WEEKLY BULLETIN – 19TH JUNE
MANAGER’S NOTES By Michael Jones
Ciaren Jones
Congratulations to our captain Ciaren Jones who proposed to his partner Jodie while they were away on holiday in Switzerland.
Pre-Season
We are now less than a week away from our preseason start date. Preseason will of course be used to get players up to speed but we will be focusing on making sure we correct the wrongs from our last experience at the level, having learnt so much. We have a lot of work to get through during the 6 weeks of training but we know we are in a much better position than we previously were as we have a winning culture/mentality, momentum, confidence, more experience and belief.
Player News
We will have a few trialists come and join us for preseason training as we always look to strengthen the group. If these players impress during training then they will be invited in to play in our opening games. These players will need to be good enough to add quality to the squad but also buy into what we are trying to achieve as a collective.
Academy Update
As the academic year is drawing to a close we will be saying goodbye to a few of our second year students as their course and their time with us finishes.
We have also had a few of our students start to get involved with coaching with the community side of the club.
We are now in the process of finalising the plans for preseason which starts in August, although we will have one or two team events in July.
If you would like to be part of the academy or for further information please click here.
Or email Michael.jones@wearescl.co.uk.
SEASON TICKET UPDATE By Chris Newbold
Sales of tickets continue to rise. With three weeks until our first pre-season game, sales have already exceeded total sales from three seasons ago and are progressing towards the total of two seasons ago.
There is still plenty of time to consider purchasing a season ticket. There are massive savings to be had compared with single match tickets, both online and bought on the day.
I expect to take delivery of the first batch of season cards next week and these will be dispatched as quickly as possible after receipt.
LUTON TOWN GAME – MARK BURKE TESTIMONIAL
With this game still four weeks away, sales are still increasing all the time and we will be expecting a huge crowd. As already mentioned, it is important that for this game that the word can get round for everyone to buy their tickets online in advance, so that entry into the ground for everyone can be as smooth as it was on play-off final day when everybody had bought their tickets online.
The Match Day ticket office window will be open if there are tickets still remaining, and subject to safety and operational considerations making this possible. The Club reserves the right to close this office if it deems it necessary. Buying in advance will help to minimise possible overcrowding and will ensure that you gain entry to the game. Please do not wait until the day to hope to buy a ticket if you can buy in advance.
Please remember: for this game season tickets will be valid for entry.
NEW AWAY SHIRT
Advance online sales for the new away shirt have been really encouraging and more orders continue to come in. I am given to understand that we expect delivery of these by mid-July, and as soon as they are received we’ll get them straight out to everyone.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
COMMUNITY UPDATE by Mark Burke
Summer Holiday Courses
The Arena, Baldock – Football Holiday Camps
We will be staging 5 weeks of football holiday camps at the Arena, Baldock over the School Summer holidays starting on Tuesday 27th July and finishing on Thursday 27th August. Each camp runs for 3 days Tuesday – Thursday over the period.
Preston Primary School – Multi-Activity Holiday Camps
We will also be staging 3 weeks of multi-activity holiday camps at Preston Primary School over the School Summer holidays starting on Tuesday 4th August to Thursday 20th August. Each camp runs for 3 days Tuesday – Thursday over the period.
Junior Ability Counts
Our Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock on Monday’s continue again on the 15th June and have a further 5 weeks until 13th July from 5-6pm.
We have extended our Junior Ability Counts sessions with additional sessions on a Wednesday at the Arena from 5.30pm – 6.30pm on 17th June and run for 5 weeks until 15th July.
The sessions are open to 5 – 16 year olds with physical and or SEN but be able to walk.
Safe Hands Goalkeeping Course
Our Safe Hands Goalkeeping sessions at the Arena, Baldock starts its 2nd session on Wednesday 17th June for 5 weeks from 5.30-6.30pm with Hitchin Town 1st Team goalkeeper Josh Mollison. The sessions are open to 6 – 14 year olds.
Coaching in Schools
We continue to work in our local schools delivering coaching sessions at:
- Preston Junior Wraparound Care, Lunch Time Clubs and PPA
- Oughton Primary Lunch Time & After School Clubs and PE Lessons
- Icknield Infants After School Clubs and Morning Clubs
- St Mary’s Morning and After School Clubs, PE Lessons & PPA Cover
- Woolgrove Lunch Time Clubs
- Brandles PE Lessons
- Samuel Lucas After School Clubs everyday Monday – Friday (Excluding Thursday)
If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, After School and Breakfast Clubs please contact Josh Mollison on info@htcfc.co.uk.
THE BOYS DONE GOOD
Former Hitchin striker Jake Hutchinson was selected in the Isthmian Team of the Year after his top goalscoring performances helped Folkestone secure the Isthmian Premier League Title.
Two former Canaries from different eras, Neil Ryan the current U17’s England Manager, and Damon Lathrope the Assistant Manager to Tom Cleverley at Plymouth Argyle bumped into each other this week as they both participated on the League Managers Association Diploma.
FA DRAWS
On Friday 3 July 2026, the FA will be releasing the below information:
- The Emirates FA Cup – Extra Preliminary Round & Preliminary Round draws
- The FA Trophy – Preliminary Round & First Round Qualifying draws
- The FA Vase – First Round Qualifying & Second Round Qualifying draws
- The FA Youth Cup – Extra Preliminary Round & Preliminary Round draws