A goalkeeper for Barton Town FC has died in hospital following an alleged assault at York railway station, his club has announced.
James Hitchcock, a married father-of-one from Cottingham in East Yorkshire, passed away on Wednesday afternoon from injuries sustained during an incident on Sunday evening.
The semi-professional footballer, who was in his 30s, had joined Barton Town from Bridlington Town at the start of the season and was described as a “popular but quiet” member of the first team.
Barton Town FC said in a statement that their “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” go out to his wife April, their young son Freddie, his parents, family and friends.
James Hitchcock was killed on a night out at the weekend
Barton Town FC
British Transport Police were called to York railway station at around 20:45 GMT on Sunday after Mr Hitchcock suffered serious head injuries.
Mckenzie Dicicco, 22, of Harsley Road, Stockton-on-Tees, has been charged with murder and affray in connection with the incident.
Dicicco was due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, according to British Transport Police.
Club chairman Mark Gregory 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.”
Mr Gregory personally contacted players and staff on Wednesday evening to inform them of Mr Hitchcock’s death.
Anthony Bowsley, the club’s first team manager who had previously played with Mr Hitchcock at Bridlington Town, paid an emotional tribute.
“James was a lovely kid. Just a genuine, all round good guy. He is irreplaceable both as a friend and a player,” said Mr Bowsley.
Mr Gregory described Mr Hitchcock as a “very good goalkeeper” and said the loss had been devastating for the club.
Barton Town paid tribute to James Hitchcock on social media
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All Barton Town FC games scheduled for this weekend have been cancelled as a mark of respect.
Bridlington Town, Mr Hitchcock’s former club, released a statement 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.”
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Barton Town FC
The statement added: “‘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.”
Other clubs across the region have also paid tribute, with Pickering Town noting that Mr Hitchcock was “a very good opponent of ours over many years for many clubs and will be sadly missed by many players and supporters.”
Bridlington Town announced they will remember Mr Hitchcock before their home game on Boxing Day.
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