ROYSTON TOWN vs HITCHIN TOWN - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - MONDAY 27th DECEMBER 2021

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs HITCHIN TOWN FC Monday 27th December 2021 Kick Off: 1pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome today's opponents AFC Rushden & Diamonds for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central fixture.

We wish their Players, Officials and Supporters an enjoyable afternoon and hope that the match will be a keenly contested and entertaining game.

We also welcome today’s Match Officials and hope they too have an enjoyable game.

TODAY'S MATCH SPONSORS:

WHAT IS #NOHOMEKIT? This is a simple idea that anyone in football can be involved in. All we’re asking is for the football community to come together for the Boxing Day round of fixtures, ditch their home shirt, and instead wear an away or third kit, in a powerful act of support and solidarity.

WHY FOOTBALL? Whether watching from the terraces or gathered round the living room TV, football understands what home means. Home gives all fans a sense of identity, belonging and, above all, community.

The players on the pitch may change, but the feelings of home are what keep us coming back to football week after week, season after season. Shelter believes home means everything too. Access to a safe and secure home is what gives us all the foundation for a happy life. But for too many people, this basic human need is denied or under threat. Football’s position in society makes it the perfect ally in fighting for the thousands of people without anywhere to call home today.

WHY NOW? Homelessness has risen dramatically over the last decade. The pandemic has shown us the importance of having a safe home like never before - yet more than 180,000 households have been made homeless since March 2020. With a tough winter ahead even more people could lose their homes. Shelter’s frontline services are working harder than ever to help people find and keep a home this Christmas, but we can’t do it alone.

HOW CAN FANS HELP? You can to donate to Shelter through its website or by text message for those that can afford to.

Just visit shelter.org.uk/nohomekit or text ‘HOME’ to 70455 to donate £5*. Think of it like nonuniform day at school: you wear something to show your support and donate a few pounds to the cause. *Texts cost your standard network rate + £5, and Shelter receive 100% of your donation

SUPPLIERS OF PRIZES FOR THE FAMOUS ROYSTON TOWN FC MEAT RAFFLE

CROWS COMEBACK STUNS REDDITCH! Redditch United match report

By Duncan Easley From looking dead and buried after 47 minutes, Royston turned this game on its head to produce a thrilling comeback and return from the long trip to Redditch with 3 points.

The first half was a fairly even affair in terms of possession and territory, but whereas Redditch looked lively and threatening with their attacks, Royston struggled to create anything like a clear chance in front of goal.

It was goalkeeper Dimi Kyriatzis who kept the Crows in the game, as he made a number of excellent saves, but even he could do nothing about the home team opener in the 19th minute. Good play from Aram Soleman on the left saw him send in a cross that was turned home by Charlie Williams.

Redditch doubled their lead at the start of the second half, as a jinking run into the Royston box by Lewis Hudson saw him evade a couple of defenders before the full-back scored from fairly close in.

The Crow’s reply was swift, as skipper Adam Murray headed in a James Brighton free-kick to give them hope, and this was aided by Hudson in the 55th minute, as he turned from hero to villain, with a late challenge that was rewarded with a straight red card.

The red card and the introduction of Scott Bridges into the away side midfield completely changed the complexion of the game. Bridges was constantly looking to get on the ball and his probing passing put Redditch very firmly on the back foot. Unsurprisingly it was Bridges who fashioned the equaliser, as a pinpoint pass over the top of the home defence found Murray who had got goal side of Jamie Ashmore, who proceeded to bundle him to the ground and concede a penalty. Brandon Adams assumed responsibility from the spot and easily slotted past Kieran Boucher to draw the Crows level.

Redditch were now firmly being forced back into their own half, but Royston were once again grateful to Kyriatzis who got down low at his post to turn away a well struck free kick from Daniel Sweeney. It was however the Crows who grabbed the 3 points 4 minutes from time. Substitute Isaac Galliford collected the ball on the corner of the home penalty area. Fortunate to work his way through the initial 2 tackles, he glided past a third defender, before curling a sublime left foot effort into the bottom corner of the net to give the small, but noisy away support, an early Christmas present, as the comeback was completed.

Royston Town: 1-Kyriatzis, 2-Asafu-Adjaye (4-Bridges 57), 3-Mensah, 5-Murray ©, 7-Titchmarsh, 19-Mentis, 20-Newton (11-Galliford 63), 14-Brighton, 12-Newman (18-Gouldbourne 67), 9-Adams, 10-Bateman Unused: GK-Welch, 16-Tigwell MOTM – Dimi Kyriatzis

Photo courtesy of Richard Bowcott Event Photography.

Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary

Founded 1875 Alan Barlow Steve Jackson Terry McKinnell 9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY 07772 086709

Treasurer Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board

Webmaster Programme Editors Official Photographer

email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk Jeff Gill Angela Baulk Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, David Baulk, Angela Baulk, Chris Coote, Duncan Easley, Giles Parnwell, Neil MacLeod, Matt Clowery Steve Endacott Angela Baulk, Neil MacLeod Kevin Richards

Football Management Team First Team Manager First Team Asst Manager Reserve Team Manager U18 Team Managers Women's Team Manager Vets Team Manager

Steve Castle Chris Watters Lewis Endacott Dan Evans/Matt Campany Lewis Endacott Lee Wilkinson

Ground

Garden Walk, Royston, Herts SG8 7HP Telephone (01763) 241204

Colours

First XI Reserves U18 Women's Vets

White/Black/White White/Black/White White/Black/Black White/Black/White White/Black/Black

Members of: The Hertfordshire Football Association Southern League Premier Division The Herts Senior County League Thurlow Nunn Youth League Eastern Region Women’s Football League The Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Ladies League Royston Town Football Club is an unincorporated association controlled by its members under the Constitution of RTFC

HEAR WHAT THE GAFFER THOUGHT OF THE CROWS REDDITCH COMEBACK!

E V O B A E G A M I E E H H T T H K C C T I A !

CL W W E I TO V R E T N I FU LL

CLUB HONOURS WINNERS Herts County League (Div I) 1969-70, 1972-73 Herts County League (Premier Div) 1976-1977 South Midlands League (Div I) 1977-1978 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II) 1978-1979 South Midlands Reserve League (Div I) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) League Cup, 1978-79, 1979-1980 Herts Charity Shield, 1981-82, 1989-90, 1996-1997 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1988-1989 Chiltern Youth League (Div I) 1989-1990 South Combinations Reserve Floodlight Cup, 1992-1993 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1992-1993 South Midlands Challenge Trophy, 1995-1996 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div II) 1998-1999 Eastern Counties Youth League Cup, 2001-2002 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2004-2005 KB Tyres Division III Champions 2006-2007 South Midlands League (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands League Cup (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands Floodlit Cup 1994-1995 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II East) 2008-2009 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2008-2009 KB Tyres Division I League Cup 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup 2009-2010 BIS Cambs League Division 2A 2010/2011 BIS Cambs League Divisional Champions 2010/2011 Veterans Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup 2010/2011 South Midlands Premier League 2011/2012 South Midlands Premier League Cup 2011/2012 Suburban League North Division 2012/2013, 2013/2014 Joint Winners of the Hinchingbrooke Cup 2013 Eastern Region Women’s League Plate 2013/2014, 2014/15 Suburban Premier League 2015-16 Eastern Region Women’s League Division 1 West 2015/16 Southern League Div 1 Central 2016/17

RUNNERS UP South Midlands Challenge Cup, 1978-1979 Herts Charity Shield, 1978-79, 1998-99, 2004-05, 2008-2009 South Midlands League (Premier Div) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div III) 1981-1982 North Herts (Div II) 1982-1983 South Midlands Res Section Trophy, 1982-1983 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1986-87, 1988-1989 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1989-1990 Herts County Youth Cup, 1992-1993 North Herts (Div I), 1993-1994 South Midlands Floodlit Cup, 1995-1996 Herts F.A. Women’s Cup, 1998-99, 2001-2002 2013/14 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div I) 1999-2000, 2013/2014 2014/15 Eastern Junior Plate, 2001-2002 KB Tyres Division I 2008-2009, 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Trophy 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserves Floodlit Cup 2010/2011 Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup 2013/2014 Eastern Region Women’s League, League Cup 2014/15 Southern League Division 1 Central 2014/15 2015/16

WHO'S GOT WHO? Today's other fixtures MONDAY 27th DECEMBER 2021 Banbury United v Stratford Town Barwell v Coalville Town Bromsgrove Sporting v Stourbridge Lowestoft Town v Leiston Nuneaton Borough v Tamworth Peterborough Sports v AFC Rushden & Diamonds Redditch United v Alvechurch St Ives Town v Biggleswade Town

WHETHER they be taking charge of a local game on a Sunday morning or a cup final in front of an 80,000 capacity stadium, referees and their assistants get called all sorts. But certain names that never get muttered by managers, players or supporters alike are “vital”, “integral” and “lifeblood” of the game we all love.

Last week, we ran a feature on a dangerous shortage of officials which is threatening to send the grassroots game spiralling into crisis. Already, it has led to matches at Step 7 and above being played without a qualified referee or, even worse, cancelled altogether.

Indeed, the Liverpool County Premier League has even had to scratch scheduled games in the divisions below its top flight this season due to their pool of referees being required to officiate matches in FA competitions or County Cups. And it’s not just a problem being experienced at a local level. This season, three referees who normally operate in the Championship were drafted in to take charge of FA Trophy qualifiers during the October international weekend due to shortages.

Just why the situation has worsened so suddenly is unclear but it doesn’t take a genius to work out where the problem may lie. Covid hasn’t helped, of course, but abuse directed at match officials for just doing their job (voluntarily in many cases) is a problem that sadly won’t go away. The NLP’s feature highlighted the work done by Cheshire FA to recruit new match officials and protect existing referees from becoming victims.

“Abuse directed at match officials is one factor but that’s been a problem for a while,” said Cheshire League chairman Rob Goodwin-Davey. “But it’s definitely not the sole reason. We’ve all lost match officials, but not been able to replace them. There isn’t a quick fix.”

Cumberland FA has run a series of extra courses throughout the summer to attract the new batch of matchday officials with a number having hung up their whistle since the Covid outbreak. The average age of those attending was 15, showing that demand still exists among the next generation, both male and female.

“I’m encouraged by the take-up,” said Scott Taylor, the area’s referee development officer. “We’ve got youngsters who are still playing and want to referee alongside, those who referee for health reasons, and those who want a bit of pocket money. Because we’ve not been able to put on courses for almost two years, those 14 or 15-year-olds are now 16 or 17 and might now be doing other things.”

Another bone of contention is the cost of applying for a place on the course – a problem which the West Lancashire League is trying to address. The fee, around £130, is said to have put off potential match officials – and it’s easy to see why. I mean, who would cough up £130 just to qualify to be abused week in, week out?

With this in mind, the West Lancashire League has pledged to reimburse newly-qualified referees a percentage of the course price once they’ve taken charge of five fixtures in that competition. Barry Cropp, referee appointments officer for the West Lancashire League said: “Registrations are down in Lancashire and the £20 fee for doing so should have been waived this season to encourage people back. The same goes for the course fees. It’s a lot of money when you don’t often read positive news about refereeing.”

Keeping the conveyor belt of new referees rolling with courses such as this has now become vital in ensuring the grassroots game has a future. For all the negativity which is publicised, a career as a matchday official has many perks and advantages and can often provide a healthy second income at senior Non-League level.

As New Year’s Resolutions go, I would thoroughly recommend you get in touch with your local county or regional FA and enquire about becoming a football referee. You may just even contribute to help save the beautiful grassroots game.

We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at The Non-League Paper.

SCORES ON THE DOORS! LEAGUE TABLE PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/southern-football-league-premier-central-division

SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN? The history of Royston Town FC After some intensive research, the evidence is that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston the third oldest Club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop Stortford.

The Club’s very first honour came in 1911/12 when they won the Creake Charity Shield beating Wisbech 1-0 in extra time.

The Club’s first major honour in more recent times came in the guise of promotion to the Herts County Premier League in 1969/70 and they went on to be champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77. In 1978 we rejoined the South Midlands League and won the Division One title at the first time of asking. Success continued with a final appearance in the Herts Charity Shield for the first time in 1979 and runners up spot in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82 and two years later the Club joined the Isthmian League Division Two North where we remained for 10 seasons before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994.

After a period in the doldrums that culminated in relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of 2006/07, Paul Attfield was appointed manager with ex-Spurs favourite Tony Galvin returning to Garden Walk 1st Team Coach in November 2007.

Paul immediately set about building a new 1st Team squad and a run of 17 games undefeated saw the Club move from the bottom of the table to finish in 5th place in the League.

The foundations had been laid for the 2008/09 season and the first team took the South Midlands Division One League title with one of the best sets of stats for any Step 6 Club in the country W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103.

The 2011/2012 season will be seen as a watershed in our history with winning the South Midlands Premier Division title and promotion to Step 4 in the shape of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.

In our first season back at Step 4 after an absence of 19 years, it was hard to know what to expect and how we would perform. Most of our supporters felt a mid-table position would be an acceptable target for the season, but we quickly found ourselves exceeding all expectations as our performances propelled us towards the top of the table. Four straight wins in the first four games set the tone and a run of nine wins with just one defeat between October and December saw us maintain a play-off position. In the very last game of the season a playoff was still a possibility and having gone 2-1 up away at AFC Hayes with just a few minutes of the game left it looked a near certainty. But it was not to be as Hayes scored an 87-minute equaliser and our play-off place was lost.

In our second season at this level, our steady progress to claim a place in the playoff zone was given a severe jolt when Paul Attfield announced his resignation as first team manager due to ill health at the beginning of November. The search for his replacement began almost immediately and we were inundated with applications from some very well know and successful managers. After an exhaustive selection process, the Board appointed Steve Castle at the end of November and on Boxing Day Steve officially took over securing a 0 – 0 draw against the League’s form team and eventual champions Dunstable Town.

Our 2014/15 season opener was at home against one of the promotion favourites Rugby Town but an impressive team display ensured their threat was stifled and we ran out winners 2 -1. That victory really did set things buzzing but we were quickly brought back down to earth when on the following Tuesday night Bedworth United were the visitors winning the game 3 – 1.

As we all know consistency in performances provides the key to long term success and although the early stages of the season produced good results against the likes of Daventry Town and Beaconsfield these were punctuated by dismal performances against the likes of Aylesbury and Egham Town. From mid-November to mid-December We really lost our way with six defeats in seven games but our rollercoaster ride saw an incredible run of form over the Christmas period and into the New Year with five straight wins which helped us maintain a position in the playoff places.

www.roystontownfc.myspreadshop.co.uk/

On a miserable Tuesday evening in February, we travelled to lowly AFC Hayes and after an abject performance, we lost the game 2 – 0. This prompted our Chairman to tell Steve Castle that he had given up on this team making the play–offs and said that we should start preparing instead for next season. That message was conveyed to players and we witnessed a most remarkable transformation in our results with a 14 game unbeaten run during which we scored 29 goals and conceded just seven resulting in us achieving the runners up spot to league champions Kettering Town and securing our place in the playoff semi-final where we met local rivals Barton Rovers.

After an incident-packed 90 minutes and extra time the game ended in a goalless draw but it was not to be our night and we lost the shoot out 4-5 and had to suffer the agony of all the emotions which go with being defeated in this way.

We started the 2015/16 season strongly and between the end of December and the end of March we produced a rich vein of form with only one defeat in 14 games and this ensured we were sitting on top of the league with just 7 games to go and with the expectation that we could win promotion outright ran high throughout the whole club. However, three games in succession proved our downfall when we could only draw 0 – 0 with Bedford and lost to Egham away 3- 1 and Godalming at home 1- 0 and once again we ended up in the play offs against AFC Rushden but we failed to turn up and went out tamely to our opponents 2 - 1.

Having finished runners up for two years in succession Steve Castle was determined to make it third time lucky and began to recruit some experienced new blood in the shape of John Frendo and Adam Murray whilst at the same time giving youngsters Gus Scott Morris and Josh Castiglione extended runs in the first team.

However, the season didn’t start well and after four games we’d only mustered five points whilst promotion rivals Farnborough just couldn’t stop winning. Although results did improve, defeat in the FA Cup to Heybridge Swifts 4 – 1 and a thrashing by Barton Rovers at home 6 – 3 at the end of September didn’t do a great of good for our confidence.

Things took a dramatic turn thereafter with 12 successive league wins which ended with defeat 2-1 at Kidlington in early January 2017, interspersed by a magnificent run in the FA Trophy including a victory against Step 2 outfit Hampton and Richmond Borough before in the replay against Dulwich Hamlet we eventually went down 1 -0.

With cup football out of the way, the team put together an incredible run of 16 league games undefeated including a 5 – 0 thrashing of closest rivals Farnborough which saw us maintain the top spot until the end of the season by a margin of 12 points and the highest number of goals scored, 120, across all three Evostik Leagues.

Promotion to the Southern Premier League means that the Club was playing at the highest level in its 142-year history!

Season 2017/18 saw The Crows exceed all expectations in our first season at Step 3. Throughout the season we managed to maintain our hopes of a play-off place until they were finally put to bed with two successive defeats against the eventual play-off winners Slough Town and we had to be satisfied with a seventh-place finish. The signing of Adam Marriott, a proven goal scorer who had played for Lincoln City, Stevenage and Cambridge United was without a doubt a real coup and he was to play a key role in the progress made by the Club by becoming our leading marksman with 31 goals. A good run in the FA Trophy with wins against Enfield Town and Leatherhead came to an end against Eastbourne Borough when having managed to draw at their place we lost the replay on penalties. We managed to get to the final of the Herts Senior Cup where we played Borehamwood from Step 2 and in spite of a brave performance we never really had the power to compete and lost 2 – 1.

Given where we had started from we definitely exceeded our own and many other peoples’ expectations and this has provided us with the building blocks to face this season in the newly constituted Southern Premier Central League.

Season 2018/19 saw us finishing in a respectable 9th position in what proved to be a very strong Premier Division Central. During February/March we recorded six wins out of seven league games to give us a faint hope of a playoff spot, but three straight defeats in April put paid to our chances.

We suffered another early at AFC Sudbury in the FA Cup and in the FA Trophy we progressed through two rounds before being beaten in a replay at Needham Market.

Season 2019/20 will go down in the Club’s history as one of the most successful and exciting but ultimately one which ended in bitter disappointment.

Steve Castle was quick to ensure we had players who were proven goal scorers and the arrival of Matt Bateman, Brandon Adams and Claudio Ofosu did not disappoint. Perhaps the only sadness that our young and highly talented left wing-back Joe Newton had created so much interest from EFL Clubs that in the end, it was inevitable he would have to leave us and Joe was signed by Coventry City.

No Crows fans will ever forget the team's brilliant performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy and although our FA Cup run ended with defeat to the very talented Maldon and Tiptree in front of a record crowd for Garden Walk of 1152. The interest generated in the Crows both locally and beyond was immense and set the scene for what was to come in the FA Trophy. It all started with very comfortable wins against Brightlingsea Regent and Haywards Heath and then were drawn away at Step 2 table-topping Wealdstone which for many was one of the games of the season as Royston shot into a 2- 0 lead before Wealdstone hit back to pull the tie level 2-2. In spite of being under constant pressure, the Crows mounted a great counterattack down the left and the cross was despatched by Brandon Adams to give the Crow’s victory 3-2. What followed was truly historic with home wins against Step 2 teams Boreham Wood 2-0, Chester 3-0 and away at National League Ebbsfleet 2-0, to set up a quarter-final tie away at Concord Rangers. In the run-up to the game, the rain had been falling heavily but our opponents declared the pitch playable and the invasion of six coach loads of Royston supporters and a convoy of cars and mini-buses descended on Canvey Island. As we started arriving for the kick-off the match referee declared the pitch unplayable and with a sense of extreme disappointment and also a lot of anger we all returned home. The following Tuesday the game went ahead but it was not to be and we were defeated 2-1. There is no doubt the Clubs achievements in the FA Trophy marked a watershed in our history which will be remembered for a very long time.

Running alongside the cup success it was easy to forget that we had got ourselves in contention to win the League with a run of only two defeats in 20 league fixtures. With 3 games in hand and only 2 points behind Peterborough Sports and Tamworth and playing some of our best football, we looked nailed on to win the League. Then out of the blue, the Covid crisis hit all levels of football and with what many felt was indecent haste the League decided to null and void the whole season.

All our achievements were suddenly for nothing and the taste of bitter disappointment amongst all supporters of the Crows was very hard to swallow.

Season 2020/21: As the pandemic took hold it seemed like the chances of seeing a new season start were remote but by summer 2020 there had been a massive improvement and by July the lockdown ended albeit with a host of restrictions in place.

By the time we had assembled a squad, we were without key players such as Matt Bateman who moved to Hemel Hempstead and Claudio Ofosu who joined Hartlepool and with a lot of the momentum and energy generated by the now-defunct season now dissipated we were finding it hard to get going again. In the League, we seemed to slip into the habit of conceding goals when in a winning position and a string of draws meant we languished in the lower half of the division.

The FA cup again promised to provide excitement with wins against Newmarket, Wroxham and AFC Stamford before losing to our old rivals Bishops Stortford. We won our first two ties in the FA Trophy against Hythe Town and Tamworth before going out 3-2 away at Brackley by which time the League season was yet again declared null and void as the second wave of Covid took its stranglehold.

A comprehensive history of the Club can be found in The History of Royston Town FC 1875 2012 first published in 2013. The book was written by the Club’s President, Alan Barlow following more than five years of painstaking research and can be purchased via the Club.

WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS Joe Welch (Goalkeeper) Joined us from Chelmsford City in 2016/17, Joe started his career at Southend United before joining Histon where he played over 50 games and earned a loan deal at Stevenage. Joe’s other clubs include Ebbsfleet, Bromley and St Albans City.

Ed Asafu-Adjaye (Defender) Versatile defender who re-joined the Crows in 2019 after spending a season at Hayes & Yeading. Started his playing career at Luton Town and broke into the 1st team during the 2008/9 season. In total he made 64 appearances for The Hatters before moving to Forest Green Rovers and then to Hemel Hempstead Town.

Adam Murray (Defender) Adam joined us at the beginning of 2017/18, having spent the previous two seasons at Cambridge City where he made 60 appearances. He quickly settled into the squad and has proved to be a formidable addition for the Crows.

Ronnie Henry (Defender) Signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season after spending a season at Billericay Town. Ronnie was a product of the Spurs youth system, before going on to play 502 games for Stevenage (the club’s all-time record appearances) in two spells either side of two seasons at Luton Town.

Daniel Brathwaite (Defender) Club skipper, Dan joined the Crows from Chesham United for the start of 2015/16.

He is an experienced defender whose former clubs include Boreham Wood and Dover Athletic.

Dan Newton (Defender) Joined the Crows early into season 2020/21, Centre-Back Dan's previous clubs were Biggleswade FC and Northwood. He is a calm and confident defender and cousin of former Crow Joe Newton.

James Brighton (Defender) Experienced full-back who joined us in November 2019 from Kettering Town, where he had spent a successful four seasons. James has previously played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Cambridge City & Cambridge United.

Scott Bridges (Midfield) Scott re-joined the Crows in season 2020/21 after spending the previous season at Hayes & Yeading, having been a Crow for four years previously, scoring 71 goals in 194 appearances. Originally with Aston Villa until 2007, Scott then played most of his football at Banbury United.

Spyros Mentis (Midfield) Versatile, hard-working and tough-tackling midfielder or defender, Spyros re-joined The Crows in 2018/19 after a season away at Hayes & Yeading, he previously played just under 100 games for us from 2013 during his first spell at Garden Walk.

Tom Newman (Midfield) Joined the Crows at the start of 2018/19, Tom has impressed when called upon and has chipped in with some useful goals from midfield.

Isa Rotimi (Midfield) Young midfielder who signed for the Crows at the beginning of season 2019/20, Isa previously spent two seasons at Colney Heath.

Dan Green (Midfield) Joined us in December 2018 from Chesham United, Dan is an experienced midfielder whose other previous clubs include St Albans City and Dunstable Town.

Brandon Adams (Forward) Signed for the Crows in 2019, Brandon previously spent four years at Queens Park Rangers which included loan deals at Malaysian club Perlis and Linfield in Northern Ireland. After leaving the R’s in 2018 Brandon dropped into non-league hoping to catch the eye of pro clubs and has certainty impressed. After a short stint at Enfield Town he moved to Ware in 2018/19 and bagged an impressive 23 league goals in 25 games.

Isaac Galliford (Forward) Previously with Hitchin Town, St Neots Town & Hemel Hempstead after starting out with Luton Town. Isaac signed for us for the beginning of last season. Whilst with The Canaries Isaac’s performances earned him an England ‘C’ call-up.

Matt Bateman (Forward) Re-joined us for the start this season from Hemel Hempstead, where he spent last season after moving from the Crows. Matt signed for the Crows at the start of season 2019/20 and scored an impressive 24 goals in 41 games during that season to earn his move to Hemel. Previous to that Matt played a big part in Berkhamsted’s push for promotion in 2018/19 where he netted 43 times in 54 appearances for The Comrades.

Harry Draper (Forward) Signed for the Crows on loan from Stevenage at the start of this season. Harry has been with Stevenage from the age of eight, he signed his first professional deal at Boro’ in summer 2019 and then spent that season on loan at Hitchin Town.

Finlay Titchmarsh (Defender) Young defender who signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season, Finlay was originally with Barnet before having spells with Staines Town and Ware.

Marcus Goldbourne (Forward) The 20-year-old pacey winger or striker came through the Stevenage U18 ranks and spent time on loan at Dunstable Town whilst on Boro`s books. Also had a brief spell in Swedish football with Ytterhagdaka IK before returning to the UK signing for Hitchin Town. In the summer he signed for Braintree Town and had a loan spell with Brightlingsea Regent.

Rhamar Garrett-Douglas (Defender) Young defender who started his career at Barnet and was a regular in their U18s. He was previously at Bishop's Stortford and has also had spells with Maldon & Tiptree and Hullbridge Sports.

Carl Mensah (Defender) 25 year-old towering central defender who joined the Crows from Welwyn Garden City at the end of November. His previous clubs include Bedford Town, Harpenden Town, Kempston Rovers, Tring Athletic, Cockfosters and Colney Heath.

Dimitrios Kyriatzis (Goalkeeper) A recent addition to the Crows squad having joined us from Bedfont Sports. Dimi's previous clubs include Brentford and Inter Leipzig.

TODAY'S OPPONENTS Hitchin Town FC Club History The first Hitchin FC was formed in 1865. 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, a struggling professional outfit, 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. Hitchin Town gained admission to the Spartan League. The 1930s were a golden age for Hitchin Town. The club won the AFA Senior Cup in 1932, beating Derbyshire Amateurs in the final and in 1935, they 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, WW2 intervened.

Hitchin struggled in the aftermath of World War Two in the Athenian League, not recovering until the mid1950s. In 1956 a record crowd of 7,878 watched Hitchin Town beat Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 in the FA Amateur Cup. 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. But 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. Hitchin stayed in the Isthmian League until 2004, when as a result of a reorganisation they transferred to the Southern League. They won the Southern League Cup in 2006, and despite relegation in 2009, they won promotion back to the Premier Division in 2012, and in 2015-16 and 2016-17 they enjoyed their best-ever seasons in the Southern League, reaching the play-offs on both occasions but missing out on promotions through defeat in the semi-final and then the final. The team also won the Herts Senior Cup in both seasons.

2017-18 saw the start of the break-up of the play-offs team, with three of the key players from that team moving on to pastures new. Nevertheless that team achieved a safe and creditable league position of 11th, and they won the Southern League Cup and the Herts Charity Cup. Season 2018-19 was a season of rebuilding, and consolidation in the new Evo-Stik League South Premier Division Central was the objective.

The team often struggled in the league, and despite some bad runs of results managed to finish 18th and so realised their objective. They fared very much better in the FA Cup, reaching the First Round Proper for the first time in 23 years before bowing out at home to Solihull Moors in front of a crowd of 3,148, the highest attendance at Top Field for over 40 years. The season ended on a high with some silverware, retaining the Hertfordshire Charity Cup by beating Hemel Hempstead Town 2-0.

Season 2019-20 was a time of real transition and consolidation. The Canaries found themselves in the relegation zone for much of the early part of the season. However a remarkable transformation in the middle of the season saw the team display form which if it had been continued, would have steered the team towards a play-off spot. When the season was cut short by the pandemic, the Canaries were comfortably placed in 17th position, safe from relegation. Season 2020-21 promised much for the Canaries. The team that finished the previous season stayed, and the continuity was starting to show dividends. When the season was curtailed, the Canaries were sitting in a very comfortable tenth place in the League, having bounced back from a nightmare 7-1 defeat at AFC Rushden and Diamonds to record impressive away wins at Stratford Town and Bromsgrove Sporting. This was followed by impressive wins in the FA Trophy against Herne Bay from the Isthmian League and Mickleover FC who at the time were league leaders in the Northern Premier League, before bowing out to eventual semi-finalists Peterborough Sports in the Second Round Proper.

The Canaries start the new season with most of last season’s players staying, and the hope that the work from last season can be continued. They will also be celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the start of the FA Cup competition, in which the first Hitchin FC team participated. With many new ground improvements in place, the future is looking very bright for the Canaries.

WHO ARE YA? Hitchin Town FC Player Pen Pics Charles Horlock Goalkeeper who started his career at Wycombe Wanderers before spells at Stevenage U18s, Harrow Borough and Hendon. Horlock signed for the Canaries from Wycombe in November 2014, making 87 appearances between the sticks in what was initially a loan deal. After two seasons, Eastbourne Borough swooped for Horlock- he spent a year there before moving east along the coast to Hastings in late 2017.

The goalkeeper returned to Top Field for the 2019/20 season and is Mark Burke’s first choice once again in the upcoming campaign. Widely viewed as one of the best shot-stoppers at this level.

Josh Mollison Back-up goalkeeper and academy coach who highly impressed in Hitchin’s FA Youth Cup campaign of 2017/18, before loan spells at Biggleswade United Barton Rovers, Potton United and most recently Eynesbury Rovers, where he is currently on a dual registration.

Jack Green Full back or wide midfielder who kicked off his career at St. Albans City in 2014, making 38 appearances for the National League South outfit. Green spent the 16/17 season playing for Dunstable Town, moving to Hitchin a year later. A tenacious player, great in the air, who most Canaries supporters will remember for scoring the winning goal against Leatherhead to take the Yellows into the First Round Proper of the 2018/19 FA Cup. This is his fifth season at Hitchin – he has recently returned to the Canaries having spent time at Colney Heath regaining his match fitness.

Alex Brown Left-back formerly of Soham Town Rangers and Godmanchester Rovers, who was signed at the start of 2021/22 pre-season and quickly impressed. Penalty taker for the Canaries.

Malaki Black Quick and energetic full back who can double up as a wing back if needed. Former MK Dons schoolboy who spent time on loan in Spain as part of their academy programme.

Daniel Webb Hitchin captain, an experienced centre back going into a tenth season at Top Field, who is nearing his 400th appearance for the club. Fan favourite Webb started out at Hitchin in 2012 after being spotted playing for Shefford and Campton FC, and has gone on to score 31 goals from centre back.

Ciaren Jones Bedford-born promising centre-back who played for Luton U18s before a move to Norwich City’s U23 side. Played for Gloucester City last season. Highly rated by the Hitchin coaches.

Matthew Moloney Young centre-back who has actually mostly played upfront for Hitchin since his arrival- signed on a work experience loan deal from Luton Town in October, joining until January 2022.

Kye Tearle Versatile 18 year old product of the Pro:Direct Academy in Baldock. Broke into the first team in the 2020/21 season, initially featuring as a right-back before moving into a midfield role in 2021.

Josh Coldicott-Stevens Central midfielder who is enjoying stiff competition for a starting role in Mark Burke’s side this season.

Josh began his career across Hertfordshire for Boreham Wood in 2016, and went out on loan to both St. Neots and Kings Langley in the 2016/17 season. Kings Langley clearly liked what they saw, and signed Coldicott-Stevens on a permanent deal. He spent two seasons there before signing for the Canaries midway through the 2019/20 season.

Stephen Gleeson Former Irish international midfielder capped four times by his country who featured for the likes of MK Dons, Birmingham City and Ipswich Town at Football League level before moving north of the border to spend 2 seasons at Aberdeen. The 33 year-old joined the Canaries in November after a spell at Solihull Moors.

Lewis Barker Strong, no-nonsense defensive midfielder who rarely loses an aerial battle. Barker started out for Baldock in the 2013/14 season, before staying at the club for another five seasons, making a total of 222 appearances for Baldock. Lewis signed for Hitchin at the start of the 2019/20 season and is a regular in the centre of midfield.

Callum Stead Rapid striker who draws comparisons with Jamie Vardy. Top scorer for the club this season despite spending some of it so far at South Shields- he recently rejoined after a short spell there. Sought after player by many clubs in non-league.

Rio Da Silva 21 year old winger or attacking midfielder whose career began in the Luton Town academy setup before spending four years as a Chelsea academy prospect. After leaving the Blues, Da Silva spent a year at Dunstable Town before joining Hitchin at the start of the 2020/21 season.

Jake Hutchinson Striker on loan from Colchester United, scored a hat-trick on his return to the side against Stourbridge- also had a spell at the club in the 2019/20 season and has improved even more since.

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Joe Welch

Ryan Easley

Ed James Brighton Asafu-Adjaye

Kelshall Jake Easley Plastics

Ronnie Henry

David Gray

Daniel Brathwaite Katherine Thompson

Scott Bridges

Luke Easley

Adam Murray

Jeff Gill

Isa Rotimi

Martin Pendrick

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Matt Bateman Brandon Adams Spyros Mentis

Martin Pendrick DFM Mick & Enid Royston Matt Clowery Toovey Plastering

Dan Newton

Graham Haggar

Josh Williams Tom Newman

Trevor & Alison Clive Deards Middlemass

Isaac Galliford

Steve Tuck

Steve Castle

Garrett Pennery

SQUADS Monday 27th December 2021 Kick Off: 1 PM TODAY'S MATCH SPONSORS:

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Matthew Norton ASSISTANTS: Joseph Karram / Andrew Tregoning

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Joe Welch (GK) Ed Asafu-Adjaye Daniel Brathwaite Scott Bridges Adam Murray (c) Ronnie Henry Finley Titchmarsh Harry Draper Brandon Adams Matt Bateman Isaac Galliford Tom Newman Dimitrios Kyriatzis (GK) James Brighton Fred Brown Isa Rotimi Makai Murray Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton Marcus Goldbourne Rhamar Garrett-Douglas Carl Mensah

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Charles Horlock (GK) Jack Green Alex Brown Malaki Black Daniel Webb (c) Ciaren Jones Matthew Moloney Kye Tearle Josh Coldicott-Stevens Stephen Gleeson Lewis Barker Callum Stead Josh Mollison (GK) Rio Da Silva Jake Hutchinson

MANAGERS SPORTS THERAPISTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Mark Burke / Adam Parker Nick Sopowski / Charlotte Wright