Hitchy is always with us: The enduring memory of a non-league footballer

Almost two years after his death, the memory of James Hitchcock, a goalkeeper for non-league club Barton Town, continues to resonate within his family and the tight-knit football community.

James, affectionately known as 'Hitchy' by his friends and family, died in December 2024 following an unprovoked single punch to the head. He was 32 years old and had become a father six months prior to his death, with the birth of his son, Freddie.

"Even now, more than 18 months on, it has still not fully sunk in. I see little Freddie growing up and it hits me so hard," said Chris Hitchcock, James's father. Anthony Bowsley, manager of Barton Town, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Until you start speaking about it again... it almost doesn't feel real."

A Life Cut Short

The day before the fatal attack, James played his last match for Barton Town, making a crucial save in a 1-1 draw. Bowsley recalled a lighthearted exchange with James, saying, "As he was coming off, I said to him 'great save Nigel Martyn' because Hitchy was a Leeds fan and he had a little chuckle to himself." This would be his final game.

The following day, while returning from a day out with friends in York, James was struck from behind at York Railway Station. He sustained a fractured skull and brain damage, later passing away in hospital. Leeds Crown Court heard that the attacker, Mckenzie Dicicco, then 22, was sentenced to six years and eight months in July 2025 after pleading guilty to manslaughter. The judge described it as a "cowardly, deliberate and vicious attack on a man who had no chance to defend or brace himself."

James's widow, April, who married him in July 2022, spoke of the profound grief and the difficulty of coming to terms with his loss. "It's really sad looking at where James used to stand in goal and saying 'where is he?' He should be stood there," she said.

Community and Memory

James's memory is kept alive at Barton Town, where a tribute, '#1 Hitchy,' is sewn onto the back of the team's shirts. "He is always with us," Bowsley stated. Andy Norfolk, a long-time friend and teammate, shared how he touches the shirt before each game as a personal moment with James.

A plaque also stands at the entrance to the players' tunnel in James's memory. Furthermore, his former clubs, Bridlington Town and Barton Town, annually compete for the James Hitchcock Memorial Trophy, with proceeds going to the Victim Support National Homicide Service.

Friends and teammates remember James for his infectious laugh, his practical jokes, and his positive demeanor. "He always had a smile on his face," said Bowsley, recalling James as "a bit of a practical joker."

James's father, Chris, a former non-league referee, stopped officiating to support his son's burgeoning semi-professional football career. "I loved watching James play," Chris recalled. "He loved football from the first time he picked a ball up aged two or three. He never put it down. He just loved the game."

Moving Forward

April continues to honor James's memory, emphasizing his lovable nature and the way he "lit up a room." She highlighted the strong support from the football community, particularly Barton Town, who have actively involved her and Freddie in club activities. "Keeping his memory alive just speaks volumes," April said.

She now takes Freddie, who has already shown an aptitude for football, to matches, aiming to raise him with a strong connection to his father's passion. "I want to make sure he is involved as much as his dad was," she stated.

Chris Hitchcock has returned to refereeing, finding solace in the activity that once helped him take his mind off things. "It's hard work at my age, but it does help when what's happened is constantly on your mind," he admitted.