NEXT HOME GAME - TBC
NEXT AWAY GAME - SUPPORTERS XI ARE PLAYING WORCESTER AT MALVERN ON SUNDAY AUGUST 3rd AT 3.00pm

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Hereford United's Dream Team

Leigh Edwards, the football historian, recently selected a post-war Hereford United dream team with the help of several Hereford United supporters and club officals.

For anyone who hasn't seen it we reproduce it below;

Tommy Hughes: Former Scotland Under-23 international goalkeeper who was Hereford united's 'Player of the Year' in 1973-74 and 1978-79. Initially with Clydebank, he joined Chelsea in July 1965 and made his First Division debut against Sheffield United in November 1966. He understudied Peter Bonetti and moved to Aston Villa in June 1971, featuring in their 1971-72 Third Division title triumph. Joining Hereford in August 1973, he helped them reach the FA Cup Fourth Round in 1973-74 and win the Third Division title in 1975-76. He was ever-present in 1979-80 and made 240 league appearances, then was briefly manager.

Chris Price: England Youth international right-back who was Hereford United's 'Player of the Year' in 1981-82 and 1985-86. Locally born, he made his his League debut in Hereford's 3-2 defeat at Notts County a year before signing professional in January 1978. He formed a notable partnership with Phil Burrows and was a Welsh Cup finalist in 1980-81, netting 27 goals in 330 League outings for Hereford prior to joining Blackburn Rovers in July 1986. Moving to Aston Villa in May 1988, he starred as they were League Championship Runners-up in 1989-90, then played for Blackburn again, Portsmouth and Cheltenham.

Steve Ritchie: Scottish Schoolboy international left-back who was ever-present in Hereford United's 1975-76 Third Division title triumph. Signing professional for Bristol City in September 1971, he played alongside his older brother Tom and moved to Morton in March 1973. He reunited with John Sillett at Edgar Street in June 1975 and netted three goals in 102 League games prior to joining Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen in March 1978. Moving to Torquay United in March 1979, he played for Yeovil, Trowbridge, and Chard, then was youth team boss at Yeovil and Hereford.

Colin Addison: Successful player-manager who plotted Hereford United's epic 1971-1972 FA Cup run. Signing professional for York City in May 1957, he moved to Nottingham Forest in January 1961 and also played in the top-flight for Arsenal and Sheffield United before becoming Hereford's player-boss in October 1971. He managed their 1972-73 promotion success and 1973-74 FA Cup run, remaining in charge at Edgar Street until July 1974. Later manager/coach of Durban City, Newport County, West Brom, Derby County and various Spanish clubs, he returned to Hereford as manager for ten months until May 1991.

Darren Peacock: Central defender who was 'Player of the Year' as Hereford United won the Welsh Cup in 1989-90. A former Newport County trainee, he made his league debut at Plymouth five months before signing professional in February 1986 and moved to Edgar Street in March 1989. He netted five goals in 59 league outings for Hereford prior to joining QPR for £200,000 in December 1990 and starred as they finished fifth in the Premier League in 1992-93. Sold to Newcastle United for £2,700,000 in March 1994, he featured in successive Premiership title challenges and joined Blackburn Rovers in July 1998.

Steve Emery: Versatile favourite who was an influential figure in Hereford United's 1975-76 Third Division title triumph. A former apprentice at Edgar Street, he turned professional in February 1974 and played in the 1976 Welsh Cup final. Reuniting with Colin Addison at Derby County for £100,000 in September 1979, he briefly followed him to Newport County prior to rejoining Hereford in June 1983. He netted 12 goals in 279 league games overall for Hereford before reuniting with Dixie McNeil at Wrexham in August 1985, then was player-manager of Westfields and Ledbury while working in the licensed trade.

Terry Paine: Ex-England international winger who was a key figure in Hereford United's 1975-76 Third Division title success. Initially with Winchester City, he signed professional for Southampton in February 1957 and starred in their rise from the Third Division to First under Ted Bates. He set Saints' appearence record prior to becoming Hereford's player-coach in August 1974, netting eight goals in 111 league outings while at Edgar Street. Later reuniting with John Sillet at Coventry as a scout and youth coach, he then managed Cheltenham Town and has held various coaching and media posts in South Africa.

Dudley Tyler: This Meadow End favourite starred in Hereford's epic 1971-72 FA Cup run. Initially with Pinehurst, he moved to Edgar Street in August 1969 and was Hereford's 'Player of the Year'in 1969-70. He helped Hereford to beat Newcastle United in 1971-72 FA Cup third round and take West Ham to a fourth round replay, joining Hammers for £25,000 in June 1972. Gaining top-flight experience, he returned to Hereford for £15,000 in November 1973 and starred in the 1973-74 FA Cup run and 1975-76 Third Division title triumph. He netted ten goals in 103 League games, then was Malvern's player-manager.

John Charles: Legendary Welsh international who was Hereford United's leading marksman in three successive seasons. Signing professional for Leeds United in January 1949, the 'Gentle Giant' scored a club record 42 goals in 1953-54 and starred in their 1955-56 promotion success. He joined Juventus in May 1957 and was idolised in Italy, returning to Leeds in August 1962. After spells with Roma and Cardiff City, he became Hereford's player-boss in December 1967 and netted 130 goals in 243 games before leaving in October 1971. He later played for Merthyr Tydfil, then was a publican in Leeds and died in February 2004.

Dixie McNeil: Striker who was top scorer in Hereford United's 1975-76 Third Division title triumph. Initially with Leicester City, he had spells with Exeter City, Corby Town, Northampton Town and Lincoln City before joining Hereford in August 1974. He was 'Player of the Year' in 1974-75 and joined Wrexham in September 1977, starring in their 1977-78 Third Division title success and FA Cup run. Returning to Hereford in October 1982, he netted 88 goals in 141 League games overall prior to joining Chirk AAA in July 1983. He later managed Wrexham, then coached Coventry City and has since been a book salesman.

Kevin Sheedy: Skilful midfielder who was capped 45 times by Republic of Ireland after leaving Hereford United. A former apprentice at Edgar Street, he made his league debut in Hereford's 3-1 victory over Preston six months before signing professional in October 1976. He netted four goals in 51 league outings prior to joining Liverpool in July 1978, then moved to Everton in August 1982. Starring in their successes under Howard Kendall, including two League Championships triumphs and the 1985 ECWC final victory, he featured in the 1990 World Cup finals, then played for Newcastle United and Blackpool.

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