The Football Association has told Lincoln City that an active referee must inspect the Sincil Bank pitch before the tomorrow's game against Hereford United can officially be called off.
A nominated referee will now have to travel to the ground to ensure the proper procedure is followed.
UPDATE: 11.45 Game OFF. Former referee Phil Joslin has called the game off after a quick pitch inspection.
Meanwhile Notts County's Cup game against Bournemouth due to be played tomorrow evening has been postponed after a pitch inspection at 11am this morning.
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Monday, December 06, 2010
FA insist on pitch inspection at Lincoln
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Foot of Snow at Sincil Bank
The FA Cup replay at Sincil Bank between Lincoln City and Hereford United will be postponed later today as there is around a foot of snow on the pitch.
"Although the snow showers have stopped, it's the conditions on the roads and the nearby streets which are a concern," Lincoln City chairman Bob Dorrian told This is Lincolnshire.
"You only have to look out of your window to see they remain incredibly icy and slippery and out of the interest in fans' safety we need to take that into account.
"Hereford have a long journey to make, but the safety of their fans and ours are paramount and that's not even taking into account the pitch.
"Temperatures are not set to improve either which is obviously a concern."
As reported yesterday the two clubs will try again next Tuesday December 14th.
Meanwhile the media manager at Lincoln City, John Vickers, has told the Independent of the potential problems the bad weather might bring.
"We're probably fortunate in that we've only got one scheduled League game at home between now and Christmas, though we've got to hope the weather will have improved by then," he said.
"Gate revenue is our main source of income. We're playing Bradford City here on New Year's Day and we'd expect to get a crowd of up to 6,000. If the match was called off and rearranged for midweek we might get half that number."
Edit. A referee is due to make a pitch inspection at Lincoln this morning but with the temperature at Sincil Bank still at -7C at 10.00 am this morning the likelihood of the match going ahead is slim.
Bulls Cup Replay Expected to be Postponed
With the temperatures around Lincoln not expected to go above freezing for the next few days it seems almost certain that the FA Cup replay against Hereford United due to be played on Tuesday evening will be postponed.
A decision is expected to be made tomorrow and should the game not go ahead the two clubs will try again on Tuesday evening December 14th.
In the unlikely event that the replay does go ahead then it appears that the bookies feel it will be an easy win for the Imps.
Currently a best price of 11/4 can be found for a Bulls win. That's with SkyBet.
Latest Odds from SkyBet:
Hereford 11/4 Draw 12/5 Lincoln 1/1
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Malsom Loan Extended
The Birmingham Mail is reporting today that the Bulls have allowed Sam Malsom to stay at Redditch for a second month.
Malsom has played four times for the Conf North strugglers but is yet to score. The 23 year old started only one game for the Bulls before going out on loan.
Redditch boss Matt Gardiner has also spoken to the press after former Bull Jordan Fitzpatrick was one of three players to turn down moves up to the Conference Premier from Conf North: “I think all three of them can play higher but they have to be the right moves for them. I would never stand in anyone’s way, but there is no point leaving and being bit-part players.”
Redditch have seen two home matches postponed in a week, hindering their current cash problems even further.
Results Round Up
Only two League Two games survived the weather, both involving sides near the foot of the table.
Northampton beat Stockport 2-0 to end a four match winless run. The Cobblers move up to 18th on 21 points, six clear of the Bulls. In the other game Oxford came from behind to beat Barnet 2-1. Oxford move up to 12th on 23 points, with Barnet staying just a point clear of the Bulls.
Barnet's goal was scored by ex-Bull Mark Marshall, while teammate Anwar Uddin put through his own net for the first Oxford goal. Another ex-Bull was also in the goals with John Eustace scoring in Watford's win over Leicester.
December 4th Match Report
The "Lilywhites" progressed into the third round of the FA Cup this afternoon by defeating table-topping Third Division outfit Millwall at Edgar Street following last weeks impressive 5-2 win at Chelmsford in The Southern League Premier Division.
Manager, Bob Dennison, had watched the "Lions" twice in the previous fortnight and although acknowledging the Londoners obvious quality was quietly confident that the players would be "giving it everything they have got".
With Jock Wallace absent, Dennison named long-serving Peter Isaac who had been signed by Joe Wade back in 1960 as custodian for the day. Local men Selwyn Vale and Peter Timms filled the fullback roles while former Welsh International Ray Daniel was at centre half flanked by classy halfback Peter McCall and the tenacious Ian McIntosh who had joined from Oxford United. Brian Punter played on the right wing and Freddie Jones on the left with Albert Derrick who scored 43 goals last season and former Middlesbrough player Alan Rodgerson at inside forwards either side of centre forward Ron Fogg who Dennison had signed from Aldershot at the start of the season.
The Millwall side included goalkeeper Alex Stepney who is strongly rumoured to be joining Tommy Docherty's Chelsea for £50,000 in the near future and at centre half, the former Portsmouth player Brian Snowdon.
Hereford attacked the market end in the first half roared on by a crowd of 11,940 and the "Hogs Mount" marvelled at the direct wing play of Punter and the cunning of Jones which enabled Fogg and particularly Derrick to bring fine saves from Stepney.
The half-time talk over a Vimto and a packet of Smiths Crisps in the cowshed concerned the expected greater fitness of the full-time professional from the London docklands and the expectation that their experience would be a telling factor in the second half. However, with the fans having barely finished changing ends, it was United who were first to threaten through Punter but Stepney was out quickly to turn his effort away for a corner. With about thirty minutes left on Mr Pritchard’s stopwatch, McCall broke up a Millwall attack and fed the ball forward to Rodgerson who chipped over the Millwall defence to where Fogg was charging into the penalty area. The former Aldershot man who is employed as a docker at Millwall slipped the ball past Stepney for the only goal of the game.
Dennison will now be looking forward to Monday's wireless broadcast of the draw to find out who he and his team of part-timers will face in round three.
Today's match programme included a special page sponsored by Rumsey Catering of St Martin's Street giving details of the United players.
Hereford: - Isaac, Vale, Timms, McCall, Daniel, McIntosh, Punter, Rodgerson, Fogg, Derrick, Jones
Millwall:- Stepney, Gilchrist, Cripps, Jones K, Snowdon, Wilson, Rowan, Julians, Brown, Jacks, McQuade.
Referee Mr RF Pritchard (Salisbury)
Cerise Flag Mr DS Hutchinson (Campden, Glos)
Orange Flag Mr RA Cole (Malvern)
Next match at Edgar Street – Wed 8th Dec - FA of Wales Challenge Cup (Fourth Round) versus Llandrindod Wells KO 7.15pm.
ExLandlord (age 15)
NB – Please excuse any slight inaccuracies, it was 45 years ago!
Council Leader delighted by Hereford United lease deal
Herefordshire Council has welcomed the news that Hereford United has secured its ground leases from Carillion Richardson. This opens up the opportunity to agree a new long term lease agreement with the council, which owns the land at Edgar Street.
Councillor Roger Phillips, leader of the council, commented: “We are delighted with this news as it means that in the longer term the club can seek commercial and partners to develop the ground, boost revenues and help in making that section of the city more attractive to visitors, tourism and business – especially if a new hotel and conference centre could be developed”.
“We have had very positive discussions with the club, which is of great importance to the city, and we are looking forward to working with them to help them achieve their exciting future plans”.
Postponements may Ease Pitman's Injury Crisis
Today's postponed match at Edgar Street could be a blessing to Hereford United manager Jamie Pitman.
Whilst on the one hand the match against Morecambe has to be re-arranged, and at this stage Tuesday's FA Cup replay at Lincoln is also in some doubt, on the other hand several of Pitman's squad will be that bit closer to a return to action easing the manager's selection problems.
"When we are getting the players of that sort of calibre returning there is competition for places," Pitman told the Worcester News.
"McQuilkin, Kovacs and Bauza all just need some game-time under their belt. We will now have some competition for places and that will make everyone aware that their spot in the side is not safe.
"Competition should make for better performances as a group and also promote better performances as individuals."
Meanwhile Nicky Featherstone is to stay with Hereford United for another month.
News Round Up
Cheltenham say the postponement of today's home match with Lincoln has cost them £10,000. Stockport have appointed Dave Kevan to a coaching role at the club. He was most recently assistant boss at Notts County before leaving when Paul Ince was appointed as manager.
Martin Allen has refused to comment on speculation linking him to the Brentford job, with current incumbent Andy Scott under increasing pressure. Allen has set up an 'X Factor style football talent search company' with Blackpool striker DJ Campbell, who he signed for Brentford from non-league. Mansfield have approached Alfreton about groundsharing with the Conf North side while their Field Mill negotiations continue. Notts County have also been spoken to.
Former Bulls keeper Michael Ingham has been named Conference player of the month for November. His York side conceded only one goal in the month under new boss Gary Mills, who has also picked up the manager award.
Welsh sting Hay for playing in Herefordshire
The Welsh FA have fined Hay St Mary's football club £400 for playing a team in the Herefordshire League.
Yet it will allow them to enter an under 18 side into the Herefordshire Floodlit League.
Historically Hay St Mary's has been part of the Herefordshire football set-up. And recently several of its youngsters have gone onto play for Hereford United's under 18 side.
This week the Welsh Football Association put its foot down in an attempt to stop teams close to the border playing in Herefordshire partly because of the actions of Hay St Mary's.
Hay resigned from the Mid Wales League after last season had ended as many of its players found the journeys to grounds such as Dolgellau just too far away. Instead they entered a side in the Herefordshire Premier League and were readily accepted by the Herefordshire FA.
However the Central Wales FA then found themselves a club short in their league and duly fined Hay £400.
Secretary of the Central Wales FA is Phil Woosnam.
"In the past such decisions have been based on the recommendations of the regional association, but the Welsh FA are now considering taking all powers for such decisions," he told the County Times.
"Obviously the fact that Hay developed their facilities, while enjoying the benefits of Welsh league membership, only to join the English system, has highlighted that something needs to be done.
"I do not think that a club based in Wales should be able to enter a team on both sides of the border."
Whilst the Welsh FA allows Cardiff and Swansea to play in the Championship, and Newport County in the Conference, it appears it doesn't want Hay St Mary's to play in Herefordshire League.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Guinan Gets Managers Job
Steve Guinan will take his first step in management in January after accepting a new role.
The 34 year old has been appointed manager of Hartpury College's junior football academy, running three sides with the full-time under 19 side his main focus. The college side also acts as Forest Green's youth side, with several members going on to play for them in the Conference.
Guinan told the BBC he could combine both his playing and managing as Forest Green train at the college, adding: "It's not an easy job, it's highly pressured, they're expected to win trophies - they're like the Manchester United of the college scene."
Recently the college has been crowned British University Champions in both 2007 and 2008, English Colleges Champions in 2008, and England Schools U18 Champions in 2009.
News Round Up
Plymouth face court on Wednesday needing to find £700,000 to settle their outstanding tax debt. The local press says the club will seek an eight week stay of execution and present a business plan that will cut costs. Their total debt is said to be £7million. Exeter, on the other hand, reported a profit of just under £100,000 for last season. The figure largely improved from the previous season due to over £750,000 in transfer fees received.
Former Bulls trialist Chris Zebroski, currently with Torquay, has been fined and ordered to do 150 hours of community work after being found guilty of assault. He will also have to attend an alcohol and substance misuse programme.Tamworth have announced plans to make their ground Football League ready. Included in the plans is a new 1,800 seat grandstand with corporate boxes and a conference suite.
Deep snow at Sincil Bank
The Bulls are due to play their FA Cup replay at Lincoln on Tuesday evening but the fixture is already in some doubt as the adverse weather looks unlikely to improve in the coming days.
Lincoln's Chief Executive, Dave Roberts, said today "the forecast is that the weather is not going to warm up so its not looking that hopeful for Tuesday's game against Hereford".
"The pitch is a good fourteen inches under snow which is great for the surface but the snow has to go. We’ve also got to consider the duty of care to the fans because as it’s a night game with the potential of extra-time and penalties."
"There are still a few days to go before Monday and should conditions be the same then we'll look for an early decision."
Should the game fall victim to the weather, the likely replay date would be Tuesday 14th December.
Meanwhile, HUISA are unlikely to run a coach to Lincoln with the Funbus having agreed to take a number of their regular passengers and make a contribution to their funds. A couple of seats remain with the fare expected to be around £18/19.
Discipline in League Two
The Football League has been looking at the latest discipline stats.
Here's their report on League Two:
Sixth placed Torquay United have demonstrated they are not afraid to use a bit of brawn alongside some flair to help them climb the table, the Gulls top the table in npower League 2 for the most fouls. Paul Buckle's side have made 246 illegal challenges with 35 of them punished with bookings and a further two being deemed worthy of a red card.
Bottom of the table Hereford are the only side to have picked up over 40 yellow cards in all three divisions but League 2 can also lay claim to the team with the best record. Crewe Alexandra's players have been cautioned just 16 times, less than half that of the Bulls, having given away just 128 fouls. No-one from the Alexandra Stadium has yet managed to disappear for an early bath either, they are one of seven teams at this level who can be proud of the naught next to their name in the red card column.
What may be of concern for Dario Gradi though is, despite his side's excellent record, they have given away five penalties, only Crystal Palace in the Championship have given away more with seven to their name. Both teams will no doubt be looking forward to the second half of the campaign if the old adage about these things levelling themselves out over a season is to be proved correct.
At 48 fouls conceded Shrewsbury Town striker Matt Harrold is the one man in all three division's most likely to give away a free-kick when he challenges for the ball. Only two of those have earned him a yellow and one was felt worth of a red card by officials. He is joined at the top by another striker, Port Vale's Marc Richards.
The former Blackburn Rovers trainee has given away three free-kicks less but does have one more booking to his name. Having given away 36 fouls Aldershot Town forward Marvin Morgan completes what would be an impressive front line at the top of the discipline table. Between them they also have 23 goals to their name to consider alongside the 129 fouls they have conceded collectively along the way.
Two League Two Games Still On
Just two League Two games due to be played tomorrow are still on as at 1pm this afternoon.
They are:
Northampton v Stockport
Oxford Utd v Barnet
UPDATE 4.30pm: There will be a pitch inspection at both home grounds tomorrow morning.
Game Off
Tomorrow's match at Edgar Street has been postponed.
The freezing temperatures have left the pitch frozen despite the use of frost covers.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Pitch Inspection at Edgar Street Today
According to the Football League there will be a pitch inspection at Edgar Street at some stage today to see if tomorrow's Hereford United/Morecambe League Two match can go ahead.
Covers were placed on the ground after last Saturday's FA Cup match and it is hoped that they will have kept the pitch frost-free.
However the temperature at the Met Office station at Credenhill, just outside Hereford, was reported to be -11.6C at 7am this morning. The frost covers only protect successfully down to -5c.
And although there is a forecast of slightly warmer weather tomorrow afternoon, there has to be a chance that the game might be postponed.
Update: Met Office records 9am temperature at Credenhill as -12.5c.
Mansfield locked out of Field Mill
In a week that has seen Hereford United regain the leases to Edgar Street, spare a thought for Mansfield Town who this morning woke up to find they had been locked out of their ground Field Mill.
The owner of Field Mill is Keith Haslam's Stags Ltd - some Hereford United may remember the last time Mansfield played at Edgar Street there was a protest by their supporters against him - and he leases the ground to John Radford who owns the club.
It appears that Radford has not paid any rent to Haslam for several months. But he has had talks with Haslam about buying the ground.
In the meantime, Radford, reputedly a millionaire, has offered to pay the rent to a third party pending an investigation into certain matters pertaining to Stags Ltd. It's been suggested that some monies may have been illegally or inappropriately removed from the football club.
Mansfield are now looking for a temporary home to enable them to play their home fixtures.
Confidential Clause in Lease Deal
One item not made clear in yesterday's news about the return of the Edgar Street leases to the club and the settling of the £1m plus debt was just how much Hereford United have had to pay out to the Richardsons.
The first statement released by the club was agreed word for word with the Richardsons.
Bulls News now understands that the deal is covered by a confidential agreement between the two parties not to disclose any financial details.
However there are some clues which suggest the club may have paid out around £100,000, perhaps a little more, to settle matters. If this amount is anywhere near correct then it represents an excellent deal.
In the statements released yesterday chairman David Keyte said that the club was now debt-free.
For the first time in years the club is free of debt and we can now move forward off the pitch to develop the club
Currently the Bulls are thought to have around £700k in the bank so Keyte's words that the club can now move forward suggests that the balance will not have dropped too far by settling with the Richardsons.
In any case it was widely believed that the Richardsons 'obtained' the debt for nowhere near its £1M plus value some years ago after a Chelverton company got into trouble. In an article originally written for www.hu-fc.co.uk it was suggested that the Richardson had purchased the debt from the Chelverton receivers and had also received some tax relief on the deal. The evidence for this view was obtained by looking at the company accounts of Formsole, which was taken over by Carillion and the Richardsons. Formsole was the company which held the first lease on Edgar Street.
Originally two companies made money available to Hereford United. One was the BS group and the other Formsole which was a Chelverton company. After a couple of years the BS Group decided to sell their "loan" to Chelverton at an amount just over book value. Book value often means less than true value so this could suggest than Chelverton took over the BS share for less than the £500,000 loaned to the club.
Later when part of the Chelverton Group got into trouble it is feasible that the current owners of Formsole bought the Chelverton stake for next to nothing from the liquidators. So it is quite likely that Formsole, now owned by Carillion and Richardson, would not be exposed to anything like a million pound debt from Hereford.
On top of that Formsole have used a tax rule to "obtain" a tax credit from the loans of about £355,544 from the Inland Revenue.
Therefore it is possible that the companies owners may have managed to "get back" quite a good percentage of the £1 million loans.
Had the Richardson tried the cash the £1m debt on the open market it is thought unlikely they would have received much more than 5% of its worth.
The leases are separate from the debt but again the Richardsons may not have been in the driving seat as they had previously agreed not to demand the payment or increase the interest.
And with Hereford United in a stronger position than for perhaps the best part of twenty years there was little chance the Richardsons would ever have been able to build on the site notwithstanding the sporting covenant which is thought to cover the area.
So it looks as though David Keyte and Tim Russon have brokered an excellent deal for Hereford United. Something Graham Turner failed to achieve.
News Round Up
Plymouth's unpaid staff say they are 100% behind the club after they met to discuss the current situation at Home Park. They say they will continue to work for the club, but they expect redundancies to be made. Torquay's transfer listed midfielder Nicky Wroe is reported to have rejected a loan move to Aldershot last week.
Bradford have stripped defender Zesh Rehman of the captaincy and placed him on the transfer list after a breach of club discipline. He questioned Peter Taylor's team selection in a radio interview on Monday after spending the last two matches on the subs bench. Crewe have recalled midfielder Antoni Sarcevic from his loan at Chester as cover for injuries and suspensions.
All HFA Matches Cancelled
The Herefordshire FA have made this announcement:
All HFA County Cup matches, Herefordshire Football League matches and Herefordshire Sunday League matches scheduled for this coming weekend 4/5th December have been postponed.
Matches Called Off
Five games have been called off today, more than 48 hours before kick off.
Rotherham's trip to Gillingham has been postponed with more than a foot of snow currently on the Priestfield pitch. Port Vale's home match with Stevenage failed a 12.30pm pitch inspection at Vale Park, while Bradford's trip to Aldershot has also fallen with five inches of snow on the Recreation Ground surface.
Southend's home match with Macclesfield has also gone with more snow expected to fall in the area in addition to the ten inches already covering the pitch, while Crewe's home game with Wycombe is also off due to a frozen pitch.
Further matches are expected to be called off soon. Cheltenham say they have two inches of frost in their ground and need a significant rise in temperature to get their match with Lincoln on, but forecasters do not predict it. Accrington are to hold a Friday lunchtime inspection on their pitch ahead of their match with Shrewsbury.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
News Round Up
Rushden have been sold to former Weymouth chief executive Gary Calder. Departing owner Keith Cousins has reportedly left the club and written off the loans he made to them. Calder plans to offer manager Justin Edinburgh an improved contract. Accrington fan Jason Graham has received a three year banning order after being arrested at a match despite manager John Coleman standing up for him in court.
Stockport have extended the loan of midfielder Anthony Pulis from Southampton until January. The 11 games he has played for Stockport is the most for any senior side the 26 year old has played. Oxford have extended the loan of striker Steven Maclean from Plymouth for a second month, stretching the deal until mid-January.
Barry Town are advertising for a manager - with a twist. Any new incumbent must put at least £15,000 into the club. The second tier Welsh side are up for sale 'debt free' for £250,000. Mansfield have drawn up a four man shortlist for their managerial job with Martin Foyle joining Dave Penney in the Directors Box last weekend.
Kidderminster moved into the Conference play-offs last night with a goalless draw at home to York, but they will be concerned at the gate after just 1,066 paid to watch - their lowest gate of the season. Kettering's chairman has confirmed the side will face another playing budget cut in January.
Hartlepool's owners have threatened to pull out of the club unless the local council provide more support for their development proposals. They say they had to lend the club a further £1.5million in the last 12 months to cover losses last season, taking their total spend on the club past £12million. They add that, under the League's wage capping rules, they would be spending 82% of allowable turnover on wages.
The Danish consortium that tried to take over Chester at the end of the Stephen Vaughan era has bought a 51% stake in Croydon from disgraced cricket agent Mazhar Majeed. Fodboldsekskabet A/S say they looked at seven different English sides before choosing Croydon.
Weekend Matches Already In Doubt
With the cold snap and heavy snow affecting large parts of the country, some of this weekend's matches are already in doubt.
Aldershot report three inches of snow on their covered pitch already with more on the way ahead of Saturday's game with Bradford, while the pitch itself is reported to be frozen and unlikely to thaw out in time. It's a similar story at Gillingham where manager Andy Hessenthaler told the press it would be 'very doubtful' that their match with Rotherham would go ahead, while at Crewe they are considering a Friday inspection to save Wycombe from travelling.
For the Bulls the forecast is better than most. While temperatures are expected to drop as low as -7 on Thursday night, Friday is expected to be milder with Saturday getting above freezing in the morning.
The pitch, covered immediately after last weekend's match, should be playable at 3pm if the forecasters are correct.
Meanwhile, Lincoln's preparations to face the Bulls next Tuesday in the FA Cup replay are being hampered. Not only has their normal training pitch been frozen out of action but their £130,000 high-tech 3G astroturf all-weather surface, installed in the summer, has also been sidelined by the weather.
Russon on the Return of the Leases
In a long interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester, Tim Russon has given some more details about this evening's news that Hereford United have re-gained the Edgar Street lease from Carillion-Richardson and also settled the £1m plus debt.
"To get a really clear future for the club we had to get the leases back so we can now do what we want with the Blackfriars End," said the Hereford United vice-chairman.
"The old plan was subject to previous deals with landlords but this is an opportunity to do something different.
"After many years the club has now come out of debt and we have agreed to buy back the leases from Carillion Richardsons, who have been holding them for some years now.
"It means the club now has a clear run to the future. The leases are now back in our name and the long-term debt of just over a million pounds has been cleared and settled.
"As the chairman David Keyte has said, it is a landmark for Hereford United."
In the late 1990's, the then board had to go to developers to keep the club running. In time the leases and the debt passed to Richardsons Capital who are in partnership with Carillion.
Russon feels that by being out of debt and having the first lease on the ground from Herefordshire Council is a step well worth taking.
"We have already had initial talks with the local council and the next step is for us to negotiate new long-term leases," he continued.
"We are looking at 100 years-plus because we need both the security for the football club to play here and then the next step after that is to start looking at ways to redevelop the Blackfriars End.
"We need that long-term lease in order to attract commercial partners who will need that future to be able to invest in the club," he added.
"We care desperately about the plight we are in at the moment and will be doing everything we can to make sure we lift ourselves up the table.
"But we have our future in our hands and we can go out and do something special for this ground and in years to come that will benefit what is on the pitch."
Bulls Debt Free And Eyeing Future Plans
The following is a second press release from Hereford United:
After striking one of the most important and biggest deals in its history Hereford United is now looking forward and planning its long term future at Edgar Street.
The club has bought back the ground leases and settled a long term loan of just over a million pounds from Carillion Richardson, the international development group.
“This is a landmark for Hereford United. For the first time in years the club is free of debt and we can now move forward off the pitch to develop the club,” said Chairman David Keyte.
“When we took over in the summer it became very clear that to start building for the future we had to be in control of the leases. This gives us a free run and hopefully will open up some exciting opportunities for both the club and the city,” added Keyte.
The next step for United is to negotiate a brand new long term ground lease agreement from Herefordshire Council who own Edgar Street.
“ We’ve already had a very positive first round of talks with the council and hopefully we’re looking at the next 100 years and beyond,” explained United Vice-Chairman Tim Russon.
“ Our aim is to make Edgar Street of vital importance not just to the club but to local commerce and the community. It’s crazy to only open the gates 30 times a year. Everyone should be able to use and share it in some way,” he added.
The club is also likely to seek commercial partners to help develop the Blackfriars End of the ground. One idea is to build a hotel and conference centre, which would benefit the city and bring much needed revenue to the club on match days.
“ Hereford United is at the heart of the city and the community and we want to help shape the future ,” added Keyte.
Bulls Seal Leases Return
The following is a press release from Hereford United
Hereford United has secured its long term future at Edgar Street by striking a deal to buy back the ground leases from owners Carillion Richardson.
The news comes after a series of talks between the international development company and the club’s new chairman David Keyte and Vice-Chairman Tim Russon.
Apart from safeguarding the future of its Edgar Street home, the new deal means that the long term loan of just over £1 million from Carillion Richardson has also been settled.
This is great news for the club. We appreciate the opportunity that has been given to us by agreeing to this deal which gives the club a clear run into the future,” said Hereford Chairman David Keyte.
Graham to Referee Cup Replay
Fred Graham from Essex is set to referee next Tuesday's FA Cup replay at Sincil Bank between Lincoln City and Hereford United.
The Bulls haven't met Graham since November 2007 when he came to Edgar Street to cover a match against Mansfield which the Bulls won 2-1. On that evening Trevor Benjamin and Theo Robinson scored whilst John Mccombe was booked.
To date this season he has been in charge of 14 matches and has dealt out 33 yellow and 2 red cards.
From the Archives - December 1999
With little going on news-wise so far today, BN looks back to an article from the Sunday Telegraph dated 5th December 1999 and the build up to Hereford United's Third Round FA Cup game against Leicester City.
THE talk was of football, momentous matches, heroic deeds and new dreams, rather than financial crises, sponsorship deals and relocation. Graham Turner was a man reborn.
He was liberated to concentrate on his players, organise the coaching and plot the FA Cup demise of Leicester City on Saturday, secure in the knowledge that other matters could, if only temporarily, be put to one side.
Turner, who once managed Aston Villa, then rebuilt Wolverhampton Wanderers, is now all but lost to mainstream football, yet his responsibilities have multiplied. He runs Conference club Hereford United - as chairman, director of football, coach, major shareholder and much more besides.
When Hereford were relegated from the League three seasons ago, Turner felt obliged to stay, to share the blame and shoulder the burden of reviving the club. That commitment became a crusade and he emerged from the boardroom shake-up with full control.
His hands-on approach to fund-raising even embraced an auction. The club gladly accommodated the servicing and parking demands of the Network Q Rally of Great Britain, though Turner had trouble convincing a jobsworth he really did work at Edgar Street and was entitled to penetrate the security cordon.
The car parks will be filled by football folk on Saturday, when Hereford meet the Premiership club in a third-round tie, invoking memories of their fabled victory against Newcastle United, of Radford, of pitch invasions and all, 28 seasons ago.
"It's just what we needed," said Turner, 52. "I'm particularly pleased for the supporters because they've stuck with us through hard times. They've seen us relegated, then have to sell a lot of our better players to survive.
"People are talking about football again, there's excitement and anticipation. The club has a great tradition of cup football. Everyone remembers the Newcastle match but the club were close to beating Manchester United in 1990, and that might have cost Alex Ferguson his job. Four years ago Tottenham scraped a draw here."
This tie is transparently what Turner needed, too. Receipts from a crowd of more than 8,000, and the BBC's fee for Match of the Day highlights will earn the club £60,000. This on top of the £75,000 Sky paid for live coverage of their match against Hartlepool in the previous round.
Hereford are £1.3 million in debt and raised £140,000 last season through the sale of five players.
Turner said: "It means we can pick and choose when we sell and I can enjoy the football side.
"Talking to bank managers and sponsors is the hard part of the job. Coaching, working with the players, is a joy."
He is convinced full-time professional playing staff are imperative if the club are to prosper, but his part-timers have made crucial contributions to the cup run. Leroy May, a 'strippagram' of some repute, and Robin Elmes, a languages and PE teacher, have scored decisive goals, while Mark Jones, a farm manager and brother of the Southampton goalkeeper, Paul, has made important saves.
Turner had to ask Elmes's headmaster to give the striker time off school to practise set plays and acknowledges that his players will need all the preparation they can muster against a team unlikely to consider themselves too precious for this trip beyond League bounds.
"I could have chosen easier Premiership opponents," Turner said. "But Martin O'Neill and players like Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart know what to expect."
Hereford United Press Release at 6pm
Hereford United have announced that they will publish a press release at 6pm this evening.
With all the build-up, it must be hoped that it will contain some positive news about the future of the club.
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