Kind-hearted Hitchin Town FC are set to show their generous side again this season during their home league match on Saturday – as they are donating money from their ‘pay what you want’ match with Cirencester to a national stillbirth and neonatal death charity.

The Comet: Harry ArterHarry Arter (Image: Archant)

The club was in the news this month after a player on their books with dual registration, Alfie Barker, mocked AFC Bournemouth’s Premier League footballer Harry Arter over his still-born daughter – prompting them to terminate his paperwork forthwith.

Barker then apologised calling it a moment of madness. But in a heartening gesture the Fishponds Road club – widely praised for their decision to sack Barker – decided to give the money they raise from their game to Sands, a charity which supports anyone affected by the death of a baby.

Club secretary Roy Izzard said: “After that media storm we are now working with the Herts FA to see if our experience can be used in a positive way to help other teams in the county should they face similar problems and we have agreed to share our experience.

“We hope as many people as possible come to our game, not just to support us in our bid for promotion but so we can raise as much money as possible for Sands, which is a very worthy charity.”

The Comet: Roy IzzardRoy Izzard (Image: Archant)

The caring Canaries are also in the process of arranging a friendly match between them and Codicote – the other team that held Barker’s registration.

Roy added: “I’ve spoken to the Codicote secretary and his experiences were no different to ours. Codicote suggested hosting a friendly against Hitchin in a game to also raise money for Sands. Our manager Mark Burke is in favour of this idea and it just needs a suitable date to be found.”

A spokesman for Sands told the Comet: “Thank you to Hitchin Town for their kind gesture.”

If you have been affected by stillbirth there is a North Herts branch of Sands.

To find out more about it see their website at northhertssands.co.uk.

In other news, Hitchin Town have been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2017 Comet Sports Awards in the Team Of the Year category.