FIXTURE

  • Saturday 22nd April Home to Ilkeston League kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be bought online. This is the final game of the season.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

ALVECHURCH AND KINGS LANGLEY

Since the last bulletin we have had two away games and I am delighted that we have returned with a full complement of six points. I have been saying in my manager’s notes recently that I wanted us to finish the season strongly and finish as high up the table as possible. I am pleased to see that we are now sitting eleventh in the table while in the current form table which is based on the last six games we are third. So I would like to complement the players for putting maximum effort in to the recent games and I am sure the supporters are really happy with our current form.

At Alvechurch we were very positive at a ground that held only bad memories from past performances. We went in to a deserved 3-0 lead and only conceded to a 96th minute penalty. There has been continuity to our selection in recent games and the only change at Alvechurch saw Josh Mollison replace Charlie Horlock in goal as he had had laser eye surgery. Charlie is a difficult act to follow and has had a really good campaign but I must congratulate Josh who was confident and composed throughout and made a couple of excellent saves.

But again it was a good all round team performance with defence, midfield and attack all equally responsible for a well deserved victory.

We did not start our rearranged game at Kings Langley as well as I had wished and we struggled for the first twenty minutes. However we gradually got in to the game and improved before half time before playing really well in the second half. Again we deserved the victory and could have scored more but for an inspired performance from the Kings Langley keeper. In fairness Kings Langley did not look a relegation side and hit both posts. It shows there are no easy games in this league and you have to earn every point.

Again I announced an unchanged team. I could have opted for rotation ang giving players minutes but I wanted to build on the momentum we have created and the players in possession of the starting places have earned the right to play. We have a good group of players who are very together and I want to keep this squad which with a couple of additions can be a force next season.

ILKESTON

We end the season with a home game with Ilkeston. It should be a great atmosphere as Ilkeston are expecting to bring 150 supporters. We are expecting a big turn out of our own fans with a good number from the youth set up due to attend. We are in a rich vein of form and Ilkeston have had a good season so it should be an entertaining game so let us end the season with a packed Top Field. Only Tamworth have done the double over us this season and we will be determined to ensure Ilkeston do not follow suit after their victory earlier in the season.

MARK BURKE

PLAYER NEWS

  • There will be an unchanged squad for the Ilkeston game.

FORM GUIDE
Shown below is the last six games league table—

AWARDS EVENING BY MICK DOCKING
Looking forward to next Thursday, the 27th April when the endeavours of a season will be celebrated together by players, officials, volunteers and fans.
The evening will be free to attend and includes a light buffet to start, an open karaoke session and finally the presentations.
This will include Supporters Player, Players’ Player, the Matthew Malorowski Award and the Gerald Lincoln Trophy.
Doubtless Mark will be offering his usual amusing insight on the season’s affairs – all in the best possible taste, naturally.
Just so we can keep track of numbers please let me know if you are intending to come. mick.docking@hitchintownfc.club

Kick off at 7.30.

So, get those tonsils lubricated. It’ll either be like the Voice or Madam Edith at Cafe Rene.

COMMUNITY MATCH
This Sunday we are extremely proud to be hosting a Community Match in memory of our former goalkeeper Steven Graham at Top Field. All welcome, KO 1PM.

There is no entrance fee and the Canary Kitchen will be open as will the Canary Club.

It will be a gathering of old Hitchin Town youth team Players – all local lads and some are listed below. It is your chance to see four Donnelly’s on one pitch so good luck to the referee!!

Kris Graham, Brett Donnelly, Luke Donnelly, Callum Donnelly, Stuart Lochhead, Paul Donnelly, Tyrone Holloway, Shaun Turner, Darren Collins, Chris Duguid, Dean Cutts, Ben Wilkie, Kevin Day, Connor Logan, Dean Mullings, Glen Brett, Cameron Fell, Wayne Maguire, Marcus Platt, Michael Tierney, Nathan Hayden, Lawren Ellis, –

A further message from Brett Donnelly–

Just a little extra info. It’s free entry and no planned collection. It’s a game for friends and family to get together and remember what made Steve his happiest, football.

Appreciate the help of the club in allowing us to do this. We’re just hoping for a friendly kick about for a load of over weight over the hill men!

Thanks

BRETT

TRIBUTE TO KEVIN PARROTT BY NEIL JENSEN
Saturday marks the final contribution in the Hitchin Town programme of Kevin Parrott, who first began writing pieces for the club in 2000. When I took over as club media officer, Kevin agreed to provide articles from almost the first programme and he continued long after I left the role. I have known Kevin since about 1981, so we go back a long way and it is fair to say he has never failed to meet a deadline. Totally reliable, his dedication is remarkable given he has no real link with the club. In the days when we played in the Isthmian League, Kevin would often see us play at Sutton, Carshalton and other clubs. He was a Leatherhead fan in their glory days and he loved to watch the famous Chris Kelly play. More recently, he has become a Sutton United fan and he also follows Chelsea. He’s also a music lover and works as a DJ at the Royal Marsden Hospital. I think it is worth giving this fellow a round of applause, even if he cannot hear it in Sutton!

ATTENDANCES
We are averaging 477 for our home league attendances. By my reckoning we would need an attendance of 960 on Saturday to increase the average to 500 and being the optimistic person I am I think it is possible. We are in good form ,Luton are not playing and Stevenage are away. Ilkeston are bringing up to 150 supporters so we can certainly exceed the Royston figure of 834.

Can I thank all Hitchin supporters for your great support this season. Despite results not always being what we wanted you have continued to turn up in big numbers and get behind the team. The players and management really do appreciate your loyalty and without you there is no club. The players are determined to end the season with a good performance to reward our supporters.

CLUB SHOP
Saturday is your last chance to visit the club shop and see the wide range of merchandise we have for sale. There are bargains to be had with certain shirts reduced in price. You can also buy your programme and team sheet.

FORMER MANAGERS AT KINGS LANGLEY
I stood with former Hitchin Town managers Colin Payne and Darren Salton at Kings Langley. They still follow the club very closely and get to as they can. It was obvious they hold the club in the highest esteem and really enjoyed their spells at Top Field.

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
Results last Sunday

HTWFC Firsts 1 – 3 Bedford Town Ladies Development
HTWFC Canaries 2 – 3 Flitwick Eagles Ladies Fc

No fixtures this weekend however the following weekend:

Sunday 23rd April 2023, 14:00
HTWFC Firsts v Stotfold Women FC
Stotfold FC, Arlesey Rod, Stotfold, SG5 4HE

We are looking for new players to join our progressing teams. We train weekly at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock. We train 19:00 – 20:30 each Tuesday and you have to be 16 years old or over.

We are also looking for new sponsors for the women’s set up. We are looking for sponsorship for training kits and tracksuits. If this is something you are interested in please get in touch with Callum on HTLFC.ClubSecretary@gmail.com.

BY ROY IZZARD