A Barton Town FC goalkeeper has d!ed from a ‘serious’ head injury after an alleged attack on a night out, with police charging a man with mu.rder
His devastated football club paid a touching tribute to James Hitchcock, cancelling its weekend games out of respect for the teammate.
The married father-of-one, from Cottingham in East Yorkshire, d!ed from his injuries in hospital yesterday afternoon.
He was hurt during an alleged attack at York’s railway station on Sunday.
Hitchcock, who was in his 30s, played for Barton Town FC and chairman Mark Gregory said the club was ‘devastated’, adding he was a ‘popular but quiet’ member of the first team.
Mckenzie Dicicco, 22, from Stockton-on-Tees, has been charged with murder and affray. He appeared at York Magistrates’ Court today and spoke to confirm his name and address but didn’t enter pleas to the charge.
He also gave no indication as to plea in respect of a separate allegation of affray.
Barton Town’s senior men were due to play Silsden in the Northern Counties East Football League on Saturday.
Hitchcock joined Barton Town in May after being signed by manager Anthony Bowsley from Bridlington Town.
Barton Town FC posted on social media: ‘[We] are devastated to announce that following a serious head injury, our 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.’
Tributes have poured in for the player since the announcement.
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This is so sad
Death is the end of it