Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Bone earns his place among Hitchin greats
Tuesday, March 23 2004
Hitchin Town have paid tribute to long-serving defender/midfielder Jon Bone by automatically enrolling the player in the club's Hall of Fame.
Bone left Hitchin in mid-March to work in Ireland. His final game, against Kettering, saw him make his 717th appearance for the Canaries.
His record is just ahead of long-time team-mate Mark Burke, although Burke remains at the club and continues to add to his tally.
Jon Bone came to Hitchin in 1986 as an England schoolboy international. His debut was on August 30 1986 against Wokingham. His early Top Field career was as a midfielder or in a full back role. But some Hitchin managers recognised Jon's ability to score goals from midfield. In 1990-91, his runs from deep and blistering shooting power regularly on the scoresheet.
Baldock Town lured Jon away for a season, and he captained the Norton Road outfit to the Herts Charity Cup. But he returned a year later to play a pivotal role in Hitchin's 1993 promotion campaign. Under Andy Melvin, Jon continued to demonstrate his versatility, but he will always be remembered for his goal against Hereford at Top Field, a low drive that equalised Hereford's early goal.
In 1999, he left Hitchin for Bedford, but once more, he came back to Top Field. "Hitchin's always been a good place to play," he said. "It's almost home."
In the autumn of his career, especially this season, Jon's experience proved invaluable. His two goals at Billericay in 2002-03, which gave Hitchin a 2-1 win late in the season, were possibly among the most important of his career.
A popular player, rarely complaining at team selection decisions, Jon was also an honest player. When Hitchin lost 1-4 at home to Dorking in 1991, with promotion slipping away by the week, he apologised personally to supporters as he trudged off the pitch. Those same supporters shook his hand as he brought down the curtain on one of Hitchin's most durable careers.
Jon in action, above, in his last game against Kettering Town on 13th March 2004.
Jon, along with Reg Smith, goes into the club's hall of fame, where he joins Mark Burke, Paul Giggle, Laurie Scott and Hitchin's performance against Hereford in the FA Cup 1994-95.
Jon receiving a farewell gift from Frank King, Chairman of the Supporters Club.
Chairman Terry Barratt paid this tribute to Jon Bone: "There have been few players who can claim to have been as supreme an ambassador for Hitchin Town as Jon Bone. His attitude has always been tremendous, his commitment never less than 100%. It has been a genuine pleasure to have him at the club. He will be greatly missed by everyone and we will never forget his contribution to this club."
Jon showing off his `Binman` Hitchin shirt.
