.jpg)
Two tie at top
After the Scarborough match, Cheesy and Phil have both overtaken Smbull at the top of the HU-FC.co.uk Prediction Leagie table and will enter a play-off for the monthly title - the person who gains most points from their prediction at the Dagenham match will win the prize.
In the main table, Cheesy, Smbull and Len Weston's Last Stand are four points clear of the rest with twenty seven points each. Keep up the good work!
The full table can be viewed through the 'Interactive!' link on the left menu.
Boro' boss upbeat
Scarborough boss Russell Slade was delighted with his side's 1-0 win at Hereford United yesterday.
“We grinded out a result,” he said. “They had a few long distance shots but nothing to worry us. The side is getting more resilient and back to somewhere like we were last season. It was a very solid performance and a good goal by David Pounder who linked up well with Bimbo Fatokun to score.”
Slade, who has been laid low by a virus this week, was in jubilant form afterwards: "If ever a man needed a tonic it was me," he said. "That was better than all the pills I've been taking."
His opposite number Graham Turner was disappointed: "We were a shadow of the side that's done so well in recent away games.".
Meanwhile, there is a correction to one of our previous articles. The prize in BOLSA's Last Team Standing competition stands at £106, and the total raised is £294.
O'Kelly disappointed
Talking to local media after the game, Bulls coach Richard O'Kelly thought that after several good results today was one of those days when it did not really happen.
"We were creating opportunities, we were in good areas to deliver but they never really materialised. A little bit Irish but that is my background!
"The team was a bit disrupted today with John Grant missing. Paul Parry moved up-front and he had an excellent game but he always looks better to me coming from behind. His ability to run at people causes more problems."
John Grant's injury is "not really serious. It is a fracture, he's got a little crack in his fibula. Two to three weeks and he should be okay."
O'Kelly continued: "The squad of players we have got is, I think, the smallest in the Conference. Even today their effort and enthusiam was outstanding. If we can stay free of injuries hopefully things will go well for us."
This time nil
A poor Hereford performance this afternoon resulted in a 1-0 victory to Scarborough. Tim's report is now available here.
Last time it was six!
It does not seem only 48 weeks ago that Scarborough last visited Edgar Street and went home with six goals scored against them. That match was one of the few highlights of the Conference season with goals scored by Wright, Snape, Parry, Williams (Gavin), Elmes and Quiggin. Hereford could have made it seven but Quiggin missed a penalty. It was the Bulls highest ever score in the Conference but on the downside the attendance that day was only 1346.
A gate of close to 2000 is expected tomorrow which if reached will help the club's income by over £4000 compared with the same game last season.
Graham Turner knows Scarborough will not do Hereford any favours. On BBC Hereford and Worcester he said: "They are quite well organised and very competitive. They have a style of play which is difficult to play against. Big lad up-front and they play a lot of stuff in the air up to him."
He also commented that with 20 points from the first 10 matches everyone should be delighted especially as six of those games have been away from home. "I do feel that we have every chance of finishing in the top five " he said.
Turner expecting tough ride
Scarborough will be a tough test for Hereford United tomorrow at Edgar Street, kick off 3pm.
According to boss Graham Turner, the Bulls could face once of their biggest challenges so far this season.
Speaking to the Evening News, he said: "We've had them watched and the style of play they've got makes them difficult to break down. "They are no frills with a big giant forward up front who they like to knock it up to as early as possible. They had a good end to the season last year and on paper are a tough proposition."
Scarborough are unbeaten in their last five matches, including three wins, and boss Russell Slade said: "The good thing is the club has come forward so much that you've got the likes of Sillah, whose come on as one of the squad of twenty, and got a great goal and man-of-the-match on his debut. In the bigger picture, we've now won three and drawn two of the last five, which is the start of a good run."
United have only won once at home this season which Turner is hoping to change.
"We've been nice and relaxed away from home, soaking up pressure without really dominating," he said. "But you always need to take the game to your opponents especially at home, so we won't be sitting back."
"If you look around the team is much younger than last year," he said. "Last year in midfield we had three players in their 30s but this time we've got Rose, 20, Williams 21 and Purdie 19. Although the squad is quite small in terms of football talent there is more ability than there has been."
Hereford team-news is that John Grant is a doubt with a calf injury, and Ken Griffiths and Ben Smith will both miss out. Scarborough manager Russell Slade will pick from the squad that overcame Leigh RMI on Tuesday. Richard Dryden, Steve Baker, Jason Blunt and Nick Henry are once again sidelined by injury.
Last Team Standing - first round
Did you enter the Last Team Standing competition? If so, here are the results.
The results for the teams that were randomly assigned to people in the 1st Qualifying round of the FA Cup were:-
- Bedlington Terriers 1 v Ossett Albion (John Perkins) 0
- Dunston Federation Brewery (Jane Griffiths) 2 v Selby Town (David Jeffery) 0 - Dunston Federation Brewery (Jane Griffiths) are at home to Burscough in the next round
- Workington 2 v Mossley (David Jeffery) 1
- Hallam (Denise Powell) 2 v Stocksbridge Park Steels 3
- Morpeth Town (Graham Causer) 0 v Guisborough Town 1
- Guiseley 3 v Hebburn Town (John Perkins) 0
- Peterlee Newtown (Katy Jaekel) 4 v Louth United (John Perkins) 0 - Peterlee Newtown (Katy Jaekel) will be away to Durham City in the next round
- Atherton Collieries 1 v Salford City (Chris Oleksy) 0
- Nantwich Town (John Perkins) 2 v Rocester 0 - Nantwich Town will be at home to Biddulph Victoria in the next round
- Kings Lynn 4 v Quorn (Nigel Preece) 1
- Blackstone 2 v Pelsall Villa (Katy Jaekel) 2 - Pelsall Villa (Katy Jaekel) won the replay 3-2 and will be away to Bedford Town in the next round
- Bromsgrove Rovers (Richard Price) 5 v Gresley Rovers 0 - Bromsgrove Rovers (Richard Price) will be at home to Tamworth in the next round
- Leek Town 2 v Spalding United (John Perkins) 1
- Stratford Town (Rob Powell) 1 v Bedworth United 2
- Stewarts & Lloyds (Richard Price) 0 v Burnham (Tony Oleksy) 1 - Burnham (Tony Oleksy) will be at home to Herne Bay in the next round
- Cheshunt 4 v Edgware Town (Denise Powell) 0
- Hertford Town 1 v AFC Wallingford (Martin Watson) 4 - AFC Wallingford (Martin Watson) will be at home to Eastbourne Borough in the next round
- Royston Town (Elaine Harrison) 3 v London Colney (Jon Watts) 2 - Royston Town (Elaine Harrison) will be away to Flackwell Heath (Graham Johnson) in the next round
- Barking & East Ham United 1 v Banbury United (G. Kelly) 0
- Harefield United (Niki Munn) 2 v Barton Rovers 1 - Harefield United (Niki Munn) will be at home to AFC Sudbury in the next round
- Diss Town 3 v Romford (John Perkins) 0
- Southall (Gary Watts) 2 v Yaxley 3
- Flackwell Heath (Graham Johnson) 2 v Buckingham 1 - Flackwell Heath (Graham Johnson) will be at home to Royston Town (Elaine Harrison) in the next round
- Wingate & Finchley (Mitch Stansbury) 2 v Ware 0 - Wingate & Finchley (Mitch Stansbury) will be away to St. Albans City in the next round
- Bromley (John Perkins) 2 v BAT Sports 1 - Bromley (John Perkins) will be away to Leatherhead in the next round
- Herne Bay 3 v Cowes Sports (John Perkins) 2
- Chatham Town (Graham Johnson) 2 v Godalming & Guildford 3
- Bognor Regis Town 4 v Windsor & Eton (Richard Price) 1
- Tunbridge Wells 2 v Selsey (Graham Johnson) 2 - Selsey (Graham Johnson) won the replay 2-1 and will be away to Hastings United in the next round
- Hillingdon Borough (G. Kelly) 2 v Lymington & New Milton 3
- Eastbourne Borough 6 v AFC Newbury (Graham Causer) 2
- St. Leonards 1 v Slough Town (Jamie Griffiths) 2 - Slough Town (Jamie Griffiths) will be away to AFC Totton in the next round
- Cray Wanderers 1 v Whyteleafe (Rob Powell) 0
- Team Bath (Richard Price) 3 v Backwell United 0 - Team Bath (Richard Price) will be at home to Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the next round
- Weston Super Mare 3 v Wimborne Town (John Perkins) 1
- Clevedon Town (Martin Watson) 2 v Dorchester Town 0 - Clevedon Town (Martin Watson) will be away to Weston Super Mare in the next round
- Gloucester City (Mitch Stansbury) 3 v Bashley 0 - Gloucester City (Mitch Stansbury) will be at home to Newport County in the next round
- Highworth Town 2 v Cinderford Town (Richard Price) 3 - Cinderford Town (Richard Price) will be away to Evesham United in the next round.
Congratulations to the winners and commiserations to those whose teams went out - it was down to the luck of the draw! The second qualifying round plays tomorrow. A total of £106 has been raised - thanks to all that participated.
Watch those cards
Although Hereford United have one of the better discipline records so far this season, manager Graham Turner is worried about the problems any suspensions would pose given he is operating on such a small squad.
Turner told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "What annoys me is when we get booked for stupid things like kicking the ball away or retaliation. You will never stop players from mistiming tackles. You need a little bit of sense and consistency from referees. I don't think we always get that. I think they are too ready to produce a yellow card for every foul that is conceded. Certainly we have got to make sure that we steer clear of suspensions as much as we possibly can."
At present Hereford have had 16 yellow cards with both Michael Rose and Danny Williams on three. Five yellow means an automatic one game suspension.
Meanwhile Hereford United are considering offering veteran midfielder Ian Hamilton a contract, strictlyconference.com has revealed.
The 34-year-old midfielder has been training with the Bulls for the last three days and is close to securing a move to Edgar Street which could be on a non-contract basis although it is yet to be finalised. Hamilton began his career at Southampton in 1985 but failed to make a league appearance for the Saints before joining Cambridge during the 1987/88 season. He made 24 league appearances and scored one goal for the U’s eventually moving on to Scunthorpe United playing 145 league matches and scoring 18 goals in four seasons with the Iron.
In 1992 West Brom paid £160,000 for the skilful midfielder, who possesses a powerful shot and has an eye for goal, with Hamilton playing 240 league games and scoring 23 goals for the Baggies until leaving the Hawthorns to sign for Sheffield United in 1997. While at Bramall Lane the Stevenage-born player made just 45 league appearances, scoring three goals in a three-year spell with the Blades.
Hamilton previously played for Notts County and before joining the Magpies also had a brief loan spell at Grimsby Town.
Development plans underway
Herefordshire is ready for its biggest ever development which will include the football club, according to today's Hereford Times.
A £200 million redevelopment to transform the city into the `social, leisure and cultural' centre of the Marches goes out to tender next week.
The plan itself has cost a six-figure sum to produce, and they could be on show as early as the new year - then negotiations with twenty two developers can start.
However, the plan is threatened by the relocation of the cattle market, which has hit opposition and could but investors off the scheme.
The scheme, though, already has a slogan: `The Place to Come and The Place to Be'.
The football club will stay at Edgar Street and incorporate a multi-sport/leisure centre - the kind of scheme likely to attract funding. Furthermore, a separate exhibition/arts and conference area connected to The Courtyard and an Arts Academy is envisaged on the current Cattle Market site, along with new council headquarters, police headquarters, a possible library and even a cinema.
With a preliminary £200 million price tag, the Edgar Street grid is Herefordshire's biggest ever development brief and amongst the most ambitious in Europe.
Bulls aim for second home win
Hereford United will look for their second home win of the season against Scarborough at Edgar Street on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
Unbeaten in their last three matches, United will wait on the fitness of John Grant after the attacker was hit with a calf injury in Tuesday's 3-2 win at Kettering Town. Ken Griffiths, the reserve goalkeeper, could also miss out with glandular fever.
The Bulls haven't won at Edgar Street since the first day of the season, when they beat Farnborough Town 2-1. Since then, they have lost to Morecambe, and clinched points in goalless draws against both Chester City and Yeovil Town.
Two re-elected to board
Hugh Brookes, the Hereford United director, has said that last season's loss should be 'significantly lower' after the club lost £108,913 in the 2000/01 season.
He made this announcement at Monday's fifty-fourth AGM of Hereford United where fourteen shareholders and six directors were present, as reported by Richard Prime in today's Hereford Times.
Chairman Graham Turner said that an informal shareholders' meeting would be held on December 9th to update people on the redevelopment of the Edgar Street grid.
In the meeting, which lasted just twelve minutes, directors Ron Jukes and George Hyde retained their positions and Turner thanked main sponsors Sun Valley, other sponsors, advertisers and supporters for their backing and off-the-field staff for their hard work.
In an informal question-and-answer session after the main meeting, Turner said that there seemed to be an `impasse' between the council and developers over what may happen on the football ground.
His fellow director George Hyde added, however, that there were `reassuring noises' coming from both developers Chelverton and Herefordshire Council.
Turner agreed that there was no advantage to Chelverton in putting the club out of business and the presence of major developers the Richardson brothers could be very positive.
"We're told that it's to our advantage that the Richardsons are part of the deal," he said. "We're told they will not do anything harmful to the club as it would harm their image."
In response to a question, Turner said that the club was still legally contracted to support relocation.
"But it's very evident that there will be no relocation," he said, confirming that the club had now paid off 40p in the pound of its commitment under the Company Voluntary Arrangement undertaken in 1998.
Hyde concluded by paying tribute to Graham Turner, company secretary Joan Fennessy and chief scout Ron Jukes.
"How many people would go six months without a salary like they did? That is dedication beyond the call of duty," he said. "The teamwork off the field is brilliant."
Guinan jubliant after last minute winner
Kettering Town manager Carl Shutt was disappointed with his side's 3-2 defeat to Hereford United last night. "We seem to be punished for every mistake we make, but then again we're still making the same errors," he said.
For Hereford, a jubilant Steve Guinan told the Evening News: "I was delighted with my goal and it was an excellent left-footed cross from Ian Wright. Although we conceded an early goal, we always thought that we could score ourselves.
Ian Wright, interviewed by BBC Hereford & Worcester, commented: "We knew it would be tough.We came here confident and I think we deserved the win." He thought that the injury to John Grant was not serious and so he should be available for Saturday's game against Scarborough.
Ex Bulls player Scott Goodwin was profiled in the Kettering programme. He said: "I was very disappointed to leave Edgar Street. The fans at Hereford were superb as was everything else about the club but it was just the money side of it really. The circumstances were such that it was just time to get away. I live in Coventry and Hereford was full time and it was quite a trek, which took its toll as well."
He is part time with Kettering and appears to be looking for an extra job, probably in coaching, which he has done in the past for Coventry City at their Academy.
One sad note, a small child with the Hereford fans was hit by a missile apparantly thrown by a Kettering follower. The incident occurred at full-time and luckily St Johns Ambulance personnel were on hand to assist. The child looked to have a cut on the head. The United support totalled around 180.
United win with last minute goal
Hereford United beat Kettering Town 3-2 with a last minute goal from Steve Guinan. Terry's report is now available here.
Turner taking nothing for granted
Hereford United boss Graham Turner is taking nothing for granted against Kettering Town tonight, kick off 7.45pm.
The Bulls go to Rockingham Road with the home side just one point off the bottom of the league, and told the Evening News that although the central defensive unit of Ian Wright, Tony James and Andy Tretton is working well, they expect a tough test tonight.
"The three have developed an understanding and have enough ability in the air to be a threat," he said. "We've looked solid at the back and the fact Matt Clarke got forward to get his second from open play just shows how they are encouraged to get in the opposing box, confident that those three are behind."
Turner added: "We played very well in the first half against Stevenage and scored two good goals but had to withstand a bit of a beating in the second half. But we didn't concede any clear-cut chances and we move on with confidence to Kettering. However I've war-ned the players it won't be easy because Kettering are scrapping for everything.
"They've been promoted and as so often happens found it difficult at first but it is going to be as tough as it gets and they have had a couple of decent results in their last few matches."
The foundations for success?
The last time I wrote for this web-site I was sceptical about the three man back line and how effective it might be. Time to take another look, I think. The first thing to be said is that only one goal has been conceded in the last 5 games, which is a defensive record to be proud of. Tony James has been excellent, covering well and looking composed on the ball. Tretton has looked solid enough, Ian Wright looks the least comfortable but has coped. The objective of getting the full backs further forward has been achieved and certainly paid off against Stevenage when they both scored. Rose did what he has threatened to do several times already, hammering in a great free kick, and Clarke scored his second of the season. So to answer the question I posed last time, 3-5-2 or 4-4-2?, it looks like 3-5-2 gets the vote. All of which shows why Graham Turner is running a football club and I'm not!
The forwards are now the area for concern, not the defence. One goal from Guinan and one from Parry, and that's it. Grant looks like a player who lacks confidence, not ability, and he needs a goal soon before it becomes a problem. Even the greatest strikers have bad patches (look at Michael Owen's current form) so it's important that the crowd stay off his back. I don't think that he and Guinan get the right sort of service and seem to spend a lot of time chasing high balls for flick ons when they're probably better with the ball into their feet, looking to turn defenders, or feeding midfielders coming through to support them, which they don't do enough. Maybe the idea of playing Parry in behind the front two, as was tried at Woking could be the answer. The midfield also need to compete more for the scrappy stuff when moves break down - against Yeovil they just weren't quick enough to the ball.
However, the current position, having held two of the strongest teams in the league, is good. Ambitions for a play off spot look realistic, and if current form is maintained the crowds should start to creep up. Let's hope that the usual Hereford doom merchants don't start whining and desert the team the minute they have a poor result, which will inevitably happen occasionally. I think we should allow ourselves a little optimism!
Griffiths to miss Poppies trip
Hereford United go to Kettering Town tomorrow night without reserve goalkeeper Ken Griffiths.
Griffiths will miss the match, to kick off at 7.45pm at Rockingham Road, because of glandular fever.
Ben Smith is also still missing for Hereford.
Kettering have several injury problems, but are likely to field ex-Bull Scott Goodwin in midfield. Poppies boss Carl Shutt told the Northants Evening Telegraph: "We seem to have players dropping like flies with every game. Gez (Murphy), Dale (Watkins) and Garry (Hughes) all sat out on Saturday. And now Lee (Howarth) and Craig (Norman) have joined them."
Kettering drew 2-2 against in-form Northwich Victoria on Saturday, but squandered victory as the Vics notched a late goal to secure a point.
Away success surprises Turner
Hereford United boss Graham Turner can't really work out why the Bulls are playing better away from Edgar Street.
“I don’t know why we are doing so well away from home I cannot put my finger on it,” Turner told strictlyconference.com. “We look nice and relaxed and seem happy to soak up the pressure but there is no change of formation or tactics when we play away. But we have had four awkward home games against Chester, Yeovil, Morecambe and Farnborough. We came unstuck especially against Morecambe at home but just now we have a side brimming with confidence.”
Of the potential league success, he added: “There is a long, long way to go but it’s nice to be looking down at teams rather than looking up. “What it has done is create interest in the club again because we’ve messed around for too long near the bottom of the table and it is about time we gave our supporters something to shout about.”
Football as you've never seen it before
If you weren't at the Hereford United match against Stevenage yesterday then the next best place to be was at Edgar Street - watching the stars of Emmerdale Farm and Coronation Street, writes James Preece.
An attendance of around 400-500 soap fans turned up for a close look at the stars and they weren't disappointed; there was an outburst of clapping and cheering as the stars walked onto the pitch. As it was, kick off was scheduled for 2pm but with a mini-pitch invasion of eager soap fans kick off was postponed until 2.30pm.
When the match got under way, seemingly to the surprise of the crowd it was Emmerdale that had the early pace, shooting towards the Meadow End stand. Coronation Street quickly fought back with a shot just inside the area which sailed over the crossbar. From then on it was all Emmerdale, and by the 30th minute they had got a 1-0 lead and were looking good, but an injury time lapse in defence by Emmerdale allowed the equaliser to creep in from a lob inside the six yard box.
The crowd were hyped up as the players rejoined the pitch after the break with news that Hereford had taken a 2-0 lead at Stevenage. Emmerdale quickly resumed exactly where they left off firing a shot straight in the back of the net. From then on Emmerdale sat back and took the chances as they came, defending well, and with ten minutes to go there was another goal from Emmerdale, making it 3-1.
The last ten minutes were played defensively as Coronation Street tried to make a late comeback, but bringing all the players forward proved a mistake and Emmerdale were free to run the ball into the box from the half way line, thanks to a blunder by the Corrie keeper. Almost as soon as the re-start was made then Emmerdale, with 30 seconds of the game remaining had a wishful effort outside the box, but it was then deflected by a Coronation Street defender, leaving the keeper diving the wrong way, it was tucked up home as the final whistle went, the game finished Emmerdale Farm 5, Coronation Street 1.
150 not out!
Ian Wright made his 150th appearance for Hereford at Stevenage this afternoon, in front of about three hundred Bulls supporters. He must have been very pleased with both his own performance and that of the team.
Hereford have now kept three consecutive clean sheets against top opposition and should continue this good run of form against Kettering Town next Tuesday.
After the game, Michael Rose said: "The lads have performed well. I think second half we held on a bit and we had to defend quite a bit, but I think overall we played well. We seem to do really well away from home, we've had a few good results and we need to keep it going now." Graham Turner added " It is such a tight league, everyone is beating everyone but I think we are capable of giving most sides a bit of trouble. He was delighted with the performance and beleives the Bulls can now shoot for a top five place.
Stevenage is one of the better Conference grounds to visit. Away supporters get a good view of the game, even being seated behind the goal. Getting to the ground is easy, with clear sign posted directions, but the admission for children was high at £7.
In the press box today was former Hereford United favourite Ricky George. Barnet, his local team were at Scarborough.
Hereford continue good form
The Bulls won convincingly at Stevenage today with first half goals from Matt Clarke and Michael Rose. Hereford are now unbeaten in five games and lie fifth in the table with a game in hand over the top four. Terry's report is now available here.
More from Turner
"I'm not too disappointed " ( with our recent results ) Graham Turner told Trevor Owens of BBC H & W. "I think we could have played better in the Yeovil match, for half an hour we allowed them to dominate us. The longer the game went on the better we got. I thought we got stronger in the second half and competed a lot better. Did not play as well as we possibly can, I think we can do a lot better on the ball. But I have got to say in the two matches, we defended ever so well. The back three, Wright, James and Tretton have been very solid.Tretton has settled in very well and he has this habit of blocking shots.
"Going to Stevenage I think they are going to be a difficult side, bags of experience in there but we are full of confidence at the moment. We have worked hard as a side and I'm sure that we can get over that poor first half hour against Yeovil. We have looked at it in training, how we can start better in the games, why they dominated us in that period and how we can put it right.
"The away form and the level of performance has been excellent.It has been one of our downfalls in the past that we have not taken enough points away from home but I think the players really beleive they are capable of going to both Stevenage and Kettering ( next Tuesday ) and picking up maximum points.
BBC Hereford and Worcester are holding an open weekend tomorrow and Sunday.at their Hylton Road studios. Amidst the attractions is an auction in aid of the Acorn Hospice and one of the prizes is a signed photograph of the world famous Ricky George goal from the Hereford cup game against Newcastle in 1972. The auction will start in the Dave Bradley show from 9am.
Turner ready for Boro' test
Graham Turner's Hereford United are ready for whatever Stevenage Borough might throw at them tomorrow at Broadhall Way, kick off 3pm.
The Hereford boss told the Evening News that United aim to keep up their good away run, which has seen them win three of their four matches so far.
"We've had them watched and they are a threat," said Turner. "They've got a fair bit of experience and are a very solid Conference side - definitely top six or eight material."
"I think if you look at our last four games, two wins away and two home draws, it hasn't been a disaster," said Turner. "I would have liked to take more points but our away form has been quite impressive.
"I think Yeovil for a period in the first half outplayed us and they are a good side while Chester were solid and hardworking and very difficult to beat. We must pick up and carry on our away form and take that to Stevenage."
Bulls amongst the frontrunners
Hereford United are 20/1 joint fifth-favourites to win the Nationwide Conference this season, according to Skybet.tv.
Also quoted at 20/1 are Barnet, Burton Albion and Morecambe, with Yeovil Town 11/4 favourites. Forest Green Rovers are 200/1 outsiders and currently lie bottom of the league.
Despite scoring four goals already this season, Hereford midfielder Jamie Pitman is at 66/1 to win the Conference golden boot this season, alongside John Grant and Paul Parry.
Dagenham's Mark Stein is favourite at 4/1.
Parry hoping for Boro' return
Paul Parry could be set to return to the Hereford United side after missing the last two matches with an ankle injury.
The Bulls go to Steveange Borough tomorrow in a Nationwide Conference encounter, kick off 3pm.
Midfielder Ben Smith is still out after dislocating his shoulder pre-season and will spend a fortnight at the FA Training Centre at Lilleshall to boost his fitness.
Stevenage manager Wayne Turner has made Adrian Clarke, Scott Houghton, Paul Sturgess and DJ Campbell available for loan or transfer. Boro have had two offers from Ryman League clubs for Campbell, 19, but the player insists he wants to remain in the Conference. A five-figure bid from Margate for striker Jean-Michel Sigere has been rejected.
Stevenage or Hereford?
If you're not going to Stevenage Borough on Saturday, you can still support the Bulls by getting yourselves down to Edgar Street.
Emmerdale are playing Coronation Street in the battle of the ITV soaps, with many of the two series' main characters appearing including Corrie's Curly, Vik and Kevin and Scott, Marc and Robert from Emmerdale.
The stars are expected to arrive at 1.15pm to sign autographs and kick off is at 2pm - admission is strictly pay on the day and funds go to Hereford United FC.
Club apologise over Welsh flag issue
Hereford United have publicly apologised for the confusion over whether the Welsh flag should be allowed inside Edgar Street.
Following yesterday's board meeting, the club confirm that all national flags are welcome and that they are firm supporters of the FA's 'Kick Racism Out of Football' campaign.
A statement was released through the official website clearing up the situation earlier today.
Supporters Trust update
Members of the Hereford United Supporters Trust Working Party are pleased to announce very good progress to date in the work needed to set up the Trust.
As the Trust will be a legal undertaking, more time than some supporters expected has been necessary to ensure it will be correctly set up in order that supporters can vote to approve it.
The principal objectives of the Trust are:
- to strengthen the bonds between the Club and the community which it serves and to represent the interests of the community in the running of the Club
- to acquire and hold shares in Hereford United FC and act as proxy to existing supporter shareholders, with the express intention of gaining elected representation from the Trust to the Board of Hereford United FC
- to benefit present and future members of the community served by the Club by promoting encouraging and furthering the game of football as a recreational facility, sporting activity and focus for community involvement
It is hoped that by gaining elected representation of supporters onto the Board of Hereford United, the Supporters Trust can obtain public funds for the long term benefit and stability of our football club.
The key lies in the membership numbers it eventually attracts. Only then can we demonstrate to the outside world that we have a genuine 'community' based organisation set up for the benefit of all supporters.
Every member of the Trust will have one vote and one 'share' in the Trust (this will not be the same as a share in Hereford United, not until the Trust acquires shares of its own in the Football Club). An annual subscription will be agreed in return, but the aim is to get funds not just from supporters' pockets alone.
Members may put themselves forward for election to the Trust Committee which will comprise elected members (in the majority) and co-opted (specialist) members. Thus the Trust will be fully democratic.
A further update will be issued when the launch date is agreed. Volunteers to assist at the launch are very welcome.
Play-off place likely - Dodd
New HUISA chairman Keith Dodd is confident that a play-off place is a realistic option for Hereford United this season.
Quoted in today's Hereford Times, Dodd said: "The team spirit at the club seems to be excellent and I am very excited about the club's prospects this season. The new coach, Richard O'Kelly, is a very popular figure and there is certainly pace, commitment and determination in the squad.
"John Grant looks a very lively striker, for instance, and I honestly think a top-six finish is not beyond us. We all know that the club has to repay a £1million loan in May to property developers Chelverton but we are remaining very optimistic about the club's future.
"After May, I believe that United will have a very bright future."
Flag debacle over
Hereford United chairman Graham Turner has confirmed that the Welsh flag should remain at Edgar Street.
The Hereford Times reports that a board meeting was held yesterday afternoo to discuss the issue after a club director told mascot Billy the Bull not the fly the Welsh flag following several complaints.
However, there was a backlash as fans opted to back the flag instead of the club's decision.
United chairman Graham Turner explained: "It was politely asked for the flag to be taken down on Saturday following some complaints from our supporters. I think it's an issue that the club could have done without, particularly when the team has been doing so well. From the club's point of view, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place."
He added: "There are multi-national flags above the Legends Bar and I cannot see a problem with a Wales flag being there.
"As long as the flags don't upset the board advertisers then I don't think there is a problem. The issue was mentioned on the web-site and it seems to have been blown into a massive incident."
United's mascot, whose real name is Darren Coates, said: "The flags are put up to represent Hereford fans who cannot attend matches. We have 14 flags altogether, from Sweden to Algeria. My own feeling is that if I could not put up the Welsh flag, then I would take them all down."
Wright set for milestone
Skipper Ian Wright is set to start his one hundred and fiftieth Nationwide Conference encounter as Hereford United travel to Stevenage Borough on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
The ex-Hull City player should start his ninth game this season at Broadhall Way and should be joined by Michael Rose, despite the wing-back breaking a bone in his wrist agaisnt Chester City last Saturday.
Paul Parry is still a doubt with an ankle injury and has missed the last two home matches against Chester and Yeovil, both of which ended goalless.
Bulls boss Graham Turner has told his side to keep up the commitment levels seen in those two matches. He told the Hereford Times: "We have just played two of the fancied sides in the section and, in the main, we have matched them.
"If we remain at that tempo for the next two games, then we will not go too far wrong."
Playmaker Ben Smith is visiting a specialist today about his injured shoulder, and could be set to return to training imminently.
Are you 'Talking Bull'?
Talking Bull need your articles for the next issue - no doubt you can all find something to write about.
Please send your comments/letters/articles/photos to us at Talking Bull, PO Box 2000, Hereford, HR2 7WA, or you can e-mail them to talkingbull@hufc.com.
We look forward to receiving your submissions for the next issue.
Bulls in LDV draw
Hereford United feature in the first round draw for the LDV Vans Trophy, to be made live on Sky Sports’ Soccer AM this coming Saturday.
The Bulls are in the southern section of the competition and the draw will be made at 10.30am. First round matches will take place during the week beginning 21 October 2002. All ties will be settled on the night with golden goal extra time and penalties if necessary.
Result satisfies Williams
Gavin Williams, the Yeovil Town striker who played in tonight's 0-0 draw at Hereford United, was satisfied with the draw.
"This wasn't a bad result for either side," he said. "It was hard work playing against the Hereford defence. Ian Wright is a strong defender and Tony James is very quick.
Of his reception following his summer move from Edgar Street, he commented: "I was expecting a tough reception here but I can deal with that."
United draw blank
Hereford United's encounter with Yeovil Town has ended goalless. This was the second 0-0 draw in a row against well placed opposition. Terry's report is now available here.
Clarkie ready for Willo return
Hereford United defender Matt Clarke is looking forward to the return of Gavin Williams to Edgar Street tonight, as the Bulls host Yeovil Town, kick off 7.45pm.
The two are good friends, but there will be no love lost between them on the pitch, according to Clarke.
Talking to the Evening News, he said: "It's no secret we were good friends and it was a shame to see him go but he went with everybody's best wishes. I'm looking forward to playing against him but if he comes near me I might have to kick him."
After drawing 0-0 with Chester City on Saturday, the Bulls will be hoping for another good result tonight.
"It's two tough games against two of the better sides and will be a good indication of our own progress," said Clarke. "To be fair I thought we were the better side against Chester but they were very physical.
"Yeovil have got a lot of young lads who are not as big which might allow us to play a bit more football than Chester who didn't give us much time or space to play."
Gary Johnson, manager of Yeovil, is also ready for the task in hand, saying: "It will be a tough game for us as I am sure they will be wanting to avenge our 2-0 victory at Edgar Street last season."
Pasture fresh for Addison - again
Ricky George writes in today's Daily Telegraph.
There is a tiny cul-de-sac in the shadow of Hereford United's Edgar Street stadium called Addison Court, so named in honour of the man who, in the 1970s, became, arguably, the most successful non-League player-manager of all time.
Colin Addison, now at the helm with Forest Green Rovers in the Nationwide Conference, was just 31 when he took the courageous step out of top-flight English football with Sheffield United to join Southern League Hereford in October 1971.
"There was a lot of soul- searching. I didn't have to go but I've never been afraid to make a decision," Addison said. "It may have been a big step down in terms of leagues but it was a great step forward in terms of my personal future."
Success came immediately for the young player-manager. The team famously beat Newcastle United 2-1 in an FA Cup third-round replay at Edgar Street in which I scored the winning goal in extra-time. We then went out to a Geoff Hurst hat-trick in another replay against West Ham at Upton Park.
Election to the Football League that summer was followed by promotion in Hereford's first season in the Fourth Division.
"You could say the Cup run was beginners' luck. That second season was incredible," Addison said. "We started terribly and then went on a 14-game unbeaten run to clinch promotion on the last day."
Addison had a distinguished playing career. From York City, in 1957, he was leading goalscorer at Nottingham Forest for three seasons before signing for Arsenal in 1965.
"Bertie Mee was manager," he said. "And I have to say he was the best I've played for, an absolute gentleman."
Incredibly, Addison was sacked by Hereford in the summer of 1973 but he had embarked on a managerial career which was to take him to the far corners of the world. He won a championship in Kuwait and coached in South Africa and Canada, but it was his experiences in Spain with Celta Vigo, Cadiz and Atletico Madrid that he remembers with pride.
"At Vigo we knocked Johan Cruyff's Barcelona out of the Spanish Cup. When I went to Cadiz they were bottom of the league. We won our last four games 1-0 to stay up on the last day of the season and I still get a birthday card from Jesus Gil, the president of Atletico."
Back home, spells at Newport County, West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Swansea City, Scarborough and Yeovil have kept Addison a busy man.
His latest challenge at the age of 62, is at Forest Green, presently bottom of the Conference.
"It's a smashing little club with a great chairman. When I got here two weeks ago we had played five and lost five - just up my street," Addison said.
He has already made an impact in the Forest of Dean. Saturday's home win over Gravesend made it two wins since he arrived. Colin's wife, Jean, and daughter, Rachel, were at the game on Saturday. Five years ago they organised a reunion of Hereford's team of 1972.
"We're going to have another one in a few weeks," he said. "I've had a wonderful career but nothing will ever match that day, the Newcastle game. All the lads are coming - make sure you're there, Ricky."
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Welsh support Hereford United
There could be a number of Welsh flags at Edgar Street tomorrow night.
Fans from Wales may bring flags with them to protest at the club's initial banning of the Welsh flag from Billy the Bull's collection following complaints from supporters.
Earlier today, the club announced that the issue would be discussed at upcoming liaison and board meetings following a rally of support behind the Welsh flag.
Consequently, a larger number of Welsh flags may be shown than normal.
Hereford await Gavin return
Gavin Williams will return to Edgar Street tomorrow night as Yeovil Town take on Hereford United, kick off 7.45pm.
The Glovers, currently third in the Conference, signed Williams for £22,500 in the summer after his contract expired with Hereford and is likely to start in the match.
However, Yeovil will be without ex-Hereford midfielder Michael McIndoe who is banned and there is a doubt over the fitness of Kim Grant, who was absent from Yeovil's 2-2 draw at Stevenage Borough on Saturday with a thigh strain. Also missing is young star Adam Stansfield, who broke his leg a few weeks ago.
Ex-Hereford defender Tom White, now at Huish Park, remains out of action after undergoing a knee operation following cartilage damage.
Hereford will again miss Ben Smith through injury but Jamie Pitman should start against one of his former sides. Paul Parry's appearance is in the balance after he missed the 0-0 draw with Chester City on Saturday with an ankle injury.
Two at the top
SMBull leads the HU-FC.co.uk Predictions League for September with eight points after yesterday's game. SMBull and len westons last stand lie joint-top of the overall league with 19 points each. Full details, and information to August's winner, can be found under the 'Interactive!' option on the left menu.
Grant looks forward to Yeovil
John Grant told local press after today's draw with Chester that he was looking forward to next Tuesday's clash with Yeovil. He was disappointed that the Bulls failed to win this afternoon "but maybe Tuesday night we can get the three points against Yeovil and that would set us in good stead. Four points from two games against two big clubs would be good.
"Going without a game the other week was a bit hard for us but we have come good. Yeovil will be a stern test for us just as today was. But on our day we are capable of beating any team in this league. We have got a great team spirit and we are finding our feet and playing some good football. Credit must go to Rich and the Gaffer who have been working hard with us."
Talking about his own form Grant continued: "I feel I can offer a lot more. I'm a bit disappointed at the moment because I'm a bit hit and miss. Being suspended for the first three games set me back so it is going to take another couple of games for me to show the fans what I am made of."
Meanwhile, Chester 'keeper Wayne Brown said: "We're a bit disappointed because we just didn't get out of the blocks today. But I'm pleased that I've extended my run of clean sheets away from home to four. It's my job to stop goals not to score them."
United held by solid Chester
Hereford United were held to a 0-0 draw by Chester City who have still yet to concede a goal away from home this season. Michael Rose went closest to putting the Bulls ahead with two minutes left when his free kick was turned over the bar by Wayne Brown. Tonight's report can be read by clicking here.
Turner reviews the season to-date
Speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester, Graham Turner appears happy with the season so far.
"We worked through pre-season with the notion of getting things into place, but when you start the real competitive games the first test comes and we were fortunate against Farnborough but it was a hard fought victory and I think that set us up to go to Forest Green. I thought it was an outstanding performance there but we know that Forest Green have had their problems and we probably caught them just about right. The two set-backs against Gravesend and Morecambe were obviously disappointments and it would appear now that they were just a blip. We have got to say that the games since have been very pleasing and some of the performances have been excellent. Certainly we have been passing the ball better than any time since I have been at the club apart from probably the first season."
He went on to talk about the games against Chester and Yeovil and how he hoped his young side would cope. "Sometimes when you get players, particularly young players, complacency can creep in and I think everyone was congratulating each other after the victory on television on Monday and all that goes with it," continued Turner. "If there had been a lesser side coming then that danger of complacency might just have been there but it is Chester. Everyone in our dressing-room is aware of their start to the season and then you follow that with Yeovil, the pre-season favourites; two good games to come back home to, there will be no sign of complacency there at all.
"If we get our passing game going, I am sure we are capable of causing Chester problems and with a slice of luck take all three points."
Turner continued: "It has been a strange start to the season. We have played six matches, four of them away which has caused us cash-flow problems when three consecutive Saturdays we are scheduled to play away. We would have loved Yeovil on a Saturday as I am sure they would have brought a big following. So two games at home so far; one a victory against Farnborough which was a decent, hard worked for result, and then the blip against Morecambe where I did not think we played badly but we were handicapped by conceding two break-away goals and although we huffed and puffed in the second half, we were not able to break them down to get some points which I thought we deserved. But now we have got to start making Edgar Street a little bit of a fortress if we are going to do anything this season. We have to have a sucessful home record. That has got to start over these next two matches which I think will be a severe test of our credentials as to whether we are capable of being a top four or five side."
United hope to dent in-form City
Hereford United could dent an impressive Chester City away record with victory at Edgar Street tomorrow, kick off 3pm.
United attacker John Grant has yet to find the scoresheet and Steve Guinan has netted just once, in the match at Nuneaton Borough, but boss Graham Turner told the Evening News: "The strikers have worked very hard and created chances for others. Goals will come their way but as long as goals come from other areas I don't mind who scores."
Michael Rose may miss the match with a hip injury and Ben Smith is definitely absent, but there are no other injuries to report in a squad that has won their last two matches.
"We had some decent performances against Nuneaton and Woking and Chester and Yeovil will be a test of how far we have improved," continued Turner. "Chester have got a very good away record and haven't conceded a goal while Yeovil look a very competent side."
Of Chester, managed by Mark Wright, Turner said: "They've invested heavily with some vastly experienced players and having a big squad helps. I expected them to be up their in contention with the likes of Doncaster and thought one of the ex-Football League clubs to be involved. I'm not ruling out Yeovil but many of the ex-league clubs have invested in players."
Chester will be without striker Dave Cameron, who is suspended, while defender Phil Bolland could return after missing the start of the season with a hairline fracture.
Chester's Steve Harkness and Ben Davies will have fitness tests.
Meanwhile, former Hereford United and current Shrewsbury Town physiotherapist Simon Shakeshaft has been given the all clear in his battle to overcome testicular cancer and will return to work at the Gay Meadow in November.
HUISA Update
HUISA's new chairman has written to the membership to introduce the new committee.
Keith Dodd is the new chairman and is joined by secretary Penny Bayliss, Treasurer Nicky White and Vice Chairman and Steve Bayliss.
New to the committee are Allan Hawkins, Allan and Sue Palmer and George Webb. Richard Burkin, Peter Povall, Gerald Powell, Dave White and Dave Weaver will continue serving for another season at least.
HUISA are running the away travel this season and have tickets for the four upcoming away matches:
- Stevenage Borough - 21st September - depart 9.30am - £17.50
- Kettering Town - 24th September - depart 4pm - £14.00
- Leigh RMI - 8th October - depart 3.30pm - £14.00
- Burton Albion - 11th October - depart 3.30pm - £13.00
Furthermore, the committee would like to thank Colin Oliver, the Edgar Street stadium manager, for all his help over the years. Colin is retiring at the end of September and a presentation will be made by HUISA in the coming weeks.
Graham on-trial at Edgar Street
Midfielder Gareth Graham has joined Hereford United on-trial for a two-week.
Graham played a very influential part in Whyteleafe's opening Ryman League Division One South matches, hopes to impress boss Graham Turner. The 23-year-old ex-Northern Ireland under-21 international joined 'Leafe in August after returning from a spell with Icelandic side IVB.
Last season he played for Margate in the Conference. He is, however, likely to play for Whyteleafe against Cray Wanderers in the FA Cup on Saturday. Graham started out with Crysal Palace.
United miss one
Hereford United will be without midfielder Ben Smith once again for Saturday's visit of Chester City, kick off 3pm.
Smith's dislocated shoulder is healing, but means he will not play in the first team for the next couple of weeks.
Chester will include former Liverpool defender Steve Harkness and ex-Scarborough and England semi-pro international striker Steve Brodie in their squad, but striker Dave Cameron is banned after an earlier red card.
Hereford coach Graham Turner told the Hereford Times: "We know that the next two matches will be difficult and they will provide a yard-stick to measure our progress against."
Top of the league
Hereford United are top of the discipline league according to the confguide.com. So far the Bulls have picked up eight points all for yellow cards. Halifax and Scarborough are the worst offenders with 29 points each. There are 3 points for a red card and 1 point for a yellow.
Both Chester and Yeovil, the Bulls next opponents, have had players sent off recently. Dave Cameron of Chester misses Saturday's match at Edgar Street. The ex-Lincoln City striker was sent off on August 19th when playing against Telford. Michael McIndoe, the ex-Hereford player now with Yeovil, was sent off against Farnborough on September 3rd.
Wright picks up little from TV encounter
Chester City manager Mark Wright watched Hereford United at Woking in preparation for Saturday's Conference match at Edgar Street.
Viewing the match on Sky Sports, he commented: "The conditions were bad and you couldn’t really take anything from the game. Hereford worked hard but we’re a very hardworking side and we’ve also got great team spirit here at the moment.
“We’ll go to Hereford in confident mood,” Wright added.
Centre back Phil Bolland, who had missed out on the last couple of matches, could make a return to the squad after injury.
Pitman given good reception
Jamie Pitman, who was released by Woking at the end of last season, was given a good reception on his return last night. There was no jeering or booing when he touched the ball. Had he scored the Woking fans would have probably cheered him. He did hit the bar in the second half but the referee had blown his whistle.
In the matchday programme, editor Paul Beard wrote: "It doesn't seem that long ago that Jamie Pitman was working his way down the left and and laying on the opportunity that Scott Steele took to score the only goal of the game on November 3rd last year. That scenario may be repeated tonight but it will surely not involve the same two players. Last November, in the game that marked the return of Geoff Chapple (the Woking manager) to Kingfield, Jamie was very much a Woking player and put in an excellent performance against Hereford United.
"It's always difficult to gauge what sort of reception players will get when they visit a former club of theirs. I feel confident that Jamie will be warmly welcomed. He only had a couple of seasons with us and was unfortunate to suffer several injuries during that period. He was unluckly to be here as the club struggled to find any sort of form but he most certainly wasn't a player that could have the finger pointed at him for not trying. Welcome back Jamie and have a good evening but not too good thanks and congratulations on being joint leading Conference scorer for August."
Later in the programme George Burnett, who writes the Supporters Club News, said: " Many of us were very sorry to lose Jamie Pitman to the Bulls during the close season,and we have been watching with some pleasure his goal scoring achievements. Good luck for the future, Jamie, your hard work and dedication to the Woking cause was appreciated, just don't do anything too spectacular if you are playing tonight though!
It does seem that when a released players returns to his previous club he is usually welcomed. The way Worcester City are playing, despite last night's draw, could see them in the Conference next season. With Snapper in the team and apparently doing very well, he could be playing against the Bulls! He would get a good welcome back at Edgar Street.
However, when a player is sold the circumstances could be different. We await the visit of Yeovil and a certain ex-Hereford player next Tuesday.
We have a winner!
In the HU-FC.co.uk Prediction League August play-off, "len weston's last stand" gained seven points to three of "O'Malley" to win the prize. If the winning player could email predictions@hu-fc.co.uk to confirm their password and details, we will award their winnings! Points from the Woking game will be published soon as the first September match.
Team is blending - Turner
Graham Turner, the Hereford boss, commented on last night's 2-1 win at Woking.
"We had a slice of luck with the first goal and it was probably deemed a turning point," the Bulls boss told strictlyconference.com. "But we have a fairly young side and results like that have begun to give them a bit of belief. There was a lot of changes in the summer and it takes time to gel. But they work hard and are now starting to blend as a team which is showing on the pitch.
"If you looked at the odds in pre-season we were 50/1 to win the Conference," Turner added. "We were rank outsiders and I can understand that. People know about our off field plight it has been well documented. In the last seven years we have spent £20,000 and brought in £500,000. I looked at Yeovil who had Gavin Williams and Michael McIndoe in their side and they are players I would have loved to have kept. But when a big bill comes in we have to sell to pay it."
The poor pitch would have resulted in a postponement had Sky Sports not been present, according to Cards boss Geoff Chapple.
"We had a bit of bad luck with the weather which was horrendous," admitted Chapple to strictlyconference.com. "Quite frankly had it not been live on television the game would probably have been called off. As it was I thought both us and Hereford made it a decent game for the television cameras and unfortunately we were edged out of it. I’ve got to admit we like to play and get it down and we were not able to do it as we would have liked."
Tretton wanted a third
After last night's 2-1 win over Woking, Hereford United defender Andy Tretton was pleased with gaining all three points.
He told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "We were a little bit disappointed not to get another (goal) because we had a couple of scrambles in the box but, to be fair, we were taking a bit of a battering early on.
"2-0 at half time was a big bonus."
Meanwhile, Jamie Pitman made his return to Kingfield after a summer move to Hereford, and said: "It was a tough game and we worked tremendously hard for the result. We defended excellently."
Hereford left-back Michael Rose added: "The lads are buzzing; we've just got to keep it going."
Clarke's goal seals victory
Hereford United beat Woking 2-1 on a rain swept pitch in tonight's only Nationwide Conference encounter. The Bulls got off to a good start when Jon Boardman put through his own net to give the United lead after eighteen minutes. Less than a minute later the advantage was doubled by Matt Clarke after John Grant had hit the post from six yards leaving a tap in for the United player. Woking did manage a mini revival when Chris Sharpling (60) scored to give the home side hope, but the Bulls held out to secure victory.
Terry's report is now in the 'Fixtures & Results' section, accessible through the left menu.
Tretton battling to be fit
Hereford United defender Andy Tretton is facing a race against time to make tonight's match at Woking, kick off 7.45pm.
Tretton picked up a groin injury at Gravesend & Northfleet and missed the home defeat to Morecambe and the 3-0 away win at Nuneaton Borough, which saw goals from Steve Guinan, Jamie Pitman and Paul Parry.
Ben Smith will certainly miss the match with a dislocatd shoulder.
Woking, managed by Geoff Chapple, could miss former Southampton attacker Nicky Banger with a hamstring injury but Warren Patmore and Ben Abbey should continue in attack after scoring seven goals collectively in six league matches.
Former Huddersfield Town and Leyton Orient midfielder Wayne Burnett and Sean Evers, signed from Plymouth Argyle, could both make their debuts after signing non-contract deals at the Kingfield.
Chapple said “I need to strengthen the midfield at the moment, and also to give my contract players something to give them a boost.”
Tonight's match is live ok Sky Sports 1, starting at 7.30pm with kick-off fifteen minutes later.
TV audience set for close encounter
Tomorrow night sees Conference surprise-package Woking host Hereford United at the Kingfield Stadium, kick off 7.45pm.
The Cards were widely tipped to drop out of the league this season but have hit the dizzy heights of second place at the early stage of the season, proving the doubters wrong.
However, Hereford haven't started badly and their record in televised matches, the game is live on Sky Sports 1, is very good over the past few years - a close game is likely to be in store.
Woking boss Geoff Chapple has been instrumental in the Cards' success and he hopes to emulate his record at the club in his first spell as boss, where he won the FA Trophy three times.
Ex-Woking midfielder and current Hereford top scorer Jamie Pitman with four goals told the Non-League Paper: "I don't feel as though I have to prove myself to anyone there. I got on with most people at the club and still look out for their results. I hope they finish as high up the table as possible - as long as it's one below us!
"We didn't have a game in midweek so we're champing at the bit to play Woking and I'm really looking forward to it."
Turner remains upbeat
Despite the poor accounts that have just been released, Hereford United chairman Graham Turner remains optimistic about the club's future.
"We know there is a sword hanging over the club in the terms that we are contracted to pay £1m plus back to the developer in May 2003," he told the Evening News. "But it all hinges on some sort of development in and around the football ground and it is part of a 26 acre site and too big a concern for the council and developers to allow us to go out of business.
"The current situation is not this board's doing, it was all in place before we took over. We inherited all this but there has got to be a way to ensure the club survives and that means the developers have got to get some return on their million pounds. There is 4.6 acres alone that we lease so there have got to be ways and means of satisfying everybody.
"I'm quite optimistic that all that can be achieved with the good will of the council and that needs them to recognise the importance of the football club to the community."
Meanwhile, Hereford United trialist Neil Gough has linked up with Heybridge Swifts of the Ryman League.
After the accounts
There seems to be some confusion about the latest accounts and what they reveal. They cover the period from June 2000 to the last day of May 2001, so are already some 15 months out of date. And although they report a poor year, there are good reasons to believe that the latest year (June 2001 to May 2002) will be nearer a break-even situation.
A comparison between the years ending May 2000 and May 2001 show a profit of £70,524 and a loss of £109,000 respectively. This is a difference of about £175,000 in net income. Yet the accounts show that gate receipts dropped by £120,000 and income from advertising and TV dropped by £136,000, so actual income dropped by about £250,000. The implication of these figures is that costs have dropped by about £75,000, and so the directors have been very careful with any spending. The overall debt is up to £1,370,204 which explains why no money can be spent on anything bar the bare essentials.
However in the year ending May 2002, there was better revenue from broadcasting. With the Wrexham cup game bringing in £100,000 and a couple of televised Conference matches helping the coffers as well, receipts from media and advertising should be back to about £150,000. Although attendance for Conference games dropped, the cup run will have helped keep gate receipts at a level just a little lower than the previous year. A small loss of perhaps no more than £20,000 looks likely assuming the sale money for Gavin Williams was banked in May.
Gate receipts are so important. Two hundred extra people paying at the turnstiles means an extra £1,500 income, so over say 25 home games that is £37,500. Pro-rata 500 extra brings in £93,750 and probably more money spent on programmes and the like.
The year we are now in looks more promising. The new promotion system could help attendances especially later in the season, and the ITV Digital fiasco has led to a general cut in players wages. These two factors alone should bring income and expenditure more into line. If the Bulls were to have a decent league and/or cup run and the TV cameras come to Edgar Street, Hereford could return a reasonable profit for the current year.
Transfer system could damage Conference
Graham Turner has grave doubts over the new FIFA transfer system should it be implemented for the Nationwide Conference.
Talking to BBC Hereford & Worcester, the Hereford United chairman also felt that the proposals could be challenged in the European Courts - and overturned.
The new system means there will be no transfers between 31st August and January 1st between Premiership clubs, and the move could be implemented further down the English pyramid.
"We've been warned that at sometime in the not too distant future it could affect the Conference," said Turner. "We've got the circular from the FA to say that, as regards cross-border transfers, or international transfers, no clearance certificates will be given for players coming in from other associations. If we wanted to sign someone from the League of Wales, that rules it out."
"It seems ludicrous to me that, at this level, when you're operating with small squads of players, that you have to think about a transfer window, which could come into operation in the not too distant future for Conference clubs."
The EU are likely to block any move should it be challenged, because the system is a restriction of trade.
"If you've got players out of work, who need to get fixed up with a Club, I would think that it's a restraint of trade if they can't sign for a club that wants to sign them," continued Turner. "It's employment law, and it applies to all walks of life and all jobs, and football is treated by the EU as being very much the same. I think it would be easily challenged in the EU courts."
Junior supporters in for a quid
Hereford United's younger supporters have an added incentive to travel to Woking for Monday night's Nationwide Conference match, kick off 7.45pm
The Kingfield club are allowing children to enter the ground for just £1 and there will also be pre-match and half-time entertainment to keep the crowd happy. Those that are not at the ground can follow the game live on Sky Sports 1.
However, United boss Graham Turner is less than happy about the break, which is over a week long, in the build-up to the Woking match.
Following the postponement of the Northwich match on Tuesday night due to a clash with the Cheshire Senior Cup, Turner commented: "We would rather have played on Tuesday after our performance at Nuneaton so it's not been good to wait. We've only had one really bad performance against Gravesend but we needed the result at Nuneaton after two setbacks and I was pleased with the players' reaction."
For the Woking match, defender Andy Tretton could return if his groin injury clears up sufficiently, but midfielder Ben Smith is still three weeks away from action as his dislocated shoulder completes healing.
Pitman relishing Woking challenge
Hereford United head to Woking on Monday for a Conference clash set to be screened by Sky Sports 1, kick off 7.45pm (not 8.05pm as reported elsewhere).
The game marks the return of midfielder Jamie Pitman to the Kingfield following his summer move to the Bulls, where he is currently top scorer after five matches with four goals.
"It could not have been a better start for me. Everyone enjoys scoring goals and the spirit at the club is brilliant, too," said Pitman in today's Hereford Times.
Of Woking, he commented: "They have got some good players, so we know that it will be a difficult match. But we played really well in our 3-0 win at Nuneaton."
Cards boss Geoff Chapple told strictlyconference.com: “It’s great for us being on SKY because we can put the club in the right image. Not many people, certainly in the non-league game, have not heard of Woking Football Club and to play Hereford is a great one for us. They are former Football League members being in front of the cameras it gives us an opportunity to put the club in the public eye.
“People can see that we are a thriving club and that we’ve got a lovely stadium and we want to do it right. We want the product to be right on the pitch and between Hereford and ourselves we hope to produce a cracking match to show people the quality of the Conference.”
Woking receive around £5,000 and Hereford will be paid about £2,000 by SKY.
Latest accounts released
The accounts for the year ending May 31st 2001 have been released, reports this morning's Hereford Times.
They state that the club lost nearly £109,000 over the year and the debt stands at £1,370,204. Receipts from both the turnstiles and media fell by over £250,000 but costs look to have been kept to a bare minimum. Chairman Graham Turner, who appears to have taken a wage cut along with fellow directors Joan Fennessy and Ron Jukes, is said to take the view that the financial problems surrounding the club will be resolved before the D-Day of May 19th next year. Despite this, auditors Baker Tilly comment that Hereford United will not be in a position to continue trading at the end of the season if the situation is not resolved.
HU-FC.co.uk will look at the accounts in more detail in a future article.
Yeovil are getting excited
The Yeovil website reports that "on Tuesday 17th September Yeovil make the trip to Edgar Street to play old rivals Hereford, and hopefully Michael McIndoe and Gavin Williams will show the home fans just what they are missing."
However HU-FC.co.uk understands that McIndoe may not play due to being sent off last night against Farnborough. Yeovil boss Gary Johnson thought: "The referee was a bit too sharp with yellow cards and as a result we had McIndoe sent off for a second yellow.
Farnborough defender Michael Warner who was involved with McIndoe said: "I was marking him and he caught me and I retaliated and we both got booked. He got sent off when he put an arm across my face although I couldn't say whether it was deliberate or not."
The game on Tuesday week could be a highly charged affair.
3-5-2 or 4-4-2?
Huw Williams looks at the formation situation at Edgar Street.
The three centre back formation has been Graham Turner's preference so far. I've only seen it in action in the home defeat by Morecambe, but I'm not convinced. In its most effective deployment, 3-5-2 uses two defenders in a marking role, with the third as a spare man, sweeper, libero, or whatever you want to call him. This third man is expected to bring the ball out from defence and help build moves from the back. Most English teams that try it just string three big men across the back and, with all due respect to our guys, none of them are able to really fill the creative role.
The full backs pushed up and rather than giving width just added congestion to midfield. Michael Rose always seemed to come inside when he was on the ball, which just carried it into an already crowded area, and also brought the ball onto his right (weaker?) foot, although Pitman seemed to work better on the right hand side. As an aside, who'd have picked him out as our top scorer so far?
United switched to 4-4-2 in the second half, with Parry moving wide rather than playing as a out and out striker, which seems much more natural for him. The team also looked better balanced at the back, although with Morecambe down to ten men and playing a lone striker, our defence shouldn't have been under too much pressure anyway.
4-4-2 is a formation which will seem much more comfortable to most of the team, I'm sure. Three at the back may work, but I hope GT is prepared to switch back if it doesn't. I don't know how well it worked at Nuneaton, but you can't complain about the result! Time will tell.
Hereford stay in eighth place
Tonight's Conference results have gone Hereford's way. Forest Green had their first win under Colin Addison by beating Burton 3-2. Barnet could only draw away at Margate, and although Yeovil beat Farnborough 2-0, ex-Bulls player Michael McIndoe was sent off. So Hereford stay eighth, and McIndoe is likely to miss the Hereford vs Yeovil match on Tuesday, 17th September through suspension after his red card tonight.
Also of interest to Bulls' fans was the defeat of next Monday's opponents Woking who lost at home to Gravesend 3-2.
New independent forum
A new independent Hereford United message board has been launched.
The 'fans forum', not linked to Hereford United Football Club or HU-FC.co.uk, does not require registration and is open to supporters of any clubs, but especially the Bulls.
You can visit the forum at www.herefordunitedforum.co.uk.
Can Hereford hold their position?
There are ten mid-week Conference fixtures this week. Last night Telford had a surprising 3-1 win at Stevenage. This meant that Hereford remain in eighth position, but they could drop a place or two if results tonight go in favour of certain teams just below them although they will have a game in hand.
Burton probably have the best chance to move up as they should beat Forest Green at home. Barnet could also move up if they can defeat Margate at Dover. Farnborough travel to Yeovil but will do well to get even a point. They need to win by two clear goals to go above Hereford.
Forest Green have appointed Colin Addison as their new manager to replace Nigel Spink who was sacked after last Saturdays defeat by Chester. Addison had two spells as manager at Hereford, firstly in the early 1970s and more recently during the 1990/91 season. He still lives in Hereford.
HUFC VP 200 Club Update
A message from John Hale of the Hereford United Vice-Presidents 200 Club:
Thank you to everyone who has returned their entry forms for the HUVP 200 Club. Memberships are selling very well, although there is a plenty of room for more entrants!
Fully paid up members will be receiving their Membership cards very soon, which includes your allocated draw number(s) for the season. You will be notified if you win.
If you haven't yet sent back your form, please do so before 20th September including a cheque for £24 made payable to 'HUVP Development 200 Fund', c/o Hado Polythene, Spring Lane, Malvern, WR14 1AJ. If you require another form, or have friends who would like to enter, please let me know ASAP.
Postponement angers Bulls boss Turner
Hereford United director of football Graham Turner has told of his disappointment at today's match against Northwich Victoria being postponed, and has criticised the County FAs who organise the County Cup competitions which forced the change of date.
He told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "It's absolutely ludicrous that the Conference and the County FA couldn't get together. The following week there are no games at all scheduled, so why they couldn't fit in a Senior Cup match then, I don't know. Surely it's not beyond the wit and wisdom of Conference and County FA's not to have clashes at this stage of the season?"
"You have cash flow problems at this stage of the season. We won't have had a home match for nearly three weeks. You would have thought that with better communications, that there shouldn't have been a clash." he continued.
Turner said that the County Associations are stuck in the past and use their power to reschedule fixtures as a rare opportunity to show their strength.
"It's just people flexing their muscles and showing who's boss.... and I think it's the County FA's being a bit funny and deciding this is the day we're going to play, irrespective of what else is going on. It's particularly galling when it's a home match. If it was Northwich, away, then it's their cash flow problem, but, when it's a home game we're losing, then we just get ourselves annoyed over things like this."
No Northwich game tomorrow
To clear up some confusion which seems to be circulating at the moment, Hereford United are not in action tomorrow night. The Northwich Victoria match at Edgar Street has been switched to October 15th as the Vics are involved in the Cheshire Senior Cup tie tonight. United's next game is a week today, when the Bulls go to Woking for a match to be televised live on Sky Sports.
Two tied in monthly table
'len westons last stand' and 'O'Malley' are joint top of the HU-FC.co.uk Prediction League for August. Consequently, the two will 'play-off' for the monthly prize as the one gaining the most amount of points for the Woking match will emerge victorious! Could both 'len westons last stand' and 'O'Malley' email predictions@hu-fc.co.uk with their prediction, username and password before the match. Everyone else can also enter for the game, as a new monthly table will start on 9th September too!
Turner surprised at margin
Hereford United boss Graham Turner was delighted with yesterday's 3-0 win at Nuneaton Borough.
He is quoted as saying: "That was probably the best we've played and it surprised me how we've managed to get through such an experienced Nuneaton defence.
However, it wasn't such an upbeat note from Nuneaton manager Steve Burr, who commented: "How we can go from the best we've played to the worst in a week is beyond me. No one came out of the game with any credit except Steve Hodgson who kept the score down."
Hodgson was making his debut in the Boro' goal and made several good saves in the opening period before conceding efforts from Steve Guinan, Paul Parry and Jamie Pitman in the second half.
Meanwhile, the FIFA transfer windows will not apply to the Conference after FA chief executive Adam Crozier told the league to carry on as normal. Conference supremo John Moules said: "FIFA have made no decision as yet, so that's why the FA have told us there is no change to the current system."