Despite some upsets and disappointments on the way, it is more than obvious to every keen Heanor Town supporter that their Joint Management team of Glenn Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins have restored belief that progress can be put back on the club’s agenda.

After two seasons of having a team and management which had no hopes and ambitions, never clicked as a team and which was, at times, an embarrassment to watch, we now have a management at the Town Ground who has brought flair and entertainment to the club that is a pleasure to behold.

Delighted with the impact they have made and the support received, Glenn Kirkwood spoke for both himself and Craig Hopkins in voicing concerns over thoughts that their charges were not quite there yet.

“We have not beaten one of the top sides at home this season”, he commented, “And that will need to change next season if we are to seriously challenge to get out of this League and move ahead in the Pyramid.”

Former Chesterfield player and Matlock Town manager Phil Brown assisted Kirkwood in the club’s last game at Hinckley. But supporters should read nothing more into the situation that this was just a helping hand whilst Craig Hopkins was on holiday. But it can be assumed that there will continue to be dialogue between these two old friends in the future until Brown secures himself a new permanent position in the game.

George Walker and Callum Mason ended the season on the injury list and Kirkwood added, “It has not been easy keeping everyone happy. Players on the bench want to play and have become frustrated as they have sat out matches week after week. But they are the backbone of the club. They are brilliant clubmen and it is a great credit to them for continuing to come along every game.

“We are planning for next season. Players we would have liked to have brought in this season have taken note of the success we have had, and the tremendous backing and support we get at Heanor, and they and others are now getting in touch with us and wanting to come next season.”

All the players used by the first team who are currently on the club’s books will be offered terms for next season.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the season which has seen Heanor Town become a team which is a pleasure to watch is that gates have shown scant improvement. A total of 1,663 spectators saw the Lions 21 home games at an average of 80.

It is, however, good support for an East Midlands Counties League club. Mr. Kirkwood has commented often in his programme notes this season that the Lions brilliant support, particularly away from home. And this statement is shared by most other clubs in the League who record one of their best gates of the season when Heanor Town are visitors.

Ironically, 22 away games were watched by 1,788 spectators at an average of 81. It would be nice to see the average home gate top the 100 mark next season.

Over the season Heanor scored 104 goals, 99 of which were in league games. Strikers Lee Hodgson and Dan Williams were responsible for nearly half of them. 18 different players featured on the scoresheet as follows:-

28 Dan Williams, 21 Lee Hodgson, 10 Ashley Grayson, 9 Gary Webster, 8 Graham Wells, 7 Adam Kay, 5 George Walker, 3 Anthony Bedward, Callum Mason, 2 Lee Stevenson, 1 Phil Austin, Ricky Benwell, Alex Dawson, Ben Moore, Michael Norbury, Jake Pidcock, Dean Randall and Paddy Sneath.

As far as appearances are concerned, glasses should be raised to skipper Gary Webster who was the only ever present, and who played every minute of every game the club played throughout the season. A true captain’s roll. A total of 40 players were used throughout the season as follows:-

43 – Gary Webster, 39(1) Graham Wells, 38(2) Ashley Grayson, Adam Kay, 34(1) Michael Norbury, 34(5) Dean Randall, 33(2) Dan Williams, 32(16 George Walker, 30(4) Aled Biggs, 29(3) Lee Hodgson, 28(7) Callum Mason, 26 Sam Ogrizovic, 24(1) Lee Stevenson, 18(3) Phil Austin, 17(13) Anthony Bedward, 12 Tom Burgin, 9 Gavin Saxby, 9(3) Ebrihim Mirmohammedi, 8(6) Danny Roberts, 7(3) Ricky Benwell, 6 Paddy Sneath, 6(4) Jake Pidcock, 6(5) Stephen Atkinson, 5 Alex Goddard, 4 Danny Bainbridge, Nick Kennerdale, 4(3) Matt Timson, 4(4) Sam Moore, 3 Simon Barraclough, Danny Fenton, 3(3) Jason Bedward, 2 Alex Dawson, Billy Lobley, Rocky White, 2(2) Glenn Kirkwood, Callum Simmons, 1 Darren Cartwright, Ella Kellar, 1(1) Craig Hopkins, Gerard Moran.

The most vulnerable time for conceding goals was stoppage time; they also conceded four goals on both the 16th and 24th minutes of games. But by contrast they only conceded five goals in the first ten minutes of games.

Goals Against: 0 – 9 minutes 5 goals; 10 – 29 nine, 20 – 29 ten, 30 – 39 seven, 40 – 45 three, first half stoppage time one, 45 – 49 five, 50 – 59 eleven, 60 – 69 seven, 70 – 79 eleven, 80 – 90 ten, stoppage time six, extra time one.
Goals Scored: 01 – 09 twelve, 10 – 19 ten, 20 – 29 nine, 30 – 39 ten, 40 – 45 seven, first half stoppage time two, 45 – 49 six, 50 – 59 eight, 60 – 69 thirteen, 70 - nine, 80 – 90 thirteen, stoppage time four, extra time one.

All of which left Heanor with a league record of:
Played 38 Won 19 Drew 8 Lost 11 Goals Scored 99 Goals Against 70 Points 65
And an overall playing record since the reformation in 1951 of:
Played 2028 Won 929 Drew 396 Lost 703 Goals Scored 4050 Goals Against 3222 Points 2638.

THE CLUB’S PRESENTATION EVENING WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY 21st MAY IN THE TOWN GROUND SOCIAL CLUB 7.30pm FOR 8pm. ALL SUPPORTERS WELCOME.

Stan Wilton

Pic: Club captain Gary Webster who has played every minute of every game this season.. few will forget his goal against Barrow Town, arguably the best goal ever seen on the Town Ground.