More than eighteen months after the death of James Hitchcock, the pain of his loss remains raw for those who loved him, even as a small non-league football club in Lincolnshire continues to keep his memory alive.
Hitchcock, known affectionately as 'Hitchy', was a goalkeeper for Barton Town in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division. In December 2024, just months after the birth of his son Freddie, he was struck from behind in an unprovoked attack at York Railway Station while returning from a day out with friends. The 32-year-old, a former Leeds United academy player, suffered a fractured skull and brain damage, and later died in hospital.
Mckenzie Dicicco, who was 22 at the time of the attack, was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison in July 2025 after admitting manslaughter. The presiding judge, Guy Kearl, described the assault as a "cowardly, deliberate and vicious attack on a man who had no chance to defend or brace himself."
The day before his death, Hitchcock had made a notable save in a 1-1 draw against Bottesford Town, his final appearance for the club. Barton Town manager Anthony Bowsley recalled jokingly calling him "Nigel Martyn" — a nod to his support for Leeds United — as he left the pitch that day.
On Saturday, Hitchcock's widow April and their son Freddie, now two years old, were due to attend one of the biggest fixtures in the club's history: an FA Cup third qualifying round tie against Chorley. April has said that being close to the club her husband once played for offers a measure of comfort, even as the grief remains difficult to bear. "It's really sad looking at where James used to stand in goal and saying 'where is he?'" she said. "He should be stood there."
Teammates have described the shock that rippled through the close-knit squad in the aftermath of his death. Defender Jack Bulless, who also played alongside Hitchcock at Bridlington Town, said the news felt almost impossible to process. Longtime friend Andy Norfolk, who had spent the day with Hitchcock before the attack, remembered it as an ordinary Christmas outing that turned into the last time he would see his friend.
Hitchcock's father, Chris, who introduced his son to football as a toddler and once took him to watch Leeds United at Elland Road, has struggled to come to terms with the tragedy. "I don't live any more – I exist," he said, adding that he has returned to work as an assistant referee, a role he had given up years earlier, as a way of coping with his grief.
Barton Town has taken steps to ensure Hitchcock's memory remains part of the club's identity. The phrase "Hitchy #1" has been stitched onto the back of the team's shirts, and a plaque has been installed near the players' tunnel in his honour. Bridlington Town and Barton Town now also contest an annual fixture, the James Hitchcock Memorial Trophy, with proceeds supporting the Victim Support National Homicide Service.
Teammates remember Hitchcock as a skilled shot-stopper and a constant source of laughter in the dressing room, often sneaking sweets into team talks. "You could hear him before you saw him because of his distinctive laugh," Bulless said.
For April, keeping James's memory alive remains central to how she is raising their son. "I take Freddie with me to matches. I want to raise my little boy in a world where he knows about his dad," she said. "I want to make sure he is involved as much as his dad was."
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.