The Easter period just about summed up a disappointing season at the town ground. With the team taking four points from tough fixtures with Holwell and Gedling town. They put in an awful performance at St Andrews and were deservedly beaten. However they then produced two outstanding performances to beat Holbrook and Dunkirk. A win on Saturday will mean the lions will have taken 13 points from there remaining six games. Something that has come far little too late.  It has been no secret that Heanor have been labelled the Jekyll and Hyde team in the East Midlands Counties this term. They have beaten some of the best teams in the league on their day but have equally put in some poor performances which has seen them in the bottom half of the league for most of the season. Manager Jamie Bennett commented ‘I’m disappointed with the way the season has gone domestically. However lets not forget we had one of our best runs in the FA Vase for a few years and had a plumb draw in the Derbyshire senior cup also. We have also produced some outstanding young talent who have gone on to play higher. It was always a remit of ours to provide a stage for these boys. Our main problem was we didn’t get that mix right with experience. I think this has been a big factor in our inconsistency. As a young manager it is a learning curve I have certainly made mistakes this season. However it is how you learn from these mistakes to make the club stronger. We all want to get immediate success we go into every game wanting to win. Myself and the people around me are in it for the long run. If we are given the time I feel we are still on course for our five year plan. We want to get the club into a position to move forward on and off the pitch. The committee and staff have been superb this season and have been working tirelessly behind the scenes. We know where we have to strengthen for next year. I realise we may have to change a few things to make us more successful. Given the opportunity I still feel we have the resources to take the club further and turn us into a force to be reckoned with again’

James Belshaw was back in a Heanor shirt this Saturday after spending most of the season at league 1 Walsall. After the club took him on youth forms earlier in the season they were unable to offer him a contract due to budget issues at the club. James trained with the team leading up to the Dunkirk game. As the club was looking to end strongly in a disappointing season the decision was made to put him straight back in the team. The Lions did not get anything out of the Walsall deal as the player did not sign professional terms. However it is unlikely the player will be playing at the town ground next season. There was a number of league scouts at the game Saturday and he has already had some big offers for his services next season. As a club we are happy to support James in what ever he decides to do. James will be in the squad for the Ibstock game this Saturday and it is thought in will be his last game in the Lions shirt. We wish James all the best for the future.

After disappointing performances against Bardon Hill, Kirby Muxloe, and Ibstock,  Heanor Town finally took the 3 points against a strong Holwell side. Two goals from Paddy Sneath secured the points, giving the lions a bit of a confidence boost going into tough games over the Easter period. Manager Jamie Bennett made the following comments to the website “It was a pleasing result today after what has been a turbulent few weeks at the club, we have had players not willing to put a shirt on because they are named on the bench, we have had a player leave the club and players not wanting to play for the first team of the club. In honesty the lads involved today with the likes of Timmo back, Paddy back, and Garnz back, and with our Skipper Bobby putting some great performances recently it brings a smile back to my face in the changing room. You need your strongest players to be committed to the cause as we run in to the end of the season, working together in training will be important. I also think in recent weeks the genuine supporters of this football club have been superb!! having made away day trips and always behind the team they deserve a great credit, and it means a lot to the lads and the management staff to have them on board, in a difficult last few weeks where we have been understrength their following has never swayed.”

The lions will get another boost on Wednesday night as Dave Marlow looks likely to shake off his ankle injury, and hopefully we will see the debut of Dave Rimmington from Unibond side Glapwell. “Rimmo will give us great options in the midfield ” Bennett said “He has a great eye for a pass and will give us a real options with the likes of Bobby and Wellsy giving us great pace”

Away from the club it was good to see to see two players who left the club this season doing great things higher up the football ladder. James Belshaw featured in the Walsall first team squad this weekend, and Ady Hawes scored the winner for Blue Square North side Hucknall Town. Bennett said “I am really pleased for both lads, and as I tell all the boys it shows what can be done if they apply the talent that most of them have”

The lions look forward to getting some pride back on Wednesday night against a strong Gedling Town team, Kick off is 7.45pm.

Heanor Town take on an in form Kirby Muxloe side this Saturday. The lions home display last Saturday was the worst of the season by a distance, and a much needed improvement is needed if to get any success this weekend.

Heanor will be without Paddy Sneath for a second week running- also news from the club this week is that striker Matt Timson has decided to put the boots away for the rest of the season.

Players back should be the much needed Liam Garner, and contray to reports in the paper this week, regular reserve team player this season James Perry will make his first team start.

Manager Bennett said ” Last Saturday was very frustrating for all involved at the club, we never looked like putting a performance in, things have to changed, I need players that are committed to gaining success at the club, we need players that want to train twice a week and strive to be better players, in turn the results will look after themselves. Maybe we have got it wrong with some players this year, I take that on board, but the effort made by the majority at the club as always been there. We need to finish the season strong. Timmo leaving will be a lose, but we have to have some consistency. I am still a young manager, but I am amazed of the different commitment levels from players at this level to a few years back, we have had all the excuses this year for people not being available for games and training and its not good enough, players need to realise that they are playing at a half decent level and have the desire to respect that level. We will learn and be on the look out for individuals that want to achieve the same goals I have”

Club Captain Robbie "Bobby" Mawer

Heanor Town captain Robbie Mawer expressed his delight at gaining a valuable three points. The wing wizard was pivotal in the success scoring a deflected free kick and finishing from close range either side of half time. Mawer said “We knew we had a job to do today and we achieved that. The three points were vital we want to finish strong with 12 games to play. Last week was a huge disappointment the lads were deflated so it was tough coming into the game. Full credit though as we came and did what had to be done. The gaffer said it was a pressure game as we were expected to win. This season hasn’t been ideal but we are all committed to the future of the club. We have all had opportunities to jump ship me included. I think its a credit to the players who have stayed and fought for the club. It shows that we are men and are prepared to work together and dig in when the chips are down. That’s why the Gedling game was disappointing as we lost our character we made it too easy for them! We let ourselves and the club down but we are looking to put it right that’s why I’m glad i scored a couple today i want the fans to see we care and that we want to win week in week out. The run in to the season will be tough the games we have to play will see us play a big part in the title race. Moving forward we have to learn from mistakes and build as a club for the future.”

Heanor Town FC fought for a much earned 3 points against Blackwell MW, which raised the lions two league places in the East Midlands Counties campaign.

In a scrappy match, Heanor battles through to win the game 0-3.

Manager Jamie Bennett said “I communicated to the players through the week in training and before the game the importance of getting a result today. They took alot of deserved stick after the the Gedling Town game, but today wore the HTFC shirt with pride and got the result they deserved”

Heanor will face another tough away day test next week when they face Borrowash, although the Lions did take the 3 points at the Town Ground earlier in the season.

We are delighted to announce the arrival of new signing, goalkeeper, Sam Orgizovic, nephew of Coventry legend, Steve Orgizovic. We hope to have an interview with Sam some time in the coming weeks.

First Team coach Jody Caudwell has made it clear to the current Heanor Squad that results and performances must improve! Saturday was Heanors third defeat in four games and the current slump in form has come off the back of some great results against the leagues top five clubs. Caudwell said ‘The players seem to have a problem in getting results against the teams around them yet seem to be able to perform well against the better teams. Its something we need to address and quickly. We had a long discussion after the game Saturday and a few home truths
were told. There comes a time where some tough decisions will have to be made that might result in casualties but we have to do what we can to move up the league out of trouble.’.

HTFC tomorrow face local rivals Ilkeston Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup fixture at the town ground. In the absence of first team manager Jamie Bennett and Jody Caudwell and due to the unavailability of assistant Franks, Matt Timson and Robbie Mawer take the helm over the Christmas period. Bennett who is working away in the USA commented “I’m very disappointed at the backlog of fixtures over the Christmas period having only played one game in the month of December. Players and managers put a lot of hard work in to this and others need to take some responsibility. I know Robbie and Matt will keep to our targets and the fun on Tuesday night needs to be followed by a good league performance in a must win match versus GSP FC.

Missed chances cost Heanor three points today as they went down 4-3 at home to Radford. A poor start to the game cost Heanor dearly as they conceeded 2 early goals before Matt Timson struck back, twisting around two defenders before dispatching home cooly into the bottom left corner making it 2-1. Radford then struck again which looked to seal the outcome but Heanor had other ideas. Goals from Paddy Sneath (Pen) and another from the in-form Matt Timson after good work from Robbie Mawer down the wing. Unfortunately Heanor’s delight was short lived after a lapse in concentration caused them to conceed a soft goal which proved to be the only difference between the two sides in a very exciting game.