WEEKLY BULLETIN 2ND MAY
THIS BULLETIN OVER THE SUMMER
I do intend to produce the bulletin throughout the close season. The following items will be included—
- Michael Jones has promised to keep us informed of any player movements in or out.
- I will announce pre-season fixtures as they are confirmed.
- I will keep you updated of any ground work that is carried out.
- When the make up of the Central League division one is known I will confirm the constitution.
- Any cup draws will be notified.
- Admission prices will be announced.
In short I hope to keep you fully informed of everything that takes place before next season begins.
MANAGER’S NOTES BY MICHAEL JONES
Redditch United
So, we reached the final game of the season, away to Redditch who needed a win to 100% make sure of retaining their step 3 status.
We were down to the bare bones with Liam Brooks being unavailable and Bradley Bell pulling out Ill on the morning of the game. This meant we went with a bench of Bradley Dixon Smith, Kobe Sinclair-Linton, Kieron Forbes and a not-fully-fit Stephen Gleeson. We were able to reward academy player Blue Joy with his first start after impressing this season with the academy and in training with the first team. This meant a shuffle to our backline was needed as we had four central defenders in the team. Lewis Franklin went to left back where he has played for the academy and Welwyn Garden City in the past and Toby Syme went to his former position of right back. This allowed Blue to slot in between the experience of Toby Syme and Ciaren Jones, our two oldest players in the starting 11.
In the first few minutes we looked up for the challenge of trying to end our winless run, but 10 minutes in and Ciaren Jones had given away a penalty and injured himself while committing the foul. Seb Stacey managed to pull off an excellent save and for a moment we thought this might have been our day but from the resulting corner we were unable to compete with the numerous headers/challenges and Redditch took the lead. This spurred Redditch on and less than 10 minutes later a poor pass from Toby Syme and some hesitation from Ciaren Jones allowed Redditch to extend their lead. This gave Redditch the confidence and momentum and from then on, they were the only team in the game, it became 3-0 with 10 minutes left of the half after a long ball after a set play allowed a Redditch player to control the ball and turn in the box for a good finish. 3-0 down and we were miles off anything deserving of the incredible away support we received again.
At half-time we took Ciaren Jones off for Bradley Dixon Smith and we explained to the lads that the performance had been embarrassing and that they needed to at the very least compete with Redditch. I felt in the first half only Seb Stacey and Blue Joy could come off the pitch with any credit.
Second half we were undone by a set play straight away and the score was looking like it could be the worst result of the season. Redditch continued to pile on the pressure but were unable to find a fifth goal. We had to play the remaining 15 minutes with 10 men as Bradley Dixon Smith received a red card. Deep into added time Harry Titchmarsh had to come off injured and this meant Kieron Forbes made his long-awaited return to the pitch for the final few minutes.
A real disappointment of a Saturday. Not only did we shipfour4 goals but we were never really in the match at any point and it was such a disappointing way to finish such a poor season.
The only positive from the day was our incredible support from the travelling supporters. We had a full coach of supporters who also made loads of noise and even dressed up in fancy dress. We can’t thank you enough for your loyal travelling support this season and I can only apologise for letting you all down with the results.
Season Finished
This very long season has now drawn to a close and we have gone out with a whimper, losing four in a row and suffering our biggest defeat with me leading the group. We need to now reflect on the season, put it to bed and move on.
We can now get started on rebuilding for next season and start looking forward to a positive 2025/26 season.
The Pre-season schedule is finalised and will be released during the off season.
I am currently in the process of speaking to potential new signings as we look to build a team that we can all be proud of.
I will keep everyone up to date each week via the bulletin.
Player News
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Seb Stacey has now completed his loan with the club. Seb has been excellent from start to finish and has been a great asset to the team this season. We wish Seb all the best with his future development.
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Jake Hutchinson has now completed his short loan with the club, I would like to thank Jake for all his efforts during his loan, especially his commitment to the journey from his home in Eastbourne for training and games. We wish Jake all the best moving forwards.
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Kobe Sinclair-Linton has completed his work experience, although Kobe time at the club has been hit with injury and a lack of minutes, he has conducted himself superbly and has been a credit to his parent club MK Dons. We wish Kobe all the best with his future development.
PRESENTATION EVENING
Our 2024/25 Presentation Evening will be taking place on Thursday 15th May from 7pm in the Canary Club.
It’s free entry for all, but if you are planning to attend please reserve a space online so we can plan catering.
ATTENDANCE TABLE
Many thanks for your wonderful support through the season. We averaged 619 and finished ninth in the attendance league table across the Southern League Premier Central division.
1. AFC Telford United – 1,343
2. Kettering Town – 1,332
3. Halesowen Town – 1,160
4. Bedford Town – 843
5. Bromsgrove Sporting – 796
6. Stourbridge – 752
7. Stratford Town – 741
8. Redditch United – 631
9. Hitchin Town – 619
10. Banbury United – 579
11. Harborough Town – 514
12. Stamford – 502
13. Spalding United – 460
14. Bishop’s Stortford – 433
15. Lowestoft Town – 402
16. AFC Sudbury – 375
17. Royston Town – 372
18. St Ives Town – 348
19. Alvechurch – 341
20. Barwell – 318
21. Leiston – 224
22. Biggleswade Town – 183
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
Blue Joy received his first start for the first team in the 4-0 defeat away to Redditch United in the final game of the season. Although the scoreline will tell you otherwise, Blue gave a solid performance at the back and put some of the senior players to shame! It was great to be able to reward Blue with a start and the feedback from supporters who were at the game is that they are keen to see what he can do in pre-season.
Will McNeill, Tyrese Kamara and Blue Joy have all been invited into pre-season with the first team as they look to continue their development.
It was also pleasing to see two current academy players on the pitch Saturday as Will and Blue both started but also two academy graduates in Lewis Franklin and Kye Tearle. This again shows the pathway between our academy and senior team.
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/ToolkitNew/webenrolment.aspx?page=~/webcontrols/courseapply.ascx&OfferingId=85258
JUNIOR CANARIES UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
The final issue of this season’s Junior Canaries offering has been sent out this week.
We will be working hard over the summer to keep reviewing and improving our offer, so you can have an even greater experience next season.
I would like to wish all our Junior Canaries the best summer and we hope you are already looking forward to starting back again in September.
If you wish to sign up as a Junior Canary, please email juniorcanaries@hitchintownfc.club with the following details:
- Name, Date of birth, Address, School, Club Team (if applicable), Team you support, Parent/Guardian Name, Email, Contact Number.
We look forward to welcoming you all to the Junior Canaries.
GREGG CUP FINAL
We hosted the Gregg Cup Final last Saturday between Hitchin Town Vets CG and Hertford Heath Development.
Hitchin Vets won 5-1 and the attendance was 249.
HITCHIN TOWN VS AFC SUDBURY
We received the following email after our recent home game with AFC Sudbury. It is always good to know that our match day experience is appreciated by visiting supporters.
Good afternoon,
My wife, myself and our 2 eldest grandsons came to you recently with AFC Sudbury. I realise things haven’t worked out for you this season but I just wanted to say thanks for the fabulous way you looked after us on the day. We had tickets to pick up for our grandsons and as a club you were brilliant and professional.
Hope you bounce back quickly.
Kind Regards,
Tony Tassell
EX-CANARIES NEWS
Our ex-Canaries had a good day last Saturday. Will Wright scored for Swindon against Gillingham and was also named their player of the season. Ashley Hay scored for Cheltenham in a 3-2 victory over Carlisle while Callum Stead scored twice for Barnet in a 4-0 win over Aldershot that meant Barnet won the National League.
COMMUNITY UPDATE BY MARK BURKE
Hitchin Town Youth Tournament
Hitchin Town Youth FC are staging inaugural Football Tournaments at Top Field this weekend.
The weekend kicks off tonight with a 9-a-side Tournament for U13’s & U14’s with 3 Hitchin teams competing against local rivals Wymondley Park, FC Comet, Letchworth GCE and Baldock Town Youth.
The Group stages kick off at 6.30pm and entry to the ground is from 6pm.
The U10’s will take centre stage on Sunday morning kicking off at 10.30am until 2pm so it would be great if people could get down to Top Field and support the future Canaries.
Other details to know are that unfortunately no dogs and smoking is permitted within the ground or children un-supervised.
Entry to the tournament for parents and those aged 16+ is £2 per person, paid on the gate (not including coaches)
Food and drinks will be available from the various vendors within Top Field, including the Canary Kitchen, and the Canary Club bar
Under-18 Finale
Hitchin Town Youth U18 Hawks and U18 Harriers are set to play each other in their final match at the U18’s age group at Top Field on Saturday morning kick off at 11am. Again all supporters are welcome to see the lads play their last match at youth level.
Subbuteo Super Saturday
We have teamed up with Hitchin Library to celebrate its 100th birthday and the original football club’s 160th year of being formed by arranging a Subbuteo football tournament to be held on FA Cup Final day (17th May 2025).
We hope the event will attract children who may have never played Subbuteo before and their parents / grandparents who used to play the game in their childhood. Please see the flyer for more details.
May Half-Term Holiday Camps
The dates are out for the May Half-Term Holiday Camps.
Children aged from 5-14 years can attend the Football Camp at the Arena whilst the Multi Activity Camp at Preston Primary school are for children aged between 4-12 years. (All children are welcome and do not need to be a pupil of Preston Primary.
The holiday camps at the Arena and at Preston Primary School are available to be booked on via the website www.northhertsarena.co.uk
Dates: Tuesday to Thursday 27-29th May 2025 (3 Days)
Cost: £60 p/w or £25 per day
The Arena Football Courses
The new dates for our coaching clinics at the Arena are available to be booked on via the website www.northhertsarena.co.uk
Monday evenings from 5-6pm we host a Junior Ability Counts session for children aged between 7 and 16 years old with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Monday 12th & 19th May 2025 (2 sessions) – Cost: £8
Wednesday evenings from 5.30-6.30pm we host a specific goalkeeping course called Safe Hands for children of all ages and abilities delivered by former first team goalkeeper Josh Mollison.
Wednesday 7th May – 2st May 2025 (3 weeks) – Cost: £18
NEW
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED FOR TANNOY!
Due to volunteers having university or change in circumstances next season we are on the look our for budding tannoy announcers. If you see yourselves as having “The Voice for our Stadium” we would love to hear from you. As you will know its really just a case of announcing a few safety messages, substitutions and any information about mascots, sponsors or visiting clubs.
You will be given full training and support throughout. We would like to have two or three people to allow for a rota system and allow you to volunteer and also enjoy being a supporter. This exciting opportunity would mean you get your own season ticket for the club and access to home games even when you are not volunteering.
If you would be interested in this or any other type of volunteering at Top Field please drop an e mail to volunteers@hitchintownfc.club
HTWFC UPDATE BY CALLUM ELLIS
Double Header Results
Harpenden 3 – 1 HTWFC
HTWFC 1 – 4 Harpenden
Next up, last game of the season, another DOUBLE HEADER!!
Evergreen Eagles v HTWFC
Evergreen Eagles,
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Roy Izzard