Graham Turner has spoken of the future. This article by Mark Bowering of PA Sport:
Graham Turner has boldly stated his Hereford side can emulate the likes of Carlisle and Southend to achieve back-to-back promotions and even push for a place in the Coca-Cola Championship.
The Bulls ended a nine-year exile from the Football League with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Halifax in the Conference play-off final at the Walkers Stadium.
Goals from Andy Williams, Guy Ipoua and Ryan Green's impressive winner eventually sunk the Shaymen and left Turner predicting promising times at Edgar Street.
The 58-year-old, also the club's chairman, said: "I've always maintained that well-run clubs of our size could get into the Championship.
"It's become more difficult in recent years, but clubs like Southend and Colchester prove that it can be done.
"The Championship is a hell of a strong league and those two clubs have got to compete but it's an example to clubs like ours of what can be done if you run the club properly.
"There have also been some success stories in recent years with teams like Doncaster, Carlisle and Yeovil going up from the Conference and building on promotion.
"We would hope the momentum can keep us going and the winning habit and feeling the players have got from getting promoted can keep us going into next season.
"But we know that won't just happen and we have got to strengthen."
Under Turner's astute leadership, Hereford have overcome major financial problems and ground ownership issues to return to the Football League after relegation to the Conference was confirmed with a 1-1 draw against Brighton in May 1997.
Despite guiding Wolves to league and cup success in a nine-year spell in charge at Molineux, Turner insists masterminding the revival at Edgar Street ranks highly in his managerial achievements.
"I can recall the day we went down against Brighton and the day was full of despair," added Turner, set to celebrate his 12th year in charge at Hereford in August.
"I've never known such emotion in football.
"Probably distance lends a bit of forgetfulness because I've been to Wembley with Wolves with 80,000 fans and they were great days.
"But under the circumstances this is as big as anything I've done, possibly because of my involvement as chairman and major shareholder as well.
"Possibly it has been put right now what went wrong on that day against Brighton."
He added: "What's also intriguing for us now is that we've also got six local derbies to look forward to.
"We've got clubs the size of Swindon, Bristol Rovers, Wrexham, Shrewsbury, Chester, Walsall. All that will help swell the coffers when you have games of that magnitude.
"It's great to be back in the Football League."
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Sunday, May 21, 2006
Turner - It's great to be back in the Football League
The Bulls Are Back
After nine long years in non-league wilderness, Hereford United are back in the Football League. It took 120 minutes to find a winner, but eventually, after an enthrawling and extremely tense encounter, The Bulls managed a 3-2 victory to send themselves up and to keep Halifax Town down. The Bulls are sure not to be in The Shaymen's good books, as it was Hereford who sent Town down from the league, though they have had a brief return since then.
With the game being played at the neutral venue of The Walkers Bowl, in Leicester, fans from both teams flooded to Leicester hours before kick off to soak up the pre-match atmosphere that built in the streets and pubs in the surrounding area. There appeared to be some friendly banter before the game, and the good manner seemed to carry on throughout the day with very little (if any) trouble evident.
It was the same side for Hereford that has been named for the previous three outings that emerged out of the tunnel to a huge welcome from the 9,000-10,000 Hereford fans in a crowd of 15,499. The opening stages of the tie were quite open, but it was Halifax who threatened first. Within the first couple of minutes Lewis Kileen had fired off target and he had another good effort, having collected a pass from strike-partner Ryan Sugden, drilled a low shot that Wayne Brown met well.Before Kileen's second effort, United's skipper Mkandawire was fortunate that his handball in the box went unnoticed.
The Shaymen, playing the ball better than their counter parts and looking far more dangerous going forward, almost stunned the Hereford fans when Danny Foster's shot skimmed off the top of the cross bar. However, Town weren't going to be wasteful any more and took full advantage on twenty seven minutes. United were reduced to ten men at the time, as Rob Purdie was receiving stitches to a head wound, when Kileen unleashed a brilliant first time effort that flew into the top left hand corner of Brown's goal from twenty odd yards.
Just minutes earlier, Craig Stanley had forced John Kennedy into his first real work of the afternoon, as Stanley's curling shot from twenty five yards required the fingertips of the 'keeper to force it over the crossbar. The goal though, had spurred United into action and seven minutes later the scores were level again. Mkandawire rallied the troops from the back, and raced out of defence with the ball, released it to the right, and continued his run all the way to the front post. Meanwhile, Adam Stansfield was racing down the flank and, with the skipper making a decoy run to the front post, youngster Andy Williams was left unmarked at the far post to meet the ball with a diving header, that bounced off the surface before springing up, out of the reach of Kennedy, and just inside of the far post.
The Whites, boasting an all new white kit, went on to pose more problems for their opponents before the break, with Purdie having a close range header saved, but also being denied a penalty. Simon Travis raced into the box and seemed to be felled by Kennedy. The referee, in the eyes of many Hereford fans', has pointed to the spot, but he had actually given a goal kick.
United continued where they left off after the restart, and Stansfield almost put The Bulls in front. His mazy run bought him some space inside the box and he homed in on goal from the right but, with a clear sight on goal from just yards out, shot low to the near post, where Kennedy somehow managed to keep the ball out with his feet.
It would also, again, appear that the referee was not on Hereford's side, much like the referee of the Aldershot play off semi final second leg of two years ago, when they were denied what was a clear-cut penalty just before the hour mark. Purdie had tore down the left wing, knocked the ball past his marker, and paced onto it, now inside the penalty area. Tyrone Thompson, the culprit of Purdie's sprint, then followed the former Leicester youth player and slid in from behind, catching Purdie on the calfs, but again - no penalty for the Bulls.
Still, The Bulls battled on and Stansfield had another glorious chance to put them in front. Travis supplied the cross to the far post, where Stansfield towered to meet it, but he diverted his header inches the wrong side of the post. At the other end Matt Doughty handed United a reminder when he hooked a shot wide of the far post from inside the box before the 65th minute introduction of one John Grant, formerly of Hereford United. Cue murmers amongst some of the travelling Bulls about Grant, who had a hugely unsuccessful spell with them, being likely to come back to haunt them, while others taunted him.
And, of course, Grant silenced the critics by handing Halifax the lead with seventeen minutes remaining. Kileen was again involved as Halifax broke away down the left and he crossed for Grant, who put just the slightest of touches on the cross to divert it beyond the reach of the diving Brown. This was surely the final blow to Hereford - well it would have been to many Hereford sides we've seen over the years. But not to this one.
It took slightly longer for United to get back level this time, but just ten minutes had past when Guy Ipoua netted a brilliant equaliser. He'd been on the pitch just five minutes, and had already caused Halifax problems when he rose up with the goal to send the game into extra time. Travis was the provider, crossing in from the right and Ipoua lept above his man, stretched back his neck muscles, and got just enough power to put the ball above the reach of Kennedy and into the roof of the net in front of some now delerious Hereford fans.
The Bulls were again looking threatening straight after the restart of the extra time period when Adam Stansfield lost his man before smashing the ball into the side netting, but with the net shaking, it would have appeared to some Hereford fans, located at the far end of the ground, that the ball had sneaked in side the near post. Not so. This was Stansfield's final contribution as he made way for the fresh legs of Stuart Fleetwood. This was Hereford's final change as Stanley had been replaced, having been suffering with cramp, at the end of normal time. Jamie Pitman was on to help the dogged Andy Ferrell who had excelled in the middle throughout.
The second half of extra time saw the two teams attacking their own sets of fans, and, with three minutes of the second half gone, Ryan Green popped up with the third goal. After some good passing on the right, Green went to cross, before dragging the ball back onto his left foot, taking his marker out of the game. Green then, from just outside of the right hand side corner of the box, looped a left footed ball into the box, which evaded everyone, including Kennedy, and nestled into the top far corner of the goal. Whether he meant to shoot or cross, is another thing, but they all count, and that is all the jubilant United fans cared about. They'd taken the lead for the first time of the game.
There were still many more heart-stopping moments for The Bulls though, none more so than when Brown rushed out to the feet of Chris Senior, appearing to fell him, and the ball running out for, what in the end, despite appeals from Halifax for a penalty, was a goal kick. The worry wasn't over for Hereford though, as Brown remained on the deck. With all subs taken up, Ferrell had gone over the the dugout and had started to put a 'keepers shirt on, when Brown struggled to his feet, and made eventually made a full recovery. The result though, was six minutes added on at the end, adding hugely to the tension being suffered by Hereford, who had waited so long for their return. The defence stood strong though, and Fleetwood, similarly to the game against Morecambe, had a great chance to make it 4-2 on the break. He outpaced the Halifax centre backs, rounded Kennedy, but his shot, which was good enough, was knocked off the line by Danny Bushell.
The final whistle finally, after what seemed an eternity, sounded, much to the delight of the Hereford fans. A phenonimal roar of delight, relief, and pure joy rang out from the Hereford end, and the celebrations began. And no doubt went on long into the early hours of the morning.
So Hereford United did it, but of course not the easy way. The game was a fantastic advert for the Conference, not only with a huge audience at the game, but being screened all over the world by Sky TV. Halifax have to take a huge amount of credit in making it such an entertaining final, in which both sets of fans experienced the extreme highs and lows of emotions. There had to be a winner though, and this was Hereford's turn, and no doubt they deserve it!
Hereford: Brown, Green, Beckwith, Mkandawire, Jeannin, Purdie, Stanley, Ferrell, Travis, Stansfield, Williams. Subs: Mawson, Pitman, Carey-Bertram, Fleetwood, Ipoua.
HTFC: Kennedy, Haslam, Quinn, Atherton, Young, Doughty, Foster, Thompson, Forrest, Sugden, Killeen. Subs: Bushell, Butler, Smikle, Senior, Grant
Promotion will help the Finances
Promotion to League Division Two will help the finances of Hereford United.
Whilst it is too early to say how much extra income could accrue to the club next season, it is almost certain admission and season ticket prices will rise. However Graham Turner and his directors may decide to keep any rise at around £1 per game as a thank you to the loyal supporters who have kept backing the team during its time in the Conference.
One area of income that is certain to rise is from television.
In an interview before yesterday's game, the chairman of Halifax revealed what promotion would have meant to his team and there is no doubt the figures would also apply to Hereford United.
"Winning promotion would be a massive step forward. There will be more money and bigger gates. You rarely get big away followings in the Conference (other than from Hereford -ed). I can remember a game when we had 14 supporters in the away end and nine stewards," said chairman Geoff Ralph.
Clubs in the Conference receive around £25,0000-a-year from the Football League compared to £375,000 in League Two. When a home game is televised by Sky, clubs are paid £65,000 in League Two and just £5,000 in the Conference.
And for Hereford the prospects of higher gates is a real one. Local derbies against Shrewsbury, Chester, Swindon, Wrexham, Walsall, Bristol Rovers and possibly Cheltenham should be lucrative.
Of course, expenses and wages will rise, but if Graham Turner and his board still to the principle that has kept Hereford United afloat - not living beyond ones means - that £800,000 debt could soon be a lot less.
In any case the financial rewards from getting to the play-off final this season will have already has helped. It should be noted that Turner only has 19 players on the books at present and one of those, Wayne Brown, is on-loan from Chester.
Team celebrated late into the night
Hereford United's winning team celebrated late into night after gaining promotion to the League at Leicester yesterday.
They were said to be still in high spirits at 3am this morning having nearly drunk the venue dry.
Who could blame them.
As Graham Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester they'd had a terrific day.
"The atmosphere here has been electric. The two teams went at it hammer and tongs.
"I thought it was a good advert for Conference football and the atmosphere was incredible."
Who's in Division Two
With just the game between Grimsby and Cheltenham to be played which will decide who gets promotion, this is the list of teams in Division Two next season (not in any particular order).
Hereford United
Hartlepool
Wycombe
Lincoln City
Darlington
Peterborough
Shrewsbury
Boston Utd
Bristol Rovers
Wrexham
Rochdale
Chester
Mansfield
Macclesfield
Barnet
Bury
Torquay
Notts County
Stockport
Accrington
Milton Keynes Dons
Swindon
Walsall
And either Grimsby and Cheltenham.
Ex-Wolves success
An independent Wolves Website, Wolvescentral.com, has commented on the news that Hereford are back in the Football League:
Ex Wolves defender Ryan Green scored the stunning winner to get Hereford promoted back to the football league gainst Halifax at the Walkers Stadium yesterday.
After twice being behind Hereford came back to win the game with a stunning left foot shot from ex Wolf Ryan Green in the 108th minute. His over the top celebrations taking his shirt off then picking up the corner flag earned him a yellow card.
Green was at Wolves from a trainee. He signed pro forms in 1997 and stayed at Molineux until October 2001 when he went on a free transfer to Millwall. He finally settled at Hereford in the summer of 2003 and has since played 85 league games for the Bulls
Turner's record speaks for itself at Wolves. He hauled Wolves from the doldrums all those years ago (October 1986). He signed God and the rest is History... promotions, league titles and the Sherpa Van !!. He was relieved of his duties at Wolves in 1994 but Wolves fans will always be eternally grateful for what he did for our club
Best wishes to Graham and Ryan in the football league
Bulls Back in the League
This report is by Mark Bowering of PA Sport:
Hereford staged a remarkable comeback to snatch a 3-2 extra-time victory over Halifax and end their nine-year exile from the Football League in a dramatic Nationwide Conference play-off final.
The Bulls battled back from behind twice in normal time to keep their promotion hopes alive before Ryan Green's 108th-minute goal settled a five-goal thriller at Leicester's Walkers Stadium.
Chris Killeen had handed Town the ideal start as he opened the scoring in fine style midway through the first half before Andy Williams headed the sides level shortly before the interval.
Substitute John Grant appeared to have won the game for Town at the expense of his former club, before Guy Ipoua snatched a late equaliser to send the game into extra time.
Killeen looked lively throughout and he set the tone for a bright opening as he prodded a low effort wide from 12 yards with barely 90 seconds gone.
Town, marshalled in defence by experienced defender Peter Atherton, continued to control the early exchanges with Killeen again threatening.
The former Sheffield United player linked up with fellow striker Ryan Sugden before drilling his shot firmly at goalkeeper Wayne Brown from just inside the penalty area.
The Shaymen were relentless in attack as Danny Forrest clipped the top of the crossbar with a scuffed shot from less than six yards out while, at the other end, goalkeeper Jon Kennedy palmed Craig Stanley's looping 20-yard effort over.
Halifax's early endeavour was rewarded with the opening goal when Killeen latched on to a wayward clearance and, from fully 25 yards, dispatched a fine effort which crashed past the hapless Brown and into the top-right corner.
The Town striker's fine opener only served to spark Turner's men into action and they found themselves back on level terms with 33 minutes gone as Adam Stansfield's neat cross was headed past Kennedy by the outstretched Williams.
Hereford appeared galvanised after the restart and Stansfield nearly turned goalscorer nine minutes into the second period, as he surged past a clutch of Halifax defenders but could only blast the ball at Kennedy from an acute angle.
On the hour mark, Stansfield flashed a close-range header wide while Matt Doughty curled over from 10 yards at the other end, as both sides frantically pushed for the winner.
With fatigue clearly affecting his players, Town boss Chris Wilder opted to introduce striker John Grant at the expense of Sugden and the former Hereford man scored with virtually his first touch of the game as he flicked Killeen's near-post cross past Brown.
Halifax's joy was shortlived, though, as gutsy Hereford again drew level with 10 minutes left as substitute Ipoua rose well to steer Simon Travis' inswinging cross home from eight yards out and sent the game into extra time.
With little to separate the sides the tie looked destined to be settled by penalties, but Green had other ideas.
The former Wolves trainee cut in from the right flank and calmly stroked the ball past the outstretched Kennedy from just inside the area to complete a stunning fightback.
Lost for words says Tamika
An overwhelmed Tamika Mkandawire was "lost for words" after taking his side back to the Football League.
Interviewed by Spy Sports, the Hereford United captain, said he thought "we were going to lose at one stage."
Asked when he knew the game was won:
"Not until the final whistle. When the final whistle went - massive relief, massive relief."
With Hereford United supporters celebrating in the background and singing 'the Whites are going up' the captain admitted he couldn't wait to get his hands on the trophy.
Tamika was presented with the Nationwide Man of the Match
Turner releived to get back
Interviewed after the game by Sky Sports, here's a little of what Hereford United manager Graham Turner had to say:
"I think relief is the first feeling. We've been so close on several occasions and it's been a long and hard nine years for us to get back in there and the overwhelming feeling right at the moment is releif.
"There is the joy and the excitement of seeing the supporters celebrating, they're terrific scenes for us.
"We've taken a massive following here - nearly 10,000 - and they're enjoying every minute of it."
Asked about the comeback Turner continued:
"We've done it quite consistantly since Christmas.
"To come back from the goals that they scored just showed the character in the side.
"There was some cracking goals and I thought it was a good game.
"In fairness to Halifax, they are a good side. Chris Wilder has done a magnificent job there.
"But it's our day today. It'll be their day another day."
Remimded that his side had to work hard to win Turner said:
"We had them watched on video. We knew they were a well orgainsed, highly motivated side. So we had to be at our best to beat them.
"We had a slow start to the game. We never got into it. But as the game went on I'm pleased that the young lads started to play and we did okay."
Asked whether as Chairman he might have had to sack himself if they had lost:
"I thought about it, beleive it or not. It's been a long time these nine years. It's been heart-breaking at times but we're there. We'll forget about everything else for a few days."
Bulls return to League
Below is how Simon Fudge saw the game for Sky Sports:
Hereford United have joined Accrington Stanley in winning promotion to The Football League after a 3-2 extra-time win over Halifax Town.
Graham Turner's Bulls twice came from a goal down to send the Nationwide Conference play-off final to extra time, as Lewis Killeen and John Grant's goals were cancelled out by Hereford's Andy Williams and Guy Ipoua.
That allowed Ryan Green to score only his second goal of the season in extra time to end Hereford's nine-year spell in non-league football.
In a late afternoon kick-off at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium, it was Halifax that started well, with Killeen and Ryan Sugden forcing early saves from goalkeeper Wayne Brown.
The Shaymen then had appeals for a penalty waved away after Hereford captain Tamika Mkandawire handled the ball in his own box before Halifax's defenders were upset with Simon Travis's alleged dive over goalkeeper Jon Kennedy's outstretched arms at the other end.
The Bulls came back into the match and forced Kennedy to save efforts from Craig Stanley and Williams, while Rob Purdey struck woefully wide when in a dangerous position.
The deadlock was broken on 27 minutes, as a poor Hereford clearance saw the ball fall into the path of Killeen and his slicing right-foot strike eluded Brown to give Halifax the lead.
That lasted just seven minutes, as Hereford levelled matters when an unmarked Williams headed home Adam Stansfield's well-placed cross from the right at the far post.
The Bulls finished the half the stronger, with Kennedy saving a close-range Purdey header and a strike from Andy Ferrell.
The second half saw Sugden go close for Halifax with a curling effort, while Kennedy had to be alert to stop efforts from Stansfield and Purdey.
Then Hereford had a penalty claim waved away after Purdey was brought down in the box by Tyrone Thompson before Stansfield somehow missed the target with a close-range header.
With the match well poised, The Shaymen regained the lead on 73 minutes as a fine run and cross from Killeen was redirected home by substitute Grant.
Hereford, however, kept their nerve and equalised again seven minutes later, as another substitute in Ipoua powerfully headed home Travis's cross from the right for 2-2.
It meant the match went to extra time, with Stansfield hitting Halifax's side-netting before Ipoua struck wide in the first 15-minute period.
Then, three minutes into the second period, The Bulls took the lead for the first time as Green neatly placed a curling shot past Kennedy to send the Hereford fans into raptures.
Despite six added minutes of injury time and chances at both ends, Hereford celebrated booking their place back in The Football League.
Green finds the extra edge to put Hereford on cloud nine
In the end, a left-foot stab from Ryan Green ensured Hereford United, Conference runners-up for the past three seasons, finally made it back into the Football League after nine years.
Graham Turner's side just about deserved this victory - but having twice gone behind, Hereford had to fight for it.
In the opening quarter of an hour, it was Halifax who posed the greater threat and should have been at least a goal up following a clear penalty shout.
A sixth-minute corner from captain Martin Foster was flicked on by Halifax striker Ryan Sugden and then clearly handled by Tamika Mkandawire. But referee Dean Whitestone failed to blow. Then the Hereford captain appeared to employ a more legal method to deflect Danny Forrest's effort on to the bar. Halifax thought they should have had a corner. Again Mr Whitestone differed.
Driving rain allowed comparison with the conditions in Paris for the Champions League final and the opener produced by Halifax's Lewis Killeen after 27 minutes would have illuminated that game.
Following a poor clearance by Dean Beckwith, possession, via some pinball, fell to the former Sheffield United striker. His instant shot from 25 yards allowed Wayne Brown no chance. Now there was a contest, with the teams stretching the game and the greater possession and chances Hereford's as they forced themselves forward for the equaliser.
That took just seven minutes. Adam Stansfied was allowed time to cross and his delivery sucked Halifax defenders towards the ball and allowed Andy Williams a free header.
Then John Grant, who broke his leg during a spell at Hereford, appeared to have spoiled Turner's summer, when the 66th-minute substitute expertly turned Killeen's ball home.
Turner, though, had his own answer, bringing on Guy Ipoua, who needed just four minutes to level, with his header taking proceedings into extra time.
Walkers Stadium 15,499
HALIFAX Kennedy; Haslam, Quinn, Young (Bushell 61), Doughty (Senior 76); Foster, Atherton, Thompson; Killeen, Sugden (Grant 65), Forrest Subs not used Butler, Smikle
HEREFORD Brown; Green, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin; Travis, Ferrell, Stanley (Pitman ft), Purdie; Stansfield (Fleetwood 94), Williams (Ipoua 75) Subs not used Mawson, Carey-Bertram
Hereford back in Big Time
This account was written by Derick Allsop for the Telegraph:
Hereford United ended nine years in the wilderness of non-League football to earn their place in League Two after a heart-stopping Conference promotion play-off final.
Graham Turner's team twice rallied to win a contest worthy of a higher echelon. Ryan Green had the composure and accuracy to score the decisive goal after 108 minutes of absorbing football.
Halifax deserved their early lead but in a match of tilting fortunes Hereford refused to buckle. They had reached the play-offs in the previous two seasons, and this time they had the resolve to prevail.
Turner, manager and chairman of Hereford, prowled the touchline as Halifax pursued an equaliser and this time he was not to be denied.
Halifax, confined to the Conference for the past four years, made the more assertive start and Lewis Killeen served warning of his intent with a shot just wide of Wayne Brown's goal.
Craig Stanley's looping effort forced the Halifax goalkeeper, Jon Kennedy, to tip over and Rob Purdie miscued embarrassingly as Hereford attempted to piece together their game.
Purdie was off the field, receiving treatment, when Halifax went in front. A poor clearance conceded possession just outside the area and Killeen's swerving shot defied Brown's dive.
The goal shook Hereford out of their slumber and the equaliser duly materialised in the 34th minute. Adam Stansfield delivered the precise centre from the right and Williams stooped to guide his header between Kennedy and a post.
Halifax's goalkeeper had to scramble across his line to beat away a header from Purdie, and Andy Ferrell brought Kennedy to his knees with a raking shot.
Hereford were on the back foot again early in the second half before Stansfield cleverly meandered through the Halifax defence and forced an important block by Kennedy.
Halifax responded by regaining the lead after 73 minutes. Killeen clipped the ball in from the left and substitute John Grant, once of Hereford, applied the slightest of deflections to beat Brown.
Hereford brought on a substitute of their own, Guy Ipoua, in place of Williams, and the switch paid off.
Simon Travis swung the ball in from the right and Ipoua rose to head powerfully into the roof of the net and send the match into extra time.
Stansfield went close with his last contribution and he joined those nervously looking on as the ball broke for Green, just inside the Halifax area. He calmly found the far top corner and Hereford, not so calmly, saw out the rest of this splendid encounter
Green's art gives Turner prize of League return
This report from the Independent was written by Jon Culley.
Conference runners-up for three consecutive seasons, Hereford United gained reward for their persistence when an extra-time goal from the defender Ryan Green clinched a return to the Football League after a drama-packed Conference play-off final here yesterday.
Halifax, who finished the regular season in fourth place behind the champions, Accrington Stanley, led twice in normal time through Lewis Killeen and substitute John Grant, but were pegged back by Andy Williams and Hereford substitute Guy Ipuoa, whose 79th-minute header took a gripping contest into extra time.
A penalty shoot-out looked the likeliest conclusion after a cagey period of extra time, but then Welsh international Green seized on a loose ball to beat Halifax goalkeeper Jon Kennedy with a looping diagonal shot from just inside the penalty area, ending a nine-year League exile for Graham Turner's club.
Halifax, attempting to become the first side to win back their Football League status twice, had made the more positive start and might have gone ahead after five minutes had the referee, Dean Whitestone, spotted a clear handball by the Hereford captain, Tamika Mkandawire.
Wayne Brown kept out a shot from Greg Young, but there was little the Hereford goalkeeper could do to repel Killeen's superb strike from 25 yards in the 27th minute. The Hereford winger Rob Purdie was receiving attention off the field at the moment they fell behind, but their response was powerful. Their top scorer, Andy Williams, put them back on terms after 34 minutes with an adroit header from a deep cross by his co-striker Adam Stansfield. It took a good save from Kennedy to deny Hereford the lead when Purdie got his head to a Green cross.
Hereford began the second half well, Kennedy saving with his feet from Stansfield and Williams heading wide from close range. In between, Purdie looked to have a case for a penalty after Tyrone Thompson appeared to bring him down. But Halifax stole the lead again after 73 minutes as Grant applied the finishing touch following a surging run by Killeen.
Hereford were not finished and Ipoua - whose extra-time winner against Morecambe clinched a place in the final - levelled the scores with a thumping header from a Simon Travis cross. With legs tiring, a goalless extra 30 minutes would have been no surprise but when a tackle on team-mate Stuart Fleetwood sent the ball spinning his way, Green made the most of his chance to break Halifax hearts.
Reports from Leicester
During the course of the next day or so Bulls News will publish reports of the play-off game yesterday that took Hereford United back to the Football League from many sources. They won't be in any particular order.
But to kick-off as they say here's how Glynis Wright saw the day:
WILL THE LAST PERSON TO LEAVE HEREFORD PLEASE TURN OUT THE LIGHTS? Arguably, at the very least, that's the sort of message that should have been posted on the walls at Edgar Street this morning. As I understood it, the Bulls had managed to flog well in excess of 8,000 tickets for the Leicester caper; an incredible total, that, when you also bear in mind that the entire population of the city runs to around 50,000. Sure, not all those travelling today came from within its boundaries - not a few farming folk and similar domiciled out in the sticks are partial to a bit of weekend Bull, oo arr, oo arr - but even when you factor in their presence, approximately 10% of the place upping sticks for the day and trekking to the East Midlands is a pretty impressive away support by anyone's lights.
Living approximately 60 miles away from the place as we do, I wasn't really in a position to see that almighty coach convoy for myself - 19, and still rising, according to the very last hard figures I saw first thing this morning - head off through all those country lanes in search of the M5's northbound carriageway, but I do happen to have a vivid imagination. Am I right in thinking that Hereford city centre today took on the air of one of those USA hick towns situated about as close to the Mexican border as makes no difference? Aw, you know, no cars, no buses, people ditto - just various swirls and eddies of dust chasing each other down a deserted Main Street like boisterous young kids, with vagrant bits of tumbleweed in hot pursuit?
And, as far as the activities of indigenous townspeople were concerned, the sighting of a very testy Victor Meldrew-soundalike shuffling along as fast as their Zimmer frames would go being something of a bonus? Whichever way you want to look at it, having around tenth of your normal Saturday population disappear for the day must have led to some pretty spectacular images of what got left behind! Shades of the end of "On The Beach", the post-nuclear apocalypse film set in Melbourne, Australia, anyone?
Still, it was all worth it in the end, rendering the entire place almost devoid of human inhabitants, wasn't it? Congratulations on resuming League membership once more, your 3-2 triumph being a feat only matched by that of Ronnie Radford And Chums, a complete generation ago. My goodness, I bet all those boozers in the town have taken a bit of a bashing on the strength of what was achieved this evening - but I get ahead of myself; my personal account of Saturday's triumph starts back in Bearwood, which is an outpost of West Bromwich, in the West Midlands - and this is what happened.
It's not all that often I give visitors to our place such a gushing welcome, but in the case of Dave Watkin, our Baggies-loving travel companion, I had no real choice. How come? Easy. Question for all those lawyers reading this out there; does having to put up with a Bulls-mad husband flying at 35,000 feet all morning constitute good grounds for divorce? Yep, that's right, ever since hubby arose from his pit ere break of day, his adrenal glands had been secreting in quantity. Result? One seriously-hyped-up spouse, and for that reason, one very rapid greeting of Dave when he finally arrived!
The journey itself proved quite trouble-free. The only real hazard to contend with en route was the awful weather, clouds everywhere chucking most of their surplus cargo onto the M6 southbound carriageway. Even relatively early in the journey we managed some sightings of yellow-shirted Bulls on the move; this coming about four hours before the kick-off, it become pretty clear that there was going to be quite a bovine presence at The Walkers Stadium.
En route, we spent some considerable time acquainting our chum with Graham Turner's penchant for hands-on leadership, as per his ground-painting, pitch-mowing, and, on one memorable occasion when a howling gale blew off the Meadow End roof, hanging like grim (and sweaty?) death onto a rope holding the rest in precarious place! Then, giving a hand in effecting repairs to make that end safe once more. Apparently, for the greater part of the preceding week, and because on the massive upsurge in publicity for the club, he's been smitten by the old 'hands-on' bug again, callers surprised greatly by suddenly finding themselves speaking to 'yer man', helping out by manning the club switchboard! You certainly don't get that sort of thing in the Premiership - trust me on that one.
Finally reaching the outskirts of our destination after around an hour on the road, the volume of traffic increased to almost gridlock proportions. Roadworks, mainly, although the delays did give rise to some cheeky speculation on my part as to precisely what form of transport Bulls supporters making the journey privately had commandeered for the occasion, that amazing 19-strong coach convoy notwithstanding. Bullock carts? Tractors? Combine harvesters? Hmmm. And, in the case of those opting for animal propulsion, how many miles per bale of hay, I wondered.
One curious road sign as we crawled at walking-pace towards the Walkers Stadium, though: PARKING, LOADING, AND CERTAIN MANOEUVRES PROHIBITED! - a stern warning to the masses indeed. The 'parking' and 'loading' bits I understood - but 'certain manoeuvres'? Oooh la la! While my mind was busy boggling like crazy at the import of that notice, we'd gradually hove in sight of our destination for the late afternoon and early evening, The Walkers Stadium, aka 'The Giant Crisp Packet'. Once parked up, the walk to the ground was but a mere bagatelle. The real problems arose because of our tickets, and there was sod-all we could do about it.
Memo to myself: never go to an important game on a promise of getting your tickets from supporters at the other end. To be sure, the fault was most certainly not that of Nick Brade and his Bulls-lovin' chums, who had the precious goods in their hot little hands and were, collectively, more than ready to give them to their rightful owner: no, the real fault was that of the authorities for wildly underestimating the policing arrangements for literally hundreds of Herefordians making their way by coach. No police escort at that end, see; what with that and the road works, this put quite a delay on things. When we first arrived, we'd checked via our mobile, Nick giving us the good news that they were the first coach, and would arrive in around 20 minutes.
Not with those roadworks, they wouldn't, and not knowing either the area or the vagaries of the local plods wasn't exactly the sort of bonus they were seeking. Having discovered much later (after a pre-match ice-cream, mind, in order to keep going the 'winning run' we'd established on the back of regular ice-cream consumption prior to the games that mattered!) the awful problems they were having getting off the motorway, we awaited their arrival just outside the away end turnstiles, this column choosing to update notes in the club's tastefully-designed Memorial Gardens - and waited, and waited, and waited?.. Half an hour to go, and there was hubby, nerves twanging mightily, still, attempting to reach the lower regions of the stratosphere through the handy portal of grossly-elevated adrenalin secretions. High? Too true; had any well-wishers spoken to him at that precise moment, I reckon he would have burst into tears on the spot.
Then, in what amounted to a re-enactment of the classic movie moment when the beleaguered wagon-train, suffering greatly at the hands of a bunch of marauding Sioux Indians, suddenly espies in the distance, the column of dust and the thin silvery sounds of an army trumpet being wielded in anger that generally presaged the arrival on the scene of the 7th Cavalry, along came Nick, and his sorely-missed entourage. Allelujah, praise the Lord! Apparently, those last few miles had been a real horror-show for those paying punters, delay after delay, and the rapidly-growing realisation that the clock was running down fast. It strikes me that if the football authorities genuinely want to persuade supporters to forego the joys of independent car travel for those of official coach trips to away fixtures, then it seems to me that they're going about it totally the wrong way. Who in their right mind wants to sign up for a service that can only get you to a ground just minutes before the kick-off?
Mind you, it wasn't just the sight of Mavis and Marion that got my eyes bulging in true hyperthyroid fashion; what really left me coughing and spluttering with uncontrollable giggles was the sight of Nick wearing some sort of Roy Chubby Brown tribute get-up. Aw, you know, 'Crazy Frog' flying helmet, outrageously-coloured patchwork-quilt "suit", pillar-box red bow tie on white shirt, that sort of thing. No wonder my disbelieving shriek of "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THAT?" reverberated throughout that bit of the ground reserved for visiting supporters! Once I'd calmed down a bit, though, I did suggest that perhaps their coach had made a diversionary stop via the local psychiatric hospital to pick up Nick. Or maybe they'd turned up for medication only - had they seen in Nick's unusual get-up a clamorous signal for someone with the authority to section him on the spot? Whichever way the mop flopped, the considered view of most Bulls followers was that it was high time to scarper, and quickly, too.
And, talking of peculiar sights, once inside The Giant Crisp Packet, what was the very first thing we clapped eyes on? No, not a little blue bag of salt carefully concealed underneath our seats, just Malcolm Boyden, temporarily forsaking his normal Albion 'gig' for one based in the very heart of the surrounding countryside. We'd heard he was going to be doing the 'roving mike' bit at the Walkers Stadium, and the living proof was there, right in front of us. One vagrant thought - would he forget his more normal allegiance in the hurly-burly of pre-kick-off hype?
Once seated, it didn't take us long to realise that in the next two seats to our left we had some very familiar company indeed. Enter into my little tale our two Bluenose-Bull hybrid chums, who greeted our arrival effusively; it was while we were doing this that the ground went crazy for the entry of both sets of combatants onto the park below. The Bulls, enjoying tenancy of both the area behind one of the goals, also most of the area along the nearest touchline, certainly made their superiority in numbers count. Very noisy were their greetings, ear-splitting cacophony of hooters, drums, the works, including some assistance courtesy rockets ascending towards the heavens, Roman Candle-type bursts, and all the pyrotechnical rest of it. I could only hope that the people responsible for that little lot weren't the same ones that stuffed up so badly when trying to perform the same service at (spit!) Molineux, a few seasons back.
The two sides out, it was then down to the formal stuff, presentations of both sides to some stuffed-shirt or other, the National Anthem (a surprise, that one), the daft shaking-of-hands ritual seen in the Prem this season, then both sides breaking in readiness for the toss-up. Hereford kicking towards the Halifax end it was, then, and without much more ado, the show was finally on the road.
Looking at my notes, I see the first testing of the Bulls' collective mettle came just a minute after the start, the exploratory move ending with a shot rattling just wide of the right-hand post. Of those early exchanges, it seemed that Hereford were the more likely to draw first blood, although as time passed, it was increasingly noticeable that Halifax were quite capable of turning on worrying runs with the ball as and when the occasion suited them. And there was one piece of pure jam on the part of the cider-slurpers; by rights, they should have been one down very early on in the game, when Halifax had a pretty good shout for a spot-kick turned down - erm - on the spot! Mind you, they were on the wrong end of a similar decision themselves on at least two occasions, so I suppose that it was even-stevens all round.
With Halifax grabbing a couple of corners and genuine attempts on goal over the course of the first 20 minutes, it seemed very much as though control of the game had passed to them. They seemed to be finding their players much better than did The Bulls, one such move drawing a top-class save from keeper Brown. Then came that penalty shout for Hereford, on 13 minutes, waved away by the ref, and on the balance of probabilities, the correct decision. Gradually, though, after being almost overwhelmed in those opening minutes, the Bulls began to get up a head of steam, and before too long, had created a superb chance courtesy a wonderfully-intelligent Ryan Green step-over right in front of the target, allowing Purdie the chance to run onto it - sadly, he blew it.
It was around that time, Purdie had to go off, for stitches, as far as I could see. While was being attended to on the touchline, though, disaster struck, in the shape of Halifax's Killeen, whose impressive strike gave Brown no chance whatsoever. Sounds of joy from the Halifax faction, of course, but from Hereford, naught but stunned silence. Oh, whoops.
Four minutes later, Hereford supporter-frustration came to the boil following two unproductive shouts of "HANDBALL!" in rapid succession. Frustrated? They should try the Premier League sometime! Not that their followers had long to wait, mind; a minute later, Williams restored parity in high style, his header ending up just inside the left-hand post. Pandemonium in Hereford territory, as their itinerant supporters celebrated what was rightly theirs; meanwhile, in the next seat to mine, I had a jubilant other half gibbering "YES! YES! YES!" to the point of complete exhaustion, almost. A timely strike, that, as just prior to it hitting home base, I'd felt more and more that Halifax were about to completely boss the game. Whatever the timing, it certainly had the desired effect, that of steadying the ship.
And, with just six minutes left to the break, they nearly did it again, getting right behind the Halifax defence, the resultant shot bringing forth one hell of a save from the keeper. It was jubilation unbridled in our part of the ground; so much so, even Nick Brade took the trouble to tell us: "I can see we've got a 'relegated' section here?" Gee, thanks for reminding us, Nick! What we didn't need reminding of was the fact that buoyed up by that lovely strike, The Bulls were now running at full throttle. Example? Just before the break, a wonderful interplay of passing and movement from the Bulls had the Halifax keeper getting some totally-unrequited exercise once more, the quality of the play not all that far short of the stuff commonly seen at Premiership level - and having sampled that league's wares for two seasons on the bounce, now, I reckon I'm particularly well qualified to make that distinction.
Half-time, then, the break much needed if only for temporary relief from unrelenting tension. And, as my eye wandered lazily around the ground, who did I spot in the seats in front, but our old chum Malcolm Boyden, 'working the crowd' with a roving mike and, much to my delight, grabbing hold of Nick's little party for the benefit of the folks back home. As they were sitting several seats further along, I couldn't quite catch what they were saying, but from the amount of giggling going on there, I took it as read that their comments were going down well. Mind you, I did thank our lucky stars that Malcolm was interviewing for radio, and not the dreaded goggle-box. How come? Easy: on account of Nick?s sad sartorial state - and had his errant dress-sense been displayed to a wider public, I don't think the viewers would have quite believed what they were seeing, somehow!
Back to the matter in hand, then - and on 53 minutes, another chance for the Bulls, the Stansfield effort coming when he got the ball, beat several opposition players in succession to the punch, then let fly just a matter of feet from the keeper. Selfish? Probably, should have laid it off for someone else, really. Time, now, for yet another observation. As the game progressed, it seemed very much to me that Hereford weren't getting their fair share of the important decisions; on this occasion, within the space of around a minute, both whistler and assistant managed to cock up badly, the first being with a Hereford penalty shout, a good one as far as I could tell, getting dismissed, the second being an offside flagged totally wrongly. Remembering only too well three seasons ago, when poor refereeing cost the Bulls a play-off Final appearance, I was hoping like hell similar diabolical luck wouldn't stage a late comeback.
Another 'near-miss' about a minute later, but around that stage of the game, it was becoming abundantly clear that correct hydration would play a significant part in the outcome of this game. There were players out there on both sides who were plainly knackered. The side needed a further whack of choral support in their hour of need, which is why the opening stanzas of the refrain "Hereford United, we all love you?." suddenly reverberated all around the Walkers Stadium. Tucka's lads needed a bit of a lift, and who better to provide it but the club's 'infantry'?
Another Halifax effort went a bit too close for comfort shortly afterwards: it was at that point, I happened to notice Nick - in full flight, worried as hell, and screaming like a whole host of banshees given exclusive access to one of Leicester's executive boxes for the day! Again his wacky dress-sense didn't help; how many of those kids present would cite him as the reason for them having bad dreams later that evening?
Remember what I'd said about players' energy levels starting to flag a bit? Well with just 20 to go, we saw a classical example, in the shape of Andy Williams, clearly struggling, and by that stage, totally without hope of recovery. Halifax must have scented their moment, because before too long, they had the ball out on the left, and their lad Grant making it two and the lead back in their hot little hands, too.
Returning to that Bulls subbing once more, while the change was being effected, the decibel level inside the ground rose to a dangerously hair-curling sort of pitch. The buzz had got around their supporters that Ipoua was about to come on, which he did just after that successful Halifax strike. If the change had been made that much sooner, perhaps? Who knows.
For those reading this who aren't regular Bulls followers, it's an article of faith among their supporters that Ipoua can be a very frustrating sort of body to manage, when he puts his mind to it. The problem with the lad is simple; he tends to underachieve, to drift in and out of games, which is why the overall lack of enthusiasm among supporters for the lad. But he does have a God-given talent for the beautiful game, even a residual amount, and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him set the upper division completely alight next term.
When he can be persuaded to bear arms with some degree of success, his inspired presence at the scene of the crime generally proves too much for opponents to cope with. 'Erratic' some might say, and others 'inconsistent'. His mood can literally change from minute to minute, and we were about to see a prime example of this undesirable side to his nature in but a couple of minutes. His moment of glory came with but 11 minutes of normal time remaining, not only landing himself on the score-sheet, but partially constructing the goal that was to play such a decisive role in Hereford's subsequent fortunes also. Salvation from heaven, redemption, even, in the form of an unstoppable header. Long and loud had those Bulls supporters cursed their flighty player, but it was easy to discern who was having the last laugh this time. Had he been one of ours, I could have quite cheerfully strangled the guy, but Bulls followers are made of much sterner stuff, so it would seem.
With that equalising strike, the stage was set for 30 minutes of extra time, and the resultant shedding of much more nail tissue on the part of my other half. But not before rampant Hereford almost repeated the feat, when one of their finest managed to break free of a static Halifax rearguard, and the lino suddenly flagging energetically for offside. A totally ludicrous decision, that one, and one of the worst cock-ups I've ever seen on a football pitch. The tension then twanging-taut for the duration of the four minutes added on time - and then it was 'extras' all round.
Time for a break, then, and some more hydration courtesy the administration of some obscure isotonic sports drunk or other. Subbing time, also, with Stanley off and Jamie Pitman on. Off we went once more, then, and within the space of two minutes, Halifax had the ball in the back of the net once more. Just as well, then, the effort was offside. (See, they CAN get it right, sometimes!)
The first piece could really be summed up as 'irresistible force meets immovable object', a war of attrition, with neither side making significant gains. More and more, this game was looking very much as though penalties would separate the two, some 30 minutes away. Either that, or a crowbar - but not all that long after coming, reluctantly, to the same conclusion as the pundits. But things were about to change drastically - now, it was Green who managed to gain immortal stature within the club.
Personally, I'd thought the effort, what looked very much like a misplaced goal attempt - or a botched cross: you tell me, all those with access to TV - but whatever the provenance, they all count. The very instant that shot hit the roof of the left-hand corner, hundreds - no, thousands - of Bulls took it as their cue to celebrate. "Are they taking things just a bit too far?" muttered my other half, as he commented upon the strange number of creatures to be found celebrating after that successful strike. Oh - and another thing. While whooping it up at the Hereford end, Purdie took his shirt off, and was duly shown 'yellow' by the referee for his sins.
From then on in, the name of the game was defence, pure and simple. Not long afterwards, Hereford's keeper sustained a nasty head injury after being kicked in same accidentally going for a fifty-fifty ball. A heart-stopping moment, that one, as The Bulls had used all their subs, but life did return to the stricken custodian, eventually, so much so, he was still able to defend his goal with full vigour.
And, as the clock advanced steadily, many hearts were in mouths, not least because having got Hereford back into the game with that marvellous strike of his, Ipoua had now seemingly decided that to be the sum total of his contribution to the game. Now, he had just two speeds - dead slow and stop - to the fury of his admirers. When he reverted to that sort of thing, you could quite easily see why so many foreign clubs had washed their hands of him. Six full minutes of stoppage time, largely because of the injury to Brown, and for Bulls everywhere, a seemingly-endless nerve-twanging sort of time. And then, with just about every Hereford follower screaming blue murder at the ref, imploring him to blow up for the final time, he did. Finally, after nine miserable years out of it, The Bulls were back in the League.
Poor Simon - as the celebrations began, you could see the tears weren't all that far away. A nice circular end to their exile, having witnessed them lose their League status to Brighton all those campaigns ago - but all that forgotten as rapidly-rising rockets signified The Bulls' final acceptance of that precious Conference play-off trophy. Then the celebrations after that, during which I have a vision of the lad Ipoua grabbing a multi-coloured flag from one of his admirers, then proceeding to do an improvised hula-hula dance with it fastened firmly around his waist! And, watching everything from afar - after all, it was the players' party, not his - there was Tucka Trewick, an enigmatic smile on his tanned face and applauding his players' efforts from time to time. What a satisfactory outcome for him, too, not to mention Graham Turner, whose faith in the side had finally borne fruit. As for 'Im Indoors, well?.. I'd had difficulty keeping him on terra firma that morning - now, it was going to be a complete impossibility to achieve!
A quick couple of celebratory drinks in a nearby pub, and it was back home for us - but not before we'd listened to the numerous discordant honks emanating from drivers of Bull-ish vehicles as they quite Leicester for good. As Neil Diamond once put it, "A Beautiful Noise", and one achieved in spite of much heartbreak, doubt and anguish from the Edgar Street persuasion. At least we'll be in the right place for any civic parade: today, we're off to - yep, you've guessed it - Herefordshire! Next year's League fixtures? Bring 'em on, I say.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
A New Day - A New League
Hereford United will play in League Division Two next season.
They defeated Halifax Town 3-2 afer extra time at Leicester yesterday.
Much more later today.
15,000 expected at Leicester
With the news that Halifax have sold 5,200 tickets, there is every possibility that this afternoon's attendance could top 15,000.
Hereford have sold around 8,500 and Leicester about 800.
Tickets can be bought at the Walkers Stadium today.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Turner is Mr Versatile
Another look at the build up to the game. This is from the Telegraph by Nicholas Harling:
During their nine years in the Conference, Hereford have overcome the threat of bankruptcy to consolidate under chairman and manager, Graham Turner.
Turner is so versatile that he even turned his hand to selling tickets this week for today's Conference play-off final against Halifax.
So great was the demand from supporters that as many as 12,000 Hereford fans, well over three times the average home gate at Edgar Street, could descend on The Walkers Stadium, Leicester.
The diehards have stuck with their team despite two agonising failures to regain their League status after finishing Conference runners-up. The team went out at the semi-final stage of the play-offs to Aldershot and Stevenage, and Turner hopes it will be a case of third time lucky for his side tomorrow.
"I've held the belief all season that we're a good side," said Turner.
"We've had our disappointments in the last two years but going into the game will hold no fears for us."
Since taking over as Halifax manager in July 2002, following the club's relegation from the Football League, Chris Wilder has steered the side from the brink of financial ruin to the verge of promotion.
"We weren't expected to be in this position this season so Hereford will definitely go into the game as favourites," said Wilder. "We count ourselves as underdogs and that's just being realistic."
Despite Hereford going one better this year, by reaching the final, they might find the omens favour Halifax. The Yorkshire club are the only side to have been relegated twice to the Conference.
Their previous stay lasted four years, as will this sojourn - if they are successful at Leicester.
Meanwhile Brian Viner in the Independent is backing Hereford.
Who I Like This Week...
Graham Turner, the manager of Hereford United, my local team, who this afternoon take on Halifax Town for the right to join the Football League. Turner is not only Hereford's manager, but also the chairman and majority shareholder, and when my colleague Phil Shaw called the club earlier this week to request an interview with him, I think you can probably guess who it was who answered the phone. In short, he is a marvellous football man who devotes practically every waking hour to running this splendid little club, and with all respect to Halifax, I hope he gets his due reward in Leicester today.
Club Shop Open 9am-1pm On Saturday
The club shop will be open at Edgar Street from 9am til 1pm for all those last minute purchases.
The remainder of the play-off final home shirts, plus new stocks of hats, scarves, and checked flags are all available along with the usual HUFC merchandise.
We are ready to go forward says Turner
An upbeat Graham Turner has been interviewed by Russell Fuller on Five Live.
Fuller started by suggesting this is it:
"Well exactly, we've worked very hard over three or four seasons to get to this point and we don't plan to let it slip now. But it has been hard work and there has been a lot of heartbreak along the way," said the Hereford United manager.
Fuller then reminded Turner about that day when the Bulls went out of the League:
"Well the emotion was incredible. I've never seen so many grown men cry and I think it just emphasis the importance of a football club, even small clubs at this level, do mean a lot to the supporters.
"It's obviously taken us a lot of time to get to a position to go back and regain our League status but behind the scenes there's been a lot of imporovements in the club. Our financial position is now very stable and we feel we are ready to go forward again and going forward for us is to regain our League status.
"What's made you stay with Hereford through that nine year period in exile?" asked Fuller.
"The chairman wanted to get out then and players were not being paid so I did a stupid thing and bought his shares. So I've been the major shareholder for quite some time. And when you get to that point, it's not like any other manager where you can just walk away from the club. You become entrenched in it, its whole future, its whole survival.
"I felt that having been the manager when we were relegated, I've owed the club something. I've owed the supporters something and I'm hoping that tomorrow it will all be repaid.
Fuller then talked about Turner being a major shareholder with his cash involved in the club also making the decisions of a manager and chairman.
"Well that's been quite easy. The money's not there to spend - we don't spend it. I can get no pressure from the manager because I fill both roles. And the manager at Hereford realises that there is no money available.
"I think over the eleven year period I've been there I've spent £20,000 and we've probably taken in a million pounds in the transfer market, and that has helped the club to survive.
"So there's been no pressure in that respect.
"What has been pleasing has been the reaction of the supporters. They've realised the predicament of the club financially. I've never felt pressure to sign another player or go and buy a player. We've lived within our means.
"The last two financial years we've made very decent profits and it's a credit to everybody involved in the club."
Fuller asked about the number of fans going to the Walkers Stadium.
"I would be disappointed now if we don't top the ten thousand mark. We've sold over eight thousand at the club and I understand from Leicester that they have sold quite a few to our supporters. Even on the day there will be a lot turning up there.
"That for a club in the Conference is a tremendous following. It's an indication just how high the supporters feel for the club."
"Did you think you might be facing Grays?" asked Fuller.
"Well they've had a tremendous season. They've retained the Trophy. I think Grays were everybodies favourites but I have got to say Chris Wilder at Halifax has done a magnificent job because their club was in a right state two or three years ago and he's turned the whole thing around.
"We know it's going to be difficult. They've got some good players - threats in certain areas but we've had a good season. We've had a good three seasons, finishing runners-up in each of them.
"Any other division that's success. Any other division the club would have been promoted but unfortunately in ours it means the play-offs.
"But it's going to be a tough game, but we just feel now we are ready to go forward."
Asked how life will change if you make it:
"I think the whole atmosphere will change. Right at the moment the city is buzzing. But you look at the financial implication - we would have at least six local derbies Shrewsbury, Chester, Bristol Rovers, Swindon, clubs like that. So that would be a massive boost to our income to have matches of that calibra. There's a lot more money comes into the Football League. So financially we would be okay.
"Pride wise it would be immense for the city, for the county and all our supporters."
Sky Sports Preview
Below is the Sky Sports preview of the big game tomorrow:
Graham Turner's Hereford United bid to end their nine-year exile from The Football League as they take on Halifax Town live on Sky Sports 1 tomorrow.
United head into the Conference play-off final as the favourites, after finishing second in the league five points above their opponents.
Their extra time victory over Morecambe in the semi-finals has got the fans and manager thinking this will be the year for The Bulls.
"I've held the belief all season that we're a good side," Turner revealed. "We've finished above everybody else apart from Accrington, so our style of play, our pattern of play and everything we look for, has been good enough.
"Going into the game will hold no fears for us. We respect Halifax. They're a decent side and they've got a lot of experience - but we look forward to it."
But The Shaymen are no mugs, they overcame the odds to beat FA Trophy winners Grays Athletic 5-4 on aggregate in their semi-finals.
Halifax boss Chris Wilder is happy to take on the tag of underdogs, and complete the financial and footballing turnaround for the club that he embarked upon in July 2002.
"We weren't expected to be in this position this season, so Hereford will definitely go into the game as favourites," Wilder commented.
"We count ourselves as underdogs and that's just being realistic. There are a lot of similarities between the two sides, but they are possibly two or three years ahead of where we are in terms of how we'd like our club to move forward.
"All our players want to play in The Football League, and I certainly want to manage in The Football League, so there's a chance here we all have to grab."
The home team won in the two league meetings between the sides this season. Halifax came out on top 2-1 at The Shay, while United picked up all three points at Edgar Street.
Each team heads into the crucial tie at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium with near clean bills of health.
Hereford just miss defender Tony James (groin), while Town are still without defender Greg Young because of a dislocated shoulder.
Coverage begins at 5.15pm on Sky Sports 1 and the game itself kicks off at 5.30pm.
Mainly Dry at Leicester for the game
Latest weather forecasts suggest that after morning rain it will clear to a mainly dry afternoon and evening at Leicester tomorrow.
The pitch could be a little slippy as some 5mls of rain are forecast, and the game itself may be affected by gusty winds.
It will also be quite cool tomorrow which the players on both sides will probably appreciate.
Meanwhile a reminder that the Hereford United club shop will be open in the morning from 9am to 1pm.
They will be selling any of the home shirts that are left along with new style scarves, black and white checked flags, new jester hats and loads of other HUFC related stock so come in before you go and stock up for the game!
Kennedy Not Getting Carried Away
Halifax goalkeeper Jon Kennedy is not getting carried away, and is happy to be part of the underdogs for tomorrows final.
The former Accrington keeper told the Huddersfield Daily Examiner: "When I signed for Halifax I knew there was a good chance that we would make the play-offs, but to be in the final is even better. We were classed as the underdogs out of all the four play-off teams, so the focus wasn't really on us."
"I guess Hereford will be favourites, but we're going into it like it is any other game - to win it. But we will not be getting carried away."
McIlroy Named Permanent Morecambe Boss
In the least shocking news of the week, Sammy McIlroy has been named as the permanent manager of Morecambe.
Just three days after the sacking of his 'good friend' Jimmy Harvey, McIlroy has signed a 2 year contract with the Shrimps.
For those who can't get to Leicester.
BBC Hereford and Worcester are pulling out all the stops to bring supporters the very best coverage from Leicester tomorrow.
Head of Sport, Trevor Owens, explains what they have planned:
BBC Hereford and Worcester plan to be live from Leicester in the build
up to kick off, with regular inserts into the normal sports show from
1400. Trevor Owens, Terry Goodwin and Malcolm Boyden will be there from
1400, talking to fans ahead of the kick off, and generally getting a
flavour of the Bulls' big day out.
From 1700, Andrew Easton, who will be presenting the sports programme,
will hand to Trevor and Terry live at The Walkers Stadium for the final
build up to kick off. There will then be full match commentary from
two genuine Bulls fans on all frequencies and on the internet for as
long as it takes!
We shall also have a member of the web staff there, so there should be a
gallery of pictures up on the site by Monday at the latest, while Trevor
will also be doing his best to take footage for Local TV before and
after the match. We are not allowed to take footage during, due to the
rights issues involved in covering the game.
Bristol Rovers check out Hereford duo
Hereford United duo Ryan Green and Stuart Fleetwood are both on Bristol Rovers' summer checklist according to This Is Bristol
Coach Paul Trollope and director of football Lennie Lawrence are eyeing up a number of potential targets with a view to strengthening the squad over the coming weeks. Wales international right-back Green, aged 25, and 20-year-old striker Fleetwood are two of the players they are known to be interested in.
Both are out of contract this summer and could be lured away from the Bulls, who will be bidding for a return to the Football League this weekend when they take on Halifax in the Conference play-off final at Leicester City's Walker's Stadium.
Green has made 91 league appearances for Hereford since he joined them from Sheffield Wednesday three years ago. He began his career at Wolves, also had a spell at Millwall and has spent time on loan at Torquay and Cardiff City.
The Cardiff-born defender became the youngest player to make his senior debut for the Welsh national team when he played against Malta in June 1998 aged 17 years and 226 days, and went on to win three caps for the principality.
Gloucester-born Fleetwood joined Hereford from Cardiff City in January and has since scored five goals in 13 starts.
He started his career as a trainee with the Bluebirds before he signed a professional deal during Lawrence's stint in charge at Ninian Park.
But he managed only one first-team start and seven appearances from the bench before being released by manager Dave Jones earlier this year.
Fleetwood also has won international recognition for Wales, appearing for the Under-21 side.
Rovers have already been linked with a handful of summer targets, including Bristol City keeper Steve Phillips and former Gas striker Kevin Gall, who is being released by Yeovil Town.
Lennie Lawrence signed Paul Parry from Hereford when in charge at Cardiff City and would know Fleetwood.
Wilder says his players are ready
Chris Wilder says his players are ready for the biggest game in Halifax's history according to Halifax Today.
"There is a real buzz about the players and they are really looking forward to the game," said Wilder.
"I have not detected any nervousness among them and hopefully that will be confirmed at 5.30 tomorrow.
"They look confident, they look ready and they are desperate to grab the opportunity.
"They should take great confidence from being a very good side over two legs in the semi-final.
"But we know we will have to play well again tomorrow and we will have to have the bounce of the ball.
"If those two things go for us it could be our day."
Wilder says he hasn't finalised his team.
"We look at every game on an individual basis and there will be some players who will be disappointed.
"It is all about the club getting through and the substitutes will have a part to play.
"We have used the subs to our benefit this season and the bench will be very strong tomorrow.
"We have got things that we can change, the main thing is that the players seize the chance.
"You can talk all you like about formations, but the bottom line is that our 11 have to play better than their 11.
"If we do that we will win the game."
"Hereford are a good solid team with attacking threats and decent defenders. They are very tight at the back and so are we."
We can win says Tamika
The Hereford United captain, Tamika Mkandawire, has told the Worcester News about the prospects for tomorrow at Leicester.
"It's no secret that everybody wants to play in the Football League. We are only one game away from doing that.
"It's a massive game for us. To win would be unbelievable. It will be what we've worked for over the past 10 months and what the gaffer has worked years for.
"We can win, we are confident. There will be chances and it just depends on which team holds their nerve and takes them. I feel we're good enough to do that."
Mkandawire has urged supporters to get behind the Bulls tomorrow.
"They are going to be a massive help. All through the season, our supporters have been great.
"If we have 8,000 to 10,000 in Leicester, that would be unbelievable.
"The support at home to Morecambe was different class. They stuck behind us all through the game and it just gives you that lift if you are a bit tired.
"It's vital they stay positive. Although there will be chances, I personally don't think there will be a lot of goals.
"It might take a goal in the 90th minute to win the game, so we need all the help they can give us."
Mkandawire is looking forward to leading his side onto the pitch at the Walkers Stadium.
"It will be a very proud moment. Looking back earlier in the season, I was out of the side for a while and wondering if I was going to get back in.
"I did not think down the line I would actually be captaining the side. But I'm really enjoying it."
Craig looks forward to Leicester
Craig Stanley, the Hereford United midfielder has been talking to the Shropshire Star. Below is part of the article written by Chris Hudson:
Life in the Nationwide Conference has hardly been kind to Craig Stanley so far.
In his first season, he was establishing himself at Telford United when the club went bust and he found himself out of work.
In his second, after a summer switch to Hereford, he tasted the bitter flavour of defeat in the play-offs as the Bulls were beaten by Stevenage Borough in the semi-finals.
Now the 23-year-old midfielder is hoping it is third time lucky as he plays in the biggest game of his career so far - tomorrow's promotion play-off final with Halifax Town.
A travelling army of more than 8,000 Bulls fans are set to follow their team to Leicester's Walkers Stadium for the big match and Stanley cannot wait for kick-off to arrive.
"We've had a really good season and the club's finished second for the third year running," he revealed.
"Morecambe in the semi-finals was a tough game but we came through it and hopefully we can do the same tomorrow.
"I think the majority of the lads here want to get back into the Football League. Hopefully after tomorrow we'll be there because it's our dream.
"It's the biggest game I've played in and probably the biggest crowd I've ever played in front of. On a personal level I'm really looking forward to it, but the main thing is that we win.
"We've played them twice in the league this year and we've won one and lost one but we also beat them in the FA Trophy as well."
Play Off Shirt Released
The following comes from the Official Site:
Hereford United have released a very limited edition shirt for the play-off final. Just 48 of these are now available for purchase. They are the new design that will be used next season but the main difference being "Nationwide Conference Play-Off Finals 2005-06" is embroiderd on the shirt.
The shirts are priced at £70. If you would like to get your hands on one of these very special limited edition items then you can do so by visiting the club today with cash, cheque or credit card. Or you can give the club a ring on 01432 276666 and reserve yours with a credit card.
This picture has also been taken from the Official Fans Forum
The noticable differences from the current home shirt seem to be that there is no black stripe on the sleeves, and also the new limited edition shirt has a collar.
Addison remembers 1972 and looks forward to tomorrow
Colin Addison has been talking about 1972, the year he took Hereford into the Football League and looking forward to Leicester tomorrow.
Interviewed by Dave Bradley for BBC Hereford and Worcester, Addison was first asked what it was like back in 1972 to get into the League.
"You had to be voted into the League then. At the first count we were level with Barrow on 24 votes each so there had to be a re-vote and then we pipped them
"And I can remember the excitement when they announced it, I just couldn't take it in. I don't think any of us could. The chairman, Frank Miles, bless him,or the directors. All of us hit the ceiling with the excitement to think we would be playing League football later that year.
"You had to do a lot of canvassing, get round the clubs, talk to them looking for their votes. There was a lot of hard work.
"I had a good side and just like Graham (Turner) now he's got a very good side together now and I fancy them strongly tomorrow.
"It's been a long time without League football at Edgar Street.
"I've said to Graham in recent months, not just jumping on the bandwagon in recent weeks, their form has been good and I fancy them to win tomorrow.
"I've been reading the Hereford Times. Ten thousand are going to make the trip and Graham saying it's 'the biggest buzz in my eleven years at the club'.
"The town is really jumping.
"I've been in Spain these last few days and I've just come back into it and everybody is so excited about this game tomorrow in Leicester.
"All signposts point towards Leicester tomorrow and I'm sure Graham's got the boys wound up and raring to go."