On October 1st last year I went to Hednesford for a blog “research” night with Dean Neville. It was a good evening but on the way home I lost my phone, and with it all my notes and photographs. So it was decided that we would have to do it again. It’s taken nearly a year but it’s finally happened.

I first met Dean around 20 years ago when he joined Steve Stuart and I in travelling up to Manchester to represent Walsall FC on the ITV Sport Channel quiz show Do I Not Know That? Dean was epic on that, knowing the Italian team known as The Flying Donkeys was Chievo where as I got Burnley and Barnsley mixed up. And we lost that show by one point to eventual series champions Leicester City by 1 point. I still blame myself. If VAR was around in those days I’d have claimed that they misunderstood my accent and had them look into it.

Deano is a top lad and along with our mutual love for Walsall FC we are also bonded by a fondness for the songs Story Of the Blues (Mighty Wah), Another Nail In My Heat (Squeeze) and Red Light Spells Danger (Billy Ocean) so it’s always good to see him. He is also known for shouting “yooooou bastard referee” at Walsall games.

It was a week last Friday, the day after our beloved Queen died. I was still in a sombre mood but there was beer to be drunk and I’d been looking forward to it all day. I arrived early in the hope of getting a pint in The Bridge. I’d heard that planning permission had been granted to turn it into a coffee house so I was praying it was still open.

En route I got the odd incident of the day safely under my belt. A lad passed and as he did he enquired “mate, is your head cold?”. I confirmed that it wasn’t and also that it isn’t Winter. He said that his was and he carried on with his journey. And so did I.

As I approached the island the pub sits on I noticed a big metal storage unit outside and it didn’t appear to have any lights on. Deducing that it had already closed I turned my warm head and walked back.

Dean arrived and we set off to the first venue. The Queen was the first topic of discussion. Whilst I’m a massive Royalist it’s fair to say that Dean certainly isn’t but he was respectful so all was good. I then moved onto my aims for the night and he mentioned that he thought The Hen House had closed down. This panicked me. My 5 pub crawl was now going to be 3 and my picture with the seafood seller man which happened last time would not be repeated. I crossed everything and hoped he’d mis-heard.

First port of call was Kraftt, a modern feeling bar in a former shop unit. The Song Of the Night Award was clearly in no mood to hang around with the epic Baby Fratelli by The Fratellis coming on as we approached the bar and no other tune that night came close to topping this. There was no ale on less than 5% with a epic sounding New Invention Brewery stout at 5.6% available. Now I needed a drink after the previous day’s news but it was a bit early for that. Last pint of the night and I’d have been all over it. We both opted for a 4% rhubarb cider.

Along with ales, and gins this place also does a selection of cakes. On the last visit I had a lemon meringue one but I’m probably still trying to burn off the calories from that one so I gave it a miss this time.

It was a pleasant pint. I like this place and the standout feature is a clock so big it should have a person sat either side of it trying to form words from a selection of 9 vowels and consonants. The clock however loses points because the 4 is represented as IIII and not IV which always makes me cross.

As we walked to the next place I spotted a bar in another unit. It has two signs Indian Smokehouse and Peri Peri Pizza. Dean said it was a food place but you could also sit in there and drink and there is usually some Walsall fans in. I was sold and in we headed.

It was very lively in there. A French football match was on the big screens which people were getting into and there were 2 Walsall fans I know in there. Hi Dan and Sam.

After a very enjoyable pint it was time to see if The Hen House was open. Well it was but none of the exterior lights were on. It was like they knew we were coming and wanted to throw us off the scent. The seafood man turned up while I was taking the obligatory photo. Suddenly everything was falling into place.

Dean got the beers in and I got my photo with the seafood man. To thank him I purchased a packet of prawns (with added vinegar naturally). As I stood there eating them I got a smile off a lass. So that’s the secret then? Next time I go clubbing I’m taking prawns with me, and smuggling in a bottle of Sarson’s. On the way out we noticed the outside was now lit up. Bit odd.

Heddin’s Ford for me is the stand out pub of Hednesford. Located in a former bank and run by Kez who used to work at The Fountain in Walsall. The welcome was friendly as is standard and the beer was in top form so we stayed for two. This place is nicely decked out with nods to Highgate Brewery earning bonus points. I learned in here that The Bridge Inn is still open and the storage unit outside has been there for 18 months. Oh well.

The toilet here is class. A small room with a proper toilet and a urinal with nothing to separate them. Ideal if you have some gossip you can only tell one friend. Lock the door, decide who is having a shit and who is having a piss then spill the beans. Everybody’s happy.

During the second pint we were joined by Jake Kimberley. Kimo had been to the gym so had more than earned a beer. I am thinking about joining a gym but it will have to be when money and time allows. So not imminent in either case.

It’s always a wrench to leave the Heddin’s Ford but with time moving on it was Wetherspoons time. Set in a very grand looking building, and right by the train station Hedgeford Lodge is perfect for that last cheap pint and piss before the train home.

With Kimbo now with us we needed a new team photo. I scanned for who was going to take it and opted for a bloke just heading to the bar but he looked round and gave me evils so I opted to try a selfie and it worked.

As is the norm with Wetherspoons the toilets are upstairs but there are a couple of small rooms to negotiate too, and I always get lost and this was no exception. I didn’t take a wrong turn for once but did have to look round whilst keeping walking. I didn’t want to stop and look like a tourist in Leicester Square.

Train time arrived so we bid farewell to Kimbo and headed to the platform. With work the following morning I decided to be good and head home upon arriving back in Walsall. And I’m delighted to say that my phone made it back this time.