Durrell Ready To Return

Hednesford Town update

Forgotten Pitman Elliott Durrell has made a steady return to first team action during the last week for the first time in over nine months, following a career-threatening knee injury which robbed the ex-Telford striker of the opportunity to play a part in Hednesford Town’s most successful season for some years.

Now the diminutive playmaker, whose loyalty to Hednesford Town was proved by following the club while on crutches to virtually every match since October, is hoping that he can repay the faith shown in him by the Club, the supporters and the management team who invested in a private operation by expert surgeons in Oswestry to repair the damage.

‘It’s a big relief if I’m honest, I ruptured my Anterior Cruciate Ligament, I hadn’t really come across the injury but it was one of the worst ones you can get so that was very difficult.’

The faith paid in him by the Pitmen management duo was an important aspect in Durrell’s recovery; he originally injured the knee in the opening fifteen minutes of Pre-season against Stafford Rangers last year and then injured it again during Rob Smith and Larry Chambers’ first game in charge against Brackley in October.

Elliott admits that it was hard to feel part of the team during that time but says he grew closer to everyone in the squad as he watched The Pitmen sweep all before them and come within seconds of promotion.

‘I had stages where I was a million miles from the squad and it was very difficult. However when the new ‘Gaffa’ came in he brought everyone together and since the turn of the year we really clicked as a group. It was hard for us to miss out but we know this year we will be able to come back in a new league and prove ourselves again.’

The Pitmen’s pre-season campaign is already three games old but the opening home game of the season takes place on Tuesday night versus Stourbridge where Durrell will be hoping to build on his fitness with more game time following two substitute appearances against Heath Hayes and AFC Wulfrunians.

Oadby Town are then the visitors on Saturday 23rd July as late replacements for Tamworth following the Conference sides’ shock decision to organise another opponent at short notice.

Off the field, the Cannock Carnival managed to avoid the torrential downpours and the parade was bathed in warm July sunshine on Saturday afternoon as Hednesford Town mascot, Pitman Pete, showed his support for his Club as hundreds of people turned out in Cannock Town Centre.

In an initiative suggested by Supporters Association member, Andy Stokes, Pete waved to the gathered throngs and took his place in the precession led by the Queen of the Carnival and a marching band.

Following Hednesford Town’s 2-1 win over local team Heath Hayes on Saturday afternoon, the Supporters Association then hosted a well-attended Race Night in order to raise vital funds for the purchase of a new club shop.

Over seven hundred pounds was raised by those fans who paid for tickets, placed pound bets on many a lame horse and gambled for prizes generously donated by sponsors including The Kitchen Cupboard Fruit and Veg Shop in Hednesford, Clive Liley Butchers, Extra Personnel, Nuffield Health Centre, Keys Park Comedy Club, Aero Taxis, Marwoods Property Services, Wickes Cannock, Ansons Solicitors and Cannock Market.

Joint-Chairman Mark Goodwin praised those fans who got involved and was delighted with the amount of money raised, ‘It was great to see our first social event prove a success and raise some much needed money for the Club to invest in a new shop, many thanks to everyone involved, especially to Compere Ryan Cooper and Bookie for the night, Jas Singh. Not to mention the generous offers of support from all of our sponsors.’

'We are confident that this initial success will breed more social nights and involve more local people and businesses in the Football Club as we move through a very important season.'

Where next?

Match centre

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