Will Bulls gain from Hammers promotion?

Some months ago, Bulls News reported that Hereford United were chasing Yeovil for the proceeds of the sell-on clause cleverly agreed by Graham Turner when Gavin Williams was sold to the Glovers.

It was suggested that the full details of the sale of Williams from Yeovil to West Ham might not have been fully revealed.

Whether any extra payment was made from Yeovil to Hereford has not been made public.

Yesterday, Ciderspace, put a short article on its site about West Ham winning promotion to the Premiership.

Our congratulations to Gavin Williams (and also to another ex-Glover, Hammers manager Alan Pardew), who became a Premiership player today as West Ham United beat Preston North End 1-0 in the Championship Play-off Final. Our interest in the result of this match was not just sentimental, as part of the transfer deal that saw SuperGav move to The Boleyn Ground, a.k.a. Upton Park, was a clause for an additional payment to Yeovil Town should West Ham gain promotion to the Premier League. Although this figure was not disclosed the rumour mill suggests it will be in six figures.

Time will tell if the Bulls are to share in this additional payment.

UPDATE: Midday Wednesday

The Western Daily Press has said that as Williams has not made enough appearances for West Ham, Yeovil will not collect any money yet. However it states that The Glovers could still be handed a financial boost next year if Williams plays in 50 per cent of West Ham's Premiership games.

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From Graham to Chris for Robbo

Mark Robinson will have another Turner as his manager when he moves to Stockport.

After a year at Edgar Street with Graham Turner he moves to Edgeley Park with Chris Turner as his new boss.

Robinson has passed a medical with Stockport and has agreed personal terms. However there is still no word on a transfer fee which should be forthcoming as Graham Turner had offered Robinson a new contract and the player is still under 24.

Robinson has been talking about the move to the Stockport Official Website.

"If Hereford had gone up it would have been a harder decision for me but Stockport are a massive club and I just wanted to play for Chris Turner again.

I played under Chris for four years at Hartlepool and although Hereford offered me a new contract when he rang to ask me if I would join up with him in the summer I jumped at the chance to link up with him and Colin West again."

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Pitman has had his operation

Jamie Pitman has had his operation on his shoulder.

He has his arm in a sling at present but is beleived to be well on his way to recovery.

Meanwhile Northwich will be in the Conference next season. Their new ground has passed an inspection by the Conference officials.

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Gavin in the Premiership

West Ham defeated Preston this afternoon at Cardiff and so take the remaining place in the Premiership next season.

Gavin Williams, assuming he keeps his place in the Hammers squad, will be the first ex-Hereford United player to play in the top English Division for some years.

His rise is a tribute to Graham Turner who set the Welshman on his way to the top.

Meanwhile Danny Bacon, the Hucknall striker, has signed a one year deal with Lincoln City. Speculation in some quarters suggested a possible link with Hereford United but there has not been any official conformation of this.

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One way to pay for a season ticket

Several young Hereford United supporters are working at the Hay Festival this week with the intention of earning enough money to pay for season tickets to watch their favourite club.

The youngsters are helping with car parking and other duties as thousands flock to the Festival. Some of the proceeds are going to local football clubs.

The list of celebrities at this years festival is as long as ever. Already there have been visits by Goldie Hawn, Rory Bremner and Julian Clary. Dame Tanni Grey Thompson leads the sporting personalities at the event.

To come are visits from amidst others Tony Benn, William Hague, Jools Holland and Bob Geldof.

Leslie Law, the Olympic gold-medalist, who recently spoke about his memories of watching Hereford United as a child, is another guest.

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Williams remembers Hereford

West Ham play Preston tomorrow in the Championship play-off and former Hereford United player Gavin Williams says that if the Hammers go up he will dedicate his success to his time in Non-League. Now 24, Williams played for Hereford before moving to Yeovil.

"Non-League is a great place to learn at the start of your career and it was a massive help to me.

"Graham Turner was a great help as was Gary Johnson at Yeovil. I owe them both a lot.

"It has been a good season for Yeovil but I feel for Hereford again as they missed out on in the play-offs. They're one of the best teams in the Conference.

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Mkandawire loses out to Grazioli

Although Giuliano Grazioli has won the Conference player of the year, both Tamika Mkandawire and Michael Twiss were in the running.

And Mkandawire was the only Hereford United player to get in the Conference team of the year. The Non-League Paper published the following:

"The back four is completed by Hereford's Tamika Mkandawire. The Malawian-born defender joined the Bulls on loan the season before and, having signed permanently from West Bromwich, ran away with the club's player of the year award.

"His superb reading of the game and calm approach went a long way to securing the Bulls a second successive runners-up position."

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Travis has punctured lung

Simon Travis has a punctured lung and has spent four nights in hospital according to the Non-League Paper.

The Hereford United defender was playing with the English team in the Four Nations Tournament in Ireland. He is pictured in the paper with his wife Charlotte, who was flown over by the FA to be at his bedside, and team-mates Mark Robinson, Craig Stanley and Adam Stansfield.

"He landed awkwardly and got a knee in the stomach and when he went down and didn't move we knew it was serious," commented manager Paul Fairclough.

Travis is said to be "comfortable and making good progress".

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Tom Smith joins Worksop

Tom Smith, who fell out of favour at Edgar Street, is to join Worksop Town, who play in the Nationwide North League.

The following is from the Worksop Site:

Worksop Town are pleased to announce the signing of Tom Smith from Hereford United. Tom is a 21 year old 6'1" left sided defender/midfielder who was a product of the Rotherham United youth team before signing for Northampton Town. He joined Hereford United last season and comes to the Tigers highly recommended. Everyone at the club would like to welcome Tom to Sandy Lane.

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Stansfield scores for England

The last two games in the Four Nations Tournament take place this afternoon. There will be updates on the site.

Half Time Scores:

Ireland 1-1 Wales

England 1-1 Scotland


Adam Stansfield of Hereford United opened the scoring for England after just twelve minutes but Scotland equalised on 24 minutes.

The ball found its way through to DJ Campbell who outmuscled Kevin Souter in the penalty box and flicked it over Ally Ridgers. Scott Anderson raced back to stop the ball from crossing the line initially but before he could hook it clear Adam Stansfield charged in and bundled it over the line.

Stansfield turned provider for Englands second goal.

England took the lead just minutes into the second half through their captain Scott Kerr who ran on to a low Adam Stansfield cross from the right after the Scots had been caught on the with a driving counter attack.

Final Scores:

Ireland (McGrory 40) 1-2 Wales (Lloyd Williams 20 G Jones 87)


England (Stansfield 12 Kerr 47 Sinclair pen 53) 3-2 Scotland (McKay 24 Johnstone pen 50)

England: Glennon, Haslam, Yakubu, King, Robinson, Bailey, Sinclair, Kerr, Elding (Taylor 77), Stansfield (Mackael-Smith 83), Campbell, Subs: Bull, Charnock, Taylor, Stanley, Southam, Travis

England have won the tournament. Scotland came second, Wales third and hosts Ireland pick up the wooden spoon.

Much of the information about the Tournament has come from the Football Association of Ireland website and the Hereford United supporters who watched some of the games. We thank them for their help.

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Robinson leaves Edgar Street

Mark Robinson is leaving Edgar Street and moving to Stockport. It is not yet known what fee Hereford will receive for him.

The 23-year-old used to play for Hatters chief Chris Turner at Hartlepool and the Pools boss has now re-signed him according to Sky Sports.

Robinson is Turner's third signing of the summer following the capture of Rob Clare and Jermaine Easter.

Chris Turner hopes to complete the signing of Mark Robinson from Hereford United within the next seven days.

Speaking exclusively to stockportcounty.com the Gaffer said: "Martin is currently away playing for the England non-league team and I expect to sign him next Thursday.

"He's another player I had at Hartlepool and he played 90 games in the division we are going into.

"I know his qualities and I know what he can bring to the team. He has a sweet left foot and can knock quality balls in to the strikers.

"When you haven't got a massive budget to work with, it's important that you bring in players that you have good knowledge of and Mark falls into that category."

Robinson made 48 appearances for the Bulls in 2004/5 and scored two goals.

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Wrexham coming to Edgar Street.

Wrexham are to play Hereford United in a pre-season friendly at Edgar Street on Tuesday July 19th.

The details were announced by Wrexham earlier this morning.

The North Wales club will be in Division Two next season and their manager Denis Smith is currently putting together a "new-look" squad.

The game is the third home friendly for the Bulls. It comes in the week after the visits of Bristol City the previous Saturday, and Rovers the Saturday after, to Hereford.

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Updates from the Four Nations Tournament

There are two games in the Four Nations Tournament this evening.

Craig Mackail-Smith, who plays for Dagenham, put England ahead in the 44th minute.

Both Craig Stanley and Mark Robinson of Hereford United are playing for England and are reported to be having good games so far.

Lastest Scores: (half-time)

Ireland 0-0 Scotland

Wales 0-1 England

Final Scores:

Ireland 1-1 Scotland

Wales 0-1 England

The last games in the tournament are on Saturday. If England win their game against Scotland they will be champions.

England scored their winning goal in the 44th minute when Welsh centre-back Steve Evans made a disastrous mistake. Goalkeeper Tony Pennock was in close attendance when Evans attempted to volley a clearance from inside his penalty area.

Pennock looked prepared to deal with the situation but Evans attempted to play safe and instead he succeeded only in slicing the ball to Craig Mackail-Smith, who was left with an empty net for his finishing lob.

Evans was one of the most authoritative Welsh players on the pitch apart from this mistake and he was one of those who contributed to a succession of Welsh scoring attempts that somehow failed to produce a goal.

Graham Evans had the ball in the net for Wales in the 51st minute but was whistled back for offside. The same player struck England?s upright in the first half, Darren Barnard hit the crossbar from a free in the second and Chris Giles later headed against the bar as a more mature Welsh team repeatedly threatened an equaliser.

England, with a youthful team drawn from the Conference, played neat constructive football and had capable players in left-back Mark Robinson, midfielder Scott Kerr, centre-back Ismail Yakubu and busy striker Anthony Elding.

England: Glennon; Haslam, Yakubu, Charnock, Robinson; Southam, Kerr, Stanley, Taylor; Mackail-Smith, Elding. Subs: Bailey for Stanley 61, Sinclair for Mackail-Smith 86.

Wales: Pennock; Jones, Todd, Steve Evans, Searle; Bale, Tudur-Jones, Holloway, Barnard; Giles, Graham Evans. Subs: Davies for Holloway 73; Lloyd-Williams for Barnard 90.

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Good start for season ticket sales

The excellent value season tickets for Hereford United went on sale this week and according to the Hereford Times initial sales have been encouraging.

"We have had a very good response" said director Joan Fennessy.

Meanwhile Jamie Pitman is expected to have an operation on his shoulder injury this week. The injury has been giving him problems for sometime and caused him to miss a few games.

Tamika Mkandawire, who has not yet agreed a deal, has been told he will feature in the Non-League Paper's annual awards next Sunday.

Finally Graham Turner, the Hereford United manager, is currently on holiday.

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Another fans tour for charity

Hard on the heels of the announcement of a tour of the 92 League Clubs by four Hereford United fans to raise money for St Micheals Hospice, two Stafford Rangers supporters are to tour all League and Nationwide clubs with the aim of raising money for several causes.

On the 11th June 2005, two men (Ian Saberton and Ian Preston) are going to attempt to travel to 158 football grounds in the space of one week.

The Stafford Rangers fans will take part in a tour that will visit 158 football grounds (all the grounds from the 4 football leagues, and the grounds from the conference and it's two feeder leagues). The aim of the tour is to raise money for three charities, Macmillan Cancer, Mind (the mental health charity) and STRIPES (the Stafford Rangers supporters trust fund). The tour will last 10 days and cover well over 3000 miles. They aim to raise money by getting people to sponsor each of the grounds they are going to visit. A web site dedicated to the tour can be found at - http://www.158groundsin1week.co.uk

The main focus of their fund raising is to get people to sponsor every ground they visit. Every ground that they visit on our tour will have it's own dedicated page on the web site. The page will contain details about the ground, directions to the ground our ETA at the ground and, once they have visited the ground, a picture of the fans standing outside it. They aim to personalise each ground picture by holding up a short personal message written by the grounds sponsor in the picture. More details can be found on the website.

Hereford's page can be found here - http://www.158groundsin1week.co.uk/ground.asp?teams=64

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New deal for Welshman

Another member of last season's squad has signed a new deal at Hereford United.

Defender Ryan Green, a former Wales international, has put pen-to-paper on a new twelve-month contract at Edgar Street, reports the club's official website.

He joins Sam Gwynne, Jamie Pitman, Andy Williams, Simon Travis, Danny Carey-Bertram and Adam Stansfield in the squad for the 2005/06 season.

Green originally signed for the Bulls in July 2003.

Several other players are still considering their offers from United's director of football Graham Turner, including Tamika Mkandawire, Tony James, Andy Tretton, Craig Stanley, Craig Mawson and Rob Purdie.

Meanwhile Simon Travis is said to have a suspected cracked rib after last night's game in Ireland.

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Elding puts England ahead

Anthony Elding, the Stevenage striker, put England ahead in their Four Nations game against Ireland this evening. He scored in the 69th minute.

Three Hereford players started and Stanley came on late in the game.

The match finished 1-0 to England.

The goal came after 68 minutes following a corner from the right by Nicky Bailey. It seemed as if he had over-hit the cross but Elding succeeded in hooking the ball back towards goal from outside the far upright.

Ireland's goalkeeper Mark McNulty tried to reach backwards as the ball looped over his head but he found he was restricted by the close proximity of an English player and he could not prevent it dropping under the bar.

It was a rather fortunate winner and ironically immediately followed one of the high-points of a game that was too tight and competitive to allow the football to flow.

The corner resulted from an heroic dash by Ireland full-back Brian Gannon to overtake England's D. J. Campbell as he raced on goal and he slid the ball outside for a corner just as the English striker was about to shoot.

Bull was outstanding for England and his quick advance and brave dive denied Ireland substitute Barry McGrory as he ran clear and was about to hit Long's headed pass in the 81st minute.

A word of praise for Welsh referee, Mr. Neil Morgan. He was quick and decisive and his decisions were well transmitted to players and spectators alike.

England: Bull (Aldershot Town); Travis (Hereford Utd), Yakubu (Barnet), Charnock (Northwich Victoria), Robinson (Hereford Utd); Bailey (Barnet), Sinclair (Barnet), Kerr (Scarborough), Elding (Stevenage Borough); Stansfield (Hereford Utd), Campbell (Yeading).

Subs: Haslam (Halifax Town) for Travis 77; Taylor (Exeter City), for Stansfield 79; Stanley (Hereford Utd) for Bailey 88.


UPDATE:

Simon Travis was stretchered off last night with a possible Rib/Pelvic injury.

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Loanee Taylor out until late August

Daryl Taylor, the loan player from Walsall who was injured at Edgar Street, is expected to miss the start of next season reports the Evening Mail.

The youngster suffered a complex knee injury while out on loan to Hereford United late last season. An operation to correct the damage went well but the rehabilitation period will be lengthy.

Taylor is earmarked for a return to first-team contention around late August, almost a month into the new campaign, which will start on August 6.

His absence will deprive manager Paul Merson of a pacy option out wide.

Taylor started 10 first-team games for the Saddlers last season and showed, in bursts, that he has the pace to worry opposing defences. If he can fuse crossing ability to that pace he will be a major asset in League One according to the paper.

Whilst at Hereford he made five appearances and was thought to be a useful addition to the squad until he received his injury whilst playing against York City.

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Four Nations Tournament Update

The first game in this years Four Nations Tournament took place this afternoon in Southern Ireland.

Wales, last years winners of the competition, were well defeated by Scotland 5-1. There are no Hereford United players in the Welsh squad this year. Last year both Tony James and Ryan Green were selected.

This evening Ireland take on England with a 7.45pm start. As yet there is no reports of who will start for England. Four Hereford United players are in the squad.

Wales 1 ( Tudor-Jones 46 ) Scotland 5 ( McKay 1,25 Anderson 4 Souter 60 Johnston 90 )

The Welsh team: Roberts; Coupe (D. Jones 73), G. Jones, Todd, Evans, Searle, Barnard, Tudor-Jones, Holloway, Giles, Lloyd-Williams.

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Parry hopes to stay at Cardiff

Paul Parry hopes to stay at Cardiff City despite having missed parts of last season with injury.

However the ex-Hereford United player has told the Western Mail that Joe Ledley, the young winger who has taken Parry's place in the Bluebirds side, is destined for a great future.

Much could depend on who gets the mangerial job at Ninian Park now that Lennie Lawrence has moved upstairs.

"I'm definitely happy where I am," said Parry. "You hear a few rumours that people will be going, but nothing really concrete.

"I know the manager has to cut back, but it is up to him to work out how best to do that.

"But I really enjoy it there, they are the club I used to watch as a boy, it's close to home and I don't want to move."

Parry and Ledley spent last week in San Sebastian with the Wales squad.

"I bet there are a couple of clubs looking at him, I'm sure Cardiff would like to keep him, but it may be out of their hands.

"Joe has come in and done very well and he is going to be a great player.

"We both play similar positions, but I have played in the same team as him a few times and it's good to have competition because it keeps you on your toes.

"It has been nice for Joe to come out to Spain and meet the lads even through he hasn't been able to train because he is injured."

Parry suffered a serious ankle ligament injury after a dreadful tackle by Jon Olaf Hjelde in December's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest and is desperate to get back into the first team.

"I knew at the time it was nasty and I would be out for a while," he said.

"I could feel the pain straight away and I thought I'd fractured or broken something, as it was I had done ligaments in my ankle.

"I tried to come back a few times and it wasn't right so I just had to wait for it to totally heal.

"I have had glandular fever before which lasted six months and that was hard, but the timing of the injury was hard this time around.

"Watching the boys struggle at Cardiff was disappointing because I knew I couldn't go out and help.

"Coming away with Wales has been a nice pick me up because I have been out since January and it has been nice to go away for a week with the boys.

"I'll need to do a bit more than the other boys to keep fit through the summer and that helped keep me ticking over."

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Local effects of BBC cuts

The 24 hour strike at the BBC over job cuts today involves some 20 local journalists and production staff.

BBC Hereford and Worcester have cut one full time job from their sport team leaving just editor Trevor Owens to run the section. They have also cut their internet site coverage of local sport.

It is not known why sport has been chosen to take the brunt of the cuts locally.

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Friendly at Evesham?

Evesham United have reportedly invited Hereford United for a pre-season friendly.

Last season when the Bulls played at Common Road several trialists were on show and of those Graham Hyde and Mark Robinson later joined the club.

If the game goes ahead it is expected to be one of the last friendlies played at Common Road as Evesham are moving to a new ground.

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Better odds with Skybet

Hereford United are available at 6-1 to win the Conference with Skybet.

This is a better price than that offered from Betfair last week which only offered 5-1 against the Bulls.

Hereford 6/1
Aldershot 8/1
Accrington 10/1
Exeter 10/1
Morecambe 10/1
Stevenage 10/1
Grays 12/1
Halifax 12/1
Kidderminster 12/1
Cambridge 16/1
Dagenham 16/1
Woking 16/1
Crawley 20/1
Scarborough 25/1
York City 25/1
Burton 33/1
Gravesend 33/1
Northwich 33/1
Southport 33/1
Tamworth 33/1
Canvey 40/1
Altrincham 50/1

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English squad fly out today

The English Four-Nations squad, which includes four Hereford United players, flys out to Southern Ireland this afternoon in advance of their first game in the Tournament against Ireland on Tuesday.

Their manager, Paul Fairclough, has given his views about his players to the Non-League Paper and has some kind words about the four from Edgar Street.

Simon Travis: "I had my doubts about him. but he's won me over. He has played his best football since he moved to Hereford where he has been a better player all round."

Mark Robinson: "Some would say he is a surprise choice, but he has just got better throughout the season. He has done well against some tricky opponents and will be a real asset."

Craig Stanley: "He got more and more confident as the season wore on and we think he is an exciting young prospect."

Adam Stansfield: "He never really established himself at Yeovil, but he has worked hard on his game since going to Hereford and it's paid off. He's scored goals and is showing his true potential."

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Trewick reviews the Newcomers

The Hereford United coach, John Trewick, has been looking at the newcomers to the Conference and thinks the attraction of games with Kidderminster Harries will provide supporters with two highly charged local derbies.

"Kidderminster is a bit of a derby and it's certainly going to be of interest for people locally," Trewick told the Worcester News. "For spectators, it's not too far to travel and I'm sure our supporters are looking forward to those games. And I
suppose from the club's point of view, there should be a big gate when Kidderminster come here.

"I don't know a lot about Altrincham. Obviously, they have come up from fifth place in their league. I'm sure now that they are up, they will build quickly for next season.

"We met Southport earlier in the season in the FA Cup. We beat them 3-1 in the end, but they played very well and I'm sure, like any other team coming up, they will look to strengthen."

Although Hereford start, according to one bookmaker, as favourites to win the Conference this coming season, Trewick is realistic enough to know that the Bulls have plenty of hard work in front of them.

"Obviously, we've got a bit of work to do in the summer to get the squad sorted. We're not interested at looking at anything else or what people are saying about us.

"At the start of every season, you have to aim to win the league. That will be no different this coming season."

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It's cheaper at Edgar Street

Bulls News have put together a list of season ticket prices available at most clubs in the Conference. As yet seven clubs has not issued new prices (or we can't find the details); we will update the list after those clubs publish their revised prices.

Some clubs include reserve games in the season ticket prices, and a few add friendlies as well.

The list is accurate as far as we are aware. All prices are taken from the respective clubs websites. The season ticket price refers to the top price at a club and the matchday price likewise. This normally means a seat under-cover.

Accrington Stanley.....210...12
Aldershot Town.........285...15 
Altrincham.............200...12
Burton Albion..........N/A 
Cambridge United.......235...15
Canvey Island..........250...13.50 
Crawley Town...........192...13 
Dagenham & Redbridge...195...13 
Exeter City............255...14 
Gravesend & Northfleet.N/A 
Grays Athletic.........N/A
Halifax Town...........210...13 
Hereford United........200...12 
Kidderminster..........269...16
Morecambe..............N/A 
Northwich Victoria.....N/A
Scarborough............192...12 
Southport..............N/A
Stevenage Borough......N/A 
Tamworth...............198...10 
Woking.................240...15 
York City..............256...16 

The table shows that Hereford United have one of the lowest priced season tickets in the Conference and, except Tamworth, the lowest entrance charge.

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Stansfield signs for next season

Adam Stansfield has signed a twelve month deal with Hereford United. The striker who scored over 20 goals last season put pen to paper yesterday.

The following is from the Non-League Paper:

Hereford striker Adam Stansfield has signed a new 12-month contract which will see him stay at Edgar Street for another season.

The ex-Yeovil man was the Bulls' top scorer in his first season with the club, netting 22 goals in all competitions. Only Morecambe's Michael Twiss and Guiliano Grazioli of Barnet scored more frequently last season.

Stansfield left Yeovil after failing to regain a regular first-term berth after breaking his leg against Gravesend and Northfleet on the opening day of the 2002-03 season.

He is the sixth Hereford player to agree new terms, following Simon Travis, Jamie Pitman, Danny Carey-Bertram, Andy Williams and Sam Gwynne.

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Fairly strong side says Tinnion

Bristol City, who visit Edgar Street for a friendly on July 16th, will not bring all their first team for the game.

City are doubled booked on the day as they also travel to Clevedon for a game.

Manager Brian Tinnion says he will bring a "fairly strong side" to Hereford. Hopefully Joe Anyinsah will be included in the team.

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Lane back at Southport

Former Hereford United defender Chris Lane is moving back to Southport and so will probably line up against the Bulls again this coming season according to the Non-League Paper.

Lane, who spent much of last season with Leigh RMI, was sold by Graham Turner to Southport in January 2001 in an effort to balance the books. Hereford United were in a desperate financial state at the time.

He became a early fans favourite at the 'Port after netting just 16 minutes into his debut.

After Southport were relegated, he moved to Morecambe in May 2003 before a spell at Chester.

Meanwhile Paul Fairclough has finalised his England squad for the Four-Nations Tournament in Southern Ireland next week.

The four Hereford United players, Stanley, Travis, Stansfield and Robinson, originally chosen are all to travel.

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Mawson close to new deal

Craig Mawson is understood to be very close to signing a new deal with Hereford United.

Graham Turner is said by the Hereford Times to be still waiting to hear from those players who he has offered deals to, however it looks as though there will be good news within a few days.

Less certain is the position of current captain Tony James. Rumours of a move to Yeovil appears to no more than speculation. It is known that Gary Johnson was tracking him some months ago but there has been no sign of any deal.

Johnson, who is beleived to be looking for several players to boost his squad, has made a couple of signings already including Luke Oliver from Woking. Oliver, a 6ft 7 in center-half, is only 20 and Johnson was quoted as saying that "he has terrific potential."

Also in the Hereford Times, Turner mentions the pre-season programme which already includes two home games against the Bristol teams.

"Ideally, I would like to have seven or eight games, four of which would be at home."

He also revealed the thinking behind the slight increase in season ticket prices.

"There was support for match-day admission prices remaining the same at our recent supporters liasion committee but there was a big differential with the season ticket prices so the gap has closed slightly."

Meanwhile former Bull Gavin Williams could be playing in the Premiership next season. West Ham have reached the Championship play-off final.

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Season Tickets are good value at Edgar Street

Hereford United released their season ticket prices for next season yesterday and once again they are good value. The best prices will be available until July 1st.

In comparison with normal entry prices, the season tickets offer large savings for the supporter who attends Edgar Street on a reasonably regular basis. Some children tickets are even better value.

Terrace fans who expect to watch at least 15 home games are better off with a season ticket which costs £155 against admission per game of £10, which will rise to £11 should Hereford United be in the top five in the League.

Concessions are offered a slightly better deal. £85 buys a season ticket which is about the cost of watching 14 games out of the 21 Conference home fixtures. And again the £6 entry charge will rise to £7 should the Bulls figure in the top five.

Once again the best value in the stands can be obtained in the family area (block A) of the Merton Stand.

A family of four, two adults and two children, can buy tickets for £456. Roughly that equates to just under £22 per game assuming they watch each fixture. Put another way it is just over £7 per adult and £3.50 per child. That is a saving of nearly £5 per game for an adult and £5.50 for a child.

Even better is the one adult and three child ticket which costs £343, or just over £16 per game. Putting the adult price at £7, the child price is only £3 per game. On the gate price would be £12 for an adult and £9 for a child.

Hereford United's season ticket structure is easy to follow and whilst some clubs may have slightly different concessions, few have prices as low as at Edgar Street.

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Radford's battle with depression

Ronnie Radford is facing the challenge of depression reports This is Leeds. The Hereford United legend went missing from his home at Wakefield last week.

Radford shot from obscurity to sporting legend status after unleashing a powerful 35 yard strike that produced the most famous goal in FA Cup history.

It led to one of the competition's greatest ever upsets as non-league giantkillers Hereford United knocked out Newcastle in the third round replay in 1972.

After injury ended his football career in 1974 Radford, now 61, happily slipped back into obscurity at his home in Kirkhamgate, Wakefield. He enjoyed a contented family life and worked as a self-employed joiner until a devastating illness struck around eight years ago.

Radford's battle with depression reached crisis point this week when he went missing from home.

His wife Annie, 62, frantic with worry, alerted police after her husband failed to come home after driving off in his P-registered Vauxhall Astra on Thursday morning.

The grandfather-of-two eventually returned early yesterday and told his wife he had spent the night walking across Heath Common in Wakefield after taking some tablets.

Mrs Radford took her husband to the accident and emergency department at Pinderfields Hospital for treatment and he was later expected to be transferred to Fieldhead Psychiatric Hospital.

"I was really worried," said Mrs Radford today. "He has never done anything like that before, but I am just so pleased he is back."

Mrs Radford said her husband, who was born in South Elmsall near Pontefract, has been in and out of Fieldhead Hospital for the last seven months.

"He can't put his finger on why he is depressed. He says he has got a wonderful life and family, we all love him to bits, and he gets on with everybody.....he can't explain to anybody why he is feeling like he is. He doesn't mind people knowing about it. It can happen to anybody."

Mrs Radford said her husband rarely, if ever, mentions his greatest sporting achievement.

His wondergoal helped launch the career of John Motson, whose commentary has been replayed endlessly, accompanied by images of Radford celebrating with arms aloft and socks rolled down.

Hereford's hopes of a fourth round tie looked to be fading fast as Newcastle's Malcolm McDonald, put the visitors ahead with only eight minutes left on the clock.

But with four minutes remaining, Radford picked the ball up from near the half-way line and started to run at the Newcastle goal before unleashing his magnificent effort.
Ricky George scored an injury time winner to ensure Hereford a place in the4 fourth round.

As a teenager Radford turned professional with Leeds United but moved to Cheltenham Town after failing to secure a first team spot.

A spokesman for the South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust said one in five people will suffer from depression at some stage in their life.

"Depression is a very misunderstood illness and unfortunately the stigma that surrounds it often prevents people from seeking help and advice. People can find it hard to admit that they are suffering from depression, but it's a real illness, as real as any physical condition, and treatment can greatly reduce its duration and severity."

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Club announce Admission Prices

Hereford United has released the following information on ticket prices for next season:

STAND ADULTS £12.00 CONCESSIONS £9.00
TERRACE ADULTS £10.00 CONCESSIONS £6.00
ADMISSION PRICES WILL INCREASE BY £1 WHEN WE ARE IN THE TOP 5

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STAND SEASON TICKETS
SPECIAL "EARLY BIRD" DISCOUNTS IF BOUGHT BEFORE 1st JULY 2005.
DISCOUNT ON ALL SEASON TICKET PRICES FOR ORDERS WITH PAYMENT ON OR BEFORE 1st JULY 2005.

Prices quoted are before and after July 1st 2005.
MERTON STAND (BLOCKS B,C & D)
Adult £200 - £215
Child/Senior £120 - £130

MERTON STAND (BLOCKS A)
Adult + 1 Child £250 - £273
Adult + 2 Children £294 - £317
Adult + 3 Children £343 - £367
2 Adults + 1 Child £421 - £445
2 Adults + 2 Children £456 - £480
Senior Citizen £120 - £130

LEN WESTON STAND
Adult £200 - £215
Child/Senior Citizen £120 - £130

GROUND SEASON TICKETS
Adult £155 - £170
Child/Senior £85 - £95

Most prices have risen by about £10 over last season and are still excellent value.

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Travis signs-up

The official Hereford United website reports that Simon Travis has signed a new contact, keeping him at Edgar Street for another twelve months.

The twenty-eight year-old former Stevenage Borough midfielder played thirty-five Conference matches for Hereford this season, scoring once.

News on the other players considering their contracts is expected soon.

Furthermore, the Bulls will host both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers as their pre-season campaign starts to take shape. City are due at Edgar Street on Saturday, 16th July, while Rovers visit a week later, on Saturday, 23rd.

Both games kick-off at 3pm.

The club also have to arrange their HFA Cup Final match against Westfields, which will be played over the pre-season period.

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Higgins - Roman Abramovich of the Conference?

Ron Higgins is leaving Farnborough and turnung his attention to Kidderminster Harriers according to the Aldershot News and Mail.

The Ron Higgins era at Farnborough Town is slowly coming to an end after fresh take-over negotiations began in earnest over the weekend.

Chairman Higgins admitted for the first time last week that he wants out of Cherrywood Road in the wake of strong rumours linking him to a take over consortium at Conference new-boys Kidderminster Harriers.

Fleet-businessman Higgins walked into Cherrywood Road through the back door last August, replacing Tony Theo amidst a legality row in the passing over of shares with Vic Searle.

Now, however, it seems he has had enough with Kidderminster now red-hot favourites to take him on board and help revive their fortunes.

Higgins refused to confirm or deny his interest in Kidderminster when quizzed by Theo and fellow director Tony Turburville last week, stating simply that he has a number of options open to him in his quest to stay in the game.

He is said to be leading a consortium including former Boro coaches Neil Sillett and Mick Jenkins to take over at Aggborough.

Indeed, former Harriers chairman, and major shareholder Lionel Newton has welcomed the trio, describing Higgins and Co. as "the Abramoviches of the Conference."

"As regards to Ron, it's now all about signing on the dotted line. We have fought long and hard for this and I believe the club is getting its just rewards," remarked Theo.

"We naturally wish all the other clubs the best but it would be wrong of me to comment on Ron and the Kidderminster rumour. They have their problems, we have ours, and my sole concern now is doing what's best for Farnborough Town.

"If Kidderminster feel they have the Roman Abramovich of the Conference, then good luck to them."

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Shares in Hereford United

Should you own shares in Hereford United or any other football club, the following is a guide to what rights your shareholding gives. The notes come from the "I want one of those website."

This is not a complete analysis of Shareholders' rights according to UK law, but does cover many of the most important ones. When you acquire a share in a company, you become a part owner of that company and this entitles you to certain rights. Some rights relate to the financial side of owning shares, and others relate to the communications between the company and the shareholder, including the ways you can make your views known on the company's performance and actions. The most important shareholders' rights that you need to know are described below.


Share Value as printed on the share certificate

On your share certificate you may notice that a very low amount (usually less than £1) is printed on it - this is called the share's Nominal value or Par value. This figure indicates the stated value of the share which is fixed, rather than the market value which fluctuates; and does not in any way represent the value of the share that you could obtain from its sale. The current market value of the share can be obtained from a variety of sources, such as financial websites or financial publications. However it must be remembered that it is quite possible that the dealing and associated charges will exceed the market value of your single share.


Dividends

You have a right to dividends - a share of the company's earnings. These are usually paid twice a year; if the Board of Directors decides to make a payment to shareholders. However where only one share is owned any dividend due is usually below £1 and so may not be issued. The first payment in a company's financial year is known as the "interim" dividend, and the second payment is known as the "final" dividend.


Rights Issues

You may be offered the chance to participate in a Rights Issue if your company wishes to raise more money, which may happen occasionally. This is where the company asks existing shareholders if they want to buy new, additional shares, usually at a discount to the current market price. It should be remembered that the issuing of new shares may well cause the price of your existing shares to fall.


Scrip Issues

A company will sometimes offer you "free" new shares. While this increases the number of shares you hold, the price of each share falls proportionately so the total value of your entire holding remains the same.


Company Documents

All shareholders are entitled to certain documents that the company issues from time to time, providing they have their name on the register of shareholders. These may include news about important events such as major acquisitions, disposals, or significant changes in the company?s structure.

The Company's Annual General Meeting

An Annual General Meeting will be held by the company once a year. As a shareholder you have the right to attend and speak at such meetings, and you will be given at least 21 days notice of the time and location. You will receive information about these meetings direct from the company in which you hold a share.


Voting

Shareholders are asked by the company to vote on important matters which affect the company. The company will provide proxy cards so that shareholders can vote by post, or shareholders can vote in person at the Annual General Meeting. The company must ask the shareholders' views on issues such as:

Anything which might dilute their shareholding through the issue of more of the company's shares such as a Rights Issue or Employee Share Scheme.
Appointing and dismissing the auditors. Auditors are external accountants used by the company to check their financial statements. Their role is important because they are supposed to safeguard the shareholders against financial irregularities.
Appointing and dismissing directors. Shareholders must approve the appointment of all directors. The shareholders, as owners of the company, elect the directors to run the business on their behalf, and hold them accountable for its performance.

Proposed Resolutions at the Annual General Meeting

Under company law shareholders can only put forward motions if they can muster 5% of the company's total voting rights, or 100 shareholders who each hold at least £100-worth of shares. Resolutions must be submitted no less than six weeks before the meeting and then a copy of the resolution must be sent to all shareholders. Companies are entitled to charge for the cost of circulating extra resolutions.


Extraordinary General Meeting

Extraordinary General Meetings are any meetings which are not Annual General Meetings. Directors often have to call them to transact special business. Shareholders have the right to force the Board to call an Extraordinary General Meeting if they have the support of 10% of the company's overall share capital. This is a very rare occurrence because it requires getting together a large number of shareholders and, almost certainly, a number of major institutions. If the Board of the company does not comply with the request for an EGM, the shareholders can meet anyway and claim back their expenses.

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Difficulties with Share Register

Hereford United has so many small shareholders that efforts to update the register are fraught with problems and because of these difficulties calls for the club to raise money through a share isssue are unlikely to happen.

It is beleived that there are over 1,000 names on the register with Graham Turner having the highest individual number of shares.

But there are hundreds of names with just one share.

Many years ago, probably in the 1950's, shares were sold to supporters on the gate. This explains why there are so many shareholders with just one share. And to make matters worse it is understood that not all these names were recorded.

The shares were sold for just 25p each or five shillings at the time. It is beleived all 40,000 shares were sold at that time raising £10,000 for the club.

Over the years it appears that the share register has not been kept as it should have been, partly because of the work involved with so many small shareholders.

The cost of sending out the Annual Report must cost a fortune as every person on the register receives this report, including those with a single share. Around £500 was spent purely on postage for the reports to be sent out this year, and then there is the cost of printing as well to be paid for. Sources say that the club had over 100 returned to them "not known at this address" this year.

There have been calls to look at a new share issue for the club. If successful it could raise a six figure sum. However the present shareholders would have to agree to the move by a substantial majority and that seems unlikely as many can't be traced.

In the circumstances the directors are expected to keep matters as they are. It may suit them as no-one would be likely to purchase shares other than as a gesture of support for the club.

The total holding of shares by the directors is thought to over half of those that can be traced.

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Altricham win play-off

Altricham defeated Eastbourne Borough 2-1 at Stoke this afternoon in the North/South play-off and so will line up in the Conference next season.

Southport and Grays Athletic also join the Conference from Conference North and South respectively.

Hereford United supporters will already know Southport well having visited Haig Avenue for a F A Cup game earlier this season. Southport dropped out of the Conference in 2003.

However visits to Altrincham and Grays will be new venues for most supporters. And there are trips to Cambridge and Kidderminster to look forward to.

Meanwhile against all the odds Hereford United's feeder team West Bromwich Albion are staying in the Premiership. They defeated Portsmouth this afternoon which, given the other results, keeps them in the top flight of football

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Rigoglioso linked with Hereford

Adriano Rigoglioso has been linked with Hereford United according to the Non-League Paper.

He is expected to leave Doncaster after failing to make regular appearances for the Yorkshire club.

The midfielder was signed from Morecambe two years ago for £30,000, and his old club are also said to be interested. He started his career with Liverpool as a trainee in 1997.

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Excellent sponsorship at Forest Green

Forest Green are said to have secured over £300,000 in sponsorship for the next three years reports the Non-League Paper.

Against £35,000 per year for three years from Sun Valley and a few smaller contributions, it puts the amount raised at Hereford United in the shade.

Forest Green are moving to a new ground but have just been relegated from the Conference. So the amounts promised are outstanding.

Sheffield Insulation are putting in £192,000 over three years. Rockwell will spend £70,000 over the same period and Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd are sponsoring the shirts for an unknown amount. A sponsor for the stand is said to be about to spend £40,000 over the next three years.

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Bulls fans in NLP

Several Hereford United fans have been quoted in this mornings Non-League paper giving their views after Hereford were put out of the play-offs by Stevenage.

"There's been nothing original playing-wise and the performance in the second half was a bit gutless. The amount of money we spend going to the games and buying the merchandise would be worthwhile if we didn't have to put up with such disheartening performances," said Matt Richards.

"It's just desperate disappointment after a good season. Granted, it wasn't the free-flowing game we had last season but, to be honest, we showed a bit more steel this year - I think the club has moved on a step from last season," remarked Jon Hale.

"It's just another day in the office for a Bull's fan. Despite the trials and tribulations we have endured we keep on coming back for more. We do it because one day we will win - and when we do it will mean 1,000 times more to us than it does to a Manchester United fan winning another trophy," was the view of Mike Raven.

"The fair weather fans get angry at times like this, and while we're all very upset, it's easy to point the figure - we did as well as we could," suggested Chris Wilkes.

"It's been a great season with a sad, but fair, ending. I beleive we will walk the championship with a slightly modified and more eager squad," were the thoughts of Ben Arrowsmith.

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Carlisle back in the League

Carlisle will be back in the Football League next season after defeating Stevenage 1-0 in the Conference play-off final this evening. However the attendance was only 13434.

Stevenage battled hard towards the end of the game but couldn't get an equaliser.

At least Hereford supporters won't face the long trip to Brunton Park for a Conference fixture during the next campaign.

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More from Turner about squad

Graham Turner has spoken to the Worcester News on his hopes that he will be able to keep the basis of his squad for next season.

"They have all been offered new deals and we want them to stay," said Turner. "I think they will, but it would depend on what offers they get from other clubs.

"The number of players we can bring in will depend on who re-signs for us. We may be allowed to bring in six to eight players.

"We need to enliven the squad. I just feel we needed to change a few things and I think the supporters want to see new faces.

"The job over the next few weeks will be to try and bring in the right sort of players for the club."

"At the moment, we would need another goalkeeper, a central defender, but it depends on who we have next season because we are waiting on Tamika Mkandawire, Andy Tretton and Tony James.

"It's the same at full-back. Then we need a central midfielder, centre forward and so on. We need strengthening in most areas."

Talking about the four released players, Turner said:

"It's always difficult to make those decisions when you work with the players over the course of the season, and in Danny's (Williams) case for a long time. But decisions have to be made."

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Play-off Final this evening

The conference Play-off Final takes place this Evening at the Britania Stadium, the home of Stoke City. The game is live on Sky.

Carlisle take on Stevenage, in a final that sees the third placed team in the Conference take on the fifth team. Carlisle acheived their place in the final by defeating Aldershot on penalties and Stevenage with a Dino Maamria goal at Edgar Street.

The Cumbrian outfit are just favourities to win but Stevenage will be hoping that they can put right the disappointment of winning the Conference back in the Nineties and then being refused entry to the Football League because their ground wasn't up to standard.

Certainly from a support point of view Carlisle deserve to return to league football. Their average gate this season is well above any other Conference club with a figure of 5513. Stevenage has struggled to appeal with an average of only 2095. Even champions Barnet could only average 2512. Carlisle will probably have three supporters at the game for every one from Stevenage.

Hereford United supporters could tend to support Carlisle to leave the Conference. It's a long way to Brunton Park, whereas Broadway Hall as well as only being just over 3 three hours from Hereford is close to the South-east where the Bulls have good support.

Stevenage probably have the best stadium in the Conference whereas at Carlisle away supporters are put on a terrace which is open to the elements.

Carlisle haven't had the easiest of seasons with their ground being flooded in January as manager Phil Simpson told 5-Live this morning.

"We got a hell of a shock when we woke up that morning in January. We were down at Crawley and looked at Sky News and saw the whole of Carlisle flooded.

"It was a real testing time. We didn't have any training pitches as the grass was under water. We tried to play one game up at Gretna and that was frozen. We had games at Morecambe and at Workington. It was difficult."

So for purely selish reasons this site hopes that Carlisle win the game and move
back into the league.

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Higgins may takeover Harriers

Ron Higgins, of Farnborough fame, is leading a consortium to take over Hereford United's Conference neighbours Kidderminster Harriers but current Harries chairman, Colin Youngjohns, is pledging to fight the 'Abramoviches of the Conference' in the battle for control of the club according to the Express & Star.

The background to the story appears to be that Lionel Newton, the current majority shareholder in Harriers, wants to sell. There are expected to be two offers for Newton to consider, one from Youngjohns and one from Higgins.

Youngjohns has offered aroung £400,000 which is beleived to be about what Newton is looking for, but Higgins' offer has not been made public.

Higgins is well known to Hereford United supporters. The independent forum has carried a Higgins out banner for many months after he took over at Farnborough. Reports say he is still in control at the Hampshire club despite fans favourite, Tony Theo, being reinstated to the board. Last night at Farnborough Higgins said he was leaving their club but supporters await conformation.

Should Higgins gain control at Harriers then the future of current manager Stuart Watkiss may be in doubt. Watkiss is understood to be moving back to his hometown, Wolverhampton, and has another year to run on his contract. Higgins is said have former Farnborough management team Neil Sillett and Garry Thompson in his consortium, which could spell the end for Watkiss at Kidderminster.

Neil Sillett is the son of former Hereford United manager John Sillett and was in charge at Farnborough when Hereford put six goals past them on Good Friday.

Youngjohns is said to have the backing of former Harries chief Dave Reynolds. However Newton and Reynolds are said to have bad blood between them.

Newton told the Worcester News: "As long as he (Reynolds) is involved there's no way I'll sell to them."

The uncertainy over who is to own the club is also having an effect on Watkiss's plans to bring in new players to the club.

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Profit allows improvements to continue

The season just ended is expected to have shown another profit for Hereford United. Although the financial year does not end until the last day of May, Graham Turner will be aware that his prudent budgeting will allow the club to consider spending a little more money on players wages and possibly another one or two projects to upgrade Edgar Street.

The improvements to the dressing rooms are not yet finished, but most of the structural work has been completed. There remains some plastering and general decoration to be done.

However the club has refurbished the gym and purchased some new equipment.

The next item on the list of improvements is beleived to be the floodlights. Turner stated in March that the lights were not up to league standard. Estimates were recently sought for this project.

It is thought that most of the cost will be met from club resources, however there may be the possibility of a grant towards this work.

The problem Turner faces is that he has to keep making a profit if the club is to go ahead with work that is urgently required. Hereford United does not have a sugar-daddy unlike some other Conference clubs. In many ways it may be better without one as then everybody can feel part of any success that might come along.

Early indications suggest that the club has made in the region of around £150,000 this year against a record profit of nearly £300,000 last year.

The dip in profits can be partly put down to lower attendances and less transfer income. However income from cup competitions will partly offset the drop.

There is a possibility that the figure of £150,000 could be higher should a transfer fee be received for any of the four under-24 players at Edgar Street yet to agree terms assuming any deal is done by the end of the month.

Whatever the figure finally turns out to be supporters of Hereford United can look forward to more improvements at the ground.

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Youngsters sign new deals

Both Andy Williams and Sam Gwynne have signed new deals with Hereford United according to the Official Website.

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Dazzo's fight switched to Dagenham

Hereford United supporters will be sorry to learn that Dazzo Williams will not be fighting Nicky Cook at the Leisure Centre next month according to the Hereford Times.

Cook has exercised his right to fight at a home venue. However the fight will be on Sky. The date is set for June 16th.

Williams is bidding for the European and Commonwealth featherweight title.

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Turner enlists architect friend

Graham Turner is hoping to persuade an architect friend to help him with the plans for the development of Edgar Street.

The Hereford United manager has told the Hereford Times that the architect worked closely on the design at Molineux and also designed the Madejski Stadium at Reading.

"I hope he will join us as our honorary adviser on what we need to be looking at on the development of the stadium with the Richardsons and Herefordshire Council."

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Players under 24 at Edgar Street

In his latest interview Graham Turner told BullsCall that immediately after last Friday's game he talked to the five players who are under 24. Should any of them decide to transfer elsewhere then Hereford United would be entitled to a fee.

As reported below Daniel Carey-Bertram has agreed to a new deal.

The other four are beleived to be Tamika Mkandawire, Craig Stanley, Rob Purdie, and Mark Robinson. It is uncertain whether Turner has offered a deal to youngsters Andy Williams and Sam Gwynne.

Rob Purdie was born 28-09-82
Tamika Mkandawire was born 28-05-83
Mark Robinson was born 24-07-81
Craig Stanley was born 03-03-83

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Four released from Edgar Street

Four players have been released from Edgar Street. They are Lee Mills, Graham Hyde, Ben Scott and Danny Williams.

Graham Turner, the Hereford United manager, is concerned about those players who are under 24 because of the possibilty of a fee should they move. He has made all of them an "offer of re-engagement".

Of the five, striker Danny Carey-Bertram has agreed to stay and the other four are said to be considering their offers.

As regards the rest of the squad, Jamie Pitman has agreed a new deal.The rest are "thinking about it."

"There are two groups of players. The ones under 24 that we want to keep hold of so that we can claim compensation for should they move on. We have to continue paying them," said Turner.

"Any other players, their wages have stopped. So they don't want to hang about too long in making their minds up."

Turner is hopeful that if everybody signs he will look to bring in six more senior players. He also said that there are any young players about that we fancy then there is scope to offer them deals.

The full interview with Graham Turner is on BullsCall which can be found on 09068664664

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No Bulls in Welsh squad for Ireland

Neither Tony James nor Ryan Green has been chosen for the Welsh squad for the Four-nations Tournament in Southern Ireland.

It is unknown whether they were asked to join the squad and said no, or whether they simply were not chosen.

James has captained the side in the past. However his recent injury may have been taken into account.

Meanwhile a group of Hereford United fans are planning to travel and support the four Bulls players in the English squad and soak up some of the atmosphere in Sotheren Ireland at the same time.

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More season ticket news from Kiddy

More details of the season ticket arrangements at Kidderminster Harriers (see yesterday for basic details) have revealed that the club has a six month payment installment plan to help spread the cost of purchasing tickets.

They also have a special deal for students with valid ID which equates to about 25% off adult prices.

Kidderminster offer family enclosure tickets which mean up to two adults and up to three under-16's. These special price tickets are restricted to family areas in the certain stands.

However usual match tickets are dearer at Kidderminster than Hereford.

Terrace prices are Adults £13, Over-65 £8 and under-16's £8. Under 8's Free.

Seated prices are Adults £16, Over-65 £11 and under 16's £11. Under 8's Free.

Under 16's can go into the Family Enclosure for £6.

Meanwhile there are suggestions that Hereford United should make their season tickets easier to identify at the gate. At present it is said to be possible for an adult to use a concession season ticket instead of an adult ticket as there are seldom checks made.

It might be better to issue different coloured tickets for each type of supporter.

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Gould released by Bristol City

Former Hereford United goalkeeper Jonathan Gould is amongst seven players released by Bristol City today.

Gould, who came on-loan to Edgar Street last August replacing Matt Baker, was recalled to Preston in the middle of October, when their usual goalkeeper was injured.

However Gould was soon out of favour and signed a contract for the rest of the season with Bristol City.

Meanwhile Joe Anysinah has been offered a two year contract at City. He spent a loan spell at Hereford in the middle of the season and told the Official Bristol City website about how his time at Hereford helped him.

"The move helped me get back on track, allowing me to regain full fitness and get some good match practice, rather than playing in the reserves," said Anysinah.

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Low Wage Budget at Kidderminster

Kidderminster Harries are set to bring in a wage budget of just £300,000 for next season according to the Worcester News. This low figure will give manager Stuart Watkiss problems if the club are to mount a serious campaign to get back into the League.

Watkiss has only retained six players from a squad larger than that at Edgar Street. He didn't want to lose so many but the club's financial state had to be taken into account.

"Some of them will be leaving purely for financial reasons. Money will be tight next season and we have to be realistic in terms of what we can offer," said Watkiss.

Captain Wayne Hatswell has been put on the transfer market.

"He signed a new deal earlier this season but that was on `Football League' money and, to be honest, that has played a part in my decision to make him available," Watkiss admitted.

The figure of £300,000 may be increased if new directors are brought into the club. However at present the figure is around half of that available to Graham Turner at Hereford.

Meanwhile despite droping into the Conference Kiddy have decided to ask supporters to pay the same season ticket prices as last season having taken into account that the club will have two less home games.

Early purchasers will pay £210 for a terrace ticket and £269 for a stand ticket. However the club has decided to reduce the price for junior supporters.

Young supporters under 8 will get in free with a membership card. Those supporters between 8 and 15 will pay £25 for a terrace season ticket.

Hereford United are expected to release their season ticket prices within the next week.

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April MOTM for Turner

Graham Turner has been chosen as the Conference Manager of the Month for April according to BBC Hereford and Worcester.

The Hereford United manager was judged top manager by the Nationwide Conference panel.

Turner wins the prize after his side played seven games in April without defeat. Under the previous system other managers had a better points return per game but hadn't played so many games.

Meanwhile, Dino Maamria of Stevenage Borough with 40% of the vote is the Nationwide Conference Player of the Month for April.

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Jones is a welcome addition to the staff

One of the most important signings this season was that of Wayne Jones who arrived at Edgar Street last March. Hereford United had been without a full-time physiotherapist for sometime and Jones is a welcome addition to the staff.

In the Stevenage programme Jones, interviwed by Laurie Teague, talked about his career being cut short and his working with Graham Turner for the second time.Jones was born in the Rhondda Valley and became a schoolboy player at the age of 13 with Bristol Rovers. At 18 he went professional with them and was capped for Wales eight times at under 23 level. He then made his first full international appearance for his country against Finland. Wales won 1-0 with John Toshack the scorer.

The following year he was selected to play against England but two weeks before the game he injured a knee which forced him to stop playing. Luckily he was kept on the staff at Rovers and took his FA Diploma in the Treatment of Injuries and his FA Coaching Badge.

After a further three years he moved to Shrewsbury Town who had Graham Turner as player/manager at that time. Jones became physio/reserve team coach.

"Though only a small club - one season there was just Graham and myself doing the
coaching - we were playing in the equivalent of today's Championship League."

Jones moved back to Bristol Rovers after three years but says he wonders whether he might have followed Graham to Aston Villa.

He had spells in Qatar, Notts County, Huddersfield and back to Notts County. Jones then joined Gillingham where he stayed for over nine years.

However last season Gillingham just survived in their league and they didn't have a very good start to the latest campaign either. Then he was sacked as the chairman wanted to make changes.

"It came out of the blue. It happens in football and you live with it."

Jones was out of the game for four and a half months, before he had the offer to come to Edgar Street.

"Graham Turner heard I was out of a job and he asked me if I would be interested in coming to Hereford. My first thoughts were the distance from my home in Kent to Hereford and if it hadn't been Graham I wouldn't have entertained it. But I know Graham, how he works and I got on with him ever so well at Shrewsbury.

"Also it was getting back into football. I didn't realise until a couple of weeks here how much I missed it. The day to day involvement with the players, the banter, and the build-up to matches. So I'm really enjoying it."

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Parry back in Welsh Squad

Ex-Bull Paul Parry has been included in the 22-man Wales squad for a training camp in San Sebastian, Spain (17-23 May).

However Gavin Williams the other former Hereford United player who would be expected to be in the squad is out with an injury. And as his club, West Ham, are in the play-offs he may not have been allowed to join the squad even if fit.

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Former Bull out at Shrewsbury

Jake Sedgemore is amidst a large list of players not being retained at Shrewsbury.

Sedgemore played two games for Hereford United in September 2001 but soon moved to Northwich before moving onto Shrewsbury.

The following have been released: Martin O'Connor, Trevor Challis, Jake Sedgemore, Darren Tinson, Kevin Street, Sam Aiston, Liam Murray and Ross Stephens.

Both Luke Rodgers and Scott Howie were offered contracts but both turned them down. However Ben Smith, who was at Hereford and has suffered injury problems, is expected to stay for another season.

Meanwhile former Bulls striker Steve Guinan is to stay at Cheltenham for another season according to their Official Website. It was reported at the time he left Edgar Street that he had signed a two-year deal, and today's announcement confirms that arrangement.

Finally another ex-Hereford United player was told he was out of a job today. Bertrand Cozic is one of ten released by Kidderminster Harries. He made three starts for the Bulls in April 2004.

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Should he stay or should he go?

Bulls News contributers have reviewed how players have fared this season. The list below contains our views on who might stay at and who might go from Edgar Street and why. Whilst we agree about most players, we had to come to a compromise view over two of the squad.

Craig Mawson: Adequate replacement for Matt Baker. Hereford have conceded 41 goals this season in the Conference. Only Carlisle have conceded less. 18 of those goals came when Gould was at Edgar Street, and three when Scott was in goal against Carlisle. Compared with Gould who played in 14 games, and was an international goalkeeper, Mawson's record per game is superior.(Gould let in 1.29 goals per game, Mawson 0.82). Keep.

Ryan Green: Two halves to his season. First half troubled with injury, but proved himself again during the second half. Rumoured he wanted to leave Edgar Street, but his interview after the Play-offs suggested otherwise. Keep.

Simon Travis: A good season for Travis, who after Craig Stanley made the most appearances for the club. Said to be the fittest member of the squad after tests at Gloucester University early in the season, but Unfortunately troubled with injury over the last during the last six weeks when needed. Sometimes forced to play out of his best position. Keep.

Andrew Tretton: Another player who missed too much of the season through injury and then admitted he had returned too soon, Tretton is the back-bone of Hereford's defence. His recent partnership with Tamika Mkandawire has proved excellent only conceding 6 goals in the last 11 games. Could be offered captain's armband next season. Keep.

Tony James: For various reasons this has not been James' best season at Edgar Street. Firstly he has been linked to Yeovil, secondly he suffered a poor patch mid-season possibly after the birth of his child, and thirdly an injury at Hucknall Town which kept him out for the rest of the season. James has been at Hereford for seven years (296 appearances) and may feel it is time for a change.

Daniel Williams: His form this season have been generally solid but seldom outstanding, however he has scored 11 goals. Still looks too lightweight against physical teams and is not the dead-ball specialist he once looked capable of becoming. After three years at Hereford, maybe time for him to move on but could be kept as a squad player.

Jamie Pitman: A loyal Hereford player, but can not be said to have excelled this season. Missed out after being injured against Aldershot in September, and more recently has had problems with his shoulder popping out of position. Took over Captain's armband from James recently and leads well but not always by example. Keep, but he is probably no more than a squad player.

Adam Stansfield: Top goalscorer with 25 in all competitions, Stansfield has been a usefull acquisition. With better service he might be able to improve on that total. Sometimes he seems prone to go down too easily and gets caught offside too often. Keep.

Rob Purdie: On his day he can run circles around defences, but those days aren't very frequent. Another player who has had injury problems and missed several games. After three seasons at Hereford probably needs a change of club if his game is to improve. Release.

Daniel Carey-Bertram: Kept out of the side by Mills and Brown for much of the season, D C-B is still young enough to make a useful striker. 14 goals in twenty starts is a good return, most of them coming in the last two months. His goal in the play-offs at Stevenage will be remembered as perhaps the most celebrated goal of the season. Keep.

Ben Scott: The young reserve goalkeeper has had little chance to prove himself at Conference level this season, but has captained the reserve side and led them to the top of their league. With Mawson expected to stay, he may feel he needs to move but is adequate cover at present. Keep as a squad player.

Craig Stanley: We spent more time discussing Stanley's season than any other player. To his credit he has only missed one game all season when reputed to have a groin strain. However as yet he appears to lack confidence and sometimes looks lost on the park. Most of his six goals have come from long range efforts. Young enough to improve, but will have to show that improvement next season if he stays at the Street. On balance only keep if seen as a hope for the future.

Andrew Williams: A product of the Hereford youth set-up who might be worth keeping to see if he can make it. Not seen enough to take a fair view of his potential. Keep, only as a squad player at present.

Tamika Mkandawire: The player of the season. He is solid at the back and has seldom put a foot wrong, other than getting sent off against Burton which seemed a touch harsh. Has recently formed an excellent partnership with Andy Tretton. Keep if at all possible even if it means more money!

Graham Hyde: Of the three senior players that joined Hereford at the start of the season, Hyde has settled in well and played his part when called upon, particually recently. Probably more likely to challenge than any one else in midfield. Age may be catching up with him but could well cope for another season. Keep as a squad player.

Lee Mills: Mills has been relied upon to get the ball down and distribute it for the Bulls this season, but many opposing teams know his limitations and he has been marked well. Seldom been 100% fit this season and hasn't completed that many games, yet his 11 goals have been invaluable. He must be replaced by a younger, fitter version. Release.

Mark Robinson: The left footed player has taken time to make his mark but recently he has become a reliable member of the team as long as Turner goes with four at the back. Useful at taking corners and free-kicks and has the third highest number of starts this season. A good replacement for Michael Rose but has recently thought to have been looked at by several scouts. Keep if possible.

Sam Gwynne: Another lad from the youth set-up, who it is difficult to make a judgement on. Beleived to have been looked at by other clubs. Hopefully one for the future. Keep but only as a squad player.

Brian Smikle: Will return to West Bromwich where he has been offered a new contract.

Daryl Taylor: Loanee from Walsall who showed promise before being injured against York City. If released might be worth an enquiry.

Leroy Williams: Another loanee from Walsall, who was red carded on his first apearance for the Bulls. Probably better for someone else to improve as he looks very volatile.

There is no way of knowing whether this list will be accurate but our view is that few players will leave Edgar Street this time around, probably because the majority are not yet good enough to make the leap to a higher level of football.

If we are correct then Graham Turner could be looking for about six or seven additions. It could be more if players that he wants to keep move on to better clubs, as is being rumoured in the case of Robinson and Mkandawire. One thing is certain, whatever happens more height and strength is needed in the squad.

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Four Bulls in English Squad

The England squad for this months Four Nations Tournament includes four players from Hereford United.

Adam Stansfield, Mark Robinson, Simon Travis and Craig Stanley have been chosen by manager Paul Fairclough for places in his 18 strong squad. However Rob Purdie who has been included in the past has been left out and there is no place for Tamika Mkandawire.

Travis may be a doubt as he is said to be still suffering from injury problems which kept him on the bench for most of Hereford's game last Friday.

This years tournament is in Southern Ireland.

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Time to reflect and consider

After last night's disappointing, but not totally surprising, play-off defeat, it is inevitable that supporters will be calling for changes.

However in circumstances like these the first reaction of many is often not the most considered.

For Hereford United to have reached the play-offs was an acheivement in itself after being in ninth place at the end of March, just six weeks or so ago.

To finish second in the Conference seldom looked possible at any stage this season. After the loss of several key players after last years campaign, few predicted that the team would have done so well.

However with the final positions being so close, there was little between the top six or seven clubs.

And, once again, last night Hereford looked to lack that physical presence on the field against a strong Stevenage side. Once they scored their goal, it never really looked as though Hereford would equalise. And with several of the squad carrying injuries, Graham Turner didn't have the players on the bench to help out.

There are rumours that several players are set to leave Edgar Street. Whether more than one or two will move to a higher level of football is thought unlikely. Last season, Parry, Guinan, Baker, Rose and Smith all left and went into the football league. This time around Hereford haven't got the quality in the squad with perhaps the exception of Tamika Mkandawire.

Turner is thought to have offered new contracts to various players. Many will now consider their feature and news will filter through over the next few weeks who is staying and who is going. There will be the usual release list which will probably be out in a few days.

Whatever happens to the existing players, Turner must add some strength to the squad. He told supporters he had a new scout working for the club although his name has never been released. However, there will be plenty of players out there looking for clubs.

Supporters are often told that Hereford can not play their players the sort of wages several other Conference clubs manage. A recent comparison between wages at Stevenage and Hereford (Bulls News article last week) showed that directors at Broadhall Way were "sudsidising" the club income by over £500,000 per year. Hereford United will have made another reasonable profit this season, so should be able to afford some slight increase in wage costs but nowhere near what Stevenage have been able to afford.

Off the pitch, doubt remains over the structure of the club. Graham Turner has been at Edgar Street for ten years. For eight or so of those he has been chairman and manager of the club, a dual-role which has meant that he has often been unable to devote enough time to the football side of the job. With the fairly urgent task of securing fresh leases for the club and his promise to upgrade parts of the stadium, his workload will continue to be heavy, unless he decides the time has come to either appoint a new chairman of a new manager.

He would probably prefer to appoint a chairman with enough business knowledge to deal with the council and the developers. Whether that person is already a director, or needs to be brought in, remains to be seen.

Should he, and the board, decide to bring in a chairman, then he may feel that having a coach, a physiotherapist, and a part-time scout, is one person too many for a club of the size of Hereford. On the other hand Turner may think that to ensure another season with the aim of getting into League Two, he needs to keep all the help he can reasonably afford.

One area Turner should look is the PR at the club. For example recently there have been comments from supporters who don't live close to Hereford about the difficulties in obtaining tickets for the play-offs. The club needs to move forward in this area.

There is always the possibility that Turner will feel he has done all he can at Hereford with the resources he has. The directors have not, as far as is known, felt able to put money into the club at any time over the past few years and there is no "sugar-daddy" backing the club. Although the club is trading profitably there is still the debt to the developers to be sorted.

It is time to reflect, consider and then take decisions.

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The bloody play-offs

Glynis Wright watched last night's game at Edgar Street.

It's a bit tough being an Albion supporter, right now, what with the Premiership Sword Of Damocles hanging right over our heads, and some mad sod of an axe-man set on sending the whole shebang crashing earthwards at a disastrous rate of knots in but a few short hours time, but tonight, I witnessed something equally as bad for the heart and/or mind, if not worse. Sure, life at our level can't half get to kick you in the goolies just when you least expect it, but not nearly as much as it does when you're in the Conference, and struggling desperately to get out of it via the bloody play-offs.

As you've probably guessed by now, the game was Conference runners-up Hereford United versus Stevenage Borough, and the second leg of their bone-crunching clash, the first (and away) leg having ended in a 1-1 draw early last Monday evening. It being the second time in 12 months The Bulls had tried to take the 'lottery route' out of their version of The Outer Darkness, you really, desperately, had to want them to do it this time, especially as rank bad luck, coupled with some truly rotten refereeing, kept them out the first time round. A shame, that, as under former Baggie Richard O'Kelly, they'd absolutely walloped the pants off most of their Conference rivals the previous time round, including two memorable 7-goal blitzings, topping that just before the end of the season with an incredible 9-0 away win, and live on Sky as well!

This second-leg shot at it? John Trewick's Bulls (minus an injured Lee Mills; a crucial loss, as the one sure thing their game needed an experienced ex-pro's armoury of crafty little guiles and wrinkles tonight) huffed and puffed an awful lot, but, a short but frenetic spell at the end of the first half apart, when they genuinely looked like getting Stevenage reeling on the ropes at long last, and the ref steadily counting down the seconds to a knock-out, they weren't at the races, even. For the greater part of the game they seemed to be firing on far fewer cylinders than they should have been. Nerves? Quite possibly - it's not all that often you see Edgar Street shoehorning 'em in these days; tonight's near full house must have been their first since the last time they were in the play-offs, a scant year ago.

I suppose matters weren't helped much from the start by Stevenage quickly and quite cynically adopting a policy of seemingly wanting to kick anything wearing a Hereford shirt into geosynchronous Earth orbit, or collapsing as if shot whenever tackled; being what a certain ginger-headed former manager would probably describe as 'tippy-tappy football' purists, the home side didn't stand an earthly, the visitors' breakthrough coming around halfway through the second half, when the Bulls keeper tried to parry a fierce, low shot from the visitors, making a bit of a pig's ear of it, and the loose ball falling instead straight to a Stevenage player, who nutted it home with ease, and because The Bulls keeper was already committed, into an empty net.

Surprising, that, though; for most of the current season, home, away, or indifferent, The Bulls have played a delightful brand of skilful (and more importantly, superbly-entertaining) football, and by doing so, gradually fought their way up to a second position finish in that league, runners-up to rampant champions Barnet. Had they been in the Football League proper, that would have been enough to see them elevated as of right, of course, but being the Conference, there's only one automatic promotion place up for grabs, at present. Rumours abound that this ludicrous situation might well change in time for the start of next term, but that's poor consolation to the likes of 'Im Indoors, who looked totally crestfallen, gutted even, when the referee finally signalled the end of the game.

A double shame, really, as the poor sod had shifted like the clappers to a much-needed doctor's appointment at 5.45, breezed through the consultation with a speed even The Lancet would have been proud of, then, with me hanging on like grim death, and praying to any god that would have me on an emergency basis, seriously burning rubber on the Hagley Road and southward in an effort to make up for lost time. I can also report he braved (and cursed richly at!) snail-paced commuters (Worcester Ring Road), not to mention torpid tractor-drivers (main Hereford-Worcester thoroughfare) finally arriving at the car-park next to the ground with about 40 minutes to spare. Yep, 'creative driving' sure is a wunnerful thing, and let me tell you, I mean that most sincerely, folks!

But awful Hughie Green impersonations apart, it wasn't just my other half who ended up on the wrong end of a particularly rough deal tonight; having attended a fair number of games at Edgar Street myself over the years, it didn't take me all that long to realise Hereford's long-suffering regular supporters really are the tops; if ever there were an award for masochism taken to a frightening degree, then The Bulls would win it in a walk. No Premiership glamour or glitz for them, just a succession of long hard slogs by coach to all four corners of this football crazy England of ours, all weathers, with no guarantee of what sort of game would prevail once one's destination had been reached. Not to mention their inborn habit of digging into personal 'rainy day' stashes in constant efforts to save the club. I'm talking really genuine supporters here, who really care about the club, like those pensioner ladies I've mentioned before, that 80-year-old, the one who's still game for a lengthy away trip, any time or venue you care to mention.

Or good honest people like Nick Brade and "Talking Bill" (and strangely-subdued tonight - might have been because of his wife who accompanied him to the game), who would literally die for the cause, were the need ever to arise. There's no headlines, kudos, or big media write-ups for all the hard work those officials consistently undertake to ensure United go into each season with sufficient funds to do battle with the best that division has to offer at youth-side level, just the wisp of a hope that maybe, just maybe, their percentages will finally turn, and they'll one day return to the 'big boys' league they so unexpectedly left some six or seven years ago, and reclaim their rightful homeland once more. Look upon these works, you prima donnas, and weep.

A wickedly cruel disappointment for many of them tonight, though, especially given the knowledge The Bulls are normally capable of much, much better than that, but you can bet anything you care to name that those selfsame young supporters will be doing it all again next season, live; hail, shine, showers of frogs, plagues of boils, whatever. But it won't be with the same set of players they have now, though. 12 month contracts are the norm for them, so they'll just have to break up the side they've currently got, very likely, and pick themselves another from the leavings of the Football League; luckily for The Bulls, it's a buyer's market right now.

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Bulls suffer heart break again

Conference runners up, Hereford United, were knocked out of the play offs last night at Edgar Street by a physical Stevenage Borough side. As predicted it was a closely contested game and it saw the visitors come with an obvious game plan, which payed off. United, once again, failed to make home advantage count as they were spurred on by a following of around 6,000 and Stevenage collected their second victory at Edgar Street this season.

Danny Carey-Betram, scorer of the Hereford first leg goal, was handed a start at the expense of Lee Mills as he failed to recover from a ankle injury sustained at Broadhall Way. Graham Hyde missed the first leg through illness but started in place of Jamie Pitman and the other change for the hosts was Danny Williams in for Simon Travis. Boro made one change with Jon Nurse dropping to the bench.

Hereford started the game well and had by far the best of the first half. They would have perhaps been disapointed at not being in the lead at the break. Adam Stansfield, a threat throughout, won the ball down the left flank early on and found Rob Purdie fiftheen yards out but his shot was blocked. Dannie Bulman forced Craig Mawson into a good first save, as the stopper parried away the shot from twelve yards. Stansfield again won the ball down the flank and centred, this time for Carey-Bertram, but his tame shot was easy for Alan Julian.

Michael Warner volleyed a cross-come-shot from the right which provided a nervy moment for many as the ball rebounded off the frame of the goal. Ryan Green's powerful run into the penalty area was followed by a flick on to Purdie but his low effort was tipped away well by Julian; it fell to Stansfield and he forced another good save from Julian but was adjudged to be offside at the beginning of a good spell for Hereford. Stansfield got to the byeline moments later and centered the ball but it went across the goal face before falling to Stanley but he was denied by a good save. The ball was parried away and half cleared, before finding its way back to Stanley twenty yards out and his low drive was turned behind for a corner.

Mark Robinson went close with curling free kick from twenty five yards but it whistled wide of the far post. Stansfield got the better of Barry Laker in the air just before half time and then hit a first time shot that flew inches over the bar.

Stevenage appeared to change their approach from the start of the second half as they became much more physical and tough in the challenge. Anthony Elding was soon booked for an off the ball incident with Andy Tretton, but Tretton himself got carded moments after as he clattered Elding back. Jason Goodlife, exceptional for Stevenage, was booked for taking out Stansfield and later on in the half Green was booked for United and Nurse, on as a sub, was too.

Tretton had a good header at goal but Julian saved easily before Hereford had a massive penalty shout waved away. Carey-Bertram broke down the right and found the run of Stansfield towards the byeline. He crossed and the ball hit a defenders arm but referee G. Sutton waved it away. D Williams fired over after a poor clearance from Elding before disaster struck for Hereford.

Stevenage had United under pressure with three consecutive corners and a minor blip from Hyde allowed Elding the time to get a vital shot away. Hyde turned his back as he and Purdie covered the short corner and while he was facing away the ball was knocked to Elding. His fierce shot was pushed onto the bar by Mawson, leaving him stranded, as Dino Maamria headed in from close range after sixty eight minutes.

Hereford had no reply for this and looked deflated having conceded. D Williams was replaced by Leroy Williams as Graham Turner switched to three in attack but it was Boro who made the only other real chance with Elding's header being saved by Mawson.

The final whistle blew and the Meadow End stood still, in silence. Along with the rest of the home fans in a crowd of 6,862 they were unable to quite believe it had happened again. But Hereford United will pick themselves up from this, and any other blows to come in the form of players leaving this summer, and will be looking to mount yet another championship challenge next season.

HUFC Team: Mawson, Green, Mkandawire, Tretton, Robinson, Purdie, Hyde, Stanley, D Williams, Stansfield, Carey-Bertram. Subs: James, Scott, Pitman, Travis, L Williams.

SBFC Team: Julian, Warner, Goodliffe, Henry, Laker, Brady, Maamria, Bulman, Gregory, Elding, Stamp: Subs: Boyd, Nurse, Westhead, Quinn, Hocking.

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