An Advance of Gigantic Proportions

35 years ago this month Hereford United played their first match in, what was then, League Division Three after promotion from League Division Four the previous April.

As Ron Parrott recalls in his book 'The League Era', Hereford had moved up two divisions quite quickly.

"Less than a decade previously, United had been completing in the lower division of the Southern League. Their itinery took in Deal Town, Hinckley Athletic and Tunbridge Wells. With all due respect, the transition to a fixture list which included the likes of Blacburn Rovers, Charlton Athletic, Huddersfield Town and Plymouth Argyle indicated an advance of gigantic proportions," wrote Parrott.

It had been a difficult ten years as Hereford United were relegated from the Southern League to the Southern Division One in April 1964. They only stayed in that League for one season before spending another seven seasons back in the Southern League Premier Division.

1964/65 Southern NW 42 34 4 4 124 39 72 1 Promoted
1965/66 Southern... 42 21 10 11 81 49 52 3 -
1966/67 Southern... 42 16 12 14 79 61 44 10 -
1967/68 Southern... 42 17 7 18 58 62 41 16 -
1968/69 Southern... 42 15 9 18 66 62 39 14 -
1969/70 Southern... 42 18 9 15 74 65 45 10 -
1970/71 Southern... 42 23 8 11 71 53 54 4 -
1971/72 Southern... 42 24 12 6 68 30 60 2 Promoted
1972/73 Division 4. 46 23 12 11 56 38 58 2 Promoted
1973/74 Division 3. 46 14 15 17 53 57 43 18 -

But then two promotions in two seasons, and that Newcastle FA Cup Game as well, had given Hereford United supporters fresh hope.

The Football League season didn't start as early in those days. In fact Hereford's first game, away against Grimsby, didn't take place until August 25th 1973. But the Bulls won the game 3-1 with goals from Colin Tavener, Billy Tucker and Brian Evans.

The following Saturday Blackburn were the visitors at Edgar Street and went home losing 1-0. Harry Gregory scored Hereford's goal. The game was played in front of a gate of 9,483.

Back to the present. Although the timescale is a little quicker than back in the Seventies, Hereford United have risen two Leagues in three seasons.

In the 2005/06 season the Bulls played, amidst others, Tamworth, Canvey Island and Southport in the Conference. Now in 2008/09 the Bulls will mix with the likes of Leeds, Leicester and Milwall in League One.

Those supporters with good memories will point out that Hereford United finished 18th in League Division Three in the 73/74 season, 12th the following season and 1st in 75/76.

The following season the Bulls were in League Two - which is now the Championship.

It's generally expected that Graham Turner would be content with a mid-table finish in League One this coming season. But could history repeat itself and the Bulls reach the Championship in just three seasons?

If so, as Ron Parrott said, it would be 'an advance of gigantic proportions'.

---