Morecambe FC v Hereford United
Football League 2
Saturday 8th August 2009 KO 3.00 pm.
Christie Park
Lancaster Road
Morecambe
LA4 5TJ
Phone 01524 411797
In May '06, around 1100 Bulls fans made their way north for the first leg of the Conference play-off semi-final. There are likely to be quite a few less for this trip but even so, the opening match of a new season is always one to look forward too. Both the Junior Bulls and HUISA are running coaches, the Funbus is almost full and many are weekending by the seasides of Morecambe and Blackpool. We will be there in strength and making plenty of noise.
"The Shrimps" were formed back in 1920 and initially played in The Lancashire Combination sharing a ground with a local cricket club. The following season they moved to a ground known as Roseberry Park and a few years later the then Club President, a Mr JB Christie, bought the ground and the name was changed to Christie Park in his honour. In 1927 Christie bequeathed the ground to the club. The Club recently sold the site to Sainsburys and will move to a new stadium in the Westgate area of Morecambe for the start of the 2010/2011 season.
Visiting fans are located on the covered Umbro terrace at one end of the ground. Admission is believed to be Adults £13, Concessions £10 (includes students with a valid NUS card) and U16's £4. Some seats are available in the Main Stand at a £2 premium. There is a catering outlet just inside the entrance to the ground.
By car - Leave the M6 at junction 34 and take the A683 to Lancaster then the A589 towards Morecambe. Cross two roundabouts following signs for Morecambe passing McDonalds and at the next roundabout, take the second exit onto Lancaster Road. Continue along Lancaster Road until the ground is visible on your left near a filling station. The main car park is for permit holders only although there is a small free car park behind the Umbro stand otherwise it's street parking. Distance is about 185 miles with a drive time of around three and a half hours. Postcode LA4 5TJ.
HUISA coach departs Edgar Street at 8.30 am. Fare £19. Bookings 08442 761939
JUNIOR BULLS are also running a coach the details for which can be found on the Official Site
FUNBUS departs from Radford's at 8.30. Contact Chesh on 07951 992821.
ALEHOUSES A short walk along Lancaster Road will take you to the York Hotel where Mick Dennison offers a welcome to visiting fans with a thirst. For lovers of Real Ale, I would recommend the Smugglers Den in Poulton Road where you’ll find at least four beers plus Weston’s Old Rosie on tap. To find "The Den", walk along Lancaster Road then turn right into Kensington Road. At the end of this road, turn right towards Poulton Road. Wetherspoons can be found at 10-18 Euston Road and a host of Pubs and Bars can be found on the seafront.
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Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Christie Park on Saturday
News Round Up
The official Cambridge website is carrying calls for chairman George Rolls to stand down following Martin Ling's departure earlier today. Both the Fans Trust and major shareholder Paul Barry have called for Rolls' departure, with the chairman being blamed for the departures of both Ling and former boss Gary Brabin. Torquay have confirmed the signing of Peterboro defender Kieran Charnock on a two year deal.
Ex-Bull Jose Veiga has signed a 12 month deal with Macclesfield. The hapless Cape Verde keeper played just once for the Bulls during his stint as third choice keeper, conceding four goals.Northampton have turned down a transfer request from defender Danny Jackman, their current Player of the Year. Bradford have signed midfielder Michael Flynn after he agreed a mutual termination on the final year of his Huddersfield contract.
Burton have signed former Derby defender Marc Edworthy on an initial one month deal. Bournemouth captain Danny Hollands will miss the first month of the season after undergoing surgery on a knee problem.
Last Trip To Christie Park
Next Saturday will be the last time Hereford United play Morecambe at Christie Park unless the two teams are drawn against each other in one of this season's cup competition.
The Shrimpers are to move to a brand new ground just a couple of hundred yards away at the beginning of next season and Christie Park will be turned into a supermarket.
Interestingly there is a website - www.morecambestadium.co.uk - with all the details of the new stadium.
Work on site will start on 10th August and the Project will deliver a Main Stand with seating for 2000, a Home Stand with a standing capacity of 2000, an Away Stand with a standing capacity of 1100 and a covered terrace opposite the Main Stand with a standing capacity of 900.
The Main stand will include bars, a club shop, catering and special occasion dining facilities.For non-match day use, all of these will be enhanced by conferencing facilities for 300 delegates. Each of the other stands will have its own bar and catering outlets for match day use.
Alongside the ground we will construct an all weather training and multi-sports area catering for Football, Hockey, Netball and Basketball.Separate changing facilities will be created dedicated to the multi-sports facility.
Of the recent games between the two clubs at Christie Park the one most supporters will remember is the Conference play-off semi-final first leg game on May 7th 2006. The result was a 1-1 draw with Rob Purdie equalising after Jim Bentley had put the home team ahead.
Some 1100 Hereford United supporters were at the game as was Ryan Green who will probably be the only Bull in next Saturday's squad who played that Sunday evening.
Season Preview: Part Three
Grimsby - 08/09 22nd, Bookies 33/1 13th= - But for Luton's points deduction last season Grimsby would be a Conference side now. Mike Newell might have lost half his games in charge, but two losses in the final eight was a vast improvement in form. Five of the loan players that ended last season at Blundell Park have made permanent moves this summer and the Mariners should not have any relegation worries this time round but they are unlikely to worry the top spots either without further signings.
Hereford - 08/09 L1 24th(r), Bookies 33/1 13th= - Fourteen signings have been made after last season's debacle. Rookie boss John Trewick has built from the back with the return of Ryan Green and the arrival of big central defenders Keith Lowe and Darren Dennehy. Kenny Lunt should marshall the midfield with flying wingers Marc Pugh and Matt Done but the Bulls still look worringly short up front with just two strikers currently on the books.
Lincoln - 08/09 13th, Bookies 34/1 16th - Their three top scorers have all departed for pastures new during the summer, banking the Imps a decent six figure sum. But they don't appear to be spending much of it on replacements with loanee Rene Howe joining 21 year olds Jamie Clarke and Chris Fagan - a pair with very limited experience but lots of potential - as their replacements. If they hit the ground running then an otherwise solid Imps side could push for the play-offs. If they fail to make the grade then another season of indifference will greet the Sincil Bank faithful.
Macclesfield - 08/09 20th, Bookies 100/1 23rd - Macclesfield have finished in the bottom six for the past three seasons and look unlikely to do any better this time round. Striker Kyle Wilson, who scored 24 times in 32 games for FC United last season, could be a revelation but he is one of a number of signings to get a second crack at League football under Keith Alexander for the coming season after slipping into non-league.
Morecambe - 08/09 11th, Bookies 39/1 17th - After being tipped for troubles last term, Morecambe had a steady season with a brief flirtation with the play-offs. Loan pair Ian Craney and Phil Jevons are the most exciting piece of summer activity at the soon to be demolished Christie Park, but aside from them there seem to be few goals in the squad - and that was their problem last season.
Northampton - 08/09 L1 21st(r), Bookies 14/1 3rd= - Four new defensive signings underline where boss Stuart Gray thought they went wrong last term. A quick return to League One is expected by most but that is likely to rest on the fitness of strikers Adebayo Akinfenwa and Steve Guinan. The ex-Swansea man missed 15 games last season, while the ex-Bull Guinan missed a quarter of his two season spell at Edgar Street. The late loss of midfielder Giles Coke will hit them hard, with a loan signing likely to cover for him over the opening month.
Teletext Say 15th For Bulls
Teletext place the Bulls in 15th place in their prediction for the coming season.
Their preview reads: John Trewick has seen a big overhaul at Edgar Street this summer and will find the going tough in his first full season in charge. The losses of Steve Guinan and Toumani Diagouraga will be harshly felt. Prediction: 15th
The soon to be deleted news service thinks Notts County, Bury, and Rotherham will take the automatic spots, with Burton and Macclesfield facing the drop. The full preview can be seen here.
Meanwhile the Daily Telegraph has highest prediction for the Bulls to date.
In its review of League Two it suggests Hereford United 'should finish in top five'
BBC H&W Confirm Bulls coverage
Bulls News has received the following Email from Trevor Owens, head of sport, at BBC Hereford and Worcester confirming arrangements for match coverage in the coming season.
Thanks for the email... The plan is to continue to provide commentary for all away matches, although, as you might imagine this is a fair financial commitment for the station at a time when everybody's financial belt is having to be tightened - contrary to popular belief, the BBC is certainly not immune to this... especially in local radio!
However, we will be doing all of the away league games, starting on Saturday at Morecambe. Keith Hall will again be our commentator.
We will also be doing the usual updates from the home matches but, as I am sure you can appreciate, the costs involved in doing commentary on every home match are prohibitive, and is hardly the best use of resources when a lot of your potential audience is inside the ground cheering on the team!
So, it will be away commentaries and home updates - as per last season, although we may do a small number of home games should they sell out, or should the Bulls draw Manchester United at home in the cup etc.
Best wishes
Trevor
Monday, August 03, 2009
News Round Up
Shrewsbury have signed New Zealand international Kris Bright on a two year deal. The 22 year old has been playing in Norway, Holland, and Greece to varying degrees of success. They are also rumoured to be on the verge of signing Brentford striker Nathan Elder, with Brentford sources claiming him to have announced the move on his Facebook page. Northampton invited 200 fans to take part in their squad photo, offering each the opportunity to buy a print in aid of charity.
Darlington say they have been recommended to be handed the Golden Share. The Football League board will have the action recommended to them by their Chief Operating Officer and legal advisor, who have been monitoring the situation with agreement due in a few days. Dagenham have released teenage striker Daniel Charge by mutual consent, and signed goalkeeper Chris Lewington and defender Alex Bentley. Both used to be with Fisher Athletic. Lincoln have taken Peterborough striker, Rene Howe, on loan until 31st December subject to Football League paperwork.
Conference sides have been told their central payment, thanks to the closure of Setanta, will drop from £80,000 to just £18,000. They have failed to secure a new TV deal at present, but are still negotiating on the situation. They hope to announce a deal on Friday, but it is nowhere near the value of the Setanta deal. Relegated Conference side Lewes have been issued with a winding up order by the taxman over a £100,000 bill. It will be heard on September 2nd.
Chester will be subject to an announcement on their future within 48 hours according to BBC Radio's Non-League Show. Stephen Vaughan and secretary Tony Allan met Conference chiefs today (Monday) to outline their plans for the coming season. Bradford have signed 19 year old midfielder James O'Brien on a three month deal, and will continue to trial ex-Bull Stephen O'Leary. The Bantams are expecting a £1million windfall after Leeds agreed a fee with Aston Villa for their former youth player Fabien Delph.
Cambridge manager Martin Ling has quit the club after nine days. He has told the BBC he has quit, but the club have issued a statement saying he remains under contract. Notts County are claimed to have paid Preston £100,000 for ex-Bull Karl Hawley, and are paying him £3,000 a week according to the Carlisle News and Star. Macclesfield have signed winger Tyrone Kirk from Stamford of the Unibond First Division.
Carlisle veteran Graham Kavanagh was delighted to get swine flu last month - as he feared the tiredness he felt meant his legs had gone and he might have to retire.
Ex-Bulls Trio Join Crawley
Former Bulls trio Karl Broadhurst, Ben Smith, and Nick Jordan have all joined Crawley Town today.
After the Reds sold three players, two to Peterboro and one to Brighton, they could afford to bring four new players in - and three of them spent at least part of the past season at Edgar Street.
Broadhurst, 29, was expected to sign for Bournemouth but, with their embargo ongoing, has opted for the guaranteed contract with his first taste of Conference football. Smith, 30, had trials at Cheltenham after failing to trigger a clause to extend his Edgar Street contract before linking up with Crawley two weeks ago. Jordan, 20, was the briefest of Bulls - being named as a new signing then disappearing from the squad list in days due to a reported contract disagreement.
Meanwhile Bradley Hudson-Odoi scored for Dagenham in a trial against Enfield Town. The Dagenham website reports it as a six yard finish, but also calls him Hudson-Okai.
Know Your Rights if Arrested
The FSF, Football Supporters Federation, has released the following fact-sheet.
HAVE YOU BEEN LAWFULLY ARRESTED?
Have the police told you you’re under arrest?
Have they given you a caution?*
Have they told you what you’ve been arrested for and why?
If they have not done the above, the arrest may be unlawful.
*The Caution: “you have the right to be silent, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you say may be given in evidence”
There may be valid and important reasons why you should not say anything to the police. Do not be intimidated into answering questions. Do ask for a solicitor to see you at the police station. The solicitor will advise you whether or not you should answer questions. If you think you have done nothing wrong it is even more important that you speak to a solicitor!
YOUR RIGHTS ON ARREST
You have the right to remain silent on arrest
But if you don’t give your name and address, police can take you to the police station in order to obtain your identity
You should not sign anything – especially police notebooks which record what you have allegedly said.
STOP AND SEARCH
If a police officer has ‘reasonable’ grounds for suspecting you have committed or will commit an offence you can be stopped and detained in order to conduct a search.
You should be told why they want to search you and your rights.
Before the search you they can ask you questions about their suspicion.
Your answers may be sufficient to satisfy the police you are innocent – if so you are free to leave and you must be told this.
You must be given a record of the search or told how to obtain one.
Police work hard to collect ‘intelligence’ on football fans. This information may not be correct about you but if police fear there might be serious violence in a particular area they can stop and search anyone in that area for up to 24 hours.
AT THE POLICE STATION
You have the right to free and independent legal advice.
Duty solicitors are not paid for by the police and are not connected to the police.
With the custody sergeant’s consent, you have the right to have a person told of your arrest (in addition to a solicitor). This right can be delayed or withheld in rare cases.
If you are under 17 you cannot be interviewed without an ‘appropriate adult’ – this may be a family member or friend over 18, a social worker or person from an Appropriate Adult scheme.
You are entitled to a copy of the Codes of Practice (info about your rights).
The police can only keep you for a certain period of time - normally a maximum of 24 hours.
The 24 hour period can be extended in certain circumstances up to 36 hours - it would be very rare to go beyond this time and your solicitor would advise you on this.
Police will want to take your fingerprints, DNA (painless swab from inner cheek) and photograph.
These can be taken without your consent using ‘reasonable’ force. Resistance could result in you being charged with obstruction and it is therefore advisable to co-operate. The European Court of Human rights has ruled that keeping innocent people's DNA and fingerprints violates Article 8 of the European Human Rights Convention. It is not yet unlawful to keep innocent people’s DNA and fingerprints in this country and we await the Government’s full response to this ECHR ruling.
(Check out website: http://www.genewatch.org/)
Visit www.fsf.org.uk/fan-in-trouble.php for further advice
Press Day at Edgar Street
The Hereford United squad, so far, were in attendance at Edgar Street this morning for the usual photo call and questions from the press.
Bulls News asked for permission to publish a copy of the squad photo but the club refused.
Meanwhile at the event Richard Rose spoke to BBC Hereford and Worcester about how the squad are gelling together. He was confident that the Bulls could challenge for promotion.
"It was a terrible season last season so this season we are looking to bounce straight back," said Rose.
"I really think we are going to get promoted and all the lads are thinking the same as well.
"It is a good team spirit and I think we can do it."
Most of the squad from last season has moved on and Rose, one of only four remaining, has had little time to get to know his fresh team-mates.
"The manager [John Trewick] has let a few players go and the lads who have come in have gelled really quickly," he said.
"It has been good as normally when you have a new team it can take a few games into the new season.
"But the way we were playing in the first couple of weeks in pre-season was really encouraging."
Rose said it had taken a while to get used to the change of manager at Edgar Street.
"There has been a lot of ball work early on whereas there was a little bit more running in last pre-season," he said.
"But John has taken similar traits to those of the gaffer from last year [Graham Turner], so I think it is going to be pretty much the same.
"But then he has his own ideas as well so it is looking encouraging."
Promoted Referee for Morecambe Game
Hereford United will take to the field at Christie Park on Saturday with a referee who will be in charge of his first league match.
30 year old Geoff Eltringham from Sunderland has been promoted from the Conference list. Last season he refereed just eight Conference games.
Six other referees have been promoted to the National List of Referees - Steve Rushton, Darren Sheldrake, Gary Sutton, Peter Quinn, Paul Tierney and Jock Waugh.
Sven signs former Bull
Notts County, with Sven Goran Eriksson 'in charge', have signed Karl Hawley who spent time at Edgar Street at the end of the 2002/03 season.
Hawley moves from Preston North End where he has been for the last two seasons. The fee has not been disclosed. Before then he was with Carlisle for three seasons.
Meanwhile it has been confirmed that Michael McIndoe, another former Bull, has moved to Coventry from Bristol City.
Paint Draw on August 15th
The draw for the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy will take place on Saturday August 15th live on Sky's Soccer AM.
Hereford United will be drawn against one of the following - AFC Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Northampton Town, Torquay United, Yeovil or Wycombe Wanderers - in Round One.
Season Preview: Part Two
Bury - 08/09 4th, Bookies 16/1 6th= - Last season's play-off losers have strengthened during the summer with the arrivals of forwards Ryan Lowe and Danny Carlton to assist Andy Bishop and Andy Morrell. Another play-off run is very likely, and automatic promotion shouldn't be out of their reach after missing out on it by a single goal last term. Ex-Bull Wayne Brown remains no.1 at Gigg Lane after the club failed to sign Mark Tyler from Peterboro.
Cheltenham - 08/09 L1 23rd(r), Bookies 28/1 11th= - With ongoing money worries Martin Allen has been forced to offload the bulk of the higher earners. Veterans Drissa Diallo and Barry Hayles will be surrounded by players half their age, with giant striker Tom Denton likely to be a target for long punted balls. Denton is one of two loan signings that Allen has already brought in, and the trainee Barry Fry will be using the loan market extensively over the season after 22 loans were brought in last term.
Chesterfield - 08/09 10th, Bookies 16/1 6th= - They've been the subject of a takeover, but there's no Sven at Saltergate and the Bookies aren't quite so impressed. Ex-Sheff Weds owner Dave Allen is ploughing most of his money into the stadium rather than the team, but new boss John Sheridan has been able to resist bids for star striker Jack Lester while former loanee Drew Talbot has also made a permanent move to the club.
Crewe - 08/09 L1 22nd(r), Bookies 20/1 9th= - Despite having collected £400,000 in selling Michael O'Connor and Tom Pope, manager Gudjon Thordarsson has not spent a penny this summer. Last season's misfiring forward acquisitions of Joel Grant, Clayton Donaldson, and Anthony Elding has been told to prove their worth after each failed to live up to their six figure price tags. Only a pair of ex-Histon defenders and loan keeper David Button have come in so far.
Dagenham - 08/09 8th, Bookies 33/1 13th= - Last season's surprise package will have to go some to provide a repeat performance after losing five of last season's regulars with only one providing a fee. John Still's bargain hunting usually turns up a few gems, but it would be unlikely all five of the largely unknown quantities that have arrived as replacements are unlikely to be of the same quality to those departed. The sole good news of their summer was the retention of Paul Benson at Shrewsbury's expense.
Darlington - 08/09 12th, Bookies 39/1 17th= - With it looking increasingly likely that they will field a team next Saturday on non-contract terms due their ongoing Administration, it is only left to the imagination quite how badly this season will go. Good performers can been snatched from their grasp before they can award contracts, and their tiny squad has already been forced to cancel a friendly due to lack of bodies. If they can get an even keel they'll probably survive the season in unspectacular fashion, but a return to the Conference is likely if their woes drag on.
10th for Bulls say Rochdale
Another website has given their prediction for how well Hereford United will fare this coming season. This time it is RochdaleAFC.com and they suggest the Bulls will finish in 10th position.
John Trewick will go into the 2009-10 season with that tag that hasn't been used in a long, long time, that being "new Hereford manager". After Graham Turner decided that almost fourteen years in the job was long enough for anyone, Trewick was promoted from 1st team coach to manager earlier this year with Turner remaining at the club as Chairman.
Time will tell whether Turner has enough about him to let Trewick get on the job of manager or whether he's just given extra responsibility to his coach to allow himself the luxury of less time put in. Trewick has certainly paid his dues on the coaching side of things, having spent five years at Edgar Street, but coaching and management are two completely different jobs, with many having failed to make that progression. A good start will no doubt have a huge bearing as to whether Trewick is viewed as "the cheap option" or the best man for the job.
Looking at the comings and goings over the Summer, if there were any concerns that Trewick wouldn't be able to put his own side together, then there won't be now. For out of all the teams in the division, Hereford have arguably been the busiest with at the last count thirteen players having left Edgar Street, and eleven new signings - effectively a whole new side has been signed by Trewick.
Some of the signings are questionable to say the least. Midfielder Jamie Tolley seemingly still hasn't recovered from being put in his place by Ernie that time, having been deemed not good enough for Macclesfield, Hereford has become his next destination. He's fast becoming one of those "potential" signings, like Proudlock at Grimsby, where a manager takes a chance hoping that early career form can be rediscovered. History shows 95% of these signings don't work out.
Another signing of a similar style is Leon Constantine. Looking back his career, he seems to fluctuate between being very good and very poor. He has shown goals, but equally he's been one to split fans opinions on him due to accusations of laziness. The only time he's not divided opinions is when he's had all the fans on his back.
You can add Marc Pugh to that list. After a great start to his career at Bury where he showed much promise, a money orientated move to Shrewsbury seems to have put his career on the back burner and its arguably last chance saloon for Pugh amongst the 92.
We don't want to put too much of a downer on their new signings. Kenny Lunt is more than capable at this level and should be a great addition, especially as he'll be itching to get his career back on track after a year of inactivity at Sheff Weds. Ryan Valentine should be a decent enough signing too.
Hereford are a side where there's lots of players of a similar calibre. If they come off, they could be challenging at the top end without a doubt. However, if these career under achievers continue as their CV suggest, Trewick could find himself with a growing malaise within the squad which could derail their entire season and even see them challenging at the fight out at the bottom.
But whilst there's enough reasons as to why it won't go well for Hereford, there's enough to suggest that their League One cameo will have done them the world of good, and they certainly won't have any of the usual pretensions that haunt relegated sides.
Hereford have proved in the past that they can make excellent use of the loan system, and we'd fully expect more of the same from that this season. Their current squad is a tad short on numbers, but those players might be simply there to support the loan players that come in to build a side around as they did in 2008.
So its perhaps with no real conviction that we stick Hereford down for a tenth placed finish - we wouldn't be overly surprised if it all went horribly wrong, but we're happy enough to go with tenth for now. Certain signings might carry question marks, but they're at least making signings which puts them at an advantage over many teams in this division who have cut the cloth to napkin size proportions over the Summer. That'll make a difference but not enough to repeat the marvels of 2008.
News Round Up
Bristol City have confirmed accepting a bid for ex-Bull Michael McIndoe, but haven't said from whom. Rumours suggest Coventry are favourites after a move to Sheff Utd failed earlier in the summer. Morecambe ended their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 home loss to Barrow. Bournemouth striker Steve Fletcher has signed a new 12 month deal with the club. The 37 year old striker has played over 600 times for the club.
Ex-Bull Michael Ingham was one of four York players arrested at 4am on Sunday morning on suspicion of affray. They have all been released on Police bail after the team bonding excercise. Grimsby striker Nathan Jarman will miss the first six weeks of the season with a broken bone in his foot. Accrington trialist Gary King has turned down a contract with them in favour of Unibond side Boston.
Former Bull Jordan Fitzpatrick, now with Worcester City, was sent off for a head butt in their friendly at Hinckley. Notts County are claimed to be outbidding Carlisle in the race for former Bulls loanee Karl Hawley. Ex-Bulls Matt Clarke and Rob Elmes had a winning start to the management of Halesowen with a 5-1 win over Dudley, but the club expects to be put into Administration after major shareholder Morrell Maison went to court to stop the fans takeover of the club. Clarke included Stefan Moore in his side.
Shrewsbury have signed midfielder Joss Labadie on loan from West Brom. The teenager had one game on loan for the Shrews last season before breaking a foot. Ex-Aldershot keeper Nikki Bull has signed a one year deal with Brentford. Northampton have signed ex-Crewe defender Chris McCready on a two year deal and given striker Seb Harris a deal until December.
Lincoln have signed Rene Howe on loan til January form the Peterboro Hire Shop. He spent the bulk of last season at Morecambe, scoring 12, but ended the season on the sidelines for a disciplinary matter. Cheltenham boss Martin Allen has raised £15,000 for club funds in cycling 76 miles to Whaddon Road yesterday. He was joined by a director and half a dozen supporters.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Ground Preview 09 (the remainder)
Lincoln City
Sincil Bank
Capacity 10,130 (all seated)
Lincoln is a good friendly day out with seats provided in part of the Co-Op Community Stand. The view is first class as are the bacon rolls. The Golden Eagle is one of my favourites and visitors are admitted to their Supporters bar.
Macclesfield Town
Moss Rose
Capacity 6335 (2599 seats)
A drive of about 120 miles can be done in about two and a half hours although the driver will miss the joys of The Railway View. Visiting fans are given the open Silkmen End together with about 400 seats to one side of the pitch. Macc fans are a friendly bunch.
Morecambe
Christie Park
A full preview will appear in a couple of days.
Northampton Town
Sixfields Stadium
Capacity 7,653 (all seated)
A typical modern concrete stadium but one, which offers a good view from one end of the pitch. Plenty of parking and easy access along with The usual refreshment facilities are available inside the ground while The Malt Shovel in the town is a good bet for food and decent ale.
Notts County
Meadow Lane
Capacity 20,300 (all seated)
The moneybags team of League 2 with plenty of Sven gags to come nearer the time. This is another ground where visitors have been moved from their usual “end” with accommodation now provided in part of the Jimmy Sirrel Stand to one side. The drive is just over two hours with street parking around the ground. A visit to Hooters may be the highlight of the day.
Port Vale
Vale Park
Capacity 18,947 (all seated)
Seats are provided in the Phones4U Stand with very good facilities on the concourse. It has a reputation for having a large Police presence.
Rochdale
Spotland
Capacity 10,249
A good day out with a couple of cracking boozers in The Church and The Cemetery. Seats are usually in the centre section of the Willbutts Lane Stand
Rotherham United
Don Valley Stadium
They don’t play in Rotherham but are now on the outskirts of Sheffield. Mind you, the seats are so far from the pitch you might as well be in Rotherham. A good place to try out a new pair of binoculars. It’s certainly not Millmoor.
Slopbury Town
Pornstar Stadium
Capacity 9875
When I saw this being built I thought it was a new stadium for Craven Arms FC. Joking apart, it offers most of what a football stadium requires apart from location and stewards with a sense of humour. Our visit will probably see one of the largest travelling supports of this coming season.
Torquay United
Plainmoor
Capacity 6000
Having witnessed their final game before they dropped out of The League, it's good to see them back as Torquay is a favourite for Bulls fans. Just a shame the fixture computer has been unkind. We will be on the covered Sparkworld terrace with 200 seats available in the Main Stand.
Finally, this video will give you a short view of each ground. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-dzTEJCmAo&feature=related
Bulls 18th In Times
The Times reckons Bradford will win League Two this season, with the Bulls ending up 18th.
Their predictions, which can be read in full here, say of the Bulls: Graham Turner stepped down as manager after Hereford's relegation back to Coca-Cola League Two. He has remained as chairman at Edgar Street, though, and has backed his replacement, John Trewick, with nine new signings including the recruitment of Lee Morris, the midfield player, from Burton Albion. Hereford are also giving a trial to Benedict Akwuegbu, the former Nigeria striker. Prediction: 18th.
The paper reckons Bradford will beat Notts County to the title with Rotherham rounding out the automatic promotion spots. The Shrews will be again in the play-offs with Rochdale, Morecambe, and Lincoln, while Darlington and Accrington are tipped for the drop.
Season Preview: Part One
Accrington - 08/09 16th, Bookies 125/1 24th - With £25,000 a month going to the taxman and the smallest average attendance in the Football League Accy will certainly be searching the bargain bins for their squad this season. Add to that players being banned for betting, and facing sentence for affray, they could well be struggling to fill the newly expanded subs bench each week. They've been favourites for the drop for the last two seasons, but their luck could well run out this term.
Aldershot - 08/09 15th, Bookies 66/1 21st - The one question from Shots fans this summer is What Is Going On? Rumours of financial uncertainty, a reshuffled board structure, and allowing highly rated keeper Nikki Bull to walk away for nothing only concerns the fans even more. A very low key summer has seen only defensive arrivals and nothing to genuinely excite the fans. Relied heavily on loan players last season, and will probably do the same this term.
Barnet - 08/09 17th, Bookies 74/1 22nd - Might as well be renamed Walmington on Sea with Dad's Army in full effect in Barnet. Gary Breen, Paul Furlong, and Lee Harrison are all enjoying extended careers at the Underhill care home. Whether the veterans can keep their joints going when the cold sets in will determine whether they have a relegation fight on their hands with them likely to be selling John O'Flynn and Albert Adomah purely to balance the books.
Bournemouth - 08/09 21st, Bookies 16/1 6th= - Still under a transfer embargo they have only the remnants of last season's squad to make a start on this season until the new owners can clear their debts. Providing things go according to plan they should be a danger next season but this term will be about treading water and getting things right off the pitch while blooding some of the youth squad to bolster their threadbare squad.
Bradford - 08/09 9th, Bookies 14/1 3rd= - After another dramatic failure with the division's largest budget last season, funds have been slashed leaving boss Stuart McCall to ask players to leave or take pay cuts in order to juggle finances to build a squad. The retention of 30 goal partnership Peter Thorne and Michael Boulding on lesser wages is a crucial part of the plan, but outside of that they are looking at youngsters and untested non-league starlets to bolster their promotion push.
Burton - 08/09 Conf 1st(p), Bookies 50/1 20th - Many people expect an immediate return for the side that won the Conference with a whimper after Nigel Clough left. They won only one of their last seven games in trying to secure the title, and will enter the League with the vast majority of the same team. The squad as a whole has limited League experience, with ex-Bull Tony James - a veteran of 370 games at Conference level - one of a number to be making his League debut.
News Round Up
Stephen O'Leary started and scored while on trial for Bradford in their 3-3 draw with Carlisle. Cambridge are being threatened with lawyers by Alan Lewer after he claims he was handed the manager's job but then turned down at the last minute. An article in the Non-League Paper says Lewer, Liam Daish, and successful candidate Martin Ling were all given the job, before two of them received blunt text messages telling them differently an hour before they were due to be unveiled.
Burton have given winger Jimmy Phillips a two year deal. The 19 year old was released by Stoke earlier in the summer. Lincoln have signed midfielder Sam Clucas. The youngster was with Leicester's academy side but had drifted out of professional football. Rotherham have completed the sale of striker Reuben Reid to West Brom for an undisclosed fee.
18 Ways to Help the Bulls
From next Saturday Hereford United will have a squad of 18 players for each game as this coming season there will be seven substitutes on the bench instead of five in previous campaigns.
Taking two extra players to away games, especially when the squad has to leave Edgar Street on a Friday afternoon, will cost money.
However supporters can help with those, and many other costs, by considering joining various initatives connected with Hereford United or perhaps sponsoring a player.
Bulls News has put together a list of 18 ways to help the club.
1 - Join HUISA and help them raise money for the club.
2 - Travel to away games with HUISA
3 - Sponsor a player
4 - Sponsor a match
5 - Buy a season ticket
6 - Join the VP lottery
7 - Buy a 50/50 ticket at home games
8 - Buy a replica shirt
9 - Join the Junior Bulls (always assuming you are young enough)
10 - Become a programme seller
11 - Become a steward
12 - Sponsor a match ball
13 - If in business consider an advertising board
14 - Have a pre-match drink in Radfords
15 - Advertise in the match programme - Bullseye
16 - Join the Back the Bulls lottery
17 - Go to the Annual Sportsmans Dinner
18 - Become a VP
No doubt there are many other ways supporters can help the Bulls in what is likely to be a difficult season ahead. For more details on most of the ideas please contact the club on 0844 2761939.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Ground Preview 09 (cont)
Cheltenham Town
The Abbey Business Stadium (Whaddon Road)
Capacity 7066 (3912 seated)
Rumour has it that this season, visiting fans are to be housed in part of the In2Print Stand on one side of the pitch providing around 1100 spaces.
Chesterfield
Recreation Ground (Saltergate)
Capacity 8504
Possibly the last opportunity to visit this ground with The Spireites expecting to commence work on a new "out of town" stadium during the current season. Visiting fans are usually accommodated on the open Cross Street Terrace but are often provided with covered seating in part of the Main Stand in wet weather. There are plenty of good alehouses close to the ground, which may not be the case once they move.
Crewe Alexandra
Alexandra Stadium (Gresty Road)
Capacity 10066 (all seated)
Crewe is a good day out and is a favourite for a train trip. Plenty of good Pubs around the ground and a decent view from the visitor's area in the Blue Bell BMW Stand. The ground is just a short walk from Crewe Station.
Dagenham and Redbridge
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Stadium (Victoria Road)
Capacity 6000
There is a choice of the open Pondfield Road terrace or seats in part of the Main Stand. The surrounding area offers little attraction but the ground itself and their Social Club offer a warm reception.
Darlington
Balfour Webnet Arena
Capacity 25,000 (all seated)
A stadium that strangely provides at least six seats for every fan, Darlington is probably most famous for its dozens of receptionists. The town itself is one of the finest when it comes to quality drinking establishments. Just a shame its so far to travel. Our longest trip this year.
Grimsby Town
Blundell Park
Capacity 9546 (all seated)
Situated in Cleethorpes rather than Grimsby, Blundell Park has one of the oldest Stands in the Football League dating from 1901! Visiting fans have lots of room in the 2000+ seated Osmond Stand at one end of the pitch. Two further points...take a warm coat and they only sing when they're fishing.
Jonny Godsmark - A Profile
Newcastle United's Jonny Godsmark, who started in this afternoon's friendly, is expected to agree a six month loan deal at Edgar Street.
This slightly edited profile is from Newcastle United:
Godsmark, who is 20 in September, made his reserve team debut for Newcastle United in the Northumberland Senior Cup against Walker on 16 October 2006, and then scored his first reserve goal after coming on as a substitute in the FAPL Reserve fixture at Wigan on 24 January 2007.
Slight of build, Jonny is a skilful ball-playing wing man who also struck two goals for the second string in 2006/07.
Made his first senior appearance (as a substitute) for United in the 0- 1 away friendly defeat at Hull on 1 August 2007.
Virtually an ever present with the second-string in 2007/08, notching a very respectable 9 goals to finish top scorer.
Signed professional contract with United in 2008.
Here's an article written by Ed Harrison last January which has a few words from Godsmark.
Jonny Godsmark Developing Well At Newcastle
Jonny Godsmark, Newcastle’s 19 year-old attacking midfielder made a great start to 2009 last night when he made two goals and scored the other in the Reserves 3-0 win against Bolton Wanderers at Whitley Park.
And with Joe Kinnear urging the Newcastle youngsters today to take their chances when they come, no doubt Jonny will have impressed Kinnear last night with his all action display.
Johnny is very quick and of course was the Reserves’ star last night and Joe Kinnear and Chris Hughton are making it regularly to see the Reserve team games, so he will have enough chances to impress Joe and Chris.
Jonny said today:
“It’s always the hope,” “All you can do is impress in reserve matches with Joe and Chris watching the games.”
“That’s all you can do, and if you’re lucky enough to get a chance in the first team, then you’ve got to take it.”
“I was pretty pleased with my own performance, and it was good for the team to get a good win.”
“For the first I was lucky enough to get it past the left-back, and I’ve ran 20 yards down the pitch. Nile’s made a good run, and I’ve spotted him. He never usually misses them.”
“I skipped past the left-back again for the second, and put a nice ball to Ryan, and he made the goal. It was a very clever dummy, and Frank’s finished excellently.”
“For my goal I made a run and it was an excellent run by Nile. It was a great start to the second half, and it killed the game off.”
Joe could do a lot worse than give Kazenga LuaLua and Johnny a run out late in some of the first team games this season, when it’s appropriate, and see how they perform.
Godsmark was an almost ever present with the Reserves last season, and scored a respectable 9 goals to finish top scorer.
Bulls fail in final friendly
With the test match falling to the elements, it was good to get a clean break from Aussie bashing and watch a football match against League 1 Walsall at Edgar Street this afternoon. However, the Hereford squad failed to trouble the scorer while the visitors notched the only strike over the boundary of the afternoon session shortly before the tea interval.
John Trewick named a fairly familiar order with gloveman Bartlett starting behind a cordon of Jones and Dennehy who were flanked by Green and Valentine at point and square leg respectively. Captain Lunt and the debutant Southam filled the mid-wicket and cover positions while Pugh and Jonny Godsmark played at deep forward and deep cover point. Leon Constantine and Lee Morris started in their normal long on and long off positions.
Play got under way on time despite a damp outfield with the traditional seagulls circling the ground. Pugh made an early break down the left to win a corner which was quickly taken and a neat exchange with Constantine enable Pugh to fire just wide... the ball skidding just wide of first slip. Glen Southam then dinked a ball forward to Constantine but his flick-on just failed to fall to the on-rushing Morris. Play was fairly evenly balanced with neither side really testing the keepers.
A long ball from Lunt found Constantine who cleverly laid off for Pugh but his effort went through to fine leg. For Walsall, the influential Matt Richards brought a fine fingertip save from Bartlett but the resulting corner provided the only goal of the game. Richards took the corner, which was met by a thumping header from Mattis. Bartlett managed to push the ball onto the bar but the rebound was headed in by Stephen Roberts. The Bulls had a decent chance to level very soon afterwards. Marc Pugh drifted inside before releasing Morris who had timed his run well but the ex-Derby player skewed his effort wide when clear on goal. Southam lifted a shot well over the bar just before the umpire called for drinks.
While there was little to cheer in terms goal scoring opportunities, The Bulls had competed well and retained a good shape during the first session. It was also noticeable that on a couple of occasions, two attacking players were left upfield when defending corners!
The after-tea session produced more of the same with both sides having spells of decent possession without any spectacular efforts on goal. Richards was given too much room in the Bulls box but failed to capitalise while at the other end, both Hereford replacements James McQuilkin and Franck Pandovani saw shots blocked. The later periods of the game did produce a bit more excitement with the late introduction of Matty Done in an unfamiliar right side role showing a determination to get passed his marker and deliver a rare quality cross. Craig Jones, on for Valentine, also managed a driven cross which evaded the strikers.
As has been evident in several games, The Bulls huffed and puffed without producing any quantity of chances and with time running out fans will be travelling to Morecambe next Saturday hoping that a couple more additions and that advent of "the real thing" will spark a much needed improvement.
Stumps: - Bulls 0 Walsall 1
Attendance 590 with 63 from the Midlands.
Hereford; - Adam Bartlett, Ryan Green, Ryan Valentine, Kenny Lunt, Darren Jones, Darren Dennehy, Jonny Godsmark, Glen Southam, Lee Morris, Leon Constantine, Marc Pugh.Substitutes: Matty Done, Richard Rose, Keith Lowe, Craig Jones, Sam Gwynne, James McQuilkin, Franck Padovani, Chris Adamson, Emrik Devries
Walsall: - Clayton Ince, Rhys Weston, Stephen Roberts, Mark Hughes, Steve Jones, Dwayne Mattis, Sam Parkin, Alex Nicholls, Peter Till, Jamie Vincent, Matt Richards.Substitutes: Rene Gilmartin, Manny Smith, Troy Deeney, Mark Bradley, Richard Taundry, Daryl Westlake
Disappointing Attendances at Pre-season Matches
It might have been the recession, or perhaps the weather, or perhaps the lack of big name opposition, or perhaps the lack of strikers, or even a combination of all four but there is little doubt that the pre-season attendances at Edgar Street have been disappointing.
2009:(most recent game first)
Walsall - 590
Bristol Rovers - 651
Wolves Select XI - 797
Bristol City - 823.
Average - 715
2008:
West Bromwich - 1692
Southampton - 1209
Bristol City - 830
Birmingham Select XI - 553
Wolves - 1538
Average - 1164
2007:
Cheltenham - 1003
Wolves Select XI - 1213
West Bromwich - 1405
Average - 1207
Bulls Lose Final Friendly
The Bulls lost 1-0 to Walsall in the final friendly today at Edgar Street.
A rain-sodden pitch didn't help the Bulls' passing, while the weather also kept the crowd down to 590. There was a new trialist in the shape of winger 'Emrick De Vries' while reported Newcastle loanee Jonny Godsmark, listed on the team sheet as Godsley, started the game. There was no sign of either Marc Manga nor Nigerian Benedict Akwuegbu.
DeVries is believed to be Emmerik DeVriese, a 24 year old from Royal Antwerp. A YouTube video of him in action can be seen here. He has recently been on trial with Blackpool.
Full report later.
McQuilkin Signs For Bulls
The Bulls have confirmed the signing of midfielder James McQuilkin on a one year contract.
The 20 year old former West Brom trainee has recently been playing in the Czech Republic for top flight side FC Tescoma Zlin and was a N.Ireland u-19 international.
His signing brings the squad of contracted players up to 20.
HUISA Morecambe reminder
Seats for the HUISA coach to Morecambe can be booked in Radford's (formally Legends) before today's game against Walsall.
Cost is £19 with a departure set for 8.30 am.
Admission to Christie Park:
Seated: Adults £15, Concessions £12, Juniors £6
Standing: Adults £13, Concessions £10, Juniors £4
Please note concessions are OAP's, Students with NUS card and the disabled.
Top Class Radfords
There has been a total transformation of the Hereford United Clubhouse in the past few weeks.
And the change of name from Legends to Radfords was nothing other than an inspired choice.
James Smith is the person responsible for all the work that has gone into Radfords. He is eager to work alongside all those who support Hereford United.
Radfords is available for functions, meetings etc and James can be contacted on 07967 709017 or by e-mail at stagecoach-hereford@hotmail.co.uk
Bulls News wishes James the best of luck with Radfords and thanks both James and Andy Compton for permission to publish the above photos.
£250,000 for Parry
The transfer fee for Paul Parry's move to Preston is reported to be £250,000 according to the South Wales Echo.
When Parry left Hereford United for Cardiff City in 2004 it was said that the fee was £75,000 with add-ons one of which was playing for Wales.
Always assuming there was a sell-on clause in the deal, Hereford United could receive as much as £35,000. However that will depend on whether the sell-on clause took the original fee into the calculation or the total fee which would include the add-ons.
The paper says the total fee was £150,000 in which case the sell-on clause might only be worth £20,000.
Still better than nothing.