Three Depart Hednesford

Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central club Hednesford Town have announced the departure of three members of their first-team squad.

Vastly experienced forward Louis Dodds has decided to drop down a couple of levels to play for North West Counties League Premier Division side Hanley Town.

It was a tough decision for Dodds to make as he was still a regular member of the Pitmen`s squad before lockdown. However, due to personal circumstances and distance to Southern League Premier Central games and availability for training, it was felt it was what was best for himself and the club, so he could find a club closer to his home and work.

The 34-year-old joined Hednesford in July 2020 following his release from Chorley after the Magpies` relegation from the Vanarama National League.

He had joined Chorley ahead of the 2019/20 campaign after impressing during a pre-season trial.

The attack-minded player spent part of the previous season on loan in League Two with Port Vale from National League outfit Chesterfield, making 17 appearances for Stoke-on-Trent-based side.

In all, he made 349 appearances for Vale over two spells, scoring 56 goals.

He started his career with Leicester City, and although he failed to make the Foxes` first team, he enjoyed spells out on loan with Northwich Victoria, Rochdale – where he made his Football League debut in 2007 – and Lincoln City.

He signed for Port Vale for the first time in August 2008 and spent the next eight years at Vale Park.

A two-year stint with Shrewsbury Town followed before he joined Chesterfield in January 2018.

Meanwhile, the Pitmen also announced the departure of Anthony Dwyer and Mitchell Woakes from Keys Park.

Dwyer is a powerful front man who re-signed for Hednesford in October 2020 from league rivals Stourbridge.

He had joined the Glassboys in November 2019 from Northern Premier side Stafford Rangers.

Jamaican-born, he came through the ranks at Mansfield Town and had loan spells to Mickleover Sports and Carlton Town while with his former club and was released by the Stags in 2016 and also represented Ilkeston FC, Stafford Rangers and Matlock Town.

He joined National League North side AFC Telford United in the summer of 2017, going on to score 6 goals for them.

A move to Hednesford followed in March 2018 before joining Altrincham the following summer.

A switch to National League North rivals Leamington swiftly came before he joined Barwell in January 2019.

Two months later he was on the move once more, this time to Southern Premier Division Central rivals Tamworth. He had joined Rangers in the summer of 2019.

Woakes joined the club in September 2020, the pacey winger having spent pre-season on trial with the Pitmen.

Beginning his career with Walsall as a youngster, he also moved on to Nottingham Forest as part of their academy set up.

Woakes then spent two years with League One side Burton Albion before moving on to Tamworth where he also spent time loan at Midland League Division Two side Coton Green.

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