Tickets on sale for Mark Burke testimonial at Hitchin

Tickets for the Hatters’ opening pre-season friendly at Hitchin Town are now on sale.

The Saturday 11th July fixture will kick-off at 1pm and serves as a testimonial for the Canaries’ legendary former player, manager and current member of the Hatters’ scouting network, Mark Burke, who has given four decades of loyalty, dedication and service to the Top Field club.

Luton-born Mark started his career in the youth set-up at Kenilworth Road between 1982 and ’84, playing alongside Tim Breaker, Stacey North, Mitchell Thomas, Garry Parker, Mark Stein, Kingsley Black and David Oldfield, before joining QPR.

Another Hatters legend, Alan West, signed him for Hitchin ahead of the 1985/86 season and the centre-back went on to make 731 appearances over a 20-year playing career.

He has remained with the Hertfordshire outfit ever since, creating their Football in the Community scheme while still a player, setting up the College programme – run for many years in collaboration with Luton Town Youth Development – and Ability Counts projects at the North Herts Arena in Baldock.

Mark spent three years as assistant-manager to Charlie Williams before taking over the reins himself in the summer of 2013, managing the club for over 11 years until his resignation in 2024.

In total he represented Hitchin 1,296 times as player or manager, with all of his achievements detailed in a wonderful article on the Hitchin website, which justifiably describes ‘Burkey’ as “arguably the most significant figure in the club’s history”.

As well as Jack and the lads, please show your support for one of our own as we kick-off our pre-season match programme at Top Field in five weeks’ time.

Tickets can be pre-purchased HERE.

Online admission prices: