Hereford United's Under 18's were defeated 2-1 at Yeovil yesterday. Yeovil went 2-0 ahead but Hereford got one back on 80 minutes.
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Sunday, March 22, 2009
Young Bulls defeated at Yeovil
Bionic Murray dreams of Premiership
Matt Murray, who came on loan to Hereford United earlier this season, is dreaming of a return for his club Wolves to the Premiership and hopes he may be able to play for them in that league.
Murray, now known by his team-mates as the 'amiable giant', has had a series of injury problems over the years. The latest was whilst keeping goal for the Bulls at MK Dons last November.
“The right knee is just the latest problem and I have metal pins in there now keeping me all together," Murray told the Sunday Mercury.
“You can definitely hear me coming at the airport!
“I had only just got over my left knee problems when my right knee went during only my third game on loan at Hereford United last November.
“It has meant a 16 week lay off but the physiotherapists are happy with the way it has healed.
“As soon as I kicked the ball it just felt like I had been shot in the knee – the pain was not nice and I couldn’t control my leg.
“My tendon was totally snapped. All I remember was lying on the pitch thinking ‘Please somebody get me up.’
"The game seemed to go on for about a minute before it was stopped.
“As soon as I was put on a stretcher I knew what I had done. I thought at that stage my career was over.”
"I was enjoying my loan at Hereford and we were playing well."
Murray is working on his rehabilitation four days a week at the Wolves training ground.
The long journey to Carlisle.
Carlisle United v Hereford United
Football League 1
Tuesday 24th March 2009 KO 7.45 pm.
Brunton Park
Warwick Road
Carlisle
CA1 1LL
Phone 0844 371 1921
Formed in 1904, "The Cumbians" were a product of the merger of two local sides Shaddongate United and Carlisle Red Rose. They moved to Brunton Park in 1909 and joined the Football League in 1928. Visiting fans are accommodated in part of the Cumberland Building Society Stand on one side of the pitch. Admission prices are believed to be Adults £20, Over 65's £14, Under 18's £10, Under 10's £6. Carlisle usually offer a £2 discount on earlybird tickets sold through the visiting club but, as yet, there has been no announcement from HUFC regarding this facility.
COACHES - HUISA say they cannot justify running a coach to Carlisle because their usual more profitable trips are not showing the surplus to cover losses on less popular games. FUNBUS will depart from Wetherspoons at 1.00 pm. I expect to take a couple of 10-minute comfort stops on the M6 and to arrive in Carlisle around 6.00 pm in time for a glass or two before the game. The fare will depend on numbers but is expected to be around £18. Contact Oxo on 07917 695669 or Chesh on 07951 992821.
CAR - Brunton Park is one of the easier grounds to find. Leave the M6 at J43 and take the A69 to Carlisle. You will see the ground on your right after about a mile. There is a car park close to the ground for a £2 fee. Distance from ES is just short of 250 miles and you should allow four and a half hours. Postcode is CA1 1LL.
ALEHOUSES - The Beehive on the A69 is probably the closest to the ground and serves Theakstons. In the centre of Carlisle in the Griffin which carries a decent range including Deuchars IPA and Jennings Best along with a variety of the usual fizzy stuff. The local 'Spoons are The Woodrow Wilson at 48 Botchergate and The William Rufus in the same street. Finally, the Rugby Club next to Brunton Park usually admits visiting fans and serves Theakstons and Yates beers to proper football and egg chasing fans alike. I’ve searched unsuccessfully for a saloon called the "Last Chance".
Edit.. my contact in the frozen north has confirmed that the Rugby Club will be open at 6.00 pm. Also received a suggestion of The Kings Head in the Town Centre.
See you there.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Slade refutes Yeovil Allegations
Russell Slade has given a statement to the official Brighton website which gives his version of events surrounding his departure from Yeovil. (see yesterday's BN for more on this story)
"I want to put the record straight following Yeovil Town's seriously inaccurate statement about me, released on their website last night. Firstly, I want to confirm that at no stage have I ever committed any misconduct at Yeovil Town or indeed at any time in my career.
"Throughout Yeovil's inquiry into this matter, which has been ongoing since November 2008, I have been assured by the LMA's legal team that I have no case to answer and am innocent of any misconduct.
"Having left Yeovil Town on 15th February, I attended an internal hearing with the club on 27 February 2009, during which they backed down and offered me a confidential compensation package with an agreed departure by mutual consent.
"I was pleased to reach an amicable resolution of the matter on that day and we all shook hands on the agreement. The agreement was also then confirmed in writing.
"I want to stress that I had no job to go to when the deal was done. I left Yeovil on 15th February and accepted the job of manager at Brighton & Hove Albion on 5th March, having met with Brighton chairman Dick Knight for the first time a few days previously.
"After accepting the job with Brighton, and following Yeovil's recent results, Yeovil Town have now tried to completely renege on our agreement. Even worse, they issued this inaccurate statement,which I am advised is seriously defamatory, and I am therefore obliged to set the record straight.
"Due to Yeovil's unfortunate actions, the matter is now with the LMA's lawyers, Russell Jones & Walker, and I am sure that full details will be made known in due course."
Robins easily see off United
Swindon Town defeated Hereford United 3-0 at the County Ground today on a sunny spring afternoon. The hosts went into the interval with a slender lead when Simon Cox headed in from close-range before they doubled their advantage with Cox profiting from a dubious refereeing decision. Billy Paynter added a third for Swindon with Hereford looking as good as down in front of 7129 fans.
After the comfortable defeat in mid-week at Scunthorpe, just one change was made to the starting line up with Sam Hewson coming into replace Stephen O'Leary, who is injured once again. Jack MacLeod started once again whilst the visitors named Reading loanee Hal Robson-Kanu in their line-up; the winger played against Hereford when on loan for Southend in September whilst two other loanees, Gordon Greer and Owain Tudur Jones both were handed starts by manager Danny Wilson.
Both sides made encouraging starts with early corners at either end but it was the hosts that started creating chances. Robson-Kanu cut in from the right hand side but fired over with his left foot whilst his pin-point switch to Paynter was bought down by the meaty striker before a placed effort was stopped by Peter Gulacsi. A good passing move from the Robins down the right saw Anthony McNamee use his speed to go past Richard Rose before a powerful shot was caught by Gulacsi; a quick break was on but MacLeod's mis-placed pass allowed Paynter a shot from a similar position to his first but this time he couldn't hit the target. Cox should have opened the scoring when he found himself un-marked in the box but his volley from a deft Robson-Kanu cross went wide but it didn't matter as soon after, he grabbed his opening strike.
It followed a sub due to an injury to Jamie Vincent with Jack Smith replacing him at left-back. The goal came from a short corner which caught the defence cold and a cross from McNamee was met by Cox who directed his header past Gulacsi from six yards.The hosts continued to press with Kevin Amankwaah volleying over after a corner wasn't fully cleared whilst superb link-up between the front pairing of Cox and Paynter saw the latter breeze past Dean Beckwith before forcing a smart block from Gulacsi with a powerful 20 yard right foot effort from a central position. The Bulls finally created a chance towards the end of the half when MacLeod's low pass from the right-wing was touched towards Guinan by Febian Brandy but the veteran striker's left-foot shot was dragged just past the near post. Gulacsi was on hand to stop a powerful low effort from Robson-Kanu after a deft touch from Cox had set him free whilst Brandy's fierce cross from the right-wing went between the 'keeper and defence but there was no-one there to get the all important touch.
Hereford needed a good start to the second-half if they were to stand any chance of getting back into the game and this hope was quickly diminished by Cox's second. A header clear was sent back into the danger area by Greer's bouncing half-volley and it was touched in by Cox, who amongst a number of other players looked offside, past Gulacsi. Strong arguments weren't heard by referee Stuart Atwell and Swindon went two up. United did make a strong response to the second goal with Hewson forcing a good save from 'keeper Phil Smith with a free-kick. From the Macleod corner that followed, Darren Dennehy stretched to win a header and saw his effort his the outside of the post. Swindon took control after this momentary lapse with Cox forcing a close-range save from Gulacsi after controlling a cross from the left; the follow-up was put in by Robson-Kanu but was ruled offside, much to the delight of the away support.
Former Reading striker Cox looked the part up front causing problems throughout with intelligent running and he sliced past the post after cutting in from the left whilst Robson-Kanu nearly added a superb third after he controlled a pass on the right, beat Rose with a couple of step-overs and curled a left foot shot against the post. A short free-kick in the middle of the park allowed J. Smith to find Paynter in the box whose shot was well parried by Gulacsi. Ben Smith replaced Hewson as Hereford looked for a little more threat in the attacking third whilst Lilian Nalis came on for Tudur Jones.
Despite the sub, the game was put beyond doubt when Paynter struck. Cox made a burst through the centre and fed Robson-Kanu, who easily got past Richard Jackson on the by-line before cutting back for Paynter who touched in from close-range. Simon Johnson replaced MacLeod late on and his through ball released Brandy but the little striker's low-shot was easily held by former Crawley 'keeper P. Smith. Mark Marshall came on for McNamee towards the end of the match with either side having late opportunities. Robson-Kanu struck powerfully over from the right hand side whilst at the other end, a pass down the line by Rose was touched down by Guinan for Brandy who flashed a shot into the side netting from 25 yards.
It's been a bad week for Hereford playing against teams beginning with 'S'. No goals scored, coupled with seven goals conceded equals no points and The Bulls are staring relegation in the face. They lacked passion today and more ultimately were lacking in quality which has been United's downfall throughout the season. Hereford used to be a team renowned for playing it on the floor but the majority of the play comes in the air where Guinan and Brandy are largely ineffective. In comparison, Swindon, amongst most other teams in the league can play both on the ground or in the air and do both well. Next up for Hereford is the daunting trip to Carlisle on Tuesday night; a win in that game may ignite the littlest of hope that they can pull themselves clear but it's very unlikely.
Hereford: Gulacsi, Jackson, Beckwith, Dennehy, Rose, MacLeod, Diagouraga, Hewson, Done, Brandy, Guinan.
Subs: Veiga, Broadhurst, Gwynne, Smith, Johnson.
Swindon: P. Smith, Amankwaah, Morrison, Greer, Vincent, Robson-Kanu, Timlin, Tudur Jones, McNamee, Paynter, Cox.
Subs: Brezovan, J. Smith, Nalis, Marshall, Sturrock.
Guinan slams Referee Attwell
Steve Guinan, the Hereford United, captain didn't mince his words about the decision of referee Stuart Attwell to give the second goal of this afternoon's game at Swindon.
"Me and the Gaffer went in before the game, swapped the team sheets and being honest when we found out it was him (Atwell) we were a little wary because obviously everyone knows about his history this season and he looked a little bit over-awed by the occassion. God knows what he is like when he is facing Premiership players," Guinan told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
"It's another cock-up from him. Everyone was moaning at the linesman, the fourth official came down and the referee told me to get everyone away so he could explain to me his decision.
"He just said that Cox was not interfering with play. I said how can he not infere with it? I said he's flicked it in and he said no he hasn't. He just missed the ball, dumbied it and the ball's gone in.
"Not a cat in hell's chance, he was offside, he's flicked the ball, the ball deviated by at least two yards and it's gone past Pete. But in their opinion it wasn't.
"The finish itself says it all. If Cox had been onside he would have turned and swivelled and smashed it in. He knew he was miles offside, he was waiting for the whistle to go.
"You can understand the linesman perhaps missing it and the referee getting it right or the referee missing it and the linesman flaging it. But for them all to get it wrong it's amazing.
"Right after half-time it absolutely kicks you in the guts and takes the stuffing out of you.
"But it's going to go down as another clanger from him."
Winger Matt Done was also interviewed after the game. Asked about the second Swindon goal he said it was an 'absolute joke'.
"A decision like that knocks the wind out of your sails and it was a big blow especially in a tight game like it was."
C L Pawson was originally set to referee the game. For whatever reason Stuart Attwell was a late replacement.
Wilson: "Second Goal Offside"
Swindon boss Danny Wilson praised his side's professionalism when speaking to their official site:
"You can set your standards and we did that today. We didn't play as fluidly as we did on Tuesday night, but Hereford competed very well. The first goal settled the nerves and to score so early in the second half was a massive bonus.
"I thought the second goal was offside but the Referee must have seen something because he didn't change his mind. These things level themselves out and that was the bit of good fortune we have been due. That was the goal that knocked the stuffing out of them.
"Simon Cox has done really well and I wouldn't bet against him 30 goals this season. Billy and Coxy are working incredibly hard and they are getting the rewards for that now. Long may it continue.
"The clean sheet was a bonus. We could have had a few clean sheets over the past few weeks but we are now showing the confidence to defend and we are a lot more positive in our decisions."
Stats From The County Ground
The Bulls managed just two shots on target, both late in the second half, and one off-target. Their hosts had 15 shots in total, nine on target.
Swindon won the corner count, 7 to 4, and committed more fouls 13 to 6.
The gate was reported as 7,129 with about 350 in the away end.
The Bulls are now 23rd in the form table after five straight losses. Only Yeovil, with two draws from the last six games, have earned fewer points.
Bottom of League One:
15 Hartlepool 39 -10 43
16 Carlisle 38 -13 42
17 Leyton Orient 38 -13 42
18 Crewe 38 -17 42
19 Northampton 36 1 41
20 Swindon 38 -4 41
21 Yeovil 37 -25 39
22 Brighton 37 -18 35
23 Hereford 36 -27 30
24 Cheltenham 37 -36 29
Peter Gulasci and, perhaps surprisingly, Febian Brandy was both awarded an eight for their performances.
Ex-Bull Watch
Michael McIndoe scored for Bristol City but they lost at QPR. Gary Hooper scored the opener as Scunthorpe beat Brighton. Adam Stansfield scored an early goal but Exeter lost at Accrington with Stuart Fleetwood a late sub. Moses Ashikodi was booked as Shrewsbury drew with Morecambe, with Nick Chadwick an unused sub.
Tim Sills scored the second as Torquay beat Northwich. He was also booked along with Chris Hargreaves. David Brown scored for Forest Green as they beat Altrincham, as did a Marcus Palmer who appears to have turned up there. Gareth Sheldon scored twice as Tamworth beat Hucknall. Graham Evans scored as Aberystwyth drew with NEWI Cefn Druids.
Results Round Up
Only a Huddersfield equaliser three minutes into injury time keeps the Bulls off the bottom of the table as Cheltenham failed to secure a third straight win in claiming only a 2-2 draw. Brighton remain in 22nd after a 2-0 loss at Scunthorpe, while Yeovil were the only one of the three 'safety target' sides to not win as they claimed a goalless draw with MK Dons. With Swindon moving to 41 points Northampton join them there with a 4-0 win over Stockport. Crewe put out the red alert signals again after losing 3-2 at home to Leeds to be only a point better off alongside Leyton Orient, who lost 1-0 at home to Walsall, and Carlisle, who lost 3-0 at Southend, on 42 points. Hartlepool are the last of the danger sides, with an eight point gap between them and Huddersfield, with the monkey hangers losing 3-2 at home to Millwall.
At the top Leicester drew 1-1 with Colchester and now need 14 points to guarantee promotion. Peterboro consolidated second place with a 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers, with Millwall now third and MK Dons fourth. Oldham lost 2-0 at home to Tranmere to further dent their play-off ambitions. The Latics are six points short, while Tranmere are only two.
In League Two Brentford stay six points clear despite not playing until Monday after Gillingham slipped to a 3-0 loss to strugglers Grimsby. Rochdale get a nosebleed going second after a 1-0 win at Wycombe. Down the bottom Chester slip into the drop zone after only getting a draw at Bury, while Luton win 1-0 at home to Macclesfield to continue their hopes. Shrewsbury drew 0-0 with Morecambe.
In the Conference Burton pushed on towards the title with a 2-1 win at Eastbourne. Cambridge and Histon didn't play, while Torquay moved third in beating Northwich 3-2. Forest Green secured a 5-2 win at Altrincham to move three points clear of the drop, while Kidderminster beat Woking 3-0 to move back within a point of the play-offs with a game in hand.
Sleepwalking Towards Relegation
The Bulls let Swindon claim all three points in today's League One match at the County Ground.
While the second goal had the look of offside, another questionable decision from controversial referee Stuart Attwell, the Bulls were barely in the match once the Robins had taken the lead and the 3-0 scoreline was equally deserved by both sides.
With the gap to safety now 11 points after five straight losses relegation is a fast looming prospect. With ten games left, the Bulls require six wins for Graham Turner's 48 point target and face four sides in poor form in quick sucession.
Full report later.
Wilson praises Turner
In advance of this afternoon's clash at Swindon, Danny Wilson has been praising the work of Graham Turner at Hereford.
"I would never under-estimate Graham Turner's side," Swindon manager Wilson told the Western Daily Press.
"They do remarkably well every season and with his resources I'm not sure how he manages to do it.
"Every season he keeps pulling a rabbit out of the hat and they have not only got some very good players but also players of real quality who can turn a game.
"If we are in any way complacent we will be punished but I would like to think that will not come into the equation."
Meanwhile Sam Hewson, on-loan from Old Trafford, is calling for a re-call to the Hereford's starting eleven this afternoon.
"My contract with Manchester United runs out at the end of this season so I am hoping that what I do for Hereford will convince them to offer me another one," Hewson told the WDP.
"If the worst happens, and I am released, I will have at least put myself in the shop window and may be taken on by another club.
"I scored my first Football League goal at Stockport which was a personal landmark for me before the two against Cheltenham from free-kicks.
"Cheltenham were a big, aggressive side and it gave me an early lesson in the physical contact you come up against in League One."
Follow the Bulls at Swindon
Hereford United make the short trip to Swindon today for another League One game. Three points from the County Ground is a must for the Bulls if they are to give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation.
Strong support for the team, on what is forecast to be another spring-like afternoon, could make the difference between winning and losing.
For those supporters who can't make the game BBC Hereford and Worcester will have full commentary on the game but only around Herefordshire on their 94.7fm frequency.
There will also be live commentary on BBC Radio Swindon (103.6, 104.3 & 104.9 FM and 1332 & 1368 MW), text commentary and score updates on the BBC Sport website.
With Jamie Griffiths on paternity leave, it is unknown, at the time of writing, whether the OS will have text commentary on the game.
Full List of this afternoon's League One Fixtures:
Bristol Rovers v Peterborough
Crewe v Leeds
Hartlepool v Millwall
Huddersfield v Cheltenham
Leicester v Colchester
Leyton Orient v Walsall
Northampton v Stockport
Oldham v Tranmere
Scunthorpe v Brighton
Southend v Carlisle
Swindon v Hereford
Yeovil v MK Dons
Friday, March 20, 2009
Bulls miss out on 'Excellence Award'.
Hereford United have missed out on being awarded a 'Football League Family Excellence Award' for 2008/9.
A total of 41 clubs have received the Award, recognising the truly outstanding experience they provide for young fans and families at their grounds.
In League One the following clubs have gained the award: Cheltenham Town, Colchester United, Huddersfield Town, Millwall, Milton Keynes Dons, Northampton Town, Oldham Athletic, Peterborough United, Southend United, Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers, Walsall, and Yeovil Town.
The Football League says that this season has seen a significant rise in the standard of family experiences being offered by clubs, with nine more clubs achieving the award than in 2007/08. A number of clubs have introduced more imaginative pricing structures to attract families and a more welcoming, family focussed stewarding team to ensure their experience is memorable.
The Award is based on an independent assessment of the family experience at all 72 League clubs, commissioned by The Football League, during the 2008/09 season using 'mystery shopper' families.
Some dates for next season
This season may be far from over yet but the planning never stops for The Football League's competitions department who have, this week, confirmed the key fixture dates for the 2009/10 season. Next season will kick off on 8th August 2009, with the Carling Cup - which celebrates its 50th year - getting underway a matter of days later during the week commencing 10th August 2009.
As ever, Christmas will be a busy period with four games in nine days, all kicking off on Saturday December 19th. These fixtures will be followed by a midweek game on the 23rd and the traditional Boxing Day fixtures, before the weekend comes to an end with a full fixture list on the Bank Holiday Monday the 28th. Once again, there will be no New Year's Day fixtures as the third Round of the FA Cup takes place the following day.
The Final of the Carling Cup will take place on 28th February 2010, with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final a month later on 28th March.
The growing number of international players in the Coca-Cola Football League, and the Championship in particular, has, once again, led to the Play-Off weekend having to be split over two weekends during a World Cup year. Unfortunately, the call-up period for the 2010 tournament falls during the May bank-holiday weekend, the traditional date for the Play-Offs. Therefore, following consultation with clubs it has been decided to schedule the Coca-Cola Championship Play-off Final on Saturday 22nd May 2010, with the Coca-Cola League 1 and 2 games being played the following weekend (League 2 - 29th - League 1 - 30th).
Consequently, the 'regular' league season for the Championship will finish on the weekend of the 2nd May, with the other two divisions finishing a week later.
HUISA spaces to Swindon tomorrow
As of this evening, there were still around half a dozen spaces on the HUISA coach trip to The County Ground. Departure is from Legends at 12.30 pm with a fare of £12 (members £11).
Anyone making a late decision to attend the game is welcome to turn up at mid-day. The remaining seats will be sold on a first come basis.
Slade dismissed following gross misconduct allegations
Yeovil Town Football Club have put out a statement which reveals that former manager Russell Slade was dismissed following allegations of gross misconduct.
Russell Slade's position as First Team Manager was terminated by the Club with immediate effect on 15 February 2009 following allegations of gross misconduct. This decision followed a disciplinary process which was carried out in accordance with the Club's Disciplinary Procedure following advice from the Club's professional advisers.
Although Russell Slade had always denied the allegations, the outcome of the process, which had been ongoing since November 2008, was that the Club believed there were reasonable grounds to conclude that Russell Slade had committed gross misconduct and, based on this belief, the Club decided that the position warranted the summary termination of his employment.
What is surprising about the statement is that Yeovil chairman John Fry has made any statement on the matter after saying that on legal advice he would not do so.
Slade, who is now manager at Brighton, is believed to have received a pay-off from Yeovil following his dismissal.
Swindon Launch 09/10 Season Ticket Sales Campaign.
With The Bulls due to visit The County Ground on Saturday, it is interesting to read that they are tempting fans with a "free U10’s" offer when an adult season ticket is renewed. The scheme applies to any area of the ground. Sales of next years season tickets start on Monday of next week and include a newly introduced easy payment scheme enabling fans to pay over 10 months along with a new "three year" ticket to enable fans to benefit long term from current pricing.
Last season, Swindon reduced the cost of their cheapest adult seated ticket to £269 for the year and signed up an additional 2000 ST holders as a result. The Official Swindon site is reporting that this year’s offers are a response to the present economic climate and also to suggestions received from fans.
Meanwhile Millwall has announced that they are to freeze their season ticket prices whichever League they are in next season. They have also decided to drop the concession rate for senior citizens to those aged 60 and above.
Wilson Ready For 'Big Week'
Swindon boss Danny Wilson has spoken to their official site about tomorrow's game and the 'big week' ahead for his club:
"It's a big week. We'll look at Hereford first, if we can get three points against Hereford it puts us in a very strong position and it gives us some momentum as well. It think a lot of teams around us will be looking over their shoulders."
Loan defender Gordon Greer also spoke about the match: "It's a very big game for us obviously they're below us. We've got lots of teams to play around us so these are the games that are six pointers so hopefully we can go out Saturday and put on a good performance and get the result that we need."
Swindon are giving discounted admission to the game for locals who are either unemployed or have been put on leave by local employer Honda, with Adult tickets available for the match for just £5 for those with the correct paperwork.
Friday Reminder - Swindon Predictions
This is a reminder to everyone who enters or wants to enter the Bulls News Prediction League that you can now predict for tomorrow's trip to Swindon.
To enter, simply send in your final score and attendance predictions to bullsnewspredictions@hotmail.co.uk along with your username. The deadline for the Swindon match is at 2.30pm on Saturday 21st March. You can also predict for Tuesday night's trip to Carlisle if you wish.
News Round Up
Cheltenham's bid for a loan will be considered by their local council on March 30th. In a statement, chairman Paul Baker said they have an immediate £200,000 funding shortfall of which half has been funded by the current board. Baker also discloses that wages at the club are £1.4million for this season, and that they are 'punching above their weight' despite cutting the wage bill by £8,000 a week. They have signed Northampton striker Leon Constantine on loan. He has scored three times in 33 games this season.
Weymouth will revert to part-time status for next season. The new board have given manager Alan Lewer a budget to work with this season in a bid to reverse their current form. Leeds have loaned midfielder Peter Sweeney to Grimsby. Crewe have extended the loan of Gylfi Sigurdsson until the end of the season. Accrington have loaned striker Paul Mullin, a former Bulls target, to Bradford in a bid to cut costs.
Bury are set to announce an extension to the sponsorship deal with the local council worth £160,000 over three years. The council have been the club's major backers for five seasons. Darlington expect to have a player exodus in the summer, with the club unlikely to be able to cover their full wages. Boss Dave Penney has not been able to send scouts to matches since they entered Administration.
Carlisle have loaned teenage striker Gary Madine to Rochdale for a month. The 18 year old has started only one League match, coming on as a sub 24 times. Local press have revealed that departed Forest Green captain John Hardiker quit the club after being prosecuted for driving off from a petrol station without paying for fuel for a second time in six months.
Altrincham have warned they face a budget cut next season after gates fell 25% under their break-even figure in recent weeks. Peterboro have loaned striker Ben Wright to Kettering for a month. Tranmere have signed Leicester winger Robbie Burns on a months loan after the player signed his first pro contract with the Foxes.
Northampton have signed Colchester striker Scott Vernon on loan for a month. He has scored four times in 35 games this season. The Cobblers have announced a £146,895 loss for last season, compared to a £668,608 loss the season before. They are pinning their long term finances on a redevelopment of their Sixfields home.
Ex-Bull Andy Ferrell may miss the remainder of the season after his knee operation found more damage than initially thought. He was expected to only miss a month after the operation at the start of the month, but may not be back for Kidderminster until the summer now.
O'Leary doubt for Swindon Match
Hereford United midfielder Stephen O'Leary is a doubt for tomorrow's important game at Swindon. He is reported to have missed training yesterday. Andy Williams and Josh Gowling will both miss the game.
Meanwhile Hereford United coach John Trewick says the Bulls still have a chance of avoiding relegation.
“We know that we have to win at least two of our next three games if we are to stand any chance of staying up,” Trewick told the Worcester News.
“We are not at a make-or-break situation yet, that will be when we come to the game that we have to win or it will be mathematically impossible for us to stay up.
“We know it is unlikely that we are going to win six or seven games on the trot, but that won’t stop us trying.
“If we play to our capabilities then we stand a good chance.
“We need to make sure that the players are physically and mentally prepared for the coming weeks and we have to eradicate the mistakes that we have been making.
“We know that this game at Swindon is an extremely important one for us, if we start like we did at Scunthorpe we are in trouble.
“The longer it is 0-0 in a match, you always have a chance.”
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Seven Days Left Of Do Or Die
Clubs in League One have seven days left to loan in new faces - and enter Administration with the points deduction this season.
The March 26th deadline, the fourth Thursday of the month, was brought in after both Boston and Leeds plunged themselves into Administration during their final matches of the season as relegation was almost certain already. While Boston eventually folded, Leeds rewrote the rule books in fighting the Football League.
Last season three sides took the Administration step in League One. All three were heavily punished the following season after failing to return to the fold under the control of a CVA. Clubs that take the step of entering Administration after March 26th will be dealt with by the Football League on a case by case basis - meaning that the points deduction can be applied at any point.
Turner to shuffle squad for Swindon
Hereford United manager Graham Turner looks likely to make changes to the starting eleven for the game at Swindon on Saturday. Last Tuesday he dropped Matt Done, Sam Gwynne and Sam Hewson for the game at Scunthorpe.
"We have made a few changes over the last few matches," Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "But what I didn't want to do is sit down at the end of the season and think I should have done something about it, I should have changed the team a little bit.
"There's a few in there who will put their heads in and put their foot in, work their socks off for the cause and that's what we have to have.
"It's easy with hindsight but, with the games coming thick and fast you needs fresh legs. You need fresh faces."
As regards the Swindon game, Turner is well aware that the Bulls need three points if they are to have any chance of avoiding relegation.
"I don't care about the level of performance. We just need the three points out of the game.
"We have to go there with that intention of taking the game to Swindon.
"A draw now is welcome to stop the rot but three points from games are vital to us now in this quest to get out of relegation trouble.
"They are also under pressure and they will be under pressure from their crowd if we can get a good start so all those things will play a part but first of all we have to work a lot harder then we have done over the last four matches.
"The most important thing is to go out there and scrap for the thee points and scrap for our lives in the first division.
"I know we have to work very hard, and I know other teams have to slip up."
Chester Sold To Property Developer
Stephen Vaughan has sold his stake in Chester City to a property developer, it is being reported.
Local radio station Dee 106.3 state that Gary Metcalf, owner of developers Property First Asset Management Ltd, has bought the club for an unknown sum. His company was one of two vying to take on ambitious redevelopment plans at the Deva stadium last September but the work never got off the ground.
The news comes hours after Grimsby's chairman told the press that Vaughan was set to put the club into Administration. John Fenty told the Grimsby Telegraph: "In speaking to the Chester chairman, they are seriously considering going into administration. It is a question of whether they will do it before March 26."
Metcalf, like Vaughan, is a Liverpool based businessman with the pair claimed previously to be co-managers of boxer Derry Matthews, who used to fight for Vaughan Promotions. The news of the takeover has been met with caution by Chester fans.
Stockport Under Transfer Embargo
Stockport have been placed under a transfer embargo by the Football League.
The club are claimed to owe money to the PFA and have been barred from signing any further players. The problem is exacerbated by injured to both senior keepers, with Owain Fon Williams looking like joining Lloyd Rigby in requiring shoulder surgery.
New CEO Sean Connolly is to speak to the FL about an emergency loan keeper, while he has issued his own embargo on the club barring both the club board and Trust board from issuing statements claiming the interim statements are causing gossip.
Meanwhile, supporters have set up an online petition to press the local council for financial assistance. 1,200 supporters have so far signed the request.
News Round Up
Weymouth have re-appointed journalist Ian Ridley as their Chairman, just days after he said he couldn't go back due to the FA investigation into the club's finances, as head of a new six man board. It is currently unclear how they will be dealing with the club's debt. Grays owner Mick Woodward will quit as chairman in the summer, saying he will no longer bankroll the club.
Yeovil have signed Spurs' teenage duo Jonathan Obika and Andros Townsend. Striker Obika was top scorer in their Academy side last season and played in their UEFA Cup campaign this season, while winger Townsend was in the UEFA squad. Crewe captain Julien Baudet is wanted by US side Colorado Rapids. He is out of contract in the summer.
Macclesfield boss Keith Alexander has been cleared to return to work after a brain scan found no cause for concern. Notts County's Trust have seen three departures from it's board. The major shareholder in the club is split by in-fighting over the claimed secrecy over the club finances with the latest departure claiming: "The Trust is no longer acting in the best interest of its members and I wish to distance myself from its failure to perform its duties."
Cheltenham Look To Council Loan As Three Leave
Local press are suggesting that Cheltenham Borough Council may bail Cheltenham Town out of their financial crisis.
thisisgloucestershire.co.uk is claiming that a £100,000 loan from the council is on the cards with further departures being caused by their ongoing financial problems. Jamie Vincent's long awaited departure for Colchester has been confirmed, along with two more departures.
Midfielder Ian Westlake, who only arrived on a six month contract in January, has joined Oldham on loan for the remainder of the season while big striker Damian Spencer is expected to move to Brentford after agreeing terms.
Despite recording two sucessive home wins the club remain deep in trouble and ten points short of safety. Crowds have plummeted in recent weeks with Tuesday's win over Tranmere their worst gate of the season, and over 1,000 under their average. The level of that gate, and the previous win over Hartlepool when only 100 more came through the turnstiles, is believed to have forced the board into offloading more players to stave off Administration.
Preview: Swindon vs Bulls
The Bulls head to Swindon Town for a make or break League One match on Saturday.
It's probably do or die for the Bulls as they face one of the three 'target' teams on 38 points. Win and the gap drops down to a more manageable five points. Lose and the chasm goes into double figures. A draw, like the one the two sides shared in September, will do neither side much good.
Swindon's pre-season high hopes have transformed into another disappointing season. Despite Maurice Malpas' departure form has not picked up, leaving them on the edge of the relegation spots. Tuesday's 3-0 win over a disappointing Southend side would have done their confidence the world of good, and their home form is - like the Bulls - substantially better than the form on their travels. Goals aren't a problem either, at either end, with an average of three goals a game at the County Ground this season and half of them for the away side.
The Bulls stand on the brink and desperately need to secure the three points from yet another crucial match. A fifth straight defeat would be the worst run of form since they dropped out of the Football League in 1997. The last of those six defeats was away at Scunthorpe before they went away again and secured a 1-0 win. A repeat of that particular piece of history will be most welcome after Tuesday.
Swindon Town vs Hereford United, County Ground, Saturday 21st March, 3.00pm.
Threlfall to Sweden via Portugal
A former loan player at Hereford United is joining Swedish outfit Djurgardens in a loan agreement with Liverpool.
Robbie Threlfall, a two-time FA Youth Cup winner flies to the Stockholm-based club’s training camp in Portugal, where he will be introduced to the media later today.
At 20 years of age, Threlfall still hopes to carve out a career at Anfield, but loan spells at Edgar Street and Stockport are yet to earn him a league appearance under Rafa Benitez.
A broken foot at the back end of 2008 has not helped Threlfall's cause.
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