Joe Fitzgerald is no stranger to this weekend’s opponents, joining Kings Langley from Risborough over the summer. He spent the last three seasons with the Rangers and only has positive things to say about his former club.

“I loved my time at Risborough, especially that first season when I joined under Mark Eaton in November. We went on a fantastic run of results, only losing four times all season in a Risborough shirt.

“That squad was on another level, full of quality players who have since become close friends. Over my two and a half years there, I met so many brilliant people both on and off the pitch.

“Last season was incredibly tough, particularly with the passing of some club stalwarts, including our beloved chairman Richard [Woodward]. I’m proud I was able to play my part in keeping the club at its level, which makes it all the more special to be battling for three points against them today.”

Things change quickly in football, though, and Joe insists there was no hesitation when offered the chance to join Kings Langley. Good people, an exciting project and a fresh challenge were at the heart of his decision to head to WD4.

“Timing is everything in football. My chapter at Risborough had come to an end, and I needed something fresh and exciting after a challenging season.

“When Kings Langley came calling, I jumped at the chance to work with Steve [Heath] and Joe [Sweeney], two fantastic football men. Joe managed me at Leighton, and we’ve kept a great relationship ever since. Steve is well-respected around the circuit, and I knew he could help improve me and my game, even at my ‘veteran’ stage!
“The club itself is superb. Everything here is geared towards getting back to a higher level, where the infrastructure, fanbase, and ambition deserve to be. The pitch, the backroom staff, the social media drive and our legendary kit man Dec, were all big factors in me wanting to be part of this project.
“I also knew some of the players Steve and Joe were bringing in, so I was confident the changing room would be full of talent and top lads. It really ticked every box for me, and I’m loving it so far.”
During his aforementioned time at Leighton came a special evening for ‘Fitzy’. A Bedfordshire Senior Cup run in the 2021/22 season saw the side reach the final against Bedford Town, held at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road.
A game featuring a goal from Duncan Culley, now part of the coaching team at The Orbital Fasteners Stadium, had a dramatic conclusion when Bedford broke Leighton hearts with a 97th-minute equaliser, taking the tie into a penalty shootout.
Leighton, the underdogs against an in-form, higher-ranked opposition, defied the odds, winning the shootout 5-3. And who scored the decisive spot-kick? It was, of course, Fitzy.
“Did I? Not sure I’ve ever mentioned it…
“Honestly, it was magical. Over 1,300 fans were there, and we were up against Bedford, a huge club who’d just won their league and secured promotion to Step 3. The night could have been a movie, being seconds from winning, conceding a late equaliser, and then coming out on top in the shootout.”
It helped him win both the Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Year awards and that memorable evening recently took on even greater significance for Joe, who fondly recalls celebrating with his late grandfather (pictured below).
“My favourite memory of that night is finding my family in the crowd straight after scoring the winning spot-kick, especially my grandad, who had just come out of hospital that morning. He sadly passed away around this time last year, so sharing that moment with him will always be incredibly special to me.”
Joe’s ambition doesn’t end there, though, and he’s determined to lift more silverware - a feeling he describes as “addictive”.
“Once you’ve tasted success, you want more. It’s addictive.
“With the group we have here, I can’t think of better lads to share a trophy lift with. We know it won’t be easy, and it won’t always be perfect, but we’ll give everything to make this club and its people proud. Hopefully, that ends with silverware.”
Kings have had a mixed start to the campaign, steadily picking up points from what has been a tricky opening set of fixtures, while still waiting to reach their full potential.
“It’s been a tough start, we had a short pre-season and an early kick-off to the campaign, plus a nearly brand-new squad to gel.
“Steve, Joe and the backroom team have put in a huge amount of work to get us set up to compete at our best. Nine really tough games before the end of August will test the depth of any squad, but we’ve dug deep and stuck together so far!”
Camaraderie and a willingness to fight for your teammates has been a common takeaway from the squad’s media interactions so far this season, and it’s one Joe refers to again here, heaping applause on his peers and stressing the healthy team environment Heath is forging.
“The lads are brilliant, can't praise them enough, honestly feel so privileged to be part of the changing room.
“We’re united, we share the same ambition, and we’re determined to achieve the best possible outcome for this football club. It’s a long season, but we’ll keep pushing, fighting, and hopefully delivering results the supporters can be proud of.”
Joe is a big part of that positive team culture, often cracking a joke to lighten the mood. That cheeky grin, coupled with a gritty, hard-working attitude on the pitch, are sure to help him quickly become a fan-favourite in his new surroundings.