FA Cup Memories: Tom Hitchcock and Isaac Galliford
Tom Hitchcock (on the right with cap) with Gus Poyet and the 2000 FA Cup won by his father Kevin Hitchcock and Chelsea FC
Tom Hitchcock was only four when Chelsea won the FA Cup in 1997. The Blues beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in the final on 17th May 1997, with Roberto Di Matteo scoring after only 43 seconds. Kevin Hitchcock, Tom’s father, was on the bench for the final. He played an important role in Chelsea’s route to the final, starting in the 4-2 comeback victory against Liverpool in the fourth round.
Hitchcock described what it was like seeing his Dad lift an FA Cup trophy. He said:
“I was only four, but I remember getting carried down to the front by all of the fans and going on the pitch with my dad after the game. It was special.”
After graduating through the academy at Blackburn Rovers, Hitchcock enjoyed an accomplished playing career in the English Football League (EFL), featuring for the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Rotherham United, Milton Keynes Dons and Bristol Rovers.
He played twice in the FA Cup first round for Fleetwood Town and Chelmsford City. In 2014, he played 90 minutes in Fleetwood’s 1-0 defeat away to Cambridge United, before losing 2-0 to Gateshead for Chelmsford three years later. Speaking about his experiences in the first round, Hitchcock said:
“Yeah, I’ve played in those games, but I didn’t win either, so that was disappointing. Let’s hope for a better feeling on Saturday.”
Hitchcock’s fellow teammate, Isaac Galliford, has also enjoyed an impressive career, playing for the England C team, while featuring for the likes of Luton Town, Hemel Hempstead Town and Royston Town.
His only experience in the first round of the FA Cup came in the 2018/19 campaign for Hitchin Town. Galliford played 90 minutes as the Canaries fell to a 2-0 defeat to Solihull Moors. Speaking about this experience, he said:
“Playing in the first round with Hitchin was a great experience. Seeing all the fans who had turned up to cheer us on and giving a team a few leagues above us a competitive game showed the magic of the FA Cup.”
With Saturday fast approaching, both Hitchcock and Galliford are keen to advance through the four qualifying rounds required to play in the first round proper. They know that Bishop’s Stortford will be a stern test, though, as Steve Castle’s side have won five out of five in the Southern League Premier Central.
Speaking about the upcoming cup tie, Hitchcock said:
“It’ll be a very tough test – they’ve started well, but we will all be raring and ready to go.”
Galliford added:
“Bishop’s Stortford have had a great start to the season and will have momentum going into the match, but I think all the boys have been gaining confidence week by week, and you can see that in our performances. I’m confident that we will all be ready to go on Saturday, and hopefully it will be the start of an exciting cup run.”
You can purchase tickets for Saturday’s game on the club website here. Please note that there are no advance prices for this match and season ticket holders must buy an individual ticket for the game, as it is an FA Cup tie.
The list of prices can be found below.
General Admission: £12
Concessions: £8
Child (U18): £2
Groundhopper Special: £15*
*Included in the ‘Groundhopper special’ is a match ticket, programme, a cold or hot drink at the bar and a metal pin badge.
