Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Canaries face Trophy holders on opening day
Sunday, August 8 2004
Hitchin embark on a new chapter in their history when they face Hednesford Town in the season's first league game next Saturday.
The Canaries will open their first Southern League campaign with a home fixture against last season's FA Trophy winners. Manager Kerry Dixon admits that for his side, the league will be an "eye-opener".
"This is a new challenge for us, one which is, to some extent, a trip into the unknown," he says. "Hednesford will be brimming with confidence after their success last season, which was no mean feat, beating Canvey Island who ran away with the Ryman League title."
But Dixon believes his side will be up for the challenge. "Pre-season has been coming on nicely and the team-spirit is very good. Plenty of players wanted to join us, some were not up to it, but I'm glad we signed the hub of our team," he said.
Hednesford will start the season among the Southern League favourites after their FA Trophy win at Villa Park. The man who scored the winning goal, Chris Brindley, took over as player-manager just weeks after his moment of glory, replacing deposed manager Barry Powell. Brindley is assisted by former Wimbledon striker Steve Anthrobus.
Hitchin will be without goalkeeper Richard Wilmot and defender Mark Burke, but Kerry Dixon will give a debut to one of two keepers, Neil Cheek or Ian Taylor.
