'When you start supporting a football club, you don't support it because of the trophies, or a player, or history, you support it because you found yourself somewhere there; found a place where you belong...'

- Dennis Bergkamp

With his goalkeeping heroics from the subs bench on Saturday, Aidan Critchley has joined the esteemed Lilywhites 100 Club.

He became the seventh centurion in the current Lilywhites squad behind Sam Cross (185) Connor Bolton (183), Blue Gallagher (170), Jack Riddle (165), Jack Gibbs (130) and Liam Nugent (130).

Not seen since late in 2023, Kardan Campbell had also made 131 appearances.

Aidan has spent much of the season coping with injuries but it has been fantastic to see him back on the field recently, taking his rightful place amongst the team. On Saturday, goalkeeper Liam Nugent suffered an ankle injury early on in the second half, and it is a measure of the man that Aidan was the first member of the bench to put his hand up and offer to don the gloves. It turned out to be a brilliant move with Critchley keeping a clean sheet and helping to ensure a 2-0 win at home against Newbury Forest.

The left sided player first joined Hoddesdon back in 2017 and has always been a crowd favourite, despite a period away from the club with spells at clubs including Wormley, Oracle Components and AFC Cheshunt.

Aidan's Player Sponsor, committee member Jon Dean, commented 'I have enjoyed watching Aidan at Lowfield over the years. I remember when he first came to the club and he always looked like a youngster who had bags of potential. Skillful on the ball and tons of desire, he was always destined to forge a path in non league football.'

Everybody at the club would like to congratulate Aidan on this achievement and we wish him well for the remainder of the season.

(With thanks to Colin Sinden)