WEEKLY BULLETIN 27TH JUNE
Friendlies
After one of the shortest breaks ever we return to the hallowed turf of Top Field for our first two pre-season friendlies…
Tuesday 1 July vs Barnet (kick-off: 7.45pm) at Top Field, Hitchin
Friday 4 July vs Luton Town U21 (kick-off: 7.00pm) at Top Field, Hitchin
You can buy your tickets for all of our pre-season games. Please use the following link: https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets
Season Tickets for 2025-26
We are really pleased to announce that we have already sold 122 season tickets. You can still buy yours using the following link https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/…/season-ticket-202526
The season ticket will give you free entry to all our pre-season friendlies as well as all Southern League home games, so they are great value for money.
Chris Newbold
Manager’s Notes
We started pre season training on Tuesday evening and it was great to see all the returning players again, plus welcome the new players to the club. We have now completed two sessions as we also trained on Thursday, then we are training on Saturday as well, in preparation for our first pre-season fixture against Barnet on 1 July. There has been a real refreshed enthusiasm to the group and the players have worked hard in both sessions so far as we start working towards having a positive season.
We have also announced Josh Bickerstaff to our coaching team. Josh is no stranger to Hitchin after playing over 300 appearances for the club over a 10-year period. Josh has most recently been coaching at Biggleswade United FC where they won the divisional cup and narrowly missed out on the play-offs. It’s great to have Josh back at the club and he will be a great addition to the team.
Barnet FC
This will be a really difficult fixture for our newly formed team with Barnet now being four divisions above us. It will be really good to see as many of our supporters at the game on Tuesday as not only are Barnet a new Football League team this season, it will be a great opportunity to see/meet our new signings while watching us compete against league two opposition.
I look forward to seeing you all Tuesday at the game.
Michael Jones
FA Cup & FA Trophy News
Following our relegation last season there will be earlier entry in to the FA Cup and FA Trophy in 2025-26.
Starting with the FA Cup, we will enter at the Preliminary Round on Saturday 16 August.
Further rounds are dated as follows:
– First Qualifying Round: 30 August 2025
– Second Qualifying Round: 13 September 2025
– Third Qualifying Round: 27 September 2025
– Fourth Qualifying Round: 11 October 2025
Replays will be mandatory in all the qualifying rounds from the extra preliminary round onwards. In all, 747 clubs have entered the FA Cup, starting with the Extra Preliminary Round which takes place on Saturday 2 August. It features the 32 clubs promoted from step 5 and the 95 lowest ranked Step 4 clubs that were not relegated last season. This has led to our Herts Charity cup game with Ware being cancelled as they are taking part in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.
The FA Trophy will see us enter in the First Qualifying Round on Saturday 6 September.
Further rounds are dated as follows:
– Second Qualifying Round: 20 September 2025
– Third Qualifying Round: 4 October 2025 (Step 3 sides enter at this point)
Replays are not applicable in the FA Trophy for the 2025-26 season, and in all 336 clubs have entered the FA Trophy.
The early draws for the FA Cup and FA Trophy will be released on Friday 4 July.
Cider & Cheese Festival 2025
Just one week to go!
Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July 2025 sees our popular Cider and Cheese Festival return to The Canary Club. Doors open on both days from 1pm and entry is FREE.
If you are coming to our Luton U21 game, then why not pop in beforehand, at half-time or after the match and take advantage of our amazingly competitive pricing at £4 per pint. With summer here what better way to spend an hour or two with friends.
We have a range of ciders to suit all tastes as well as a selection of low and alcohol-free ciders. Our knowledgeable bar staff will help you choose from our list of 34.
There will be live music on both evenings starting with the ever popular Sandy Ukulele Band at 7.30 on Friday and on Saturday, John Powell from 6pm followed by the Glee Club at 7pm
For more information go to our web page:
https://hitchintownfc.club/cider-and-cheese-festival/
Ian Murrell
HTWFC Update
We had our first pre-season session last Wednesday, and as ever it was popular and exciting to see so many returning faces. It was also great to see many new faces.
Our next pre-season session is on Wednesday 2 July 2025, 19:00-20:30. We train at Baldock Road Rec, Baldock Road, Letchworth, SG6 2EL.
We are looking for new players, experienced or not, we are also on the lookout for new volunteers! Get in touch today!
hello@hitchintownwomenfc.co.uk
Callum Ellis