Home of Hitchin Town FC
Opened 1928
Capacity 4,554
★★★★★
★★★★★
Love the non league scene. My first visit to Hitchin. £12 entry, reduced to £11 if bought in advance. Seemed a bit excessive but maybe needs must. Wooden terracing was a new experience for me. A larger concrete terrace behind the goal gave a clue as to the club's ambitions although it doesn't look as though a lot has been spent on the ground in recent years. Makes you wonder if there couldn't be a scheme to attract more punters. Casual passersby aren't going to cough up £12 on a regular basis for this level of football and it would be a real shame if it was left to whither. Some covered sections. Some seating which didn't seem to offer an improved view or a raised view so we stayed on the terrace.
A good competitive game. Well officiated. Interesting how much better the standard of refereeing becomes the less emotionally involved and invested in the outcome I am!!
6 years ago
History (from Wikipedia)
Stadium[edit]
Hitchin Town have played home matches at Top Field on Fishponds Road since their foundation in 1928. Prior to that, the original Hitchin club played here from 1873 until their liquidation in 1911, although it was often referred to as the Bedford Road Sports Ground, it's the same stadium. They also played at Ransoms Field and Dog Kennel Farm in nearby Charlton. A public house opposite the ground doubled as a changing room for the players, and a wooden grandstand was constructed during the late 19th century. However, this stand burnt down in 1911, just before the original club's liquidation.
Football continued to be played on the site during the period after this, with Hitchin St. Saviours, Hitchin Union Jack, Hitchin Wednesday and the Boys' Club all using the ground for minor matches.
Senior football returned to the ground in 1928, with the foundation of Hitchin Town. Floodlights were installed in 1962, and inaugurated by a friendly match against Arsenal. A new clubhouse was built a year later, which on construction was considered one of the finest in amateur football. A sauna was added in the late 1960s.[1]
New floodlights were installed in Summer 2016 and, as some 50 years earlier, they were officially inaugurated with a friendly match against an Arsenal side on 10 November 2016. The lights were switched on by former Arsenal player Pat Rice.
The record attendance at Top Field, 7,878, was set in 1955 for an FA Amateur Cup tie between Hitchin Town and Wycombe Wanderers.[1] The ground's current capacity is 4,000.
A tea hut, club shop, turnstiles and clubhouse are situated within one corner of the ground, known as Canary Corner.
Hitchin Town have played home matches at Top Field on Fishponds Road since their foundation in 1928. Prior to that, the original Hitchin club played here from 1873 until their liquidation in 1911, although it was often referred to as the Bedford Road Sports Ground, it's the same stadium. They also played at Ransoms Field and Dog Kennel Farm in nearby Charlton. A public house opposite the ground doubled as a changing room for the players, and a wooden grandstand was constructed during the late 19th century. However, this stand burnt down in 1911, just before the original club's liquidation.
Football continued to be played on the site during the period after this, with Hitchin St. Saviours, Hitchin Union Jack, Hitchin Wednesday and the Boys' Club all using the ground for minor matches.
Senior football returned to the ground in 1928, with the foundation of Hitchin Town. Floodlights were installed in 1962, and inaugurated by a friendly match against Arsenal. A new clubhouse was built a year later, which on construction was considered one of the finest in amateur football. A sauna was added in the late 1960s.[1]
New floodlights were installed in Summer 2016 and, as some 50 years earlier, they were officially inaugurated with a friendly match against an Arsenal side on 10 November 2016. The lights were switched on by former Arsenal player Pat Rice.
The record attendance at Top Field, 7,878, was set in 1955 for an FA Amateur Cup tie between Hitchin Town and Wycombe Wanderers.[1] The ground's current capacity is 4,000.
A tea hut, club shop, turnstiles and clubhouse are situated within one corner of the ground, known as Canary Corner.
Things to do nearby.