WEEKLY BULLETIN – 28TH JUNE
CHANGES TO WEBSITE
With plenty of new faces on the pitch, we felt our digital presence needed a new look too, so are delighted to share our new Hitchin Town FC website. 🧑💻
Designed and developed by Hitchin-based Digital Marketing Agency ShakerMaker Digital, this further highlights our determination to ensure we’re constantly improving in all areas of the Club, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. The new site provides a refreshed user interface which perfectly illustrates our striking branding, as well as plenty of new features.
Why not check it out for yourself 👉https://hitchintownfc.club
Thanks again to ShakerMaker Digital. For any Digital Marketing support you may need, give them a shout. 👍
MANAGER’S NOTES BY BRETT DONNELLY
Been a busy week out on the training pitch which has seen good numbers so far. New signings, old faces and a sprinkling of trialists have all attended. It’s a horrible time of year as lads are still holidaying or have family commitments that need to be met before the actual season starts. People don’t realise the commitment required by the boys once the season starts. A late-night Tuesday & Thursday then all day Saturday to juggle along side work and family as well as having some sort of life. You must cram as much as possible into May and June, but school holidays and weddings don’t stick to these plans! You find yourself having to spread yourself thinly over all aspects, which isn’t ideal. But we all do it because we love football. What better way to spend a Saturday then being at a game, be it managing or playing or supporting. That’s why the commitment to turn up now is so important. It shows you that the lads willing to do the hard graft now will be in the trenches for you come November & December. Also not turning up for these sessions now puts you behind in terms of building relationships with teammates and management. And believe me that bothers you as a player. We currently have a few lads on holiday now who are in contact with me asking how the sessions have been. As much as you want to be present for your family, girlfriend or whoever you’re with, football has a hold over us. Its why I’ve come back every pre-season since I was 16!!!
In terms of player recruitment we are just about there. We have some good players to look at in the friendlies who will be look to secure a deal with us along side those signed already. For me, it’s all about how they are in the group and how they perform on the field. I’ve played with some brilliant players who if you watched them train you’d wonder if they had ever played before. Also, on the flip side of that some lads are unreal in training but then can’t perform on a Saturday. It’s the whole package we are after.
With regards recruitment, I keep getting asked about when we are going to sign a keeper. Now I may not be the most intelligent of men but guys, I do know we need someone to play in goal! I haven’t forgotten about it and we have been working hard to find one. However we do have one with us already in Josh Mollinson. He’s been with the club 7-8 years and wants the chance to become the number 1. That’s the attitude I want to hear. He will be given the opportunity. He’s a very likable character and one who is great for the group. But he also knows he has to impress me and the management team. We do have 3 others in alongside him who are also looking to be number 1. With Charlie’s exit I am not rushing into a decision. The shirts free and someone needs to come in and grab it. That’s what pre-season is for. Push yourself to the front of the queue and make it impossible for me not to pick you. That goes throughout the squad. Hope that clears up the question I am asked the most at present… just have a little faith guys!
Finally just want to say a few thank you’ s. Firstly, the Supporters Trust who have generously managed to give us a bit extra into the playing budget. However big or small it all makes a huge difference. Secondly the ground staff and volunteers for all the work they’ve done at the ground in the close season. I’ve been up there quite a lot and there’s normally Martin or Moony up there making the place nicer or fixing something. It doesn’t go unnoticed. The ground staff have done a great job on the pitch as always and have helped us accommodate training up there. Its great to see everyone at the club all pulling in the same direction. Lastly to the management committee. I am very keen to make sure everything is done to a relatively high standard. I like things to look professional. To purvey a sense of professionalism is hugely important. Everyone wearing the same tracksuit and training kit, as many balls and training equipment as we will ever need, numerous kitmen and physios. So far the needs have been met which puts me at ease. And like I said previously, it just shows how united the club is. Long may it continue.
So now its up to me to get a team for us all to proud of. Lets hope that’s not too hard to do!
Hope to see a lot of you for our first friendly next Saturday at home to Rushden & Diamonds, followed by an England quarter final!
Donners
GROUND IMPROVEMENTS
Every year our supporters continue to raise money that is dedicated to ground improvements. An ageing stadium such as Top Field requires a lot to keep it safely and securely maintained, we also strive to keep making incremental improvements to the ground that provide additional services and experiences to fans, players, volunteers and any other stadium users. We are incredibly grateful for everyone involved each year in raising money for the ground improvement fund. In the last year alone this has been over £4,700. The majority of this is from the Cider and Cheese festival but there are also very important contributions from a number of other sources including:
- The Achievement Sponsorship initiative run by Roger Berry
- The Prediction League run by Steve Maxted
- EBay sales of badges etc run by Chris Newbold
Alongside additional contributions from the Club and external grant funding the ground improvement fund has helped to deliver the following over the past 12 months:
- Completion of the rewiring works to the main stand
- Completion of concrete repairs to footpaths around the pitch
- Works needed to get the new matchday ticket office up and running
- Repairs to the former tea bar floor – a crucial storage area.
- Purchase of additional tools and equipment
- Repairs to the dugouts (to be completed shortly)
- Annual painting and other maintenance materials
- Installation of a new gate in the pitchside fence near the fixture board (more on this soon…)
- Repairs to the away changing room showers
- Repairs to the Canary Club
Hopefully you can see how crucial many of the above tasks have been in keeping Top Field to the standard we have now grown to expect. We thank everyone who has contributed over the last 12 months.
Why not kick off your contribution to the 24/25 Ground Improvement fund by visiting the Cider and Cheese festival on the 5th and 6th July! Or speak to Roger and Steve and make sure you are signed up to Sponsor some achievements or the Prediction league.
MERCHANDISE UPDATE
SHIRT COLLECTIONS
If you have pre-ordered a home or away shirt online and selected collection these can be collected from the Club Shop or at our pre-season home games. The Top Field Club Shop will be open this Saturday from 9.30-12.00
We have replica home and away shirts and some of our new fanwear range available to buy.
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
FREE UNDER 16 SIX A SIDE TOURNAMENT
Pro:Direct Academy— we are hosting our annual 6 aside tournament.
Date: Friday 12th July 2024
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Venue: The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU
Trophy, medals and footballs for winners as well as other giveaways.
The Bar will be open for refreshments.
To register your interest to enter please use this link – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/copy-of-pro-direct-tournaments
CHEESE AND CIDER FESTIVAL BY MICK DOCKING
HOT OFF THE PRESS – APPLE PRESS?
Supermodel Alan Clark on the catwalk in readiness for next weekend. The Cheese and Cider Festival takes place on 5th and 6th July at Canary Club.
Not only a great selection of ciders for the converted and novice alike, but also, courtesy of Garden City Brewery we offer an ale which North Herts can call “One of our own” brewed with love and devotion up the A505 in Letchworth.
Nick at GCB has selected for us a brand new 5% New Zealand hopped pale which goes under the name Full Nelson. Makes me hanker back to the days of Kent Norton, the Royal Brothers, Mick McManus and the like!
Only one barrel so save me some.
BY ROY IZZARD