Who Are Ya! Hitchin Town FC profile

Hitchin Town are our first visitors to Garden Walk in 2019. We take a closer look at our New Years Day opponents and delve into their recent and deeper history in the latest Who Are Ya! profile…

• They were founded in 1928 although they can claim lineage from Hitchin FC who were formed in 1865 and liquidated in 1911
• Hitchin FC participated in the very first FA Cup in the 1871-72 season
• In 1905, Hitchin defeated Chelsea 3–2 to become the first a.way team to win at Stamford Bridge.
• Their nickname is the Canaries and play in yellow and green although initially they wore yellow and blue. As Hitchin FC they played in white and magenta.
• The Canaries have been based at their Top Field ground since their inception

• In the 1958-59 FA Cup Hitchin Town met League opposition for the first time. They held Millwall to a 1–1 draw at Top Field but lost the replay 2–1.
• In the 1960-61 FA Cup the Canaries travelled to Crystal Palace in the First round but lost 6–2.
• Floodlights were installed at Top Field in 1962, and were inaugurated by a friendly match against Arsenal. In 2016 new floodlights were installed and once again they were inaugurated in a friendly against Arsenal
• During the 1970s, Hitchin Town reached the FA Cup first round an impressive four times: 1973–74, 1974–75, 1976–77 and 1978–79. In their 73-74 run they actually reached the Second round.
• They have since reached the FA Cup first round in the 1994-95 competition, the second round in 1995-96 and this season they once again reached the First round.
• In the 2016-17 season the Canaries took on Leamington in the Play-Off final for a place in the National League South and they came within a minute of promotion in normal time before conceding a 90th minute penalty equaliser, and then suffering a winning goal from Leamington six minutes from the end of extra time.
• Notable former players include: Dave Kitson and John Frendo