2008/09 Members of Northern Premier League - Premier Division
2008/09 Average Home Attendance: 428 Highest Home Attendance: 478
2007/08 Final League Position: 8th Northern Premier League - Premier Division
2007/08 Average Home Attendance: 409 Highest Home Attendance: 621
2006/07 Average Home Attendance: 636
Ground Address: Keys Park, Keys Park Road, Hednesford, Staffordshire, WS12 2DZ
Telephone: 01543 422870
Directions:
From the South
1. Leave the M6 at Junction 11 and follow the signs for Rugeley (A460)
2. On reaching the A5 at Churchbridge Island turn onto the A460 signposted Rugeley and follow this road over five traffic islands. At the sixth traffic island by a 'Chase' petrol station turn right past a McDonalds restaurant and follow the road to the next island which is 'Cross Keys Island'. Go over this island to the next small island and turn right. Keys Park football ground is on the left.
From the North and West
1. Leave the M6 at Junction 12 and follow the A5 signposted Cannock. On reaching Longford Island (McDonalds on the right) continue along the A5 signposted Brownhills until you reach Churchbridge Island then follow the directions from (2) as above for the remainder of the journey.
The Pitmen were formed in 1880 with the amalgamation of two teams, the Red & Whites (who were also known as West Hill) & Hill Top. The newly formed club played their games at The Tins, which was at the rear of The Anglesey Hotel in Hednesford & remained there until 1904 when they moved to The Cross Keys.
The Cross Keys was home to the Pitmen until the 1994/95 season when the club moved to the new purpose built Keys Park stadium, which is now one of the best stadiums outside The Football League. The stadium has a 6039 capacity & currently holds a Football Association Grade B ground grading certificate. The facilities enable to club to raise funds by holding functions, conferences etc throughout the week.
Hednesford Town may have a long & proud history but it was not until January 1990 that the clubs fortunes turned for the better. The 1989/90 season had been a long hard struggle & at the beginning of the year the club were in a deep relegation battle & with gates below 300, relegation from The Beazer Homes Midland Division looked a distinct possibility. In an effort to avoid relegation the club appointed former goalkeeper John Baldwin as manager and he gradually began to turn the club around & relegation was avoided.
The following season the team finished third and then gained promotion to the Beazer Homes League Premier Division after finishing the 91/92 season as runners-up to Solihull Borough. The club also in the 91/92 season became the first English football team to play at The Welsh National Stadium losing 1-0 to Cardiff City in the final of the Welsh Cup Final.
In the first season in the Premier Division the Pitmen finished in a creditable fourth position & reached the Staffs Senior Cup Final losing to Stoke City over two legs. The 93/94 season saw the club reach a cup final for the third year running, this time it was The Birmingham Senior Cup Final where at The Bescot Stadium the club were beaten 3-0 by a full strength Walsall team.In the league the club dropped down to thirteenth place.
The following season the club were crowned Beazer Homes League Premier Division champions and in April 95 the team defeated Leek Town at Keys Park in front of 2776 supporters to clinch the title and promotion to the Conference.
In the clubs first season in the top flight of non-league football the Pitmen finished in third place behind champions Stevenage Borough and Woking.
The 1996/97 season will go down as the best in the clubs history as the Pitmen reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in 72 years eventually losing in the fourth round at Middlesbrough in front of 27500 supporters. In the first round proper fellow Conference side Southport were defeated setting up an away tie at Blackpool. A goal by Joe O’Connor three minutes from time gave the Pitmen their first ever victory against a Football League team.
In the Third Round, York City were the visitors to Keys Park and a record crowd of 3169 went wild when a Keith Russell penalty was converted and a home draw against Middlesbrough was the reward. On police advice the game was switched to the Riverside Stadium and after taking the lead the Pitmen lost 3-2 in a thrilling game.
The following season saw the club finish in seventh position and further FA Cup success was enjoyed as in front of millions on Match of the Day viewers the Pitmen beat Hull City 2-0 at Boothferry Park but in the second round lost to Darlington.
In the 1998/99 season the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the third season running. The team beat Barnet 3-1 in the first round but lost by the same scoreline away at Cardiff City.
League success did not follow the cup runs and the 1999/2000 season saw the team drop to 17th position then after John Baldwin had stepped down during December 2000 the club were relegated for the first time in their history.
A number of managers were appointed to replace John Baldwin; they were Neil Pointon, Colin Lambert, Paul Raynor, Kenny Hibbitt and Ian Painter. The clubs first season back in the Southern League was a big disappointment and only a last day victory away at Newport (IOW) saved a consecutive relegation.
The team started the 2002/03 season with Ian Painter in charge but with the Pitmen hovering around the relegation zone Ian was replaced during February 2003 by Barry Powell who returned to the club after a spell at Stafford Rangers. Barry had previously been assistant manager with Kenny Hibbitt. Despite the clubs FA Trophy success in May 2004 when Canvey Island were defeated 3-2 at Villa Park Barry Powell was replaced by Chris Brindley. The club failed during the 2003/04 season to finish high enough in the league to move into the new Conference set up but promotion came twelve months later when a place in The Football Conference Northern Division was gained after winning play off games away at Merthyr Tydfil and Chippenham Town.
The 05/06 season saw the Pitmen again reach the first round of the FA Cup but the team were defeated 4-0 away at Histon. The team continued to leak goals and as a result of a number of poor results Chris Brindley left the club by mutual consent early December 05. Chris’s assistant former Wimbledon star Steve Anthrobus was appointed Manager but he was unable to save the club from relegation to The Unibond Northern Premier League.
Former Nottingham Forest star Phil Starbuck was appointed manager July 2006 and despite challenging near the top of the table for the majority of 06/07 season, a slump in form saw the team eventually finish in 7th position. Last season the Pitmen ended a disappointing season in 8th position and as a result Phil Starbuck was replaced during the summer by Dean Edwards. Matt Elliott was also appointed Assistant Manager and there were also changes in the Boardroom with local businessman Andy Savva moving into Keys Park as Chairman.
Honours
F.A Trophy Winners2003/04
Welsh Cup Runners up1991/92
Southern League Premier Division Champions1994/95
Southern League Premier Div Play off winners2004/05
Southern League Midland Division Runners up1991/92
Southern League Cup Runners up1986/87
West Midlands League Champions1977/78
West Midlands League Runners up 1983/84
West Midlands League Cup Winners1983/84
Birmingham Combination Champions1909/10, 1950/51
Birmingham CombinationRunners up 1912/13, 1952/53
Birmingham County FA Senior Cup Winners1935/36
Birmingham County FA Senior Cup Runners up1993/94
Staffordshire County FA Senior Cup Winners1969/70, 1973/74
Staffordshire County FA Senior Cup Runners up 1992/93
Find Hednesford Town memorabilia & programmes by following this link
