The Role of Supporters

The role of supporters at Hereford United has diminished in recent years. HUISA, the Hereford United Independent Supporters Association, has just 68 members and hasn't got the influence it once had despite owning 2276 shares.

And the Vice-Presidents club has recently been taken in house which, in effect, means it has lost some of its freedom and perhaps importance.

But it wasn't always so.

In John Williamson's book, the Hereford United Story, there is a chapter written by Ted Woodriffe, about how over the years the supporters have played a vital role in the development of Hereford United.

Ever since the club was formed there have been men to organise and direct the activities of a flourishing Supporters Club and in recent years a progressive Vice-Presidents' club has emerged. Both organisations enter the club's Jubilee Years with ambitious plans to provide bigger and better amenities for their members in the future.

In August 1974 - exactly fifty years from the day United played their first match at Edgar Street, the bulldozers moved in to clear the site for a new £120,000 Social Club.

"It is an ambitious project but we are planning for generations to come and not for next year," said Supporters Club chairman, Phil Godsall.

The original supporters club was built in 1964 with money raised by then chairman Frank Miles and a few years later a Club Shop was opened.

Another venture started in April 1971.

A meeting was held at the Salmon Inn when it was agreed to form the Vice-Presidents Club 'for the purpose of furthering the aims and ambitions of Hereford United'. Mr John Jackson was appointed the first chairman.

The first pint was officially pulled in the new club lounge underneath the Merton Grandstand on September 1st and by the end of the first financial year the club had covered the cost of conversion work and had money in the bank.

After Jackson, Mr Duncan Heins took over and then in June 1974 Mr Graham Rivers became chairman with the 'job of planning future expansion to provide more spacious premises'.

The Hereford United Grandstand Fund Committee has also played an important role in club affairs since United were elected to the Football League. They set themselves the task or raising the money to pay for the £31,000 Len Weston Grandstand.

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