Former Bulls full back Micheal Rose has joined Stockport on a two year deal.
He joins Mark Robinson at Edgeley Park. Robbo was effectively Rose's replacement at the Bulls after Rose left for Yeovil in the summer of 2004.
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Thursday, June 15, 2006
Parry's future at Cardiff uncertain
Paul Parry may leave Cardiff City. The Bluebirds are said to be short of money and manager Dave Jones has invited offers for six players including the former Hereford United winger.
Parry has suffered with several injuries since leaving Edgar Street and only came back into the first team at the end of last season after two months out.
The South Wales Echo reports that Cardiff City want to bring in as much money as possible in transfer fees to buy Jason Koumas from West Brom.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Stansfield's move confirmed by Exeter
It was announced late last night that Adam Stansfield has joined Exeter.
The Official Exeter City Website confirmed the move of the Hereford United striker from Edgar Street.
Exeter City FC is pleased to confirm the signing of Adam Stansfield on a 2 year deal.
Adam joins us from Hereford where he scored 22 goals in the 2004/05 season and helped fire them to a play-off spot in the last two seasons.
27 year old Adam, has previously been on the books at Elmore and Yeovil before joining Hereford.
A local Tiverton lad, he has decided that his future resides playing for Devon's premier club, and it speaks volumes that he still wanted to come to Exeter even though he knew we had no manager.
Welcome Adam and we hope you can help us to promotion this season.
Stanley Locals want ban on parking
More trouble for Accrington Stanley as local residents want a ban on parking by supporters going to watch games at the Interlink, now renamed the Fraser Eagle, stadium.
At the first meeting of the Accrington Stanley Residents' Liaison Group, set up to improve relations between the club and residents, people complained fans arriving by car were causing parking problems and congestion.
According to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Local Borough traffic manager, David Law, said club officials have agreed to ask the owner of a former brickworks site, in Whinney Hill Road, if it can be used as a car park.
They are also understood to be exploring other potential car park sites.
Parking at the Fraser Eagle Stadium is said to be insufficient to meet demand on match days and after the club's promotion to League Two, the number of fans going to games is likely to increase.
Bull's Up! available next month
The Wye Valley Brewery are celebrating Hereford United F.C.'s promotion back into the Football League with a new beer called 'Bull's Up!'
A smooth dark 4.5% abv premium strength ale, it will be released at this year's Beer on the Wye II festival on July 7th - 9th. For more information visit www.herefordcamra.freeuk.com/festival.htm
The Wye Valley Brewery already produce several good beers including Wye Valley Bitter (3.7%) HPA (4%) and Butty Bach (4.5%) which between them account for 90% of the brewery output - whilst maintaining the tradition of special brews, such as the famous Dorothy Goodbody, for the 'guest ale' market for which Wye Valley has a high national reputation.
Robbo stays at Stockport
Former Hereford United full-back Mark Robinson has signed a new one-year contract at Stockport County.
Meanwhile Matt Clarke, another former Hereford United full-back, has returned to Redditch. He spent part of last season at Stafford Rangers with another ex-Hereford United player Phil Robinson who is the manager of the club.
Finally Hereford United's most famous entertainer, Danny Lee, has made it through to the second round of ITV's X-Factor.
According to the Hereford Journal, 59 year-old Lee has said that if he doesn't make it to stardom now , he'll pack it all in!
Lee has recorded several songs for Hereford United.
Not unduly worried about Stansfield says Turner
The Hereford Journal joins the Exeter Press in saying that Adam Stansfield has joined the Grecians.
The paper says he signed on Monday.
"I had made him an offer and would have been quite happy if he had stayed, but I am not unduly worried about his absence," Graham Turner told the paper.
The Hereford United manager also mentioned the move of Danny Carey-Bertram to Cambridge United.
"We would like to wish Danny all the best in the future and thank him for his efforts."
Barnet Striker Detained
Barnet striker Tresor Kandol has been sentenced to 13 weeks inprisonment for driving related offences.
The sentence means Kandol, who will serve at least six weeks behind bars, will miss the bulk of pre-season training and is likely to be released days before the opening game of the season.
Meanwhile, in other news, Boston have signed Torquay keeper Alan Marriott and former Peterboro winger David Farrell - their fifth and sixth signings of the summer. Shrewsbury have lost the services of ex-Torquay manager Leroy Rosenior, who is expected to become Brentford's new manager.
Tam Edges Closer To New Deal
Tamika Mkandawire has confirmed that he is close to agreeing a new deal.
Speaking to the Non-League Paper, Tam said: "I just need to iron out a few things, but it will definitely be with Hereford. I hope to be signing in the next couple of days. (The Captaincy) is part of the deal. The gaffer has said he'd like me to stay as captain, which I was very pleased about and that is obviously a factor in me signing the contract."
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Superman - It was the ref's fault
Ex-Landlord reveals how Wayne Brown got his Superman tag.
Two things happened at Leicester in May. Firstly, the Bulls won promotion and secondly, 'keeper Wayne Brown was the subject of a T Shirt campaign that was to confirm him as the season's Superman hero.
The chant 'Wayne Brown is Superman' had been heard on the Meadowend from early March but few people are aware of it's origin. Many will recall the cancelled game at Morecambe on Saturday 4th March when the Bulls' faithful had made the long trip north only to be told of the 'unfit' pitch not much more than two hours before kick-off time.
The Fun Bus Crew were unsurprisingly amongst the hundreds who made the trip and had reached the Morecambe junction on the M6 when the news of the postponement reached them. The first thought was to hit the Bars of Blackpool but yours truly took a dim view of staying sober through having to drive fifteen staggering fans back to the Shire hours later. The alternative was to find a game to watch. York and Halifax had also been called off and Blackburn were playing away, so a swift phone call to Burnley's Turf Moor HQ was made.
"We are Hereford United supporters who have travelled to a game in Morecambe that has been called off. Can we come and watch your lot play Reading?"
"How many are you?"
"Sixteen"
"£18 a head"
"Yes that will be fine!"
Splendid, Burnley it was versus top of the table Reading.
The much traveled mini-bus was parked a short walk from the ground in good time for the away end Bar at Turf Moor to be tested and for us to receive a warm welcome from the visiting Reading fans who were a little bemused by having a band of extremely noisy Bulls fans in their midst. Reading easily won the game 3-0 despite having Leroy Lita carried off and the fans were very vocal. They have a strong, tall central defender called Ibraham Sonjo who has become a bit of fans favourite and his song is 'Sonjo is Superman'. It didn't take long for our lot to join in with the Reading singing, including a fine rendition of Danny Lee's 'We all love you'.
On the way home there was a discussion about the 'Superman' song and it was soon decided that Browner was to be the one who should be stuck with it. So, Mr Brown, if you don't like it blame the ref who called off the Morecambe game!
UPDATE:
Superman T-shirts will be available from the club in about a weeks time priced at just £10.99. The Shirts are extremely good quality and will be available in medium, large and extra large from the club shop. Other sizes can be printed but must be paid for in advance and will be available for collection 7/10 days from date of order.
Stanley team splitting
The management team that took Accrington Stanley into League Two is losing one of its members.
Southport Football Club have appointed thirty seven years old Paul Cook as Manager to succeed Liam Watson. Paul has been on the coaching staff at Accrington Stanley for the last two years, and played an influential role in Accrington's Conference winning team.
Paul made over seven hundred football league appearances, for Coventry City, Stockport County, Burnley, Wigan Athletic, and Tranmere Rovers.
Paul starts work immediately and is Southport's first full time Manager since 1978.
Forest Green friendly on July 25
Forest Green Rovers have announced that the friendly against Hereford United will take place at their new Stadium next to the Lawn on Tuesday July 25th at 7.45pm.
Turner close to deal with Mkandawire
Graham Turner thinks he is close to agreeing a deal with Tamika Mkandawire.
The Hereford United manager told BBC Hereford and Worcester earlier today that "things are moving in the right direction for us" with Mkandawire.
It seems that Turner has offered a two-year deal to the club captain but Mkandawire wants only a year long contract.
Turner also said that Chester had "agreed to release" Wayne Brown from his contract.
"I think he is an important player for us," commented Turner.
As regards Craig Mawson leaving, Turner said the club was sorry to lose him.
"I think he had a brilliant attitude, kept Wayne Brown on his toes, made sure there was competition for his place.
"So we need another keeper and I'm talking to one or two at the present time."
Turner also spoke about Adam Stansfield.
"I spoke to him a week or so ago. He asked for a second year but the offer was for one year.
"He then asked if he played a certain number of games could a contract for a second year kick-in which I agreed.
"I thought he was away on holiday but I now read he's going to sign for Exeter.
"You lose one or two players. I won't lose any sleep over Adam going to Exeter. We wish him well. He did a decent job for us here."
Turner then revealed that there had been a problem with Stansfield two or three months before the end of the season.
"We got word that Adam had already spoken to Exeter, then denied it, but we were not too happy about that situation. So Adam Stansfield and Exeter - it's been a link for quite some time."
Turner mentioned the move of Ryan Green to Bristol Rovers.
"I would have liked to have kept Ryan Green but he's disappeared from the scene. If he wants to go somewhere else, fair enough. We'll get a player that wants to come in and play for us."
Turner said that most of his time at present is taken up by talking to players from other clubs.
"I saw two yesterday. I'm hopeful that they will both say yes but you can never tell in football."
Finally Turner said that people were still talking about that final.
"Even at the League Chairman's conference, there were a lot of people who watched the game on television who thought it was a great game.
"I read the Leicester paper who felt it was the best game seen at the Walkers Stadium all season.
"We have to move on but there is a momentum about the place and we need to keep it going to order to keep the supporters coming back."
Eleven Conference Refs Make League List
Eleven of last seasons 61 Conference referees have been promoted to the League list for the coming season.
The promoted officials include play-off ref Mr Whitestone, Mr Graham - who sent off Daryl Taylor at Gravesend, and Shrewsbury's Rob Lewis.
Rochdale Announce Small Loss
Rochdale have announced a small trading loss for the financial year to May 31st 2005.
The £27,008 loss on a turnover of £1.7million featured £1.4million spent on players wages with the club narrowly missing the League Two play-offs. By comparison, for the same financial year, the Bulls spent just £0.6million on players with a £1.1million turnover, finishing second in the Conference.
Squad budgeting rules for the coming season are tighter than the Conference, with only 60% of turnover allowable to be spent on wages rather than 65%. Rochdale spent 82% of their turnover on wages in this comparison, the Bulls spent just 56%.
Strong First Day Season Ticket Sales
The Bulls banked over £20,000 in season ticket sales on the first day on sale yesterday.
Around 100 season tickets, which have risen considerably since last season, were sold in a encouraging day with several new season ticket buyers reported.
Carey-Bertram moves to Cambridge
According to the Official Cambridge United website former Hereford striker Danny Carey-Bertram has signed for Cambridge United on a free transfer.
The 21-year-old joined Hereford from West Brom in August 2003 and scored nine goals in the Conference last season for the Bulls, who won promotion to the Football League last month via the play-offs.
In his three seasons at Edgar Street, Carey-Bertram scored 17 times in 32 starts and 38 substitute appearances, but he decided to leave in search of more first team football.
A number of Conference clubs were interested in signing the pacy striker but he opted for Cambridge United and signed after passing a medical.
"We've seen good performances from him, and he's a good addition to the squad," said manager Rob Newman.
"He's got electric pace, he's an exciting player, and he was unlucky not to play more games for Hereford last year, so we're delighted to bring him in.
"He has a proven goalscoring record in the Conference and just lacked games at Hereford, so hopefully he can come to us and give us the pace we need in the Conference. If we play to his strengths then he will make us much stronger."
Carey-Bertram joins another former Hereford United player, Jon Brady, at the club.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Mkandawire wanted by Malawi
This article comes from the Malawi website Nation Online and was first published on May 24th:
A Malawian football prodigy Tamika Mkandawire is making waves in English football where he has inspired Hereford FC earn promotion from the Conference League into the English League Two. To add spice to an already hot mixture, the defender was also voted the club's player of the season Tuesday.
Mkandawire, 22, wrote his name into Hereford folklore on Saturday when he captained the Bulls' return to the Football League after nine years of agony.
Fam president Walter Nyamilandu said Tuesday the association is already planning to persuade the tough-as-teak defender to play for his fatherland.
The right back, who once expressed serious interest to play for the Flames while turning out for English Premiership outfit West Bromwich Albion's reserve side, was the driving force as Hereford beat Halifax Town 3-2 in extra time to wing into League Two.
"I watched the highlights of the game on TV on Sunday and I was impressed with the Tamika's performance. We are now going to intensify our drive to persuade him to play for Malawi. We cannot take chances because if we are to live to our dream of qualifying for the 2008 Africa Nations Cup in Ghana, then these are the type of players we need.
"If we are to have any realistic chances of beating teams like Morocco then we have to convince players like Tamika to come and play for their nation, he is a quality player and I was very impressed," said Nyamilandu.
Mkandawire, who has a Malawian father and British mother, expressed interest to play for the Flames three years ago, but the authorities here never followed up the matter with him. He scored six goals for Hereford in the just ended season.
According to a match report, Welsh international Ryan Green grabbed a wonderful extra time winner to secure the Bulls' promotion. His sweet left-footed effort curling beyond the helpless Town 'keeper Jon Kennedy to spark amazing scenes and send the 10,000 travelling Bulls into raptures with 10 minutes of extra time remaining.
There were fireworks as man-of-the-moment Mkandawire lifted the Bob Lord Trophy.
Currently, Malawi has only five notable players plying their trade in European leagues namely Joseph Kamwendo, Clement Kafwafwa and Heston Munthali who are based in Denmark, Essau Kanyenda who plays in Russia and Dan Chitsulo who is based in Germany.
Notts Co Appoint Thompson As Boss
Notts County have appointed former assistant manager Steve Thompson as their new boss.
Thompson last managed a side in 2005, when an unsuccessful 23 game spell ended with Cambridge United being relegated to the Conference. He also has previous spells with Lincoln and Sheffield Utd.
The appointment has not gone down well with the Supporters Trust, which owns 30% of the club, releasing a statement: "Once we were informed that Steve Thompson was the preferred candidate for the team manager position the trust board made its concerns known to club chairman Jeff Moore. Many of these concerns relate to a previous turbulent time when Thompson was manager along with Colin Murphy. It is clear that many Notts fans still view this period as a highly traumatic one.
"A delegation from the trust board met with Jeff Moore and he outlined his belief that given the current situation at the club with respect to budgets and playing staff, Steve Thompson was the best choice for the role. The trust board expressed their deep concerns about the appointment. The chairman reiterated that he believed Steve Thompson was the best choice available. The trust board made clear that they could not support the appointment."
HFA Cup Final on July 18th
Hereford United will entertain Westfields in the HFA Senior Floodlight Cup Final at Edgar Street on Tuesday July 18th with a 7.45pm kick-off.
Westfields Chief Executive, Andrew Morris, said "We are delighted to be playing Hereford United at Edgar Street, especially as they are now a Football League club.
"Their promotion does a lot to boost local football and the chance to play them gives Westfields a great start to our fourtieth anniversary season."
Rovers Face Boardroom Battle
Bristol Rovers are facing a boardroom battle for control of the club.
Three directors from an eight strong board have quit in the past week after one of them, Mike Turl, made proposals to inject £500,000 into the club. The trio claim the offer was rejected by the rest of the board before the full details were given to them.
The proposals included the removal of current long-serving chairman Geoff Dunford from the post, a move now backed by Supporters Club chairman John Malyckyj: "In taking this decision, we realised the implications that it would have for chairman Geoff Dunford and his colleagues. But based on the information provided, it appeared to provide a real opportunity to begin the task of taking Bristol Rovers forward once again. The loss of Mike Turl, Kevin Spencer and Colin Williams represents a hammer blow to Bristol Rovers and in my view their return to the board and the implementation of Mike's plan should be a priority for everyone."
The supporters club have a director and an associate director on the board but the majority shareholders, two other directors holding 54% of shares between them, are currently backing Dunford.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Season Tickets on sale Today
Supporters of Hereford United will be able to purchase season tickets from this morning.
Ticket prices have risen on the one hand to reflect that there are 23 home games this season in League Two as opposed to 21 in the Conference and on the other hand to reflect the higher level of football this coming season at Edgar Street.
Below is a list of season ticket prices as released by the club:
MERTON STAND (Blocks B,C & D)
Adult £300
Child/Senior Citizen £224
MERTON STAND (Block A - Beefeater section)
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
LEN WESTON STAND
Adult £300
Child/Senior Citizen £224
GROUND
Adult £260
Child/Senior Citizen £180
There is an under-16 concession if a ticket is purchased before July 14th. Prices are Stand - £130, Ground - £100.
These prices are a real discount and work at at just over £5 per game in the stands and just over £4 in the ground.
Please note that the club may require proof of age when purchasing any sort of concession ticket.
Hearing "Willo" makes Andy buzz
Hereford United's young striker, Andy Williams, recently gave an interview to boredatbreak.com.
Here's a flavour of what Williams said:
"I got lucky with injuries this year, Guy and Adam were out for a long time. But I got on the bench at Accrington and came on. But the turning point was when I came on against Burton at Edgar Street and won a penalty. Then I got into a run.
"The first time I heard the crowd sing "WILLO" I was buzzing. It's the best feeling, amazing!
"I've always said I never want to leave Hereford without them receiving a fee for me. I've got an improved contract with the club and I'm very happy! I trained a lot in the summer very hard. I got myself in better shape and grew a lot as well."
Williams has always wanted to play football.
"There was never anything else that I wanted to do. I've tried coaching but it's so frustrating! I couldn't watch Hereford much as a youngster, I always played football on a Saturday morning. I used to go in the stands, I only went in the Meadow End a couple of times."
The full interview can be read on www.boredatbreak.com
Swans Make New Bid For Wycombe Skipper
Swansea may be cooling their reputed interest in Tamika Mkandawire, with the Daily Mirror reporting that they will double their bid for Wycombe captain Roger Johnson.
The Swans have already had a £100,000 bid for central defender Johnson rejected, and will return next week with a £200,000 offer. In the paper Swansea manager Kenny Jackett is happy to wait for an answer: "The club doesn't seem to be in a hurry to sell. We'll play a waiting game. It's not as if we have to get Johnson in by next Saturday."
In other news former Bulls striker Steve Guinan, subject to rumours of a return to Edgar Street, has passed his UEFA A coaching licence at Lilleshall. Guinan, 30, was one of only eight of the 29 strong class to pass the course, but told the Gloucestershire Echo that he would still wait and see what would happen: "I am pretty certain I will be going elsewhere. I've had a few offers come in but I'm taking my time and weighing things up."
Three left to sign
Of those players offered contracts, only three remain to commit themselves to Hereford United for another season, or leave.
In alphabetical order they are Sam Gwynne, Tamika Mkandwire, and Craig Stanley.
Sam Gwynne is still just 18 and although he is yet to start for Hereford United there is little doubt he is a talented midfielder.
Turner obviously rates him as he is often seen travelling with the first team even when not on the bench. Beleived to have been watched by Birmingham, Gwynne may need another season before he is a regular.
Tamika Mkandawire is the one player of the three every supporter hopes will stay at Edgar Street. Reported to have been offered the captain's armband as part of a new contract, Mkandawire has formed an excellent partnership with Dean Beckwith in defence and would be difficult to replace.
There is little doubt that he will leave Hereford United for a bigger club in the near future, but, like Andy Williams, he may feel another year under the guidance of Graham Turner will do his career no harm. In any case Turner will probably agree to a clause in any contract allowing him to talk to other clubs.
Swansea City are one club rumoured to have tracked Mkandawire recently.
Craig Stanley has matured as a player in the past season. His partnership with Andy Ferrell in the heart of midfield still needs working on, but Stanley is young enough to improve.
Recent speculation linking the midfielder with Exeter suggests that Turner may not have made him, in his opinion, a very good offer. Perhaps the Hereford United manager sees Stanley as no more than a squad player in Division Two.
On the other hand most players have agents and it is not difficult to feed a story to the press with the intention of trying to get a better deal.
Whatever the truth, Graham Turner told those players offered contracts he wanted answers from them quickly.
"They have been given a set period of time to consider the offers presented to them," Turner said last month.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Inglethorpe on Stansfield move
The Exeter Express and Echo has reported that former Grecian manager Alex Inglethorpe has delivered striker Adam Stansfield as his parting gift to Exeter City.
Stansfield, who was born at near-by Tiverton, is said to have turned down a deal at Edgar Street in favour of a return to Exeter where he had a trial when he was 19.
"He is a player I would have loved to have worked with," Inglethorpe told Echo Sport.
"His ability is there for all to see. When he returned to the Hereford side towards the end of last season it triggered an upturn in their fortunes and he was the catalyst they needed to go on and finish the season strongly.
"He is a proven goalscorer and his importance was shown by the fact that Hereford started with him in both play-off semi-finals and the final.
"Any combination of him, Lee Phillips and Jamie Mackie will prove very difficult for opposition defences.
"Adam is 27 and in his prime. He is at a great age for a striker and is ready to give his best years to Exeter City. And with Lee at 25 and Jamie at 22 and both getting better all the time, there is a very promising and very exciting set of forwards at the club."
The paper also suggests that any move for another Hereford player, Craig Stanley, is highly unlikely.
The Western Morning News also reported the move. It quoted Julian Tagg, Exeter's sporting director.
"It's an excellent signing," said Tagg
"Adam has a proven track record in this league, he is a local boy returning to the area, which is also important, and what is also important is that, although Alex has gone, he still wants to come here.
"He was looking forward to working with Alex, but it is a measure of how far we have come that someone still believes enough in the club and the advances that it has made, even though there is not a manager in place."
Stanley set to lose Thousands
According to the Lancashire press, Accrington Stanley's first season in League Two could be tight financially.
It is said that police has decided that Accrington should play their home games on the same day as Burnley and appeals to the police for the Milkmen to be paired with Blackburn instead have been dismissed.
Stanley could lose £100,000 in revenue from gate receipts with the absence of Burnley fans who are said to follow Accrington when their team is away.
Burnley Chairman Barry Kilby said:
"Both me and Eric Whalley (Stanley chairman) are really annoyed about the decision, particularly Eric as he has been the one making representations to the police.
"It's going to cost them up to £100,000, and it will hit us to some extent because there are people that would want to go to the home games of both Burnley and Accrington and obviously won't be able to now.
"Accrington and Blackburn are in the same police division and it seems they are reluctant to police the two matches, although what policing a game like Accrington v Macclesfield would require, for example, I don't know.
"Neither us or Accrington want this decision."
Bulls 6/1 For Back-To-Back Promotion
Skybet have issued odds on League Two promotion, with the Bulls at 6/1.
The hardly generous list ranks outsiders Bury, Barnet, and Torquay at 10/1. Both Accrington and Chester are 4/1, with Shrewsbury at 6/1. Wycombe are favourites at 7/4.
In standard League Two betting, the Bulls range from 16/1 to 25/1 (Coral, Stan James). The odds predict a lower mid-table finish for the Bulls.
Exeter Papers Report Stansfield Move
The local Exeter papers are reporting that Adam Stansfield has signed for Exeter on a two year deal.
Rumours on the forums over the past week suggested that the Bulls had offered him a one year deal, with Stansfield wanting two years, and that former Exeter boss Alex Inglethorpe was quoted as saying he wanted to 'see one deal through' before leaving for good.
Should the story be confirmed, Stansfield's departure will leave the Bulls with teenage strikers Andy Williams and Stuart Fleetwood as the only strikers at the club following Danny Carey-Bertram's departure yesterday.
Stansfield started just one third of the Bulls matches this season after struggling with a series of injuries, and also struggled to be fit for long periods of last season with Graham Turner now notably cautious about offering longer deals to players seen as injury prone.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Another one in, but another one out
Stuart Fleetwood has joined Rob Purdie, Simon Travis and Wayne Brown in signing on for Hereford United according to the Official Hereford United Website. Fleetwood, like Purdie and Travis, has signed a one year deal at Edgar Street.
Fleetwood has been with Hereford United since his release from Cardiff City in January.
The Official site also reports that fellow striker Danny Carey-Bertram has left Edgar Street. Carey-Bertram is said to be looking for first team football, which he didn't get much of in his three year spell with The Bulls.
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