Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Canaries fans spring to action
Friday, May 27 2005
Hitchin Town supporters are set to play a bigger part in the club next season after a plea for cash was met with an enthusiastic response from willing Top Field regulars.
After an Executive Club meeting last week, in which the playing budget for next season was provisionally agreed with manager Darren Salton, the club asked if supporters were willing to contribute in some form. “We ran through the figures and even though we revised our original prediction, the sum still fell short of what the management felt was a competitive budget for next season,” said Club Treasurer Roy Izzard.
Hitchin sent out a low-key appeal on the club’s website and the reaction from supporters was highly positive, despite a lack-lustre response to a proposed lottery scheme. “This demonstrated that there are a lot of people who want to play their part at Hitchin – something which a lot of other clubs cannot call on,” commented Izzard.
A meeting is being held on Tuesday evening at the Canary Club, 7.30pm. Already around a dozen supporters have expressed an interest in commiting to a weekly subscription and the aim is to get 40 or more to join the scheme.
“It is important that those people who are prepared to contribute feel that they have a stake of some sort in the club – and this is something that we will have to think long and hard about,” said club spokesperson Neil Jensen. “That so many people are willing to do this shows the strength of feeling and that has to be repaid in some shape or form.”
Manager Darren Salton has been moved by the fans’ reaction. “We had great support last season and this is highly encouraging for us as we prepare for next season – absolutely tremendous .”