WEEKLY BULLETIN – 28TH MAY
FIXTURE NEWS
We are able to announce further additions to our pre-season programme. On Saturday 10th July we will play Stevenage with a 3.00pm kick-off. They will be sending their first team squad and it will be their first pre-season game so hopefully a good number of Stevenage supporters will attend. We last played Stevenage on 10th July 2019 when we were beaten 3-0 in front of a crowd of 492.
Then on Tuesday 13th July we will host Watford Under 23’s at Top Field kick-off 7.45pm. Watford are back in the Premier League so this will be an attractive fixture for supporters.
Finally on Thursday 22nd July we will be sending a side to Pitstone and Ivenhoe with the game kicking off at 7.30pm.
Further pre-season games will be announced when we are able to do so.
FOOTBALL UPDATE
The players trained at the Arena on Thursday and will have one more session next week before a short break and then pre-season training will properly commence. Any news regarding players joining or leaving will only be communicated when it is definite (ie registration forms actually signed).
GROUND UPDATE
Work continues at Top Field on a weekly basis. More painting has been done along with improvements to the terracing. The fencing work is now complete.
The usual end of season work has been completed on the pitch while the extra drainage work is virtually complete. With the constant rain we have had throughout May it has been apparent that the pitch is definitely coping far better and whereas there would have been surface water before this has not occurred with the new drainage work.
CANARY CLUB UPDATE
As the sun is actually due to come out this bank holiday weekend why not pay a visit to the revamped and improved Canary Club. A new TV and new furniture have been added to the other improvements this week. Don’t forget you can book the main hall for parties, wakes, conferences etc. and we can provide any kind of catering that may be required Please give Steve a call on 01462 421888 or 07857 983345.
MERCHANDISE UPDATE BY CHRIS NEWBOLD
Our online sales of new merchandise have continued to hit stunning levels. Over 70 of the new shirts have been sold already, and the total value of sales has already topped £4,000. This is way beyond any levels of sales previously experienced.
It is great to see that a number of people have invested in the new hoodies on sale. Again, initial demand for these has way exceeded anything we ever expected. The hoodies are on order and are having to be shipped from Hummel’s main factory in Denmark, so we expect that delivery to you could take the 28 days we have originally stated. Naturally, as soon as they arrive we will be working flat out to get them out to you. Again, if you’d like to look at this really smart garment and consider investing, links are below:
Adults: https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/merchandise/ht2122mhha/evergreen-hummelr-adult-hoodie
Juniors: https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/merchandise/ht2122hhc/evergreen-hummelr-junior-hoodie
Interestingly sales have not by any means been confined to Hitchin and the surrounding areas. We have dispatched items to all corners of the UK, and have dispatched orders to the United States and Canada. So we really are becoming both a nationwide and a worldwide concern!
So if you want to see the range of new items we have on offer, please visit our online shop at: https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/. Thanks again for all your support and let’s hope the orders keep rolling in. Apart from the hoodies on order, we are currently dispatching orders in 3-4 days which is way ahead of our 14-21 day commitment for replica shirts, and 7-14 days for other items. Not quite Amazon Prime, but we are happy with how it is going.
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
The Academy has now completed its final week of training and games. The players will now be focusing all their efforts on completing their educational work so they can sign off for the summer.
We have also arranged a trip up to Burnley from Tuesday 1st to Thursday 3rd June. We will be taking a group of players on this residential trip where we will be involved in different team bonding/fun activities like archery, crate stack, survival skills and high elements. We will also be playing games against two Burnley shadow youth team squads.
SUPPORTER ENGAGEMENT UPDATE BY SASCHA GUSTARD-BROWN
We are continuing to focus on the implementation of The Aviary, which we are looking forward to launching in the forthcoming season. Kate, and the wonderful volunteers who have been working so hard at Top Field, have completed the difficult task of removing all of the concrete blocks from the area where The Aviary will be situated and there is a brand new fence in place too. As the weeks progress, we will be installing play equipment and other items so I will do my best to keep you updated with each stage of the project. We have lots of exciting activities and ideas to show you!
We also received good news this week that one of our local schools have finished their artwork for display at the ground; we look forward to receiving the creative pieces in due course.
Lastly, a reminder that supporter ideas and feedback are very much welcome so please do not hesitate to reach out to us via media@hitchintownfc.club.
BY ROY IZZARD