WEEKLY BULLETIN 4TH APRIL

NEXT FIXTURE

Saturday 6^th April league game away to Kettering kick-off 3.00pm. There is no coach to this game.

Kettering have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games. They are fourth in the table just three points behind leaders Bedford. Kettering are the best supported team in the league with an average attendance of 1,232

MANAGER’S NOTES BY MICHAEL JONES

Meet the manager

I would like to thank everyone who attended the meet the manager event on Wednesday and I would like to apologise for taking up so much time out of your evening, hopefully I did not bore you too much!

I appreciate all your questions and hope you now have the answers to these and the clarity of what is going on behind the scenes at the club, the understanding of what goes on during a game and the purpose behind certain things, while also understanding our plans to move forward as a club.

As mentioned on the night, I would like to think I am an approachable person and if you have any questions, you feel are not being answered or want some more clarity on certain situations, you are more than welcome to ask me these when you see me.

Thank you for your continued support of this group and the club, it is much appreciated.

Last weekend’s draw against Royston Town

I think we all thought going into this game that a quick start was needed and at the very least we could not have a similar start to Spalding in the previous weekend.

Our prep going into this game was focused even more on the fact it was a derby game and we put more emphasis on giving our huge support a performance to be proud of against our local rivals. I wanted everyone to forget about the league table and recent form and just go out with hunger, passion and desire. We spoke about cutting out the costly mistakes to give ourselves the best chance of competing in the game and to not take any risks.

Shockingly we got off to an even worse start than the week before and inside 20 seconds, without even touching the ball, we had given away a penalty, which Royston had no problem dispatching to give them an early lead. We then lost Harry Titchmarsh through injury in the 5^th minute and not long after we lost Stephen Gleeson through injury. 15 minutes in, we were 1-0 down and had to make two substitutions, not anywhere near the start we were looking for. I felt all of this disrupted our rhythm and the game suited Royston. I felt we lacked the hunger, passion and desire I was looking for before the game and we allowed Royston to physically dominate us.

We came into half time 1-0 down but I was extremely frustrated with the performance we had given so far. It’s the first time since I have been leading the group that 8 out of the 11 players got a stern telling off individually. The changing room got heated but the message was clear, the standards were not anywhere near good enough and this was not going to be tolerated. The passion shown in the changing room had stimulated the players and we were looking to use that to make a difference on the pitch.

Second half we introduced our third sub in Bradley Dixon Smith and we started the half by winning an early corner from kick off and Jake Hutchinson got us back level with a header at the back post. We looked like a completely different team and we were running harder, battling harder and showed the hunger, passion and desire that I was looking for from the start. We started to match Royston physically and we were starting to ask a lot of questions of their defence and put them under pressure. We then took the lead after a shot from Billy Heaps was well saved and Toby Syme was first to react to put in the rebound. We then created a few half chances but could not find the killer goal and then in the 80^th minute Royston were awarded a very generous free kick and they found an equaliser. Royston then had their best spell of the half and Seb Stacey made a very good save to keep the scores level but their was still time for one more chance and with virtually the last kick of the game Jake raced through 1 on 1 but unfortunately the ball got caught under his feet and he could only win a corner.

Final score 2-2 and  although we are disappointed, we could not win and this result nearly certainly confirms our fate, I would like to think all our loyal supporters in attendance could see the effort the group are putting in for them, despite falling short at the minute.

I also want to thank the amazing support of nearly 900 again, despite us not producing on the pitch, you have all continued to stand by this group and our club and we are working tirelessly to reward you with a team we can all be proud of on the pitch and results you all deserve for your continued support during this difficult period.

This weekend’s game at home to Kettering Town

We travel to the team who are favourites to win the league, they have the most money and the best squad in the league on paper. We know to also expect a lively pitch and a large hostile crowd.

We go into this game as massive underdogs and this has a huge David vs Goliath feel to it.

We also know that we can compete with the best in this division and will all want to prove to everyone on Saturday that we can beat the best in the division. We also understand that when the referee blows the whistle at 3pm, on the pitch it will not come down to who has the most money or who has the better team on paper. It will come down to who wants it more on the pitch, who is up for the fight and who is more determined to give everything for the win. We need to make sure we have this hunger, passion, desire and fight in abundance on Saturday.

Player News

• Lewis Barker is still in non-contact training as he recovers from his long-term shoulder injury.
• Kobi Sinclair – Linton will be back in the squad this weekend.
• Kye Tearle was ill Saturday morning so had to withdraw from the squad but will be back for this weekend.
• Stephen Gleeson suffered an ankle injury last weekend and will not be available to play this week.
• Liam Brooks is unavailable this weekend.
• Enock Ekongo has mutually agreed to part ways with the club this week. I would like to thank Enock for all his hard work, commitment and effort during his time with the club and I wish him all the best moving forward.

MEET THE MANAGER

Michael Jones stepped up to give a very detailed assessment of the season at the meet the manager evening on Wednesday. He was very open and honest and gave supporters a fascinating insight in to all aspects of the trials and tribulations of managing a football club. He did not look for excuses and gave explanations for various tactical choices made. He was really determined to change the whole culture at the club and will look to hit the ground running next season whatever division we are in.

COMMUNITY UPDATE BY MARK BURKE

Easter Holiday Camps

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 28th April, 12th & 19th May 2025 (3 sessions) – Cost: £12

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 first-team goalkeeper Josh Mollison.

Wednesday 21st April – 23rd May 2025 (5 weeks)     Cost: £30

HTWFC UPDATE BY CALLUM ELLIS

Results

Bedwell 5 – 1 HTWFC 

HTWFC Canaries H – W Bletchley Scot

Fixtures

Sunday 6th April, 14:00

Everett Ladies v HTWFC,

Everett FC, WD24 5FS

HTWFC Canaries v Cranfield United

St Christophers School, SG6 3JZ

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES

Blue Joy and William McNeill got selected for the Pro:Direct U19 showcase event which was held on Thursday at Tottenham Hotspur training ground. This event was also attended by clubs up and down the UK and this was another great opportunity for our young academy players to showcase their talents. Will and Blue were on opposite teams on the day with Will’s team winning the match.

We now break up for our Easter Break and our season has now drawn to a close.

We will now be looking to arrange some post season friendlies, while the players continue to finish their education commitments before they break up for the summer.

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 latest issue of the Junior Canaries has been sent out today.

We now head towards our final issue of the season, which will be sent out after the final game of this season.

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. 

CHARITY GAME UPDATE BY ROGER LEVETT

This Sunday we see Jack Wilshere return to Top Field, along with an army of x66 players where Hitchin Town FC will set to host the Garden House Hospice fundraiser – in memory of David Levett.

You may remember, David-a lifelong Arsenal fan was at Top Field for his last live match to watch Jack Wilshere’s then Arsenal U18s team in our pre-season friendly on August 3^rd 2025, two weeks before he passed (our original article is here: A POIGNANT STORY – Hitchin Town FC

Since then, the match has attracted great interest, not least as Jack himself is scheduled to appear on the pitch himself.

Coverage from local press – The Comet (article here) has helped spike interest from hundreds of local residents, including  Samuel Lucas, one of our local JMI School – who, with the spirited support of Carl Smith-PE Teacher and Rufus Frowde-Music Teacher have assembled over 70 children to participate mostly as mascots.  The children are also set to play a supporting role as choir to a pre-match rendition of ‘Abide with Me’, scheduled just before kick-off led by singer – Sharmini Byrne.

Counterfeit Canaries vs Gabled Gunners

Energy and excitement will be at fever pitch as Johnny Lock-local DJ and entertainer takes to the ‘decks’ from 12.30pm.

The match itself kicks-off at 2pm as a x66 player roll on/off format over 90 minutes led by ‘Managers’ Nico Debort (Counterfeit Canaries) & Jam Makins (Garbled Gunners), supported by Andy Southam and Mark Bonnick as our Coaches. Mark being the person whose simple act of kindness back in August last year was the spark which ignited this entire event, so thanks go particularly to Mark.

Each player gets 15mins pitch time for each half, with teams comprising players of all ages from within David’s wider network of friends and family – including Jack Wilshire, Ian Allinson (also ex-Arsenal and GHH Champion) and David’s grandchildren – and is set to be played in a spirit of fun and entertainment, representing the appeal football brings to people of all ages.

Throughout the match, local celebrities Mark O’Sullivan and Anna Morris will provide light entertainment & laughs through their live commentary, with Carl Smith (PE Teacher Samuel Lucas) offering children (under 16’s) an opportunity to ‘beat the teacher’ in a fun half-time penalty shoot-out. All children are welcome to participate, however football boots are required to enter the field, which our teams will need to check at the gate to the pitch.

The afternoon will be rounded off with the drawing of the raffle at around 4pm, where Roger Levett will announce our winners!

With the weather set fair this weekend, it promises to be an incredible family-centred fun afternoon, reminding us of the important role football and sport offers in bringing our community together.

Fundraising efforts to date have raised over £4,000 for the Garden House Hospice, so please spread the word and come along with friends and family to support to help raise even more. Entry to the match is free for all, you will be invited to buy Raffle tickets to help support the Hospice – available on the day or beforehand online following this link: Enter Raffle to Win From multiple great prizes hosted by Roger Levett or by scanning the QR code below.  Bundles of x10+ offer free tickets, all proceeds go to the Hospice.

Thank you.

 

BY ROY IZZARD