by Peter Scherer

Top of the League is what all football managers dream of, but only some experience it.

Mickleover gaffer John McGrath takes a look at the present situation.

When we came back to play the Radcliffe game before Christmas, I was optimistic that the season would be able to carry on and finish. But then we had Christmas, new guidelines and we just have to wait to see if the league have any ideas.

Various suggestions have been made about continuing, but with no imminent review due, the future is far from clear.

Split regions, points per game averages have all been discussed.

Whatever happens the pride of topping the league stands prominent.

We have been shooting way above our level, as one of the bottom six or seven budget wise in the whole league.

I wouldn’t have replaced any of the players this year though, as it’s a good blend of youth and experience with a good work rate.

Everyone’s contracts end in May and I am in talks with them all to confirm they will stay with us.

Whether we play again this season or not, it will hopefully be my easiest pre-season yet and I think as a club we are in the best position now since we came here.

by Peter Scherer

Table toppers Mickleover FC were finally back in NPL action after a six weeks gap, but despite the 4-1 win against Radcliffe, it was the referee that became the main talking point.

There were two changes from the team that went down to Hitchin in the FA Trophy, as Paddy Webb was back in to lead the attack and there was a start too for Ben Gowing, as captain Mason Warren was missing.

The full line-up was 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Kemy Agustien 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-George Milner 8-Andrew Wright 9-Paddy Webb 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Ben Gowing. Subs: Joe Slinn, Aman Verma, Pablo Mills, Ricky Ravenhill, Declan Bacon.

Radcliffe had the first attack of the game with Akpa-Akpo getting an early shot on goal, following up with another attempt just wide after three minutes, as Mickleover had some difficulty clearing their lines.

Milner had an early shot just over the bar, before Gowing found his header blocked after seven minutes, earning a corner.

There seemed to be an excessive amount of throws and free-kicks in Radcliffe’s favour, which kept the Mickleover defence busy.

But once the home side got a break they began to look increasingly dangerous and in the 16^th minute a Milner run gave Webb a chance to break, resulting in a free kick after being elbowed aside by Radcliffe’s Thornley.

Beavon then latched onto a clearance from a failed Radcliffe attack too, outstripped the defenders and shot just wide.

The attacks were coming thick and fast and a long overlap from Bennett took him into the Radcliffe area, before his attempt to shoot was finally blocked.

A few minutes later Milner was first in the referee’s book after catching a Radcliffe player’s ankle from behind. 

But it was after a 27^th minute free kick was earned when Beavon was hauled back just outside the box by Thornley. There was no booking from the inconsistent official, but Agustien’s free kick caused consternation in the Radcliffe box. The initial kick nearly found its way into the net, but as it came back out Watt was on hand to head it home 1-0. 

Beavon was next on the charge, but was taken down by Swaby-Neavin just outside the box, but Radcliffe had a chance of an equaliser after 35 minutes, when Navarro went close.

Lenighan was the first Radcliffe player in the book after taking Agustien’s legs in a horrendous two footed tackle from behind.

But it could easily have been two for Mickleover after 41 minutes, when some good interplay between Milner and Webb, saw the latter fire just over the bar.

So at half time it was 1-0 and one each in the referee’s book.

The second half started with some early pressure from the Sports attack. Beavon was fouled again just outside the box after 49 minutes, with Agustien’s free kick bouncing off the wall, before Gowing’s shot on the rebound was blocked.

But after 50 minutes the referee was probably the only person in the ground that thought that striker Owens hitting the deck unchallenged after running into Morris, actually deemed a penalty.

Owens put the penalty passed Hawkins, before the referee added to his Christmas list with more yellow cards.

The anger at such a ridiculous decision, which the ref’s assistant had seen clearly but refused to intervene, played with havoc with the Mickleover game plan, and for a while they were under serious threat.

But the book was out again when Hawkins, who was kicked on the back of his leg by a Radcliffe striker and found himself on the refs growing list too for protesting.

With an hour gone it was yellow cards eight and 1-1 on goals, a sad indictment on a scrappy game. When Beavon was fouled there was no free kick, minutes later Butler was in the book for a less aggressive tackle right in front of the same linesman, who had failed to intervene on the farcical penalty decision too.

Returnee Bacon came on for Webb and the game had briefly settled down until Lenighan picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Milner and was heading home early.

In the 75^th minute Mickleover finally broke the deadlock, when Bacon collected the ball midway into the visitors half, picked his spot and fired a cracking shot into the bottom left hand corner, 2-1.

But having tired of yellow cards the ref added to his red collection, when Milner joined Lenighan in the dressing room, despite having clearly pulled out of the offending challenge.

With Verma on for Agustien, skipper Wright continued to drive his men forward and with Bennett and Morris still working well on the overlap and Butler and Watt solid in the middle.

It was one of Bennett’s run that took him into the area with three minutes of normal time left. He was tripped in the box and Wright safely tucked away the following penalty 3-1.

It was into time added on that Bacon then found himself with the ball in the box unmarked. Radcliffe keeper Belford tried to tackle him, but the resulting push and trip not only earned another penalty but sent Belford back to the dressing room too.

Owens donned the keeper’s shirt to face Bacon’s penalty, but it was 4-1 to Mickleover as the final whistle soon followed.

Although it was a good home win, nine yellow cards and two reds for our visitors and one red and a handful of yellows for Sports bore more of a reflection on the official’s incompetence than any real malice from either side. 

The Sports Report is ready to view for today’s game. Click here

by Peter Scherer

Just when we thought there was to be no football until after Christmas, further changes in the Covid regulations now mean we are hosting Radcliffe FC at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

This will be Sports first league match since the thrilling 4-0 away win at Nantwich that took them to the top of the NPL.

Radcliffe, from Greater Manchester currently lie 15^th in the NPL, with three wins and a draw from their eight games.

Of their five home games they have won against Gainsborough and Bamber Bridge, but their biggest scalp so far has been beating South Shields away in early October.

They are managed by ex Welsh under 21 midfielder Lee Fowler, who played league football with Coventry City and Huddersfield, as well as serving locally with Burton Albion and managing Ilkeston Town.

Fowler’s assistant is the former Liverpool and England under 21 midfielder David Thompson, who played over 230 league games in his career.

Experienced goalkeeper Cameron Belford started his career at Coventry City, before a spell at Bury followed a number of loans. He lists Wrexham and Stranraer among his former clubs and came to Radcliffe from FC United at the beginning of this season.

Belford’s deputy is academy graduate Joey Oldham, who is yet to make his first team debut.

Central defender Jo Cummings is another new signing. The former Sheffield United junior, made one first team appearance for Charlton in the EFL Cup before joining Scunthorpe.  He was loaned to Radcliffe last season, but made his move permanent in June.

Full back Raheem Hanley is well travelled. After junior football with Manchester United, Blackburn and Swansea, he joined Northampton and Halifax. In March last year he joined Welsh Club Connahs Quay and has since been at Chorley, Hereford and Mossley, before arriving at Radcliffe in January.

Similarly to Hanley, fellow full back Tom Miller has seen the football world, from League two to Scottish Division Two to the League of Ireland. He was a junior at Ipswich, Norwich and Glasgow Rangers, and during the last spell was loaned to Brechin City. He then played for Dundalk, Newport County, Lincoln City, Carlisle and Bury, before coming to Radcliffe in October from Fylde.

Luis Morrison was born in Derbyshire, but the former Arsenal and Stevenage junior has travelled far and wide too. He has played in Sweden and Finland, as well as Maidenhead, Grays, Hereford, Canvey Island, Farnborough, Concorde Rangers, Altrincham and Alfreton, before playing at Nuneaton Borough last season. The central defender was a summer signing for Radcliffe and also appeared on the first series of Love Island.

Former England under 19 and C International Curtis Obeng is another new signing. He played in the FA Youth Cup Final for Manchester City, but after his release he spent three years at Wrexham. Having signed for Swansea in 2009, the full back was loaned to various clubs, before joining Macclesfield, and moving on via Altrincham, Solihull Moors and Nuneaton Borough.

Although British born central defender Jack Shiels has played most of his football in the US. He came to Radcliffe in July from Furman Paladins, a US University team, having also played for Greenville and University of West Alabama.

Defender Oliver Thornley has recently arrived from Curzon Ashton, where he had been a product of the clubs youth scheme.

Attacking midfielder Larnell Cole played for England under 19’s and 20’s during his spell with Manchester United Academy. He moved to Fulham in 2014 and made his Premiership debut, before being loaned to MK Dons, Shrewsbury Town and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He then came to Radcliffe recently after spells at Tranmere and FC United.

Matty Crothers is the team captain and longest serving player. The central midfielder is another ex Curzon Ashton player.

Another wide midfielder or winger Rhain Hellewell has spent most of his career in the North West. From Stockport Town and Chester, he has also played for Widnes, before joining FC United last year and then Radcliffe pre-season.

Simon Lenighan is an experienced midfielder who came from Buxton during the summer. The former Leeds United junior had numerous loans before being released in 2014, and has since played for Harrogate, Alfreton, Frickley, Rotherham, Warrington and many more, before spending last season at Buxton.

Irish midfielder Darren McKnight started his career as a Barnsley Junior. After a spell at Shrewsbury, he joined Morecambe in 2016, before moving on to Stalybridge, Bamber Bridge, Hyde, New Mills and then Radcliffe in January this year.

Luca Navarro is another midfielder. He started off at Bolton Wanderers, before spells with Hull City and Bamber Bridge. He was at Buxton before joining Radcliffe.

Another summer signing is Welsh midfielder Jonathan Royle. During his early career at Wrexham, he was loaned to Colwyn and Hednesford, before joining Southport in 2016. A further loan at Telford became permanent, but after three years in Shropshire he headed for Radcliffe.

Louis White came from Hyde in February, but the former Rochdale junior midfielder hasn’t appeared yet this season.

Striker Jean Louis Akpa-Apro started playing for his home team of Toulouse, before moving to Stade Brest and FC Brussel in Belgium. He came to England with Grimsby Town in 2008, moving on to Rochdale, Tranmere, Bury, Shrewsbury, Barnet and Yeovil. Then went to the UAE with Masfout in 2019. He came back to the UK with Oldham, before arriving at Radcliffe in March, he has already scored six goals this season.

Bermudan striker Kole Hall has also found the net four times this season. He played his youth football in Bermuda, before joining Tranmere Rovers and was signed pre-season.

Khius Metz is an Irish striker, signed in July after a spell in Burnley’s Academy. After a loan at Chorley he was released from Turf Moor and has spent the last two seasons at Irlam.

Former Liverpool Junior striker Andy Owens has joined from Welsh league side Airbus. He has scored four goals so far too and played with Stoke City and Stafford Rangers following his release. He has moved around the North West mainly, with Rhyl, Accrington, Mansfield, Southport, Telford, Barrow, Stockport, Marine, Stalybridge, Skelmersdale, Altrincham and Connah’s Quay. He also made two England C appearances in 2012.

Kick-off is at 7.45 with no away fans allowed. The crowd number is restricted to 300, so its first come first served. The clubhouse has to remain closed, but beer is available in the fanzone.

This Saturday’s game against Radcliffe is going ahead!

Due to COVID restrictions there will be a maximum of 300 home fans only, with no Away fans.

Please get down early if you want to cheer on The Sports as it will be a first come, first serve basis.

#GetBehindTheSports

by Peter Scherer

Sitting top of the NPL but a month without a game, Mickleover FC headed to Hitchin Town for last night’s FA Trophy, with high hopes of further progression in the competition.

With Paddy Webb unavailable the line-up was 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Kemy Agustien 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-George Milner 8-Andrew Wright 9-Aman Verma 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Mason Warren. Subs-Joe Slinn, Bobby Battisson, Josh Satchwell, Pablo Mills, Ben Gowing. 

Mickleover started brightly and won a corner in the opening minute, before an Agustien cross found Beavon in the box five minutes later.

Agustien and Wright then worked together, which ended with the ball crossing the face of the Hitchin goal with no one to connect.

Although Hitchin won an 11^th minute corner, it was still Mickleover on top and when Verma was fouled in the centre circle, Warren almost found his way through the hosts defence.

Hitchin were awarded a free kick after 16 minutes, but wasn’t clear what for, but it was easily dealt with by the Mickleover defence.

Although Hitchin were starting to get into the game more, Mickleover were still on top and on the 20 minute mark Beavon’s attempt was just wide from a Verma cross.

Agustien followed up with a shot that earned another corner and seven minutes later Beavon shot just wide of the left hand post, after Wright had crossed from the left.

Just after Hitchin’s Luke Brown had a point blank shot saved by Hawkins, he was on hand to open the scoring against the run of play, in the 25^th minute, after a free kick from Ben Walster on the halfway, found captain Dan Webb, whose flick was headed home by Brown 0-1.

Hitchin went close again a couple of minutes later, firing just wide, before Wright made a customary charge upfield and earned another corner for Mickleover.

Now pushing for an equaliser, Butler sent Bennett on an overlapping run and his cross earned another corner, before Wright picked up a Beavon cross on 38 minutes, only for his attempt to be blocked.

Although Mickleover had fought their way back into the game, Hitchin’s Callum Stead continued to threaten on his runs on the defence and beat Butler on his right, before his shot was saved.

As half time approached Beavon got a cross in from the left to Milner, but again his shot was blocked, but Agustien then went close with a blistering shot through a crowed goal area, well saved by Hitchin keeper Charlie Horlock.

Hawkins had to make another save from Stead and Verma’s attempt at the other end was easily taken by Horlock.

But with time added on an attempt from Layne Eadie was cleared off the line, but when Stead had the legs of Butler again on the left, Brown was in the middle to make it 0-2 with his second goal of the game.

It was a disappointing second 20 minutes for Mickleover, who lost their flow and desperately seemed to missing a target man up front.

The defence were allowing Stead and Brown to outrun them and going in two goals down had paid the consequences.

There had oddly been early signs of time wasting by the hosts, which the referee failed to pick up on, keeper Horlock being particularly guilty, re-siting free-kicks etc  on a number of occasions.

Mickleover again started the second half on the attack, with Wright crossing the face of the goal again, with no one there to receive, as both Verma and Beavon failed to connect.

Beavon then showed some of his trickery until his legs were taken beneath him, his word in the referee’s ear then earned him a yellow card in another strange decision.

With temperatures already very low the rain got heavier too, but the natural flow of the Mickleover side just wasn’t happening despite the efforts of all concerned.

Agustien had a curling free kick saved and just after the hour Morris put a cross in which Butler headed just wide.

The time wasting was worsening as Hitchin were taking an average of 40-50 seconds to take a free-kick, with no action from the referee except to reprimand Mickleover players who brought it to his attention.

Brown went close again after 68 minutes, but only had to wait another four minutes for his hattrick. Stead was again free to run at the defence, who stood off him, before Brown was able to pick his spot giving Hawkins no chance 0-3.

Milner and Wright had both run themselves into the ground but to no avail and despite brining on Gowing, Mills and Battisson for Agustien, Milner and Warren, it remained 0-3 with Mickleover going out of their second cup competition with visits to Hertfordshire.

by Peter Scherer

It’s been a month since the last NPL match that took Mickleover to the top of the league, but on Tuesday the team are finally back in action with their away FA Trophy cup tie at Southern Premier Division Central Club Hitchin Town.

The Canaries are currently 10^th in the league, with three wins from their seven games. They too have been recently out action, but played Colchester Under 23’s last Thursday, drawing 2-2 after leading 2-0.

With League games suspended again, they also played local neighbours Harefield on Saturday morning too, wining 5-1, with two goals from Callum Stead and one each for Steve Cawley, Luke Brown and Ptrtick Ziddane.

They have a fairly large squad, so we will take a brief look at what we are up against.

Goalkeeper Charlie Horlock started at Wycombe Wanderers before spells at Stevenage U18s, Harrow Borough and Hendon.

He was signed from Wycombe in November 2014, making 87 appearances in what was initially a loan deal. After two seasons he went to Eastbourne Borough, but after one year moved on to Hastings United in late 2017, returning to Hitchin for the 2019/20 season, and is Mark Burke’s first choice this season.

Second choice keeper is Josh Mollison, who had impressed in Hitchin’s FA Youth Cup campaign of 2017/18, before spending most of last season on loan at Biggleswade United and Barton Rovers.

Kyle Tearle is a versatile 17-year-old from the Club’s Academy, who initially broke into the first team towards the end of the 2019/20 season and could feature more regularly this campaign. Mainly played as a right back but can also play in central midfield.

An experienced left back or left sided centre back, Ben Walster initially joined the Canaries from MK Dons in 2014, making 35 appearances in his first season.

After three seasons he left for Chesham United and also had spells at Biggleswade United and Cambridge City before returning to Hitchin Town in the summer of 2019.

Central midfielder Josh Coldicott-Stevens began his career with Hertfordshire rivals Boreham Wood in 2016, before going on loan to St. Neots Town and Kings Langley in the 2016/17 season.

His stay at Kings Langley became permanent and he spent two seasons there before signing for the Canaries mid-way through the 2019/20 season.

Hitchin captain Dan Webb is an experienced centre back in his ninth season at Hitchin heading for his 400th appearance for the Club.

Fan favourite “Webby”  joined Hitchin Town in 2012 after being spotted playing for Shefford and Campton FC and has gone on to score 31 goals from centre back.

Right back Sam Okoye-Ahaneku  came from Wingate & Finchley in October. The former Arsenal schoolboy impressed straight away on his Hitchin debut against Leiston.

Alex Marsh is an attacking midfielder or right winger who spent four seasons playing for Biggleswade FC before signing for Hitchin Town at the start of the 2019/20 season. He scored 32 goals in the 2018/19 season for Biggleswade.

Laurie Marsh is Alex’s twin brother and is a right sided defensive midfielder or centre back. He arrived from Biggleswade too after four seasons there, making a total of 105 appearances across all competitions, scoring 17 goals.

Nikolay Rusev is a central midfielder who can also play as a right-back. He played for the Under 18’s in the FA Youth Cup before breaking into the first team in pre-season.

Jhai Dhillon progressed through Chelsea’s youth ranks as a left back, after his journey in football began winning Chelsea’s Asian Soccer Star competition back in 2009. He left the Blues at 16 before captaining Stevenage at both Under-16 and Under-18 level.

He had a couple of seasons at Hitchin but struggled to break into the first team, moving on to Royston Town, Barton Rovers, Slough Town, Redditch United and Chesham United. He came back at Top Field for a second spell last year, playing mostly as a left winger as well as filling in at left back.

Midfielder Max Ryan was a Watford Academy player until 2018. He moved onto to Kings Langley for a spell, before arriving at Hitchin in January last year.

In his fourth season at the club Jack Green is a full back or wide midfielder, who started out at St. Albans City in 2014, making 38 appearances for the National League side. He came to Hitchin after a year at Dunstable Town.

Striker Callum Stead was signed from Welwyn Garden City after scoring 11 goals last season, including a goal and four assist in Welwyn’s 5-0 win against the Canaries in the Southern League Cup. He has already made an impressive start to life at Top Field, regularly finding the back of the net.

Luke Brown is the son of former Canary Stuart Brown, who played at Top Field in the Early 1990’s. Starting as a Cambridge City junior, he went to play University football in the USA where he represented the University of Maryland.

The attacking midfielder or striker returned to England in late 2019, playing for Soham Town Rangers and Ely City. He top-scored in pre-season and will take on a shot from anywhere.

Striker, midfield or winger, Marcus Goldbourne was a junior at Stevenage, but was released in 2019 after a loan at Dunstable.

He tried his look in Sweden with Ytterhogdal, before returning to the UK to sign for Hitchin in July.

Patrick Ziddane Gourgel Sequeira started out in the Sporting Lisbon Academy. He is a striker with an excellent technique and not afraid to take a pot on goal, having scored on his debut in a friendly against Harpenden.

Full back Daniel Akubuine is an experienced right back, and after starting off at Kettering, he had spells at Nuneaton, Oxford City and Hayes & Yeading, before spending over two years with Skelleftea in Sweden. He returned to the UK in 2018, spending a year each at Kempston Rovers and Berkhamsted. He signed for Hemel in July came to Hitchin on a dual registration in October.

An out-and-out left-back Layne Eadie began at Biggleswade United, and had spells with Barton Rovers, Leighton Town and St. Neots Town. He was signed from St Albans last season and also had four years at Harlow and a spell at Wingate & Finchley.

Lewis Barker started out with Baldock Town, making over 200 appearances in his six seasons there. A strong, no-nonsense defensive midfielder who rarely loses an aerial battle. He was signed at the start of the 2019/20 season and is a regular in the centre of midfield.

Rio Da Silva is a right back, winger or attacking midfielder who started out at the Luton Town Academy before spending four years at Chelsea. Following his release he spent a year at Dunstable Town before joining Hitchin in July last year.

A young central midfielder, Ryan Smith started off at Northampton Town as an 18-year-old first year scholar in July 2018. He came to Hitchin on a work experience loan deal in February 2020 and has rejoined following his release from the Cobblers. 

Steve Cawley joined the Canaries on loan from Hemel Hempstead Town last season after spells playing for Bishop’s Stortford and Concord Rangers, where he spent five years, before making his stay permanent for this season. He has made over 250 career appearances scoring over 100 goals.

Our hosts have also recently signed defender Harley Sule after a recent trial. He is better known as part of the Rizzle Kicks, who had chart topping success back in 2011. 

Other players who have appeared for the Hitchin first team this season include, Gambian born ex West Brom and Stevenage Junior striker Bunja Conteh, striker Timmy Samuel Alase, Jonas Kalenda, Adeboyin Sanni and Dan Sears

by Peter Scherer

With the Lockdown suspension of Northern Premier League fixtures coming to an end, it’s time to take a look at how Mickleover manager John McGrath and Captain Mason Warren see their current situation.

Everyone else seemed to be surprised by our success so far this season, but we knew we would do well, but maybe not as well as we have though

said Warren.

I always go into early games wanting to win of course, same now as a manager as it was as a player. That’s continuous, but 20 odd other teams want to win too

McGrath added.

“We believed in ourselves from pre-season and have already beaten some of the best team in the league, so now we have to prove it.”

“The games against Alfreton and Guiseley from a higher league in pre-season gave us confidence and in the FA Cup against St Albans we should have won that really,” said Warren.

McGrath tends to echo his skippers thoughts, “I knew we had potential and a good start, but yes maybe what we have done is a bit ahead of expected. But I am delighted with the team and every single player.”

“We had the momentum going into Lockdown, but some teams needed a break as they were down a bit or others, like us, can’t wait to get back up and running.”

So what did going top of the league mean to the players? “We knew were going into Lockdown and that if we won our last match at Nantwich we could go top. We won 4-0 we are top and we gave it absolutely everything and it was such a positive team performance,” Warren.

“The pressure is now on us to win at home, but we treat all our games the same. To stay where we are we need to be winning anyway.”

“There are chances that in the winter some of the games will be called off, but the league and clubs are working together to try and make it all work,” McGrath added.

So with a month out of action how do they stay fit as a team? Warren explains, “Jake Shaw our physio has given us our individual training plans, day by day, week by week to keep fit, but we have sessions on zoom as a team and they really help.”

Keeping in contact is so important, but we have a good feeling within the team this year and we are feeling strong. We haven’t got the biggest of squads and I hope injuries don’t hinder us.

“Our centre back Phil Watt is a fitness trainer and as well as the programme’s from Jake and the zoom sessions, they have been allowed to go out training one on one with a coach,” McGrath added.

So it’s Whitby Town at home for the first match on December 5^th, quickly followed by Hitchin Town away in the FA Trophy only three days later.

Whitby always give us a good game, but we have to win and get those three points

Warren concluded.

by Peter Scherer

The date for the game may not be known yet, but let’s just take a look at some of Hitchin Town’s history, our next opponents in the FA Trophy.

The Canaries got to this stage after beating Herne Bay at home 3-1 in the last round.

Hitchin Town can trace its roots back to 1865 when Hitchin FC was formed. The club took part in the first FA Cup in 1871-72, and reached the quarter finals of the competition, losing to eventual finalists Royal Engineers. That first Hitchin club folded in 1911, debt-ridden and the victims of a fire at their ground.

It was not until 1928 that Hitchin Town FC was formed, and it was at this point that the nickname, “The Canaries”, was established. The club colours of yellow and at that time, blue, were also agreed upon.

Prior to that, the old club played in white and magenta. Hitchin gained admission to the Spartan League and in the 1928-29 season, enjoyed a hugely successful campaign, winning the Herts Charity Shield and promotion to the Spartan League Division One.

The 1930s were halcyon days for Hitchin Town FC. Promotion to the Spartan Premier Division was won in 1931, but it was the cup successes that captured the imagination of the Hitchin public. Although there is little doubt that Hitchin won more games than at any time in their history, the standard of opposition has to be considered when determining whether the Canaries’ side of the period was the finest in the club’s history.

Nevertheless there is little doubt that this was a golden age for Hitchin Town. The club won the AFA Senior Cup in 1932, beating Derbyshire Amateurs in the final and in 1935, won the Spartan League Premier Division.

The club entered the Athenian League in 1939, but after two league games and a Herts Charity Cup tie, all of which saw Hitchin score seven goals, Adolf Hitler intervened.

At the end of the 1962-63 season, the Canaries moved into the Isthmian League. This move was not an easy one for the club, and the early years were a constant struggle. Money was a problem, and there was a hint of scandal when club President Syd Stapleton revealed to the media that the club was paying its “amateur” players. It took some time before the clouds dispersed and during this period, the club said farewell to Laurie Scott.

It was not until Vince Burgess came on board that the club moved forward again. Burgess, a successful coach before he went to Hitchin, brought experienced players to the club who knew how to win. 

In 1968-69, Hitchin finished runners-up in the Isthmian League and a year later, won the London Senior Cup, beating St.Albans 4-2 in the final. Burgess declared that Hitchin had “arrived” by winning what was then a highly prestigious competition. Top Field was shocked a few months later when Burgess left the club.

RELGATIONS, PROMOTIONS, WELCOMES & GIANT-KILLINGS…

The 1970s was a period characterised by some exciting cup-ties. The Canaries reached the FA Cup competition proper four times – in 1973-74, 1974-75, 1976-77 and 1978-79, although a giant-killing eluded them. By the end of the decade however, the club was in decline and the 1980s was a dismal decade in which finances were limited and the emphasis was on youth.

In 1988, Hitchin Town suffered relegation from the Isthmian Premier for the first time. Near misses in the previous three seasons had hinted that a fall was coming, but it was still a major shock to the club. It took five years for them to get back to the Premier Division, but in between, the club had suffered major financial hardship. 

It was Andy Melvin, the new owner-manager of Hitchin Town who led the club back to the Premier Division, winning the Isthmian First Division title in 1992-93. Melvin, a good man-manager, was also thrifty and built a team on very limited resources. In the club’s first season back, he took them to eighth place and in 1994-95, fifth position.

Andy Melvin will be remembered for his part in two exciting FA Cup runs, however. In 1994-95, the club became giant-killers for the first time, beating Hereford United 4-2 at Top Field in the FA Cup first round. 

The club had started its cup run in the First Qualifying Round and had been close to exiting on more than one occasion. A year later, the Canaries grabbed their biggest scalp, beating Bristol Rovers 2-1 in the first round, thanks to two early goals. It gave them a second round tie at Gillingham, which was lost 3-0.

At this time the club gained more media attention than at any time in its history, but by 1998, relegation had come once more. However the club won promotion back to the Isthmian Premier Division at the first attempt, with a new and younger team.

In an age when clubs seem to lurch from crisis to crisis financially, Hitchin’s recent history has been relatively stable. Andy Melvin stepped down in 2001, handing over to his assistant Robbie O’Keefe. Robbie was the mastermind of the club’s youth academy, and at times, O’Keefe promised to bring success back to Hitchin.

 In 2003, however, he left the club, and former Chelsea and England striker Kerry Dixon took over. At the end of the 2003-04 season, Hitchin left the Isthmian League after more than 40 years, and moved to the Southern League. At the halfway stage of the following season, Dixon, who was unable to commit himself fully to the job, was replaced by Darren Salton. He had to rebuild a team that had alarming weaknesses in every department. 

The last few months of the season were tough and Hitchin failed to win any of their last 11 games. But the following year was better and at the end of 2005-06, the Canaries won the Southern League Cup, beating Bromsgrove Rovers in the two-legged final.

In 2006-07, the Canaries started well and at the halfway point were among the title challengers. But a spectacular collapse, fuelled by player unrest, saw them fall down the table and into relegation trouble. 

Eventually, they finished 11th, perhaps a flattering position, but nevertheless one which secured Premier Division football in 2007-08. After a lack lustre start to 2007-08, Salton was released by the club and former player Darran Hay was appointed as manager. Hay had to rebuild his team and it took time to turn things around, but a revitalised squad, with a strong team spirit, lifted Hitchin out of trouble.

After a poor start to the 2008-09 season, Hay left in January 2009. Colin Payne, the former Chertsey, Northwood and Boreham Wood manager was appointed in February 2009, but despite an improvement, the club was relegated at the end of the campaign. Payne rebuilt the squad in the summer of 2009, with the aim of achieving promotion at the first attempt.

They enjoyed a successful 2009-10, winning 31 of 42 league games. A vibrant young side was moulded by Payne and his assistant Carl Williams and for long periods, the Canaries topped the Zamaretto Midlands Division., losing just four games in the league but Bury Town topped the division by two points – despite Payne’s men amassing 100 points. 

As only one team was automatically promoted, Hitchin had to enter the play-offs for the second promotion place. Sadly, the young Canaries ran out of steam and lost the play-off semi-final to Slough, a team that finished 23 points behind Hitchin!

A few days after the end of the season, Payne left the club to join Hemel Hempstead. In his place, Carl Williams was appointed as manager. He had a tremendous first season in charge and for much of the 2010-11 campaign, Hitchin looked certainties for the title. But a mid-season drop in form gave local rivals Arlesey the chance to take top place. On the final day of the season, the two clubs met at Top Field for the title decider. Arlesey won 1-0 in front of over 1,500 people, but the occasion was marred by the ungentlemanly behaviour of Hitchin’s opponents. 

Williams and his team cast that disappointment aside to beat Slough and Daventry in the play-offs to claim the second promotion spot. In their first season back in the Premier, Hitchin enjoyed some bright moments, notably beating eventual champions Brackley and promotion chasing AFC Totton and Cambridge City. 

Once again, the goals of John Frendo lit up the campaign and attendances at Top Field were among the best in the division. The final placing of 14th was considered satisfactory and the club went into 2012-13 looking to improve on that showing.

Carl Williams’ second season in charge started brightly but despite the massive goals contribution of John Frendo (who won the non-league football “Golden Boot” the previous season with 44 goals), it proved a difficult season overall. However, despite a couple of months where confidence had ebbed away and relegation looked a distinct possibility.

Previous manager Colin Payne returned to assist the Management team, and the Canaries managed to pull through with three or four astute loan signings bolstering both confidence and results. They finished a creditable thirteenth, but despite this Carl decided it was time to take a break from the managerial role and focus on his young family.

Mark Burke was appointed manager in the summer of 2013 and Carl’s side almost entirely moved on. Despite this Burke and his assistant Adam Parker recruited some new young talent and finished in a creditable 13th position, same as the previous season.

Season 2014-15 saw the addition of Jonny McNamara from Arlesey and Charlie Horlock on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, and the experienced Brett Donnelly returning to the club for a second spell from Biggleswade Town. 

With a solid backline including Alasan Ann and Dan Webb and the huge promise of youngsters such as Sam Barker, Matt Lench and Lewis Rolfe being realised, the flowing football produced reaped dividends and Hitchin finished in ninth position, their best-ever in the Southern League.

The 2015-16 season proved to be even better. The season started with the prestigious game against a full-strength Premier League Norwich City side, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the formation of the first Hitchin football team. 

Despite the ten goal defeat, and defeat on the first day of the season to the newly promoted Stratford Town at home, Mark Burke’s young side (average age 24) picked up, went from strength to strength, defied all expectations and finished in third place in the League, showing a marked improvement on the previous season and qualifying for the Play-Offs. Here they took a 2-0 lead in the semi-final against the eventual winners Hungerford Town, but eventually ran out of steam and succumbed to a 3-2 defeat.

Again despite this tremendous disappointment, this young team showed great strength of character and picked itself up again to beat National League Boreham Wood to win the Hertfordshire Senior Cup for the first time in 19 years.

The 2016-17 season started with great hope, and didn’t disappoint. The now established squad fared even better than the previous season, qualifying for the Play-Offs in fourth place but with more league points than the previous season.

After a fantastic penalty shoot-out victory in the semi-finals at Merthyr Town, the Canaries took on Leamington for a place in the National League South. They came within one minute of promotion in normal time before conceding a 90th minute penalty equaliser, and then succumbing to a winning goal from Leamington six minutes from the end of extra time.

They retained the Hertfordshire Senior Cup by beating Bishops Stortford 2-1 and also reached the Herts Charity Cup Final, where a “bad day at the office” resulted in a 0-1 defeat against lower league opposition in the form of Cheshunt.

The Canaries entered the 2017-18 season knowing that the League competition would be considerably tougher, with a greater number of well-established and hopeful teams. They finished 11^th, but have struggled over the last two seasons, finishing 18^th in 2018/19 and were in 17^th when last season was abandoned.

Mark Burke is still in charge with assistant Adam Parker, in their seventh year! 

Currently they lie 10^th in the Southern League Premier Division Central, which is on the same level at Mickleover, tier 7 and 8.

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