Play-off final preview - ‘I would be over the moon’ says Hurren on potentially leading Hednesford to promotion

Pitmen owner Craig Gwilt gave Hurren a huge hug after their Northern One West play-off semi final win over Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday. “One more to go,” Hurren said to Gwilt who has invested heavily in the club, both on and off the pitch.

This time last season, Hednesford finished in the bottom two and were set to drop into step five non-league football. However, a reprieve saved them.

But, possibly more impressive is that the Pitmen sat 14th when Hurren and his team arrived in late-November last year. A superb run with just one loss in 20 league games saw Hednesford finish second.

The Pitmen host Congleton Town to Keys Park tomorrow, battling it out for promotion.

“I would be over the moon,” Hurren said on what it would mean to lead the club to promotion.

“When I came into the building we had a job to change the culture, change how things are delivered, and try and get a run. There was no expectation on me to get into the play-offs.

“Yes, without the start of the season they would have had promotion, but for whatever reason it didn’t happen. But, with everyone working together and reading off the same hymn sheet it has just clicked and we have one more game to go.

“The first time I met Craig and Amanda Gwilt, I understood that their vision and everything they stand for and values, it is deeper than a game of football.

“I am happy that I am a part of it. I believe I am going to bring a lot of value to the club. The working relationship, becoming friends as well, they are good people.

“I said to them that I will give them my all, I will give my all to the club and so will anyone who comes here. 

“Whatever happens on Saturday will be, but we are going to give ourselves the best opportunity to win.”

Against Congleton this season, Hednesford won at home 1-0, but lost away by the same scoreline.

2,200 supporters watched the Pitmen see off Vauxhall Motors midweek, and between 3,500 and 4,500 are expected to back Hednesford in the final.

Daniel Trickett-Smith enjoyed celebrating with the Pitmen faithful after netting their third goal against Vauxhall. The 29-year-old is looking to secure back-to-back promotions from the division as an individual, having achieved promotion from step four with Leek Town last season. 

Trickett-Smith will also come up against some good friends in the clash with Congleton.

“It’s a massive opportunity and the goal at the start of the season was to get promotion,” he added. “We fell short of winning the league, but now it is all about winning on Saturday to go up. We have got to give our best.

“It would be nice to get two promotions in a row under my belt, yes. It was a good feeling and hopefully it can be re-created again.

“We have a number of experienced players and all bounce off each other, it is a good dressing room.

“I know a few of the Congleton lads, so that will be good.”