Nearly 1,500 supporters braved freezing temperatures on Saturday to watch Hitchin Town FC record their highest league attendance in more than 10 years.

A crowd of 1,499 packed into Top Field for the Southern Football League fixture against Stotfold Football Club, marking the Canaries' biggest league gate since December 2014 – and the largest excluding a special one-off fixture since April 2011.

The landmark turnout came despite near-zero temperatures and capped off a memorable local derby, with a dramatic last-minute winner adding to the buzz around Top Field.

Club officials said the attendance underlined the growing appeal of non-league football, with supporters drawn by strong community spirit, value for money, and the atmosphere currently building around the Hitchin side.

Special thanks were also paid to the club's volunteers and ground staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure the match went ahead while other fixtures in the region were called off due to the freezing conditions.

With momentum building both on and off the pitch, supporters are being encouraged to get along to upcoming home matches, including:

• Saturday 17 January – Marlow (3pm)
• Tuesday 20 January – Watford, Hertfordshire Senior Cup quarter-final (7.45pm)
• Saturday 31 January – Biggleswade (3pm)