Barton Town goalkeeper James Hitchcock killed in one-punch attack at York station in December 2024
James Hitchcock, a 32-year-old goalkeeper for non-league Barton Town, died after being struck in an unprovoked one-punch attack at York Railway Station in December 2024. The former Leeds United academy player, known as 'Hitchy', was returning from a day out with friends and later died in hospital.
Hitchcock was a popular figure at Barton Town and had become a father six months before his death; his son Freddie was born in 2024 and James married his wife April in July 2022. The week of his death he had produced a fine save in a 1-1 Northern Counties East League Premier Division draw with Bottesford Town, a match after which manager Anthony Bowsley joked to him: "great save Nigel Martyn". Chris Hitchcock, James’s father, said: "Even now, more than 18 months on, it has still not fully sunk in. I see little Freddie growing up and it hits me so hard."
Court accounts state Hitchcock was struck from behind on the right side of the back of his head at York station after the outing, fell to the floor and suffered a skull fracture and brain damage. April Hitchcock recalled: "I'd just put Freddie to bed when I got a call to say James had been hit, that he was unconscious, and was on his way to hospital." She added: "At that point I thought he had concussion and I needed to pack a bag because he was only going to be in for a day or two," and later said: "He was on a life support machine until he lost the battle."
Mckenzie Dicicco, who was then 22, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for six years and eight months in July 2025; Judge Guy Kearl described the episode as a "cowardly, deliberate and vicious attack on a man who had no chance to defend or brace himself". After the verdict April said she felt "lost and alone as the love of my life was so selfishly taken from me".
Barton Town have incorporated James’s memory into the club’s matchday fabric: Bowsley said "He is always with us," referring to "Hitchy #1" sewn onto the back of the shirts, and there is a plaque at the entrance to the players' tunnel. The club’s 3,000-capacity ground, within eyeshot of the Humber Bridge, also stages an annual meeting between Bridlington Town and Barton Town for the James Hitchcock Memorial Trophy to raise funds for the Victim Support National Homicide Service.
Team-mates recall Hitchcock’s personality and playing attributes in detail. Defender Jack Bulless said: "You could hear him before you saw him because of his distinctive laugh," while long-term friend Andy Norfolk called it "outrageously infectious" and "a cackle." Bowsley described him as someone who "always had a smile on his face" and "a bit of a practical joker," and assessed his ability: "He was a really good shot stopper and really good with his feet. He was at Leeds academy and then played the local leagues in Hull before going to Bridlington and then Barton." Bulless added a dressing-room anecdote about Hitchcock always having a hidden bag of sweets that would rattle at inopportune moments.
James’s family have sought ways to keep his memory present in their lives. Chris Hitchcock, who had stopped refereeing to travel and watch his son play, returned to officiating after James's death and served as an assistant referee for Barton’s FA Cup tie with North Ferriby earlier this season; he said: "I don't live any more - I exist," and added: "I try and be happy, I try and do things and I put a brave face on. But it'll never be the same again for me." April described James as "just lovable" and said the football community and Barton Town "have not forgotten about James," noting the club asked if it could put his name on the back of their shirts and that she takes Freddie to matches so he knows about his father.
On Saturday, April and Freddie, now aged two, will attend Barton Town's FA Cup third qualifying round home tie with Chorley, one of the biggest matches in the ninth-tier club's history.
