United look to resist backlash

Hereford United manager Graham Turner is hoping that his side can resist a backlash from Telford United at Edgar Street tomorrow, kick off 3pm.



Bucks boss Jake King was furious after his side were denied two late penalties, and the Bulls went home with a 1-0 win.



"I'm expecting some kind of a backlash from Telford and they are going to be looking for revenge so we have to guard against that," said Turner in the Evening News. "I thought for long periods of the game on Boxing Day we dominated which was borne out by the fact that we had 15 corners."



Michael Rose should return, as could Jamie Pitman after recovering from a knee injury. Matt Clarke will also continue, despite being rocked by the news that he will require knee surgery within the next few weeks.



"Matt's been struggling with a knee problem that is not going to get any better and we will lose him in the next few weeks for surgery," continued Turner, who is very pleased with his side's team spirit. "Even when we picked up just one point in 18 that confidence wasn't rocked. There is a self belief about the team that is paying dividends and shows that we can live with anybody in the Conference."



Telford are likely to start Paul Pettinger in goal, after he was loaned from Lincoln City to cover for Paul Edwards, whilst Martin Barlow, Gary Fitzpatrick and Steve Palmer all return after suspension. However, Palmer is a doubt with a hamstring problem whilst Jordan King has to overcome a facial injury. Attacker Grant Brown is definitely out.



Jake King told the Shropshire Star: "We have got doubts about Steve and Jordan so we will just have to have a look at them in the morning. Palmer felt his hamstring tighten during the first Hereford game while Jordan has still got a nasty scab on his lip after the clash at Chester.



"Grant's ankle is worse than we thought so he will be out for another two weeks so it will be important for us to have at least one of the midfielders fit tomorrow.



"I have seen Hereford a lot this season and they are a very well organised and disciplined. But there is not much between the two sides and that was shown when we met last week.



"We will be looking to get one over them tomorrow and hopefully we can start another run again. If we can stay relatively injury free I am still convinced we will finish in the top ten and maybe a little bit higher."

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Bulls favourites to notch points

Hereford United are odds on to beat Telford United on New Years Day, kick off 3pm.



The Bulls are quoted at 4/6 by skybet to beat the Bucks, who are 10/3, whilst a draw is 13/5.



Rob Purdie is a doubt after coming off with a knock in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Foest Green Rovers, and Jamie Pitman could also miss out as his leg injury takes time to recover. Michael Rose is expected to return at left-back after completing his one match ban, meaning Rob Sawyers will drop to the bench.



Telford hope to bring in Andy Pettinger on-loan from Lincoln City before Wednesday's game at Edgar Street. Paul Edwards, the regular stopper, has not suffered a broken leg but still faces a month on the sidelines after clashing with Daryl Clare on Saturday, as the Bucks lost 4-1 to Chester City.



Manager Jake King told the Shropshire Star: "It is brilliant news about Paul because we have had it confirmed that there is no break in his left leg. There is a lot of bruising all the way down his leg, from his thigh right down to his ankle, but it could have been a lot worse.



"We will have to see how it heals but hopefully he should only be out for about three weeks which is a big boost for Paul and everyone at the club. But it still only leaves us with Craig Jones as a goalkeeping option so we have to try and bring somebody in on-loan to cover Eddy's absence.



"We have been on the phone since Saturday night trying to sort something out and we are working on a few things to try and get someone in for Hereford on Wednesday.



Jordan King, son of Jake, also required treatment to his lip on Saturdy and it was thought that he might require plastic surgery. However, this has not been neccessary and he could return for the match.



The Telford midfield trip of Gary Fitzpatrick, Steve Palmer and Martin Barlow will all return after suspension.

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CVA - the background

As the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Hereford United CVA approaches, HU-FC.co.uk's Organic Bull outlines the background to the contract which bounds the football club to its creditors.



To read the article, click here.

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Riverswye wins December award

Well done to 'riverswye', who has won the December monthly competition of the HU-FC.co.uk Predictions League. Could 'riverswye' please email predictions@hu-fc.co.uk, confirming the username and password? 'len westons last stand' is still leader of the overall league.

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Bucks' problems worsen ahead of Hereford clash

Telford United will be without their first choice goalkeeper for the New Years Day clash at Edgar Street against Hereford United, kick off 3pm.



Paul Edwards, who was between the sticks in Hereford's 1-0 at the Bucks Head on Boxing Day, has a suspected broken leg after clashing with Chester City attacker Daryl Clare in yesterday's 4-1 defeat at the Deva Stadium. Craig Jones should fill in for Telford.



Jordan King, son of manager Jake, will also miss out as he requires plastic surgury on a facial injury sustained in the match.



Just two substitutes were named on Telford's bench today as Jake King had to cope with numerous injuries and suspensions in a small squad.

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Grant happy with goal

John Grant was very happy with his first league goal for Hereford United this afternoon.



"It was all I needed," Grant told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "I have to thank the manager for showing faith in me. Every game that I have started we have not lost but I felt I had not been doing my bit because I had not been scoring goals, and that's what strikers rely on."



He admitted that he was still not fully fit. "My lungs just keep collapsing so I've got to keep working on my fitness and sharpness and hopefully I can show them I'm a good player.



Commenting on the game Grant continued: "I'd say a draw was a fair result but we are disappointed ourselves not to win games like Forest Green because we have asperations of finishing in the top five. We will have to take the three points against Telford on Wednesday.



"I think a draw was a just result," said Rovers boss Colin Addison. "We knew it would be difficult, particularly considering we were up against the Conference's form side.".

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Grayson costs Hereford points

Hereford United could only draw with Forest Green 1-1 this afternoon. John Grant scored in the 71st minute but a defensive error allowed the visitors to equalise one minute later.



The HU-FC.co.uk report, written by Terry, is here.

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Michael Husbands - a brief profile

Michael Husbands who has joined the Bulls on a month's loan is a product of the Aston Villa academy. His first appearance in a Bulls training tracksuit was on the pitch at Telford yesterday warming up with the team and subs.



At 5ft 9ins in height and under 10st weight, Husbands isn't the most physical player but the nineteen year old has played for the Aston Villa under-17, under-19 and, more recently, the reserve teams.



Husbands was in the Aston Villa squad that played in the FA Youth Cup final last May, featuring in both legs as a substitute.



He cites only music as a hobby, outside his favourite passion of playing football as a striker.

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Predictions League

Now updated after the Telford match, and can be viewed in the 'Interactive!' menu.



Get your guesses in for the Forest Green match before 2pm tomorrow.

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Three join ahead of derby

Hereford United have made three signings ahead of tomorrow's match against Forest Green Rovers, kick off 3pm.



Michael Husbands, an attacking player, has joined on a month's loan from Aston Villa as cover, and his is joined by Kevin Gwillam and Danny Moon, who have signed on non-contract terms after impressing in the youth team.



Husbands was signed on Christmas Eve but did not feature at Telford as Graham Turner felt he did not want to upset the winning squad. The attacker has already scored for the Villa reserve side this season - his goal in the 3-0 win against Bradford City was in a team alongside first-team regulars Mustapha Hadji and Steve Stone.



Turner has a selection headache for tomorrow's match. Firstly, left-back Michael Rose is suspended for the game, whilst Jamie Pitman and Paul Parry are both suffering with injuries and are doubts.



Forest Green Rovers, managed by former Hereford boss Colin Addison, should be unchanged for the game, after they beat Yeovil Town 2-1 yesterday.

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Bulls could jump to fourth place

A win for Hereford United tomorrow and other fixtures going in their favour could mean that the Bulls will be in fourth place by teatime.



The games to watch out for are between Southport vs Scarborough and Halifax vs Morecambe. Should both home sides win then, provided the Bulls do the business, Hereford will go fourth.



Hereford will be wary of Forest Green. Colin Addison's side beat Yeovil yesterday but the league leaders did give away an own goal. Recent form suggests Hereford should continue their winning run.



Harder to call is the Southport vs Scarborough match. Southport have lost their last four games and Scarborough were beaten at home by Doncaster yesterday. A draw looks possible which would keep Scarborough above Hereford.



Halifax have a good home record, only beaten twice so far this season and with Morecambe only winning twice away from home another draw is possible but should Halifax win Hereford will benefit.



So for the Bulls to go fourth Hereford and Southport must win and Morecambe either draw or lose.



Meanwhile, Telford United officially announced the away attendance as 803 from Hereford United yesterday.

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Top of the league

After today's fixtures Hereford United have the best discipline record in the Conference.



Although Jamie Pitman received a yellow card in today's game, Telford were given five. Hereford now have 29 points with Barnet just above them on 31 and Telford on 36.



However the Bulls still have both Danny Williams and Steve Guinan on four yellows and Michael Rose will miss next Saturday's game with Forest Green as he serves a one match suspension for five yellow cards.

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King unhappy with officials

Telford manager Jake King was not a happy man at the end of this afternoon's game with Hereford.



"Hereford have had a great run," he told BBC Radio Shropshire. "They are well organised but I thought it was a disgrace that we did not get two penalties"



Speaking about the second possible penalty, King thought Michael Rose should have been sent off for bringing Peter Smith down in the area.



"The second was definately in the box, just outside the six yard box. I've been in the game a long time and that is one of the worst (decisions) I've ever seem. Referees are arrogant, you can't talk to them. I wanted to talk to him after the match but he just brushed me away."



Steve Guinan told BBC Hereford and Worcester how he had prepared for today's game by keeping off the alcohol and going to bed by 9pm last night. "It's not a problem for me. There is no way I can have a drop as it affects my playing.



He praised Paul Parry for his great cross from which he scored and continued: "Today in the dressing room the lads were really bouyant. We just can't wait now for Forest Green. We should be full of confidence."



Guinan was also very happy with the tremendous Hereford support this afternoon which a Telford official suggested was close to 800.

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Fourth win in a row

Hereford United beat Telford United 1–0 today. Steve Guinan scored from a Paul Parry cross in the first half.



HU-FC.co.uk's report, written by Terry, is here.

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Christmas cracker or cold turkey?

Hereford United's clash at the Bucks Head tomorrow will be anything but easy.



Telford have gone seven matches unbeaten, and manager Jake King has billed the match as a "potential cracker", kick off 1pm.



He told the Shropshire Star: "It has got the potential to be a cracker. We are looking at two in-form teams in front of what hopefully be a decent crowd so hopefully we can rise to the occasion.



"Hereford had a great win at Chester on Friday so we know they are going to be a threat but we are in good form.



"We are very confident and everyone is looking forward to it. From a personal point of view it will be great to see their manager Graham Turner again because he has been a bit of a mentor to me."



Last season, in front of 2,161 on Boxing Day, United won the Christmas encounter with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a goal from Scott Goodwin.



Steve Palmer, the Telford captain, said: "It is certainly a situation like the one we are facing last year. We were on a great run when we came to facing Hereford last Boxing Day and had just beaten Dagenham 5-1 away.



"But we had a big crowd against Hereford and let ourselves down a little bit and we have to make sure the same does not happen this time round.



"We have had an excellent sequence of results and the important thing now is to have a good festive period and still be going well in the New Year. Then we can have a look and see if we have a chance of making the play-offs and reassess our targets."

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Merry Christmas!

Festive greetings to all visitors of HU-FC.co.uk - Hereford United Online. Hopefully, you've all got what you want under the tree this year, and that the team can do the business on the field and notch up another three points at Telford tomorrow.



Many thanks to everyone involved with the website - contributors, sponsors and visitors - for all of your support this year, particularly when I was considering its future in the summer after a demoralising end to 2001/02. It's good to see that 2002/03 has been much more productive so far, and it's been a pleasure continuing with the project.



A very Merry Christmas to you all.

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United set for Boxing Day battle

Hereford United meet another form team in the Conference - Telford United - in their Boxing Day Nationwide Conference encounter, kick off 1pm.



The Bulls travel to the New Bucks Head Stadium hoping to build upon a run which has seen them win their last three games, scoring ten goals and keeping three clean sheets.



"We've had a change in fortune of late and are up there challenging at Christmas which is where we wanted to be at the start of the season," said Graham Turner in the Evening News.



United have no injury worries, and will be hoping that tomorrow's festive celebrations will not hamper progress. United boss Turner told BBC Hereford & Worcester that the players have been given advice on the hazards of Christmas.



"We have a dietician coming into the club to advise them and I think it's crucial that the guidelines laid down by him are adhered to," he said. "That's not to say that they can't enjoy themselves on the odd occasion over Christmas and I know we're professional enough in our attitude that the Christmas festivities won't affect the way we prepare for games."



At least Turner hasn't gone as far as Chester boss Mark Wright, who has threatened to breathalise his squad over the Christmas period to ensure they remain in tip-top condition. Hereford won 1-0 at the Deva Stadium over the second-placed Cestrians on Friday night.



Telford United manager Jake King should see Grant Brown return to the squad. His slight knee strain has recovered sufficiently, enabling him to be included after a six week long lay-off.

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King calls for "professional" approach

There's no chance of Telford United over-indulging before the visit of Hereford United on Boxing Day, kick off 1pm.



Bucks manager Jake King has told his players to be "professional" in the game's build-up, and told the Shropshire Star: "Some clubs have three, four even five nights out over Christmas but we only had one."



Hereford shouldn't have any major fitness doubts for the game, whilst Telford's Grant Brown will receive treatment for a knee ligament strain ahead of the match. The defender is on-loan from Lincoln City, to where he has returned for the recovery period.

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Trophy back to normal placing

The FA Trophy final will kick off at 3pm this season, at the end of the non-league campaign.



The game will be played at Villa Park on May 18th, and will be covered by Sky TV. It will be held some four days after the Conference play-off final, and as there are no other games on that day, Sky have agreed to a later kick-off.



Also returning to its normal spot is the FA Cup final, which was played before the end of the Premiership campaign last season. The match has traditionally been the finale to the domestic season.



- The Non-League Paper also quote in one of their articles today: 'Yeovil, the greatest giant-killers the up has known' - aren't they forgetting someone?

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Regional leagues stunned by proposals

The Nationwide Conference is set for a great expansion next season.



According to an exclusive report in the Non-League Paper, Conference chief executive John Moules is quoted as saying: "The FA have failed football. Now we are doing what needs to be done for the good of the game."



The Conference board have passed a ruling allowing them to expand their competition to 66 teams for next season, and have written to all 69 clubs in the Dr Martens, Ryman and Unibond League as they attempt to find clubs to add to one national or two regional divisions.



The FA's plans for reorganisation appear to have faltered, but the clubs will have to breakaway from their traditionally strong regional leagues if they want to be part of the plan. This move will face opposition from the Isthmian, Northern and Southern Leagues, who will feel their competitions are being ravaged because of Conference expansion ambitions.



Either a 'Conference Two' or 'Conference North' and 'Conference South' would be formed, a move which was supported by 58% of those surveyed in the FA's own restructuring proposals. However, these hit problems when the FA's National Leagues' System rejected the blueprint.



Moves for an extended Conference were first discussed last month, and the changes could be confirmed by February if the FA's committees agree.



Under the proposals for a regionalised system, the top teams in each division will gain promotion to the Conference, with two play-off competitions in each division deciding the two other places.



Furthermore, a Conference chairmen meeting on January 29th will look into the play-off situation in the Conference, particularly if the Football League allows teams an extra year to ensure their grounds meet league standards after they are promoted.

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More comment after Friday's win

Both managers are quoted in the Non-League Paper this morning.



Graham Turner said: "We've had two impressive games against Barnet and Woking, but tonight was different - we had to show true grit.



"We are not a physical side, so we have to battle for all we can get, but I thought we came through it with flying colours. At times we took a bit of a battering but, again, the lads were outstanding."



Chester boss Mark Wright said " I thought we had 65% of the play and can consider ourselves unlucky not to have got something from the game."



The PA gave Tretton 9 in the player ratings, making him man of the match.

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Tough night at Chester

Danny Williams, Paul Parry and Steve Guinan all had treatment as a result of injuries during last night's tough game at Chester.



First to need attention was Williams who appeared to have a gash on his side of his head. It looked as though he was struck by a Chester player with his elbow. Neither the referee nor the linesman witnessed the event which should have resulted in at least a yellow card.



Secondly, Parry was bundled off the pitch close to the dugout and needed attention to a head wound. The pitch has a type of tarmac surround which Parry fell onto.



Later, Guinan left the field for stiches to a wound on his face, but when he returned to the game he seemed to be even more motivated and it was not long before he scored.



Parry also gashed his knee late in the game, whilst Ben Smith was substituted but this seemed more of a tactical swap than an injury problem.



Just after the game ended some Chester hotheads rushed towards the two Hereford supporters buses but police and stewards were quickly on the scene.



"A few handbags were swung," said a policeman. Out of an attendance of 2507, some 285 Hereford fans were counted through the gate behind the goal. A few extra were seated giving a following of just under 300.

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Tretton praises Guinan

Speaking to BBC Hereford and Worcester after last night's win at Chester, Andy Tretton praised Steve Guinan who scored the only goal.



"He has played well all season but just hasn't been scoring goals but now he is reaping the rewards and is full of confidence."



As for the game itself, Tretton said: "Maybe even in the last ten minutes we would have settled for a point but we have let a few late goals in our selves so it was nice to put one in.



"It was a scrappy first half, bit of a fussy referee, the game never really got going. They were dangerous from set pieces but we defended them well. Matt Baker made a couple of good catches.



"It was a good win but we must concentrate and get as many points as we can over the Christmas period."



Graham Turner also praised Guinan, particularly for hsi recent upturn in form. "Steve Guinan is not a prolific goalscorer - he works very hard for the side - but suddenly goals are going in for him," Turner told the Evening News.



"He scored a hat-trick a couple of weeks ago and he got another one last week, and now he's scored another very important goal, and nobody deserves it more than him because of the amount of work that he's done.



"His second chance a minute later was probably easier than his first, but we won't be greedy, we'll settle for a 1-0 win.



"A really pleasing aspect is that we've now kept three cleansheets. Both sides worked hard to defend and reduced the opposition to very few chances, and we had the bit of luck to get the winner.



"This was a great victory for us and it was a fair old scalp to take, but now we've got to make sure we pick up points from our next three matches."



"My players are showing a lot of enthusiasm and we're now starting to pick up points."

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The Gentle Giant Project

I has been commissioned by Swansea City and County Council to produce a major exhibition to celebrate the life of the magnificent Welsh footballer, John Charles, with the full support of the Charles family, writes Phil Cope



The trilingual exhibition, its associated publications and activities will start in 2003/4 and is planned to tour Swansea, Cardiff, Leeds, Aberystwyth, Preston, Wrexham and Turin for the initial phase. We are actively looking for other venues - perhaps even Hereford. In addition, a smaller version of the exhibition will also be produced for community venues.



This will be the soccer exhibition for the twenty-first century. Utilising sound, huge visuals, objects and an all-enveloping environment, the visitor will be encouraged to forge a personal and participatory relationship with the man whose attributes and beliefs have so much to still teach us today.



In addition to a 64 page fully-illustrated catalogue to accompany the show, there will be a Research and Responses area. Here the visitor can explore further the history of the great man and the great clubs he represented through a library of books, CDs and access to the internet. Visitors will be able to add to this huge archive by contributing their own comments on computer, in comment books and directly onto the walls for others to share. Workshops will also be arranged with people of all ages.



The project is currently searching for recollections, memorabilia and images relating to John Charles, which will help the exhibition come alive. The Gentle Giant will have at its centre the memories of people from all of the places where Charles performed, celebrating the enduring effect of the man on those who met him and saw him play.



The Project would be extremely grateful if you would publicise a plea for artefacts, memories, memorabilia, etc. - especially those associated with his time at Hereford.



For further details, or if you can provide any assistance, please contact Phil at phil.cope@virgin.net.

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Late goal shocks Chester

Hereford United grabbed a vital victory at Chester this evening after Steve Guinan scored a late winner. The game finished 1 - 0.



This evening's report, written by Terry, is here.

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Rose aims to thorn Chester

Hereford United's Michael Rose will be hoping to extend his club's winning run with victory at Chester City tonight, kick off 7.45pm.



Rose, who notched two goals in last Saturday's 5-0 win over Woking at Edgar Street, signed from the Deva Stadium club in the summer after being released by Mark Wright, manager of the Cestrians.



Despite his release, Wright told the Cheshire News of the threat posed by Rose. "Apparently their first-half performance against Woking last Saturday was outstanding, and they would have matched anybody in the League," he said.



"Obviously, we know all about Michael Rose, who was with us last season, and we are aware of the threat his free-kicks pose. However, if we can play to our true potential then we need fear nobody. This holiday programme is going to be extremely demanding for all the players."



Rose was very disappointed by his release from Chester so the twenty year-old former Manchester United defender will be eager to prove a point.



"It's always interesting to go back to your former club and even better if you can come back and win," said Bulls boss Graham Turner in the Evening News. "He played around 38 games for them but wasn't offered a contract so he's got something to prove but he's done well for us."

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New date for Margate match

The Hereford United match at Margate has been rearranged.



The original game, scheduled for FA Cup second round day, was postponed because Margate were in action against Cardiff City.



Now United travel to Dover for the match on Tuesday 11th February.

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Bulls aim for trio of wins

Hereford United make the trip north to Chester City tomorrow in a battle of two of the top six in the Nationwide Conference, kick off 7.45pm.



After a recent 4-0 win against Barnet three weeks ago, followed by a 5-0 victory over Woking last Saturday, United will be confident of extending their unbeaten run against Chester, who won 4-0 at Leigh RMI last Saturday.



The Bulls will face Chester's prolific strikeforce of Daryl Clare and Ryan Sugden, a pairing which has propelled the Deva Stadium-based club to second in the Conference, three points behind leaders Yeovil Town and ten points ahead of second-placed Hereford. However, Chester failed to break the deadlock at Edgar Street in September, as United held the Cestrians to a 0-0 draw.



Graham Turner, manager of Hereford United is aware of the threat posed by Chester's attack, and told the Hereford Times: "They will need watching, but Andy Tretton and Tony James have developed an excellent understanding and I would back them against any strikers in the Conference."



Steve Brodie will not start for Chester City, because he has torn a muscle in his leg, and Mark Beesley has a back injury, whilst Hereford are likely to be unchanged. Matt Clarke has a niggling knee injury but should continue despite a possible requirement for surgery.

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Fancy a trip to Chester?

Hereford United have sold out one coach for Friday's trip to Chester City, but are looking to find a minimum of twenty five people to allow a second one to travel.



The coach is leaving Edgar Street at 4.45pm on Friday and will cost £11 each and although some bookings have been taken, more are required.



If you wish to make the trip, please call the club on 01432 276666 or pop into the main office in Blackfriars Street.

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Sugden to face Hereford

Chester City will have top scorer Ryan Sugden available for Hereford United's visit to the Deva Stadium on Friday night, kick off 7.45pm.



Sugden, having scored twelve goals this season, will be available before a three match ban starts on Saturday but had the game not been switched to the Friday night, he would have missed the match.



The game was switched to Friday night to boost the crowd at the Deva Stadium, which would otherwise have been hit by Christmas shoppers.



He was sent off at Morecambe two weeks ago for a head-butting incident and Chester manager Mark Wright told the Evening Leader: “He was wrong to do what he did at Morecambe, and he still has a lot of learning to do. He let himself down and he’s now let someone else have a chance to get in and make a mark for themselves, and form a partnership with Daryl Clare in the next few weeks.”



Mark Beesley, top scorer last season, Michael Twiss or Steve Brodie could start alongside Daryl Clare, who is in good form but will face a United defence who have conceded just twelve goals in ten away matches this season.



Chester boss Mark Wright also misses long-term injury victim Chris Blackburn, who is recovering from a cartilage operation.



Meanwhile, the Non-League Paper's tipster has predicted that Hereford could beat Chester in the match, although the pools panel verdict is of a home win.

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