ONE FIXTURE

  • Wednesday 1 January 2020: Home to Kings Langley – League – kick-off 3pm.
  • There is no game this Saturday and the players will be training instead.

PLAYER NEWS
Other than Jack Green who serves the second of his three game suspension and Joshua Coldicott-Stevens who will not play because of the terms of his transfer from Kings Langley, we will have a full squad to choose from for the New Year’s Day game.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

BIGGLESWADE

I was very disappointed with our performance at Biggleswade on Saturday. It was a local derby and it seemed that Biggleswade wanted it more than we did which is not acceptable. I appreciate the conditions were very difficult but it was the same for both sides. The first five minutes set the pattern for the game with both sides struggling to keep the ball on the pitch. We did improve in to the game and at half time we were quite comfortable even though the quality of the game was poor.

We emphasised at half time how important it was not to concede early in the second half as this has been happening too often in recent games. But this plea fell on deaf ears as we again conceded early and it was a very poor goal to give away. This then gave Biggleswade a head start and to be honest they rarely looked likely to let us back in the game. Their game management was excellent and unfortunately while we huffed and puffed we seemed to run out of ideas hitting too many long hopeful balls. It was all too reminiscent of the Leiston game.

I felt we lacked leadership and the whole team was below par. We let the players know how they had let down themselves and the supporters and they were very apologetic. But words are cheap and it is action I need. I feel we now have a really good squad and I want to look up the table, not over our shoulders at the relegation positions. We must become more consistent and begin to climb the table.

KINGS LANGLEY

This is the chance for our players to prove they are so much better than the Biggleswade game. I will demand a much improved performance and the players will want to reward the loyal supporters after the Boxing Day disappointment. Kings Langley are three points and two places above us and beat us all too easily earlier in the season so we owe them some revenge.

I expect to make changes to the team and I hope we can start the new year in the right manner and then look forward to an improved showing in 2020.

AT THE END OF THE YEAR
Many thanks for reading the bulletin every week. I hope it keeps you up to date with all the HTFC news and gives you manager Mark Burke’s honest opinions on team performances.

As this is the last bulletin of 2019 I thought it appropriate to thank everybody who has anything to do with the running of Hitchin Town Football Club. It never ceases to amaze me just how many people are part of our day to day operations and without whom the Club could not function. I will not attempt to mention every name as there would be a danger of missing someone out but however big or small the contribution is we really do appreciate everybody who helps us.

At the top there is the management committee who all devote many hours to Hitchin Town Football Club. It is not a glamorous position and you are just as likely to be criticised as praised. All the management committee are also supporters and each member has particular duties. As the longest serving member (over 45 years) I can assure supporters this is one of the best committees I have been part of and all members are fully committed to the club.

The ground staff are all volunteers and take great pride in the pitch. Again they are very much a team and carry out their duties come rain or shine and this season has been very challenging because of the torrents of rain. We are lucky to have such a dedicated team who look after Top Field.

The match day helpers make sure the game takes place—turnstile operators, programme sellers, 50/50 ticket and golden goal sellers, catering staff, supporters club shop staff, match day hospitality helpers, photographer, radio commentators, Canary Club staff and tannoy announcers. It takes a lot of individuals for the match day operation to run smoothly.

As well as players and management we have our physio and scouting teams, our kit managers and laundry team.

Our social media team must surely be as good as any in non-league football and have made our website one of the best and most active in the league, while their efforts on match days keep supporters fully informed, especially with the new video footage provided by Eddy. I also rely on them to publish this bulletin every week which happens quickly and efficiently.

But the biggest thank-you of all must go to you the supporters. Without you there is no club and I am so grateful you remain so loyal even when things are not going well. You helped to save Top Field and continue to turn out in really good numbers. You deserve success and we are all committed to moving Hitchin Town Football Club forward in the next decade.

BY ROY IZZARD