CANARIES' RESCUE BID TAKES OFF

Hitchin on way to raising vital £25,000

- John Lyons

DELIGHTED manager Mark Burke has saluted the ‘unbelievable’ response to Hitchin Town’s plea for vital financial support.

The Southern League Premier Central outfit launched their Canary Crisis Fund Crowdfunder last Friday in the hope of raising £25,000 to carry out essential health and safety work at their Top Field home.

Among the jobs that need doing are the replacement of part of the main stand’s roof, perimeter fencing, concrete path repairs and an internal rebuild of the old tea bar.

Without doing the works, the Canaries would be unable to pass their next ground grading and face relegation. But the signs are promising – by the middle of the week almost £14,000 had been pledged, putting them well on their way to reaching their goal.

Hitchin legend Burke, the club’s second-highest appearance-maker with 732 in two decades, has been bowled over by the support.