Chris Brindley returns to Hednesford

Hednesford legend Chris Brindley has made an emotional return to Keys Park to become the new assistant manager to boss Rob Smith.

Brindley replaces Larry Chambers, who is taking a break from football to concentrate on starting up a business in the motor trade.

It's a true homecoming for Brindley, who is fondly thought of by Pitmen fans as both a player and a manager at the club where he started his career.

The 42-year-old is still the landlord at the pub a stone's throw from Keys Park, the Cross Keys, and first played on their turf in the 1980s.

The imposing defender got his big break at Wolves in 1985 before moving back into non-league football with Telford and Kidderminster Harriers.

Then came his second and third spell as a player with Hednesford from 1998 - either side of two years with Stafford Rangers from 2000 - to 2006.

His crowning glory for the Pitmen came in the club's finest hour, the FA Trophy final of 2004, where Brindley scored the winner at Villa Park.

Hednesford made him player-manager that summer after sacking Barry Powell and he led the club to the Conference North through the play-offs.

But a poor results saw him leave by mutual consent in the December of his second season and he has only been back as a rival since.

Brindley has been a No 2 for Halesowen, Stourport Swifts, Rushall Olympic and at Stafford Rangers and Hednesford before he got the top jobs.

His last role was an unhappy eight-month spell managing Chasetown, leaving in April, but he will now be back in football for next season.

He said: "I am delighted to be back, I am good friends with both Rob and Larry and when Rob asked me to come in I was very pleased.

"I'm the first to admit that I have had a difficult past three years or so in the game but I can't wait to get started."

Chambers' absence briefly ends a relationship of 12 years with Smith serving the likes of Willenhall, AFC Telford United and Hednesford.

But current Pitmen first-team coach Steve Wynn was Brindley's assistant at Rangers and Smith is confident they will all work as a team.

He said: "I needed someone I trust to come and help myself and Steve Wynn. 'Brinners' is a good friend and, obviously, he is very fond of the club.

"Having worked with Larry for 12 years, it was always going to be hard working with anyone else, but I am sure he will return.

"He can concentrate purely on football rather than all of the other aspects that a manager has to contend with on a weekly basis.

"It seems the perfect choice and I know he is looking forward to getting involved."