The Ricky George Report

Ricky George watched the game on Saturday after coming on the pitch and speaking to the supporters. Below are his thoughts from the Telegraph:

Hereford United ended a nine-year absence from the Football League after a thrilling Nationwide Conference play-off final on Saturday evening.

The Bulls' 3-2 defeat of Halifax Town in extra time at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium was watched by 15,499 spectators, of which almost two thirds had travelled from the Welsh borders. And it was Welsh international full-back Ryan Green who broke the hearts of an excellent Halifax side when he curled in the 108th-minute winner for only his second goal of the season.

The 25-year-old ripped off his shirt, removed the corner flag and hurled it along the touchline as Hereford's ecstatic fans danced in celebration and relief.

The fans weren't the only ones in an emotional state. "Relief is my overriding feeling right now," said Graham Turner, Hereford's manager, chairman and majority shareholder. "We've come so close to this during the past couple of years. The way we twice came back from behind shows the character of the side."

Halifax deservedly led on two occasions. Having had the better of the opening exchanges, the Shaymen went ahead after 27 minutes with a stunning goal from Lewis Killeen. Greg Young ran 30 yards with the ball before crossing from the left, and after Alex Jeannin failed to clear, former Sheffield United striker Killeen connected beautifully to beat Wayne Brown from 22 yards.

However, one of Hereford's great strengths this season has been their resilience, and no player has typified this more than their 22-year-old captain and central defender, Tamika Mkandawire. Seven minutes after going behind, the non-league international, who is surely destined to go further in the game, strode out of defence and found Adam Stansfield on the right. The striker crossed to the far post and 19-year-old Andy Williams dived to head in his 13th goal of the season.

Halifax striker Ryan Sugden, who got married on Friday, went close early in the second half. The exhausted Sugden was replaced by former Hereford striker John Grant in the 65th minute and eight minutes later the substitute applied the deftest of touches to Killeen's cross from the left to put Halifax back in front.

Hereford were not to be denied, however, and when Turner sent on Cameroon international Guy Ipoua in place of Williams, the big striker promptly thumped a header past John Kennedy with 10 minutes to go to force extra time.

How gratifying that a game in which neither side deserved to lose should finish properly, in open play. As disappointed as Halifax must be, penalty kicks are not a way to settle major issues such as this, with so much more at stake than the huge Bob Lord Trophy.

For Hereford it means an immediate £250,000, as reward for a giant step up the football ladder, but even more important is the effect that the club - so well supported through thick and thin - exerts on a whole community. Along with fellow director Joan Fennessy, Turner has rescued an institution.

"The club was in dire straits when I was foolish enough to buy shares," he said, "and not one day has gone by when I've not regretted it. But at this moment it's all been worthwhile."

Ten thousand Hereford fans would agree.

---