Hoddesdon Town Football Club Chairman Stuart Varney reflected on a season of dramatic recovery, stronger community partnerships and important long-term progress when he delivered his annual report at the club’s AGM on Monday evening.

Supporters, committee members and representatives from the wider community gathered in the clubhouse at Lowfield to hear Varney review the 2025/26 campaign, his fifth season as Chairman, while also outlining the challenges and ambitions that will shape the club’s future.

The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Hoddesdon Cricket Club for allowing the AGM to take place inside the clubhouse. The continued cooperation between the two Lowfield clubs remains central to their shared ambitions for the site and the wider Hoddesdon community.

Opening his report, Varney thanked the volunteers, sponsors and supporters whose work often takes place away from the public eye but remains vital to keeping the club operating.

He said: “First of all, I would like to pass on my thanks to my hard-working committee for their tireless work and commitment to the club, as well as our sponsors and supporters.”

On the pitch, the Chairman described a remarkable season which began with Hoddesdon struggling at the foot of the table before producing one of the strongest turnarounds seen at Lowfield for many years. The Lilywhites remained at Step Six for the campaign, competing in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League First Division South. However, a difficult opening period saw the team wait nine matches before collecting its first point of the season. Matters reached a critical point following a heavy defeat on October 18, which Varney described as the club’s worst performance of the campaign. With Hoddesdon sitting bottom of the division and having collected only one point from ten games, the committee faced a major decision over whether to continue with the existing management team or change direction.

It Was A Topsy Turvy Campaign

The Chairman explained that, despite the lack of results, the performances leading up to that defeat had generally provided reasons for encouragement. The final decision was therefore taken to give the management team additional time and the opportunity to put things right. That patience was rewarded in emphatic fashion. Hoddesdon responded by embarking on an outstanding 13-match unbeaten run, transforming the mood around Lowfield and rapidly climbing away from the relegation places.

After collecting just one point from the opening ten fixtures, the team accumulated an impressive 60 points from its remaining 30 league matches. That extraordinary recovery ultimately carried Hoddesdon to a ninth-place finish and provided a positive conclusion to what had initially appeared likely to be a season-long battle near the bottom. Varney thanked the management team and players for their resilience, character and determination, while admitting that the unpredictable nature of the campaign had provided him with more than a few anxious evenings.

Hoddesdon Town Finished 9th

He said: “Thank you to the management team and players, who gave us a roller-coaster season and gave me many sleepless nights.”

Away from first-team results, the club continued to strengthen its relationship with the Hoddesdon Town Youth section. The Under-23 side became ground-share partners at Lowfield during the season, creating a clearer pathway between youth and senior football. There are also plans, subject to the necessary arrangements, for small-sided youth matches to be played at Lowfield on Saturday mornings. This would bring even more young players and their families to the ground while helping to ensure that the senior club remains closely connected to football development throughout the town.

Youth Football Remains A High Priority For Varney And His Committee

The relationship between Hoddesdon Town Football Club and Hoddesdon Cricket Club also continued to grow during the year. Pre-season friendlies and an FA Vase fixture were played at Lowfield during the cricket club’s tenancy, demonstrating the cooperation required to operate a shared sporting venue successfully. That collaboration will continue ahead of the new campaign, with two league fixtures and a League Cup match due to be played at Lowfield before the seasonal handover of the ground. The arrangement allows the football club to begin its competitive programme at home while respecting the cricket season and making the best possible use of the facilities.

Lowfield Will Remain Our Home And We Will Look To Continue Improvements

Another significant development was the success of the two clubs’ joint bid relating to the High Leigh village complex. Varney highlighted the achievement as an example of what can be accomplished when Hoddesdon’s sporting organisations work together with a shared purpose.

The Chairman was also open about the financial pressures facing the club. Hoddesdon recorded a loss during the season, and he acknowledged that difficult decisions would need to be made during 2026/27 to place the club on a more sustainable footing. Those financial challenges mean that increased commercial support, stronger attendances and careful control of expenditure will all be increasingly important. The club will continue to work hard to balance its ambitions on the pitch with the responsibility of protecting its long-term future.

Varney also revisited the six principal ambitions previously established for the club and provided members with an update on the progress made in each area.

The first ambition is to provide a genuine community football club for the people of Hoddesdon. Progress has been demonstrated through rising attendances, increased awareness around the town and a greater level of engagement from supporters and local organisations.
The second is to provide a platform for senior football to be played at the highest sustainable level. Further investment on the pitch remains an important priority as Hoddesdon looks to build upon the strong form shown during the final three quarters of last season.
The third ambition is to continue developing the positive relationship with Hoddesdon Cricket Club. The scheduling of league and cup football at Lowfield during August is a clear example of the trust and cooperation that now exists between the two clubs.
The fourth commitment is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for youth-team members. The Under-23 side and other youth teams playing at Lowfield represent meaningful progress towards creating a joined-up pathway for local players.
The fifth objective is to promote the “One Town, One Club” ambition. Investment in a new multi-use games area and a borehole were highlighted as developments that can improve the facilities available at Lowfield and support sporting activity across the site.
The final ambition is to ensure that committee meetings are approached with an open mind and a willingness to change. The introduction of smaller subcommittees, with greater responsibility and empowerment, is intended to improve decision-making and allow the main committee to focus more effectively on the club’s wider strategic direction.

Stuart Varney

Looking further ahead, Varney reminded those in attendance that Hoddesdon Town Football Club will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2029. The milestone provides an opportunity to recognise the club’s proud history, but also reinforces the importance of making responsible decisions now.

He said: “It is worth remembering that the decisions we make this season will enable us to reach this milestone and beyond.”

The minutes from Monday evening’s AGM will be prepared and published in due course, in line with the club’s constitution. In the meantime, everyone at Hoddesdon Town Football Club looks forward to a successful 2026/27 season, both on and off the pitch.