Sweet Caroline, the Neil Diamond song, has been re-issued this week on iTunes following a esipsode of Glee, an American 'genre-defying new musical comedy series'.
The song has been around for decades (it was first released in September 1969) and was originally made famous in the UK by Radio Caroline.
However in recent years the song has been used by various football and other sporting clubs as well as supporters groups firstly in the US and later in the UK.
This from Wikipedia:
The song is usually sung by supporters of English football team Arsenal and Northern Ireland fans where it is heard at Windsor Park before the match, at half time and after the final whistle is blown.
“Sweet Caroline” is the official club song at Brunton Park, home of Carlisle United FC of Football League One, where it is played as the players make their entrance; it is a fan favourite in Cumbria and was chosen by fan vote. In the past two seasons it has also been often used at Hereford United away matches, which is always started by a group of fans known as the ‘Fun Bus’.
In the 2005/2006 English Football season “Sweet Caroline” was adopted by the players of Reading Football Club. For many fans of Reading FC it evokes memories of the record breaking season of 05/06 when Reading scored 106 points to walk away with the Coca Cola Championship title.
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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sweet Caroline, Football and the Fun Bus
Blanchett Loan Confirmed by Posh
Peterborough United have confirmed that defender Daniel Blanchett will stay with Hereford United for a second month.
They report that the deal is until the end of November.
McCall Keeps Morale Up
Bradford boss Stuart McCall has told the press that morale is still good in his camp despite their poor recent run.
They have just two points from twelve since beating Chesterfield a month ago, but McCall says the run hasn't dented the mood: "There is a good atmosphere among us and with the supporters and that hasn't changed.
"Don't get me wrong, I don't like losing football games but the performance against Crewe was excellent and on another day we’d have won comfortably. Possession-wise and the time we spent in their box-wise was very even. As long as we keep going on the coat tails of the play-off places, four or five points behind, it doesn't matter where we are in the league right now.
"We are realistic about it. Although we had a good run, there will come stages in the season when a couple of results go against you. It's how we react. With young lads you're always going to get those ups and downs. You look for consistency with players and that tends to improve as you mature. We should be sat on more points than we are but there's no reason to be all doom and gloom.
"John (Still, Dagenham boss) said we were the best side he's seen by a long stretch. On that performance, he felt we have a lot more about us compared to last year and we know we can do better."
The Bantams have a lengthy injury list, but hope to have Michael Boulding back for Saturday's game after he was sent home with a virus earlier in the week.
News Round Up
Bournemouth have had an attempt to pay the taxman blocked. With their bank account still frozen after having the taxman's winding up order republished last month, the Judge in control of the case has refused them permission to make the payment. After questioning the court, the local press say the Judge felt the payment was not 'strictly necessary'. They are expected to pay the £150,000 lump sum by the end of this week.
Shrewsbury have signed two new forwards on loan. Doncaster's teenage striker Waide Fairhurst and Hull winger Jamie Devitt have both signed for a month. Devitt has just finished a similar spell at Darlington but refused a second month. Lincoln have signed Aston Villa pair Nathan Baker and Eric Lichaj on loan. The two young defenders are yet to make their first team debuts at Villa Park.
England Womens coach Hope Powell has denied applying for the Grimsby job after press speculation. Cheltenham Chairman Paul Baker has called on fans to get behind the club. Speaking to the press he says the current plight is the worst of his time at the club. Exeter's Supporters' Trust has passed the £1million mark in contributions to the club since they took control of the club in 2003. They are still ploughing £6,500 a month into the club from their 2,700 members.
Forest Green hope to be staging some part of the 2018 World Cup if England get to host the tournament. They have been named as one of the cluster of clubs around Bristol that can stage training and media sessions for competing teams. Torquay have lost the services of striker Danny Mills after Peterboro recalled him one month into his three month spell due to a lack of games.
Darlington have signed Aston Villa's teenage forward James Collins on a three month loan. Grimsby have agreed to loan teenage defender, and current club captain, Ryan Bennett to Peterboro until January when a permanent transfer will take place. No fee has yet been revealed.
Blanchett Loan Deal to be Extended
An extention of the loan of defender Danny Blanchett from Peterborough to Hereford United is expected to be confirmed later today.
Today's Hereford Times is reporting that the deal is done 'in principle'.
The paper also reports that both Darren Jones and Darren Dennehy will return to training this morning. However it reveals that Marc Pugh is unlikely to play against Bradford City on Saturday as he needs more time to get over his injury.
Later in an interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester manager John Trewick said:
"We're just trying to sort out the paperwork and Danny will be staying for another month.
"We're pleased to have all three (King, Marshall and Blanchett) tied up as they have all contributed to our recent good run of form."
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Basingstoke for Young Bulls
In a repeat of two seasons ago, Hereford United under 18's will travel to Basingstoke for their first round proper FA Youth Cup.
The game is expected to be played on Monday November 2nd.
Earlier this evening Basingstoke defeated Havant and Waterlooville 2-1.
The 2007 tie resulted in a 6-4 win for the young Bulls. Scorers that evening were Steve Smith 2, Bobby Terrett 2, Gareth Thomas and Craig Jones.
Less Money for FA Cup Victory
With the draw for the first round of the FA Cup taking place on Sunday, it is timely to note that those in charge of the competition have decided to drop the value of a cup-tie win by about 10%.
First Round Winner : £18,000 (was £20,000 last season)
Second Round Winner : £27,000 (was £30,000)
Third Round Winner : £67,500 (was £75,000)
Fourth Round Winner : £90,000 (was £100,000)
Fifth Round Winner : £180,000 (was £200,000)
Sixth Round Winner : £360,000 (was £400,000)
Semi-Final Winner : £900,000 (was £1,000,000)
Semi-Final Loser : £450,000 (was £500,000)
FA Cup Winner : £1,800,000 (was £2,000,000)
FA Cup Loser : £900,000 (was £1,000,000)
Dates of Rounds:
First Round - Saturday 7th November, 2009
Second Round - Saturday 28th November, 2009
Third Round - Saturday 2nd January, 2010
Fourth Round - Saturday 23rd January, 2010
Fifth Round - Saturday 13th February, 2010
Sixth Round - Saturday 6th March, 2010
Semi-Final - Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th April, 2010
Final - Saturday 15th May, 2010
Is Calling Someone Judas Acceptable?
Hereford United supporters who recently went to watch the Carling Cup game at Portsmouth might remember the sight of certain Pompey fan to the left of the away end.
John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood is arguably the best known football fan in England. Not only does he follow Pompey week in, week out but – as you might already have guessed – he even changed his name by deed poll just in case you couldn’t work out who he supported.
However last Saturday he and five other Pompey fans were thrown out from Fratton Park for "Taking the Mickey out of the Stewards."
Harry (I’m Portsmouth ‘til I die) Redknapp was back at the ground with his latest club Spurs. He's managed Pompey twice in his career but left firstly to go to Southampton and secondly to Spurs. Every reason for a bit of banter.
The FSF take up the story:
So a few fans got together and produced posters with ‘Judas!’ written across an image of Redknapp. They sold them at a few local pubs for a quid a pop with all profits going to local charity the Tom Prince Cancer Trust.
Now let’s not forget chants of ‘Judas!’ have echoed across football grounds for decades - this is a word with a fine tradition among supporters! It’s a tongue-in-cheek insult that Redknapp is more than capable of taking on the chin. No one really thinks Redknapp is Judas Iscariot. Judas chose money over loyalty while Redknapp left Portsmouth for the second time in four years. We can’t see the similarity at all.
The stewards and police at Fratton Park were less than amused though.
During the first half Westwood’s group held up one of the posters they’d smuggled in. Stewards spotted it and demanded they give it up but it quickly disappeared only to reappear once our yellow jacketed friends had moved on. This is repeated a few more times before stewards swoop on the group and eject Westwood from the stadium where they tell him he’s been kicked out for “taking the Mickey.”
In a show of support and defiance towards the end of the game those around Westwood pass round the picture again, are spotted on camera, and chucked out as well.
It’s a worrying trend as more and more stewards seem to be dictating what is or isn’t morally acceptable. No one’s condoning racism, homophobia, or the type of insults Redknapp says he received to his phone. Those people are nuts, we don’t want them near the game, and they deserve whatever punishment they get.
But calling someone Judas – is that really unacceptable? Of course not, it’s just banter and as soon as you put a stop to that you kill off one of the main reasons why people go to games. Winding up the opposition, a few beers, and a bit of crack with your mates. As long as it’s within the law why should it be up to stewards to decide what is or isn’t morally acceptable?
How sterile do Pompey want their ground to be? This is a club famed for its atmosphere after all – if they’re not careful they might just alienate the very people who make it in the first place.
Clashes between Pompey’s more boisterous supporters and stewards at Fratton Park have been a running theme over the past couple of years. We hear that the Portsmouth FC hierarchy is meeting with the club’s fans over the next few days to talk about Saturday’s events and previous stewarding issues.
This is a step in the right direction and credit to the club for that.
Let’s hope common sense prevails and the Pompey faithful can get back to supporting their team without having to worry about whether a steward thinks the joke is on them.
Travel to Bradford
Bradford City v Hereford United
Football League 2
Saturday 24th October 2009 KO 3.00 pm
Coral Window Stadium (Valley Parade)
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD8 7DY
Phone 01274 773355
Ticket Office 01274 770012
Visiting fans are no longer housed in the two-tiered stand at the one end with Bradford now preferring to provide accommodation in part of the Midland Road Stand to one side of the pitch. Bulls' fans are expected to be in blocks F and G. The view will be good but that is little consolation when you realise that having paid top-wack to get in, the home fans get exactly the same view with their "tuppenny ha'penny" season tickets. Admission is £20 for adults, Seniors £14 and U16's £12. Bradford's student ticket price is only available to home fans that are members of their student scheme.
Directions:- Bradford is off the M62 so you have a choice of going via the M6, or the M42/M1 route. In either case, leave the M62 at J26 and take the M606 towards Bradford. At the end of the M606 take the centre or right hand lanes and follow signs for Ring Road East (under tunnel) onto Rooley Lane (sign Leeds/Bradford Airport). Pass McDonalds on your left and then over a set of lights by an Asda store then turn left at the roundabout into Wakefield Road. Stay in the middle lane, over two roundabouts and onto Shipley Airedale Road (A6037), which then becomes Canal Road. Just after a Tesco store, turn left into Station Road (A6177) and left again into Queens Road. At the third set of lights, turn left into Manningham Lane then after the Gulf filling station turn left into Valley Parade. There is no public parking at the stadium and limited street parking. Distance approx 180 miles. Allow three and a half hours. Postcode BD8 7DY.
HUISA - Departs Radford’s at 8.30am. Fare £19 (£20 non-members). Bookings through club office (08442 761939)
FUNBUS - Departs Radford’s at 8.30am. (Worcester South 9.15ish) Full.
Refreshments - There is the Carlton pub that is only a few minutes walk from behind the Kop Stand. It does allow in away fans, but the pub is quite a basic one. There are also a couple of hotels with bars; all about a ten-minute walk away. They are the Park & Cartwright hotels. Just continue to walk on the main road by the ground away from the town centre and at the traffic lights where the entrance to the park is, turn right and you will see them in a row on your right. Also about a ten minute walk away is the "Corn Dolly" a good real ale pub on Bolton Road, but this has more of a home fan feel about it. Otherwise it is probably wise to drink in the centre or if you are feeling adventurous jump in a taxi and visit the Fighting Cock in Preston St, which serves excellent real ale and has often been listed in "the book" (serves Weston's). Also in the centre is the Shoulder of Mutton at 28 Kirkgate (Close to the Station) offering decent Sam Smith's and good food at reasonable prices. If you're looking for something a little different, you could try The New Beehive on Westgate Hill Street. It's an Edwardian gas-lit Pub full of character and good ale. Finally, in Centenary Square, you will find both a Wetherspoons and a Lloyds within staggering distance of each other.
The nearest chippy to the ground is probably the one just off the Manningham Road at 1A Bowland Street. Otherwise, for those in the centre, there is The In Plaice at 1 Sunbridge Road (near Centenary Square).
See you there.
Chester City Troubles Continue
The Football Conference has placed an immediate player embargo on Chester City. It appears Chester have not paid several football creditors.
1. Chester City FC has not complied with the terms of the compromise agreement set by the Football Conference to allow the club to participate in the competition at the commencement of the current season; and further to that fact, the club has been given 7 days, operative up to 5.30pm 26th October 2009, in which to meet the said payment terms of that agreement, otherwise they face the threat of expulsion from the Football Conference.
2. Chester City FC has failed to pay monies owing to Wrexham FC for away ticket sales relating to their fixture played on 27th September 2009 and further to that fact, the club has failed to meet a 7-day payment deadline imposed by the Football Conference.
3. Chester City has failed to pay Vauxhall Motors FC monies owed in relation to the loan of Paul Taylor, which should have been met no later than 14th October 2009.
Chester are bottom of the Conference.
FA Cup Draw - Bulls No 23
The Football Association have confirmed the numbers clubs will be in Sunday's FA Cup sponsored by E.ON 1st round draw.
Hereford United supporters will be looking out for number 23 when the draw is made live in a special FA Cup programme on ITV1 between 1.00pm and 1.30pm.
1 Accrington Stanley
2 AFC Bournemouth
3 Aldershot Town
4 Barnet
5 Bradford City
6 Brentford
7 Brighton & Hove Albion
8 Bristol Rovers
9 Burton Albion
10 Bury
11 Carlisle United
12 Charlton Athletic
13 Cheltenham Town
14 Chesterfield
15 Colchester United
16 Crewe Alexandra
17 Dagenham & Redbridge
18 Darlington
19 Exeter City
20 Gillingham
21 Grimsby Town
22 Hartlepool United
23 Hereford United
24 Huddersfield Town
25 Leeds United
26 Leyton Orient
27 Lincoln City
28 Macclesfield Town
29 Millwall
30 Milton Keynes Dons
31 Morecambe
32 Northampton Town
33 Norwich City
34 Notts County
35 Oldham Athletic
36 Port Vale
37 Rochdale
38 Rotherham United
39 Shrewsbury Town
40 Southampton
41 Southend United
42 Stockport County
43 Swindon Town
44 Torquay United
45 Tranmere Rovers
46 Walsall
47 Wycombe Wanderers
48 Yeovil Town
49 Hinckley United or Histon
50 Nuneaton Town or Kendal Town
51 FC Halifax Town or Wrexham
52 Gateshead or Southport
53 Workington or Rushden & Diamonds
54 Mansfield Town or Altrincham
55 Buxton or Stourbridge
56 Blyth Spartans or AFC Telford United
57 Ilkeston Town or Tamworth
58 Lincoln United or Cambridge United
59 Kettering Town or Redditch United
60 Northwich Victoria or FC United of Manchester
61 Barrow or Chester City
62 Kidderminster Harriers or Fleetwood Town
63 York City or Bedworth United
64 Hendon or Woking
65 Gloucester City or Lowestoft Town
66 Farnborough or Salisbury City
67 Mangotsfield United or Forest Green Rovers
68 Crawley Town or AFC Wimbledon
69 Oxford City or Bury Town
70 Bromley or Ebbsfleet United
71 Chelmsford City or Stevenage Borough
72 Aylesbury or Wealdstone
73 Dover Athletic or Eastleigh
74 Hayes & Yeading United or Staines Town
75 Luton Town or Grays Athletic
76 Oxford United or Thurrock
77 Bath City or AFC Totton
78 Paulton Rovers or Chippenham Town
79 Tooting & Mitcham United or Eastbourne Borough
80 Hampton & Richmond Borough or Sutton United
Trewick looking for first away win.
Hereford United travel to Bradford City on Saturday looking for their first away win of the season. The Bulls are one of only three teams in League Two still awaiting three points from their travels.
"It`s not worrying me because we`ve shown in matches that we`re capable of getting a win, we`ve been unlucky once or twice away from home," Trewick told PA Sport.
"We`ve drawn three and we`ve lost three but certainly in two or three of those games we might easily have been in a position to have got three points, nevermind the one point.
"So at this stage it`s not a worry. Obviously it would be nice to get our first win sooner rather than later. But we`ve played reasonably well away from home at times and not got the result that possibly we might have done."
News Round Up
Last night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie ended up with Accrington beating Shrewsbury 2-0. Ex-Bull Wayne Powell, who played six times for the club in the 78/79 season, has been appointed as caretaker boss at Leamington. Jon Wallis scored for Dover, but they lost 3-2 to Basingstoke to remain second in Conf South.
Torquay will report 'a thumping loss' financially on last season's promotion. Director Paul Bristow, who won £15million on the Lottery, has covered the losses. It doesn't rain but pour for John Barnes. Just days after being sacked as Tranmere manager, he has been declared bankrupt. He was earning a reported £4,000 a week as Tranmere boss, but has six kids and one current and one ex-wife to support.
Bradford have made a 'take it or leave it' offer to Guiseley for striker James Hanson. If they fail to accept the deal, believed to be a four figure cash sum plus friendly game and sell-on clause, then the two clubs will face a tribunal. Guiseley want £50,000. Morecambe have recalled winger Neil Wainwright from his loan spell at Barrow. He scored once in five games during his month.
Shrewsbury have decided not to employ a new Chief Executive due to financial reasons. Port Vale have sent five first team players home from training due to a virus spreading through the camp.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Allen denies allegations
Cheltenham Town manager Martin Allen has denied reports that he abused a doorman at a local night club.
"A number of false and grossly untrue allegations have recently been made about me in relation to an alleged incident outside a nightclub a few weeks ago, including the completely untrue allegation that I made a racial remark.
"I wish to confirm that these allegations are untrue and deeply hurtful to me and I will now be taking appropriate steps to clear my name.
"In the meantime I will be making no further comment."
Meanwhile Police, alerted by reports about Allen in the Gloucestershire press, have decided to look into the allegations.
FL Pass Magpies Ownership
The Football League has given the all-clear to Notts County's takeover after lengthy discussions.
The FL will not reveal the ownership of the club, leaving that up to the Magpies themselves. A statement reads:
The Football League has confirmed that Notts County Football Club has complied with its regulations on Fit and Proper Persons. This decision is based on the extensive disclosure provided by the club with regard to its ownership structure.
This structure is complicated, and features both offshore entities and discretionary trusts. Together with the initial hesitation of the club's ultimate owners to identify themselves, this made for a lengthy and at times difficult process.
However, following greater co-operation from the club more recently, The League is now in a position to confirm that it is in possession of the appropriate details for those individuals that exercise control over the club. The League has also noted the club's announcement on Monday, October 12 that its consultancy arrangement with Russell King has been terminated.
It is a matter for the club to determine what ownership information it makes public.
This is the first case determined by the League following the recent announcement that it would require disclosure of ownership of clubs that wish to play in its League.
Meanwhile Accrington are to sell off a 10% stake in the club to supporters in a bid to raise money. The 1,000 share sale at £250+vat each values the club at over £2.8million.
Preview: Bradford vs Bulls
The Bulls travel to face Bradford City in a League Two match on Saturday.
The Bulls did the double in their only League season together in 28 years. The pair of 07/08 meetings saw Trevor Benjamin and Theo Robinson score in both games as the Bulls won 4-2 at Edgar Street before winning 3-1 at Valley Parade shortly after. Overall the two sides have met in just seven League seasons, with the Bulls winning half of the encounters and earning three draws.
The Bantams have a familiar face in their ranks in Stephen O'Leary but, much like his time with the Bulls, his spell in Yorkshire has been blighted with injury. A toe injury is set to sideline him for another month to leave him with just one appearance in more than three months with the club due to injury. Veteran striker Peter Thorne is to also miss the game with a muscle tear. Thorne has managed only three starts this season as part of an injury ravaged Bantams side who sit 13th in the table after five matches without a win.
Such is the Bulls' rise that they will overtake the mid-table Bantams with a win on Saturday, but it would be a first for the season to get a three point haul on the road. The extensions of the loans of Mark Marshall and the Duracell bunny-like Craig King are more than welcome, keeping strong competition for places throughout the squad. Jonny Godsmark and Edrissa Sonko will continue to push those in the starting XI all the way, while Marc Pugh is hoped to be fit.
Bradford City vs Hereford United, Valley Parade, Saturday 24th October, 3.00pm.
News Round Up
Crewe have taken goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu on trial, after boss Dario Gradi criticised loan keeper David Button's ability. Button is on loan at the club until January. Lincoln hope to resurrect a loan deal for Peterboro winger Sergio Torres, but Posh's Barry Fry has confirmed to the press they want to pay less to keep him. The Imps are expecting a £2,000 fine after getting six players booked in a game for the second time this season on Saturday.
Dean Windass has expressed an interest in taking the manager's job at Grimsby. Club legend John McDermott, who played over 700 times for the Mariners, has also been touted for the job. Notts County hope to appoint a new manager in the next week, having already interviewed two of five of a shortlist. Sven Goran Ericsson is set to stay with the club after he reportedly ruled himself out of the running for the Sweden job.
Accrington midfielder John Mullin has joined Burnley's coaching staff on a part time basis. He will assist their Centre of Excellence staff while he struggles for fitness with an ankle injury.
Another Month at Hereford for Marshall
Swindon Town's Mark Marshall is to stay on loan with Hereford United for another month. The 21 year old winger will return to the County Ground on November 24th.
"I'm just happy to be getting the games at the moment, because more games mean more league experience and that's all I'm after," Marshall told the Swindon Official Site.
"I've spoken to the manager at Swindon and he's pleased with my progress so we're just going to give it another month to see how it goes.
"I am hoping to get back to Swindon, but it's important that I don't turn down any opportunities to play regularly," he said.
"I just want to get as far as I can in football and whether that's at Swindon or Hereford we'll just have to see."
Two-faced Allen?
With Martin Allen apparently facing disciplinary action following his alleged remarks to a Cheltenham Nightclub doorman, his comments back in 2005 appear somewhat contradictory.
Allen criticised Oldham Athletics manager (Ronnie Moore) for declaring a St George's flag with the words "Born in England Live in England Die in England" not racist. The flag carried by a fan at two clashes between Oldham and Brentford angered Brentford manager Martin Allen who said he felt the words on the flag were racially offensive. He spoke out after his side's FA cup match against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.
Mr Allen explained the London club has a number of black players in the squad who took great offence at the message.
He said: "Sadly, very sadly, that flag has racist undertones and we made a complaint about it then. Although it was removed it came back out again near the end of the game and nothing was done about it. It made it a difficult afternoon.
"If we see it again at our ground I will find the person responsible and burn it in front of him. There is no room for it in society or in football."
Allen on Gardening leave at Cheltenham
The Official Cheltenham website is this morning carrying an article regarding their controversial Manager.
"Do to adverse reports in the press regarding Martin Allen the Board of Directors have informed Martin that he will not be required to attend work pending an investigation into the allegations that have been reported."
"Martin Allen has therefore been placed on gardening leave and John Schofield has been asked to take temporary charge of team affairs pending the outcome of the Club's investigation."
"At this time The Club will not be making any further comment."
The Thisisgloucestershire.co.uk website carries the following report:
Cheltenham Town manager Martin Allen has been suspended after he was accused of racially abusing a nightclub bouncer. The 44-year-old reportedly launched a foul-mouthed tirade against doorstaff who refused to let him into Thirteen Degrees in St George's Road, Cheltenham.
Mr Allen is alleged to have called bouncer Garry Saintil a "black bastard" and has now been banned from the nightclub.
It is thought that the cash-strapped Club could use the incident to rid themselves of Allen without having to pay up the outstanding term of his contract. Cheltenham play Gloucester City in the quarter-finals of the Gloucestershire Senior Challenge Cup this evening when Robins’ fans are expected to call for Allen’s permanent removal.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Memories of Referee Webster
Tyne and Weir based referee Colin Webster is set to referee Hereford United's League Two game at Bradford City next Saturday.
The Bulls haven't met Webster for just over three years and their supporters were not too pleased with his decisions that afternoon.
Back in early September 2006 Webster was in charge of a game at Spotland between Rochdale and Hereford United.
Everything pointed to a goal-less draw until the Bulls were awarded a penalty.
This from the Bulls News report:
Andy Williams won a penalty in the last minute of normal time, when he beat James Sharp to the ball and the defender felled Williams. Rob Purdie stood up in front of the off-putting home crowd, and converted cooly with a finish down the middle. United's away following of around 200 were celebrating wildly, which was to be expected as they were about to collect three point which they really hadn't deserved. That was, though, until Webster decided to level things up with a very harsh penalty decision.
A cross came in from the left, which Giles headed back to Tynan, who (just!) took the ball into his arms. No appeals were evident from the home side players, but the ref pointed to the spot. Firstly he seemed to signal that the decision was given for a shirt pull, then a moment later, he was signalling it was for a defender "pushing down" on an opponent. Gary Jones didn't mind though, as he levelled things up with what was pretty much the final kick of the game.
And to reinforce the above, a similar view from Glynis Wright:
But the biggest surprise Fate had in store for this particular encounter was to emerge just a couple of minutes before the full 90 was up. Williams managed to get the ball right on the edge of their box, then endeavoured mightily to carry his meaty goods further - but lost it, illegally, so the ref ruled. Coo, a Bulls penalty, and just before time, too! As Purdie stepped up "He's going to miss this," said my pessimistic other half, his depressed mood changing instantaneously for the better as the midfielder potted the 'pen', with all three points now looking ripe for the taking.
With the game now in time added on - FOUR minutes, and two of that already played by the time the ref managed to signal to the fourth official on the touchline - it just had to happen, didn't it? The most infuriating part, according to 'Im Indoors, was the knowledge that what happened next occurred in the FIFTH minute of a game that should have only run to four. Yes, you've guessed right - another bloody penalty, but this time, to Rochdale. And no - just like every other spectator in that away end, I've no idea at all why the ref gave it, or for what offence.
All may be revealed in the papers, of course, but until someone does shed further light on this baffling incident, I'll just have to put it down to a refereeing aberration on the part of the match official responsible. Rochdale had no trouble whatsoever putting that one away; as for the visitors, they only had time to return to the centre-circle; no sooner had they kicked off, the ref blew for full time. Angry, those away supporters? Too bloody right they were: and that wasn't all. Getting up to 'high dough' also were the Hereford players, who, seemingly furious regarding the denial of what should have been their natural birthright, decided to 'crowd' the ref instead. Didn't get them anywhere, of course, and the next thing I saw, Tucka himself was trying to restrain his players from doing something they might subsequently regret.
Latest Hereford United Stats
Here's run down of some of the latest Hereford United stats:
Attendance: High 3280 Low 2013 Av 2425
Players used: 30
Appearances: Bartlett 17, Lunt 16, Green 14, Darren Jones 13, Pugh 13, Valentine 11
Goalscorers: Pugh 6, Plummer 4, Godsmark 2, Walker 2, Valentine 2
Attempts on Target: Walker 14, Pugh 13, Morris 9, Constantine 8, King 7, Marshall 6, Southam 6
Attempts off Target: Pugh 14, Darren Jones 10, Walker 9, Constantine 7, King 6
Red Cards: Green 1, Valentine 1
Yellow Cards: Gwynne 3, Darren Jones 2, Dennehy 2, Tolley 2, Southam 2
King's Loan Extended at Hereford
19 year old Craig King's initial one month loan at Edgar Street has been extended for the remainder of the season.
The announcement by Leicester City of the extended deal will give Hereford United's manager John Trewick's squad a timely boost coming as three other on-loan players' initial deals also run out this week.
King has featured five times for the Bulls to date scoring one goal in the game against Accrington Stanley.
Valentine in Team of the Week
Ryan Valentine, who kicked a penalty for Hereford United last Saturday, has been chosen to be in the weekends League Two team of the week.
Ex-Bull Steve Guinan is nominated for Northampton, while former trialist Jacques Maghoma is also in the XI for Burton.
News Round Up
Dean Windass has decided to quit playing and concentrate on a coaching and management career. Shrewsbury are on the lookout for a loan striker after front pair Dave Hibbert and Jake Robinson both reported injuries. Rochdale have extended the loan of Norwich winger Simon Whaley for a second month.
Accrington boss John Coleman faces an FA charge after being sent to the stands just eight minutes into their home loss to Bournemouth at the weekend. He protested to ref Michael Oliver over an early yellow card. Lincoln have not extended the loan of winger Sergio Torres from Peterboro due to being unable to afford the demands of the Championship club.
Darlington have parted ways with striker Kevin Gall after his short term deal ended. Loanees Tony Kane and Jamie Devitt have also left the club, while keeper Russell Hoult is wanted for a further month. His club Notts County face more press speculation after Sweden confirmed that they want to speak to Sven Goran Ericsson over their managerial post, while the Magpies have been linked with Derek Fazakerley as their new boss. He was a coach at Man City with Ericsson.
Port Vale could have TV pundit Andy Townsend on board as an advisor after investors Harlequin Properties refused to rule out putting him in a formal role with the club. He has watched the last two matches, and works for Harlequin on developing soccer schools on their Carribean resorts. The company is putting £500,000 into the club. The Conference have denied press reports that BlueSq are to quit their sponsorship at the end of the season.
Forest Green are to convert the club from a members club to a full limited company, a move that would allow them to enter the Football League if they won promotion. The aim to sell new shares in the club to raise £100,000.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Newell sacked by Grimsby
Another League Two manager has been sacked.
This time it is Mike Newell who until a few hours ago was in charge at Grimsby.
A club statement said:
"Despite the intention for continued support beyond the recent poor results and disappointing performances the club has dismissed Mike Newell due to irretrievable breakdown.
"The directors believe they have done everything possible to back him during his period with the club but were left with no alternative but to terminate his contract with immediate effect."
Meanwhile after the recent improvement in form of Hereford United, manager John Trewick is now perhaps the least likely manager to be sacked this season in League Two.
Young Bulls beaten by Torquay
Hereford United's youth team were defeated 4-0 by visitors Torquay United yesterday morning.
Taylor gets deal at Vale
Former Hereford United defender Kris Taylor has been offered a deal keeping him at Port Vale until the end of the season.
"Kris Taylor was fantastic and I'm going to be sitting down with him on Monday, he'll be signing a new contract until the end of the season," said Vale boss Micky Adams. "We have lost a few players through injury so it's important we keep a strong squad."
Meanwhile another former Bull has been praised by his manager. Keeper Wayne Brown pulled off a string of saves including a penalty yesterday which gave his side a 3-2 victory over Aldershot.
"Brownie has won us the game," said manager Alan Knill afterwards. "He was fantastic throughout."
In other news former Bull Wayne Powell has taken charge at Leamington. Powell played six games for Hereford Unired in the 1978/79 season and scored two goals.
Junior Bulls Prize Bingo Night
The Junior Bulls fundraising committee are holding a Prize Bingo Night at Radfords on Wednesday October 28th starting at 7.30pm.
The aim is to raise funds for a special Junior Bulls Event to be held later in the year.
The Bingo Night is open to everyone, not just Junior Bulls and their families.
More details from juniorbulls@bullsonline.co.uk
Comfortable until Penalty - Sheridan
In his post match reaction to their 1-0 defeat at Hereford, Chesterfield manager John Sheridan had a go at the officials. The only goal of the game was a penalty.
"I was to far away to judge, but I had a feeling that something was going to be given and once I saw who the officials were it doesn't surprise me.
"I think that's the most possession we have had all season, but we didn't create that much. People have to be more alert and sharper when the ball gets into the box. We hit the bar and I don't know if Scot was offside or not but sometimes though you have hold your hands up, we just didn't get the breaks
"We come here and dominated the game but again we have come away with nothing. We have to get a winning mentality especially into the younger players. I can't fault the effort and we should have got something from the game. Tommy made a good save but I thought we were comfortable until the referee gave the penalty."