Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
New opponents 3: Solihull Borough
Saturday, June 19 2004
Hitchin will travel to the outskirts of the "second city" for the first time when they meet Solihull Borough next season.
Despite developing a habit in recent years of losing their manager after a relatively short spell, Solihull have been the epitomy of consistency, never finishing out of the top seven in the past nine seasons.
Last season, Solihull finished seventh in the Dr Martens League Western Division, although in mid-season, manager Phil Holleran defected to Halesowen Town. But Holleran went back to his old club to sign some of its best players, prompting some anger among Solihull fans. Holleran has promised not to lure any more players to Halesowen.
Nevertheless, ambition is tempered at Solihull, who will not be among the best supported sides in the new Southern League Premier. They average less than 200 for home games. Solihull fans anticipate that their side may well be struggling near the bottom of the league next season, but manager Guy Russell is eager to see how his side fair playing at a higher level.
"It is a big step into the unknown for us but it's too early to say how we will fair," he said. "I know we need to strengthen our squad."
Like Hitchin, Solihull are not cash-rich, so Russell has a big challenge ahead of him. He added:"By the nature of things it will cost the club more with more travelling to do but I think I will be working from a similar budget to last season, I don't see there being too much difference."
