WEEKLY BULLETIN: 19TH DECEMBER
Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 20 December vs Rayners Lane (H) – Southern League
We welcome Rayners Lane to Top Field in the Southern League Division One Central – 3pm kick-off.
This will be the first time Rayners Lane have ever visited Top Field. In the reverse fixture in August Hitchin came out 2-0 winners with goals courtesy of Lewis Franklin and Josh Jackman.
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). 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. They are 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.
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 midweek fixture. The next game will be away to Barton Rovers on Saturday 27 December 2025.
Manager’s Notes
Win Versus Flackwell Heath
Last Saturday we hosted Flackwell Heath and it proved to be the difficult test we expected. Flackwell were play off finalists last season and had a very good FA Cup run this season where they reached the fourth qualifying round.
Flackwell started the game fired up and put us under pressure from the first minute and within the first 5 minutes they had a shot that went over the bar and one that was cleared off the line. They should have taken the lead from one of these chances. We took our time to get going but after the wake up call we were able to counter attack and this allowed Lewis Franklin to go 1-1 with the goalkeeper and give us the lead. We then grew into the game and forced a few corners and then a few chances where the keeper made good saves from Lewis Franklin and Kye Tearle. Flackwell continued to look a threat when they went forward and we needed to rely on some solid defending to stop their attacks. We then had two more great chances when Taylor Rhiney and then Lewis Franklin both just put wide from inside the box. Josh Coldicott-Stevens then forced the keeper into a good save but no one was able to turn in the rebound. This was then followed by a Lewis Franklin shot which the keeper saved.
Half time and although we had not been at our best we had edged the balance of play and created some good chances to go further ahead, after our slow start.
Second half and Flackwell Heath put us under pressure for the first 15 minutes and we were only able to counter attack to get up the pitch. Keepers were not called into action but the feeling was that we needed a second goal to make the rest of the game comfortable. We made a double substitution to try and inject some more energy and try to stop the visitors’ ever growing momentum. 10 minutes later we were able to find the much needed second after some good play resulted in an own goal. This knocked all of Flackwell’s belief and confidence and we were able to see out the game for another good home win.
Thank you for all the support again on Saturday, it does not go unnoticed.
Meeting with Rayners Lane on Saturday
This Saturday we host Rayners Lane. Rayners Lane are currently in the relegation zone but despite being in this position they have picked up some impressive results. Most notably a 1-0 away win to high flying Biggleswade FC and a 1-1 draw with Flackwell Heath on Tuesday.
Rayners Lane have changed manager and players in the last week and we will be facing a much different team to what the league table suggests. We will be facing a team with new enthusiasm, confidence, energy and belief which will prove to be a difficult challenge.
We know the task that faces us on Saturday and we know league position will be irrelevant after kick off and it will be down to which group of players want it more and can produce the quality needed in the key moments.
Please make sure you continue to bring your positive noise and energy to get behind the group.
I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
Player News
- Josh Bowler is now back in full training as he continues his recovery.
- George Morrall remains out injured.
- Blue Joy continues his trial period with a professional club.
- Charlie Briggs will be assessed before Saturday’s game.
- Brett Longden will be assessed before Saturday’s game.
Academy Update
We have finished this week for our Christmas break and will be returning to education and training on Monday 5 January 2026.
If you would like to be part of the academy or would like to find out more information on what we offer please register your details using this link – https://extranet.wearescl.co.uk/SCLSPEnquiry/
Merchandise Update
It’s the last chance before Christmas to get your merchandise from the Club Shop this Saturday. The shop will be open from 11 so you can grab those last minute Hitchin Town FC gifts.
We know many of you have been waiting so we are pleased to confirm that yellow scarves and purple scarves & bobble hats have both been restocked.
If you have missed anything then please remember that a selection of items are also available from the Visit Hitchin shop in the town centre too – so for those of you that like to leave it until the very last minute you can call in there next week!
Paul Sprague
Ticketing Update
HALF SEASON TICKETS
Thanks to all of you who have bought season tickets for the second half of the season. The total sold is now better than both last year and the previous season.
For those who ordered season cards, these are now with me and can be collected from the Match Day Ticket window on Saturday at the Rayners Lane game. Any that aren’t collected Saturday will then be dispatched by post.
It’s still not too late to buy in time for the Stotfold game on Saturday 3 January. Please bear in mind:
- Selecting the delivery option to your phone rather than a plastic card will mean you can obtain the ticket immediately. There is normally a 7-14 day timescale for delivery of plastic cards.
- PLEASE IF YOU ARE BUYING THE TICKET FOR SOMEBODY ELSE: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE WHEN YOU BUY. We had four instances in the past week where purchasers did not do this, and it only causes delays in processing a valid season ticket for you. To be valid, the ticket must be in the name of the attendee, not the person purchasing the ticket. Thanks.
Chris Newbold
Barton Rovers Away Info
Both card payment and cash is accepted at the turnstiles. I am clarifying prices with Barton and I will ensure information is shared when I hear back from them.
Farewell Pipeman
The funeral of Paul Harris better known as Pipeman took place on Wednesday. The service was a fitting tribute to a unique man with excellent speeches from his son, daughter and nephew. The football club were well represented both at the funeral and the wake which took place at the Canary Club. Many happy memories were shared and it was clear that he really enjoyed his time at Hitchin Town FC.
Top of the Form Table
Hitchin are currently top of the form guide table which is based on the last six results.
Community Update
Coaching Courses at the Arena
Junior Ability Counts
The Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock start from 5pm until 6pm and are open to 5-16 year olds with physical and or SEN but be able to walk.
The first session in the New Year is on Monday 5 January 2026.
Safe Hands Goalkeeping Course
The very popular Safe Hands Goalkeeping sessions at the Arena, Baldock with former Hitchin Town First Team goalkeeper Josh Mollison will start again on Wednesday 7 January 2026.
Mark Burke
Hitchin Old Boys Update
Here are photos of three of our ex players performing well for their current teams. Ashley Hay was in the Dundee team that beat Celtic, Will Wright reached the third round of the FA Cup with Swindon and Callum Stead scored for Barnet.
Hitchin Town Women’s FC update
Results
Hitchin Town Women FC 1-2 EB Lions
Wheathampstead 4-0 HTWFC Canaries
Callum Ellis
Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year
Can I wish a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year to all Hitchin Town supporters. Thank you for reading the bulletin every week and I hope it provides extensive coverage of everything that happens at Top Field for you.
I would like to thank our brilliant social media team for making the bulletin look so professional each week. Paul Sprague, Stew Curtis and Matt Furniss really do a great job and I would also like to thank all those who contribute to the bulletin including Chris Newbold, Mark Burke, Paul Sprague again, Callum Ellis, Maxine Howarth, Mick Docking, Kate Deller and our manager Michael Jones who each week provides great insight in to what is happening on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Roy Izzard