Bulls Banter forum member Glossybull did this video. It deserves a wider audience:
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Friday, May 04, 2012
Tickets On Sale Until 4pm
The Bulls continue to sell tickets today for tomorrow's crunch match.
Blocks A and D of the Merton Stand are still available in small numbers, while Block G of the Cargill Stand is also available. Terrace tickets remain for the Cargill Stand.
Update: Meadow End is SOLD OUT. 300 tickets remain at 10am.
Update: Meadow End is SOLD OUT. 300 tickets remain at 10am.
Oddly, Torquay's official site is reporting it is still selling tickets for the game this morning. There are rumours circulating that the Gulls' ticket office mislaid a number of tickets from their original allocation and discovered them late in the week.
News Round-Up
Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has been left 'frustrated, disappointed, and angry' at the club's failure to secure even a play-off place this season. He will meet with the board next week to decide whether manager Andy Hessenthaler will get a chance to see out the final year of his three year contract after being told pre-season that anything less than promotion was failure. Scally has also warned there will be job cuts at the Priestfield Stadium as the club has to cut back it's budget.
Oxford will seek another emergency loan keeper after sending back teenager Connor Ripley to Middlesboro after a disappointing debut performance. Former Bull Wayne Brown has undergone knee surgery after picking up a problem in training last week, while first choice Ryan Clarke has a rib injury. Port Vale are waiting on Football League approval for their takeover to complete. They hope the process will be done in time for the League's AGM in June.
Accrington have extended the contract of striker Craig Lindfield into next season. The former Liverpool trainee has filled in at right back over the last few weeks due to injuries. Keeper Ian Dunbavin has also signed a new deal for the 2012/13 season after forcing his way back into the first team. Rotherham have released Ollie Banks and Marcus Marshall. Teenager Banks made only one sub appearance for the first team, while winger Marshall recently had a loan spell at Macclesfield.
Aldershot report that they have almost met last year's season ticket sales already, with a figure of 750 reached so far. The Shots' season tickets are on average £40 more expensive that those at Edgar Street. Luton beat Wrexham 2-0 in their Conference play-off match at Kenilworth Road last night. Ex-Bull Stuart Fleetwood scored the second goal, with the Hatters now the bookies' favourites to win promotion.
Hayes and Yeading midfielder Jamie Hand has quit the club after being fined a weeks wages for a red card in their game with Lincoln last month. The former Watford trainee says the fine came directly from the club Chairman and that it was deliberate to save the club money rather than a club rule. Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner has been named Manager of the Month for April. Southend's Bilel Mohsni won the player award.
Eleven of Portsmouth's senior professionals have put their backing towards the Supporters Trust's bid to buy the club, with the Trust looking for 1,000 more £1,000 commitments totalling £1million within the next two weeks. Pompey are set to agree to sell defender Jason Pierce to Leeds for £500,000 to give them more cash to keep afloat.
Eleven of Portsmouth's senior professionals have put their backing towards the Supporters Trust's bid to buy the club, with the Trust looking for 1,000 more £1,000 commitments totalling £1million within the next two weeks. Pompey are set to agree to sell defender Jason Pierce to Leeds for £500,000 to give them more cash to keep afloat.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
23/10 for Bulls Win
Hereford United take on Torquay tomorrow at Edgar Street and the bookies are offering odds of 23/10 for a win by the Bulls.
This price is currently available from BetVictor, William Hill, Boylesports and Bwin.
Top price for a draw is 13/5 with Boylesports.
Latest Offer from SkyBet:
Hereford 21/10 Draw 5/2 Torquay 6/5
For the Bulls to remain in the Football League they have to take three points from the game against Torquay and Barnet lose or draw at Burton.
Again from SkyBet:
Burton 2/1 Draw 12/5 Barnet 13/10.
We're 110% Focused says O'Kelly
Hereford United manager Richard O'Kelly has been quoted in a Guardian article about the battle between the Bulls and Barnet to stay in League Two.
The article suggests both clubs have much in common including low gates and a recent change in manager.
Martin Allen took charge at Underhill a couple of weeks ago and O'Kelly only joined the Bulls in March. Both clubs won last Saturday, Barnet at Wimbledon and Hereford at Crawley so both sides will go into tomorrow's with a degree of confidence.
"We're starting to get the bounce of the ball and there's a really good feeling about the club," noted O'Kelly.
"Torquay are up there on merit and both teams have something to play for. We've both got such a good cause to go for. This is such a tight, community club and the spirit is excellent.
"We're 100% focused or, as they say on the X-Factor, 110%."
O'Kelly has been in contact with his former boss Graham Turner.
"I've got his full support.
"That good fortune that Shrewsbury had to win promotion, and no matter how excellently you perform you always need luck, he said that he doesn't need it any more this season and he'll lend it to me this week."
Torquay could be promoted automatically if they win the game.
"It's a good situation as they will be feeling a little bit of pressure the same as we are."
The article suggests both clubs have much in common including low gates and a recent change in manager.
Martin Allen took charge at Underhill a couple of weeks ago and O'Kelly only joined the Bulls in March. Both clubs won last Saturday, Barnet at Wimbledon and Hereford at Crawley so both sides will go into tomorrow's with a degree of confidence.
"We're starting to get the bounce of the ball and there's a really good feeling about the club," noted O'Kelly.
"Torquay are up there on merit and both teams have something to play for. We've both got such a good cause to go for. This is such a tight, community club and the spirit is excellent.
"We're 100% focused or, as they say on the X-Factor, 110%."
O'Kelly has been in contact with his former boss Graham Turner.
"I've got his full support.
"That good fortune that Shrewsbury had to win promotion, and no matter how excellently you perform you always need luck, he said that he doesn't need it any more this season and he'll lend it to me this week."
Torquay could be promoted automatically if they win the game.
"It's a good situation as they will be feeling a little bit of pressure the same as we are."
Brighton Dump Bulls Into Conference
Continuing BN's look back at matters 15 years ago, today two reports on the Brighton game as published in the Independent:
HEREFORD 1 Brighton 1
Relegation happens over a season, not just in one game, but that will be no consolation to Hereford United who lost league status yesterday after their fellow Third Division strugglers, Brighton, claimed the draw that allowed them to stay up by virtue of a better scoring record.
After 25 years in the lower divisions, Hereford are down into the GM Vauxhall Conference - a league whose increasing strength makes the romance of an instant return unlikely.
Nevertheless Hereford played valiantly yesterday and took what promised to be a vital lead through a cruel own-goal. But a Brighton equaliser from Robbie Reinelt, just eight minutes after he had come on as substitute, proved an insurmountable hurdle for the home side - many of whom left the pitch in tears at the realisation of their fate.
For Brighton, who brought close to 3,500 fans with them - truly a flock of Seagulls - the game completed a remarkable escape generated since the appointment of Steve Gritt as manager last December.
"I was glad when the game started after all the hype," a breathless Gritt said afterwards "But I wouldn't want to go through all that again."
For his Hereford counterpart Graham Turner, the day was too much to bear. Later, with the ground now deserted, he quietly announced his intention to offer his resignation. "I have to take responsibility for what's happened here over the season. I've just been into the dressing-room and it's awful in there. But that's football I suppose."
Hereford's tenure on the league had looked secure for the first hour as their powerful three-man attack of Tony Agana, John Williams and 18- goal top-scorer Adrian Foster put the Brighton defence under constant pressure.
Their enterprise in the context of a brutally tense occasion was almost heroic although the circumstances of their goal were a perverse form of divine intervention. Agana wrestled free inside the Brighton box and was able to turn the ball across the face of the goal, where Foster was waiting but Brighton's Kerry Mayo stuck out a foot to send the ball into his own net.
The young midfielder fell face down on the turf so abject was his misery and a suddenly nervous Brighton did well to complete the half without conceding the second goal that would have done for them. But as the clock ticked on towards the drop zone Hereford's energy drained away while Brighton were urged on by their increasingly frantic travelling support.
A poor goal-kick by the Hereford keeper Andy de Bont set up the Brighton equaliser with Craig Maskell's volley rebounding from the post for Reinelt to tap home.
Chances opened up at either end but Hereford had the best in injury-time when Foster was put clean through but could only drive his shot straight into the relieved hands of Mark Ormerod. The Hereford fans slumped in despair.
At the final whistle a huge line of riot police occupied the pitch to prevent a wedge of home fans from getting to the Brighton end. But there seemed little malice left in these melancholy supporters, who were applauded sympathetically by their Brighton counterparts, fans who know only too well that the misery could have been theirs.
HERE'S a YouTube Video from the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4SyMPHlwn8
AND another longer video at: http://vimeo.com/23283912
The second report:
It started with more than a century of League history on the line, and it ended with a chubby, cheerful middle-aged man waving a toupee in front of a huddle of reporters and then perching it on his gleaming crown. Such was the mood at Edgar Street on an afternoon when the tension threatened to drive everyone mad.
Strangest of all, the jolly man with the wig was Peter Hill, chairman of Hereford, who had just watched as his team, the ultimate victims of Brighton's astonishing run of results in 1997, were stripped of their League status - unless the League's plan to bring in 16 Conference teams and regionalise the Third Division comes to fruition.
The hairpiece, Mr Hill assured us, was "to wipe the tears away", and on the terraces at least, there were plenty of those, whether of grief or relief. This was perhaps the scrappiest 1-1 draw all season in a division which sees more than its share, yet for the 3,500 among the sell-out crowd of 8,000 who had travelled from the South Coast, no point could be more precious.
Their hero, too, is far from fully thatched, but as the Brighton fans love to sing of Steve Gritt, "he's got no hair, but we don't care". The Seagulls' form since Gritt's arrival late last year, when the side were 11 points from safety, has been exceptional, particularly at the now defunct Goldstone Ground. If they can pick up the same thread next season, wherever their new home might be, any late-season dramas are likely to concern promotion, not relegation.
Not that you would have thought it during a desperate first half. Hereford, who had to score, lined up 3-4-3, and proceeded to swarm all over the visitors. Tony Agana was magnificent, winning four out of every five of the long balls which were fired at him with tedious regularity, while his pace and strength were a constant problem for the Brighton defence. Within minutes, they were nervous to the point of panic, and never more so than after 20 minutes, when Kerry Mayo attempted to put a low cross behind for a corner only to find his own net instead.
The Seagulls had one foot in the Conference, and the second might have followed after 34 minutes, as Agana beat Mark Ormerod's wild rush outside his area and crossed for Adrian Foster, whose headed attempt was blocked. In the final analysis, though, what condemned Hereford was their defeat at Orient seven days earlier.
Brighton's salvation arrived with 26 minutes left. Craig Maskell's excellent long-range volley beat Andy deBont and then passed him once more on its way back from the far post. Robbie Reinelt, a recent and influential substitute, applied the finishing touch.
The tension was now unbearable, and it was Hereford who felt it most as they set off in search of another lifeline. Passing and discipline disintegrated, but even then, Foster wasted two excellent chances - as, admittedly, did Maskell - before they finally slipped out of the League.
"I feel totally responsible," Graham Turner, Hereford's manager, said afterwards. "I'm going to take Monday off, it's a Bank Holiday after all, and then I'll come in on Tuesday morning and do the decent thing by handing in my resignation. Then it will be up to the people around me."
Club Expects Sell-Out
The Bulls are expecting Saturday's game to sell out tomorrow with limited tickets left across the board.
Blocks B and C of the main Merton stand are sold out, leaving only limited seats available in blocks A and D at either end of the stand. Block H of the Cargill Stand, nearest the Meadow End, is also sold out.
There remains limited tickets for G block of the Cargill Stand and the terracing below, while there are less than 100 tickets left for the Meadow End. Sales continue from 9am on Friday.
Tickets booked over the phone can be collected from the club reception tomorrow from 9am-4pm, or from the ticket window by the players' entrance from 9.30am on Saturday. You are advised to get there early as a large number of tickets are awaiting collection.
Meanwhile, it is being reported that Ryan Green has undergone an operation to cure his ongoing knee problem today.
Meanwhile, it is being reported that Ryan Green has undergone an operation to cure his ongoing knee problem today.
Allen Reports McLeod Injury
Barnet boss Martin Allen has told the club's official site that striker Izale McLeod 'will not start' Saturday's game with Burton due to injury.
While not ruling the club's top scorer out entirely, Allen also adds that the Bees have no other injury problems. McLeod has been out of form recently, scoring just once in the last 15 games.
Meanwhile, Tony James has told his Twitter followers that he has Tonsilitis but hopes to recover in time to line up for the Brewers.
Quakers Fans Complete Asset Purchase
Darlington's fans group have confirmed the purchase of the club's assets after ditching their original CVA plan.
The announcement leaves former club owner Raj Singh with nothing after his debt, along with all other unsecured creditors, were left behind with DFC 1883 Ltd buying only the trading name, club badge and website, and other intellectual property of Darlington FC.
The new company remains liable for players wages, reported to be around the £100,000 mark, but retains 50% of the sell-on rights on former striker Dan Burn, who remains a prospect with Fulham. The club will have to play outside of Darlington next season with no suitable venue available in the town, but they hope to return next summer and are in talks over a number of potential grounds.
The new company remains liable for players wages, reported to be around the £100,000 mark, but retains 50% of the sell-on rights on former striker Dan Burn, who remains a prospect with Fulham. The club will have to play outside of Darlington next season with no suitable venue available in the town, but they hope to return next summer and are in talks over a number of potential grounds.
The original company will now fold with the fans now waiting on what division the FA will place what is effectively a new club into, while they are to now seek £200,000 in fundraising over the summer to fund the new club after having to return the £350,000 originally raised after their takeover plan failed when Singh blocked the CVA and the FA refused to allow his specified clauses.
No Team News From O'Kelly
In his latest BBC H&W interview, Hereford United manager Richard O'Kelly hasn't given any hints as to which players will start for the Bulls on Saturday in the crucial game against Torquay.
O'Kelly should have Tom Barkhuizen available after he missed last Saturday's game at Crawley. However after scoring twice Yoann Arquin will also be in the running for a starting place.
Whoever O'Kelly picks, the team faces a tough task against Torquay who are hopeful of a place-off place.
"We need to win," said O'Kelly.
"Nothing complicated about that, we need to go out and win the game.
"We can't affect it(the Barnet result) at all. All we can affect is how we prepare for the game. How we turn up, what frame of mind we turn up in. What sort of performance we give.
"At 4.45pm, hopefully, that will be enough."
Another Olympic Bull
In addition to Sarah Davies carrying the Olympic Torch, Hereford United season ticket holder Rob Powell will be an Olympic Torchbearer as it passes through Hereford on May 24th.
Rob, one of the Tupsley Whites, has been nominated for his contribution to the local community and in particular raising around £50000 for the Hereford and District branch of the MS Society. He has run the London Marathon twice, the New York Marathon and the Great North Run. Rob has cycled unsupported from Lands End to John O'Groats and to celebrate Hereford's return to the Football League he cycled 1500 miles to 63 football clubs. Rob was chaplain for the mayor of Hereford in 2008/09 when fellow fan Kevin Wargen became mayor. He helped run a youth club at Ballingham Chapel for 30 years.
For over 40 years he has played cricket for the Strollers CC and still turns out during the closed season. Rob cares for his wife Eunice who has MS and continues to farm with one of his three sons.
Although several people nominated Rob for torchbearer the successful nomination came from Gary Palmer who is the father of Steph, James McQuilkin's partner.
Edgar Street Nearing Sell Out
Edgar Street is edging closer to a capacity sell-out for Saturday's game with several hundred more tickets snapped up in the opening hours of sales this morning.
The club reports that there are just 200 tickets left for the Meadow End, less than half the number at 7.30pm last night, while B Block of the main Merton Stand is set to join C Block in selling out.
Total ground capacity is around 5,400 with the 5,000 sales mark fast approaching.
News Round-Up
Mansfield CEO Carolyn Still was arrested outside Bootham Cresent last night, and cautioned for using threating words and behaviour. The Stags drew 1-1 with York in their play-off match after having striker Matt Green sent off. York director Sophie Hicks told the BBC that Still had been 'distressed and disturbed' by the occasion and had left the match early. The Stags have declined to comment on the incident.
Bradford are to offer striker Nahki Wells a four year contract in a bid to keep him at Valley Parade. The Bermudan 21 year old is reported to currently be one of the lowest paid players at the club but is now their biggest asset after 12 goals from 19 starts and 17 sub appearances in his first season in the English game. Plymouth striker Matt Lecointe has signed his first professional contract with the club. The 17 year old has made 22 appearances for the first team already.
Macclesfield caretaker boss Glyn Chamberlain does not intend to go for the job full time, and expects a new appointment to be in place sooner rather than later. The Silkmen have nine players under contract for next season. Relegated Wycombe are expecting to lose striker Stuart Beavon after Charlton and Sheff Utd were reported to be chasing the 25 goal forward, who has a year left on his contract.
Darlington council and the local rugby club have given early backing to plans for the Quakers to move to the rugby club ground. Fans are investigating the possibilities of securing one of the former grandstands from their previous Feethams home for the site. The 3,000 capacity structure was dismantled and put in storage after a proposed sale of the structure to Farnboro was cancelled. Former Bulls midfielder Glen Southam is one of eight to be offered a new contract by Dover.
Port Vale assistant boss Geoff Horsfield is to leave the club, and football, at the end of the season. The former Halifax striker is to concentrate on business interests after a 20 year career. Bury are to restart their reserve team next season. Defender Ben Futcher will become player/coach for the team after not playing for the first team this season.
Port Vale assistant boss Geoff Horsfield is to leave the club, and football, at the end of the season. The former Halifax striker is to concentrate on business interests after a 20 year career. Bury are to restart their reserve team next season. Defender Ben Futcher will become player/coach for the team after not playing for the first team this season.
Torquay To 'Give It Everything'
There will be no easy ride for the Bulls on Saturday as Torquay chase the last automatic promotion spot.
"The lads were down afterwards, no doubt about it, but we've put that behind us now and we're all looking forward to Hereford. It's a huge prize, and we're ready to give it everything."
Fellow defender Kevin Nicholson who, like Mansell, was nominated in the League Two Team of the Year, said the Gulls were not even contemplating the play-offs yet:
"No-one's really talked about the play-offs yet, but if that time comes round then we're all big enough to be able to accept we've had a good season and forget about it because the league table doesn't matter after that."
Areas Begin To Sell Out
C Block in the main Merton stand has sold out as tickets continue to sell well this morning.
The final dozen tickets went for that section within minutes this morning, and other blocks are expected to sell out well before the match. Despite more torrential rain in Herefordshire fans continue to queue up for tickets for the match.
On the weather front, the Met Office predicts that Friday and Saturday will be dry in the county.
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Hargreaves Remembers The Brighton game
Chris Hargreaves was one of the Hereford United player that took part in the last game of the 1996/97 season against Brighton. Taken from his book Where's Your Caravan? here's his memory of May 3rd 1997.
The team behind us, Brighton, were picking up points and clawing back the ten-point deficit. Before long, and after a penultimate game lost at Leyton orient, we knew that our fate would be decided on the last game of the season against, of all teams, Brighton.
The stigma attached to relegation back then was huge, especially relegation to the Conference.
The media was obviously on the side of Brighton, their history and glamour, against lowly Hereford United.
The week leading up to that game was pure agony. It was a media frenzy and, with the public's affection for Brighton growing daily, by the time the game kicked off every single TV company was there.
Police horses and dogs separated the fans, helicopters circled overhead, and the ground was packed to the rafters.
The team we had out that day should have won, even with a few players missing. I would never blame anyone for not playing in that last game, such was the fear and pressure upon them, but some didn't and that was their choice.
A few of the lads were physically sick before the game, but with the sun shining and helicopter noises above, the game soon kicked off.
We started well, and after about twenty minutes we took the lead. A cross into the box was cleared, I went up for a header and the ball dropped down to Tony Agana. He controlled it and fired us into the lead.
The dream was on.
But then came the moment that would stay with Hereford United and Brighton fans for years to come.
Our keeper, Andy De Bone, struck a goal kick badly and in the space of a few seasons Robbie Reinelt was clear on goal. He dispatched the chance, and the Brighton supporters went crazy.
The fairytale had happened, but for Brighton.
Minutes before the end, I played a ball over the top for Adrian Foster. I honestly thought he was going to smash it in and give us the victory, but the keeper saved his shot, the whistle was blown and we were down.
Fans on the pitch, police dogs everywhere, and cries of staying up from the Brighton supporters marked the end of the game.
The changing room was silent but for the sound of a few tears. Andy De Bont was inconsolable, Dave Norton, an experienced pro and good friend, was crying as were a far few of the lads, and the manager was stood there motionless.
I locked myself in the toilet and dropped my head in my hands. This was certainly not the outcome I had expected when I had signed.
We would relegated on goal difference, tied with Brighton on 46 points.
It was a surreal experience. I had never felt so much pressure on a football field and I never wanted to again.
Fans on the pitch, police dogs everywhere, and cries of staying up from the Brighton supporters marked the end of the game.
The changing room was silent but for the sound of a few tears. Andy De Bont was inconsolable, Dave Norton, an experienced pro and good friend, was crying as were a far few of the lads, and the manager was stood there motionless.
I locked myself in the toilet and dropped my head in my hands. This was certainly not the outcome I had expected when I had signed.
We would relegated on goal difference, tied with Brighton on 46 points.
It was a surreal experience. I had never felt so much pressure on a football field and I never wanted to again.
Changes should have happened earlier admits Keyte
Hereford United chairman David Keyte has admitted that the club probably should have made changes earlier in the management structure at Edgar Street.
"The management structure will stay the same but not indefinitely. They know that
"With hindsight, the sorts of things that some of the experts out there will claim to have said all along have probably come true, in terms of the lack of experience around the club and the football management
.
"And don't forget he was not dismissed at Doncaster until November. It's not as if he should have been the man all along, if it comes through that he is the right man now. I've had many conversations, even with Richard, and it hasn't improved drastically
.
"But there are many factors in that. You've got the squad you've got and everybody's done as good a job as they can.
"Depending on what league we're in will determine the size and shape of not only the management team but the playing squad," added Keyte.
"We said on the day that Richard O'Kelly started that the decision was taken not to rock the boat for the team and that results were of paramount importance. But, from the outside, to have five bodies around the management set-up is crazy for a club of this size.
"Gary Peters' position is funded myself, so it's not quite as stark financially as it seems.
"But we said the management structure would stay the same, but not indefinitely. They know that."
"We got into the 10-week arrangement (with ROK) with an agreement after which we would sit down to review the future. And that's where we are.
"And, although it's a major match on Saturday that you don't want to interrupt the preparations for, it makes sense that you start with an early discussion this week, so we know where we are next week."
From The Archives - Brighton Match Preview
Continuing BN's look back at the last week of the 1996/97 season, here's an article from the Independent, published on Saturday May 3rd 1997, which previews the relegation decider:
Believe it or not, there are two clubs facing the threat of relegation from the Football League today.
By now, the world and his Jack Russell knows that Brighton are facing the drop, and for the last few weeks civilisation, at least that part of it between London and the South Coast, seems to have been in shock at the prospect.
Despite all the hullabaloo over Brighton, Hereford are also facing the drop and today's game with the Seagulls at Edgar Street will decide which of the two plunges over the precipice.
Unlike Brighton, Hereford have not had the huge amount of sympathetic media attention to whip up support, probably because it is not within commuting distance of London, it isn't supported by Des Lynam or any other celebrity, not even Tony Gubba, and it doesn't have the huge number of glory fans that the South Coast club has attracted in its 90 minutes of need.
As far as everyone outside Hereford is concerned, there are only two possible results today: Brighton go down or Brighton stay up.
Now Hereford may not be in the golden triangle of the South-east, or in a northern oasis like Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, but it is a good, solid, honest club, the meat and two veg of middle England football and the Third Division, and it deserves to survive in the League.
Hereford is a traditional family club where the fans don't riot, don't invade the pitch, don't get hauled away by the police or get banned, and don't court publicity. It is true that in times of adversity the odd fist is shaken in the direction of the directors, who, incidentally, still sit under the same corrugated roofs as the rest of us - no executive boxes here - but that is the limit of any antisocial behaviour.
Hereford is a club where jokes about linesmen leaving their spectacles at homes still raise a chuckle, where mints are exchanged between strangers, where the Cornish pasties are still served brittle-black at the edges from old-fashioned warming cabinets, and where burning-hot Oxo is the favourite half-time tipple.
Twenty-five years ago, when Hereford burst into the Football League and were then subsequently promoted within a season under Colin Addison, they brought a breath of fresh air to the stagnant old Fourth Division, which was then almost impossible to get into because outsiders had to be elected rather than promoted.
For people like Frank Miles, who was club chairman when United were elected, and Addison, now managing Merthyr Tydfil, and for today's fans like my son, Ben, the only student who commutes from Manchester to Hereford to watch decent football, the drop into the GM Vauxhall Conference would be a disaster and one from which the club might never recover.
The club's managing director, Robin Fry, has said the playing staff will remain full- time should the unthinkable happen today, in a bid to get back into the League at the first attempt. But with little spare money around and with crowds even in the League running at around a lowly 3,000, the prospects in the Conference would not be good.
For 25 years Hereford have been a more useful member of the League than clubs that have bumped around the bottom for the best part of a century and rarely achieved anything. True, the trophy cupboard at Edgar Street is a little light and we have had a few near misses in the relegation zone over the last few years, but last season, don't forget, we were in the play-offs for promotion from the Third Division.
Clubs like Hereford are what football should be all about: places where you can watch 90 minutes of football for a fair price on terraces where supporters curse and moan about their team much of the time and then spend the remainder cheering them on.
There are no big businesses or millionaires vying for boardroom power at Hereford. We do not - thank God - have too many glory supporters and we certainly don't have much money.
When the game kicks off today, it will be almost as evenly balanced as it is possible to get. Both clubs have 46 points. Hereford have the worst home record, while the visitors Brighton hold the worst away record.
The stakes are high, but for the sake of small clubs with loyal, law- abiding fans, for clubs who are not fashionable or rich, and for clubs who never get mentioned on Match of the Day, Hereford should and must win.
But if Hereford go down today, the League will be a poorer place.
Believe it or not, there are two clubs facing the threat of relegation from the Football League today.
By now, the world and his Jack Russell knows that Brighton are facing the drop, and for the last few weeks civilisation, at least that part of it between London and the South Coast, seems to have been in shock at the prospect.
Despite all the hullabaloo over Brighton, Hereford are also facing the drop and today's game with the Seagulls at Edgar Street will decide which of the two plunges over the precipice.
Unlike Brighton, Hereford have not had the huge amount of sympathetic media attention to whip up support, probably because it is not within commuting distance of London, it isn't supported by Des Lynam or any other celebrity, not even Tony Gubba, and it doesn't have the huge number of glory fans that the South Coast club has attracted in its 90 minutes of need.
As far as everyone outside Hereford is concerned, there are only two possible results today: Brighton go down or Brighton stay up.
Now Hereford may not be in the golden triangle of the South-east, or in a northern oasis like Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, but it is a good, solid, honest club, the meat and two veg of middle England football and the Third Division, and it deserves to survive in the League.
Hereford is a traditional family club where the fans don't riot, don't invade the pitch, don't get hauled away by the police or get banned, and don't court publicity. It is true that in times of adversity the odd fist is shaken in the direction of the directors, who, incidentally, still sit under the same corrugated roofs as the rest of us - no executive boxes here - but that is the limit of any antisocial behaviour.
Hereford is a club where jokes about linesmen leaving their spectacles at homes still raise a chuckle, where mints are exchanged between strangers, where the Cornish pasties are still served brittle-black at the edges from old-fashioned warming cabinets, and where burning-hot Oxo is the favourite half-time tipple.
Twenty-five years ago, when Hereford burst into the Football League and were then subsequently promoted within a season under Colin Addison, they brought a breath of fresh air to the stagnant old Fourth Division, which was then almost impossible to get into because outsiders had to be elected rather than promoted.
For people like Frank Miles, who was club chairman when United were elected, and Addison, now managing Merthyr Tydfil, and for today's fans like my son, Ben, the only student who commutes from Manchester to Hereford to watch decent football, the drop into the GM Vauxhall Conference would be a disaster and one from which the club might never recover.
The club's managing director, Robin Fry, has said the playing staff will remain full- time should the unthinkable happen today, in a bid to get back into the League at the first attempt. But with little spare money around and with crowds even in the League running at around a lowly 3,000, the prospects in the Conference would not be good.
For 25 years Hereford have been a more useful member of the League than clubs that have bumped around the bottom for the best part of a century and rarely achieved anything. True, the trophy cupboard at Edgar Street is a little light and we have had a few near misses in the relegation zone over the last few years, but last season, don't forget, we were in the play-offs for promotion from the Third Division.
Clubs like Hereford are what football should be all about: places where you can watch 90 minutes of football for a fair price on terraces where supporters curse and moan about their team much of the time and then spend the remainder cheering them on.
There are no big businesses or millionaires vying for boardroom power at Hereford. We do not - thank God - have too many glory supporters and we certainly don't have much money.
When the game kicks off today, it will be almost as evenly balanced as it is possible to get. Both clubs have 46 points. Hereford have the worst home record, while the visitors Brighton hold the worst away record.
The stakes are high, but for the sake of small clubs with loyal, law- abiding fans, for clubs who are not fashionable or rich, and for clubs who never get mentioned on Match of the Day, Hereford should and must win.
But if Hereford go down today, the League will be a poorer place.
Less Than 1,000 Tickets Remain For Saturday
Less than 1,000 tickets remain for Saturday's match with Torquay.
The remaining tickets are mainly for terracing and the Cargill Stand, with tickets for the main stand down to double-digits. It is strongly recommended that fans wanting tickets for specific areas to get their orders in ASAP as certain blocks are expected to sell out tomorrow.
Anyone with 6 match and 12 match season tickets wishing to use their ticket for the game must contact the club ASAP to secure their place for the match if they have not already done so. Full season ticket holders do not need to contact the club as their place is already reserved.
The office will be open from 9am tomorrow for telephone orders and callers to the club reception.
Reminder - Ticket Sales Tonight 7.30pm-9pm
As a reminder to fans, there is a late night ticket sales session tonight from 7.30pm to 9pm in Addisons.
It is currently understood that all home areas of the ground are still available in limited quantities. It is the last out-of-hours sales planned before the match. Fans can also watch the live Bolton-Spurs match on the big screens.
Sales are cash only tonight.
News Round-Up
Forest Green have confirmed the signing of striker Magno Sliva Viera from Fleetwood Town after the Conference champions confirmed his released. He is one of eight players, mostly fringe players, released from Highbury. Bristol Rovers have signed keeper Conor Gough after the teenager was released by Charlton. The 6fy 7in 18 year old was named on the bench four times for the Addicks.
Accrington have handed Peter Murphy a new two year deal. The 22 year old has already spent four years at the Crown Ground. Also signing on for Stanley are teenage trio Marcus Carver, Ryan Hopper, and Adam Stockdale, who have all graduated from their youth side. Carver and Hopper have already made their first team debuts, with Stockdale expected to feature this weekend. Oxford have confirmed that they will spend eight days of pre-season on a tour of the US for the second season running.
Darlington's fans bid for the club has cancelled their meeting with creditors, confirming rumours that they will take over the club without paying off creditors. It will mean almost certain relegation from the Conf North spot they were expected to take. Port Vale are reporting season ticket sales of over 2,600 for next season, nearly 30% more than last season when a fans campaign stemmed ticket sales.
Macclesfield chairman Mike Rance says he will not quit after a section of fans called for his head. There were angry scenes at Moss Rose following the club's relegation, with caretaker manager Glyn Chamberlain having to be restrained from stewards from confronting abusive fans. Midfielder Sam Wedgbury has told the press he thinks the club can return to the League at the first attempt.
Fleetwood have sold striker Jamie Vardy to Leicester City for an initial £750,000 fee. There are also a number of add-on clauses for the 24 year old who scored 34 times in 40 games in the Conference this season.
Fleetwood have sold striker Jamie Vardy to Leicester City for an initial £750,000 fee. There are also a number of add-on clauses for the 24 year old who scored 34 times in 40 games in the Conference this season.
250 Year Lease Deal Is Crucial To Bulls Future
Hereford United chairman David Keyte has said that the 250 year lease deal for Edgar Street from Herefordshire Council is crucial to the future of the football club. The agreement has come after delays partly caused by the council changing their solicitors.
"We've been battling with that for about eighteen months since we put the money on the table for the Richardsons to clear their debt," Keyte told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
"At that point we did get the leases back to the football club on a thirty year lease.
"We wanted to extend that to become attractive to developers and it's finally gone through this week.
"So we now have a 250 year option should any developers wish to come on board.
"We've had drawings done at both ends (of the ground).
"It's fairly common knowledge that a hotel in the city is an ideal for the council and we're prepared to try to get someone to develope that at the Blackfriars Street end.
"The cattle market project's stuttering hasn't helped and the financial climate is difficult and it may, ironically, be that the Meadow End moves forward before Blackfriars Street.
"We have a good indication from the city planners that they will accept residential development at that end and we've got three interested parties that have been around to look at the site.
"It's probably eighteen months, two years away. These things seem to take a long time but they are essential to the improved future of the club.
"The football club has an opportunity, probably just a one-off opportunity, to get a lump sum of money in, for somebody else to come in and take over the ground that has previously been fairly scrubby ends to Edgar Street.
"It's almost like a double life - come into a football club and access everything.
"In my view I would only give credit to Graham Turner that on the financial base of Hereford United he kept this football club at a higher level in football terms then the finances warranted, at a cost of being unable to develope the fabric of the football ground.
"But on a playing front, as we know, he's the best manager in lower league football in the country and by chance he landed in Hereford 17 years ago and Hereford United had the benefit of his football managerial skills.
"What we have had now is two years of, let's say, the average football managers efforts and of that same low finacial base we have struggled.
Card Machine Failure At The Club
The club's credit/debit card machine is currently out of action following a nationwide failure of the service.
Callers to the club reception can still buy tickets for cash, but phone-in sales have been temporarily halted. They hope to have the situation resolved shortly.
Callers to the club reception can still buy tickets for cash, but phone-in sales have been temporarily halted. They hope to have the situation resolved shortly.
Bulls Secure Lease Agreement
The Bulls have finally secured 250 year leases on their Edgar Street home.
The move will allow the planned redevelopment of both the Blackfriars and Meadow Ends to go ahead with the club able to agree long lease deals with development companies.
The 'Heads of Terms' have been signed, with chairman David Keyte telling the official site:
"After many months of detailed talks the council have now signed the Heads of Terms which is what we need to start the next round in which we can offer developers and investors the real chance to come onboard and invest,
"For us the race is now on to raise the money or the investment needed to keep the club going to the next stage and hopefully even the fans will want to get involved as investors or partners,"
"After many months of detailed talks the council have now signed the Heads of Terms which is what we need to start the next round in which we can offer developers and investors the real chance to come onboard and invest,
"For us the race is now on to raise the money or the investment needed to keep the club going to the next stage and hopefully even the fans will want to get involved as investors or partners,"
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
From The Archives - Sky Request Date Change
Continuing BN's look back at the last few days of the 1996/97 season - here's a few items that appeared a couple of days before the Brighton Match.
Chris Hull, a League spokesman, said: "Sky asked the League to move the game forward to Sunday but, after consulting both clubs and the local police, we felt the game should remain on Saturday."
Secondly - From the Jerusalem Post:
THE bottom of Nationwide Division Three is where either Brighton or Hereford will be relegated out of the league. Saturday's results could not have set up a more intriguing finish after Brighton beat Doncaster 1-0 at home and Hereford lost 2-1 at Leyton Orient. The computer program which set up the fixtures for the season should be named Hitchcock after it threw up the final game of the season next week, Hereford at home to Brighton.
With both clubs on 46 points, the issue is simple - whoever wins, stays up, while a draw is good enough for Hereford.
As fate would have it, this writer found himself with a spare couple of hours on Saturday and went to the Leyton Orient-Hereford game. It's a far cry from the Premiership, and it isn't pretty to watch, but one is left with a feeling that soccer at this level is crucial for the overall survival of the game.
Despite their perilous position, not to mention the long distance, Hereford brought about 2,000 fans with them to east London. Brighton, of course have actually earned 48 points, but had two of them deducted for a pitch invasion by fans at the end of last year and the club has threatened to take the matter to the court of appeal.
East to Referee on Saturday
Roger East from Wiltshire will referee Hereford United's last League Two game of the season this coming Saturday when Torquay are the opposition.
The last time East was in charge of a match at Edgar Street was on February 11th when the Bulls draw 1-1 with Cheltenham. Sam Clucas and Joe Colbeck were booked, Delroy Facey scored for the home side.
To date this season East has been in the middle for 43 games in which he has given out 118 yellow cards and 6 red cards.
Quakers To Quit Arena Over Finances
Darlington are to quit their base of the last nine years after the fans consortium decided their Arena home was too expensive.
The Quakers are to seek a groundshare next season after donations to the takeover cause fell well short of their £750,000 target. While the takeover is still expected to happen, having passed the initial £250,000 sum needed, speculation tonight suggests it will go through without a CVA meaning that the club are likely to fall foul of Conference rules and be kicked out of the competion.
They are expected to be demoted forcibly to the Evo-Stik League, and have earmarked the local rugby club as a possible destination for the team. The rugby side's 1,500 capacity ground is not currently graded for football use, so a number of nearby Northern League sides have also been sounded out over possible moves.
Former chairman Raj Singh claimed previously that the Arena cost around £10,000 a month to run on top of the 'peppercorn' rent of £10,000 a year.
Ticket Sales Continue For Saturday
The Bulls will continue to sell tickets today until 4pm on both the phones and for call-in visitors.
Over 1,000 tickets were sold yesterday as fans swamped phone lines at Edgar Street. Tickets can be booked for collection on the day with the office open from 9.30am on Saturday for collections.
Another late-night sales session will be held in Addisons on Wednesday from 7.30pm until 9pm.
Meanwhile, Torquay have told their local press that they have asked for more tickets for the game - but have been turned down. Secretary Kerry Haggan told the Western Morning News:
"We've been back to Hereford to ask if we could have more tickets, but without success. We could have sold a lot, lot more. The last tickets went by about 10am [yesterday], and we're still getting inquiries. Tickets for Saturday are like gold dust."
News Round-Up
Northampton have handed a one year contract extension to striker Lewis Wilson. The 19 year old scored on his full debut at the weekend after only managing one previous sub appearance. Truro's court date with the taxman over a £50,000 debt has been adjourned until June 25th. It is the third time this season that the club has had to face the taxman in court.
Accrington have released midfielder Ian Craney after the 29 year old failed to agree a new deal for next season. Craney has made over 200 appearances for the club in three spells and is widely expected to rejoin former manager John Coleman, now at Rochdale. Stanley boss Paul Cook has told supporters the club needs further investment on the pitch as he looks to bring passing football to the Crown Ground. They have already spent £100,000 on it over the last two years.
Bradford have released midfielders Michael Flynn and Chris Mitchell, and striker Craig Fagan after telling them their contracts would not be renewed. Mitchell failed to play at all in 2012, Welshman Flynn netted six times in a stop-start season, and striker Fagan scored eight times in 35 games after signing in September. Northampton fans have named midfielder Michael Jacobs as their Player of the Year.
Nominations for the League Two Player of the Month for April are Bilel Mohsni (Southend), Alan McCormack (Swindon), and Nicky Wroe (Shrewsbury). Nominations for Manager of the Month are Paul Sturrock, Paolo Di Canio, and Graham Turner from the same three clubs. Darlington former owner Raj Singh says the supporter bid for the club has made a new proposal to him that does not involve a CVA after they struggled to get his clauses passed by the FA.
Ex-Bull Marc Pugh has been named as Player of the Year by Bournemouth supporters. Kettering have confirmed interviewing Mark Cooper about managing the club next season. Gateshead have released eleven players including former Kidderminster wide man Martin Brittain and former Swindon and Hibs winger Alan O'Brien.
Rotherham have released defender Richard Naylor. The veteran signed on until the end of the season in January but only made five appearances due to injuries. Oldham have released defender Zander Diamond rather than let him play one more game and trigger a clause earning him a new deal. The Latics say that budget cuts next season mean they cannot afford to keep the former Aberdeen man.
The Conference are claiming an attendance record after attendances in the fifth tier topped an average of over 2,000 for the first time. 1.1million fans watched the 552 games in the division, averaging 2,033 per game across the season. Former loanee Marlon Jackson is one of eight players released by Bristol City today. The 21 year old winger played on loan at Telford, Cheltenham, and Northampton this season.
Rotherham have released defender Richard Naylor. The veteran signed on until the end of the season in January but only made five appearances due to injuries. Oldham have released defender Zander Diamond rather than let him play one more game and trigger a clause earning him a new deal. The Latics say that budget cuts next season mean they cannot afford to keep the former Aberdeen man.
The Conference are claiming an attendance record after attendances in the fifth tier topped an average of over 2,000 for the first time. 1.1million fans watched the 552 games in the division, averaging 2,033 per game across the season. Former loanee Marlon Jackson is one of eight players released by Bristol City today. The 21 year old winger played on loan at Telford, Cheltenham, and Northampton this season.
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