After a two year absence Hednesford Town return to Step 3 football on Saturday August 9th when they head to the North-East to play Hebburn Town in their opening Northern Premier League Premier Division game of the 2025/26 season.
Hednesford will go into the game with several new signings. Kieron Freeman a right back/midfielder who has signed after playing at Spalding United last season. He has had an extensive career in the Football League with the likes of Derby County, Notts County, Portsmouth and Sheffield United where he made over 100 appearances and earned a full Welsh cap in a friendly against Albania. Striker Dan Turner returns to the club for a second spell after making 12 appearances, scoring five goals in the covid hit 2020/21 season. He has also played for Port Vale, Hyde United, Chester, Leamington and Brackley. Midfielder Joss Labadie is another with plenty of Football League experience having played for Tranmere Rovers, Notts County, Walsall and Newport County before joining Solihull Moors where he played 43 games over the last two seasons. Ryan Wynter a centre back has signed from Halesowen Town where he was captain last season. He has also played locally for Stafford Rangers and Chasetown. Striker Jonny Edwards has joined for an undisclosed fee from Kettering Town. His previous clubs include Peterborough United, FC Halifax, Maidstone United and St Ives Town where he scored 56 goals in 81 games.
In pre-season The Pitmen have won five and lost two of their warm up games beating Brereton Social 1-0, Halesowen Town 3-2, AFC Wolverhampton City 2-0, AFC Telford 2-1 and a PFA X1 4-3 but losing 1-3 at both Cardiff Met and Alvechurch. Dan Trickett-Smith and Ahkeem Rose scored five goals apiece, Jonny Edwards two with Dan Turner and Jake Jervis getting one each.
Hebburn played seven pre-season matches, winning four against Northallerton (2-1), Boldon CA (4-0), Thornaby (5-0) and Spennymoor (4-1), drawing 1-1 with South Shields and losing twice to Gateshead (0-4) and Newton Aycliffe (1-2). Their 17 goals were shared amongst 10 players, Jack Foalle leading the way with three followed by Ethan Wood, Gildo Da Silva, Joe Posthill, Gary Martin and Bailey Adamson with two each. Adamson has since moved to Heaton Stannington while the club earlier lost last season’s leading scorer Amar Purewall who scored 18 goals to Stockton Town. Coming in are Harrison Bond the ex-Sunderland and Gateshead keeper, defender Joe Oliver from Blyth Spartans, midfielder Ethan Wood from Newton Aycliffe and three strikers, Olly and Gary Martin from Bishop Auckland and Jack Foalle from Morpeth.
Founded in 1912, Hebburn, known as The Hornets, play at Hebburn Sports Ground, 16 South Drive, Hebburn NE31 1UN, Tyne & Wear. FA Vase winners in 2020, they finished in 11th place last season with 52 points from 42 games, 29 of those points were picked up at home. Their highest league attendance was 844 for the local derby with Stockton and the lowest 289 against Prescot Cables. The club have recently acquired a £2m funding commitment from the Government to upgrade pitch quality, build a new education space and community building and extend the car park.
Gavin Hurren, First Team Manager, added: “After promotion, we start our campaign in Step 3 and it’ll be good to see some familiar faces now we’re back in the Northern division – it’s been a while. We’re looking forward to getting the season up and running, and we know Hebburn Town will be a tough test – they’re always professional and well organised. The lads are looking fit, strong and ready to go. Safe travels to everyone making the journey – we really appreciate the support.”
Saturday’s match kicks off at 3pm and admission is £10 adults, £8 concessions (65+, students 16-18) and £2 12-16 years old) with under 12s admitted free. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Hebburn section on the FanBase app. Turnstiles and the bar accept cash and card, but food outlets are cash only. There is limited parking around the ground on South Drive, North Drive and Victoria Road West. More parking is available at the Mountbatten Shopping Centre around half a mile away.
