Steve Bleasdale is rumoured to be a candidate for the vacant managers job at Chester City.
Bleasdale has just left Bangor City "by mutual agreement" after just six months in charge. He said that 'his heart is really with the English football system and also that travelling was proving to be problematic.'
This from the welsh premier website
Before entering management at Peterborough United, he was assistant at Chester City to Mark Wright, who parted company with the club at the weekend, leading to speculation Bleasdale may be set to return.
Bleasdale was best known for his appearances in Big Ron Manager, the Sky TV documentary series based on Ron Atkinson's efforts as a troubleshooter at the English League Two club.
Peterborough United received a fee of around £100,000 from Sky for access to the changing rooms and for Ron Atkinson to assist Bleasdale. However, the rookie manager was unhappy at Atkinson's involvement and subsequently banned him and the cameras from the changing rooms on matchdays.
In April last year, Bleasdale walked out of Peterborough only 70 minutes before a game against Macclesfield Town, reported to be due to clashes with Atkinson, and chairman Fry put himself in charge for the final two games of the season.
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Monday, April 30, 2007
Bleasdale may take over at Chester City
Jeannin leaves
The official Hereford United website has confirmed that French defender Alex Jeannin has left the club by mutual consent. Jeannin, 29, was a regular last season when the club won promotion into the Football League, after his summer move from Exeter.
This season however, has been frustrating for the Frenchman, failing to break into the first team after Christmas despite some encouraging displays before the winter period.
He played a total of 62 times for the Bulls scoring four times including winning goals against Tamworth and Exeter, where the celebrations led to Guy Ipoua's dismissal, but has not featured on the pitch in more than three months.
Update 6.15pm:
The offical Port Vale website confirms that Alex Jeannin featured in a reserve match against Barnsley Youth. Jeannin was a threat with his crossing ability throughout but was sent off near the end of the game for a 'last man tackle'.
More comments from Turner
As well as talking about new contracts (see earlier article) Graham Turner also spoke about the game against Shrewsbury in his post match press conference last Saturday.
"It was the last thing we wanted to finish our home season like this," said the Hereford United manager.
"You never want to lose at home but it hurts that much more when it's against local rivals.
"It wasn't for the lack of effort but we lacked that bit of sharpness in the Shrewsbury box.
"It's too easy and flippant to say we need better goal scorers. The players we have got, Alan Connell and Andy Williams, when they are on song can score goals.
"I just don't know the reason why we failed not just today but in so many games in the latter part of the season.
"It's the last third of the season. If we had a poor start and a good middle and finished strongly, everybody would have accepted that.
"But to finish poorly that sticks in people's minds in the closed season."
Boston Players Can't Train
Boston's players are unable to train, because they cannot afford to get to training sessions ahead of their "do or die" last day match with Wrexham.
Manager Steve Evans told their official site that he may not be able to hold training sessions because his players, now 10 weeks without pay, simply cannot afford petrol: "I am not sure how many players will train this week as some of them have simply run out of money and cannot therefore travel into the training ground. I feel for us all after being put in this situation, but we have a week left to fight and I am going to make sure we all do that."
Evans expects a capacity crowd at the Racecourse, but Boston may have only around 400 fans out of the 12,000 with just three coaches currently booked. He may see just eight professionals turn out for the game with David Galbraith, Paul Ellender, and Colin Cryan all likely to miss out: "It looks like we will travel to Wrexham with only eight professionals and a number of youth team players but if that is what we have to do, then we get on with it. The most important thing is that the Football League select an experienced match referee and not someone who will be swayed by a large and vocal home support."
Torquay Tickets Until Wednesday
Tickets for the final match of the season at Torquay will be available at the Club Office until Wednesday.
Only terrace tickets remain, although Torquay have indicated that Stand tickets will be sold to Bulls supporters on the day, priced at £14, £11 concession, and £5 for under 16's.
The Torquay club shop will sell tickets on Saturday, from 12 noon onwards.
Preview: Torquay vs Bulls
The Bulls travel to an already relegated Torquay side for a match that will have all the feeling of an end of season wind-down.
With both sides' futures already settled, and players likely to have been told their futures, neither side has anything to play for but pride. Torquay's demotion was confirmed three weeks ago, and results since have not gone their way, while the Bulls lower mid-table finish has seen a series of ineffective performances.
Torquay's season has read like a bad soap opera. Three chairmen, a dozen board members joining and leaving - sometimes within days, a failed Czech revolution and a current owner that doesn't want to be there. It's been anything but dull for the Gulls faithful this season, but the turmoil off the pitch saw a club that usually 'makes the numbers up' finish bottom of the pile. Just four of the players that started the season in the 16 are expected to play on Saturday, such is the player turnover at Plainmoor.
By comparison, the Bulls will likely field ten of the 16 that opened the season against Stockport in August. With Gareth Sheldon and Jon Wallis already departed from that opening day squad, fans are speculating who will follow them out of the door. One thing is for certain, the Bulls' front line will need work in time for next season. Marcus Palmer showed glimpses of ability on Saturday but will need to be physically stronger for next season, while Stuart Fleetwood seems to be out of the picture entirely. With an eye on next season, Graham Turner is expected to experiment with his final line-up and feature some of the fringe players ahead of further contract discussions.
Torquay United vs Hereford United, Plainmoor, Saturday May 5th, 3.00pm.
Sky Show Conf Play-Offs
A number of ex-Bulls will be on show when Sky televise the Conference play-offs, beginning on Friday.
At 8pm on Friday, Oxford travel to Exeter with ex-Bulls Adam Stansfield and Chris Hargreaves likely to be on show. The programme will also show highlights of Morecambe vs York. Stansfield is the toast of Exeter at the moment after his two goals on Saturday confirmed their play off place, but he has managed just nine goals this season. Bertrand Cozic is expected to miss out through injury.
The second legs are also televised live, next Monday and Tuesday.
News Round Up
Bradford will have 7,000 season ticket holders for next season's League Two campaign, paying just £138 each after chairman Julian Rhodes offered the £6 a match deal to boost support. Last season Bradford, who regularly attract gates over 10,000, charged £234 for the same ticket under an early bird scheme.
The chances of Bristol Rovers groundsharing with Swindon next season were reduced on Saturday after several skirmishes between the two sets of supporters as the sides met in Bristol. The worst incident involved a 20 strong baseball bat wielding gang attacking Swindon fans enjoying a pre-match drink.
Bury are resigned to losing the services of winger Marc Pugh, with Shrewsbury one of several interested clubs. The Shakers are expecting to lose several players in the summer, with Rochdale eyeing up at least three of their current squad. Rochdale themselves have handed new manager Keith Hill a three year contract after a stunning run of form since his arrival. Their performance since his December appointment would have seen the club into the play-offs if he had been appointed earlier.
Rotherham begin preparations for League Two next season by telling club captain Colin Murdock to find a new club. The Northern Ireland international has played just six times this season due to injury. Youth teamers Simon Harrison and Jamie Green have been given pro contracts.
Droylsden, newly promoted to the Conference, have cost their owner Dave Pace £3.5million to get there. The club have, however, no plans to turn full time. Southport, meanwhile, may revert to part-time status after losing their Conference place.
Wright Departs Chester
Mark Wright has left Chester City with immediate effect.
The former England international agreed a two year deal at the start of the season, but departs half way through the contract after a dismal campaign. Assistant Graham Barrow has also left the club.
Under Wright, crowds fell to around 1,500 with fans complaining of unattractive football and the club had not won for six games. He originally managed the club from 2002 til 2004, leaving after a spat with chairman Stephen Vaughan, and returned last February.
A candidate for the post may be Boston manager Steve Evans. Evans recently spoke of his friendship with Vaughan, whilst noting his dislike for Wright, and signed Vaughan's namesake son from Chester. However the early fans' favourite is former Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson, who spent three years as a player at the club in the mid '90's.
Party Leaders talk about Hereford United
Bulls News recently asked the leaders of the four main parties contesting the elections in Herefordshire to put forward their views on the importance of Hereford United and why supporters of the club should vote for their candidates.
Three of the party leaders replied. Unfortunately despite a reminder nothing has been received from the Liberal Party so we are unable to publish their views.
The elections take place next Thursday.
The replies are printed in full without any editing.
CONSERVATIVE GROUP
Over the past 4 years as the Conservative Leader of the Council I have meet with
Graham Turner and representatives of Richardson Bros on several occasions to
ensure the needs of the Club are understood and addressed. This included the
agreement to extend the leases to ensure that the Club gained promotion to the
League and retain the Ground in it's present site.
As a Political Group we recognise that the Club has brought a great deal of
publicity to the County and that the Ground itself is one of the focal buildings
of the 100 acre developement.The level of support for the Bulls in the County
can be rightly compared to the volume of support given to many other Sporting
and Artistic organisations which receive public funds.
There needs to be a programme of rebuild of much of the Stadium to offer not
just a home for the Club but also improved leisure facilities and opportunities
for Business and the Community. Conservatives also believe that transport links
and car park provision must also be included in the planning and delivery of the
project.
There needs to be good communication between the Edgar Street Company, the
Council, the Club and Community to ensure that everyone understands the
timetable and issues that need to be addressed.
Supporters can be confident that Conservatives will continue to guard and
promote the best interest of our football club.
Roger Phillips
Group Leader
LABOUR PARTY
Herefordshire Labour Party has a long history of supporting Hereford United and would wish to continue to do so. We see several opportuities for the club with the redevelopment of the Edgar Street grid. With plans to realign the ground to allow for road widening there is an opportunity to up grade the stands and staff facilities making Edgar Street the most upto date ground in the league. Labour councillors want Bulls supporters to be fully involved in the consultations fo this exciting development. Projects of this size always take a long time to develop but i would hope that with suitable private investment, that the new ground could be developed within ten years.
I have been involved with the economic development of the city for a number of years and if re-elected will continue to make the promotion of Hereford United one of my main priorties.
Hereford United supporters should vote for Labour candidates because we are the only Party that has always given our full commitment to the 'Bulls' outside of election time. We are also the only Party that is not affraid to take on any problems that the supporters bring to us.
I am looking forward to a succesful season for 'United' next year when I hope to be Maroy of Hereford and to entertain United fans in the Mayor's Parlour.
Chris Chappell.
GREENS: HEREFORD UNITED
Herefordshire Greens are standing in the local elections to promote Herefordshire's local talent and character whether that is found in sport, business, food, farming or arts. Climate change is the big issue and "going local" is the way to tackle it. By doing more things locally we can reduce congestion, energy use and waste. By promoting Hereford more effectively we can create more local wealth - and this includes sport as much as business and food.
We want to promote a better quality of life, one which recognises the value of exercise. We welcome the real efforts Hereford United already make towards promoting sport in schools and commend the club for the vision and enthusiasm shown in this.
Green councillors would work hard to:
* Further support and promote the work already done by the Club in local schools
* Seek to promote the club as an integral part of a more coherent plan for improving the whole of Hereford
* Involve the club fully in plans to develop the Edgar Street Grid
We are completely opposed to another supermarket on the grid. This is because we think Hereford has enough supermarkets now and another one would result in lots more traffic and the closure of even more local shops and businesses.
Instead we want to see a Grid that is for everyone, and one that complements our existing city centre rather than competing with it.
Some of our ideas for the Grid include:
* Low cost housing for local people
* A multiplex cinema
* A local food centre including both an warm, indoor, permanent farmer's market and a regional visitor centre for "sustainable farming" as a tourist attraction and to teach our kids about food and farming
* Facilities for young people and families - how about a roller blading/ ice skating/ skateboarding centre?
* A local energy centre - composting food waste from the city to make green electricity
There have been rumours about the Football ground moving out of town. On the plus side the money raised through selling the plot might allow for a new and modern football ground somewhere else. However it would be sad in some ways to lose the facility in the centre of town as part of the revitalised grid and a site out of town might be harder to get to without a car.
What we can say is that we want to: -
* promote sport, excercise, and Hereford United
* develop more things to do for young people in Hereford
* reduce traffic (we would work towards making it more attractive and safer to walk, cycle or catch the bus to matches)
* improve facilities for sports fans
We are open to debate and discussion on this issue. We would welcome people's views about whether or not the football club should move into new premises, or work to improve the current ones. You can comment via our website - www.herefordshiregreens.org.uk - or simply email info@herefordshiregreens.org.uk
Football fans are also residents, drivers, parents, employees. small business owners, retired people and young people. Most people seem really fed up with the Council - especially with traffic and a run down city centre - and are unenthusiastic about the opposition Lib Dems. Greens are fielding a record 30 candidates this year - 3 times more than Labour - because we believe the time has come to Refresh the Council with some new faces. We hope Hereford supporters will get out and vote on the 3rd May, and vote Green.
Rob Hattersley
Sunday, April 29, 2007
No contracts agreed yet says Turner
In his post match comments after yesterday's game, Hereford United manager Graham Turner told the assembled group of hacks that no contracts with players had yet been agreed.
"There's a massive amount of work even on the players that are out of contract that we want to keep here.
"it's been going on for several months now.
"I'm not quite sure what players are waiting for. There have been offers, there have been improved offers and, so far, nobody has been prepared to commit themselves. But that work will continue."
It was suggested that agents might be involved.
"Yes, without doubt, yes."
Turner also said he had plenty of players in mind for next season.
"At this stage most of them are expecting Manchester United or Chelsea to sign them. So once they have got over that disappointment then they look down the leagues. May be we have a chance then."
Meanwhile Gary Peters told the press that he was releived the game was over and that Shrewsbury had another three points.
"It was the longest second half I'd ever known in my life!"
Hereford United at the Hay Festival
Hereford United players are set to visit the Hay-on-Wye Literary festival on Friday June 1st to help promote an event called The Kick Off.
The editor of the FA, Dan Freedman, has created a work of fantastic footballing freedom. What's it really like to tour with the English Football Team? And what happened when Dan beat Wayne Rooney at pool? With footwork from players from Hereford United FC
The event starts at 10am and will cost £3.
Meanwhile a small group of Hay-on-Wye based Hereford United supporters will be manning a charity car park opposite the festival.
They will be raising funds for the Macmillan Renton Appeal for Herefordshire.
Was Turner hinting at something?
Yesterday's inept performance by Hereford United triggered quite of a lot of questions on the forums and elsewhere about why manager Graham Turner had selected Tim Sills and an unfit, according to club captain Rob Purdie, Marcus Palmer to lead the attack against Shrewsbury. Top strikers Andy Williams and Alan Connell were on the bench and Stuart Fleetwood was left out altogether.
However apart from the selection issue, Graham Turner also wrote some words in Bullseye which taken together could make some supporters think that he might be hinting at something.
In his usual leader column, Turner welcomed Shrewsbury and noted that he still took an interest in the Shropshire club he once both played at and managed.
"For me it is important to be able to go back to Club's I have been manager at and be treated with respect.
"I have had long stays at Wolves, Shrewsbury and here. The outcome is mutual at the first two clubs.
"I hope that if ever I came back to Edgar Street as manager of another Club I would be afforded the same reception."
He then reminds supporters "not that I am thinking of leaving or doing anything." which begs the question why did he mention the matter?
Turner also reveals that he becoming frustrated with the some progess being made with the redevelopment of Edgar Street. Seeing Shrewsbury's new ground taking shape won't have helped.
"I hope I'm still alive to see it (an improved Edgar Street). Come on all you officals."
Later in the programme there is an interview with Turner. In essence it is a review of his time at Hereford United. But it is the last paragraph which makes interesting reading. Turner praises both John Trewick the coach and Tony Ford the fitness trainer.
"I could probably see myself taking a bit of a back seat from the managerial side.
"But, having run the club the way I want, I could never work as a manager under another chairman here."
Graham Turner is 59 years old. He has been at Edgar Street since 1995 and was appointed a director of the club in 1998. Previously he has managed successfully at a much higher level.
He may feel he has done as much as he reasonably can at Hereford. He has steered the club from the brink of bankruptcy and restored the club to League football.
With perhaps another six or so years of work before retirement Turner may think he needs another challenge.
It can not have escaped his attention that fellow director and club secretary Joan Fennessy is past usual retirement age. She was 65 last February. They have worked together for over a decade.
So should Turner be contemplating a move this might be an opportune time.
It will all hinge on whether anyone or any group comes forward to buy Turner's 9201 shares and probably, at the same time, those 1620 owned by Mrs Fennessy as well.
In business terms, with the club having few assets and a net debt of around £800,000, the shares are worthless. But football often isn't like business.
In any case Turner would take into account the fact that he has been drawing a salary and a directors fee from the club as well as having pension contributions paid in for him by the club. However the latest available published figures say that the directors 'aggregate emoluments in respect of qualifying services were £58,567,' which is a surprisingly low figure for the two executive directors of a football club.
On the other hand any one looking to obtain a controlling interest in Hereford United could do so by purchasing Turner and Fennessy's shares. Although the club originally issued 40,000 shares, up to half appear to have gone astray. So 10,821 shares (Turner's and Fennessy's holdings added together) are probably enough.
The end of any season brings all sorts of speculation, much of it totally inaccurate. And as regards this particular piece of speculation - we will all have to wait and see.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Purdie pleased with HUISA award
Club captain Rob Purdie has told BBC Hereford and Worcester that he was pleased to receive the player of the year award from HUISA.
"It's been an up and down season for me with the fans.
"There are two things which obviously stick out in my mind. One of course is getting player of the year which I'm delighted with and the other ones will be the bad times when I came on against Shrewsbury in the LDV and got booed by a section of our support.
"So it's been an up and down season for me but I'm very happy with the award and thank the fans who voted for me."
Later in the interview Purdie talked about new contracts.
"A few people have been offered something. The gaffer will be trying to keep the nucleus of the squad and trying to build on what we have got here.
"I'm speaking to the gaffer this week and then we'll see from there."
Purdie also revealed why Marcus Palmer had been subbed at half time.
"He's not match fit. After thirty minutes he started to tire. He couldn't produce what we think he can."
Alty Relegated
Altrincham have been relegated from the Conference after failing to beat Aldershot.
Six teams were still in danger of the drop going into the final day but Alty were in the worst position, two points short of their rivals, and needed other results to go their way. They did, with both Stafford and Grays losing, but their 0-0 draw with the Shots was not enough.
Alty are one of the few part-time clubs remaining in the Conference, operating on a budget one tenth of some of their rivals. They were relegated last season after fielding an ineligible player, and were given a massive points deduction that still irks the club after seeing the likes of AFC Wimbledon and Accrington 'get away with it'. They were saved last season by Scarboro's demotion.
Histon and Droylsden will join the Conference as South and North winners respectively, with two more due for promotion through play-offs.
League Two Results Round-Up
Boston will need a final day win at Wrexham to stay up after they only managed a 1-1 draw with already doomed Torquay. The visitors to York Street, with the gate up 1,000 on the previous effort, were reduced to 10 men but still took the lead.
Accrington's win over Macclesfield 3-2 means Stanley will see League Two football next season, but Macclesfield need a point from their final game at home to Notts County to assure safety. Bury drew 0-0 with Stockport to earn safety, while Mansfield beat Barnet 2-1 - with the exiting Barry Conlon scoring - to extinguish any doubts of safety.
At the top, Swindon's loss 1-0 to Bristol Rovers means they still need a point to earn the third automatic promotion spot after MK Dons' 2-0 win over Wycombe kept them within three points of the Robins. Walsall are in the driving seat for the title after their 1-0 win over Wrexham. They now only need to match Hartlepool's final day result to clinch the title after Pools' 2-0 loss at Rochdale that saw three sent off in four minutes.
Only MK Dons are still assured of a play-off spot, with four fighting for the final three places. Lincoln drew 0-0 with Grimsby to pretty much secure their spot, with Bristol Rovers leapfrogging Stockport into the last place.
In other matches Chester drew 1-1 with Peterboro, ending the Posh's play-off hopes, and Darlington beat Notts County 1-0.
Bradford And Chesterfield Join League Two
Both Bradford City and Chesterfield will ply their trade in League Two next season after today's results sent both teams relegated.
Chesterfield beat Bradford to end the Bantams' hope of staying up, but Cheltenham's win at already relegated Rotherham finished off Chesterfield with one game left.
Bradford were playing in the Premiership in 2001, but their quest for glory at the highest level nearly bankrupted the club. Chesterfield slip back to the basement after six years in League One, mostly spent fighting relegation.
Purdie gets HUISA awards
In a HUISA (Hereford United independent supporters association) presentation before the start of today's game, Rob Purdie was given both the player of the year award and the away player of the year award.
Andy Williams was given the away goal of the year award for his excellent long range shot at Bury just after he had turned down a move to Bristol Rovers.
Sun Valley renew sponsorship deal at Edgar Street
Hereford United have clinched another sponsorship deal with Sun Valley.
This time the deal is for three years and is worth a six figure sum. It has not been stated how much per year the deal is worth but speculation suggests at least £40,000.
American owned, Sun Valley will have supported the Bulls for 19 years when this deal ends. It is believed to be one of the longest-running sponsorship relationships in British football history.
"We are extremely grateful to Sun Valley for its continued support of the club," said Graham Turner in todays Bullseye.
"It's encouraging to know that the company shares our passion for the community in and around Hereford.
"The deal will help secure our future for the next three years and help us build for the future."
Just two shots on target for Bulls
Hereford United finished their season at home with just two shots on target. Not for the first time this season the strikers just haven't done the business. Shrewsbury had five shots on target
However the BBC stats did give the Bulls 51% of possession against 49% for Shrewsbury.
Unusually the Bulls were penalised for 13 fouls as opposed to 9 by Shrewsbury.
The sponsors, the Hereford Journal, gave the man of the match award to Trent McClenahan. The stats gave him a seven whereas Wayne Brown received top mark of an eight.
Meanwhile the referee, Mr Singh, had an excellent game.
Drummond's strike seals Shrews win.
A solitary strike from Shrewsbury midfielder Stewart Drummond meant that his side have now all but sealed a play-off place. Drummond powered home a header from a corner to hand Shrewsbury the points. United gave starts to fringe strikers Tim Sills and Marcus Palmer in a surprise forward line, whilst Luke Webb replaced Steven Jennings in the middle of the park. Both Ben Smith and Danny Thomas started against their former employers.
Like the Boston game before it, the Edgar Street faithful had little to get excited about as the first half failed to produce any clear-cut chances or any real excitement. Andy Cooke's stooping header from a Neil Ashton corner went wide, before at the other end, Dean Beckwith headed weakly past the post. Hereford played some good football but there was no end product, as the case has been in recent weeks. Simon Travis linked up well down the right hand side with Trent McClenahan, who put in a low ball which Webb raced onto; despite a good chance to shoot, Palmer took it off his feet and the chance passed.
Derek Asamoah's pace and trickery caused problems in the Hereford defence, although Dean Beckwith and Tamika Mkandawire both looked comfortable with Asamoah. However, the Ghana international went close as he turned in the box, and shot swiftly, the ball took a deflection off Rob Purdie but Wayne Brown made a fine save, despite being wrong-footed. Brown again made a top save, after Drummond linked up with Cooke before striking goalwards, but the former Chester shot-stopper was equal to it, tipping over with a fine diving save. Brown though, could do nothing about the resulting corner. Drummond met it with power, and no real challenge from the Hereford defenders, and powered his header into the back of the net.
The goal couldn't have come at a better time for Shrewsbury, just before the interval, making it a much more relaxed half time for Gary Peters' side. United needed to change it, and introduced Andy Williams in place of youngster Palmer, who was muscled out of the game. It was Williams' strike partner who had the best chance in the early stages, Travis ran forward before a low shot made its way to Sills. Through on goal, the former Aldershot target man had a fantastic opportunity, but he couldn't keep his head and fired hopelessly over the bar when it looked easier to score.
Cooke twice went close with headers as Shrewsbury attacked down both flanks, whilst McClenahan's forward runs saw the Aussie full-back strike a weak shot at the Shrewsbury defence in a rare United attack. United needed to change it, and it was Sills who was replaced by Alan Connell. United looked far more livlier thanks to the introduction of Connell. Firstly, he struck from long range at Scott Shearer, and also turned quickly before vollying over the bar. Connell's best chance came with a free-kick, after he was felled. He curled it inches wide, courtest of the slightest of deflections. This was the closest Hereford came though, and Shrewsbury, largely untroubled throughout, held on for a priceless victory.
Once again, the end product and the impotence of the strikers was Hereford's downfall. Eight out of the last nine games have failed to produce goals for Hereford, a huge cause for concern. Shrewsbury, cheered on by 1497 away fans, in an attendance of 4359, were solid in their performance, and deserved the win; the victory handing them a four point gap over Bristol Rovers in 8th place, with Rovers having to face Swindon and Hartlepool, the Shrews are by far favourites to seal a play-off place. Next Saturday sees the trip down south to Torquay, with recent performances, the end to the season can't come quick enough.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Purdie, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Travis, Thomas, Webb, Smith, Sills, Palmer.
Subs: Thompson, Gulliver, Jennings, Connell, Williams.
Shrewsbury: Shearer, Jones, Hope, Langmead, Tierney, Davies, Edwards, Drummond, Ashton, Asamoah, Cooke.
Subs: MacKenzie, Leslie, Burton, Symes, Fortune-West.
Shrewsbury too good for Hereford
Shrewsbury Town defeated Hereford United 1-0 in the lunchtime game at Edgar Street.
Town deserved their win and if it hadn't been for some alert goalkeeping from Wayne Brown the score might have been even worse for the Bulls.
Full report shortly
Friday, April 27, 2007
Fans will play a major part says Peters
Shrewsbury manager Gary Peters thinks his teams' supporters can play a major part at Hereford tomorrow.
"Our fans are magnificent. I think we have the best fans around the area," Peters told Beacon Radio.
"I'm sure we will have 2,000 fans going to Hereford.
"They are very good when they travel and it will make it a very good atmosphere. It nice to play games in an atmosphere like that at the end of the season."
Peters confirmed that Shrewsbury will be without four members of their first team squad.
"Lee Canoville is still injured, Danny Hall is still injured, Ben Herd is still injured, Ryan Esson is still injured, that is it."
Ipswich youngster having trials at Hereford
An Ipswich town youngster has had trials with Hereford United and according to Ipswich sources is coming back to Edgar Street shortly so that Graham Turner can have another look at him.
Ian Nimmo is a midfielder whom Ipswich have not offered a professional contract.
Born in Falkirk, 5ft 10in Nimmo will be 19 next autumn.
Player Of The Year Presentations On Saturday
The Annual HUISA awards will take place on this pitch prior to Saturday’s Noon kick-off game against Shrewsbury Town. The three awards are expected to include 2006/2007 Player of The Year, Away Player of The Year and finally the Away Goal of The Year. The award ceremony is to be hosted by BBC’s very own match commentator Keith Hall with presentations being made by HUISA Chairman Keith Dodd and is scheduled to take place at 11.45.
The presentation evening is normally held away from Edgar Street and last season was at Saxty’s. However, circumstances have prevented this year’s event taking the usual format but Bulls News understands that this popular fans occasion will return next year.
Chester Make Price Cuts
Chester City will cut admission charges by £1 next season, and have announced a phenomenal deal for season tickets.
Early bird season ticket purchasers will not only get their tickets around £30 cheaper, and £20-£30 lower than the Bulls' prices, but will also be given free admission to any first or second round home matches in the FA Cup, Carling Cup and Johnstones Paint Trophy.
The deal could amount to up to 12 free games, and Child tickets are also on offer from just £68. Chester are the first club to announce a drop in matchday admission for next season, although several clubs are believed to be considering it. Their gates have slumped in recent weeks, and figures show that around 900 fans have deserted the team since the first half of the season.
Capacity raised to 5,075 at Accrington
Accrington Stanley have been told by Lancashire Council that the total capacity at the Fraser Eagle Stadium can be increased to 5,075 with immediate effect. It had been 4,314.
"It's great news for the club and is reward for a lot of hard work that has gone into the stadium over the last few years. We know we still have work to do and our rapid progression in recent years has meant we have gone from having one of the best stadiums at the level we were playing at to probably having one of the least appealing," said stadium manager Mick Schultz.
"Most of the last twelve months has been spent satisfying the requirements that playing in the Football League bring, but now we have pretty much ticked those boxes we want to concentrate on making the Fraser Eagle Stadium an even more pleasant place to come and watch football."
Hereford are a different side says Peters
Shrewsbury Town manager Gary Peters has been speaking about Hereford to his official website.
"Hereford will be happy what they've done this season, they came up through the play-offs and have retained their place quite comfortably and Graham Turner has to be pleased with what they have achieved.
"We would have loved to have been in the same position as them after we came up but we struggled and looked like we would go back down, but we managed to end up 4th from bottom.
"When we played Hereford before they didn't have Ben Smith or Danny Thomas and they have a few players who weren't there before so it's a different side that we'll be taking on."
Meanwhile Rob Purdie knows that a win for Hereford tomorrow will dent Shrewsbury's hopes of a playoff position.
"We have got to pick ourselves up and a win over Shrewsbury would give our supporters a bit of a buzz before the end of the season," said Purdie according to the Shropshire Star.
Shrews Have 400 Tickets Left
Shrewsbury Town have announced that they have sold just over 1,500 tickets for tomorrow's game with the Bulls.
Their official site reports that over 400 terrace tickets remain for the game, with tickets on sale until 5pm today.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Boston To Play On
Boston's final home match will go ahead on Saturday at their own stadium after a judge adjourned proceedings.
The case has been adjourned for two months, allowing the club to complete their fixtures and the season from the York Street base.
Meanwhile, all Football League clubs will observe a minutes applause for England World Cup winner Alan Ball at the weekend.
Turner looks forward to Shrewsbury game
Graham Turner is looking forward to Saturday's game against Shrewsbury.
After the poor performance last Saturday at Peterborough the Hereford United manager is looking for a positive reaction.
"We could not have a better home match than against Shrewsbury Town who are well in contention for a promotion place. There will be a good crowd and a good atmosphere here and, more often than not, we have responded well to the better-attended games," Turner told the Hereford Times.
"Shrewsbury have had a good season and look likely to make the play-offs, so there is an opportunity for our players to meet that challenge head-on again to make amends for the Peterborough performance."
Hereford will be without Steve Guinan who has returned to Cheltenham but will welcome back Dean Beckwith from his two match suspension.
Simon Travis, who missed the Peterborough game with an ankle injury, should be back in contention for a starting place.
For those unable to be at Edgar Street and who live locally there will be full commentary of the whole game on BBC Hereford and Worcester's 94.7FM frequency.
Finally police are expected to be out in numbers around Edgar Street on Saturday especially as 15 'supporters' were arrested before, during and after Shrewsbury's game with Wrexham last Tuesday evening.
Turner watched Shrewsbury game last Tuesday
Hereford United manager Graham Turner watched Shrewsbury Town lose to Wrexham at the Gay Meadow last Tuesday evening.
It will have been the last chance Turner had to return to the ground where he both played and managed.
Meanwile the Shropshire press report that around 1,500 tickets have been sold to Shrewsbury fans for the local derby game at Edgar Street on Saturday.
Finally town striker Andy Cooke has said that his side must forget the defeat by Wrexham and look forward to Saturday.
"The Wrexham game has gone, there's nothing we can do about it, and we've just got to look forward to Saturday.
"We've got another local game so it's a great one to bounce back in. It will be another difficult game, but we'll be up for it.
"It's a great game for us to have and if we go and win this one, everyone forgets about Wrexham, so that's the aim."
Guinan scores for Cheltenham
Steve Guinan played in a reserve game for the Robins yesterday against Swindon Town and scored in his side's 2-1 defeat of their near neighbours.
Yao crossed from the wing and Guinan finished from eight yards.
It was his first game in a Cheltenham shirt since returning from his loan spell at Hereford and he may feature for the first team on Saturday.
"Steve has been away from the club for 90-odd days and I have told him that I want to take him up to Rotherham and see what happens there," Robins manager John Ward told the Gloucestershire press.
"He is an experienced player, who has done well tonight and he is in good form and good fitness so I'd be a fool not to use him."
Jamie Price also featured for Cheltenham yesterday.
"Jamie has been released from Birmingham so we invited him for a game here," Ward said.
"It's the first time I have seen him play because I didn't see him as a 14-year-old."
Price played for Birmingham when they met Hereford United in a friendly last summer.
Bulls given 1487 tickets for Gulls game
Hereford United have been given 1487 tickets for the last game of the season which is away at Torquay.
The 196 seated tickets have been sold but some standing tickets remain.
Torquay say that if any Hereford fans still need seated tickets they should be available on the day.
They won't obviously be in the away end, but if you purchase a ticket for the grandstand, you would be able to get very close to the away supporters as this is a shared stand between the home and away supporters said a spokesperson from Torquay.
News Round Up
Macclesfield boss Paul Ince has not ruled out playing one more match to help his side out. The former England midfielder has not played senior football since a 45 minute appearance for Swindon last September, but may put himself on the bench for the final two games 'just in case'.
Keith Alexander is the front runner to be the new manager at Aldershot. The former Lincoln and Peterboro boss left the Posh in January and is believed to have competition from Graham Rix and Graham Westley, who is currently caretaker boss at Kettering.
Mansfield are to release striker Barry Conlon in the summer. The former Darlington forward scored five in 15 for the club after a January move, including one at Edgar Street, but manager Billy Dearden doesn't believe the striker has performed.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
No hospital work for Turner
Graham Turner, the Hereford United manager, will not have to undertake his pledge to work in a hospital as his supporters have raised anywhere near the £50,000 needed in the Coke promotion which ended last night.
When the Cola-Cola 'Buy a Player' promotion was set up Turner gave his supporters a promise.
"Hereford fans, I promise to work as a porter in the local A&E if you raise £50k for the Club in the Buy a Player promotion!"
However supporters have raised just £2,656.50 for Hereford United.
Coca-Cola said there was a £10 million transfer fund but it appears that the company will not have to pay out anything like that amount. The final figure may be less than £1 million.
League Two clubs are in line to receive less than £100 K.
Whilst Coca-Cola will say that without this promotion clubs would be a £1 million less well off, there is little doubt that this promotion, like so many others, is more for the benefit of Coca-Cola and it's unhealthy offerings than the perceived recipients, in the case the fooball clubs.
Season ticket prices at Edgar Street
Hereford United's official site have just released details of next seasons ticket prices:
NEXT SEASON'S TICKET PRICES CAN BE FOUND BELOW. PRICES HAVE BEEN FROZEN AND SEASON TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE HEREFORD UNITED MAIN OFFICE FROM 15th MAY 2007.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SENIOR CITIZENS (MEN/WOMAN AGED 65 OR OVER) MUST BRING PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION OF AGE WHEN PURCHASING THEIR SEASON TICKET. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO CHILDREN AGED UNDER 16.
SEASON TICKETS 2007/2008 Based on 23 League Games.
MERTON STAND (BLOCKS B,C & D)
Adult £300
Child/Senior Citizens £224
MERTON STAND (BLOCK A)
Adult + 1 Child £350
Adult + 2 Children £390
Adult + 3 Children £425
2 Adults + 1 Child £600
2 Adults + 2 Children £635
Senior Citizen £200
FLOORS 2 GO STAND BLOCKS G & H
Adult £300
Child/Senior Citizen £224
GROUND
Adult £260
Child/Senior Citizen £180
UNDER 16 SPECIAL - 15th MAY 2007 - 15th JUNE 2007
IF A SEASON TICKET FOR A CHILD UNDER 16 IS PURCHASED DURING THE ABOVE DATES THEY WILL PAY THE FOLLOWING PRICE:
STANDS £130
GROUND £100
SEASON TICKETS SALES START 15th MAY 2007.
Tickets for Torquay game available
Standing tickets for the Torquay game on May 5th are still available from Hereford United, however the club has sold out of seated tickets.
However Torquay have announced that tickets will be available on the day.
Just a reminder that Torquay United's last game of the season against Hereford United on Saturday 5th May 2007 is an all ticket match.Tickets will be available to purchase on the day in the club shop, no cash will be accepted through the turnstiles.
It is not made clear in the statement whether tickets can be purchased by Hereford United supporters from the Torquay clubshop on the day or just by home fans.
Bulls News will try and clarify the situation.
Tretton Quits After Injury Battle
Andy Tretton is to quit the professional game after a torrid time with injury, according to the Hereford Journal.
Tretton left Edgar Street after three years, and just short of 100 games, for a two year deal at Accrington in 2005 after Graham Turner offered the Shrewsbury-based player only a one year contract.
But Tretton took nearly seven months to make his Accrington debut after picking up a knee injury in pre-season, and managed just seven appearances in two years with his last first team action almost a year ago.
He made a couple of recent reserve appearances after a series of operations, but the injury was restrictive. Tretton told the paper: "I found after the couple of games I played that I couldn't do anything for a few days afterwards. The decision I've made is not a snap one - it's been coming for some time. It's best for me and my family to take stock as I've been banging my head against a wall."
Tretton, 30, made over 200 senior appearances mainly with the Bulls and Shrewsbury after originally coming through the youth ranks at Derby. He is planning a return to the game part-time in the future, but is due to take a course at Shrewsbury College as he prepares for life outside football.
Boston Get CVA Nod
Boston appear to have the majority support needed from shareholders and creditors to arrange a CVA.
But, as expected, no formal vote will take place until after the club's League status is decided, with the BBC suggesting that the vote could even take place on the day of their final match with Wrexham.
Gerald Krasner, appointed to oversee the proposed CVA, told reporters: "Although there's been no formal vote, we had an indication that there is a sufficient majority of both creditors and shareholders to support this arrangement and allow football to continue in Boston."
Bulls need to retain "local" games
The return to the Football League brought big benefits to HUFC with the larger visiting support. Increased gates from games against Bristol Rovers (1181), Swindon (1756), Walsall (1173) and approaching 2000 from Shrewsbury on Saturday will total around 6000 fans from those games alone and can be valued at probably over £50,000. With Walsall already promoted, Swindon all but gone and both Bristol and Shrewsbury still in the mixer of the play-off places there could be a big hole in the finances of next season. Whilst no-one in football would wish any ill on promotion chasing teams it has to be said, from a selfish point of view, that keeping Shrewsbury and Bristol in the same League as The Bulls could be vital to our own chances of competing in the budget stakes. Promoted Dagenham are hardly likely to replace the missing thousands from Walsall and Swindon so the number crunchers at Edgar Street might be hoping to see a fall by nearby Cheltenham and even a promotion for the curtain burners of Exeter or well supported Oxford.
Trewick Warns Showboaters
Bulls coach John Trewick has warned the squad over showboating in games.
After the player had been utilising their repetoire of flicks and tricks in the win over Boston the coach wanted the players to be professional as he spoke to the Official Site: "You do not like to abuse situations and fellow professionals can sometimes get a bit annoyed when that type of thing is happening, it is not something we would encourage to be honest.
"We want players to express themselves and to be happy on the field, but there is a fine line between doing that and taking the mickey a little bit."
"I don't think we crossed the line to be honest."
Update: The original quoted source, the Soccer365 website, used a truncated quote.
Southport And Tamworth Relegated
Last night's Conference results mean that both Southport and Tamworth have been relegated.
Both Grays and Halifax won - moving both sides on 52 points and out of reach of the doomed pair. Southport leave the Conference after a two year stay, while Tamworth spent four years in the top non-league flight.
Just one relegation spot remains, with Altrincham currently two points behind five sides. Four of the sides have good enough goal differences to see a draw keep them safe, but Phil Robinson's Stafford Rangers need a win at home to Forest Green to guarantee their safety if Altrincham win their match at home to Aldershot.
However, there is still uncertainty about both the future of Crawley and Weymouth. Crawley are yet to settle the terms of their CVA, while Weymouth have discussed dropping back to the Conference South to cut costs.
Stanley Reduce Season Tickets
Accrington Stanley have announced a drop in season ticket prices, but will keep matchday admission prices frozen for next season.
Terrace season tickets will now cost £239.20, £50 lower than the current campaign, on an early-bird discount until the end of this season. However their normal pricing, effective after May 5th, still leaves them over the prices charged by the Bulls last season by around £10.
Accrington do, however, give free admission to under 12's who join their free membership scheme.
Boston Owe £3million
A full list of Boston's creditors has been released, showing the club owes more than £3million.
Current owners Lavaflow and the HMRC are owed over 80% of the debt between them though, curiously, the prospective new owners Standing Alone Ltd do not appear in the list despite claiming that they recently pumped £250,000 into the club. Manager Steve Evans has questioned the existence of the money after his players were left unpaid.
However the list may not yet be finalised, with landlords the Malkinson family also not shown despite them taking action to evict the club over £400,000 in unpaid rent. The club have also failed to pay rent on the training ground, owing the Boston Gliderdome over £250,000.
The Football League have spoken about their retention of a £100,000 payment due to the club: "The Football League met recently with Boston United to discuss the club's financial position.
"As in previous cases of this kind, the league has withheld the advance payment of central distributions, worth approximately £100,000, due to the current uncertainties, as well as the club's outstanding debts to the league and fellow clubs. The club will be meeting with its creditors this week and we continue to monitor the situation closely."
Shrewsbury's Guide to Hereford
Edgar Street welcomes our friends from Shrewsbury for Saturday’s 12-noon kick-off by offering the whole of the Blackfriars terrace in addition to the usual seats in the Floors To Go stand and the terrace below. Plenty of room therefore to house the visiting thousands following what must have been a humiliating defeat at the hands of lowly Wrexham on Tuesday evening. For the benefit of those travelling from the frozen north, parking is available in a large car park right next to the ground alleviating the need for a park and ride expedition. Coracles should be moored near the Rowing Club. Strangely, there are also a good number of Pubs and other “in town” facilities within easy walking distance of the stadium. Once inside the ground, you will find that the view is as good as it is at most football arenas despite not having a high wire fence to squint through. Both toilets and refreshments are available to the rear of the terracing. Whilst the match is “all-ticket” for visiting supporters, we do hope you will bring a few shillings to purchase programmes and half time draw tickets as we did when visiting Gay Meadow.
Enjoy your day. ExLandlord (Tongue firmly in cheek)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Carling Cup dates
The Football League have released the dates for next season's Carling Cup. The competition starts earlier then last year.
Hereford United supporters will have great memories of this season's campaign in which the Bulls defeated a strong Coventry City side 3-1 with Stuart Fleetwood getting a hat-trick. The Bulls went out in Round Two losing to Leicester City 3-1.
Round One: week commencing 13th August.
Round Two: week commencing 27th August.
Round Three: week commencing 24th September.
Round Four: week commencing 29th October.
Round Five: week commencing 3rd December.
Semi-Final, 1st Leg: week commencing 7th January 2008.
Semi-Final, 2nd Leg: week commencing 21st January 2008.
Final: Sunday 24th February 2008.
We can't sulk too long says Peters
Shrewsbury manager Gary Peters was disappointed with losing to Wrexham last night at the last but one home game to be played at the Gay Meadow.
Shrewsbury travel to Edgar Street on Saturday then face Grimsby at home a week later.
"The tempo of the game of was good and it was an exciting game for everybody but I think our selection of passes was poor and we didn't do well enough the score goals," Peters told the Shrewsbury website.
"If you don't keep possession then you don't make chances and we didn't make enough chances.It's about concentration and not making any mistakes but we made the mistake to let them in.
"We've got to get on with it though, we've got two games left that we need to win. We can't sulk too long, we've got to let the disappointment sink in and then use it to make sure that we win on Saturday and the following Saturday."
Shrewsbury had just three shots on target last night.
Shrews lose to the Dragons
Wrexham took all three points at the Gay Meadow this evening with their 1-0 win over Shrewsbury. The Dragons move up to 20th position in the League Two table and probable safety.
The attendance was 6749 including 1418 from Wrexham.
20 Wrexham 44 -23 48
21 Accrington Stanley 44 -10 47
22 Macclesfield 44 -21 47
23 Boston Utd 44 -27 45
24 Torquay 44 -27 33
Shrewsbury now face Hereford United on Saturday in a game where all the pressure will be on the Shropshire side to win if they wish to keep their play-off hopes alive.
In the other game played this evening Bristol Rovers defeated Macclesfield 1-0.
6 Shrewsbury 44 21 67
7 Stockport 44 6 67
8 Bristol Rovers 44 5 66
9 Peterborough 44 9 63
Boston can't play at Peterborough
Boston have been refused permission to play their last League Two game of the season at Peterborough.
They had requested the move as they fear being locked out of their own ground. Eviction proceedings are due on Thursday.(see earlier story).
Barry Fry, who is the Peterborough managing director, told Sky Sports that his club's holding company had rejected the idea.
"Boston don't even know themselves yet and I am hugely disappointed that this hasn't been allowed to happen," said Fry.
"We first started discussions ten days ago and I've been going round the houses getting permission from the police, safety officers, doctors, and crucially the Football League.
"But I've just heard the holding company have blocked it for reasons I cannot even fathom and I'm left gob smacked by it.
"In this day and age football people have got to help out other football people.
"It doesn't matter if it's Macclesfield or Accrington Stanley, if anyone was in trouble and I could help out I would, and I can't believe these plans have been blocked.
"You can't help but fear for the future of Boston United now."
Meanwhile the list of creditors (according to a post on Confguide) at Boston has been released.
Lavaflow £1,400,000.00
H M Revenue & Customs (PAYE) £847,331.47
The Gliderdrome £267,173.27
H M Revenue & Customs (VAT) £214,328.83
Glasgow Rangers FC plc £38,805.55
Hemmingway Head Office £38,335.89
Ian Lee £16,000.00
J S Management Consultancy £15,956.00
Professional Footballers Association £14,000.00
Swallow Hotels & Inns £13,578.31
Portsmouth FC £13,558.50
Gordon Smith Sports £12,584.25
Lincolnshire Police Authority £11,653.79
Bespoke People Solutions Ltd £11,216.37
Printability 2000 Ltd £9,376.28
Ipswich Town FC £7,005.68
Middlesbrough Football Club £6,058.97
Strata Sports Marketing Ltd £5,875.00
Chester City Football Club £5,712.85
SHO Limited £3,903.12
Birmingham City Football Company plc £3,765.19
Couchman Harrington Associates £2,907.73
Mobilis Sports £2,886.54
British Red Cross £2,581.53
Health Partners Europe Ltd £2,496.09
Peterborough United FC £2,291.07
Brian James £2,225.00
Makespace Mezzanine Floors £1,949.80
Pro Star Management £1,845.00
Wotton of Tiverton Ltd £1,800.00
Chatteris Caterers £1,776.00
CSA - Brad Maylett £1,775.43
Metro Sport £1,753.40
Impact (Boston) Ltd £1,497.13
Peter Cole Consultants £1,407.36
Sage (UK) Limited £1,387.89
Chestnut Homes £1,297.50
Telecom Midlands Ltd £1,111.85
Boston Anorak Company Ltd £1,110.38
CSA - Francis Green £1,100.38
Frieston Playing Fields Association £1,068.00
County Gourmet £965.38
The Groin & Hernia Clinic £915.00
Billinghams £895.55
Mr A J Banks £895.00
Bradford City Football Club £862.65
BBC Publishing £816.63
Heritage Leisure Designs Ltd £762.21
PHS Group plc £616.70
Vandanel Sports Ltd £559.12
Premier Sports Medical £545.39
Craven & Nicholas (Engineering) Ltd £520.51
Tate Security Technology Ltd £505.00
Physique Management Company Ltd £454.24
Turnstile Systems £452.21
Ace Events Ltd £433.00
Fineturf £331.51
Mrs Margaret McGarry £330.00
Boston Commercial Cleaners Ltd £314.31
Sports Kit Pro Soccer £313.13
Agrilinc £310.14
Forceshift (Contracting) Ltd £294.00
Stamp Storage £280.03
Floodlight Lux Services £275.00
Healthguard Ltd £227.72
Red Lion Enterprises £170.00
Anthony Swindells £125.00
PRS Music Licence £101.40
Bramley House £100.00
Graham Trigg Plumbing & Heating Eng £88.46
Time to Frame £75.00
Watering Well Water Coolers Ltd £63.62
Miko Coffe Ltd £61.50
I T Com Solutions (UK) Ltd £45.00
HSS Hire £41.60
Kings Office Equipment £41.47
O2 (UK) Limited £30.00
Programme Master Ltd £20.00
Woodco Office Equipment Co £17.80
The Voluntary Arrangement Service £0.00
The Pensions Regulator £0.00
The Pension Protection Fund £0.00
Pension - Trustee £0.00
Total £3,006,342.68
Just for good measure there's also 7 winding up orders pending, one on Thursday for non payment of rent on the ground.
Season ticket prices expected tomorrow
According to Mark Farmer, chief webmaster of the Official Hereford United website, the club is expected to release details of season ticket and gate prices for 2007/8 tomorrow.
There has been pressure on the club to make changes to the pricing structure at Edgar Street for the coming season.
Whilst the club needs all the money it can, gates have been slightly lower than anticipated this season, so it is unlikely that there will any overall increase in prices.
Better deals for families are expected.
Bulls Charged By FA
Hereford United have been charged by the FA over their match at Walsall on 9th April.
The charge is under FA Rule E20(a) – failing to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. The game saw Dean Beckwith sent off, with no other Bulls players booked.
The club have until May 3rd to answer the charge.
UPDATE4pm: According to the Official Site, Hereford United have admitted the charge.
Butcher Named Brentford Boss
Former England defender Terry Butcher has been named as the new manager of League Two bound Brentford.
Butcher had disappointing spells as manager at Coventry and Sunderland before having slightly more success in Scotland with Motherwell during a four year spell. He has recently spent a year in Australia with Sydney Olympic but failed to retain the league title won by his predecessor.
Mr Singh to referee on Saturday
Jarnail Singh from Middlesex has been appointed to referee the game between Hereford United and Shrewsbury Town next Saturday.
Mr Singh is no stranger to Edgar Street having been in charge of several games at the ground in the past.
Notts County freeze season ticket prices
Another League Two club has frozen its season ticket prices.
Notts County are the latest club to announce their tariff and for the fifth year running the prices remain unchanged.
Adult prices run from £235 to £289 depending on the postion in the stadium.
Student/young adult prices are £119 anywhere in the ground.
Junior (11 to 15) are just £34 and under 11's can have a season ticket for free.
All the prices quoted are for early payment.
Notts County say that their match day prices may rise slightly. This season they were £16 to £18 for an adult.
News Round Up
Shrewsbury full back Lee Canoville will likely miss the remainder of the season with an achilles injury that forced him out of Saturday's game with Accrington.
Boston, who face a court date on eviction proceedings on Thursday, are reported to have earmarked Peterboro's London Road ground for their final home match with Torquay on Saturday if they are locked out of their York Street home.
Bristol Rovers shareholders have passed a special resolution at last night's EGM to increase the share capital in the club. The move will allow the club to help finance the redevelopment of their Memorial Ground home. Barnet manager Paul Fairclough is expecting a summer clearout of his squad, with several wealthier teams circling round his out of contract star players.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Fair Play
With just a couple of games left to play The Bulls sit proudly at the foot of the League 2 yellow card table. The official Football League stats site shows just 38 yellow cards issued to Hereford players in addition to 5 reds and a total of just 348 fouls conceded. Boston currently head the fouls conceded league with a staggering 672 infringements whilst Mark Wright’s Chester are running them a close second on 651. Saturday’s visitors, Shrewsbury City, show a total of 500 fouls and 70 yellows to date but have only had one dismissal.
Meanwhile, it may come as little surprise to Bulls fans to note that the runaway leaders in the race to accumulate the most cautions is Accrington Stanley with 102 yellows and 10 reds. John Coleman’s squad not only head the bottom tier statistics but also those of the entire Football League.
We didn't look that interested said Turner
Below are some of Graham Turner's comments after last Saturday's game at Peterborough.
"Peterborough are clearly a side going places. They have the infrastructure in place to be a Championship club in the near future and I'm pleased for Darren (Ferguson) because he was a bright footballer and will doubtless be a bright manager.
"He obviously has the pedigree for the job and I wish him every success. He certainly has some very good players already and if he adds to the squad in the summer they will be a force in League Two next season.
"I don't think they'll make the play-offs this season and that might be no bad thing. If they did sneak in they could undoubtedly win them, but the squad he has at present wouldn't necessarily be successful in League One.
"They were too good for us though. We have to be at our absolute best to challenge teams like Peterborough, but too many of my lads looked like they'd gone on holiday.
"There was one team out there looking to play football and another team who didn't look that interested."
Meanwhile, belatedly, there were 673 Hereford supporters at the recent Walsall game.
Blackfriars allocated to Shrewsbury fans
The Official Hereford United Website has confirmed that the whole of The Blackfriars terrace is to be allocated to the visiting Shrewsbury Town support for Saturday’s 12 noon kick-off match. The site also states that HUFC fans who normally use the Blackfriars terrace can obtain a free upgrade to D Block in the Merton Stand by visiting the office prior to the match.
Hargreaves Takes Turner Advice
Eleven years ago, Chris Hargreaves was part of Graham Turner's first play-off attempt for the Bulls. In two weeks time he will embark on another with Oxford.
Hargreaves, who joined the Bulls on loan during the 95/96 season before signing permanently from West Brom, played 99 times for the Bulls in the League and Conference and has gone back to Graham Turner for advice on winning the play-offs:
"I've spoken to Hereford, as I used to be there, and they finished ahead of Aldershot by 20 points, and they lost to them in the semis. I know Tony Ford, the fitness guy there, and the manager Graham Turner, and I've spoken to them a lot recently about what they went through – and they were saying the first game's vital because you've got to come back with something.
"We're looking forward to it, but obviously there's a long way to go and a lot of work to do, which we'll be doing next week."
Mixed Signals
Hereford United are advertising Saturday's match with Shrewsbury as being a 3pm kick off, despite repeatedly confirming a noon start.
The advertising boards around the ground advising fans on the forthcoming game show the match to be a 3pm start and have done so since the signs were changed after the Boston match.
Meanwhile, just to further confuse everyone, Shrewsbury have announced on their official site today that: "The game is ALL-TICKET for both sets of fans". Hereford United have confirmed this afternoon that Bulls fans can still pay on the gate, and that the existing arrangements have not changed.
PFA Name League Two XI
The PFA have named the League Two team of the year at last night's awards ceremony.
No Bulls made the team, selected by their fellow professionals, with the choice largely made up from the top two in the division. Four Walsall players were named along with three Hartlepool players. Wycombe, MK Dons, and Wycombe players also received nominations.
The full team is: Clayton Ince (Walsall), Craig Pead (Walsall), Ritchie Humphreys (Hartlepool United), Chris Westwood (Walsall), Michael Nelson (Hartlepool United), Lee Frecklington (Lincoln City), Dean Keates (Walsall), Tommy Doherty (Wycombe Wanderers), Andy Monkhouse (Hartlepool United), Izale McLeod (Milton Keynes Dons), Jermaine Easter (Wycombe Wanderers).
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Catch up games tomorrow for local rivals
Local rivals Shrewsbury Town and Bristol Rovers play their League Two catchup games tomorrow evening.
Both clubs can make the play-offs but the odds, at present, are probably on Shrewsbury.
The Gay Meadow will be packed for the visit of Wrexham. The Dragons are desparate for at least a point as the threat of relegation still hangs over them. They are on equal points with Boston with Torquay, who are going to the Conference, below them propping up the League Two table.
Meanwhile Bristol Rovers will be hoping for three points at Macclesfield.
The fact that Shrewsbury are playing tomorrow will not be missed at Edgar Street. The Bulls have a free week to prepare for the game against the Shrews next Saturday.
Yeovil look to the future
It isn't long ago when both Hereford United and Yeovil Town were both plying their trade in the Conference. Now Yeovil are in with a good chance of a play-off place in League One and the club are looking to the future.
Below are a few points from minutes of a recent Yeovil meeting which have been published on Ciderspace, the excellent independent Yeovil website.
The Customers Charter meeting, attended by about 40 supporters including most of the club staff, discussed all kinds of matters pertaining to the West Country club.
As regards season tickets the club said that 'they wish to encourage younger supporters to attend matches, and are therefore offering a Family Season Ticket and Match Tickets for next season, as well as allowing supporters under the age of five to enter free of charge in designated areas.'
Chairman John Fry talked about the future and said that the aim was "A Customer Focused Football Company with a National brand generating profits, competitive teams at the highest level with a redeveloped 14,000 Seater Stadium by 2012".
Fry also agreed that the club needed a marketing manager but could not afford one at present. However he agreed to meet any support with expertise in that area.
The club had received 'a lot of criticism regarding Glovers World but this was primarily down to PTV and not the Club. In regards to improving the content, PTV is planning to roll out a brand new website during the close season.'
They also plan more promotions for children and schools in the area. It was 'stated that the "Fans of the Future" initiative had been implemented in schools throughout the county with John Flatters taking the vouchers and handing them out. However the Club recognises the need to send players out to various schools and community projects and are looking to set up a schedule in order to do this. A major programme is to be developed with the launch of the Community Sports Trust this summer.'
Yeovil also promised an Improved Youth system/academy. 'The Club is actively working towards a Centre of Excellence, and at the present time working towards fulfilling the requirements.'
Food for thought?
Longer Lease for Edgar Street
Amidst items reported at the recent AGM of Hereford United was an extension to the Lease on Edgar Street.
"A deed of variation was agreed on 26th April 2006 changing the Lease which was due to expire 10th August 2015 to 10th August 2020."
The freehold is owned by Herefordshire Council.
Ferguson: Clean Sheets Equal Wins
Peterboro boss Darren Ferguson was full of praise for his defence after the mauling of the Bulls.
Speaking to the local press, he said: "The one thing I have always said is keep clean sheets and we will win football matches. That is seven now and seven wins and it is no coincidence. All over the pitch I thought we were very organised, very focused and this team is always going to get goals."
"It was a fantastic start - exactly the start I had asked for to get a good tempo to the game and get in their faces. The important thing was to get the second one so quickly after the first and after that I couldn't see anything else but a victory."
Ex-Bull Watch
Gavin Mahon suffered his first relegation since slipping out of the League with the Bulls as Watford's exit from the Premiership was confirmed after their 1-1 draw with Man City.
Paul Parry was relegated to the bench as Cardiff's play-off hopes were finally extinguished in a loss to QPR. Two ex-Bulls are still in with a shout for the play-offs, with Michael McIndoe scoring twice but seeing his seventh placed Wolves side losing 3-2 to Birmingham and John Eustace starting as Stoke drew 1-1 with Hull, leaving the Potteries side a point short of sixth place.
Neil Mackenzie, now a regular starter for Scunthorpe, will get his hands on a League One winners medal if his team earn one more point from their last two matches after their 2-0 win over Tranmere.
The two unused subs at last season's play-off final met at Forest Green, with Danny Carey-Bertram scoring the first to leave Craig Mawson's Halifax still deep in trouble at the wrong end of the Conference. The Shaymen are a point inside the drop zone, but have a game in hand over most of their rivals.
Craig Stanley, restored to the Morecambe starting line up, saw his side virtually guarantee their place in the play-offs with a single goal victory over a Kidderminster side that gave a rare start to Brian Smikle.
League Two Results Round-Up
The battle to avoid the drop will go right down to the wire after both Wrexham and Boston won on Saturday.
Wrexham scraped a 1-0 win over already doomed Torquay in front of over 6,000, while Boston beat Chester by the only goal in front of little more than 1,700. Their wins pushed Accrington and Macclesfield back into the mire. Accrington lost 2-1 at Shrewsbury, while Macclesfield were thumped 5-0 by local rivals Rochdale to leave both Lancashire sides just two points clear of the drop. Bury are also worried sitting three points clear - a gap given to them thanks to a surprise 1-0 win at Walsall, who disappointed a bumper crowd in place to celebrate their promotion.
At the top, Swindon closed in on the final automatic spot with a 2-0 win over Mansfield in front of over 10,000. They now need just a single point to secure third place. MK Dons held off the Robins' party for another week after a 2-1 win over Stockport, who slip to 7th with a four point gap to 8th.
Lincoln edged closer to a secured play-off spot with a 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers. The Pirates are virtually out of the running, with a six point gap now open to the play-offs with three games left. Wycombe's 3-2 loss at Darlington has seen them all but end their play-off hopes. The one-time leaders have collected just five points from the last 27.
In the other match, Grimsby thrashed Barnet 5-0 while on Friday leaders Hartlepool drew 1-1 with Notts County.
Bad start says Purdie
Speaking after yesterday's game at Peterborough, Rob Purdie told BBC Hereford and Worcester that it had been a day to forget.
"If you give a decent or a good team a start like we did then they can get their confidence up and be a brilliant team and that showed today.
"We didn't touch the ball before the first goal.
"You can't do that against a side in this League that are in the top half, especially at home on a pitch that played quite well
"In the first twenty minutes we were absolutely nowhere."
Posh manager Darren Ferguson was pleased.
"It was a fantastic start - exactly the start I had asked for to get a good tempo to the game and get in their faces.
"The important thing was to get the second one so quickly after the first and after that I couldn't see anything else but a victory."
Saturday, April 21, 2007
FA drug unit at Posh
The FA drug unit paid a surprise visit to London Road this afternoon.
The unit walked into the Peterborough reception area just fifteen minutes before kick-off.
Obviously it isn't known whether which, if any, players were tested, but usually tests are carried out on several players from each side.
Meanwhile 229 unusually quiet Hereford supporters watched the game this afternoon in which Hereford United were said to have had 49% of possession.
The Bulls had just three shots on target against twelve for the Posh.
Captain Ben Smith received a seven for his performance, otherwise fives and sixes were given to the Hereford players.
However some Hereford supporters thought Tamika Mkandawire was the Bulls man of the match. Perhaps he and Wayne Brown deserved a higher mark.
There were no bookings.
Hereford drop to 16th position after today's results.
14 Grimsby 44 -16 57
15 Barnet 44 -15 56
16 Hereford 44 -7 54
17 Chester 44 -6 52
18 Mansfield 44 -6 50
19 Bury 44 -15 48
Hereford crumble
The fate of Hereford United's game away at Peterborough United was over almost before it had began as the promotion chasers netted a first minute goal and went on to grab two more in an impressive display, which would have probably left Graham Turner and his side in awe of the resources avaliable to their opponents this afternoon.
Hereford were by no means humiliated, but were simply out-classed as The Posh opened the scoring after just twenty seconds, even before Hereford had touched the ball. Straight from the kick off the hosts tore apart United, with a direct, swift passing move to the left where Jamie Day delivered for Craig Mackail-Smith to head in at the near post. It soon got worse for Hereford, who must have though following their own 3-0 victory last weekend they'd got over a run of poor form, when on thirteen minutes a corner from the right was glanced in from Alan White. Although Peterborough had been much the better side, the two first half goals could easily have been prevented.
Hereford tried to start again after the second goal, but despite some good passing Borough were still getting the chances, and George Boyd was only denied by a good save from Wayne Brown's fingertips. Boyd was again denied by Brown after a cheeky touch from Mackail-Smith before Danny Thomas was replaced for The Bulls in a tactial change, which saw Richard Rose introduced and a switch to 3-5-2, which shut The Posh out until the break.
Andy Williams forced a save from Mark Tyler before Tamika Mkandawire flicked a free kick on just beyond the reach of Steve Guinan and then Guinan forced Tyler into another save with a powerful drive that was collected at the second attempt before the break. However, it didn't take The Posh long to add a third after the restart as they came out looking to kill the game off; something they achieved after forty eight minutes. Boyd centred the ball and despite Phil Gullivers' attempts to clear, Gavin Strachan managed to fire the ball in from close range for the third and final goal of the afternoon.
Hereford didn't buckle completely after this latest blow and succeeded in playing some reasonable football, aided by the fact that the hosts didn't need to play at their highest level. A move including Mkandawire, Ben Smith and Connell resulted in an opening, albeit at an angle, in on goal for Guinan but he smashed his shot wide before Brown pulled off a good save from a Day free kick. Hereford's final two changes came on sixty seven and seventy three minutes with firstly Luke Webb replacing Steve Jennings and then Marcus Palmer coming on for Alan Connell.
However, it was the home side who were going close to scoring again and Brown pulled off another important save to deny Mackail-Smith, who'd been threaded through on goal before, after a great recovery tackle from Mkandawire, Brown denied Strachan from doubling his tally. Smith almost grabbed a consolation goal for Hereford after a cross from Palmer, but having turned his man showing some good feet, his chipped and curling effort was clawed away by Tyler.
Not quite what Hereford were expecting following their first win in nine that came last weekend, and they will be wanting to forget about this performance quickly. The perfect way to clear the supporters minds will be by beating local rivals Shrewsbury and putting another (todays result didn't help them) dent in their play off hopes!
HUFC: Brown, McClenahan, Mkandawire, Gulliver, Purdie, Thomas, Jennings, Smith, Williams, Guinan, Connell. Subs: Rose, Thompson, Webb, Palmer, Sills.
PUFC: Tyler, Morgan, White, Blackett, Newton, Strachan, Hyde, Gain, Day, Boyd, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Jalal, Richards, Futcher, Butcher, Low.
Bulls Slow Start Costs Dearly
The Bulls were thumped 3-0 in today's League Two match with Peterboro at London Road.
The Posh opened the scoring in 30 seconds through Craig Mackail-Smith and doubled their advantage before the quarter hour was up. They added a third as the Bulls wasted a few chances to peg their play-off chasing hosts back.
Full report later.
Bulls' victory today may help Shrewsbury
If Hereford United defeat Peterborough this afternoon it could help Shrewsbury Town make the playoffs.
Shrewsbury are 7th in the League and have a game to play compared with most other teams around them. This afternoon they entertain Accrington Stanley. Should they lose and Peterborough defeat Hereford then the playoff race will remain wide open especially if both Wycombe and Bristol Rovers win their games.
4 Milton Keynes Dons 43 13 75
5 Lincoln City 43 9 69
6 Stockport 43 7 67
7 Shrewsbury 42 21 64
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8 Wycombe 43 9 62
9 Bristol Rovers 42 4 62
10 Notts County 44 3 61
11 Peterborough 43 6 60
Last night Hartlepool drew with Notts County 1-1 and so stay top of the League. However if Walsall win their home game against Bury then the Saddlers will top the League. Whatever happens both Hartlepool and Walsall will be promoted to League One. Swindon will almost ceertainly follow if they win their game against Mansfield.
1 Hartlepool 44 28 88
2 Walsall 43 32 85
3 Swindon 43 19 81