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WEEKLY BULLETIN – 21ST JULY

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FIXTURES

  • Saturday 22nd July Home to Arsenal Under 18’s Dan Webb Testimonial kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased online and season ticket holders will also need to buy tickets for this game.
  • Tuesday 25th July Home to Watford Academy Friendly kick-off 7.30pm. Tickets must be purchased online.
  • Thursday 27th July Away to Biggleswade Town Friendly kick-off 7.45pm.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

LAST SATURDAY

We utilised the fact that there was no game last Saturday by holding a training session at the Arena. We regrouped after the Luton and Stevenage games and did some match analysis. We then had a hard training session as we continue our build up to the season proper.

STOTFOLD

It is always good to visit Stotfold and see old friends (both staff and players). They are definitely a progressive club and have the potential to kick on, Digger (Brett Donnelly) has done a great job there and I shall watch their progress this season with great interest.

As far as the game was concerned I was very pleased with the performance. I thought we controlled the game and played some good football. I was also able to give the players more minutes as we continue to aim for peak fitness for the first league game.

KEMPSTON ROVERS

On Thursday the first team had a good training session and Diogo Freitas-Gouveia returned to light training after getting injured at Leighton. The development squad travelled to Kempston Rovers and were beaten 2-1. I was very pleased with the performance. We were excellent in the first half despite the players being unfamiliar with each other. In the second half Kempston upped their game and took advantage of their greater physicality and aerial dominance. We had a very young side and there were plenty of positives to take from the game. I would like to thank Kempston for arranging the game at short notice.

DAN WEBB TESTIMONIAL GAME

I am really looking forward to Saturday’s game against Arsenal Under 18’s. I sincerely hope supporters turn out in big numbers to celebrate a loyal and dedicated servant of the club who was exceptional as a player and led by example as my captain for many years.

There will be a number of surprises on the day including an appearance by a former senior international player and I am sure there will be a number of ex Canaries in attendance to support Webby. It will be interesting to see how fit Webby is as he will participate in the match.

After the game we continue the celebrations with a three course dinner in Canary Club. The aim is to meet at 6.30 for a 7.00pm start. The entertainment will be provided by John Hartson and a comedian. John has kindly donated a Celtic shirt which he will sign and personalise to your request. The shirt will go to the highest bidder and bids can be made before the evening by emailing info@htcfc.co.uk.

MARK BURKE

PARKING FOR ARSENAL GAME
This Saturday for our game against Arsenal U18s, we are having to restrict parking in the car park to:

  • – Players, coaches and officials
  • – Match officials
  • – Match Day volunteers at Hitchin
  • – Disabled spectators (upon request)
  • – Family and guests of Dan Webb

Thank you for your understanding for respecting these one off restrictions for this game.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
This week has been a very good week for our Academy prospects, following on from 6 players playing against Leighton Town FC on Thursday we had Henry Silver and Chris Khoo in the matchday squad for the first team game against Stotfold FC and both of them got on the pitch in the second half with Henry Silver almost scoring at the end.

On Thursday we had 5 players involved in the development fixture against step 4 Kempston Rovers, again all 5 involved gave a good account of themselves with Henry Silver picking up the IDNet HTFC Radio Man of the Match award.

We would like to congratulate the 5 lads, Henry Silver, Chris Khoo, James Campbell, Jack Trickett and Hanson Hughes – Graham, keep up the good work.

If you would like to be a part of the academy or would like to find out further information then please use this link – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

TONY LUFF
It was good to see our former goalkeeper Tony Luff at Kempston. He still follows our results very closely and he told me how much he enjoyed playing for Hitchin and what a special club he thought we are. He intends to get to some of our games this season.

MERCHANDISE UPDATE BY PAUL SPRAGUE
Please visit the club shop whilst visiting Top Field. We have a great range of merchandise available including lots of new lines. Earlier this month we released our new black hoodies and our great range of Squave magnets. We now having the following brand new items:

  • Phil Duffy’s brand new book ‘They Played for David Pleat at Luton Town’ Volume 2 -£15 as well as a restock of Volume 1 (RRP £19.95)
  • Green Hitchin Town Backpack £20
  • Black Hitchin Town Gillet £50

We also have our full range of merchandise items as well as sweets, chocolates, teamsheets and your matchday programme as well as a large selection of league and non league programmes.

BY ROY IZZARD