Birch earns permanent appointment

The Pitmen caretakers - manager Birch and his number two Robinson - took over following Paul Casey's departure in February and beat off stiff competition from a number of other candidates to take charge on a permanent basis.

First-team coach Gavin Hurren is set to continue in his current role as will goalkeeping coach Mark Kavanagh and physio Gavin Blackwell under the third management team of the season at Keys Park.

In a statement on Wednesday, a Pitmen spokesman said: "Hednesford Town Football Club are today in a position to announce the appointment of a new permanent Management Team at Keys Park.

"The decision has been made after the caretaker-management team were able to bring stability to the club with four victories during their eight games in temporary charge – including progression into the Staffordshire Senior Cup semi-finals."

Birch, pictured, is preparing his side for a trip to Coalville Town in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight on Saturday after earning the chance to take the helm permanently,

He said: “I’m obviously delighted to be given the chance to manage this football club going forward. The real work begins now though in making sure that we end this season strongly and build on what we have already put in place over the last few weeks.”

Former Pitmen youth coach Casey quit managing Coleshill Town to return in November as the successor to Liam McDonald following his switch to National League Solihull Moors.

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