Supporters club news

The HUISA AGM is this Saturday at 12pm in the VP Club. All members are invited to elect a new chairman and secretary.



Anyone wanting to use away travel can do so by purchasing tickets from the club. The bus to Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday 20th costs £8.50, and departs Edgar Street at 5.15pm, whilst a trip to Gravesend & Northfleet costs £18 and departs at 8.30am on Saturday, August 24th.



If you intend driving the Forest Green, head for Stroud from Gloucester. When you reach the town, turn left onto the A46 to Nailsworth. This will bring you into the centre of the town, when you reach the Information Centre take the first right at the cross roads which goes up a steep hill sign posted Forest Green. The Lawn is on the left. The club has car parking for members only, however there is a spacious free car park at the adjacent college. There is also off street parking but be aware to stay clear of the coned off areas.



Meanwhile, the legendary Hereford United single by Danny Lee is to be recorded onto CD. It will be for sale in the Hereford United club shop from September 1st.

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'We may have the biggest debt but we are not the poorest - the other clubs don't have our support base'

Those were the words of a confident Hereford United manager Graham Turner when referring to the Conference teams at last night's fans forum at Edgar Street.



The meeting was chaired by Kevin Wargen, with questions answered largely by Turner but also Richard O'Kelly, the new first-team coach.



Turner opened the meeting talking about finances. He told the audience that the club hoped to pay another 10 or 20 pence of the CVA within the next season if the money becomes available which will satisfy the creditors. The club have to pay £1 in each pound, and have so far paid 40p - the remainer comes to a total of around £25,000. The club could close instantly if more debts were accumilated, particularly to the likes of the taxman.



Furthermore, little progress has been made in terms of the stadium development. Turner said that there was the possibility of Len Weston Stand being rebuilt with the Courtyard Theatre having more room below, the Blackfriars End incorporating a Leisure Centre and the Meadow End including a multiplex cinema. The main stand would be looked after by the club. However, the whole situation is out of the clubs hands and is a problem of Chelverton and the local authorities.



Apparently, there is movement at the Blackfriars End. The foundations are moving, and the council may close the stand for periods during the season for healh and safety reasons. However, it will be open for Saturday's match.



With the local elections next may, the future of Hereford United is likely to be a vote-catching issue. The Richardson Brothers, who have linked with Chelverton, did not want any involvement with this particular project as they branded it a 'political hot potato', according to Turner. Nevertheless, the development has the potential to rejuvenate a city that has become a quiet backwater.



On the playing front, the problem of obtaining a goalscorer was highlighted. Turner said that he had spoken to Brett Angell, Don Goodman and David Kelly but they sighted low pay, long travel distances and the stigma attached to non-league football as reasons not to join the club. On player even asked if Hereford could match the £1200 that he was offered as a weekly salary by a second division club! Andy Baird has left the club, whilst Ashley Nicholls was taken by Darlington after agreeing to spend pre-season at Edgar Street. When Turner found out of Darlo's interest, he offered Nicholls a contract but the ex-Ipswich trainee linked up with the Quakers.



However, there could be a move to sign Andy Sinton. The former Spurs and Wolves midfielder has had offers from three Conference clubs and will speak to Turner at 5pm tomorrow after a trial at Walsall. Steve Guinan has been offered a one-month contract but three other Conference sides have offered season-long deals so Turner feels he might have to improve the offer.



Overall, though, Graham Turner said he was pleased with the squad and that it was a great improvement on last year. Whilst most of the players were 'four inches too small', they had 'more ability that most Conference sides'. Hopes that the likes of Scott Goodwin could return were dismissed out of hand, as Turner is aiming for a squad of youth and enthusiasm.



He aims fro a squad size of eighteen but it may end up being nineteen or twenty for the next season if players become available. Whilst the club cannot afford eighteen players, 'hope' value is included and as a consequence, occasionally players are sold to balance the books. When a league club comes in for a player, they are told of the interest (as it is part of the contract). Turner has promoted the move of first-team football at Hereford, looking at Gavin Mahon as an example. Mahon had two years as a first-teamer at Hereford before joining Brentford and now Watford. Matt Baker's trial at Leyton Orient was arranged through his agent, which angered Turner as it is not allowed under the terms of his contract.



In terms of the Conference this season, Turner felt the play-offs would improve the league no end and he fancied the ex-league clubs who have spent heavily - Chester, Doncaster, Scarborough and Barnet - to do well, along with Yeovil.



When answering a question from a shareholder, Turner said that the 2000/01 AGM would be held in the next twenty eight days and the date was to be set at a board meeting on Thursday. The reason the accounts were late was because a director had agreed to do most of preparation, saving the club around £5000, but he had fallen behind. The club, as it is in the state of two companies, would face a £200 fine.



Whilst there are the obvious problems at Edgar Street, Turner seems eager to enjoy the campaign and in the squad of players and coach Richard O'Kelly, confidence is high that progress will be made.

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Fun game raises £500

Hereford United beat off a HUISA XI 8-3 in a fun-filled match at Edgar Street this evening.



Danny Williams, Steve Guinan, Richard O'Kelly, Ian Wright and Rob Purdie had put the Bulls 5-0 up at the break, but a half-time reshuffle saw an 8-3 scoreline. John Grant scored a hatrick for Hereford whilst HUISA came back through goals from Will Jones and a brace from Steve Guinan, who was the subject of a half-time 'transfer'.



The match was refereed by Simon Barrington, whilst Billy and Benny the Bulls were the assistants. Billy's head was handed round by the players during the second half, including Matt Clarke in the Hereford goal who conceded three during the second period of a thirty minute duration.



Elements of the match were dubious to say the least, with HUISA having fifteen players on the pitch at one time! Nevertheless, over £500 was raised on the night and well done to everyone who raised money to play in the HUISA team. Their squad read: Garry Smith, Paul Sharp, Neil Phipps, Rob Leighton, Tristan Edwards, Dave Glinos, Tommy Johnson, Chris Oleski, Simon Bayliss, Chris Richards, Will Jones, Andy Bouchen, Mark Jenkins, David Jenkins and Jamie Griffiths.

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Don't forget...

HUISA XI v HUFC - Edgar Street - Tonight at 6.30pm. Watch the supporters take on the team. Then at 8pm in Legends., your chance to discuss things with Graham Turner before the season kicks-off.

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Conference win in League expansion?

Today's Non-League Paper reports that a restructured Division Three could mean league status for up to sixteen Conference clubs.



Since the collapse of the ITV Digital TV deal, the Football League are considering refinancing and restructuring options in the league and one of the plans is for a four division, twenty team competition with eight teams promoted from the Conference. The second involves a regionalised 40-team Third Division with the Conference supplying sixteen clubs.



Lincoln City have been hit by financial problems and even went into administration for a while over the summer. Their outspoken chairman Rob Bradley said: "There must be an overhaul of the League structure and regionalisation should now be higher on the agenda than ever before. The League board and chairmen have already discussed it and it is certainly a live option judging from discussions I've been involved with.



"In the Third Division, I'd say 75% of chairmen are in favour. Regionalising will mean extra money for derby games and a reduction in travelling costs - it's just a good idea and we need to implement it."



Before his resignation, League chairman Keith Harris was ready to implement the system for the 2003/04 season. However, he needed the support of First Division clubs, who hold most voting weight - and they remain split.



Conference chief executive John Moules could see his members disappear overnight in the plan is implemented, but he said: "We've had no formal discussions, but as I've said, the Conference is here and ready to help out, but my main aim is to look after the best interests of my member clubs."

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Are we ready?

After today's disappointing result at Evesham, questions have to be asked whether Graham Turner has got the right combination of players to make a showing in the Conference this season.



Of course with so many new players it takes time to get everything right but United still look weak up-front. Neither trialists Steve Guinan or Andy Baird have looked that impressive and although GT continues to try Paul Parry as a forward that does not seem to be working either. Grant looks a better bet but with him suspended for the first three games it does not look good. Maybe GT has his eye on someone else. As he has not yet signed either Guinan or Baird, maybe one of them will be offered a game by game deal. There seems little point in offering either of them contracts on their showing to date. If only Scott Voice was fit and Grant was available!



Other than the up-front problem (which seems to be the same each season recently) the rest of the team looks more positive. In particular Matt Clarke and Jamie Pitman are linking well. Michael Rose and Danny Williams both seem useful signings; Rose looks quite dangerous on the left side at times and Williams quite skilful. Both should improve with more matches. The idea of a back three as opposed to four seems to be working but there is an argument that as the defensive record was so good with the 4-4-2 system used last season should it been changed? Andrew Tretton, who partners Ian Wright and Tony James, looked more comfortable today but the real test will come next Saturday with Conference opponents Farnborough Town.



Robert Purdie is another new signing who has the potential to be a useful squad member but may find it hard to command a regular place in the team when Ben Smith returns. Rob Sawyers also may not start when United are at full strength as there is likely to be real competition for the midfield places. If the forward positions are filled a space has to be made for Parry.



So who is going to be in the line-up for next Saturday? With the assumption that no other players are to be introduced the line up could look like this:



Baker, Wright, James, Tretton, Clarke, Rose, Pitman, Williams, Sawyers, Guinan, Parry.

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Midfielder confident after win

Following today's 1-0 victory over Evesham United, Hereford United midfielder Jamie Pitman was upbeat about the side's chances for Nationwide Conference success.



Speaking of today's match, he said: "They worked us quite hard today. It was hard for us to break them down but in the end, we had a quality move from John Grant who finished off a great move right at the end. He's going to miss the first few games but we've known that from early on so we've been preparing for it. The other lads who were up-front today did quite well."



The new 3-5-2 formation has freed up members of the team, according to Pitman. "Last year we played with a flat back four but we've come to terms with it now, kept a couple of clean sheets and we look a little bit more solid," he commented. "It gives us the opportunity to get some width using Matt Clarke and Michael Rose, and in midfield we can release someone forward."



United's pre-season programme has been varied in terms of opposition and results.



"It's been good in the respect that we've played a couple of sides who can pass the ball around in Swindon and Tranmere, and then games like we're going to get in the Conference with places like Evesham and Aberystwyth," continued Pitman. "They give us hard work outs and it's been good in that we can iron out a few bits that we need to work on."

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Hereford scrape narrow victory

Evesham United 0 - 1 Hereford United - click here for a report.

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Tretton ready for anything

Andrew Tretton, Hereford United's central defender signed from Shrewsbury Town earlier in the summer, is ready for whatever life at Edgar Street can throw at him.



That's because he's done it all before - Tretton was part of a Shrewsbury side that won at Exeter City two years ago on the final day to preserve their Football League status. Then last season, the Shropshire side challenged for Third Division promotion but it wasn't to be.



Tretton told the Evening News: "We did quite well and should have made the play offs because we were in those positions most of the year but we just dropped out in the last couple of games which was disappointing."



"I've been here a month now and I'm really looking forward to it," he said of his move to Hereford. "The manager has been experimenting with three at the back and it's working quite well so far. Looking at the players we have got in and those already here I don't see why we shouldn't challenge near the top.



"It's hard to make predictions but if we can keep everybody fit and add a couple more signings then we could be in with a shout."



Tretton should feature in the Hereford side which goes to Evesham United today, kick off 3pm.



The Bulls, though, will not face former attacker Richard Leadbeater who left Evesham United earlier in the summer for Halesowen Town.

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Trip to Evesham

Tomorrow, Hereford United play their final pre-season friendly at Evesham United, kick off 3pm.



To get to their Common Road ground, enter the town from the south and locate the High Street (A4184). From here, turn right into Bridge Street. Take the second left into Mill Street before the river bridge, and continue for around 500 metres into Common Road. The ground is on your right.

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We are updating our news services...

You may notice old stories appearing on the news page - please bear with us as we will iron out problems over the next few days.

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GoalRush now official

We are pleased to announce that GoalRush is now the Official Hereford United Lottery.



Following improvements to GoalRush and the official recognition, we are writing to all previous Wyevern Pool players. We can also confirm that accredited agents will be able to sell GoalRush for the club and gain the following benefits:



10% commission on all entries

Chances to win in the special agent draws



If you would like to become an agent then please contact Peter Povall on 07970 443730 or you can e-mail him at peter@goalrush.co.uk.



More details and entry forms can be found at www.goalrush.co.uk.

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Fixture change

The official Hereford United website (www.herefordunited.co.uk) report that Hereford's Nationwide Conference match at Northwich Victoria has been moved to September 10th. This is because on September 3rd, the Vics play a Cheshire Senior Cup tie which takes precedence over the league.



Also, the site has revealed three new rules that have been introduced into the Conference this season:

> A maximum of eight loan players will be allowed this season, of which two can be long term.

> Substitutes must wear bibs, home team wearing red and away team wearing yellow bibs.

> Substitutions and injury time will be displayed using an electronic scoreboard device.

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Bromsgrove Rovers 1 - 2 Hereford United
Due to technical problems, I have only published the match report, written by Tim Ward, here as yet.



Tuesday 30th July 2002 - (7.45pm) - Pre-season friendly match - Third time lucky for Hereford - Bromsgrove Rovers 1 - 2 Hereford United



Hereford recorded their first win at the third time of asking, at the expense of Bromsgrove Rovers, 2-1 in front of 316.



The starting line up saw six different names from the line up against Swindon, with Clarke, Griffiths, Teasdale, Perry, Garrity and Purdie replacing Baker, Wright, Pitman, Jones, Smith and Parry.



The game got off to a quick start with Josh Perry, the ex-WBA striker, shooting wide from sixteen yards when well placed. Soon after, Rovers took the lead when a nice passing move resulting in a shot well saved by Griffiths, but unfortunately the ball fell straight to defender Kevin Banner who tapped home.



It took time for Hereford to recover, and when they did Purdie, the new signing from Leicester City, had a shot saved. Before Steve Guigan, in the 14th minute, (previously called David Smith against Swindon!) slotted home, after an excellent chest down, to level up the score. He then almost repeated this feat only four minutes later, but this time Rovers’ keeper Chris Taylor made a good save.



Then it was Perry’s turn to force the keeper into a saved with a header at the back post, before a storming run by Rose down the left wing saw him put in an excellent cross to Guigan at the back post. Guigan could not finish off the good work slicing wide, in the 30th minute.



In the last ten minutes of the first half Perry twice and Danny Williams forced the Rovers’ keeper into three more saves.



The second half did not have the same amount of chances, Bromsgrove had two chances which were both fired wide. In the middle of the chances Hereford made four changes with Grant, Smith, Pitman and Parry coming on and it was Grant who got the winning goal. Richard Teasdale’s battling run down the right wing saw an excellent cross to the back post for Grant to smack into an empty net, and he also had the final chance of the match as he shot over when eighteen yards out.

The downside to the night was when midfielder Ben Smith was brought off with a suspected dislocated shoulder, and was taken away in an ambulance.



This wasn’t as impressive as the other friendly performances so far, but with all the trialists playing it was hard for the team to play fluidly. Now for Bristol City on Saturday...



Written by Tim Ward - 30th July 2002.



Scorers

Kevin Banner (4 minutes)

Steve Guinan (15 minutes)

John Grant (77 minutes)



Man of the Match - Tony James

Attendance -316

Referee - Mr. A. Smith (Worcestershire)

Back the Bulls
Hereford United vs Bristol City - Saturday at 3pm. Go along and support your team.

Third Time Lucky for Hereford


Hereford recorded their first win at the third time of asking, at the expense of Bromsgrove Rovers, 2-1 in front of 316. The starting line up saw six different names from the line up against Swindon, with Clarke, Griffiths, Teasdale, Perry, Garrity and Purdie replacing Baker, Wright, Pitman, Jones, Smith and Parry.




The game got off to a quick start with Josh Perry, the ex-WBA striker, shooting wide from 16 yards when well placed. Soon after Rovers took the lead when a nice passing move resulted in a shot well saved by Griffiths, but unfortunately the ball fell straight to another Bromsgrove player who tapped home.




It took time for Hereford to recover, and when they did Purdie, the new signing from Leicester City, had a shot saved. Before Guigan, in the 14th minute, (previously called David Smith against Swindon!!!) slotted home, after an excellent chest down, to level up the score. He then also repeated this feat only 4 minutes later, but this time Rovers’ keeper made a good save.




Then it was Perry’s turn to force the keeper into a saved with a header at the back post, before a storming run by Rose down the left wing saw him put in an excellent cross to Guigan at the back post. Guigan could not finish off the good work slicing wide, in the 30th minute.




In the last ten minutes of the first half Perry twice and Danny Williams forced the Rovers’ keeper into three more saves.




The second half did not have the same amount of chances, Bromsgrove had two chances which were both fired wide. In the middle of the chances Hereford made 4 changes with Grant, Smith, Pitman and Parry coming on and it was Grant who got the winning goal. Richard Teasdale’s battling run down the right wing saw an excellent cross to the back post for Grant to smack into an empty net, and he also had the final chance of the match as he shot over when 18 yards out.




This wasn’t as impressive as the other friendly performances so far, but with all the trialists playing it was hard for the team to play fluidly. Now for Bristol City on Saturday.....

Bulls sign two
Hereford United have secured two new signings for the 2002/03 season, boosting their squad size to fourteen.



Danny Williams, the former Chesterfield midfielder, has impressed during a trial spell and signed a one year full-time contract at Edgar Street.



"He's got a good pedigree and has done well in training and the two games he has played," said Bulls boss Graham Turner to the Evening News.



Also joining is Robert Purdey, a youngster from Leicester City who played several reserve games for Hereford last season. The Official Website report that he has also secured a one-year deal.



Rhodri Giggs' spell at Edgar Street, though, has come to an end but tonight's team at Bromsgrove Rovers will contain some triallist. Josh Perry, Richard Teesdale and Michael Garrity will feature at the Victoria Ground in tonight's match, kick off 7.45pm.

Bulls on-tour
Hereford United travel to Bromsgrove Rovers on Tuesday night, kick off 7.45pm. Go along and support your team.

Changes at Classic Gold
A new voice will be reporting on Hereford United away matches for Classic Gold this season. The person appointed is well known and often heard at Edgar Street and should prove to be a great asset to the sports team at the radio station.

For the best Hereford United pre-season friendly coverage...
Keep logged to HU-FC.co.uk - the Independent Hereford United Online Resource.

United still after Kelly
Hereford United have offered an improved deal to ex-Tranmere Rovers and Wolves attacker David Kelly.



The Bulls also face competition from Telford United for his signature, whose boss Jake King told the Shropshire Star: "David has had an improved offer from Hereford and the ball is in his hands,



"He's a good professional, extremely fit with fantastic feet and his finishing is terrific."



A striker, though, that will not be joining Hereford is David McNiven. McNiven played a trial game for the Bulls last Friday night as they went down 2-0 against Tranmere, and ex-Bull Jimmy Quinn has captured his signature for Northwich Victoria.



The squad as it stands at the moment, has much promise after two games together, according to the Hereford United coaches Richard O'Kelly and Graham Turner. O'Kelly told BBC Hereford & Worcester that he's pleased with the progress the side has made during the pre-season campaign but feels there's more to come from the squad. Tuesday night's game against Swindon showed "genuine signs of improvement" from Friday's defeat to Tranmere.



However, the new three-man defensive system is still finding its feet, says boss Turner.



"The three central defenders (Ian Wright, Andrew Tretton and Tony Hames) are still coming to terms with the new system and, at times, a true level of understanding has not been there," he told today's Hereford Times. "But, to be fair, we have just played against two very good teams and they have been good workouts for us."



Paul Parry, withdrawn at half-time against Swindon following a knock, should be fit for the trip to Bromsgrove Rovers next Tuesday, kick off 7.45pm, while striker John Grant is suffering from a foot injury.



Goalkeeper Kenny Griffiths, signed on a one-year contract from Torquay United earlier this week, could also feature once again.

For the best Hereford United pre-season friendly coverage...
Keep logged to HU-FC.co.uk - the Independent Hereford United Online Resource.

Turner looks at new system
Graham Turner hopes to employ a three-man central defensive system for Hereford United's upcoming friendly matches at Edgar Street against Tranmere Rovers (Friday, 7.45pm) and Swindon Town (Tuesday, 7.45pm).



Ian Wright, Tony James and newcomer Andy Tretton will form the basis of the defence, with the two wing-backs being able to proceed forward.



He told the Hereford Times: "The arrival of Andy Tretton gives us an opportunity to play with three central defenders, allowing our full-backs to move forward.



"Although it's very early in our pre-season programme, the matches will allow us to assess problems which might arise from using a new system."



Goalkeeper Matt Baker will play after a trial at Leyton Orient, and former Aberystwyth Town winger Rhodri Giggs, the brother of Manchester United and Wales star Ryan Giggs, is also expected to line up for the Bulls as a trialist against Second Division Tranmere. Former Ipswich Town trainee Ashley Nicholls and ex-Chesterfield midfielder Daniel Williams could also feature for Hereford.

Walsh move not off?
It appears that Hereford United are not out of the running for Wrexham 'keeper David Walsh after all.



Despite being on trial at Shrewsbury Town, Walsh told the Shropshire Star: "Hereford United have been in touch and I've been in contact with Brian Talbot from Rushden and Diamonds.



"Eric Nixon also wants me to go and do some training with Tranmere. I'm not going to rush though, I'll just wait and see what happens."



Walsh, though, is likely to play for Shrewsbury in clashes against Shifnal and Everton.



"He's a good shot stopper and controls the defence well. We'll be having another look at him next week and see what goes from there," said Shrews boss Kevin Ratcliffe. "The only problem he had was with the flight of the ball coming over the top of defenders, but that's something that comes with games and getting to know the defenders."

Follow the Bulls...
All around the Conference with HU-FC.co.uk - the Independent Hereford United Online Resource.

TRIBUTE NIGHT
With dry weather forecast the Tribute Night looks set to be a great success. Tickets still available from Edgar Street.

We'll keep you posted...
...on the future of HU-FC.co.uk - your independent Hereford United online resource.

TURNER UPBEAT
Graham Turner was featured in an article in today's NLP."I am back in a tracksuit- and loving it," he said. " I spent the last season on the administrative side and it was no fun. Once a manager always a manager and I could not wait for the start of pre-season training. The adrenaline is flowing again knowing we are preparing for one of the most crucial seasons in the clubs history."

We'll keep you posted...
...on the future of HU-FC.co.uk - your independent Hereford United online resource.

Bulls snap up Benbow
Conference club Hereford United, who are having to virtually re-build their squad for the new season, have added another newcomer to add to Crewe striker John Grant, according to thenon-leaguepaper.com



Director of Football Graham Turner is giving attacking midfielder Mark Benbow the chance to make the grade at Conference level after returning from Australia.



Benbow, 24, began his career with League of Wales outfit Newtown and also played for Rhayader Town in the same league.

In addition he turned out for the Bulls' former groundsharers Pegasus Juniors in the Hellenic League and in the Dr Martens League for Merthyr Tydfil, Worcester City, Bromsgrove Rovers and, last season, Redditch United before moving to Australia to play.



Turner has also recruited a left back from a Nationwide League club, although he wouldn't name him until his contract with his previous club expired on Sunday.