Hednesford Town hand manager Paul Casey an 18-month contract

Pic: Coleshill Town FC

MANAGER Paul Casey reckons signing an 18-month contract with Hednesford Town will give the club the stability it needs.

Casey took charge of the Pitmen last week, replacing Liam McDonald who opted to move to National League club Solihull Moors.

The former Coleshill Town boss oversaw a defeat to rivals Stafford Rangers in the FA Trophy in his first game in charge before Saturday’s 2-0 league defeat at Matlock Town.

However, with Hednesford still sitting in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier play-off places, and with the long-term future in mind, the club have handed Casey a contract.

Delighted Casey told the club’s website: “I’m very proud to have signed a contract with the football club as this gives us the stability needed in order to attract the better players.

“The successful local teams at our level and above all have managers on contracts or they have been at the club for over three seasons, providing a stable environment in which to bring in new players.

“This investment helps you to build a team which you can hopefully have with you for a number of years.

“I know there are top class players out there who will want to join us if approached or maybe fancy coming to our club in the near future. I have a squad of players here though that just needs a little bit of tinkering in order to fulfil the potential that it has.”

The new boss has moved to improve his squad at Keys Park by bringing in two new players ahead of Saturday’s visit of Coalville Town.

Former Walsall trainee defender Kyle Rowley has returned to the Pitmen following a spell with Rugby Town while Casey has also signed winger Reece Leek from his former club Coleshill.

“Reece is quick and good in the air while also having an eye for a goal, having helped Sutton win promotion to Step 3,” Casey added.

“He turned down several opportunities to play at Step 3 while playing for me at Coleshill but the potential of playing for Hednesford Town was one that he could not turn down.”