From the Archives - Turner quits as Manager

Another slow news day has given BN an excuse to go back in time.

For today's article we look back at September 2001, ten years ago. Hereford United were having a poor spell in the Conference and then manager Graham Turner decided to quit as manager with Phil Robinson taking over. Turner's decision came after a 4-1 defeat at Hayes played in front of just 634 supporters with very few from Hereford.

New Meadowender penned his version of events for Taling Bull. (Ed - we've slightly shortened it)

'Sadly, here we are some quarter of the way into the season, and as October arrives United are, yet again, out of the running. Who's to blame for a gate of 1,500 before Winter sets in? It's our home form again isn't it? And what's the common factor over the years of Conference football we've endured? Yes, the first choice team may not be on the park due to injuries, but all clubs get injuries, or is it our club exceptionally unprofessional in its training methods? No, players may come and players may go, but there has been somebody standing near the dugout arms folded watching this debacle week in week out.

And you ever dwindling band of disciples can no longer get uppity with us for having the temerity to see exactly what he is - the worst manager Hereford United has ever had. Some disciples may cite John Layton. His team did lose 7-1 at Mansfield but they never finished bottom of Division Three. For every Layton poor performance we can name a Turner catastrophe.

We did not participate in the 'Turner Out' chants that rang so loudly at the Yeovil game. We didn't have to. The point was well made. In response to the attendance announcement of more than 1,700, one bitter young man screamed "Is that out fault Turner?" Well, we've been surprised by Turner's views before haven't we?

One interesting thing that has arisen recently is that the away coach has broken down twice, and we've been treated to some heart on sleeve programme notes. Fair play to GT for coming clean in the Stevenage programme, having been advised that the Yeovil match was the worst ever display by a GT team.

At the end of the day GT lost the dressing room. Not just this season but earlier seasons too. It was all too evident in performances on the field. The climax was the humiliating 4-1 defeat at Hayes, the then bottom club. The players were trying very hard, but appeared to have no direction, no game plan. Who's fault is that then? The team fielded was a strong one, very few injuries caused selection difficulites that day. Again we did not participate in the by now familiar chants of 'Turner Out' following the game but had to laugh after the fourth goal when Hayes supporters appeared to sing "Graham Turner's black and white army" and the rock bottom insult "Can we play you every week".

So he's decided to stay on as chairman and director of football, whatever that means. Will be be drawing the same pay? Time was when all posts at the club were part-time. Only the manager was full-time. On the face of it there are plenty of full-timers to run the club. They've appointed a director to supervise the financial side, so they told us. So what on earth is he going to do?

May be he thought another club would come in for him. Let's face it, how many clubs would be perpared to offer him a job on his teams records? He might get a part-time scouting job. But there we are. We mustn't upset him too much of he might invoke the Doomsday scenario and scupper the club.

All in all, our club is submerging into the gloom. Will we be joining Scarborough and Chester in the relegation battle? Chester fans are campaigning for their supporters not to go to home games. Looking at our attendances, United's fans need no such encouragement.'

Just for the record here's what GT version of events.

'Graham Turner told the Evening News why he decided to quit as Hereford United manager.

The former Wolves and Aston Villa manager remains at the club as chairman, he is the majority shareholder, but Phil Robinson will take over the team affairs.

"The biggest problem is that I have not been too involved in the day-to-day coaching this season," he said. "I've had one or two disciplinary problems and the players probably see me as this big ogre that shouts a lot and rarely gets involved. After Saturday's performance I thought it was best if I relinquished control of the playing side.

"The truth is I've been trying to wear too many hats during what has been a crucial period for the club.

United are in desparate financial difficulties and Turner finds himself overworked. "It's a difficult job just keeping the club alive and at times we have been in absolute despair wondering where the next lot of money was coming from to pay the wages."

Anyone wanting Turner's majority shareholding could have them as he remained a football man, but he doubted if anyone would step in. "There's no fun sitting round a boardroom table discussing tax and VAT when you are a football man," he said.'

---