fact that you have supported us week in week out at Top Field without enjoying a home win since October 2023. We have therefore made the decision to make a reduction in our adult and concession season ticket prices. We hope that you will all continue to support us in wanting to provide the strongest opportunity of immediately returning to Step 3
In line with previous seasons we have also agreed that all home pre-season friendlies will be free for season ticket holders. This provides access to an additional 4 games making the price per game even lower than those shown above.
Flexi-tickets
For visitors who regularly visit Top Field but may not be able to make enough games to make a season ticket viable we will also be introducing a ‘Flexi Ticket’ option for the new season. This will allow you to purchase a pack of 5 adult or 5 concession tickets at a reduced rate that can then be used at any league game. Look out for more details on this in July as we launch this ready for the start of the league in August.
Once again thank you for your support and we look forward to an exciting and successful season ahead.
Season tickets can be purchase online from 9.00am on Monday 20th May.
Supporters Trust
Established in 2005 the Supporters Trust is a fantastic support to the First Team Manager providing additional funding over and above that which the club is able to dedicate to the playing budget. The trust guarantee that all monies donated go directly to the manager towards his weekly playing budget. Donations can be made via one off donations or quarterly, weekly or monthly instalments. If you would like more information on how you can join the Supporters Trust please visit the link below:
Supporters Trust – Hitchin Town FC
GROUND IMPROVEMENTS FUND BY CHRIS NEWBOLD
We would like to advise all that a separate fund of £4,770.60 has been raised during the season by a number of people, to help with some of the close season ground improvements, and say a massive thanks to all those who contributed towards this, either by participation in the Cider and Cheese Festival last summer or to the Team Achievements Sponsorship throughout last season.
Special thanks need to go to Roger Berry who has run the Team Achievements Sponsorship again with great diligence (every time you walk past him you owe him money!!!!), and to the Cider and Cheese Festival organising Committee (Alan Clark. Mick Docking and Kate Deller). £3,000 of the money raised was from the Cider and Cheese Festival and £1,770.60 through team sponsorship.
Roger will be running the sponsorship again next season and obviously with hopes and expectations high to score more goals, keep more clean sheets, kick towards Fishponds Road second half (yes that earns money too!!!), it would be great to keep the impact going. The planning for the Cider and Cheese Festival is well under way and let’s hope it’s even more successful than last year!
The club will communicate to everybody how this hard earned money will be spent during the close season on key improvements to ground and infrastructure.
WILL WRIGHT
Congratulations to Will Wright who on Sunday will be at Wembley as part of the Crawley team who take on Crewe in the Division 2 Play-Off Final. Will came through our academy system and played 84 games for us scoring 11 goals between 2015 and 2017. He has played over 50 games for Crawley this season and has worked hard to achieve the success he has had.
Will remains a keen follower of Hitchin and came to the Dan Webb testimonial and apologised for missing my testimonial due to his Crawley commitments. All at Hitchin wish Will the best of luck at Wembley on Sunday.
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Monday 13th May we had a few of our lads involved in the Pro:Direct showcase event which was held at Slough Town FC. This game allowed scouts and managers from professional and semi professional clubs to have a look at the talent coming through.
We have had excellent feedback about Chris Khoo, Frankie Webster, Tyrese Kamara and Henry Silver with a couple of the players receiving further opportunities from this event.
We would like to thank Pro:Direct for holding another great event and giving our players such a great opportunity to showcase their talents.
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
NEW VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The new season will be starting with our pre season collection of matches and we are once again looking for extra help with volunteers. We have a number of match day opportunities which we would like to open up to you.
Club Shop Assistant
Assisting in the club shop taking card payment and cash for purchases. Keeping shelves stocked and tidy and being a welcoming face to our supporters. 1.30pm to 3.00pm and 3.45 – 4.00pm
Boardroom Assistant
Assisting Club and visiting Officials in the boardroom, making tea and offering a welcoming face for the club. Keeping the boardroom tidy during and after visits
1.30pm to 3.00pm and 3.45 – 4.15pm 5.00pm – 5.30pm post match Boardroom
Match Day Marshal
Assisting supporters around the Stadium. Pointing out facilities and being a welcome presence to all visitors. 1.30 to 5.00pm
There are other opportunities within the social media team and tannoy services, to assist when current volunteers take holidays.
Please contact volunteer@hitchintownfc.club if you can assist with any of these vacancies.
MAY FOOTBALL FUN
BY ROY IZZARD