Hednesford Town owner confirms full-time plans as 14 players released

Ambitious Hednesford Town owner Craig Gwilt has confirmed the club is planning to go full-time following promotion to the National League.

The news comes at the same time the Pitmen confirmed the release of 14 players as preparations for next season begin in earnest.

Only four members of the existing squad are under contract, with talks over new deals ongoing with a further 11 players.

Writing on the club’s official website, Gwilt said the move to full-time would enable the Pitmen to “compete properly, not just survive” in the National League North, the second tier of non-league football.

He wrote: “This is not about chasing a headline or doing something because it sounds ambitious.

“It is about being realistic about the level we are moving into, the standards we will need to meet, and the direction we want the club to travel in.”

While Gwilt described the switch to full-time as “exciting” he also acknowledged it would bring “difficult realities” when it came to squad building.

He explained: “Some of the players who have been on this journey with us may not be able to continue because of work commitments, family commitments, or the practical demands that come with moving towards a full-time setup.

“That is sad, because this group has given us moments that will never be forgotten.

“Back-to-back promotions. Play-off drama. Big performances. Last-minute emotion. Days and nights that will be spoken about at Hednesford Town for years to come.

“If some players do move on as part of this transition, they should do knowing they will be forever remembered for what they’ve helped achieve here.”

Seven of the players released were part of the group which achieved back-to-back promotions including Dom McHale, Jake Jervis, Tony Breeden and Chris Hussey.

Director of football, Andrew Reed, said: “Without them, the club would not have achieved what it has. They should honestly go down in the club’s history as legends, and they certainly will in my mind.

“Thank you to all of you who have served the club this season and beyond. No one can take away what was achieved.”Liam Kinsella, Jonny Edwards, Dan Turner and Niall Watson are the four players currently under contract for next season.

Talks over new deals have begun with Ahkeem Rose, Omari Sterling-James, Joel Taylor, George Williams, Ryan Wynter, Joe Doyle-Charles, Montel Gibson, Jacob Gwilt, Olly Harrison, Jamie Morgan and Xander Parke.

The Pitmen have also confirmed veteran striker Matthew Barnes-Homer will remain with the club, though not as part of the first-team squad or the coaching staff.