WEEKLY BULLETIN: 29TH MAY
Manager’s Notes
Player News
We are now in a position to announce the players who will be leaving us and not continuing our journey onto Step 3.
Josh Jackman
We were able to sign Josh Jackman in the middle of June last year after he had decided to leave the Step 2 side Slough Town after nine seasons. Josh was an excellent addition to our squad as not only did he add much needed quality but he had plenty of experience. Josh was also great both on and off the pitch and was just as crucial when he was not part of the match day squad. Josh made it clear that when we signed him that he wanted promotion but after recently getting married as well as a change of jobs, he was at a stage of his career where he wanted to play more locally, after experiencing many years of playing at a level which requires huge added commitments. This meant that on gaining promotion Josh would not be in a position to continue the journey with us.
Josh Coldicott-Stevens
Josh was another player we signed in June last year. We were able to bring him back to the club due to a change in work circumstances meaning he could not commit to the demands of Step 3 with Royston Town. Josh was a great addition to our squad. He was always a consistent performer and added plenty of quality and composure in the middle of the park. He stepped up at the key moments and helped us gain many important points and was vital to the way we wanted to play. Due to the demands of his work Josh was always going to be playing Step 4 football this season.
Taylor Rhiney
Taylor signed last summer as the front man we have been looking for to bring goals to a team that had struggled in this department for a few seasons. Taylor came with a record of always scoring goals and had a lot of pressure on him to deliver. Taylor stuck with the team despite a slower start to his goal tally, whilst adapting to his new surroundings along with the style of play, but then showed what he is capable of doing- scoring goals. He scored many goals which helped us gain crucial points on our way to promotion. Taylor is at the stage of his life where this opportunity to progress to Step 3 has come at a time where he has a young family and it would make it very difficult to commit 100% to the demands of Step 3 football. Taylor came to the difficult decision to leave and focus on putting his family first.
Fernando Bell-Toxtle
Fernando signed under Brett Donelly but was injured at the start of the season and only returned to playing at the end of this pre-season. Despite missing pre-season, Fernando was able to get game time at Newport Pagnell and this enabled him to break into the team. As he had a very long time away from football he suffered with knocks and niggles which hampered his game time, but always gave 100% in whatever position or role he was asked to play when called upon. Fernando topped off a great recovery with not only promotion but a key goal in the play off final. Fernando is unable to make the jump up to Step 3 with us due to a change in personal circumstances, making football even more of a commitment than what it currently is.
Brett Longden
Brett was signed in November to provide competition and extra experience to our backline during a key period of the season. Brett came in and added solid performances on the pitch and a good voice throughout games. Brett was always very good with the social aspect of the club and despite causing players to spend even more time in the clubhouse, he managed to bring the group even closer together which helped us in the long run. Brett has made it clear that he is happy in more local leagues and this has shown in the fact he has gained promotion from Step 4 three times in the last three seasons! I am sure he will be looking to have another promotion in the upcoming season.
Stephen Gleeson
Everyone was aware that Stephen had decided to call time on his playing career before the end of the season. Stephen signed for the club under Mark Burke to add key experience to our ranks and he did just that. He always demanded high standards but was also a great person to have around, especially for the younger players. Stephen stepped up to be my Assistant Manager and he has been a huge help to me, especially in the early days. Stephen made the decision to stop playing for Hitchin last season but was persuaded to give it one more year. I am grateful that he did and he was able to go out with a promotion as well as a cup win. Stephen is in the process of deciding where he wants to go with his football career next.
I would like to thank everyone for their contributions to helping the club have a successful season and reaching our objectives. We have had a very enjoyable season and this would not have been possible without all your hard work, commitment, sacrifice and effort. I wish you all the best at your new clubs, wherever they may be.
Next Season
I know a lot of supporters would have seen the players that have left the club and feel sad to see so many key players go, but these players are not full time footballers. This means that players have to make difficult decisions to make sure they do what is right for them, their work life balance and most importantly their families and in some cases this makes progression up the football pyramid near on impossible. This has meant we have had to say goodbye to players that have helped us have a very enjoyable season and players who have been very impactful in what we are trying to achieve as a club.
We need to remember that we were in a much worse situation last season where we had suffered relegation for the second consecutive season. We had a losing culture, lacked belief, had no momentum and had again lost some key individuals. This did not define who we are as a club or what our season was going to be, despite looking bleak at times.
Fast forward a year and despite losing some key individuals again, we are in a much stronger, healthier position as a club. We have managed to refocus and rebuild together by overhauling the playing squad and changing the culture of the club into a positive one. We now finish the season with a promotion and a cup win, a winning mentality, momentum, confidence and belief as well as a very strong community backing with everyone going in the same direction.
We have retained a lot of core players and we have been working hard to make sure we get not only the right calibre of players into the club but also the right characters. This was pivotal in our success this season and instrumental in bringing everyone together again in a positive way.
We are now at the next phase off our club’s rebuild and despite the many challenges ahead and some difficult times, we know we are in a much better place where we can all attack phase two of our journey together.
Like I have said before, please enjoy the offseason and please rest assured we are doing everything possible to make sure we are in the best place to have another positive season together back at Step 3.
Academy Update
We have a team bonding day this week where the academy players will be taking part in Go-Karting. This will be a fun day where we can bring everyone together off of the pitch.
Our next open training session is on Friday 29th May at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU on the all weather pitch between 1pm – 2:30pm.
If you would like to be part of the academy or for further information please use this link
Michael Jones
Season Ticket Update
We have now sold 117 season tickets which is quite remarkable when you consider that for many years our total season ticket sales for the season was between 30 and 40.
Details of our ticket pricing structure for 2026/27 can be found here:
https://hitchintownfc.club/2026-27-ticketing/
Herts Charity Cup
The Herts Charity Cup will not take place this season.
This is what the Herts FA had to say:
Following a review of our current competitions programme, and after consideration of the wider football landscape and operational challenges faced by both the County FA and affiliated clubs, Hertfordshire FA has taken the decision not to run the Charity Cup or Charity Shield competitions from the 2026/27 season onwards.
Sir Gareth Southgate at Hitchin Town
Please use this link to find out the full story of how Sir Gareth came to Top Field in April.
The documentary he was making will be shown on Monday 8 June at 9.00pm on BBC1
Community Update
Coaching Courses at The Arena
May Half Term Holiday Courses
The Arena, Baldock – Football Holiday Camps
We held our football holiday camps at the Arena, Baldock over the May Half Term holidays starting on Tuesday 26th May to Thursday 28th May for 3 days
We had 47 different children participating over the week with 28 on Tuesday, 35 on Wednesday and 35 on Thursday.
Despite the blistering heat everyone enjoyed the 3 days and had their picture taken with 1st Team Manager Michael Jones and the Play Off Trophy
Preston Primary School – Multi-Activity Holiday Camps
We also held a multi-activity holiday camp at Preston Primary School over the May Half Term holidays starting on Tuesday 26th May to Thursday 28th May for 3 days.
We had 21 different children participating over the week with 15 on Tuesday, 19 on Wednesday and 13 on Thursday.
The children also had their picture taken with 1st Team Manager Michael Jones and the Play Off Trophy as well as with 1st team players Lewis Franklin and Blue Joy.
We have a very strong relationship with Preston School providing coaches for Wraparound Care, Lunch Time Clubs and PPA as well as the Holiday Camps.
A couple of weeks ago The School’s PTA held their May Ball to raise funds for the school (£8,000), with the Club contributing by purchasing tickets for coaches Josh Mollison, Lewis Franklin and Rocca Lewin to attend and support the evening and we also provided auction prizes including a signed Lewis Franklin shirt.to help raise funds.
Junior Ability Counts
Our Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock on Monday’s begin again on the 8th June and run for 6 weeks until 13th July from 5-6pm.
We will also be extending our Junior Ability Counts sessions by offering additional sessions on a Wednesday at the Arena from 5.30pm – 6.30pm from 10th June and run for 6 weeks until 15th July.
The sessions are open to 5 – 16 year olds with physical and or SEN but be able to walk.
Safe Hands Goalkeeping Course
Our Safe Hands Goalkeeping sessions at the Arena, Baldock begin again on Wednesday 10th June for 6 weeks from 5.30-6.30pm with Hitchin Town 1st Team goalkeeper Josh Mollison. The sessions are open to 6 – 14 year olds
Coaching in Schools
We continue to work in our local schools delivering coaching sessions at:
- Preston Junior Wraparound Care, Lunch Time Clubs and PPA
- Oughton Primary Lunch Time & After School Clubs and PE Lessons
- Icknield Infants After School Clubs and Morning Clubs
- St Mary’s Morning and After School Clubs, PE Lessons & PPA Cover
- Woolgrove Lunch Time Clubs
- Brandles PE Lessons
- Samuel Lucas After School Clubs everyday Monday – Friday (Excluding Thursday)
If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, After School and Breakfast Clubs please contact Josh Mollison on info@htcfc.co.uk
Mark Burke
The Boy’s Done Good
Last Sunday former Canary Colin Cardines saw his youngest son Rio make his Premier League debut for Crystal Palace against Arsenal and then followed this up with a trip to Leipzig to watch Rio be part of the successful Palace squad to win the UEFA Conference League title.
Colin made the trip with his older son Luca who is an ex-Hitchin Town youth team player and you can see from the picture they are all very happy.
Friendly Evening of Pool in Support of Mental Health
A small but lively pool competition took place recently at Hitchin Pool hall, bringing together a handful of local players for an evening of friendly rivalry and quiet support for men’s mental health. Although the focus of the night was on raising awareness for men, the event was open to everyone, and it was brilliant to see women taking part too — with one woman making it all the way to the final, earning well‑deserved cheers from the room.
The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, the kind of evening where people could unwind, chat between games, and enjoy being around others without any pressure. It wasn’t a big event, and it didn’t need to be. Sometimes the smaller gatherings are the ones where people feel most at ease.
Thanks to the generosity of Hitchin Pool hall, who provided the tables free of charge, and the support of those who bought raffle tickets, and organisations that donated – the night raised £164 for Hertfordshire Mind. Every contribution, no matter how small, helped make a difference.
What stood out most was the sense of togetherness. A few people, a few cues, a few conversations — but it all added up to something meaningful. In a world where it can be hard to talk openly, especially for men, evenings like this offer a gentle reminder that connection doesn’t have to be complicated.
Plans are already being made for another competition in early October, with hopes of keeping this simple, supportive tradition going.
To everyone who came along, played a game, donated a prize, or simply shared a smile — thank you. Your presence mattered.
Katie Wilson
Message from Our Chaplain
In the life of Hitchin, two threads run deep: the proud heritage of Hitchin Town Football Club and the enduring rhythms of the Christian calendar. At first glance, Trinity Sunday and a matchday at Top Field might seem worlds apart—one rooted in ancient theology, the other in the roar of the terraces. Yet look closer, and a surprising harmony emerges. Both speak to identity, relationship, and the power of unity expressed through diversity.
Trinity Sunday May 31st, celebrated the week after Pentecost, invites Christians to contemplate the mystery of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three distinct persons, yet one shared essence. It is less a puzzle to be solved and more a vision of how relationship lies at the heart of existence. The Trinity is, in essence, a community: a dynamic, self‑giving unity in which love flows outward and binds together.
Hitchin Town FC, in its own way, mirrors this pattern of unity‑in‑diversity. The club is not just a team of eleven players on the pitch. It is a living network of supporters, volunteers, coaches, families, and generations of townspeople who have stood together through triumphs, relegations, financial struggles, and unforgettable cup runs. Each part is distinct—players with different roles, supporters with different stories, volunteers with different gifts—but all belong to one club, one badge, one shared identity.
On Trinity Sunday, churches often reflect on how community is not an optional extra but a reflection of the divine life itself. Likewise, Hitchin Town FC shows how a community becomes stronger when its members bring their different strengths to a common purpose. A club steward, a youth coach, a lifelong supporter on the Fishponds Road terrace, and a young player making his debut all contribute something unique. Yet together they form something greater than the sum of their parts.
And then there is joy. Football at Top Field is not merely a pastime; it is a celebration of belonging. Trinity Sunday, too, is ultimately a celebration—of divine love overflowing into the world. When Hitchin score a late winner and the crowd erupts, or when volunteers gather to repaint the stands before a new season, that same spirit of shared joy is visible.
In the end, Hitchin Town FC and Trinity Sunday both remind us of a simple truth: we flourish when we live not as isolated individuals but as people bound together in purpose, hope, and love. Whether sung in a hymn or chanted from the terraces, that truth continues to shape the heart of Hitchin.
Maxine Howarth