The Official Website of The Yeltz

We look at who The Yeltz will be taking on in the 2023/24 season, Next up is Hitchin Town

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Full name: Hitchin Town Football Club

Nickname: The Canaries

Website: Hitchin Town

Founded: 1928

Stadium: Top Field

Surface: Grass

Distance from the Grove: 104 Miles

2022/23 finish: 12th in the Southern League Central Premier

Manager: Mark Burke

Head to Head: Both clubs have met a number of times previously, the last time was back in March 2019

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Their History

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The original Hitchin club, Hitchin F.C., were formed in 1865. The club took part in the inaugural FA Cup competition in 1871–72, reaching the quarter-finals before losing to runners-up Royal Engineers. In 1905, Hitchin defeated Chelsea 3–2 to become the first away team to win at Stamford Bridge. Hitchin turned professional during the early years of the 20th century, but following financial difficulties and a fire at their ground, the club folded in 1911.

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Hitchin Town F.C. were formed in 1928, and it was at this time also that the "Canaries" identity was settled upon. The club colours were agreed as yellow and blue, replacing the old club's white and magenta – green replaced blue after only a few seasons. The new club were admitted to the Spartan League, and their first season, 1928–29, was a success – Hitchin won the Herts Charity Shield, as well as promotion to the Spartan League's second tier. Promotion to the top flight of the Spartan League was won in 1930–31 and Hitchin won the AFA Senior Cup a year later. Reg Smith, a future England player, led Hitchin to the Spartan League championship in 1934–35 before moving on to Millwall a year later. The club moved from the Spartan League to the Athenian League for the 1939–40 season, but after only two league matches the outbreak of World War II prompted the suspension of competitive football