Luke Glover fired up and ready to dig in for Hednesford

Relegated last season to Northern One West, manager Glover has endured difficult times at the club which means so much to him, and the 33-year-old has revealed the effect recent events have had.

He said: “It was an emotional time being stuck in the middle of it all.

“Nobody in the club could say anything and what was going on.

“It’s been a strange couple of months since I came in, but when the club went kaput a lot of people were really down.

“It was rubbing off on myself and I’m a positive person in life, but it was so difficult.

“When the news broke that Hayden stepped in to save us in like the ‘final hour’ and get the club back on its feet it was relief more than anything.

“The excitement has started to come in the last week being able to sign players.”

Glover has retained several players since the announcement that Hednesford will play football next season and resume existence for the foreseeable future.

With the club still for sale for £1 to a suitable owner, Glover is aware there’s still uncertainties over the Pitmen’s future, but has no doubts over sticking with the club he loves and is so loyal to.

“I care about the club and I know it's a massive part of some people’s life,” said Glover. “I can still do a job. If I’d have to have gone then I would’ve hopefully got another move.

“People were in conversation trying to tempt me but I wasn’t having any of it until I was sure what was happening at Hednesford.

“People want to see the club survive and that’s why a lot of people have chipped in.

“It’s not just our own people that have helped it’s rival fans and fans of other clubs that are trying to help.

“The community’s got to come together and the football community to try and help a club survive.

“That’s why I felt I couldn’t walk away, the club needs me more than ever, and that’s part of my goal to try and help improve my own football managing career and to help a club that’s been a big part of my life, footballing and family’s life.

“It’s a tough challenge, but I’m up to it and willing to embrace it, and I’m trying to do all that I can to try and help it improve.”

The club was rescued on June 2 as Hayden Dando took on the running of the club and a new lease agreement surrounding Keys Park was agreed with owner Steve Price.

The Pitmen boss commended Dando for what he’s done and revealed what their relationship is like as they rebuild for the next term.

He said: “I get on really well with Hayden. He’s got the club at heart, he didn’t have to step in.

“Other people weren't willing to, but Hayden and Steve did.

“People have got to respect the fact that if it wasn't for them there wouldn’t be a football team this year. The football club would’ve closed and at best started again at lads and dads level.

“He’s done a lot for the club. We’re working closely, it’s not like he’s in Spain and has no interest in it, he’s spoken to me every day since it was announced that we were staying.

“He’s keen to help the club in every way possible.

“It’s still up for sale and he understands that he’s probably still not the long-term owner, but he’s willing to give everything he can and get the club in the best shape he can for someone to come in.

“I have a lot of respect for Hayden because it’s a difficult business and it’s ruthless and takes a very strong-willed person to come in, in that sort of situation.”

Glover is also realistic about what his side can achieve next season, as the fans have been called to help the club and will have to crucially unite.

“This season won’t be all suns and roses, football doesn't work like that," he added. “It’s tough because we’re not going to be there just to make the numbers up but the club has also got to survive.

“We can’t just go all out to get back to where we were in one season.

“The club’s been together through a lot of bad times, but now more than ever it’s got to be all in it together to get us through this tricky patch.

“I’m not going to make excuses and say we’re not going to be competitive in games but I’m not going to tell you we’re going to win the league because I’d be foolish.

“I know what it takes and what it's going to take to get this club back to where it should be.

“It’s a challenging time but in life in general at the minute I cannot complain because people are having challenges so I’m embracing it.”