Dan Sweeney | forward
PLAYER BIO
Young striker who signed for the Pitmen on a permanent basis in September 2020 after a short spell at league rivals Redditch United
A trainee at Kidderminster Harriers from an early age, Sweeney came through the ranks at Aggborough to sign first-team forms in 2014-2015. Over the next two seasons, the striker spent much of his time playing reserve football but made three starts for the side during the 201-2016 campaign. earlier in the season, Sweeney had spent two months out on loan at local rivals Halesowen Town, impressing at the Grove with three goals in six starts for the Yeltz
2016-2017 saw Sweeney spend the majority of the campaign out on loan, going to Midland League side Stourport Swifts for a month in September 2016 and spending a fruitless month at Rushall Olympic between November and December. The festive period saw him out at Evo-Stik Premier League strugglers Sutton Coldfield Town, before returning to Stourport in January 2017
He remained at Swifts for the remainder of the season after his loan spell was extended, scoring nine times in twenty-six appearances for the Midland Football League side. He returned to Harriers in May 2017 but was released later in the month
Sweeney joined Stourport on a permanent deal in July 2017 but struggled for injury during the 2017-2018 season, scoring nine times in twenty-five starts as Swifts finished in a mid-table position
However, he had done enough to impress the coaching staff at hometown club Solihull, linking up with Moors during their pre-season campaign in June 2018. he earned himself a deal with a string of excellent performances, going straight into the Moors' matchday squad as Tim Flowers' side started the season strongly
After two starts and six substitute appearances, Sweeney joined the Pitmen on a month's loan in October 2018 to earn more match time as he continued his development. He hit the ground running with a double on his home debut against South Shields, followed by a hat-trick against Matlock Town two weeks later
In November 2018, Sweeney's loan spell was extended by a further month after a highly impressive October which had seen him become the club's top scorer. However, this extended loan ended abruptly just a week after it's extension, as Solihull recalled him and team-mate Callum Coyle in order for them to play in a Birmingham Senior Cup game against Nuneaton Borough
Two weeks later, Sweeney re-joined Halesowen on another loan period, reuniting him with former Hednesford managers Rob Smith and Larry Chambers - now Halesowen's new management team. Chances were few and far between on the pitch for Sweeney and the Yeltz, who struggled to create openings and goals as they slipped into the Southern Premier League Central relegation zone
Recalled early once more by Solihull in February 2019, Sweeney was loaned out yet again in early March 2019, joining Vanarama National League North side Leamington on a deal that was due to run until the end of the season. However, after only one appearance for the Brakes, he was recalled by Solihull once more and loaned back to the Pitmen on a deal that ran until the end of the 2018-2019 season. Despite four goals in five games, his second spell ended with a red card against Grantham Town and an early return to Solihull Moors once more
2019-2020 saw Sweeney's loan adventures continue once more as he was firstly loaned to Southern Premier League Central side Redditch United for the first month of the campaign. A step back into Vanarama National League North followed with a loan spell at Bradford (Park Avenue), which was extended to a second month in October 2019
After seven games at Bradford, Sweeney was loaned out to divisional rivals Gloucester City for a month's spell, failing to score in four games before returning to Solihull once more at Christmas
In January 2020, he returned to step three once more with a loan move to Southern Premier League Central Stratford Town. His month at Stratford proved to be a great success as he plundered four goals in six games before returning to Hednesford on a loan deal until the end of the season in a bid to recapture some of the previous season's form at Keys Park. After one goal in four games, Sweeney's latest spell at Keys Park was cut short as the season came to an abrupt end due to the coronavirus pandemic
In May 2020, Sweeney was one of a number of players released by Moors as the National League side moved a number of their fringe players on for the 2020-2021 season. Despite being linked with a number of sides, Sweeeney signed for Southern Premier League Central side Redditch on a permanent deal in July 2020. However, just two months later, Sweeney left the Valley Stadium without kicking a ball for them competitively following the departure of manager Wayne Spicer
On the opening day of the new season, Sweeney was announced as a Hednesford player, this time on a permanent deal after the striker agreed terms to return to the PRG Stadium @ Keys Park