Spring Comes To Hitchin

Evo-Stik League South Premier club Hitchin Town have made two further signings.

Vastly experienced Matthew Spring has signed on a dual registration with Vanarama National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town.

Spring started his career at Luton Town, making his debut in September 1997 and in the 1998/99 season established himself as a first-team regular.

In total he made 289 appearances for the Hatters, scoring 30 goals.

He was signed by then newly-appointed Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell on a Bosman transfer, but with a combination of injuries and personal problems restricting him to just fifteen appearances and one goal.

In 2005/06 Watford brought the midfielder to Vicarage Road and he scored on his debut.

Spring’s chances were limited in Watford’s Premiership campaign, making only two starts all season and in January 2007 Luton signed him back.

In July 2008, Spring joined Sheffield United on a year-long loan, signalling the end of a disappointing second stint at Luton.

The loan deal with The Blades was cut short and he was released at the start of January, when he joined Charlton Athletic on an eighteen-month contract.

Spells at Leyton Orient and Wycombe Wanderers followed, before he signed for Evo-Stik League South Premier side St Neots Town in August 2014.

After a re-shuffle of the coaching staff early in the 2014/15 season, he was appointed player/joint assistant-manager.

Despite playing an important role in the St Neots side that made the Southern Premier play-off final, Spring was one of several players released by the club in 2015 and he joined Hemel.

Spring made three appearances for the Canaries last March, scoring one goal and he has made nine starts and eleven substitute appearances for the Tudors this term.

Hitchin have also signed academy goalkeeper Josh Mollison on first-team forms.

HITCHIN TOWN