Paul Casey fulfils his ‘destiny’ by returning to Hednesford Town as their new manager

Pic: Coleshill Town FC

PAUL CASEY reckons it was his “destiny” to return as manager of Hednesford Town after he was chosen to be Liam McDonald’s successor.

The Pitmen were left reeling by the news that McDonald had chosen to leave the club after just six months at the helm to join National League club Solihull Moors.

However, the Evo-Stik NPL Premier club, relegated from Step 2 last season, moved quickly to appoint Casey as their new manager.

Casey, a former Hednesford Town youth team boss, had been in charge of Coleshill Town, currently flying high in the Midland League Premier.

However, the chance to return to a club close to his heart was too much of a pull for Casey and he will take charge of his first game on Tuesday night, an FA Trophy replay against local rivals Stafford Rangers.

The new boss told the club’s website: “Eight years ago I took a Hednesford Town youth team to Walsall in the FA Youth Cup and I was thinking at the time ‘I would have loved that to have been a first team’. Eight years later I am getting the opportunity to manage the first team after a successful time in management during that period.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for me to come and manage the Hednesford Town first team, especially after having the pleasure of working with the club some eight years ago. I feel that it was somewhat my destiny as I couldn’t see myself leaving Coleshill Town to go anywhere else.

“I will give this my best shot and hopefully continue the good work that Liam McDonald has begun, while also putting my own stamp on the team. Liam has put his own work into the team and I would say that they are the best set of players that Hednesford have had in a number of years. Now I want to build on that and continue keeping the fans happy.

“I know that we have the players here to continue to be successful and I want to carry on where I left off with Coleshill, having made them into a side that are continually challenging for the title and progressing in the FA Vase. I’m very much looking forward to getting going on Tuesday evening.”

Casey’s assistant Simon Lyons will take charge of Coleshill in the short term and will be given the chance to win the manager’s role permanently.