On Loan to the Vauxhall Conference

The third part of BN's review of the Graham Turner era looks at Hereford United's first season in the Conference.

After 25 years in the Football League, few would have imagined that it would take nine years before the Bulls returned. But then few knew just how bad finances were at Edgar Street. It's even doubtful whether Graham Turner knew the full extent of the debts when he was given his budget for his first season managing at Conference level.

Then at the beginning of August Adrian Foster was sold for £50,000 to Rushden and Diamonds to help pay some bills, Bulmers refused to back the Bulls, and commercial manager John Pulling was given his notice.

The first game in the Conference at Edgar Street attracted an excellent gate of 3132 but somehow the Bulls managed to lose 2-1 to Welling.

Turner put a brave face on the situation. The Bulls were to continue as a full-time club helped by £110,000 from the League.

"For a long time we couldn't sign anyone, let alone buy them, because of a transfer embargo," Turner explained. "I've just paid my first fee, £20,000 for Neil Grayson from Northampton, but I've been surprised at the money clubs like Rushden & Diamonds and Hednesford are offering players. It's much more than a lot of Third Division teams, and I've missed out on people because we can't compete.

"There's a lot at stake for everybody, not least me. You're working now to salvage your career. I don't think I've ever worked harder.

"The Brighton game showed you should never underestimate the depth of feeling for a small club like this. I've never seen so many grown men crying. But once the public accepted our plight, they rallied round magnificently. We've sold loads of T-shirts saying `Hereford: On Loan to the Vauxhall Conference'. After 20 years in the bottom division, I think people are looking forward to seeing new teams and visiting new grounds."

The Bulls gained their first Conference point the following Tuesday at Hednesford but it was matters off the pitch which stole the headlines.

Chairman Peter Hill attended a fans forum and said he was in talks with five Hereford Businessmen whom he wanted to join the board or, as some suggested, Hill wanted them to put a lot of money into the club. It later emerged that the 'five' thought the club was in such a bad state they were not inclined to invest in it especially whilst Hill was still chairman.

By the end of September, despite injuries and players not being paid on time, the Bulls had climbed to 4th position in the League. And they salvaged some pride with a first round FA Cup win ove Brighton but also heard some disturbing words from Hill.

"At the end of last season we knew we needed to find between £750,000 and £900,000," he said "Then we discovered that were getting only 50 per cent of the Football League's television money - we were expecting 100 per cent in our first season outside the League. Then a transfer tribunal priced Dean Smith at £42,500 - we were expecting at least £150,000 from Leyton Orient. Then the bank reduced our overdraft limit."

He also confirmed the players and staff hadn't been paid for a month.

The following Saturday 400 supporters protested at the end of the 1-1 draw with Southport. They were demanding the resignation of chairman Hill, who has been in charge for 20 years.

Later, in October, figures were released showing some of the debts. Both the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise were said to be owed £90,000 each and the club overdraft had been reduced from £200K to £125K.

Given the circumstances Turner motivated the players into some useful performances, a 5-1 way win at Morecambe in November and a double over Kidderminster at Xmas in particular, which restored supporters hopes that the Bulls might challenge for the top spot later in the season. And a money-spinning 3rd FA Cup game against Tranmere was to come.

"The Tranmere game is a real lifeline," said Turner. "Keeping our heads above water has been very difficult. Sometimes we've been down to the bare bones.

"With a bit of luck we should clear at least £10,000 after Tranmere have taken their cut, which is mighty welcome under the circumstances."

The game eventually took place on January 13th. But it was Tranmere who were at home to Sunderland in the fourth round after defeating the Bulls 3-0.

Meanwhile off the pitch the prospect of a CVA (Creditors Voluntary Arrangement) became likely. Unbeknown to supporters, at a board meeting on November 18th, the directors had decided to approach a firm of insolvency experts called Smith and Williamson. They put together a CVA which showed the club to be £1M in debt. A creditors meeting took place on January 7th but was adjourned for fortnight because the club hadn't produced all the required figures - they even disagreed with the Customs and Excise.

Hill had to go and finally on January 23rd it was confirmed that Graham Turner had taken control of Hereford United although Hill would remain as chairman for the time being.

"I decided that something needed to be done to give the club a future and I made the chairman an offer yesterday," said Turner.

"Obviously there is a lot to be done to secure the future of the club. Now we have to decide where we go from here.

"The Board will be reconstructed and I will be talking to other people to bring them on board. The intention remains to get Hereford back into the Football League.

"I don't see myself as chairman but I shall be looking to bring in some financial clout. A large part of why I want to take a more active part is the continued support by supporters."

Turner attended a meeting of HUISA a few days later.

GT explained that having attended the shareholders meetings it was clear to him that something had to be done, or the Club would go out of existence, he recognised that the stumbling block was PH and had made his offer for that reason. He does not have any obvious financial backing, and is looking to the Businessmen, the Supporters and the Local Authority, to work together to save the Club. GT proposes creating a separate bank account into which will go funds raised, by a variety of means, all aimed at securing the future of the Club. He has asked that at the next meeting we discuss this proposal in more detail and come up with ideas to raise cash.

Whilst all this was going on the football continued with a run of good results. From February 14th to April 18th the Bulls were unbeaten and had climbed to 5th place in the table. The results were surprising given that striker Neil Grayson had been transferred to Cheltenham in late February.

In early March Turner told the press why he had made an offer for Peter Hill's shares.

"There was a group of people who wanted to become involved with the club, but there was also a total impasse between them and the current chairman.

"I sat at home one day and thought 'why don't I make a bid for the club and his shares'.

"I did that and 24 hours later he accepted in principle, then it came as quite a surprise to find people referring to me as chairman.

"I've no wish to be that, that wasn't my aim, all I want to do is make sure the club is passed from the present chairman into good hands.

"We needed help and quickly. If there is one particular person who is prepared to put a lot of money into the club then he can take it provided it's right."

It had been hoped that the loans from developers would have been in place when the CVA was announced but this didn't happen and by late-April Turner was getting desparate.

"The future of the club is very much under threat," he said. "We know we will see the season out which was the priority but what happens after that is still up in the air.

"We've still got bills to pay as well as sorting out the Creditors Voluntary Agreement.

"Hereford United in its current set-up is either days away from survival or from going under. I think it will be determined on Monday."

Fortunately the money did eventually come through.

And although the Bulls didn't win any of their last four Conference games they did finish in 6th position.

A reasonable season on the pitch for Graham Turner was overshadowed by events off it.

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