WEEKLY BULLETIN 28TH FEBRUARY
NEXT FIXTURE
Saturday 1st March – Away to Stratford Town (kick-off 3.00pm) in the league. The coach leaves Top Field at 11.30am.
Hitchin have won on their last four visits to Stratford, 1-0 in 2023/24 (scorer Toby Syme) 2-1 in 2022/23 ( Ashley Hay, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia), 1-0 in 2021/22 (Rio Dasilva) and 2-1 in 2020/21 (Luke Brown, Marcus Goldbourne).
FIXTURE CHANGE
Our away game at Alvechurch which was originally due to take place on Saturday 19th April has been moved back to Good Friday 18th April. The kick-off will still be 3.00pm.
MANAGER’S NOTES BY MICHAEL JONES
Last weekend’s 1-1 home draw with St Ives.
I have never been as disappointed with a point as I was on Saturday. I felt we started the game on the front foot and put St Ives under a lot of pressure in the early exchanges. We created some good chances but were unable to capitalise and Brian up the other end was a spectator for most the half. We took a deserved lead through Lewis Franklin and we continued to ask questions of St Ives. Brian then had to make his only save of the match which was routine. It looked like a lead going into the break but a moment of madness at the back from Brian resulted in an easy goal for St Ives to equalise. You could tell this deflated the crowd and the players and it seemed to knock the life out of the game.
At half-time we spoke about the disappointment of giving away such a terrible goal as we had put in a lot of effort to be in front and stop St Ives creating anything meaningful on goal. We still believed we could get the win but knew St Ives would change a few things from the first half.
Into the second half and as expected St Ives had made some changes to try and impose themselves on the game. The match however continued in a similar fashion with us trying to force the issue and St Ives looking to contain and break. We created some good chances to score but were unable to take any of these chances, with the closest one coming from Lewis Franklin where the St Ives defender made an excellent clearance off the line to save them a point.
At the final whistle you could tell the disappointment from everyone involved with Hitchin Town FC, two points dropped! Although we needed three points in our fight for survival, we need to remember the group gave us everything for the three points and a moment of madness cost us maximum points.
I would like to thank the excellent support from everyone again, this really does make a difference to what happens on the pitch.
This weekend’s trip to Stratford Town
On paper this is our toughest away game left, our away form is absolutely rubbish! Our last two away performances have been nothing short of shambolic. Stratford are one of the better teams in this league, they currently sit third in the table and in their last five home games they have won all five, scored 14 and conceded none. This goes to show the difficult task we are up against this weekend. Nevertheless we are confident that we are able to go there this weekend and cause an upset. There will be just as much pressure on Stratford as there is on us as they can’t afford to drop any points in their bid for the league title.
Player News
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Lewis Barker has been in non-contact training as he recovers from his long-term shoulder injury.
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Luke Stokoe has been given an unexpected opportunity to trial abroad and will not be available this week.
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We have signed defender Kobe Sinclair-Linton on a work experience deal from MK Dons to add more depth to the squad. I know everyone will look forward to seeing Kobe on the pitch and will give him the support needed to develop.
- We have also loaned Sebastian Stacey until the end of the season. Seb had a big impact at the club before he was recalled to Mk Dons first team. Seb will be back to provide competition for the number one goalkeeping spot with Brian Okonkwo.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR MP
Last Saturday our local MP Alistair Strathern was a special guest at the game with St Ives. Alistair is a genuine Hitchin supporter and comes to games when he can. He was at Bedford on Boxing Day but since being elected he has found politics gets in the way of watching football matches! But he follows our results and was very interested in hearing about how the club is looking to improve on and off the field.
His visit was organised by league sponsors Entain’s Pitching In project. Alistair presented special certificates to our volunteers to recognise their efforts for the club. This was what he had to say:
“It was a joy to visit Hitchin Town FC last weekend. I had the honour of presenting some Pitching In awards to some of the club’s hard-working volunteers in recognition of the fantastic dedication they show to the club and the community. Volunteers are the backbone of grassroots football clubs. Beyond supporting the matchday experience, Hitchin’s volunteers put in time to provide local children who need more support the chance to play our national game. Their work, and the work of Pitching In, reminds us that Football is a game for everyone.”
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CLUB CHAPLAIN
I’m sorry I’ve not been in touch for a while, I had some health issues through January but I’m looking forward to being at Top Field again soon. There’s been a few surprises in football recently haven’t there? Probably the biggest of all being the downfall of the Manchester clubs. At the other end of the spectrum, Nottingham Forest have been quite the surprise, currently 3rd in the Prem. I know we’re a long way down the league at the moment, but who really knows what’s around the corner? Call me naive if you like, but where there’s hope there’s possibility. In the church next week we begin the season of Lent – this is the time between Pancake Day and Easter Sunday, representing the 40 days that Christian’s believe Jesus spent in the wilderness before he was crucified. It’s traditionally a time when people give something up that they enjoy or take something up that they don’t currently do. Maybe we, as fans might use this as an opportunity to really rally around the team and encourage them on. As I said, where there’s hope, there’s possibility…….
Maxine Howarth
THE VALUE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS
We have received two emails this week after the St Ives game that show just how lucky we are to have such a great team of volunteers. The writers have given permission for me to share them with you. The first was from Karen Fisher:
Hi Roy,
I visited your club today for the above match.
I am disabled and use a wheelchair. I had several issues with access but a lovely lady called Kate, came to my rescue.
So, I wanted to let you know that you have an amazing member of staff in Kate. She was so helpful, polite and very kind and deserves this praise. I know, having been involved with football clubs for many years, how hard it is to find good volunteers and they very often receive very little thanks from the public, for their hard work, so, I know how much it matters to praise those that truly deserve it.
I should also mention your Car Park Attendants, who were also very helpful finding us an accessible parking space.
Please pass on these comments to your Chairman, the Car Park Attendants and of course, Kate.
Many thanks and kindest regards.
Karen Fisher
Kate Deller is head of our volunteers and has been on a personal mission to improve the match day experience at Top Field and she has certainly succeeded. We are so grateful to Kate and thank you to Karen for highlighting Kate’s great work.
The second email came from Andrew Whiting:
I didn’t know exactly who to contact at the club so apologies if this isn’t the right email address – please pass onto whoever it concerns.
I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to the first aiders and club officials who were exceptionally quick to treat my son, Bobby, this afternoon when he collapsed.
I didn’t get anyone’s names as it was all a bit fraught at the time, but everyone – from the fans, who alerted the medics to the team who were immediately with us and making sure he was fine and had water etc. Their response was magnificent, speedy and very professional. I cannot thank them enough for what they did – when I see them next I will personally thank them but if this could be passed onto them I’d appreciate it.
Bobby is fine now, at home resting.
Thanks again.
Andrew Whiting
Again thanks to Andrew for telling us of his experience at Top Field last Saturday. Martyn Tomlin, Alan Johnson, Colinn Hawkins and Kate were the helpers.
I am so proud that we have such a great team of volunteers and they really do enhance the reputation of Hitchin Town FC.
If you are interested in volunteering email volunteer@hitchintownfc.club for more details
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
We were back into training this week. It was great to see everyone after the half term break.
We are now working towards the final part of the season before our league campaign finishes at the end of April.
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 next edition of the Junior Canaries newsletter will be out on Friday 7th March 2025.
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.
HTWFC UPDATE BY CALLUM ELLIS
Results
Wheathampstead Wanderers 2 – 2 HTWFC
Leighton Woodside 1 – 0 HTWFC Canaries
Fixtures
Sunday 2nd March 2025, 14:00
HTWFC v Buntingford Town
St Christophers School, Letchworth Garden City
Cranfield United v HTWFC Canaries
Ringcroft Farm, MK16 9HP
We are still recruiting for our teams. We train Wednesday evenings at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, between 19:30-20:30. Get in touch today ! hello@hitchintownwomenfc.co.uk
COMMUNITY UPDATE BY MARK BURKE
Paediatric First Aid Course
We would like to thank Tim Killick from Cambridge Medical Training Centre for delivering a 2 day Paediatric First Aid Course to our community coaching staff including First Team Manager Michael Jones, Player / Assistant Manager Stephen Gleeson, First Team Player Lewis Franklin, Josh Mollison and Rocca Lewin and Fraser Melvin.
Pictured here with their certificates the qualification is an essential part of being able to coach children under the age of 5 in a safe and secure environment including the Wrap Around Care provided at Preston Primary school.
The Arena Football Courses
The new dates for our coaching clinics at the Arena are out and can be booked on via the website www.northhertsarena.co.uk
On 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 3rd March 2025 – 31st March 2025 (6 weeks) Cost: £20
On 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 1st team goalkeeper Josh Mollison.
Wednesday 5th March 2025 – 2nd April 2025 (6 weeks) Cost: £30
BY ROY IZZARD