Barton Town: Hearts are left ‘broken’ by the loss of James Hitchcock

JAMES HITCHCOCK 1996-2024

By Neil Harvey

TRAGIC LOSS: Barton Town goalkeeper James Hitchcock has passed away aged 28

Tributes have been paid to Barton Town goalkeeper James Hitchcock, who died following an alleged assault on a night out.

Hitchcock passed away in hospital on Wednesday after suffering “serious head injuries” following an incident at York railway station on Sunday evening.

His family say their “hearts are broken” by his death.

“We still cannot comprehend the events that have taken place,” they said in a statement.

“James was one in a million, the life and soul of the party and did not deserve to be taken from us so soon.

“His memory will live on in the life of his beautiful baby boy.”

Devastated

Barton chairman Mark Gregory said the club was “devastated”, describing the 28-year-old father of one, as a “popular but quiet” member of the first team.

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.”

All Barton Town games this weekend were postponed as a mark of respect, including the first team trip to Silsden.

Revealing the sobering news of their goalkeeper’s death in a statement on Thursday morning, the club said: “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, 32 and a former Scarborough Athletic goalkeeper, signed for Barton in May from Bridlington Town, where he played alongside current Swans boss Anthony Bowsley.

Disbelief

“James was a lovely kid,” Bowsley said. “Just a genuine, all round good guy. He is irreplaceable both as a friend and a player.”

His former club led the tributes by saying: “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.”

Mckenzie Dicicco, 22 – himself a Non-League player for several Non-League clubs in North Yorkshire and Teesside – appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Friday charged with murder.