Paul Casey thrilled to land Hednesford Town job

The 47-year-old, whose appointment was announced yesterday after Liam McDonald left for Solihull Moors, is a former Hednesford youth team coach who always wanted to return to Keys Park.

Having joined from Midland League side Coleshill Town, he says he's been left a 'dream team' by McDonald. And he can't wait to see what his new charges can do in tonight's derby at Stafford Rangers in an FA Trophy second qualifying round replay.

"I'm ecstatic," he said. "I've just broken 30 hearts at my old club but it was a no-brainer.

"It's a big club, it's a Football League club, it's got a Football League chairman and Football League fans. I could not be more pleased with the team Liam has left me with. It's a dream team. I want to keep the players I've got, and add one or two to give us a bit more muscle."

McDonald has been poached by the Moors, who play two divisions higher in National League, even though chairman Steve Price offered the 31-year-old a fresh two-year contract.

After he turned that down, Price rang Casey, who jumped at the chance of his dream job. A sales director of a Birmingham office supplies company, he hopes he can keep most of the players he's been left with, and he's got his eye on one or two new faces.

"Some of the lads might think they can follow Liam," he said. "That might happen, it might not. I don't think they're going to leave that quickly. Liam has 17 players on contract, we've got most of our players on contract."

Replay

After Saturday's 1-1 draw with Neil Kitching's side at Keys Park, Casey's first game in charge is a derby replay at Marston Road.

"Kitch is the only one who hasn't text me good luck!" he said. "I couldn't have asked for a better game than that. "I'm hoping we have no rain because Stafford's pitch is nice. We've got pace and footballers, they've got strength. We'll see how we get on.

"I'm just going to enjoy every single minute of it. The last 15 years I've dreamt of this."

Hednesford were relegated from National League North last season and currently sit fourth in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division. When Casey was asked what his aims for the season were, he said: "I'm going to try to win every game and see where that leaves us, top six or not. Hopefully I can prove my worth."

Solihull-bound McDonald said: "It's been the toughest decision I've had since being a manager. But I'm ambitious and want to manage at the highest level I can. In the end, the opportunity that has been presented is one that was too good to turn down. I know that Hednesford supporters will be disappointed with the decision, I just hope that they understand it."