Hitchin Town v Luton Town / Stevenage FC

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LUTON TOWN

SATURDAY 3RD JULY 2021. 3PM. PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

STEVENAGE

SATURDAY 10TH JULY 2021. 3PM. PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY SEASON 2021/2022

ISSUE 1

£ 2.50

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

TOP FIELD

REGULATIONS

Hitchin Town is a family and community-orientated club and we make every effort to ensure that visitors to Top Field feel welcome, safe and that they have had an enjoyable experience when attending games.

We respect the culture and values of every person who comes to Top Field and their families, and we will work hard to make sure that Diversity is respected.

We recognise that football is a passionate game and that supporters will have their own ways of expressing their support and reactions. We welcome banter particularly when it seeks to add positively to the Match Day experience.

Hitchin Town FC expects all of its supporters to conduct themselves in a way that represents the values of the Club.

The Club will not tolerate unacceptable or disorderly conduct, be it at Top Field or at away stadiums, or indeed whilst in transit travelling to them. Unacceptable and/or disorderly conduct brings into disrepute the excellent reputation that the Club seeks to engender.

Disorderly conduct includes that conduct which is designed to create hatred or ill will towards individuals or groups based on their: • Gender, colour, race or religion • Sexual orientation • Transgender identity or disability

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Also: • Using threatening or abusive language or conduct (particularly excessive use of bad language which is unacceptable to others in the vicinity).

• Displaying anything which is threatening, abusive or insulting.

In respect of any individual who is guilty of a football related offence as detailed here, the Club will take appropriate action to deal with any offender who is found to be displaying unacceptable or disorderly behaviour. Such action is likely to include: • Expulsion from the ground by our security personnel.

• A temporary Club Banning order, with the offer of an education course, to be completed before the order is rescinded. or in cases where the above education course is refused, or in more extreme cases: • An indefinite or permanent Club Banning Order, and/or: • Reporting the matter to the Police.

Hitchin Town FC Management Committee September 2020

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

WELCOME FOR THE NON-ELITE IN NON- LEAGUE IT HAS BEEN QUITE SOME CLOSE SEASON BREAK.

Our last game was way back in December when Peterborough Sports ended our interest in the FA Trophy somewhat convincingly. In the circumstances I don’t think I will bother with a summary of that one.

>> Cameron Jerome

Doubtless everyone will have had a different lockdown experience – and many of us will still be getting over the loss of friends and family. Let us all hope that we are finally moving forward and the worst excesses of the pandemic are finally behind us. The Club recently lost a popular member of staff to cancer, so again spare a thought for the family that Rose left behind.

Moving to more cheerful matters. It is great to again welcome to Top Field our close friends from firstly, Luton Town and seven days later Stevenage FC. It is a couple of seasons since last Luton sent a side down the hill and it is a pity that a number of both Hatters and Boro fans will be missing the game courtesy of the covid restrictions that apply.

In some ways this might be just as well because as regular visitors to Top Field will note much of our traditional timber terrace is no more. Although there remains plenty of room on the concrete open terrace at the far end of the ground, our regulars will need to forego their usual vantage points for now. New metal terracing will hopefully be in place before the season proper commences in August.

I am not sure that either of our visitors need much by way of introduction. But in any event welcome to the respective Managers Nathan Jones and Alex Revell, the players, the supporters and last but

not least the officials of Luton and Stevenage. We are grateful indeed to you for sending your first eleven squads to us and thereby not only providing us with a massive test on the field of play but also a financial boost courtesy of the healthy gates which your presence will guarantee.

Amongst the aforementioned a particular hello to Stuart Hammonds, a former player of this parish, who served us well back in 2005 – is it really that long ago? 57 appearances and 1 goal but who against Stu? Moving on to someone with a real goalscoring pedigree – Jerome Cameron a recent Hatters signing, last seen at Top Field playing for Norwich City July 2015.

Remember that Jerome?

A special welcome also to another former Canary (a Hitchin one this time) Inih Effiong who graced Top Field back in

2011-12 as a loanee from Boreham Wood. Inih played 15 games and scored 3 times.

Luton finished 12th and Stevenage 14th in their respective leagues – we wish them all the best for this new campaign.

Mark Burke has lined up a number of guests for the Luton game who have seen service with both clubs and are joining us for a reunion before the match.

These familiar and not so familiar faces are named and shamed in Mark’s Manager’s notes on page 11.

He also provides information on our mascots today, Jack and Archie who are the grandchildren of former Canary / Hatter John Woodward who we lost to cancer last year.

Enjoy the game.

Mick

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T H E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

>> WELCOME

LUTON TOWN LUTON TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB. A BRIEF HISTORY.

In January 1885 Luton Wanderers changed their name to "Luton Town" at a secret meeting of their committee.

Although a “Town” club was needed, the secret manner in which it was achieved was frowned upon.

>> Littlewoods Cup Final 1988

John Charles Lomax and George Deacon arranged a public meeting at the Town Hall for the 11th April 1885 to form a “Town” Club by democratic means. This was opposed by the instigators of the secret January meeting who said there was already a “Town” club and there could not be two.

The tense meeting at the Town Hall, attended by most local football lovers, heard from many speakers. The overwhelming majority voted down the secretly formed club and for the creation of the Luton Town we know today.

Early games consisted of friendlies, but a strong committee pushed behind the scenes and took the foresighted decision to pay three players in 1890, the first club in the south to do so.

Founder member of the Southern League in 1894 the Town finished runners-up to Millwall in each of the first two seasons but the ambitious club wanted more and made a bid for election to the Football League. Their initial proposition failed and a season had to be spent in the United League before they were accepted into Football League Division Two in 1897.

Unfortunately after three years of increasing struggle, in a predominantly northern based league, the club took the brave decision to rejoin a, now much stronger, Southern League which eventually formed a new Division Three of the Football League in 1920.

By the mid-1930’s, such was the growth in population in Luton and PAGE 04 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

>> FA Cup Final 1959

surrounding area, that the Board of the club felt that they could afford to push the boat out and spend some money on the side, safe in the knowledge that spectator support would be forthcoming.

With this decision taken, great changes were made within the club and players that would normally have been outside their reach were taken on and, as

predicted, the crowds increased rapidly.

Promotion to Division Two was narrowly missed in 1936 but the team made no mistake the following season when they won the Division Three championship on the back of a superb home record and the 55 goals of Joe Payne.

Further promotion in 1955, buoyed by the goals of record goalscorer Gordon Turner and the versatile talents of Bob Morton, saw the Hatters in the top flight for five seasons which included a trip to Wembley in the 1959 FA Cup final. Sadly, this prefaced a slump which saw the team drop to Division Four by 1965 but they then bounced back to enjoy ten years at the top after winning the championship of the old Division Two in style in 1982, aided by players such as Ricky Hill, Brian Stein and Mal Donaghy under the managership of David Pleat.

April 24th 1988 will forever go down as a red letter day for all Luton supporters as the Town won the first major trophy in their long history with Brian Stein sweeping home a last minute winner as

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T H E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB >> Promotion

mighty Arsenal were beaten 3-2 in the Littlewoods Cup final.

PLAYER PROFILES

James Shea After coming through the academy at Arsenal, the keeper had loan spells with Southampton and Dagenham & Redbridge before plying his trade in Non-League football with Needham Market and Harrow Borough after his release by the Gunners in 2013.

Shea signed a one-year deal with the Hatters as a free agent in July 2017, which was extended until 2020 in February. Signed a new contract with the Hatters in October 2019, going onto make his Championship debut later that month in a 3-0 win against Bristol City and played an additional 12 games in the league during the rest of the 2019/20 campaign. The following season he provided back-up to Simon Sluga and made 10 appearances in total, largely enforced by an injury to the Croatian 'keeper. He kept four cleansheets in those matches.

An artificial surface laid at Kenilworth Road in 1985 was ripped up six years later just as the club was about to be relegated from Division One and the riches of the Premier League, which the Hatters were founder members of but unable to compete in, commenced.

Since that time the club has enjoyed F.A.Cup semi-finals and promotion to the Championship but on the other side of the coin a draconian points deduction saw the club cruelly relegated from the Football League in 2009 and despite valiant attempts to return it proved more difficult to regain past glories than originally anticipated. In 2014, however, after five years away, the team won promotion back to the Football League in glorious fashion.

Simon Sluga The Hatters broke a 30-year transfer record when they signed Simon Sluga from Croatian top flight side HNK Rijeka for a guaranteed fee of over €1.5 million in July 2019. The 28-year-old Croatia international put pen to paper on a three-year contract, with the Hatters board agreeing to smash the previous highest fee paid to sign Lars Elstrup in 1989. As a reward for his displays, he was a part of Croatia's 26man squad for Euro 2020, providing back-up to Dominik Livakovic.

Since returning to the Football League the Hatters have made strong attempts to achieve further promotions which finally led to a highly successful 2017/18 campaign when the team finished runners-up to Accrington. This was followed by a scintillating 2018/19 season when the championship of League One was achieved and with it Championship football for the first time since 2007.

Dan Potts Defender Dan Potts is predominantly a left-back whose aerial ability also makes him an option at centre-half. The 27year-old joined the Hatters in summer 2015 from West Ham United, where he made 13 appearances after being handed his debut in a Championship win over Barnsley in December 2011. In May 2021, the defender extended his contract with the club.

After narrowly avoiding relegation in 2020, the Town finished in a healthy mid-table position in 2021.

Being a Luton Town supporter has been anything but dull!

Sonny Bradley Centre-half Sonny Bradley joined the Hatters in the summer of 2018 after rejecting a new contract at Plymouth Argyle, penning a three-year deal.

The 29-year-old started his career with hometown club Hull City but gained initial first team experience on loan at Harrogate Town and Aldershot, where he spent a season-and-a-half in League Two. Peter Kioso The Hatters made their first signing of the 2020 January transfer window with the arrival of versatile defender Peter Kioso from Hartlepool United for an undisclosed fee. The move marked a return to the area for the 21-year-old right-back, who joined the National League side in the summer of 2018 from our Southern League neighbours Dunstable Town.

Tom Lockyer Tom Lockyer signed for the club in the 2020 summer transfer window after leaving Charlton Athletic. Lockyer has almost 350 senior appearances to his name and made his debut for the Hatters in the Carabao Cup against Reading. His hopes of going to Euro 2020 with Wales looked unlikely but following an injury to another team member, he was included in their 26man squad alongside fellow Hatter Joe Morrell.

James Bree Signed initially on loan from Premier League Aston Villa for the 2019-20 season, Bree emerged as one of the stars of The Great Escape following lockdown for Covid-19. The now 23year-old had made almost 150 career appearances by the start of the 202021 campaign since making his debut for Barnsley at just 16. Injury somewhat hindered his minutes on the pitch but in March 2021, Bree scored his first senior goal during the 2-0 win against Coventry City. The defender made 27 appearances in all competitions.

Gabriel Osho Highly-rated former Reading defender Gabriel Osho joined Luton Town in November 2020. The versatile defender, who is able to play both centre-back and right-back, had come through the ranks during a decade at the Madejski Stadium, having loan spells in Non-League football at Maidenhead United and Aldershot Town.

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

LUTON TOWN He eventually joined the Hatters two months into the 2020-21 campaign, then joined Yeovil Town on loan shortly after signing his contract at Kenilworth Road to build up some much-needed match fitness. He went on to make his Hatters debut in the FA Cup third round win against his former club Reading and later in January, Osho signed for Rochdale on loan until the end of the season.

>> Luke Berry

Glen Rea Highly-rated former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international who can operate as a holding midfielder or centre-half. Rea joined the Hatters on loan from Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2016, making ten appearances, and signed permanently in June 2016.

The 22-year-old made 22 appearances at the Crown Oil Arena and even scored his first senior goal, but was unable to help Rochdale avoid the drop down to League Two. Kal Naismith Versatile Kal Naismith joined the Hatters as a free agent in January 2021 following his departure from Wigan Athletic by mutual consent earlier that month. Naismith started his senior career in his home country with Rangers and following loan spells with Cowdenbeath and Partick Thistle, he moved south of the border to join Accrington in 2013.

He made 79 appearances as a Stanley player before Cook took him to Fratton Park, where he played 95 times and impressed most in the 2016/17 League Two campaign, when he scored 13 goals – including one in a 3-1 win at Kenilworth Road – and provided 10 assists on their way to being crowned champions.

He made his Hatters debut as a substitute against Bournemouth in January and became a regular towards the end of the season, as a left-back or left-sided centre-back. The former Portsmouth man also netted his first goal against Sheffield Wednesday in the 3-2 comeback victory against the Owls.

Reece Burke Centre-half Reece Burke became the Hatters’ second signing of the summer just weeks after helping Hull City win promotion from League One. PAGE 06 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Made his Championship debut for the Hatters against Cardiff City in August 2019 and tallied 21 appearances in his maiden season in the second division.

He appeared 31 times in the league the following season, chipping in with two goals and an assist.

The 24-year-old arrived at Kenilworth Road as a free agent, with his contract with the Tigers coming to an end, and is a familiar face to fans and players alike after he played 90 minutes for Hull in the 3-0 win at the Kenny in the 2019/20 season,and has played with a number of current Town players before.

Burke joined West Ham aged nine in 2003 and 11 years later made his first debut against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, a game in which Dan Potts started and Elliot Lee was on the bench for.

Luke Berry The midfielder joined the Town on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Sky Bet League Two rivals Cambridge United in August 2017.

After one season with the Tykes, he returned to Cambridge, where he played a further 105 times – scoring 35 goals – before becoming Nathan Jones' tenth signing of the summer transfer window. A major player in the heart of the Town midfield last season, he made 39 appearances, scoring eight times, before a serious ankle injury at Colchester United in late March curtailed what had been an outstanding campaign. Another to be selected in both EFL and PFA League Two teams of the season.

The 26-year-old penned a new contract with the Hatters in the summer of 2018. Rea broke into the team early on in the 2018/19 campaign and was a stalwart as the shield in front of the defence before a serious knee injury ended his season in December.

Made an additional 14 appearances for the remainder of the season, playing an integral role in helping the club maintain their status in the Championship.

Rea's contribution to the team continued the following season after he signed a new contract before making 40 appearances in the league.

The midfielder scored three times, the first of which came against Nottingham Forest in October.

Jordan Clark Jordan Clark moved south on a free transfer after his contract with League One club Accrington Stanley came to an end after four years at the Wham Stadium. The right-sided player began his career at hometown club Barnsley, making six appearances for the Championship club and enjoying loan spells with Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United and Hyde, before moving to Shrewsbury Town in 2014.

The 27-year-old impressed with his versaility and played in a number of

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB positions throughout the season, filling in for injured players and enabling Nathan Jones to utilise different formations.

>> Joe Morrell

Joe Morrell Joe Morrell signed from Bristol City on a permanent basis in October 2020.

The 24-year-old midfielder began his career with the Robins and signed a professional contract with the club in 2012. He made his debut the following year in a 2-1 Football League Trophy defeat against Wycombe Wanderers.

Morrell made his debut for the club during the 2-0 home defeat against Stoke City and played a further nine times in the Championship. The Welsh international was part of their Euro 2020 squad and played all three group matches, providing an assist in the 1-1 draw against Switzerland.

Dion Pereira Dion Pereira joined the club in November 2020 after leaving MLS side Atlanta United. He made 21 appearances during his time in the States, before coming back to England to join the Hatters. The youngster was amongst the substitutes five times for the first team and during the last match of the season against Queens Park Rangers, came on to make his debut.

Fred Onyedinma Former Millwall and Wycombe midfielder Fred Onyedinma signed for Luton in late May 2021 for an undisclosed fee. After helping them secure promotion from League One in his first campaign, he finished with five goals and four assists in 46 appearances in the Chairboys' season in the Championship, before leaving Adams Park to join the Hatters and remain in the second tier following Wycombe's relegation.

Allan Campbell Midfielder Allan Campbell joined the Town from Motherwell in the summer of 2021 for an undisclosed fee, with his contract at the Scottish Premiership club coming to an end. The 22-year-old had spent his entire career to date at Fir Park, scoring 16 goals in 159 appearances for the side whose academy he joined at the age of ten.

Henri Lansbury Experienced midfielder Henri Lansbury joined the Hatters on a free transfer on the same day as Cameron Jerome, becoming Nathan Jones’ fifth new signing as he looks to build on the 12th place finish in 2020-21. The now 30-year-old started his career coming through the ranks with Arsenal.

He featured regularly for the Gunners’ youth team - winning the Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup double with James Shea in goal - and made his first-team debut in a 3-0 League Cup win against Sheffield United in 2017.

year at the City Ground, the midfielder joined Aston Villa for a reported fee of £3m and helped them gain promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.

However, regular game-time was hard to come by under Dean Smith and in January 2021, he signed for Bristol City on a free transfer. The London-born midfielder played 16 times in the Sky Bet Championship, including 71 minutes in City’s 3-2 loss against the Hatters at Ashton Gate in April, before joining the Town two months later.

He signed his first professional contract with the north London club the following year and represented England at every youth level, before spending the next few years gaining regular firstteam experience on loan with the likes of Scunthorpe United, Norwich City and West Ham United.

Danny Hylton London-born forward who joined the Town in 2016 after he played his part in helping Oxford United to promotion to League One and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final. Hylton started his career with Aldershot Town, where he made over 200 appearances in the Conference and League Two before joining Rotherham United in 2013.

Lansbury then decided to make a permanent switch away from the Emirates to join Nottingham Forest, where he played 145 times for the Championship club between 2012 and 2017 alongside current Hatters firstteam coach Chris Cohen. Amid speculation about his future in that last

He played just one game for the thenLeague One club, however, and was loaned out to Bury and AFC Wimbledon prior to his move to Oxford four years ago. While at the Kassam Stadium, Hylton hit 30 goals in 84 starts, but turned down the offer of a new contract in order to move to Kenilworth Road.

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TH E C A N A R IE S H ITCH I N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB >> Elijah Adebayo

The club’s top scorer for the past two seasons with 50 goals in just 90 appearances, Hylton came in the top three shortlisted for the EFL League Two Player of the Year award as voted by managers in the division, was named in the PFA Team of the Season for the division and won four club player of the year accolades in a memorable campaign in 2017.

Elliot Lee Brother of former Town midfielder Olly and son of ex-England and Newcastle United midfielder Rob, Elliot Lee is in his second spell at the club – this time on a permanent deal – having had a short loan spell from West Ham United in 2015. The 26-year-old was an instant hit at Kenilworth Road, netting with his first touch away at AFC Wimbledon, before scoring twice against Wycombe Wanderers at home.

He netted twice on his first league start for the Hatters in the 7-0 victory over Cambridge in November later on that year and finished his first full campaign for the Hatters with 12 goals in 19 starts. He joined Oxford United in January 2021 and provided nine goal contributions in 18 League One matches, helping the U's reach the PlayOff semi-finals.

Harry Cornick Pacey forward Harry Cornick joined the PAGE 08 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

LUTON TOWN

Hatters from Bournemouth in August 2017 for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old was originally on the Town's radar as a teenager in NonLeague football.

He signed for the Cherries, however, in January 2013 as a 17-year-old after impressing on trial, but continued playing for Wessex League club Christchurch until the end of that season while completing his A-levels.

Cornick won Goal of the Season, Bobbers Travel Away Player of the Season, Junior Supporters’ Player of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season trophies, after a maiden campaign in the Championship which saw him finish as the Town’s second leading scorer with nine goals.

He recorded the most assists for the Hatters the following campaign and scored against Bristol City, the third and decisive goal!

Elijah Adebayo London-born striker who joined the Hatters from Sky Bet League Two club Walsall for an undisclosed fee on 1st February 2021. The 23-year-old had netted ten times in the fourth tier so far this season, after scoring eight in his first campaign with the Saddlers following his release by Fulham in the summer of 2019. The 6ft 4ins forward enjoyed loan spells in Non-League

football with Slough Town and Bognor Regis Town as a teenager, before gaining EFL experience with Cheltenham, Swindon and Stevenage while coming through the ranks at Craven Cottage.

Cameron Jerome Vastly experienced striker Cameron Jerome arrived at Kenilworth Road as a free agent as the fourth signing of the close season, having scored 15 goals in 38 appearances last season for Sky Bet League One club Milton Keynes.

Jerome has more than 500 games and 145 goals to his name at club level in this country, having begun his career with Cardiff City in 2004.

After netting 20 goals for the South Wales club in the 2005/06 Championship campaign, he was signed

by Birmingham City for a fee of £3 million. The striker joined Stoke City later that year for a reported fee of £4m, but following 50 appearances in the space of three seasons at the Britannia Stadium, he opted to switch to Norwich City in 2014.

Following a successful four years at Carrow Road, Jerome has since played in the second tier for Derby County and then had a two-year spell with Goztepe in Turkey – scoring eight times in 49 appearances – before returning to England in October 2020.

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

>> THE MANAGER

MARK BURKE IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK

Luton Town I would like to welcome everybody to Top Field today and hope you enjoy an entertaining match against a very strong Luton Town squad.

Hopefully, those of you returning will notice the improvements made around the ground since our last match in December and I would like to thank all those volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make such a difference to the ground, it is much appreciated.

I would like to thank Gary Sweet, Paul Watson, Nathan Jones and Mick Harford for helping arrange the fixture which traditionally has been very well attended and fortunately for us, there will be no change there as tickets were sold out in the matter of hours of going on sale.

Personally, growing up as a Luton fan I am delighted that they have returned to Hitchin and renewed the close relationship between the two Clubs.

>> John Woodward (left) and his grandsons Archie & Jack

John ‘Woody’ Woodward Over the years there have been countless links and today sees a poignant moment as we celebrate the life of a former Hatter and Canary in John ‘Woody’ Woodward, who unfortunately passed away last year.

Woody was a great character much loved by his family, friends and teammates. Today will see his grandchildren Jack aged 10 and Archie 7 lead out the teams whilst his wife Nicola will receive a Hitchin Town Commemorative shirt at half-time with their daughters Emily,

and Amy and son-in-law Chris in attendance.

John was an apprentice at Luton in the late 70’s under David Pleat but unfortunately never made a League appearance, however he did find his way to Hitchin like so many other former Luton players. There is more on this pathway in an article by Neil Jensen in this programme.

A positive to come from Woody’s tragic loss was the setting up of a WhatsApp group that included and both former

>> Woody’s former team-mates from Luton & Hitchin with him at the last match he attended at Top Field PAGE 10 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB Luton Town and Hitchin Town players, many of whom had not been in contact with each other for many a year and a number now living abroad.

Today many of those from the group will be in attendance along with some special guests including, former Hatters legends Ricky Hill, Ron Johnson, Wayne Turner, Mark Stein, Kingsley Black, Mitchell Thomas, Paul Walsh and former Spurs and Irish International Tony Galvin whose grandson is a Hitchin Town fan.

A former Hatter and Canary Alan West was due to be with us today but unfortunately he was due to have a complex ablation operation yesterday (2nd July) which will hopefully help his dilated cardiomyopathy condition. We all wish him a speedy recovery and an Pre-Season Times have changed since my playing days when players would have a six week summer break enjoying themselves without particularly keeping themselves fit and coming back for a gruelling preseason fitness programme in readiness for the new season. Nowadays, the players are a lot more aware of diets and maintaining fitness throughout the year, which helps because it means we can concentrate more time on technical aspects of the game, including shape and set pieces.

Once again I am excited about the season ahead as I believe we have a young, strong squad that is capable of competing with the top teams whilst playing attractive football. I hope after today many of you watching will return to Top Field to support Hitchin if you are unable to travel to a Luton away match or join us on a Monday evening when we play our midweek matches.

Match Day Sponsorship I would like to thank Tony Brennan (ATB Electrical Services), former Spurs and Hitchin player Robbie Simpson (Simpson Mortgage Services) and Mick Donohue (CME Heating) all of whom have sponsored todays match and enjoyed the new Match Day Package.

I hope to see you all again soon.

Mark

>> Alan West for Hitchin and playing against Franz Beckenbauer OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME PAGE 11

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB >> Captain Sensible

ON THIS DAY JULY 3RD

it is suspected his death was due to an accidental heroin overdose.

ELSEWHERE ON 3 JULY BY PETER ELSE 3 JULY 1863 – The final day of the Battle

of Gettysburg culminated with Pickett’s Charge and failure for the Confederates during the US Civil War.

3 JULY 1976 - Björn Borg beat Ilie

3 JULY 1928 – John Logie Baird demonstrated the first colour television transmission in London.

3 JULY 1982 – ‘Happy Talk’ by Captain

Sensible replaced ‘I’ve Never been to Me’ by Charlene at the top of the charts.

3 JULY 1938 – The world speed record for

3 JULY 1987 – The former Gestapo chief

a steam locomotive was set by the Mallard, reaching a speed of 125.88 miles per hour at Stoke Bank, south of Grantham on the East Coast Main Line.

3 JULY 1969 – Brian Jones drowned

while under the influence of drugs and alcohol after taking a midnight swim in his pool, aged 27. His body was found at the bottom of the pool by his Swedish girlfriend Anna Wohlin. The coroner's report stated "Death by misadventure", and noted his liver and heart were heavily enlarged by drug and alcohol abuse.

3 JULY 1970 – Dan-Air flight 1903, a charter flight from Manchester to

Năstase 6-4, 6-2, 9-7 for the first of five straight Wimbledon titles.

>> Björn Borg Barcelona carrying 105 holiday makers and 7 crew crashed into the Montseny mountains in Northern Spain claiming the lives of all on board.

3 JULY 1971 - Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors died in Paris aged 27. He was found in a bathtub at his apartment at 17 Rue Beautraillis by his girlfriend, Pamela Courson. The official cause of death was heart failure aggravated by heavy drinking although

in Lyon, Klaus Barbie, was sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity. The 73-year-old, also known as the Butcher of Lyon was accused of deporting 842 people - mainly Jews - to concentration camps in Germany during the Second World War. In one incident 44 children were rounded up from a farmhouse east of Lyon, at Izieu, and sent to their deaths.

3 JULY 2018 – England won a World Cup

penalty shoot-out for the first time.

After losing out to Germany in 1990, Argentina in 1998 and Portugal in 2006 England beat Colombia 4-3 in the shoot-out after drawing the match 1-1 at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow.

WHO AM I?

Born 3 July 1951 in St Albans. I played football for Rangers in the Southern League. I also played for Canterbury and Nottinghamshire. I won 86 caps for New Zealand and am widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers and all-rounders.

Richard Hadlee

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Food: Mon- Sat 12:00 - 14:00 & 18:00-20:00 - Sunday 12:00 - 15:00

10% off main food menu with this ad OVER 50s Lunchtime Menu £5.00 or two courses £7.45 or 3 courses £9.90.

Choice of over 12 dishes, also available Mon & Tues evening

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CANARIESRADIO Many Canaries supporters and other non-league football fans will have listened to some of the radio commentaries on North Herts Radio across the last two seasons, but from this season every commentary will be on HTFC Radio, the allnew, independent platform that has been created by Marac Alionic and Freddie Cardy.

The commentary team is made up of Hitchin locals Freddie Cardy, who started commentating live at the age of 14, and former Hitchin Town youth football coach Marac Alionic.

When social distancing eases, Eisha Acton, of BT Sport, ESPN and Star Sports India, will also be joining Freddie and Marac in the commentary box this season.

Marac and Freddie have also started the Canary Club Podcast this July, which is available on all podcast platforms.

To listen to HTFC Radio, you can either: Visit the HTFC Radio website using this link: https://htfc.radio12345.com/ Or scan the QR Code with your phone below: We hope you enjoy the commentaries!

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

> > HITCHIN TOWN

SUPPORTERS TRUST

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME PAGE 15

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>> Pete’s Pics

PETE’S PICS >> Previous encounters of the `digital kind`

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Steve Barker Heating Specialist in central heating installation, repair and plumbing Over 40 years experience.

RTB

COMPLETE BATHROOMS

Richard Barker

Free quotations & all work guaranteed

Plastering, Tiling, Electrics, Carpentry, Painting and General Building Work also undertaken

Tel: 01462 433847 Mobile: 07976 698142

Tel: 01462 433847 Mobile: 07977 538943

Email: stevebarkerheating@yahoo.co.uk

Email: rtbcomplete@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 18 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

>> WELCOME

STEVENAGE A BRIEF HISTORY: FOOTBALL LEAGUE (2010–PRESENT)

Following four defeats in six games in December 2010 and January 2011, the club found themselves in 18th position, just four points above the relegation zone.

>> In the football league

However, during a congested period throughout February and March 2011, Stevenage won nine games out of eleven, propelling the club up the league table and into the play-off positions. Stevenage subsequently reached the League Two play-offs, finishing in sixth place.

The club overcame fifthplaced Accrington Stanley over two legs, winning by a 3–0 aggregate scoreline, and faced Torquay United in the 2011 Football League Two play-off Final on 28 May 2011 at Old Trafford. Stevenage won the game 1–0, securing a place in League One for the first time in the club's history, meaning the club had also earned back-to-back promotions.

>> Graham Westley

The majority of the squad that had helped the club win back-to-back promotions into League One departed at the end of the season.

A further squad overhaul took place ahead of the 2013–14 season, although Stevenage were ultimately relegated back to League Two after finishing in last place in the League One standings that campaign. The team made the playoff semi-finals in their first season back in League Two, losing to Southend United by a 4–2 aggregate scoreline after extra-time.

The club started the 2019–20 season without a win in the opening month of the campaign and Maamria was subsequently sacked in September 2019.[104] First-team coach Mark Sampson took caretaker charge, but

EFL clubs formally agreed to end the season during an EFL meeting on 9 June 2020, although "ongoing disciplinary matters" involving 23rdplaced Macclesfield Town, who had not paid their players on six separate occasions during the season, meant Stevenage might be reprieved.

Stevenage were initially relegated from League Two after an independent disciplinary panel opted to deduct Macclesfield two points on 19 June, with a further four suspended, the maximum number they could deduct without relegating them, highlighting this as a key factor in the sanctions they had chosen to impose.

with the club in 23rd-place after several months under his management, Westley returned for a fourth spell in December 2019. Two months later, Westley resigned, and was replaced

by Alex Revell, who had previously assumed the role of player-coach at the club. The club were in last place of League Two when the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

The EFL successfully appealed against the panel's sanctions on Macclesfield, winning on 11 August; the four suspended points were applied to the 2019–20 season, meaning Stevenage finished 23rd and so remained in League Two. Stevenage rebounded the following season, finishing 14th place in the league table.

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

IN THE YELLOW CORNER >> ALEX MARSH Position: Midfielder Previous Club: Biggleswade FC Alex joined Hitchin Town FC after a very successful spell at Biggleswade FC. Alex is a very versatile player but mainly occupies the right midfield position. Alex is very professional and hard working and is a great asset to the club.

>> CALLUM STEAD

>> BEN WALSTER Position: Defender Previous Club: Cambridge City In his second spell with the Canaries, having joined the club back in 2014 from Mk Dons FC before moving onto Chesham United, Biggleswade Town and Cambridge City FC. Ben is a very solid defender who can play either as a centre back or as a left back

>> CHARLIE HORLOCK

>> DAN WEBB Position: Defender Club captain Dan is the longest serving player from the current squad. Dan is a very experienced centre back, who is always reliable at the back. Dan’s experience is a great asset in a younger Canaries squad.

>> DANIEL AKUBUINE

Position: Forward Previous Club: Welwyn Garden City

Position: Goalkeeper Previous Club: Hastings United

Position: Defender Previous Club: Hemel Hempstead

Callum joined the club at the start of the 2020/21 season from Welwyn Garden City. Callum is a very quick player who is also good in the air. Callum knows where the back of the net is and can play as a wide player or a forward.

Established himself as our number 1- the ultimate professional. In his second spell at the club after previously impressing on loan from Wycombe in 2014 before moving to Eastbourne and Hastings.

Re-joined the Canaries back for the 19/20 season.

Dan joined the Canaries from Hemel Hempstead in October 2020. Dan is a very solid defender who has impressed at right back since joining the club.

>> HENRY SNEE

>> JACK GREEN

>> JOSH COLDICOTT

Position: Forward Previous Club: Shefford Town & Campton

Position: Defender Previous Club: Dunstable Town

Position: Midfielder Previous Club: Kings Langley

Henry joined the club at the start of the 20/21 season after an impressive season at Shefford Town & Campton where he scored goals for fun.

Jack has been a Canary for a few seasons now. Jack will defend at all costs and is willing to get his head or food to any threat. Jack has established himself as a strong right back who plays consistently every week.

Josh joined the club during the 19/20 season where he joined from Kings Langley.

Josh is very confident on the ball and very composed in possession.

>> JOSH MOLLISON

>> KYE TEARLE

>> LAWRIE MARSH

Position: Goalkeeper Previous Club: Youth Graduate

Position: Midfielder Previous Club: Youth Graduate

Position: Midfielder Previous Club: Biggleswade FC

Future number 1, Josh is a graduate of the highly successful Hitchin Town youth academy. Josh has been sent out on loan in previous seasons to allow him to play games which will help his development as a young goalkeeper.

Kye has progressed through the highly successful Hitchin Town youth academy. After impressing in the academy, Kye was given the opportunity to play first team. Kye plays in centre midfield and has a bright future ahead of him.

Joined at the start of the 2020/21 season from Biggleswade FC and has been very versatile for the Canaries A very hard worker who will play anywhere for the success of the team.

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

HITCHIN TOWN >> ALEX MARSH

>> RIO DaSILVA

Position: Midfielder Previous Club: Baldock Town

Position: Midfielder Previous Club: Dunstable Town

Position: Midfielder Previous Club: Northampton Town

Lewis is a regular in the centre of midfield for the club after joining from Baldock Town. Lewis loves a tackle as well as aerial battles.

Had an impressive junior career in Luton Town’s academy. Rio moved to Chelsea before going on to play for Dunstable Town before moving to the club.

Very quick, tricky player who can play on either wing or further forward.

Young centre midfielder who first joined the Canaries on loan from Northampton Town before signing for the club. Ryan is very good on the ball and is someone who will keep developing as he gets older.

>> SAMOKOYEAHANEKU Position: Defender Previous Club: Stevenage Sam joined the club in October 2020. Sam is another player who has a bright future within the game. Sam is a very young centre back who is very athletic and adds a lot of pace, power and strength to the canaries backline.

>> ALEX BROWN

>> STEVE CAWLEY Position: Forward Previous Club: Hemel Hempstead Signed permanently at the start of the 2020/21 season. Steve adds a lot of experience to the Canaries front line and is very good at playing with his back to goal as well as in and around the box.

>> JONAS KALONDA

>> RYAN SMITH

>> CIAREN JONES Position: Defender Previous Club: Norwich City Ciaren joined the club during the 2020/21 season.

Ciaren is a left sided defender who can play at centre back as well as left back. Another young player who has a bright future within the game.

>> DAN SEARS

Position: Defender Previous Club: Ely City

Position: Midfielder Previous Club: Luton Town

Position: Defender Previous Clubs: Bedford FC

Alex has joined the club from Ely City for the start of the 2021/22 season. Alex is a very technical player who plays as a left back.

Jonas joined the club in the 2020/21 season. Jonas plays as a wide player.

Dan is a young centre back who joined the club during the 2020/21 season. Dan is willing to listen and learn and will only get better as he becomes older. Dan previously played for Harpenden Town before moving to Bedford FC.

>> SAM KING Position: Midfielder Previous Clubs: Shefford Town & Campton Sam joins the club at the start of the 2021/22 season from Shefford Town & Campton. Sam has established himself as a very skilful, quick winger.

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

STEVENAGE Joseph Anang Stevenage Football Club agreed terms with West Ham United and Joseph Anang to sign the goalkeeper on a season-long loan deal for the 2021/22 season. For the past two seasons, the Ghana-born England U20 international has been first choice for the Hammers Under 23s, helping the East London side win the Premier League 2 Division 2 title in 2020 and appearing regularly in the EFL Trophy.

Luther James-Wildin Luther James-Wildin signed for Stevenage from non-league Nuneaton Town in 2018, and the upcoming season will be his fourth at the club. The 23year old right back has made over 60 appearances for Stevenage in the last three years, scoring three times, most notably a 35 yard screamer against Macclesfield in 2019. Wildin has also represented his country at senior level during his time at the club, playing for Antigua and Barbuda twice.

Ben Coker Ben Coker signed for Stevenage in 2020 from Lincoln City. The 32 year-old defender has made the majority of his club appearances at Southend United, where he played 186 times for the Shrimpers over seven years, gaining promotion to League One in 2015 after beating Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley on penalties. Coker adds plenty of EFL experience, having played in the EFL for the past seven years across four different clubs.

Jake Reeves Stevenage Football Club agreed terms with midfielder Jake Reeves in June 2021. The 28-year-old has made over 200 appearances in the English Football League for the likes of Brentford, AFC Wimbledon and Bradford City, before joining former manager Neil Ardley at Notts County last season.

Scott Cuthbert Scott Cuthbert signed for Stevenage from Luton Town in 2018 and was PAGE 22 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

>> Scott Cuthbert

named Club Captain in 2019... The 34 year-old centre back began his youth career with Celtic in his native Scotland, before moving to England joining Swindon Town where he reached the League One Play Off final in 2010.

Cuthbert moved to Leyton Orient in 2011, where he reached another Play Off final in 2014. Cuthbert then moved to Luton in 2015, achieving promotion into League One in 2018.

Luke Prosser Luke Prosser signed for Stevenage in 2020 from Colchester United...

The 33 year-old defender began his youth career at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Port Vale in 2004.

Prosser then had a series of loan spells before joining Southend United in 2010, playing 131 times over 6 years, scoring 7 times and gaining promotion to League One in 2015 via a Play Off penalty shootout against Wycombe Wanderers. More loan spells followed before joining Colchester United in 2016, making 103 appearances, scoring 6 goals and captaining the side in his final two seasons at the Club.

Elliott List Elliott List joined Stevenage in 2019, signing from EFL League One side Gillingham. The 23 year-old forward started his youth career at Crystal

Palace, before joining Gillingham in 2015. Initially, List was loaned out to Braintree Town in 2015 and then went on to make 85 appearances for the Gills, scoring 7 goals, notably scoring the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Premier League Cardiff City in the FA Cup third round. List then joined Stevenage in 2019 and has since gone onto score 14 goals for the Club and was top scorer last season.

Jake Taylor Stevenage Football Club made their first addition to the squad this summer with Exeter captain Jake Taylor signing for the Club. The midfielder spent his last six seasons with the Grecians, reaching three Play-Off finals. With over 300 appearances in the Football League, the 29-year-old brings a depth of experience to Alex Revell’s squad.

Luke Norris Luke Norris joined Stevenage after three years at Colchester United, after joining them in 2018 from Swindon for an undisclosed fee. The 27 year old striker has made over 300 appearances in the EFL before signing for Stevenage in January 2021.

Charlie Carter Charlie Carter signed for Stevenage from National League side, Chesterfield F.C in 2019. The 24 year-old attacking midfielder began his youth career at Fulham before making his senior debut for Woking in 2015, appearing for the Cards 73 times and scoring 12 goals before joining Chesterfield F.C. in 2018.

Carter made 20 appearances for Chesterfield F.C., scoring 4 goals before earing his move to Stevenage. In his debut season , Carter made 29 appearances, scoring 5 goals.

Elliot Osborne Elliot Osborne signed for Stevenage in 2020 from National League side, Stockport County. The 25 year old attacking midfielder started his youth Career at Port Vale before playing for a string of non-league clubs before

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB >> Jake Taylor

joining Fleetwood Town in 2016 after a successful spell at Nantwich Town, scoring 13 goals in 55 games. Osborne was then loaned out to Morecambe and Stockport County, who he later joined on a permanent deal in 2018. Osborne and Stockport County reached the F.A Trophy semi-final and gained promotion to the National League by winning the National League North, their first league title in 52 years in 2019/20 campaign.

Chris Lines Chris Lines joined from Northampton on a permanent deal until the end of the 2020/21 season, before signing a new contract at Stevenage in June 2021. The 35 year old is a seasoned central midfielder with over 450 games under his belt. At 6ft 2in he brings composure, quality and experience to the squad.

Terence Vancooten Terence Vancooten signed for Stevenage in 2017, since making over 50 appearances for the club.

The 23 year-old centre-back began his footballing career at non-league, playing for Staines United before moving to EFL Championship side, Reading where Vancooten was loaned out to Billericay Town and Basingstoke Town, making a combined total of 16 appearances.

Vancooten then moved to Stevenage on a permanent deal in 2017, making 24 appearances in his debut season. In the PAGE 24 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

>> James Daly

same year, Vancooten made his debut for Guyana and has since made 10 further appearances for his country, also making Guyana's 23-man squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the country's first appearance at a major international tournament.

James Daly Stevenage Football Club agreed terms with forward James Daly for the 21year-old striker to join from Bristol Rovers, where he scored five and created four goals in a turbulent season for The Gas. Brighton-born Daly came through the ranks at Crystal Palace, working with Dean Wilkins through the youth setup, before moving to Bristol Rovers in January 2020.

Arthur Read Arthur Read signed for Stevenage in 2020 on a season-long loan deal from Brentford B, before signing on a permanent deal in Summer 2021.

The 21 year-old midfielder began his youth career at Luton Town where he joined Hemel Hempstead on loan, making 4 appearances for the club in 2019. In the same year, Read joined Brentford B before linking up with Stevenage.

Jack Smith Jack Smith began his career in the Stevenage youth system, featuring in a number of friendlies during the 2019/20 season whilst a first year scholar. The 19 year old midfielder was later loaned out to Braintree Town where he made 9 appearances.

Smith has also made an appearance for the first team in a league game, featuring as a second-half substitute against Bradford City in 2019. Smith was named Stevenage’s Young Player of the Season 2020/21 for his standout performances in a positive campaign.

Ross Marshall Ross Marshall joined Stevenage in 2020, joining from non-league Maidstone United. The 21 year-old centre back started off his career with Ipswich Town, before making the move to Maidstone United in 2019 in order to gain first team football.

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE CANARIES

THE THREE MOORHENS HITCHIN HILL Sponsors of HITCHIN TOWN FC’s Man of the Match awards.

Greene King award winning Ales, fine wines and extensive menu.

Food Served from 11.00 am all day, every day.

TEL 01462 459039

www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/hertfordshire/three-moorhens/ OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME PAGE 25

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

PRE-SEASON ACTIVITIES

First team Saturday 3rd July LUTON TOWN H

3.00pm

First team

7.30pm

Saturday 10th July H STEVENAGE

First team

3.00pm

Tuesday 13th July First team WATFORD U23 H

7.45pm

Thursday 15th July A Arlesey Town

Development 7.45pm

Saturday 17th July First team A Harpenden Town

3.00pm

Saturday 24th July A Leighton Town

3.00pm

Tuesday 6th July H STOTFOLD

Thursday 22nd July Development 7.30pm A Pitstone & Ivinghoe First team

Saturday 24th July Development 3.00pm A Harefield United Tuesday 27th July First team H BEACONSFIELD TOWN Saturday 31st July A Barton Rovers

PAGE 26 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

First team

7.45pm 3.00pm

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING THE CANARIES

PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMPANIES THAT SUPPORT US OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME PAGE 27

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

PLAYER STATS 2020/21 Apps (19/20)

Used sub (19/20)

Goals

0

0

Alex Marsh

9

3

Callum Stead

12

Ben Walster

9

12

1

0

1

0

0

7

0

0

40

Dan Webb

4

1

Jack Green

Jhai Dhillon

Joshua Mollinson

6 2

6

0

1 0

0

0

0 0 0 0

Joshua Coldicott-Stevens

4

3

0

Laurie Marsh

12

0

2

Lewis Barker

7

0

0

3

6

0

0

Kye Tearle

Layne Eadie Luke Brown

Marcus Goldbourne Max Ryan

Nicolay Rusev

1

12 11 1

2

0

0

0

46

12

5

5

0

0

0

0

14

0

0

0

0

44

14

32

7

3

Includes League, Emirates FA Cup, Buildbase FA Trophy, Southern League Cup, Herts Charity Cup & Herts Senior Cup

PAGE 28 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

2

2

6 0

12

9

1 3

0

2

Stephen Cawley Tiernan Parker

5

0

4

5

0

19

4

25

0

7

12

36

2

3

Samuel Okeye-Aheneku

106

0

0

1

1

368

5

6

4 9

133

7

0

Rio De Silva Ryan Smith

11

5

0

Daniel Akubuine

198

0

9 0

Career Goals

38

Charlie Horlock Ciaren Jones

Career Games

3

2

0

6

0

0

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

B.V BOWLES GARAGE

Service

Repairs

MOT Bodyshop

Car Sales

GOOD LUCK TO THE CANARIES FOR THE 2020/21 SEASON 84 High Road, Shillington, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3LP Tel: 01462 711247 Fax: 01462 711628

PAGE 30 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

>> NEIL FREDRIK JENSEN

GAME OF THE PEOPLE LUTON, STEVENAGE AND HITCHIN ARE ALL IN THE FOOTBALL FOOD CHAIN

SOME 30 years ago, Hitchin Town lost a whole squad of players following the departure of manager Steve Norris.

Some went to Stevenage, who were in the ascendancy at the time, others found a home elsewhere, but new boss Andy Melvin was left with a hotch-potch of the team that clearly wasn’t going to uproot any trees in the Isthmian first division.

>> Ricky Hill

After a few weeks of lack lustre performances, notably a 4-0 thrashing at Dorking, Melvin suddenly acquired half-a-dozen players from his Luton Town connections: Ian Scott, Mark McGonagle, Aaron Tighe, Rob Johnson, Stuart Brown and Darren Thompson.

Johnson, a popular and intelligent character, had played for Luton’s first team and won at Wembley, but the others hadn’t quite made it as pros.

Luton, at the time, were higher in the football food chain than they are today and in more sober times, the likes of Ian Scott might have stepped up – certainly, their former manager, David Pleat, felt “Scottie” was very unlucky. The Luton influx saved Hitchin and formed the basis of the club’s promotion-winning side of 1993 and the team that achieved FA Cup giant-killings in 1994 and 1995.

>> Robin Wainwright

It wasn’t the first or last time that Hitchin benefitted from players shown the door by Luton Town. Similarly, Hitchin Town have provided a platform for promising young Luton lads to play senior football – there’s a huge difference between youth/academy football and even step three or four of the non-league game.

The connection between the clubs goes back many, many years and the relationship is as strong as ever today, although it would seem unlikely that a player looking for match experience would be fielded in local football, certainly not of the quality of one Micky Small, who came to Top Field in 198081 and scored goals aplenty as a young striker.

PAGE 32 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

But there’s been no shortage of young academy products from assorted clubs who have found their way to Hitchin Town after realising they were not going to be handed a lifestyle -changing

professional contract. Back in the sepiatinted 1930s, top clubs used non-league football as a nursery for developing talent. Arsenal and Tottenham looked to Margate and Northfleet respectively, while Luton used Biggleswade to give their players a run-out. Such formal arrangements are not permitted today, but in some ways, the concept of nursery clubs could represent the salvation of the modern non-league game.

In the 1970s and 1980s, a stream of players joined Hitchin after a Luton career. Look at a Luton team photo from 1975 and you’ll see none other than Ian Donnelly and Alan Cosby cross-legged and fresh-faced. Robin Wainwright, whose hair refuses to adhere to 21st century fashions, also played for Luton as a young pro before enjoying a successful non-league career, notably with Wealdstone. He did make a brief cameo appearance for Hitchin in 1991-

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB >> Paul Price playing for Wales

92. And of course, Canaries manager Mark Burke was also on Luton Town’s books before arriving at Hitchin in 1985.

In today’s non-league environment, players arrive and depart with alarming regularity and it’s not unsual for a club to use in excess of 40 players. It’s almost impossible to build stability as dozens of players look for a club each summer. It is rare to see an ex-pro of standing playing for the local club, probably because the world is a smaller place these days and player loans are a part of the revenue generation system for a lot of clubs.

Furthermore, unlike in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, when a club like Luton was on the rise, the players being released were arguably better and more cunning than those entering the market today, although they are undoubtedly fitter and healthier these days.

Luton pros who ended up at Top Field include the aforementioned Rob Johnson, Wales international Paul Price (arguably the most decorated player ever to have played for Hitchin) and the brilliant Ricky Hill. When Mark Burke was in his prime as a player, Stevenage

were in the same league as Hitchin, but they have now become a far more senior club and therefore, draw their players from all over the country. Over the decades, it wasn’t unknown for players to have appeared for both clubs – the list is endless, but the most well-known to Top Field regulars include Richard Wilmot, Hughie Pratt, Mark Smith, Darren Fenton, Jeran Meah, Scott Cretton, Marvin Bates, Ian Lindsay, Gary Roberts, Shaun Marshall, Nick Grime and James Dillnutt.

Just as the Luton Town arrivals in 1991 provided the core of the successful Canaries’ team of 1992 – 1995, the Stevenage contingent of the late 1990s helped re-establish Hitchin in the Isthmian Premier after 1998’s relegation.

Stevenage are no longer part of Hitchin’s peer group but they are still the club’s neighbours and one of the more recent loanees was Harry Draper, a promising forward who remains a junior pro with the League Two club.

There is still an opportunity for Hitchin fans to see emerging players that could go on to better things.

In an ideal world, Football League clubs could use their local non-league neighbours to develop, nurture and trial young talent. The senior club’s youth system could blend into the non-league club and act as the players’ first taste of genuine competitive football. More realistically, non-league should be the next step once the many youngsters released by pro clubs look for a place to play the game. But there is no way nonleague can seriously compensate for a lost career, either financially or spiritually.

We can only hope that the healthy and enduring relationships between Hitchin and their more celebrated neighbours will lead to a flow of players who may find solace and satisfaction in playing for a progressive non-league club that aspires to be an important part of the community. It may not be the Camp Nou or Bernabéu, even Kenilworth Road or the Lamex, but then not everyone can be Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo – they could go on to become a Mark Smith, Kane Smith or Richard Wilmot, though!

Neil Fredrik Jensen OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME PAGE 33

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TH E C A N A R IE S > > H I TCHI N TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

>> PIPEDREAM

IT’S JUST NOT CRICKET THAT IS A WELL-KNOWN ENGLISH PHRASE MEANING THAT SOMETHING IS UNFAIR OR SIMPLY NOT SPORTING.

When I was a child I recall a general knowledge question that asked 'What is England's national game? The answer was cricket. Not anymore.

I recall a trip to Wisbech v Hitchin in a Cup game and I was with the Hitchin contingent in the Board Room and they were chatting pleasantly whilst watching a Test Match on the television.

They were both knowledgeable and interested and expressed mild surprise that not only did I take no interest but was apparently ignorant of the rules.

This is true; my knowledge of this game is very limited. All I know is one side goes in until they are all out then the other lot go in and it involved things called googlies, leg breaks and off spins and there is someone called a silly midoff.

As I was in a distinct minority as one who did not like cricket, my mind strayed, oddly to my being ostracized for my indifference to another game – namely rugby. Early in my career, and for a short while I taught at a boys' Grammar School. I recall seeing those huge rugby posts as I cycled past the school fields. It was a small part of a kind of time machine experience. The venerable building was tastefully designed, with lots of wood panelling, honours boards, and all masters were required to wear gowns. We sang hymns on the stage in assembly and almost everyone was referred to by their surnames. It was an unashamed bastion of 'maledom'.

Discipline was good and tradition was spoken of in capital letters. My head of department, who insisted on sitting in my first few lessons, had a hyphenated name and high expectations. In general I met his high demands in the classroom and I quite enjoyed the novelty of swanning around in my gown – since I had only worn one at a degree ceremony, and it was a hired one as well.

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. . . I WAS INFORMED THAT HE HAD RECOMMENDED MY APPOINTMENT AS I WAS ACADEMICALLY STRONG ENOUGH AND IN THAT HE BACKED HIS OWN JUDGEMENT, BUT HE HAD ASSUMED THAT I WOULD COOPERATE IN THE MATTER OF RUGBY – EVEN IF IT WAS NOT MENTIONED AT MY RATHER PROLONGED INTERVIEW SOME WEEKS BEFORE. . .

That novelty soon wore off and I felt as comical as I looked.

In brief meeting about my timetable with the double-barrelled one, he casually let slip that he expected me to take a couple of what he called Games Periods. Before I could get him to elucidate he announced that I was expected to take the second fifteen.

Without a hint of dishonesty I asked 'the second fifteen what?' The look on his face was like an elderly maiden lady who had heard a grossly indecent expression.

'Rugby, of course', was the reply with a heavy emphasis on the last two words. I tried to excuse myself by explaining that I was entirely ignorant of the game and regrettably added that I thought the only rugby team that had a fitting name was The Barbarians. To say that that remark fell on stony ground is an understatement. For the next few minutes I felt that I had strayed into an interrogation by the Gestapo.

I was informed that he had recommended my appointment as I was academically strong enough and in that

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB he backed his own judgement, but he had assumed that I would cooperate in the matter of rugby – even if it was not mentioned at my rather prolonged interview some weeks before. 'Could I not take a football group instead? Was my meek effort at compromise. That seemed to make matters worse and I was sternly asked if I actually preferred the round ball, I said 'infinitely' and did not feel apologetic, even if I looked it. In my mind I remembered the unintentionally ambiguous quotation from the alleged inventor of rugby.

William Webb Ellis, who is reputed to have said that rugby is a game played by gentlemen with peculiar shaped balls. If I had put voice to that I would have been thrown out of the window, no doubt.

I was told that the school did not play association football – rugby in the winter and cricket in the summer, and this was delivered in a condescending manner with a look of 'don't you know anything, you oick?' I did not mention that I had an equally apathetic view of cricket and felt, correctly that my career at this academy would not be one of significant length.

Do you play ANY game was the next question and before I could answer the words 'apart from association football?' came at me like bullets. Yes, I said. I play chess – which was true. I was a keen member of my local club and was a graded player – indicating fair club strength. I readily agreed to help out with the chess club and this granted me a stay of execution as the head of department was himself a player. Right he said. Chess club Tuesdays after school. I thought a compromise had been reached but more was to follow which to him was like the meting out of punishment.

I was directed to take what was the rugby refusers. These were able boys who were keen footballers (association, ahem) and had regrettably expressed an antipathy to the more noble game of Rugby Union. As long as I could find a round ball I could organise a game with these heretics and was to keep well away from the rugby game at all costs.

Rather spitefully, I thought, these lads were barred from this form of exercise

that was. I was right in thinking that he was not a chess player. Having said that I found the chess club a real haven, even if I was treated with subtle disdain by rugby playing boys who also happened to patronise the chess club. I ran the team and travelled to away matches occasionally, and even took a team to my own club. I am pleased to say that my work in the classroom was appreciated and as if in recognition of this my head of department made an illustrious visit to the after school chess club.

in their rugby shirts. We none of us cared and I was delighted to see them turn up in kits of half a dozen professional football clubs. Some pressure had been applied to these lads (they told me all about it, as they now had an ally of sorts). Their resistance held despite threats of being asked to leave and go to a Comprehensive – a kind of equivalent of being sent to the Russian front, I thought. Directed to an unfavoured part of the school fields, we had our football game and enjoyed it all the more, despite the banishment.

I recall one of my rebels had the strange surname of Warrior and he enjoyed making literary jokes. We stood together as the rugby lads ran out, all displaying a haughty indifference.

Warrior turned to me and said 'Exterminate the brutes,' which showed he had been paying close attention in the lesson I had given on Joseph Conrad.

I replied quoting from the Shakespeare we were studying by saying that Warrior's wit was 'very tragical mirth'.

Quotations aside, we got on with the game and I recall the ball straying gleefully onto the rugby pitch. Warrior quoted loudly as I ran for the ball 'The horror, the horror'. But I lacked the courage to run onto this hallowed turf and retrieve the round ball. They ignored the ball to a man – or rather to a boy. The games master angrily punted the ball off and way over my head with disgust in his face and told me he 'would not have me as a touch judge', whatever

It seemed inevitable that he would challenge me to a game and this was quietly encouraged by the boys who were eager spectators. I agreed and it was also understood that we would play properly with the clocks and use notation. It was laden with significance and I just hoped that I could avoid defeat – but of course I wanted to win and win handsomely, with a winning combination involving a piece sacrifice if possible.

That did not happen.

The hyphenated one was a shrewd player who had the better of the opening and middle game. I was able to rally in the endgame and was quietly pleased when he offered a draw. I had fought a good rearguard action and he acknowledged it. We did not play again but from that moment on we seemed to be more agreeable to one another and the rugby business, if not forgotten was sensibly relegated to being of no crucial importance, Each to his own. I do not have a problem with those who enjoy rugby or cricket. It is just not and never was for me – and I would be the first to admit that there are many who find chess as Raymond Chandler said ' an elegant waste of time.

Warrior summed up the apparent truce quoting Shakespeare to me 'Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep'. I had a lot of time for the wise Warrior. I continued with my rebel footballers and we desecrated the turf each allotted session. A term or so later I found myself in a Comprehensive, which was a lot tougher in every respect but football was the favoured game.

Association Football, that is.

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

>> HITCHIN TOWN

DEVELOPING THE BRAND

OVER THE NEXT FEW PROGRAMMES THE THOUGHT PROCESSES FOR THE REBRAND WILL BE EXPLAINED. FROM PERCH TO CHEST ONE MIGHT SAY?

We are delighted to confirm that the Canary has made its long-awaited return to our chests, as we proudly unveil the new identity for Hitchin Town Football Club, starting a next era for our historic Club. In this series of 3 articles the thought process will be explained.

HOW DID WE DECIDE THE MAKEUP OF THE NEW DESIGN? Firstly, we have spent a long time searching the Clubs archives, reading old literature and digitally archiving every old photo we could find, trying to further understand when and how a crest was first used on the Club shirt.

This led us to the squad photo from the 1949/50 season – where a singular black shield was used with a canary, accompanied by the HTFC letters in a calligraphy-style type.

Here is a breakdown of each element of the new design: The Shield Throughout the process we’ve flitted between shields and circles. You’ll note that the majority of modern-day Club rebranding exercises currently use circular shields (Bristol City, Stevenage, Brentford, Manchester City etc). These mainly follow a theme of including a Club identifier in the centre of the design with the Club name and formation dates arching around. In fact, one of the designs which we were very

During the process we did consider the introduction of other elements associated with Hitchin as a town, namely St. Marys Church, the River Hiz and a Crown to represent the Royal connection – however, each of these cluttered the design and we opted for a: “less is more” approach. It’s very difficult to develop a Canary which does not look feeble, but instead stands proud.

close to selecting was very similar in makeup to this. However, we opted to return to the drawing board and create something a little more unique – ignoring the trend and going it alone, ensuring we respected our past.

That first crest above from the 1949/50 season utilised a shield of the same shape in the new design, as did the “coat of arms” crest which has been used by the Club for the past 40-50 years. We felt the continuation of this was appropriate, delivering a traditional “look and feel” which we felt supporters would enjoy.

The Canary It does not need a huge explanation on this decision – we are the Canaries and so very quickly came to the assumption that the core identifier on the crest should be exactly that, a Canary!

We’re incredibly proud of the final design. Just to add some context to the consideration of the Canary design, throughout the process we drew over 200 canaries in various poses.

Finally, we’re a football club with a great and famous history – so we feel it appropriate to display this. We therefore developed the Canary to be facing forward but looking back, never forgetting our past.

The FA Cup The majority of Clubs who use a bird within their crest display the bird stood on a ball. This is the natural option – Bristol City, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Norwich City etc. However, here is where ours differs. Our Canary proudly stands atop the first ever FA Cup, which Hitchin FC competed in and the townsfolk of Hitchin financially contributed towards.

TO BE CONTINUED……

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>> SPECIAL GUEST

THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY THIS AFTERNOON WE ARE LIKELY TO BE IN THE COMPANY OF A YOUNG MAN WITH VERY SORE FEET. SO WOULD YOU IF YOU HAD WALKED FROM ROTHERHAM!

I shall let Jon tell his tale:“My name is Jon Ripley and I will be doing a 155 mile walk over 7 days from my hometown of Rotherham to London's Kings Cross from the 28th of June 2021 to the 04th of July 2021.

>> Jon Ripley

The story of this epic journey ahead, rolls around that a lot of people suffer from Cancer and Mental Health, and support for these two major issues in life are a crucial part for people futures to understand and overcome.

I have had past experiences with family falling to cancer and mental health and these two topics alone have given me the chance to understand that there is help out there for everyone.

WalkAndTalkMMH I am very proud to say that I am part of this worthy charity, which has helped me and a lot of other people in this world to understand that life is a very crucial thing to have, and to focus on seeing the dangers of depression and hard living.

In my own experience, of being in a very dark place at certain times, they have had the time and key effort to help me when I needed support from those that know the hardships of life and being unable to live probably.

I would go as far as say they saved my life when I felt there wasn't another way out without killing myself, and that's the hard part to admit.

Cancer Research UK I have chosen this charity because it is a very close thing to myself and to my family. In the last 12 months, two of my aunts sadly lost the battle to this hard and nasty disease.

They gave so much to a lot of people like myself and they taught me so much in so PAGE 38 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

. . . I HAVE HAD PAST EXPERIENCES WITH FAMILY FALLING TO CANCER AND MENTAL HEALTH AND THESE TWO TOPICS ALONE HAVE GIVEN ME THE CHANCE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS HELP OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE. . . little time. Never take anything for granted and they certainly showed that through the battles they had to go through to function and to try and fight the pain and suffering they had to go through. Cancer isn't a great thing to encounter and the battle still goes on today in everybody's lives.

Every donation and support for this event goes a long way in being able to make a difference and to achieve this great adventure that awaits to be completed. This will be my biggest challenge and a challenge I cannot wait

to conquer, so I will say thank you for reading and let the battle commence.”

The total distance between Rotherham and Kings Cross is 155 miles and, God willing should take Jon 7 days starting on 28 June and finishing on 4th July.

I assume that he has chosen Kings Cross as a destination simply because it will be handy for the train home.

Anyone wishing to support Jon can do so via https://gofund.me/f30f7d34 Good Luck in reaching your target.

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TH E C AN A RI E S >> HI TCHIN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

TERRY BARRATT

THE FINAL WORD NON- LEAGUE FOOTBALL PYRAMID

The Football Association has wanted to have the perfect pyramid going forward. For Season 2021/22 this will come to fruition. At Non-League they work on Steps. The National League Top Division is Step One. National North and South are Step Two. The Premier Divisions of the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues are Step Three.

At Step Four are the Division Ones of their Leagues. Steps Five and Six are the likes of Spartan, United Counties, Wessex etc. For Season 2021/22 the Northern Premier have an additional League at Step Four thereby making Step four Eight Leagues in total.

For the record the Southern League has 2 Premier Leagues and 2 Divisions

Ones. The Isthmian and Northern Premier both have 1 Premier and 3 Division Ones.

In total some 110 clubs were moved either laterally or promoted. This was from 7 to 6 to 5 to 4, The Southern League lost 8 Clubs from Step Four to the Northern Premier, but gained 6 Clubs from the Isthmian and 2 clubs from Step 5. The Southern League had lost 2 Clubs to Step 5 due to Ground Grading failure/ a wish to be relegated.

I asked the F A that whilst they were moving so many Clubs could they allocate 2 Clubs to the Southern League to maintain our numbers. The answer was no as it might be perceived as Promotion !!

Enjoy the game

HITCHIN TOWN FC: WHO’S WHO CLUB INFORMATION Top Field Fishponds Road Hitchin Herts SG5 1NU - tel 01462 459028 Canary Club tel 01462 421888 www.hitchintownfc.club : Facebook Hitchin Town : Twitter - HitchinTownFC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Chairman: Terry Barratt Director: Andy Melvin Secretary/Treasurer: Roy Izzard Commercial: Mick Docking Supporters Trust Chair:David Tudball Administration Officer: Chris Newbold Ground Maintenance – Kate Deller, Paul Sprague Social Media Officer – Stewart Curtis Ground Staff: Andy Smith, Geoff Thomason, Steve Barker, Marek Malarowski, Gary Prutton, Kevin Lowe, Rupert Russell, Paul Moon, Mark Mountney, Frank King, Groundsman – Steve Barker Physios: Sam Backhouse and Nick Sopoowski Ground Safety Officer – David Tudball Covid Officer - David Tudball MATCHDAY SUPPORT TEAM Matchday Gates: Jan Ware, Roger Pennie, Roy Hancock, Roger Berry, Darren White and Kate Deller Media & Tannoy: Nick Sopowski, Stewart Curtis, Freddie Cardy, Marac Alionic, Paul Sprague Supporters Trust: David Tudball, Rupert Russell, Peter Else, Ian Murrell Photography: Peter Else Programme: Mick Docking, Kevin Parrott, Peter Else, Paul Harris, Neil Jensen, David Spicer, Sascha Gustard-Brown Canary Club: Steve Kimberley Matchday Hospitality: Jan Berry, Paul Harris, Jacqui Else Hitchin Town Football Club Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of HTFC (Top Field) Limited Company No:02614637

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

SQUAD CHECK HITCHIN TOWN

LUTON TOWN

MANAGER: MARK BURKE COLOURS : YELLOW & GREEN

CHARLIE HORLOCK7 JOSH MOLLISON

DANIEL AKUBUINE BEN WALSTER ALEX BROWN RYAN SMITH DAN WEBB

SAMUEL OKEYE-AHENEKU

LEWIS BARKER

LAURIE MARSH ALEX MARSH

CALLUM STEAD STEVE CAWLEY JACK GREEN

CIAREN JONES

JOSH CALDICOTT-STEVENS RIO DASILVA KYE TEARLE

HENRY SNEE DAN SEARS

JONAS KALONDA

SAM KING

STEVENAGE

MANAGER: NATHAN JONES COLOURS : ORANGE & BLUE PLD SUB

JAMES SHEA

SIMON SLUGA DAN POTTS

SONNY BRADLEY PETER KIOSO

TOM LOCKYER JAMES BREE

GABRIEL OSHO KAL NAISMITH REECE BURKE LUKE BERRY GLEN REA

JORDAN CLARK JOE MORRELL

DION PEREIRA

FRED ONYEDINMA ALLAN CAMPBELL HENRI LANSBURY DANNY HYLTON ELLIOT LEE

HARRY CORNICK ELIJAH ADEBAYO

CAMERON JEROME

MANAGER: ALEX REVELL COLOURS : RED & WHITE PLD SUB

JAMIE CUMMING BILLY JOHNSON LUTHER JAMES-WILDIN BEN COKER SCOTT CUTHBERT LUKE PROSSER REMEAO HUTTON TERRENCE VANCOOTEN ROSS MARSHALL LUIS FERNANDEZ ROMAIN VINCELOT CHARLIE CARTER ELLIOT OSBORNE ARTHUR IONTTON ARTHUR READ JACK SMITH TOM PETT CHRIS LINES INIH EFFIONG TYRONE MARSH DANNY NEWTON ELLIOTT LIST FEMI AKINWANDE MARCUS DINANGA JACK AITCHISON ARAMIDE OTEH MATHEW STEVENS LUKE NORRIS

PLD SUB

MATCH OFFICIALS

NEXT AT TOP FIELD

v STEVENAGE Referee T.Danaher Assistant Referees : M. Fletcher & S.Smith

WATFORD U23

v LUTON TOWN Referee W. Finnie Assistant Referees : N. Davies & P.Howard

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY Tuesday 13th July 2021 - Kick-Off 7.45pm