United effort as Hednesford Town ready for play-off final

Security workers, turnstile operators, bar staff, cooks, club bosses and groundsmen have all been working hard to prepare for what is expected to be the biggest crowd ever seen at Keys Park.

They have been drawing up plans for more than two weeks.

Today, assistant groundsman Alan Reed, aged 70, a retired heating engineer, was cutting the grass for the final time this season.

"I'll probably be here working on it for around three or four hours," said the grandfather-of-five, who is usually accompanied as he works by his faithful Border Collie Rosie.

"I'll definitely be extra careful today though and taking my time – I might even roll it first before I cut it."

Used to welcoming around 500 fans through the gates of Keys Park every other Saturday, club supporters and bosses could see up to 4,000 fans at tomorrow's play-off final against FC United of Manchester.

Renowned for their loyal support, the visitors are expected to bring a travelling contingent of around 2,000 fans, which is more than likely to be matched by the home supporters.

And it has meant extra beer, more stewards and more turnstile operators.

Head steward Dorinda Gibbons, 30, of Burntwood, and safety officer Dave Smith, 53, of Chadsmoor, had started preparing before the end of the regular season.

Around 40 additional stewards will be drafted in from other local clubs. Usually, there are around eight at home games.

"It could be the first time we've had a police presence for a game," said retired firefighter Mr Smith.

"We've had to work out things like traffic management and parking.

"We're hoping to accommodate up to 400 cars and around a dozen coaches."

Bar manager Michelle Plumb, 23, of Stevens Drive, said hospitality staff were bracing themselves for a chaotic day.

"We've got a lot more stock in than we would normally have," she said. "We'll have eight bar staff on – we normally have around two."

Mother-of-two Andrea Perry, who works in the kitchen at the club, is also braced to be busy.

The married 44-year-old, of Hednesford, has been given a special request by the players, who have asked for fajitas and jerk chicken after the game.

"There may even be some special cakes and cookies if they win," she said.

Extra turnstiles will also be open on the day.

Mel Barham, 63, who has supported The Pitmen for around 40 years, said: "I've been on the exercise bike to get my right leg strong enough to operate the pedal on the turnstile for the amount of people we're expecting."

Fans of Hednesford say the game means everything.

Scott Smith, joint chair of the Hednesford Town Supporters Association, said: "This is huge for the club, it's massive. At this level, this league is very difficult to get out of.

"This game's putting Hednesford on the map again, which is what the supporters association has been trying to do for some time."

The 25-year-old freelance journalist, from Chadsmoor, has been following the team since 1994.

"If anyone asks who I support, I always say Hednesford Town first, although I do follow Wolves as well," said Mr Smith, whose father Dave is safety officer and mother Paula works front of house.

Mother-of-two Mrs Smith, 50, said: "The phone has not stopped ringing since Tuesday night when we got through to the final. It's been so busy."

Fan Colin Woodward, 63, who helps out at the ground, said: "This is a massive game and it's the biggest one in my living memory.

"We've been in the play-offs before but this is against such a big opposition with a lot of fans – it should be a good day."

Jon Hawkins, who is the club's official cameraman, will be capturing the historic game on film.

The 48-year-old farm worker, of Hednesford, has been filming games for around three years and said they get a good following on the internet.

He said: "I started following Hednesford Town when I moved here.

"I just got fed-up with league football and didn't go to football for five years," he said.

"I came here to do one match and got hooked.

"We're all really looking forward to the big game."