English football pay tribute to the much loved non league keeper James Hitchcock who was sadly killed while on a night out.
He passed away “peacefully” in hospital after suffering a serious head injury, and following a club statement from Barton Town, messages of condolence hasve poured in for Hitchcock, his family and everyone who knew him.
And all the club’s weekend games have been postponed in tribute to Hitchcock, Barton Town were set to play Silsden in the Northern Counties East Football League on Saturday.
— Barton Town FC (@BartonTownOB) December 19, 2024
A statement read: “Barton Town FC are devastated to announce that following a serious head injury, our First Team goalkeeper James Hitchcock has passed away peacefully in hospital.
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, April, their young son, Freddie, his parents, family and friends.
“All the club’s games scheduled for this weekend will be postponed as a mark of respect.”
Hitchcock signed for Barton Town in May 2024, after being signed by manager Anthony Bowsley from Bridlington Town, who said: “It is with disbelief that the club has been made aware of the death of our much loved ex goalkeeper James Hitchcock in tragic circumstances.
“The word ‘devastated’ does not explain how we as a club feel at this time.
“‘Hitch’ will always be on our minds and in our hearts and our deepest condolences and thoughts and prayers go to April and Freddie and all the family.
“Hitch will be remembered before our home game on Boxing Day. RIP Keeps.”
BBC News report that the married father-of-one, from Cottingham in East Yorkshire, had died from his injuries in hospital on Wednesday afternoon following an incident at the city’s railway station on Sunday.
Chairman Mark Gregory said the club was “devastated”, adding that the goalkeeper was a “popular but quiet” member of the first team.
Mckenzie Dicicco, 22, of Harsley Road, Stockton-on-Tees, has since been charged with murder and affray and was due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court, according to British Transport Police (BTP).
Officers received a call and when to the scene, at the station at about 8:45pm on Sunday after the victim, aged in his 30s, suffered serious head injuries, BTP said.
Mark Gregory adds that James Hitchcock signed the semi-professional club, which plays in the Northern Counties East League, from Bridlington Town at the start of the season and was a “very good goalkeeper”.
He said: “The news of James’s death has been hard to take in. It’s horrible. James was a popular member of the club. We are all devastated. We are a very close-knit club.”
He said he had personally informed players and staff of his death on Wednesday evening.
Anthony Bowsley, the club’s first team manager, was a former teammates of James at Bridlington Town.
He said: “James was a lovely kid. Just a genuine, all round good guy. He is irreplaceable both as a friend and a player.”
All Barton Town FC games this weekend have been postponed as a mark of respect, Mr Gregory added.
He said: “On behalf of the club, I would like to extend my condolences to James’s family and friends.”
Bridlington Town wrote: “It is with disbelief that the club has been made aware of the death of our much loved ex goalkeeper James Hitchcock in tragic circumstances.
“The word ‘devastated’ does not explain how we as a club feel at this time.
“‘Hitch’ will always be on our minds and in our hearts and our deepest condolences and thoughts and prayers go to April and Freddie and all the family.
“Hitch will be remembered before our home game on Boxing Day. RIP Keeps.”
As mentioned, English football pay tribute to the much loved non league keeper killed on a night out…
@ThackleyAFC: We are so sorry to hear this. The thoughts of everyone at Thackley are with James, his family and friends and of course Barton Town. RIP
@SilsdenAFC: Sending our thoughts to James’s family, friends and all associated with Barton at this difficult time ❤️
@DearneDistrict: Terrible news. Our thoughts and prayers are with James’s family and everyone associated with Barton during this very difficult time.
@Manno120: Dreadful news my thoughts and prayers go out to James’s family and friends 😞
@BPAFCOfficial: Our deepest condolences to Barton Town and to James’ family and friends, from all at Bradford (Park Avenue).
@coachriz90: This is absolutely 💔 to read. Very sorry for the loss and condolences to James`s family and wife and also to @BartonTownOB management, players and everyone involved at the club. Prayer 🙏 are with you all 💙🤍
@mortarsjim: Shocked to hear this, only played against us recently. sending love to everyone who knew him ❤️
@TheYoungDaniels: Such sad news. Our thoughts and condolences go to James’ friends and family and everyone at the club.
@YorkyIron: Sincere condolences to his family and friends
@EvyStark: Terrible news. Thinking of James’ family and friends at this devastating time. RIP James
@sometimesriding: Awful, so sorry for your loss and everyone involved.
@FcKeelby: Sending our deepest condolences to the family and club regarding this tragic news
@miguelinho2910: Horrible news, thoughts with his family, friends and everyone at Barton at this terribly sad time. RIP James
@payno268: Thoughts with everyone at the club and associated with James, especially his family. Terrible news
@champmsj: Best wishes everyone and Rest In Peace James
@PoshplaysFF: When I heard the news last night I was gutted. Through football you meet some incredible people. From running the line for his dad Chris, to reffing him too many times to count, to just having a pint and a natter after the game. Hitchy was an utter gent! Prayers for his family 🙏
@ldw05: Devastating news, thoughts and prayers and with his family, friends, teammates x
@JohnAtki59: RIP James, sincere condolences to family and friends…
@cawtey7: Thoughts with all James family and friends
@HatScarfShirt: Devastating news 💔
@ShelleyCommFC: Terrible news and our deepest condolences go to James’ family and friends. R.I.P James
@CallumHawkins99: Incredibly sad to hear, my thoughts are with his family and friends 🫶🏼
@OakRoadRngrsFC: Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to James’s family, friends, all associated with @BartonTownOB and his previous clubs over the years. Such a solid presence between the sticks. From us here at @OakRoadRngrsFC ♥️
@_benoliver7: So sorry to hear this awful news. My thoughts go to James, his family and friends and
@BartonTownOB
@mitchlangton: Terrible news 😞
@AdamDrury93: Thoughts and prayers are with all the family 🤍🪽 x
@frazlancaster: Awful news… deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone at the club, in this difficult time.
@MichaelCon34964: Sending all my love to the family x
@UpTheWakes: Devastating news, thoughts are with his family, friends and all involved at this time ❤️
@odo332001: Absolutely devastating news, condolences to his family, friends and team mates..💔💔
Still can’t believe this is real, James was a lovely guy, wouldn’t hurt a fly. So sad, thoughts are with all James’s family and friends at this sad time.
R.I.P @Hitch_92 🥲🧤🥅⚽️ pic.twitter.com/r5gCA6LHTy— Brid Town Programme (@SeasidersReview) December 19, 2024
Heartbreaking News….. was literally playing against you a few weeks ago & having a catch up after the game. One of the nicest lads I’ve had the pleasure of playing with. My thoughts go out to all Hitchys family…. Rest in peace ❤️ https://t.co/jeIhcJ27Sn pic.twitter.com/CxLoqdbflE
— Sam Bradley (@Brados05) December 19, 2024
Hit me like a ton of bricks when I heard this last night and still can’t get my head around it😫 rest in peace James, one of the nicest lads you could have wished to meet, taken in the cruelest of ways 💔 https://t.co/Z4C99q3Poy pic.twitter.com/CMVYisjYZ5
— Tommy Taylor (@tommytaylor2250) December 19, 2024
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