The academy course is having to merge with Stafford Rangers FC academy commencing as of Tuesday next week 20/9/22.

This decision was not taken lightly, however due to low new enrolment numbers (as many students have decided to leave over the last couple of weeks) alongside those who decided to leave to follow different career paths which did not leave enough players to fulfil fixtures for the leagues we had already entered, and various other factors imparted upon the club over the last month, this was the only suitable route to ensure the students and their education was put first.

This news becomes even more saddening to the club having already agreed terms upon a new appointment for a new Academy Manager, alongside the other staff already involved.  Sadly, all these contributing factors only combined and became made aware to the club within the last 24 hours, and as it is always the club’s priority to place the student’s welfare and education above all other matters, and as the education provider have ultimately control and responsibility of the students, we was informed that would be the optimal solution for the students benefit.

With regards to all remaining students, a timetable has already been issued to all, ready for their start on Tuesday, whose education will remain unaffected, as SCL as education provider will remain in place as last year and continue the student’s education delivery.  Therefore, no student would be affected.  SCL will contact all students directly also, to discuss all travel requirements and timetable in more detail and will be also looking to put on a minibus where needed to support travel arrangements.

For anyone affected who may not wish for any reason not to travel to Stafford, two alternative options, have also been provided to all students, which may better suit their location and preferences, where they will still be able to continue their course and education completed to date also.

We wish everyone all the best and will continue behind the scenes to support everyone, to ensure a smooth transition.

Any further queries to this statement please direct them to the Curriculum Manager at SCL education group.

The Scene was set as Walsall had to win by 2 goals to go through to the next round.

With the other goalkeeper being a Pro, Sam Wollaston had never expected to be on the pitch but he had performed well in the warm up and felt confident if he was called upon.  Low and behold 30 minutes in, the goalkeeper receives an injured and Sam is called upon for his first professional game ever.  At St Georges Park too!

For the remainder of the first half, Sam was panicking; nervous about making a mistake and just making silly errors but luckily he didn’t concede and started to grown into the game and collect his composure (been such a big game).   Half Time came around, and Sam warmed up again with the GK coach, and was making some unbelievable saves, that not even he thought he could pull off.  So commencing the second half his confidence was high that he could pull deliver the goods.

So, began the second half and Sam was called into action on the 60th minute.  A ball through on the angle, where the striker had a clear shot on goal and he stood tall at the ground at his near post and made an important foot save.  From the subsequent corner, there is a header from 5 yards out and instinctive reaction save was just in time to push the ball away and keep the clean sheet in tact. However, 70 minutes in, they pressured to gain a corner and placed a header in the top corner which he couldn’t quite save and we had 20 minutes left to score 3.  Walsall pulled one back quickly and we were back on track, and then 5 minutes later Burton got a shot off from distance and Sam managed to get down low to his right and palm the ball away out for a corner, so it was still all to play for.

Following this, Walsall tails were up and confidence grew every moment, and due to the heroics from the defensive play from the team, Walsall managed to get 2 goals late on to send them through to the next round of the cup making the game 3-1.

Sam commented afterwards, “I am so grateful to be able to have these opportunities and I thank everyone for their support too”

A true hot prospect as one to watch from the Hednesford Town Academy, and a great performance upon been asked to play for Walsall.  Keep your eye on his YouTube shenanigans also, for more development and training that he and others get up to.

Keep up the great Work Sam.

#OneClubOneBadge

Hednesford Town Academy Fundraising for the NHS. https://t.co/1KpXXBpAK3

— Hednesford Town FC (@Hednesford_Town) May 4, 2020

Trials will be taking place On 2nd May for those aged u13, u14, u15, u16 and u18 years. Trials for those aged u10, u 11 and u12 will take place on Saturday 9th May. Time tbc.

Your respective trial date will take place on Hednesfords Towns 1st team pitch at The PRG Stadium at Keys Park.

The youth academy is part of the clubs player pathway into the 1st team with opportunities to join our BTEC program catering for those aged 16-18 years of age.

The club has fantastic links to professional football teams and this season we have seen youth players invited to train with the 1st team with some making first team appearances. We have also witnessed 3 players called up to represent England School boys.

There will also be professional scouts at the trials and an opportunity to receive more information about our BTEC program.

This is a fantastic opportunity not to be missed with qualified coaches and the program led by a UEFA B coach who has a bachelor of science degree in sports studies.

To register your interest and join the player pathway please contact Stuart on 07714459735.

To book your trial – go to: HTFC ACADEMY

Our next trial date for our Scholars is 19th February 2020

Wagstaff, who is a second year BTEC Sports Student at BMET College Sutton Coldfield, put in a ‘Man of the Match’ display for the Academy side in the FA Youth Cup at Tamworth last week – earning him a chance to train with the first team.

After training with Dan Crane and Lloyd Ransome on Thursday evening, McDonald made the decision to register Reiss for the first team as cover and in order to further the player’s experience.

Academy manager Nick Heath said:

 “We are delighted with the progress that Reiss has recently made. He has been one of the consistent performers for us over the last 12 months and has started this season really well.

“We are hoping this is just the start for Reiss and I would like to thank Liam McDonald for giving him the opportunity to train with the first team and then sign forms with them.

“This is what the Academy team is all about – hopefully providing more players for the first team in the coming years.”

The Academy team are back in action again on Wednesday 28^th September when AFC Telford United visit Keys Park, 2pm kick-off.

After being narrowly knocked out of the FA Youth Cup after extra time last Friday evening against Tamworth (3-5) the young Pitmen are hoping to get their league season off to a good start.

They face a  Kidderminster Harriers side who completed the double last season, with the game kicking off at 2pm at the Centre of Sporting Excellence, Zortech Avenue, Brinton’s Field, The Old Chainwire Club, Kidderminster, DY11 7DY.

HTFC Academy fixtures

Wed 14 September 14:00 Kidderminster Harriers vs Hednesford Town
Wed 28 September 14:00 Hednesford Town vs AFC Telford United
Wed 12 October 14:00 Hednesford Town vs Chasetown (League Cup – rnd 1)
Wed 19 October 14:00 Mansfield Town (Brooksby) vs Hednesford Town
Wed 02 November 14:00 Hednesford Town vs Crewe Alexandra
Wed 23 November 14:00 Hednesford Town vs Romulus
Wed 30 November 14:00 Solihull Moors vs Hednesford Town
Wed 07 December 14:00 Hednesford Town vs Chasetown
Wed 14 December 14:00 Tamworth vs Hednesford Town
Wed 11 January 14:00 Hednesford Town vs Hereford
Wed 18 January 14:00 Hereford vs Hednesford Town
Wed 25 January 14:00 Hednesford Town vs Kidderminster Harriers
Wed 01 February 14:00 AFC Telford United vs Hednesford Town
Wed 01 March 14:00 Hednesford Town vs Mansfield Town (Brooksby)
Wed 08 March 14:00 Crewe Alexandra vs Hednesford Town
Wed 22 March 14:00 Romulus vs Hednesford Town
Wed 29 March 14:00 Hednesford Town vs Solihull Moors
Wed 05 April 14:00 Chasetown vs Hednesford Town
Wed 26 April 14:00 Hednesford Town vs Tamworth

The Under 18s find themselves in FA Youth Cup action at Tamworth with us all hoping that they can achieve a positive result in the game that kicks off at the Lamb at 7pm. Entrance prices are £2 adults and £1 concessions.

The team, which is managed by Nick Heath from the college, will begin their league campaign this coming Wednesday, 14^th September, away at current double league winners Kidderminster Harriers, with the game kicking off at 2pm on the Harriers training ground.

Throughout the course of the season the team will compete in the National League U19s Alliance in Division 1 alongside teams like Crewe Alexandra, Mansfield Town and AFC Telford United.

Up-to-date information can be found by following the team on twitter: @bmetfootball and their Instagram account which carries the same name.

Anyone who wishes to get involved in the team can do so by getting in touch with Nick by emailing nick.heath@bmet.ac.uk.

I’m sure everyone at Keys Park would like to wish the team all the best for the forthcoming campaign and we look forward to hearing all about how they are performing. Remember if you want to see the team in action then they will be here at various points throughout the season.

HTFC Academy fixtures