MY FOOTBALL - MY LIFE
MY FOOTBALL
MY LIFE
This week, Richard Guest tells us his Pitmen. story Back in January 1995, a little lad who had just turned 10 was introduced to his first live football match, by his Granddad Ken and Uncle Ian. The game was Hednesford Town v Hastings Town and the little lad, although not so little now, was me, Richard Guest. We won the game 2-1 and it is fair to say, that from that moment, I have never looked back. Fast forward nearly 20 years, and I am still as passionate, if not more so. That season we gained promotion from the Beazer Homes League into the GM Vauxhall Conference. The last home game ever to be played at the Cross Keys, a 3-0 win against Leek Town, which led to a pitch invasion and massive celebratory scenes, will live with me forever. During the pre-season of 1995/96, I remember helping out at the new ground, Keys Park, picking out all of the stones from amongst the mud and dirt, ready for the grass to be laid for the season ahead. The season itself was a successful one in which we finished 3rd, behind Woking and league winners Stevenage Borough. The following season was the season that really put Hednesford on the map and was another which I remember very well with a lot of fond memories. 1996/97 was the season of the magic FA Cup run, which eventually saw us visit Middlesbrough in the 4th round. I remember all of the coaches leaving Keys Park early in the morning for the long journey ahead, hoping that the Premier League outfit would go easy on us. We lost the game 3-2 after taking the lead and did ourselves proud. Even the home fans were applauding us off at the end and I even swapped my Hednesford scarf for a Middlesbrough one with an opposition fan. It is safely stored away along with my ticket and programme. Fast forward a few years and the club had a bit of a dip, getting relegated after John Baldwin stepped down in 2000. After that came a succession of different mangers - Neil Pointon, Colin Lambert, Paul Raynor, Kenny Hibbitt, Ian Painter, Barry Powell, Chris Brindley, Steve Anthrobus, Phil Starbuck, Dean Edwards, Simon Line, Bernard McNally and presently, Rob Smith. I remember watching Hednesford’s first game under Rob Smith, away at Brackley Town. It was a boring 0-0 draw and I was wondering if the club had made the correct appointment – I think it is pretty obvious now that they did! I have enjoyed my time as a Hednesford supporter more than ever since Rob Smith took charge, nearly 3 years ago now. I have had the pleasure of witnessing players such as Ashley Williams, Tyrone Barnett, Ross Dyer, Ross Draper and Chris Clements all strut their stuff at Keys Park and go on to make the Football League, Championship, Scottish Premier League, English Premier League, Europa League and even captain of the Welsh national team in Ashley Williams’ case. This shows the quality of football on display down at Keys Park. If you are reading this and it is your first Hednesford game, I can guarantee you that you will be hooked and you will visit again, I certainly was. If you cut me open I would have black and white blood. The passion, commitment, honesty and talent on show are there for all to see. This is a massive part of my life. The “Hednesford Family” are united as one! Get supporting and follow your local team, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Something you will not know about me - I have got Scott Cooksey’s goalkeeper top from when we beat Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, in the FA Cup 2nd round on Saturday 7th December 1996, on the way to beating York City and then playing “Boro”. I am also the creator of the Facebook forum page, ‘The Conference North Group’ Have a look and get joining. It’s free and full of info, stats and banter between fans of the Pitmen and other teams in the league.
If you would like to share your own Pitmen experience, email it to us at [email protected] or if you prefer more traditional methods, write it out and send to the club office.
thePitmen
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