Hednesford: Pitmen's progress

Words: Tom Reed

Images: Tom Reed

Shot on film and digital where stated.

Potential is that frustratingly tangible abstract in football. We want our clubs to carry the ball and be the best.

Yet potential is nothing without application and attention to detail. Clubs won’t grow on their own.

Hednesford Town FC of the Northern Premier League are making eye-catching progress, recording a recent gate of 4,784 at the seventh level of English football.

The Midlands town once mined black gold on the rich deposits of the Cannock Chase coalfield. Now the Pitmen of Hednesford Town are digging for goals not coal — but the work ethic remains.

On arriving at the modern Keys Park, home of the Pitmen since 1995, you realise that serious investment has gone into a venue that puts some Football League stadia to shame in terms of its facilities.

©Tom Reed/ Terrace Edition. Main Stand, Keys Park. On film.

Describing the pitch at Keys Park as a ‘carpet’ doesn’t do it justice. The grass is flat as a pancake and green as mint sauce.

Hednesford have a world-class playing surface — a technological marvel that circulates air and water underground, creating a self-sustainable biosphere from which to play the game.

The pitch represents a significant investment in a football landscape where many clubs are installing artificial surfaces for short-term gain — one where club owners Craig and Amanda Gwilt are playing the long game by banking on a grass hybrid pitch favoured at the top levels.

Fans of other clubs have grumbled about the money that has “gone in” at Hednesford since the Gwilt takeover of 2024, but speak to supporters of the Pitmen and you’ll find a humbling story where they are “just happy to have a club”.

“Pitman Paul” is a recognisable character among the Hednesford faithful. In his miner’s helmet he travels all over the country spreading the gospel of why his team is so special.

©Tom Reed/ Terrace Edition. “Pitman Paul’s miner’s helmet. Digital.

He explains that in early ’24, Hednesford Town were perilously close to folding before the Gwilts stepped in, acquiring the Staffordshire outfit.

You can understand the smile on Paul’s face in the vast, warm supporters’ bar at Keys Park — plentiful beer, windows overlooking the pitch — enjoying the new ride his team is on.

Craig Gwilt spent many years in computer software development, growing Facepunch Studios into one of Britain’s leading game developers. Rust is probably the standout title, with a focus on modification and survival — two themes that will be crucial in Hednesford Town’s development, funnily enough.

Despite being one of the lesser-known names in the football-heavy Midlands, Hednesford Town are far from newcomers when it comes to progressive Non-League outfits.

The Pitmen built up real momentum in the 1990s, creating moments of magic that earned regular national press coverage.

©Tom Reed/ Terrace Edition. Keys Park playing surface. Digital.

An appearance in the 1991–92 Welsh Cup Final remains one of the standout fixtures in the club’s history, facing Cardiff City, sporting British Coal sponsored jerseys at Cardiff Arms Park in front of a raucous crowd.

By the mid-90s, Hednesford had reached the Football Conference, finishing third in 1995/96 and coming tantalisingly close to the Football League before play-offs were introduced at that level.

Two years later, the Pitmen went on an epic FA Cup run, with TV screens showing images of an “Ensford” fan in a tinfoil mask and moustachioed manager John Baldwin relishing a trip to Middlesbrough in the Fourth Round.

Joe O’Connor’s 15th-minute opener at the Riverside put the frighteners on a Boro side featuring Juninho, Emerson and Ravanelli before the match finished 3–2 to the hosts.

It is these glimpses of glory — that ether-like potential — that give a sense of “what could be” at Hednesford Town.

The path to the Football League is littered with ambitious clubs chasing the dream, yet, Hednesford are making broad brush improvements and intent on delivering their own plan.

©Tom Reed/ Terrace Edition. Hednesford Town Programme seller. On film.

On match-day you’ll struggle to find a friendlier club in England. From programme sellers to chatty yellow-coated stewards, everyone is happy to stop for a conversation.

Hednesford were hosting Whitby Town, whose travelling fans mingled with home supporters in the bar, occasional chants of “Sea-siders” giving the landlocked hosts a taste of the Yorkshire coast.

Keys Park is immaculate and well thought-out, with its main stand housing the large supporters’ bar and sweeping terraces offering decent views. The lights of a classic burger van, cut across the tight grey winter sky and the smell of frying onions wafts comfortingly.

By investing in infrastructure and making Keys Park an enjoyable place to be, Hednesford are rewarding loyal fans while attracting new supporters.

A new multi-use fan-zone is planned, with space for approaching 500 supporters — a covered venue capable of hosting live music and community events beyond matchdays.

©Tom Reed/ Terrace Edition. Burgers and fries. Hednesford Town. Digital.

There is no sense of entitlement at Hednesford, but there is an expectation of high standards. Following the 0–0 draw with Whitby, the club parted ways with management team Gavin Hurren and assistant Lee Vaughan.

This is the reality of life at a club that does not see EFL football as out of reach. There will be difficult moments and mind sharpening defeats along the way.

But the Pitmen won’t be one of those clubs where supporters feel potential isn’t being pursued, where fans aren’t listened to, or facilities are left to stagnate.

If crowds of over 4,000 are possible now, what might happen should Hednesford reach League Two? They are only three divisions away.

The club from mining country might not have hit the surface yet.