Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Top 13 race is adding to pressure
Sunday, October 5 2003
The proposed restructuring of non-league football is adding to the pressure building on clubs like Hitchin this season.
But if the Ryman League management gets its way, the implementation may be delayed or even abandoned altogether. The league are in the process of taking legal action against the FA.
If it goes ahead, the Canaries have to regain their form if they are to make the Conference South. Hitchin were in 17th place before yesterday's game at Carshalton, a far cry from the top place achieved after three games this season. The struggle to stay in the top 13, the cut off for the new Conference South, means that the season is likely to remain competitive until the final day of the season.
If Hitchin are to reach what is rapidly becoming the holy grail, they are going to have to improve on their traditional final placing in the top division of the Ryman League. In 34 seasons in the top flight, Hitchin have averaged a final placing just lower than 13th. They have finished in the top six just five times and above this season's cut off 13 times. More importantly, since returning to the Premier in 1999, Hitchin have averaged a final position of 13th.
Last season, the Canaries finished 14th, so this season was one in which the club had to move forward once more.
