Utility player, comfortable at either full-back or in midfield, who joined the Pitmen in July 2023 after a trial period
The nephew of Hednesford owners Craig and Amanda Gwilt - Jacob was formerly a youth team player at Coventry City before joining AFC Telford United's U18 side in the summer of 2020 and spending the following season at the New Bucks Head
A spell in Lichfield City's youth team followed in 2021-2022 before Gwilt moved to the United States, playing several games for the University of Rio Grande towards the end of 2021 before returning to the UK in early 2022. He linked up with Wolverhampton Sporting, making several appearances for the Great Wyrley-based side and agreeing terms to remain at Pride Park for the 2022-2023 season
After a handful of appearances for Sporting, Gwilt elected to join league rivals AFC Wulfrunians in November 2022, where he became an established player at the base of midfield as Wulfs finished in a mid-table twelfth position
Gwilt was handed an opportunity at Keys Park at the start of the 2023-2024 pre-season, making several appearances as a triallist and impressing manager Danny Glover sufficiently to be offered terms for the forthcoming campaign. After scoring a superb goal against Chasetown early on in the campaign, Gwilt was used mainly as a substitute and spent time out on dual registration with Wolverhampton Casuals in February 2024 before returning to the club ahead of their relegation to step five
After the Pitmen were handed a step four reprieve in May 2024, Gwilt was one of only five of the previous season's squad to be handed a new deal for the 2024-2025 campaign. He scored a goal in the Pitmen's opening game of the season in an F.A. Cup tie at Racing Club Warwick but only made two starts throughout the campaign as he was used mainly as a substitute
Promotion to step three saw most of last season's squad retained for 2025-2026, with Gwilt one of those players earning himself a new deal. His season was hit largely by injury issues, having picked up a long-term injury in pre-season, which limited him to mainly county cup games
Despite this, Gwilt joined seven of last season's side in agreeing to a new deal with the club ahead of their Enterprise National League North campaign