WEEKLY BULLETIN: 1ST MAY

Play-Off Final

Monday 4th May vs Biggleswade FC (H)
Southern League Play-Off Final – 3pm KO

Having progressed through our play-off semi-final fixture vs Thame, we now look forward to hosting Biggleswade FC in the play-off final at Top Field on Monday 4th May, 3pm kick-off.

Organising these matches is a huge undertaking and we want to ensure they meet our usual matchday standards and provide everyone with a hugely enjoyable experience whatever the result. To cope with the expected crowds there will be some changes to the usual matchday organisation and we will keep you updated with everything you need to know here. Please check back for updates as information is confirmed.

Tickets

The match is sold out. We are unlikely to have any further tickets available.

Please be aware that season tickets and any other concession passes will not be valid for this game. As with any cup games, it is all pay for this game. This is because the gate receipts have to be split with the league and the opposition. There are therefore strict limits on the number of complimentary tickets issued to each club.

As the match is sold out there will be no ticket sales on the ground on Monday.

Please ensure you access the ground as early as possible once the turnstiles open. They will be open from 1.30. We will be doing everything we can to get everyone through the turnstiles quickly but will not be able to get everyone in by kick-off if everyone turns up at 2.30pm.

Food and Drink

All of our usual facilities will be open. We have also created an additional area at the rear of the car park stand. This can be accessed through the double gates between the car park stand and the concrete terrace. This area will be securely fenced so there is no access to the Canary Club via this gate. This additional hospitality area will contain a Mad Squirrel Brewery Bar, the Canary Kitchen Pie stand (serving pies, sausage rolls and soft drinks), as well as additional toilets.

We hope this will help to reduce queuing at other locations in the ground although we expect all outlets to be busy. So please respect other supporters in the queue and respect our staff who will be doing everything they can to get you served as early as possible.

The Canary Kitchen are also using this match to trial some other measures we are considering to help reduce queuing at our busier fixtures:

• Order Online – At Monday’s fixture you can order from the normal menu online at www.thecanarykitchen.co.uk between 12pm and 5pm and then collect your order from the window on the car park side of the Canary Kitchen unit.
• Mobile Hot Food Sales – look out for the Canary Kitchen staff outside the ground or around the ground as they will be coming round with some hot food items that can be purchased rather than having to go and join the queue at a food outlet.

We hope both of this trials are successful at improving the experience for busier fixtures.

Behaviour

Supporters are reminded of our Code of Conduct and asked to respect the club and other supporters at all time. Please also be reminded that the use of pyrotechnics/smoke bombs and entering the field of play at any time (including after the final whistle) is strictly prohibited. These offences can result in serious consequences to the club and can lead to a ban for any individuals involved. Please be loud, show your support, get behind the team but ensure you do this positively and respectfully.

Parking

With grateful thanks to North Herts District Council we are delighted to say that we have been granted permission to use Butts Close for additional parking at the final. This will really help ease congestion around the localility of the ground. We are not looking to benefit financially from this but instead we are asking for a donation to be made to Garden House Hospice if you use Butts Close. We thank Alan North and Thomas Ayres from NHDC for their help and co-operation and to Councillor Ian Albert who has worked diligently to help us make a successful application to use Butts Close.

The Butts Close Overflow Car Park will be open from 12.45pm on Monday.

Access will be via the footpath from Fishponds Road adjacent to Hitchin Swimming Centre. Marshal’s will be in place to ensure you are able to park up safely. Please drive slowly at all times and be aware of any pedestrians.

In accordance with the terms of use set by North Herts Council the barrier will be closed and locked at 3pm, or at whichever time the area becomes full, to prevent unauthorised access/parking on Butts Close.

The barrier will be opened shortly after completion of the match. All vehicles must then be removed from Butts Close within 40 minutes of the completion of the match, at which point the barrier will be locked.

Please ensure you follow all instructions from the marshals and be patient at busy periods to ensure that everyone is parked safely.

Manager’s Notes

League Defeat vs Thame United

Saturday we suffered our biggest defeat of the season as we lost 5-0 to Thame United. Thame needed at least a point to get into the play offs.

We were arriving at this game having had to play on Wednesday against London Lions which meant we needed to rest and rotate the squad for this game. We were also in a situation where we had a few players who were not fully fit and we had also lost Taylor Rhiney due to injury on Wednesday which meant it was critical that we could not pick up anymore injuries on Saturday in preparation for the play off game on Wednesday. This meant we had a changed squad but this squad was more than capable of being competitive and we were hoping that the players who were playing would be looking to push into the Wednesday squad.

We got off to the worst possible start despite looking comfortable in possession when we went 1-0 down. This eased Thames nerves and meant our afternoon’s work would be tougher. We then got ourselves into a worse position when Brett Longden received a straight red which meant we had to play over 75 minutes with 10 men. This meant that we struggled to break Thame down and when they were able to turn the ball over they looked more threatening because of the extra player. Thame created plenty of chances and should have added another goal. We had one big chance but George Morrall hit the post. Thame got their second just before half time and this killed the game.

The second half was more of the same with Thame having some good chances but due to some Tyler McGregor saves they were unable to extend the lead. Thame then got a third before the final 10 minutes where Callum Kane gave away a penalty and scored an own goal for Thame to run out with a comfortable 5-0 win.

A really disappointing way to end the season, with a loss and our biggest of the season. Everyone has their thoughts and opinions on Saturday’s game but I can assure you that we went into the game looking to win and I fully expected us to give Thame a difficult game, despite the changes to the starting 11 as I thought the players would be looking to impress for Wednesday. The red card killed any competitiveness in the game and made it an uphill task whereas 11v11 I felt we would have been competitive. I also stand by the team selection as it was vital that we did not get any more injuries before Wednesday.

Thame United Play-Off Semi Win

Wednesday we had to entertain Thame United again but this time in a game that meant something to both sides. We were able to make 7 changes to our starting 11 from Saturday whereas Thame went with the same side that won 5-0.

We started the game on the front foot and created some good chances to take the lead. We looked dangerous from set plays and we also got into some great areas but our shots were either straight at the keeper, just wide of the post or we made the wrong decision when in the final third and shot when the pass was on or passed when the shot was on. This meant we came into the half at 0-0.

We were happy with the first half, despite not taking the lead and we felt if we could carry on in the same fashion then we would find the goal needed. The first 15 minutes of the second half we were in control but as the half went on the momentum started to change and Thame started to look more threatening and most likely to score. We had to ride our luck at times and we needed some excellent last ditch defending as well as some vital saves by Tyler McGregor to keep us at 0-0 and take us to extra time. We now knew we were in a position where it was either going to be a wonder goal or a mistake that would settle this game.

In extra time Thame looked the more threatening and had one unbelievable chance to take the lead but they were unable to take this. We had a few half chances without anything that threatening. Then up stepped Thame’s MOTM from Saturday… Callum Kane. He was able to pick the ball up just inside the attacking half and make an excellent weaving run before unleashing a power shot to send Top Field crazy! We were then able to hold on to progress to Monday’s final.

Thank you for your unreal support, especially as it was a Wednesday evening and I am hoping you are looking forward to Monday as much as we are.

Biggleswade FC Play-Off Final

Monday we host in form Biggleswade FC in the play off final. Biggleswade are the form team in the league at the moment having won 9 games in a row to finish off the league season.

We have already played Biggleswade FC three times this season with them beating us 3-1 away in the FA Trophy back in September, we drew 1-1 away in October and lost 1-0 at home in January.

This just goes to show how difficult Monday’s match will be, playing a team we have not beaten in three attempts.

We are now one game away from reaching our season objectives with it being within touching distance of our grasp.

We need to make sure we give everything we have on Monday and more and make sure we have no regrets at full time.

Please continue to get behind the group and this club on Monday for our final game of the season.

I look forward to seeing you all on Monday.

Player News

• Josh Bowler is out for the rest of the season.
• Will McNeill has damaged his MCL and ACL, this means he will be out for the rest of this season and next.
• Taylor Rhiney is still recovering from a knock picked up against London Lions.
• Brett Longden has served his 1 match ban and is available for selection.
• Liam Brooks is still struggling with a knock which has been ongoing for a few weeks and will face a late fitness test.
• Kavan Cotter has been struggling with an injury picked up against Northwood and will face a late fitness test.
• Cole Butler has recovered from last week’s Marathon and is available for selection.

Academy Update

Elliott Phillips made his league debut against Thame United on Saturday.

Former academy player Callum Kane scored the winning goal in the play off semi-final which also included former academy graduates Kye Tearle, Lewis Franklin and Josh Mollison as well as current academy player Blue Joy who all made up part of the 16 man match squad.

If you would like to be part of the academy or for further information please use this link

– https://extranet.wearescl.co.uk/WebFormsLive/webenrolment.aspx?page=~/webcontrols/coursedisplay.ascx&CourseInformationID=5398

Or email Michael.jones@wearescl.co.uk

Ex-Canaries at Top Field

It was good to see a number of famous ex-Canaries at Top Field on Wednesday. The ones I saw (there may have been others) were Mark Burke, Carl Williams, Adam Parker, Richard Wilmot, Ian Donnelly, Steve Conroy together with ex-manager Darren Salton. I also received a good luck email from Tony Luff. It is so good to see ex-players continue to support the club.

Community Update

May Half Term Holiday Courses

The Arena, Baldock – Football Holiday Camps

We are holding our football holiday camps at the Arena, Baldock over the May Half Term holidays starting on Tuesday 26th May to Thursday 28th May for 3 days

Preston Primary School – Multi-Activity Holiday Camps

There will also be a multi-activity holiday camps at Preston Primary School over the May Half Term holidays starting on Tuesday 26th May to Thursday 28th May for 3 days

Junior Ability Counts

Our Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock on Monday’s have 2 more weeks to run on the 11th and 18th May from 5-6pm.

We will be extending our Junior Ability Counts sessions by offering additional sessions on a Wednesday at the Arena from 5.30pm – 6.30pm soon.

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 have 3 weeks to run from Wednesday 6th May from 5.30-6.30pm with Hitchin Town 1st Team goalkeeper Josh Mollison. The sessions are open to 6-14 year olds.

Hitchin Town FC Walking Football Team

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 Boy’s Done Good

Callum Stead had an incredible match last weekend scoring FIVE(!!) goals for Barnet against Gillingham securing himself a space in the EFL team of the week for a FOURTH week running.

Jake Hutchinson who won the Isthmian Premier League title and promotion into the National League South with Folkestone Invicta celebrated by scoring a hat-trick in the final match of the season last week that saw him crowned top goalscorer in the Isthmian Premier League.

Congratulations also to Jay Da Silva the brother of former Hitchin player Rio who followed up clinching promotion to the Premier League with Coventry City last week with securing the Championship title.

Congratulations also goes to former Canary Stuart Maynard who steered his York City team to an unbelievable victory against Rochdale in the final League match of the season to win the National League Championship and automatic promotion to the Football League.

Michael Johnson ended the season with the most Clean Sheets in the National League South and reached the Quarter Finals Play Off. Unfortunately both he and former canary Finley Wilkinson lost out on penalties to Weston Super Mare despite MUJ saving one and Finlay scoring his.

Milford Lodge Visit

Residents at Milford Lodge enjoyed a lively and heart‑warming morning as special guests Josh Mollinson & Blue Joy from Hitchin Town Football Club joined the home’s much‑loved Gents Club for a morning of conversation, laughter, and shared passion for the beautiful game.

The moment Josh & Blue walked through the door, the room lit up. Handshakes, smiles, and a bit of friendly football banter set the tone for a visit that felt both relaxed and full of energy.

Residents were eager to hear first‑hand tales from the world of semi‑professional football, and the players didn’t disappoint. They spoke about memorable matches, training routines, and the pride they feel representing Hitchin in the community.

For many of the gentlemen, football has been a lifelong love, and the chance to reminisce about favourite teams and great matches sparked animated conversation around the room.

One resident joked that he could still “show the lads how to take a proper corner,” which earned a big laugh from the team.

Via Hitchin Nub News

Callum Completes Marathon

I firstly want to thank everyone that has donated to the Just Giving page, over £3300 has been raised and under £4000 including gift aid. HTFC, HTWFC & HTYFC thank you for sharing my story & donating. It’s a massive thank you to, Modern Networks & Richard Taylor Travel, for sponsoring the marathon shirt. I have been blown back with all the support and good luck wishes and everyone checking in. So from me, thank you, what a great community we have at Hitchin.

The donations will go towards vital care at the Garden House Hospice.

Callum Ellis

Hitchin Town Women FC Update

Results

Hitchin Town Women FC 1 – 1 Cranfield United
Evergeen Ladies H – W Hitchin Town Women FC

Fixtures – This Week!

Hitchin Town Women FC v Hitchin Belles Whites – CUP FINAL
Sunday 3rd May – 10:30

Callum Ellis