The Career of Jamie Pitman

Jamie Pitman, who has returned to Edgar Street as a physio, was born on 6 January 1976 in Trowbridge.

A midfielder Pitman progressed through the youth system at Swindon Town, eventually making three league appearances before being released. He joined Hereford United in early 1996 when the Bulls started their push for the playoffs.

Former scout Ron Jukes was instrumental in bringing Pitman to Edgar Street.

Pitman was the first player to be scouted for Hereford by Jukes. At the time Pitman, described as a busy blond teenage midfielder, was open to offers at Swindon. Jukes saw him playing for Scarborough reserves at Walsall while on trial.

He missed much of the following season through injury, which saw Hereford relegated out of the Football League. He stayed with the club for their first season in the Conference before spending two seasons each at Yeovil Town and Woking. During his spell at the latter, he scored the goal that knocked Hereford out of the FA Cup in 2000.

He rejoined the Bulls for the 2002-03 season when they were undergoing a squad clearout, although as a part time player initially as he also worked at Hereford Leisure Centre.

Pitman scored twice on his return, in a 2-1 against Farnborough Town and in the next two seasons he missed only a handful of League matches. His final game for the club was the Conference Playoff Final in 2006, where he came on as a substitute for the start of extra time to help Hereford regain their League status. He was the only Hereford player on the pitch who had experienced the club's relegation in 1997 as well as the two playoff disappointments in 2004 and 2005. Although he wished to stay at the club, he was not offered a new contract.

It must have been a difficult situation for both Pitman, pictured at the Lawn talking to Rob Purdie, and manager Graham Turner who admitted to release players who have been at the club a long time wasn't easy.

"The timing is awful isn't it. All the euphoria of the weekend and then come Monday morning there is a dampener on it," said Turner.

"It's hard to take having been there for so long, having helped the club into the position they are in today, being involved and helping them to promotion," said Pitman.

"It's unfortunate that their plans don't include me. I wanted to stay at Hereford.

"I live in the town and it would have been great to stay and play the first game of the season. There would be a big crowd and everybody would be buzzing. I'll miss those type of things.

"I've got the utmost respect for Graham Turner. He's always been brilliant to me."

Pitman soon found another club not too far away from Hereford at Forest Green. Another former Bull Jimmy Harvey had become manager and Pitman soon cemented a place in his squad.

Later Pitman started to help Harvey with coaching and eventually became assistant manager.

His return to Hereford will be welcome by supporters.

(Article sourced from Bulls News acheives and Wikipedia)

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