WEEKLY BULLETIN – 1ST APRIL
TRIBUTE TO PETER GOOCH
We heard the very sad news last Saturday that Peter Gooch had passed away. Peter was the managing director of Alma Engineering Limited who have been the official shirt sponsors of Hitchin Town FC for an incredible 22 years since 2000. I cannot believe any shirt sponsorship comes close to this longevity in either local or national football. If a sponsorship lasts even five years you would be quite surprised so 22 years is surreal. Peter had always been a Hitchin supporter and approached the club about sponsorship at a time when Peter Prince, then the club physio was working at Alma.
Alma Engineering have contributed well in excess of £100,000 to the club and Peter invested this money knowing it would be unlikely to have increased the Alma sales. He was just a great supporter and a lovely man. He even donated ink cartridges for the club printer to help save costs.
Alma Engineering is a family run sheet metal fabrication company located in Biggleswade with over 40 years experience designing and manufacturing bespoke products. In 2019 manager Mark Burke paid the following tribute to Peter Gooch and it is just as relevant today—‘’We’re incredibly grateful to Peter Gooch and the whole Alma Engineering team for their continued support of Hitchin Town FC. In today’s day and age , and especially in football, such loyalty is incredibly rare. But 19 years of continued support really is something special. A huge thankyou from everyone at Hitchin Town FC.’’
Unfortunately Peter’s health had declined over the last couple of years and his death was described as a happy release to stop any further suffering. We are going to celebrate Peter’s life with a minute’s applause at the Lowestoft game on Saturday. Rest in peace Peter and many condolences to his family and friends.
FIXTURES
- Saturday 2nd April Home to Lowestoft League kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased via the club website as you cannot pay at the turnstiles.
- There is no midweek fixture.
MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE
ALVECHURCH
We faced a difficult match against play-off chasing Alvechurch with a depleted squad as we were without Dan Webb and Lewis Barker. As Alvechurch has not been a happy hunting ground for me it was very pleasing to come away with a clean sheet and a point despite playing with just ten men from the 28th minute.
I have no complaints with the red card. James Peters attempted to get his body between the ball and the striker but was unable to do so and clipped his feet bringing him down with only Charlie Horlock to beat. It was a great shame as we had started the game well and were the brighter of the two teams. Being reduced to ten men meant we had to change our shape and personnel. We sacrificed Steve Cawley and introduced Josh Popoola for a debut baptism of fire. Josh along with his nine team mates defended incredibly well and the game management was spot on. Charlie received such good protection he only had a minimum number of saves to make.
It was a well earned point and we were pleased with the way the results went in the other games.
LOWESTOFT
We have been slowly building towards this game as I have always felt it would be pivotal to our season. I have been delighted with our performances and results over the last few games and we go in to the Lowestoft encounter with confidence. However I am under no illusions and fully expect a difficult fixture as Lowestoft will be fighting for their lives. Only a couple of weeks ago they became the only team to win at Coalville this season so we will not be going in to the game with any complacency and will be fully focused on the job in hand.
Our supporters have been brilliant all season despite our struggles and in such a critical game tomorrow they really can make the difference. It would be great to get a big crowd providing that positive atmosphere.
WILL WRIGHT
I would like to congratulate Will Wright who started for England C against Wales C this week. I felt very proud that a product of our academy has gone on to represent his country and Will has worked really hard to achieve what he has. I hope he continues to prosper and he is a great role model for all our academy players.
PETER GOOCH
I was really sad to hear that Peter Gooch had passed away. He was a lovely man and had been a great supporter of the club for many years. He will be sorely missed and the minutes applause tomorrow will be a fitting tribute.
MARK BURKE
PLAYER NEWS
- James Peters is suspended from the Lowestoft game after his red card last week.
- Dan Webb and Lewis Barker will return to the squad for the Lowestoft game.
- Michael Conlon has returned to Kettering and we thank him for his time with us.
RELEGATION BATTLE
The relegation battle could easily go through to the last game of the season. The remaining fixtures of our six nearest rivals are as follows—
LOWESTOFT
- Home Tamworth, Needham Market
- Away Hitchin, Stourbridge, Alvechurch, Rushall
BIGGLESWADE
- Home Coalville, Hednesford, Redditch
- Away Peterborough Sports, Royston, Tamworth
NUNEATON
- Home Hitchin, Barwell
- Away Needham Market, Leiston, Rushden
BROMSGROVE
- Home Redditch, Needham Market, Stratford
- Away Leiston, Rushden, Hitchin
ST IVES
- Home Rushall, Stourbridge, Rushden
- Away Stratford, Tamworth
BARWELL
- Home Banbury, Hednesford
- Away Stratford, Nuneaton
CLUB SHOP
Please come and visit the club shop tomorrow. There is a wide range of club merchandise for sale as well as programmes, books and badges together with a selection of confectionery. If you cannot make the game please visit the online club shop.
ACADEMY UPDATE
Michael Jones was unable to produce his normal report this week. However the team played two games this week drawing 1-1 with Enfield on Monday and beating Boreham Wood 3-1 on Wednesday.
HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
The women had a break over the weekend and return to football with the following fixtures this weekend :
BHWFL Division One
14:00 – HTWFC XI v Bedford Development Ladies FC
Allen Park, Old Ford End Road, Bedford
Chris Renshaw Quarter Final
14:00 – HTWFC Canaries v Sherrardswood Ladies FC
Ickleford Sports and Recreation Ground, Chambers Lane, Ickleford
Keep up to date with all the live scores & fixtures, Twitter @HitchinTownWFC or on Facebook, Hitchin Town Womens FC
We are still continuing to recruit for players for the 2021/2022 season. We train Wednesday evenings at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU. Training starts at 20:30 and finishes at 22:00, all abilities welcome! We are also looking for Club Sponsors ! Please get in touch for further information.
BY ROY IZZARD