Pitmen Pete takes centre stage

Hednesford Town are hoping see new fans at Keys Park after hailing the success of Saturday’s Non-League Day.

The Pitmen’s Supporters Association organised a series of family events during their Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division clash with Ashton United and Joint-Chairman Scott Smith said the entertainment led by mascot Pitmen Pete went down a treat.

As a result, he believes many more families and younger fans could soon be joining the ranks of Pitmen supporters.

He said: "The day went really well and we would like to thank the two groups of children involved but also the volunteers from the Supporters Association who formed a welcoming committee outside of the stadium and organised the day.

"Now we hope some of the children who attended might catch the Non-League football bug and return regularly to Keys Park in the future."

Hednesford joined teams from across the country in celebrating Non-League Day with a crowd of almost five hundred seeing the 2-1 defeat to Ashton United at Keys Park.

Cannock based dance troupe 'Epic Dance' performed before kick off with mascot Pitman Pete making an appearance to entertain the families who’d taken advantage of Hednesford's 'Adult and Child for a Tenner' promotion.

At half-time young footballers from nearby St Peter’s Primary School Year’s Year Four team took part in a penalty shoot-out competition. Cheered on by supporters in the main stand, Pitman Pete also joined in the fun by facing penalties from the pupils.

Non-League Day, now a nationwide event supported by clubs up and down football’s Pyramid, was staged for the third year running after the day's previous success in attracting new fans to the Evo-Stik NPL and raising awareness of the Non-League game.

It was launched to encourage Non-League fans to bring along their friends and family who might normally head for Football League or Premier League matches and is staged during the October international football break when Premier League and Championship fixtures aren’t scheduled.

Apart from Hednesford’s match against Ashton more than half of Saturday's Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division fixtures took part in Non-League Day with many more from Evo-Stik NPL North and South running tickets offers and events for supporters.

This year's event attracted added attention with Sky Sports football commentator and Kingstonian coach Martin Tyler now the event's official ambassador.

Marine, Rushall Olympic, Ilkeston, Hednesford, Frickley Athletic, Matlock Town, Garforth, Radcliffe Borough, Ossett Albion, Coalville Town and Stamford were among the Evo-Stik NPL clubs with home games who took part.