.jpg)
The official Hereford United website has finally confirmed the news that Wayne Brown, Rob Purdie, and Simon Travis have all signed deals for next season.
Wayne Brown has signed a two year deal, with Travis and Purdie both signing for 12 months. Purdie's signing makes him the Bulls longest serving player, having signed in the summer of 2002.
Barnet have received a boost as they attempt to stay at their Underhill home, with League chairmen agreeing a change in membership rules for clubs.
At this weeks AGM, the 72 league chairmen have agreed to alter the Football League rules to increase the maximum slope of a pitch to include Barnet's ground. The club now have 12 months to install an additional 1000 seats, and implement improvements to safety and segregation at the ageing ground.
According to today's Western Morning News, Craig Stanley was being chased by former Exeter boss Alex Inglethorpe.
Speaking to the paper, Inglethorpe names Stanley as one of the players he was due to sign: "I'm going to see through one transfer because I think this is something that would be right. I also had the chance to bring in Craig Stanley, Tim Sills and Tony Scully, but I understand that for me to bring in those players would be wrong for the next manager. I don't think it is the right thing to do."
Stanley has been a virtual ever-present for the Bulls since joining from Telford two years ago, amassing 94 appearances with six goals.
Meanwhile former Bull Andy Wells, who warmed the bench for a number of games in early 2004, has signed for Stourport from Oldbury.
Former Bulls player and manager Ian Bowyer has joined Rushden as Assistant Manager to his former Notts Forest colleague Paul Hart.
Bowyer, 54, played 40 times for the Bulls over three seasons, initially as player-coach under John Newman then as player-manager. He left the Bulls under a cloud after winning the club's only 'major' piece of silverware for 15 years - the Welsh Cup - in 1990 after his son refused to sign professional forms with the club and departed for Notts Forest for nothing.
More recently he has been a coach with Birmingham and Notts Forest, and left a post as No.2 to Danny Wilson at MK Dons in February as they attempted to halt their slide towards League Two.
Hereford United are expected to play a pre-season friendly at Forest Green according to the Hereford Times. The date will be announced shortly.
The game will be one of the first at the Conference Clubs' new stadium just up the hill from the Lawn.
It will also be a chance to see ex-Bull Jamie Pitman playing for his new club.
One piece of information released from the Football League Chairmens' AGM in Portugal concerns the regulations involving players and agents. Hereford United chairman Graham Turner is reported to be amidst the chairmen at the meeting.
At their Annual General Meeting, in the Algarve, Football League Chairmen have unanimously introduced new regulations that prohibit 'dual representation' by agents in player transfers - the practice whereby an agent represents more than one party in negotiations - and placed new restrictions on the circumstances in which clubs are permitted to pay agents.
In future players will be responsible for paying their own agents, who will also need a formal agreement to represent their players. Clubs employing agents will be required to have similar arrangements in place.
Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney said:
"Two years ago we committed ourselves to being the only set of clubs in world football that publish our spending on agents' fees. Today, we have taken another considerable step forward. These changes will bring a much greater level of integrity to transfer negotiations.
"By outlawing 'dual representation' and giving greater clarity to the circumstances in which clubs can pay agents we have made a major contribution to restoring a fair balance to the relationship between clubs, players and their agents.
"I commend club chairmen for taking this lead and hope other football authorities will choose to follow our example."
Additionally, clubs have voted for The League to establish a 'Register of Interests' in which club officials must disclose to The League any interest or influence they have in the business of an agent.
The dates for the FA Cup rounds have been announced.
Hereford United will start their campaign, along with the other League One and Two sides, on November 11th.
Round One - November 11
Round Two - December 2
Round Three - January 6
Round Four - January 27
Round Five - February 17
Round Six - March 10
Semi-Final - April 14
Final - May 19
A group of Hay-on-Wye based Hereford United supporters have matched their favourite team's success - by raising over £8,000 towards a new cancer unit at the city's hospital.
Organised by Bulls News, the independent Hereford United website, the fans
manned a charity car park for the ten days while the Hay Festival was taking
place.
They were prompted by press reports locally that over £1.5 million is required
for a new cancer unit at Hereford hospital.
After expenses over £8,000 was raised for the Macmillan Renton Appeal.
It's hoped to present the cheque to Ron Davies, who is leading the fund-raising
for the charity, at Hereford United's first home game of the season in August.
Exeter boss Alex Inglethorpe has quit the club for a youth coaching post with Spurs.
Inglethorpe spent most of his playing career around the London area with Watford, Barnet, and Leyton Orient. He joined Exeter for one year as a player in 2000, and had spells coaching lower non-league sides before becoming Exeter manager in 2004.
Scarboro will have to fight their way back from the Conference North on almost half their budget from last season.
The Scarboro Evening News reports that the club have set a budget of £4,000 per week for the coming campaign. Last season the Seadogs spent £7,500 per week, and exceeded their budget substantially in an effort to preserve their Conference status.
In other Conference news Crawley have entered Administration, with former manager Francis Vines telling the Majeed brothers to walk away before they destroy the club: "The only way the club is going to survive with any dignity is for them to go now. Who wants to support a club when the owners don't care about it and think they can do whatever they want? I don't want it to sound like sour grapes because it's not, I'm just sad to see what has happened to the club."
The Bulls have been linked to Oxford's ex-Aldershot striker Tim Sills.
The Exeter Express and Echo has Oxford manager Jim Smith quoted as saying: "Tim has been talking to a couple of clubs. There are two clubs in particular who are very interested in him and Exeter have shown the most interest. However, there is nothing sorted out at the moment."
The paper then goes on to say that the Bulls are the other team in the hunt for a striker who scored 43 times in 89 starts for Aldershot, but only managed one goal in 13 attempts for Oxford. Smith added: "He is a super lad - I don't have any problems with him. However, he is one of our highest earners and, because of the wage cap, I have to free up some of that money."
Lincoln are battling to keep striker Simon Yeo, who has scored 51 times in 157 games for the club. Ex-Imps boss Keith Alexander wants the out of contract player at Peterboro, while Stockport are also interested.
Torquay chairman Mike Bateson has denied reports that the offers to Alan Marriott and Jo Kuffour have been withdrawn, saying that the offers are still open "as long as the vacancies are still open." Rochdale boss Steve Parkin has denied that he is on the shortlist fo the Notts County job. Swindon have added former Millwall manager David Tuttle as manager of their youth setup. Bury have completed the final payment of their CVA, four years after entering it.
Former Bulls midfielder David Titterton has joined Ludlow Town to assist manager Chris Richards.
Titterton, 34, joined the Bulls in 1991 from Coventry and played 51 times in two seasons. He later joined several Conference sides before managing Stourport Swifts.
Daryl Taylor is to move from Walsall to Bournemouth.
AFC Bournemouth report that they have signed Taylor on a month to month contract.
Taylor was recently released by Walsall after several spells on loan at Hereford United both last season and the season before.
Vital Walsall commented:
Daryl Taylor who burst onto the scene under Paul Merson, hailed as a possible match winner. However he failed to match these expectations and a number of poor performances, most noticable away at Port Vale brought the wrath of the fans on his back.
He was then given a chance to take stock on loan at Hereford where unfortunatley he badly injured his knee. The right sided winger battled back but never quite seemed the same player. He seemed nervous and cautious of going into tackles, a hangover from such a serious injury I am sure.
This season he was again loaned out to Hereford where he didn't pull up any trees so to speak. In our final game it must be said he didn't disgrace himself and was brought down for our penalty.
Hereford United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Wayne Brown who has spent the last season on loan with The Bulls. According to the Chester Evening Leader the Bulls number one has signed on at Edgar Street where he won promotion to the Football League last season.
Brown was said to be very unhappy at Chester and, although he had one year left on his contract with the club, an agreement was made between the two clubs.
"We reached a settlement with Wayne and the deal with Hereford has been done," City chairman Stephen Vaughan told the newspaper.
The news will come as no shock to Hereford supporters, but more as relief at finally securing the 'keepers services more permanently. Brown is still the only goalkeeper signed on though, and Graham Turner will definately looking to bring in another one or two as cover to the latest addition to his league squad.
Former Hereford United 'keeper Craig Mawson has completed a move back to Halifax Town. Mawson, who was on the bench when Hereford defeated The Shaymen last month to reach the Football League, had a brief stint at the club before a successful stint at Morecambe.
He joined Hereford after Jonathon Gould's departure, spending nearly two years at the club. His release from Edgar Street was confirmed last Friday and manager Chris Wilder was quick to snap up the goalie. Mawson, 27, had a stop start season due to the loan signing of Wayne Brown, with few league appearences to his name but he was an ever present in the cup games, helping Hereford reach the LDV Vans Trophy semi final for a second year running.
BBC Hereford and Worcester are looking to talk to Hereford United fans who are travelling to Germany.
I'm co-ordinating the World Cup coverage on BBC Hereford & Worcester, and am looking for anyone who is travelling to Germany (either to follow England or any other team), or is organising things locally.
If you know of anyone travelling, or of events happening across the Two Counties, then please drop me an email to terry.goodwin@bbc.co.uk, or give me a call on 01905 748 485.
Wycombe have rejected Swansea's £100,000 bid for central defender Roger Johnson, fuelling speculation that the Swans will now turn their attention to Tamika Mkandawire.
Grimsby have named assistant manager Graham Rodger as their new boss. He has served the last three Grimsby managers as assistant and is a former Blundell Park player. Torquay have withdrawn contract offers to goalkeeper Alan Marriott and striker Jo Kuffour after both failed to sign deals by a deadline set by the club. Marriott has been strongly linked to Boston, but denied the move last week. Notts County have lost the services of defender Julien Baudet, who has joined Crewe on a three year deal. Lincoln have lost Northern Ireland international defender Gareth McAuley to Leicester on a free transfer.
Having already signed up ex-Bulls Ben Smith and Tony James in recent months, Weymouth boss Garry Hill is lining up moves for two more.
Steve Guinan and Michael Rose, both members of the side that demolished Hill's Dagenham 9-0, are both attracting interest from the big spending Conference new boys.
They are likely to miss out on Guinan, who is keen to remain in the Football League, but are in pole position to capture Rose who departed Yeovil last month after a very disappointing season.
He was named in the PFA League Two team of the year in his first season at Huish Park, but failed to make the League One grade and was farmed out for a disappointing loan spell at Scunthorpe. A move to Weymouth would reunited him with brother-in-law James, who signed for the club days after his Bulls release.
Former Bulls striker Steve Guinan has admitted that he is "desperately unhappy" with the contract offer made by Cheltenham.
Having admitted earlier in the week that he wanted a two year deal, he told the Gloucestershire Echo that his future now lies away from Whaddon Road:
"I am desperately unhappy with the offer, especially after scoring the winner in the play-off semi-final and final. It is very frustrating and I am pretty certain that I will be going elsewhere.
"I can understand the club giving a one-year deal with an option to older players like Jerry Gill, but I am only 30. John Finnigan is the same age as me and he has been given a two-year deal, but it seems the rules are different for me. I have not asked for extra money, and I did not think a two-year deal would be a problem."
Guinan is currently doing a UEFA A Licence coaching course, while manager John Ward is on holiday, and will take his time before making a move:
"I would prefer to stay in the League, and I think I will. They are the offers I am favouring, but some Conference clubs have offered me double the money I am on now. I am a bit disappointed in the situation at the moment, but come next month, I will have a new club somewhere."
Scarboro may consider legal action after the Conference board refused to specify quite what rules the club are supposed to have breached which led to their relegation.
Speaking to the official Scarboro site, director Malcolm Reynolds said: "Altrincham had been treated very harshly for a technical offence and it's nice that they will retain their place for next season. However today's events have not been about Scarborough and Altrincham. We have sought clarification from the Board about their decision.
"John Moules refused to notify us which rule we have breached. As of today's date we have not been charged with any breach and therefore have not had any opportunity to respond. We have been advised that the Board will write to us with the details of its decision. We will also seek the minutes of the meeting.
"Once we received details of the alleged breach we will respond. We will consider our position then. If we believe that the Conference has acted outside of its jurisdiction we reserve the right to seek immediate judicial redress through the courts."
Altrincham have won a last-minute reprieve to stay in the Conference after Scarboro failed to satisfy the board over financial issues.
Less than two weeks after losing their appeal against the 18 point deduction failed, Altrincham will remain in the Conference with Scarboro dropping down to Conference North. The Conference's decision effectively reverses the change made when the 18 point penalty was imposed, with Scarboro being the original beneficiaries of the deduction.
Scarboro had exited Administration, and agreed a deal with shareholders over the financing of the club, but the Conference were unconvinced that the club were capable of sustaining their commitments next season.
Many will feel that some kind of justice has been done, with Altrincham back in the Conference, but few will be happy over the events that have led to today's decision.
It was rumoured on Thursday that Swansea were about to place a bid for a 'newly promoted League Two defender', with suggestions that it was the Bulls own Tamika Mkandawire.
However, that information may be false after Swansea made an official approach for Wycombe's captain Roger Johnson. The 6ft 3in central defender has spent six years as a pro at Adams Park, and Swansea are waiting on Wycombe's response on the player.
Chester City have confirmed the cancellation of their contract with goalkeeper Wayne Brown.
Brown, 30, leaves Chester after nearly 10 years, originally signing from Bristol City in September 1996. After spending most of his time there as first choice, he was dropped down the pecking order in early 2005 in favour of ex-Bull Chris MacKenzie and appeared to be isolated at the club with a season long loan move to Edgar Street coming a few months later.
Brown met with manager Mark Wright yesterday and, with Craig Mawson confirming his departure from Edgar Street earlier today, it was expected that the outcome of the meeting was good news for Bulls fans. The move leaves Chester with ex-Kiddy keeper Jon Danby the only experienced stopper on their books.
Hereford United have released the admission prices for next season - with prices rising by around £3 per game.
Adult terrace admission will be £13 (£9 conc), with seating at £15 (£12 conc). Season ticket prices have also risen, with an adult terrace ticket at £260 (£180 conc) and £300 (£224 conc) for seating.
The only 'early-bird' discounts are on tickets for under-16's. Before July 14th they will pay just £100 for a terrace season ticket, and £130 for a stand season ticket. They will also get discounted single match admission of £7 (family stand) or £6 (terrace) if the tickets are bought at least 24 hours in advance.
Matchday prices will also rise by £1 if the club are in the top 7 of the league after five games. The matchday seat prices are the cheapest in the league at £15, while only Rochdale offer cheaper terrace tickets at £11.
Season ticket sales will start on Monday, June 12th.
Despite repeated denials from the player himself, repeated rumours surrounding Adam Stansfield and a move to Exeter have arisen again.
Sky Sports website reports that Stansfield has been told he is surplus to requirements, despite telling the Exeter Express and Echo just a week ago that an offer was coming and that there was no intention by the player to join Exeter.
Hereford United have confirmed that Adam Stansfield is currently considering a contract offer.
According to the official site, Craig Mawson has left the Bulls after around 18 months.
Mawson, 27, played 50 times for the Bulls but became second choice behind Wayne Brown last season. He joined the Bulls in November 2004 after a brief spell in league football with Oldham, and is now expected to look for regular first team football with another Conference side with former club Morecambe believed to be one of the sides to have made contact.
Mawson's departure hightens speculation that Graham Turner has agreed a deal for Wayne Brown.
Rob Purdie has agreed a new deal at Edgar Street, according to BBC Hereford and Worcester.
Purdie, 23, is the Bulls current longest serving player, having signed in the summer of 2002.
Confidence at Accrington, the Conference champions, is sky high - according to Chester physio Joe Hinnigan.
And he also believes Chester can challenge. Speaking to the Evening Leader Hinnigan spoke about his friend, Accrington manager John Coleman: "I know Accrington Stanley's manager John Coleman very well and he thinks his club will storm the division. If he thinks Accrington can do well then why shouldn't we believe that Chester will perform well?
"It was a big blow to lose Stewart Drummond, Ben Davies and Chris MacKenzie, but we wish them well and we know they can be replaced. We're putting a team together that will make an impact and we're trying to sign players who will do well. People may think that it will take time for a new squad of players to work as a team, but Carlisle proved it could be achieved last season with a good fanbase."
Interest in Hereford United from agents looking to find clubs for players has increased since the Bulls won promotion to League Two says Graham Turner.
"I think the reaction to the fact we are now a League club has been positive," Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
"The 'phone has never stopped from agents calling with players on their books.
"Now what has happened in the past has been a month or six weeks into the close season before those agents would phone us simply because we were a Conference club."