Aidan Heywood challenges Hebburn Town to complete 'something special' in historic promotion bid

Captain Aidan Heywood wants Hebburn Town’s ‘group of lads’ to continue proving the doubters wrong throughout the final week of an unexpected push for the Northern Premier League Premier Division title.

The Hornets endured a difficult second half to last season and only secured their step three status during the final weeks of the campaign. However, a major turnaround in fortunes has brought a much-improved season as Daniel Moore’s men have been thrust into a three-way title race with Hednesford Town and FC United of Manchester.

It is Hebburn that top the table with just two games remaining and they head into Saturday’s visit to Bamber Bridge leading Hednesford on goal difference, with FC United sitting two points adrift and with a game in hand. Although there rivals were expected to be in the promotion mix, few expected the Hornets to be pushing for promotion - and that has only added motivation for Heywood and his team-mates.

He told The Gazette: “Just because of the group of lads we are, I think that proving people wrong is probably the reason we are where we are. The way we are as a team, we aren’t really bothered about anyone else in the league. We turn up, we train hard and we try and win every football game every week. I think that epitomises us as a team and a group. When we beat Whitby the other week, I didn’t even realise we had gone top of the league, I don’t think many of us did because we aren’t bothered about external noise and the focus has always been on the other two anyway. We don’t mind that at all.”

Something special

There was a frank admission from the Hornets captain when he was asked about the expectations ahead of the season as his side looked to improve on a slightly disappointing end to the club’s first ever season in the third tier of non-league football. The departure of captain, top goalscorer and talisman Amar Purewal was a blow but several shrewd additions have improved Moore’s squad as a whole.

Heywood believes there is a feeling Hebburn have surpassed their own expectations during the campaign - but called for his side to push to achieve ‘something special’ during the final week of an already memorable season.

“I don’t think we came into the season thinking we would be challenging the way we are,” he admitted. “I think we knew we had a good side and it wasn’t about staying up this season, it was to be competitive and try and win every game. With Macclesfield not in the league, there was a discussion over no big hitters in the league. We didn’t start well, we were bottom of the league after three but credit to the lads because we have turned it around and we have a real chance to do something special.”

Hornets boss Moore has some intriguing decisions to make before he finalises his side for their penultimate game of the season and he could hand starts to Liam Murray and Olly Martin after they started last weekend’s win at Cleethorpes Town on the bench.

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