Happy New Year:
Jan 1st 2001:
HEREFORD UNITED 2 - 0 CHESTER CITY
After losing six days ago at the Deva Stadium, Hereford United were eager to gain revenge over Chester City in the return leg of the Conference game. After a postponement last weekend against Southport, United were playing their second consecutive match against the Cheshire side and were hoping for a better performance than the torrid one seen in the first half at the Deva.
Hereford hadn't won in the league since beating Forest Green in early November, whereas Chester's last win came in the 2-1 home result over the Bulls on Boxing Day. In the new years day clash, Tony James, Paul Parry and John Shirley were all missing from Graham Turner's side. Also missing was Steve Piearce who had moved on-loan to Tamworth, and John Snape returned in midfield. Rob Elmes started up-front in place of Kerry Giddings, and James Wall partnered captain Ian Wright in defence.
Andy Porter failed a late fitness test with a thigh injury, and also missing from Graham Barrow's side was Craig Gaunt (hamstring) and Mark Woods (fractured cheekbone). Therefore Chester fielded the same team that beat the Bulls on Boxing Day.
Early on, Gavin Williams was running at the City defence, and Wayne Brown had to pluck the ball from his feet after the striker had broken free. Despite that, Chester showed their attacking forces when Chris Blackburn hit at Cooksey before Scott Ruscoe drove the ball over from thirty yards.
A Lane cross on eleven minutes was turned goalwards by Gavin Williams, and Brown saved for a corner. From the set-piece, Ian Wright shot goalwards but Matt Doughty was on hand to clear on the line at the Blackfriars End.
The deadlock should have been broken on twenty five minutes when Chester midfielder Chris Blackburn headed just over Scott Cooksey's crossbar. The ball came as a result of a corner from veteran striker Steve Whitehall.
With ten minutes of the half remaining, Williams knocked a good ball to McIndoe, and the former Luton man missed the ball and Carl Ruffer cleared for City. Chester few attempts to break down United and when Steve Whitehall was left alone up-front as Beesley was taken off injured just before the break, it was increasingly hard for the away side.
The opening goal came early in the second half as Gavin Williams was up-ended by Darren Moss, the Chester substitute, on fifty three minutes. Williams was on a superb run and looked like shooting goalwards before being brought down, so a spot kick was fairly awarded. Chris Lane stepped up for the penalty and buried his second in as many matches to give United the lead. In fact, Lane's two penalties have both been scored against Wayne Brown due to a strange twist in the fixtures calendar!
A Michael McIndoe corner met Elmes on the near post, and the striker headed the ball past Brown to double United's advantage. From then on, the game lost much of its rhythm. As it progressed, tackles became dirtier but Chester still strove to equalise, making Cooksey pull of saves on several occasions. However, it was clear that United had gained enough to win, and played out the rest of the half with relative safety.
Referee Andy Williams of Kingstone had a good game considering the conditions. He made just one booking, Paul Sturgess thirteen minutes from time for a poor challenge on one of the Chester strikers. The pitch cut up throughout the game and passing at time was extremely hard, but United showed that they can play good football even when the conditions are not of a good standard. John Snape played particularly well and made many impressive tackles. Maybe the conditions were more helpful to the likes of him, the battlers, than to the more skillful players in the team.
The attendance of 2,321 was surprisingly low for New Years Day, and there looked to be a few more in the stadium from my position. A travelling support of around 300 boosted the attendance and improved the atmosphere, but whether their drum helped matters was doubtful!
A good win for United, and hopefully it will kick-start a good run taking us to the top of the league. However, Yeovil will have to slip up and that's not looking likely! They won 2-0 at home to lowly Forest Green Rovers today, and Rushden kept up the pressure with a 2-1 win against Nuneaton where former United man Chris MacKenzie was sent off. Southport won 3-1 at Morecambe, but most teams dropped points below the Bulls. Stevenage drew and Boston won, but Dagenham, Doncaster and Chester all lost.
Hereford - Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Robinson, Wright, Wall, Snape, Sturgess, McIndoe, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - None
Man of the Match - John Snape
Robin Elmes has been telling of his delight with the 2-0 home win over Chester City today.
"That was an important win for us," he said. "We needed to get back on track and are mindful of the fact we have drawn too many at home. Gavin did well to still earn the penalty and Chris put it away well."
Meanwhile, Chester manager Graham Barrow said they deserved to lose. "We got what we deserved," he said. "We missed the boat in the first half when we should have got something going downhill. There are no arguments about the penalty either but Williams was going nowhere and that's something Darren Moss must learn."
Jan 2nd:
BOTH sides have reacted to Hereford's 2-0 win over Chester yesterday, but more had been heard from the away camp. Nevertheless, Graham Turner was pleased with the result and particularly delighted with Chris Lane's penalty, as he told the Nationwide Football website.
"They were two well executed spot-kicks," said Turner. "He varied the second from the one at Chester which went into the roof of the net." Lane told of his strategy to score from the spot. "Penalties are a matter of confidence. I keep my head down and hit it hard and more often than not they will go in."
Meanwhile, Chester boss Graham Barrow slammed his team, as he told the Chester Evening Leader. “If we play like we did against Hereford at Blackburn on Saturday, we’ll get murdered!" he said. "We got what we deserved. We missed the boat in the first half when we should have got something going downhill. There are no arguments about the penalty either, but Williams was going nowhere and that's something Darren Moss must learn."
He slammed his players for the performance at Edgar Street. “They won’t have a problem motivating themselves for the Blackburn game,” said Barrow. “But what I can’t understand is why they can accept the way they perform like they did yesterday. People look at the manager to motivate the players all the time but you’ve got to ask for some kind of response from the players. We have too many players who don’t want to get involved – and that worries me. Players are also looking across to the bench for what they should do next. They won’t get the chance to do that at Blackburn because they won’t have the time. If we make the same kind of mistakes we made yesterday then we’ll get punished.”
Barrow said they can only improve from the Hereford match, as their performance was really that bad! “We were talking about this on the coach on the way home,” added Barrow. “There’s no in-between with us. We’re either good or poor. There’s no middle ground with us. And instead of starting the new year in the chasing pack, you look at The Conference table this morning and we’re tenth and it’s not looking good.”
Jan 3rd:
THE visit of Reading to Edgar Street next Tuesday in the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy may give United fans a chance to see some former Premiership players. Former Spurs players John Polston (also Norwich) and Darren Caskey could play, as will Chris Casper, the former Manchester United defender.
Reading are currently sixth in Division Two, and are eight points behind current leaders Millwall, whom they are at home to this weekend when the Bulls visit Northwich Victoria.
Strikers Martin Butler and Jamie Cureton are in good form, but the Reading away record is poor - so Graham Turner may have problems assessing the opposition. He will be hoping for a good crowd to improve the financial situation, and to get behind the Bulls side.
TOMMOROW's Hereford Times will reveal that United midfielder Paul Parry is likely to miss the rest of the season with his ankle ligament injury. After breaking his ankle in a pre-season friendly, Parry underwent an exploratory arthroscopy last month and now must rest for six weeks until the re-assessed. Graham Turner told BBC Hereford & Worcester that reconstructive surgery is a possibility.
Hereford coach Steve Bull will not be joining Wolverhampton Wanderers as manager, as the club unveiled their new boss today. Former Southampton manager Dave Jones was appointed in the Molineux hotseat, ending speculation that Bull or caretaker boss John Ward would be appointed. However, it is not yet clear whether either will feature in Jones' backroom staff.
Jan 4th:
BOSTON United have approached Hereford United to bid for two of the Bulls' young stars, rumoured to be Gavin Williams and Chris Lane. Whether Graham Turner will need to sell is open to question, but all Bulls' fans hope he will hold onto them.
Boston boss Steve Evans said: "At the moment, I am still looking to bring in a couple of players and we are awaiting Hereford's response to our approach for a duo who are both in their early 20's and, if possible, would be signed with an eye to the future."
United striker Steve Piearce has joined Halesowen on-loan, as we revealed yesterday.
Director of football Graham Turner told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "He has had his problems here with injuries. Halesowen came in for him, and we have done that deal in the hope he will get himself fully fit."
Halesowen general manager Colin Brookes said: "Steve was a great favourite with the fans and it will give everybody a buzz to have him back. He only left to better himself and was hoping to break back into league football. He said if he ever left Hereford he would come back to The Grove."
Piearce has eighteen months left to run on his contract at Edgar Street, and scored sixty goals in two seasons at Halesowen.
Steve Bull may return to make his debut for Hereford United on Saturday after signing forms with the club, according to ClubCall (09068 121645). Whether he will start is not yet known.
THE former England and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Steve Bull is to come out of retirement to try to end a shortage of goals at non-league Hereford United reports the Guardian.
Bull, 35, scored a club record 250 league goals for Wolves before a knee injury ended his career last season. Since then he has combined a job in the Molineux commercial department with coaching the Conference club Hereford and is now set to play for them within the next week.
"We plan to put him on for the last quarter of an hour or so if we need a goal or two," said the Hereford manager Graham Turner.
Jan 5th:
HEREFORD United manager Graham Turner is not expecting an easy time as the Bulls visit Northwich Victoria tomorrow, but accepts winning at home to Chester has boosted morale in the camp.
He said: "It was a good performance and a good result, and it has given us a big boost. We have had a sticky patch with three points out of 15 prior to the Chester match, and we should have taken a lot more than those three points but it didn't materialise. But hopefully the win and the fact that we kept a clean sheet will have done the players the world of good."
Regarding tomorrow's match, Turner said: "It will be a tough game. Keith Alexander has got them well-organised and competing, and we know what to expect." Steve Bull is not expected to feature tomorrow, but could play a part next Tuesday when Hereford play Reading in the LDV Vans Trophy.
Turner was also pleased with his new signing Steve Bull. "We've been desperate for goals and Steve looked so sharp in training that I joked we might have to put him in the team," he said.
Bull responded to the news by saying: "It's gone well in training and I've signed the registration form so that I can play in the Conference. But even if I could last the pace, I would not be allowed to play in the Football League because of the compensation I received when injury forced me to retire."
Jan 6th:
STEVE Piearce, who found himself banished by his own manager at Hereford United, intends to prove he is far from finished by reviving his - and Halesowen Town's - fortunes in his one-month loan spell reports the Birmingham Post.
The striker insists his return to the Grove is the perfect pick-me-up after his troubles with the Bulls.
The 26-year-old promised his mission will be not only to show his talent after a miserable few months, but also to help Town claw their way out of the danger zone.
The forward, who bagged 60 goals in 89 games in two season with Halesowen, is due to make his debut today at Tamworth.
Ironically, the former Wolves and Doncaster Rovers professional might have been leading the Lambs attack against Halesowen after he seemed set to join them on loan, only for the deal to collapse when manager Paul Hendrie was fired.
Hereford chief Graham Turner, exasperated at a run of injuries which meant only nine starts in 18 months, had made it clear Piearce is unlikely to figure again with the Bulls, having banned him from the club.
But Piearce, who says he is fit after a hamstring problem, is looking to the future.
'I just want to play football and hopefully get my season back on track,' he said .
'What has happened at Hereford has been well documented but going to Halesowen gives me a platform to play and hopefully I can do well and get a few goals.
'All I want to do is to give 100 per cent, get some games under my belt and enjoy my football.'
Piearce admits it has been a frustrating time at Edgar Street. Having snapped up the chance to go full-time when Hereford offered him a three-year contract in the summer of 1999, the Dr Martens Golden Boot winner was determined to play his part in the Bulls' bid to regain their League status, but a back injury and pelvic problem meant a stop-start season.
Hamstring injuries have hindered his progress this term and when he had to withdraw from the side to play Yeovil Town last month in the LDV Vans Trophy, Turner banned him from the club.
'After my back injury last season, I didn't think things could get any worse but I was wrong,' said the striker.
'I know the gaffer has been frustrated and so have I. All I want to do is play and hopefully going back to Halesowen will give me the chance to show what I can do.
'The good thing is that I feel at home there. It's a lovely, friendly club.
'The people there know what I can do and I feel I have a point to prove to them. It means I can go into games relaxed and hopefully that will help me score a few goals.
'Since I left Halesowen I've kept an eye on their results and I must admit I didn't think they would be at this end of the table.
'It would be nice to help them climb the table.'
YOUNG defender Chris Lane has been sold to Southport, apparently for a fee of £12,500 and a 25% sell-on clause. The deal was struck by Graham Turner late last night and the money is vital to keep the club going. Fans have been angered about the decision.
Lane made his debut today and scored in Southport's 3-1 defeat at home to Rushden & Diamonds. Southport manager Mark Wright said of Lane's performance: "I thought he had an excellent first game for us and showed that he is a quality signing."
NORTHWICH VICTORIA 1 - 0 HEREFORD UNITED
Today just had to go wrong, it started badly, got worse, and resulted in Steve Bulls debut! Hereford travelled to the Drill Field, their fans unaware that Chris Lane had been sold to Southport late last night. Many supporters saw Lane as one of the promising prospects at the club, but he had to be sold to ease financial problems at the club. So the day started pretty badly for the Bull's following.
In addition to long-term absentees, Tony James, Paul Parry and John Shirley, Graham Turner also missed Steve Piearce, who started his loan spell at Halesowen. The sale of Chris Lane meant Ian Rodgerson was brought in to fill the role on the right flank. Steve Bull was also named on the bench.
Northwich manager Keith Alexander named former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Lance Key in the side, and gave a debut to Richie Mitchell in attack. He partnered Adie Mike, formerly of Manchester City. Ian Robinson, a midfielder, also played his first game for the Vics.
Northwich looked the better team in the opening twenty minutes, keeping Cooksey on his toes with some testing efforts. Gavin Williams and Michael McIndoe lead the Bulls rebellion, as the pushed back into the game after a dodgy early period!
Hereford came back into the game, and almost took the lead on twenty two minutes. Gavin Williams had a good shot from an acute angle on the right-hand side of the area which Lance Key saved superbly. The effort came from a sublime pass from John Snape as he showed superb movement, passing a host of home defenders.
United showed their attacking potential again soon after, as a Davis clearance fell to Michael McIndoe. He then hit a twenty yard volley just wide of the post from outside of the area. As the half progressed, both Robinson and Mcindoe had further chances to test Lance Key.
In the second period, United looked stronger at the start, but the Northwich goal changed everything as the home side showed their supremacy as the Bulls fell apart. Ian Rodgerson's continuous work was a pleasure to watch, but good defending by the back line of Northwich resulted in a frustrating afternoon for the United faithful. Matt Clarke also played well, and he hit a good cross for Phil Robinson to knock over the crossbar when it may have been easier for him to score! Ian Rodgerson also played a vital part in the build-up to the chance.
The inevitable goal came on seventy three minutes when a Mark Devlin cross from the left was met by Victoria's recent signing from Nuneaton Borough, Richie Mitchell. The debutant headed the ball goalwards, it then came off the post, rolled along the line and Mitchell couldn't fail to score with a simple tap-in.
Graham Turner instantly responded, by replacing Michael McIndoe with Steve Bull, the veteran Wolves striker, to make his debut. However, Bull looked unfit and eventually went off fourteen minutes later with a hamstring injury having done nothing to help United's cause. He was running after a John Snape ball when he pulled up. Northwich took over, and there was no way back for the Bulls. The home side looked more alert when Bull entered the fray.
The referee, Mr. S. Tanner of Bristol, made just one booking - to Northwich defender Steve Davis for a foul early on. Overall, he didn't have that many decisions to make and kept the game at a good pace.
An awful day - first learning of Lane's sale, then letting in a dodgy goal, and finally Bully doing nothing on his debut! Roll on Tuesday night!
Hereford - Cooksey, Rodgerson, Clarke, Robinson, Wright, Wall, Snape, Sturgess, McIndoe, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Bull (75), Giddings (89)
Man of the Match - John Snape.
Jan 7th:
GRAHAM Turner has been explaining why he sold Chris Lane to Southport. Apparently, the club have budgeted for attendances of 2,300 this season and in recent games, they have not been met. Therefore Lane was sold to ease the cashflow problem for an undisclosed fee and a 25% sell on clause.
"The sale of Lane obviously weakens the side", said Turner. "But we have come to a stage where you have to keep the club afloat until we get someone to come along and put money into the club. Until then I am afraid that we are going to have to sell players because the gates that we get just do not meet the overheads of running a full time staff."
Meanwhile, Richie Mitchell, the Northwich striker who scored the winner yesterday, has been speaking of his debut match at the Drill Field. "Hopefully there is more where that came from," he said. "I am grateful to The Vics and just want to play first-team football."
Jan 9th:
STEVE Bull may play in tonight's game against Reading, according to the Evening News. Boss Graham Turner said: "He just had a little tightening of the hamstring and did the right thing in coming off. We will see how he is tonight."
Also, goalkeepers Scott Cooksey and Matt Baker have both been struck down by flu, but one should be available. Both Matt Clarke and Ian Rodgerson have strains. Graham Turner said of opponents Reading: "It has cost them over £5million to assemble a very strong squad, and I know they are treating the game very seriously -- they are preparing as they would for any big game. But we have done very well in cup competitions in the past and this is throwing down a challenge to our lads to show they are good enough to match quality Second Division players."
HEREFORD UNITED 1 -2 READING
LDV Vans Trophy Southern Section Second Round.
Hereford were eliminated from the LDV Vans Trophy last night, but far from humiliated against Division Twon high-flyers Reading. The home side were without Matt Baker who had flu, Matt Clarke, Steve Bull, Paul Parry and Tony James, whilst Reading had almost a full squad to pick from.
From the off, the away side showed their authority and it took just three minutes for Jamie Cureton to create his first shot of the evening. However, his effort was blocked by former Charlton fullback Paul Sturgess.
The Bulls matched Reading in the early period, and Robin Elmes headed wide from a Michael McIndoe corner on eleven minutes. A further eleven minutes later, Gavin Williams almost gave his side the lead on twenty three minutes, when Ian Rodgerson knocked a good ball through. However, Williams managed to mess it up, running across goal before losing possession when one-on-one with Howie.
Both sides continued to have chances as Caskey skimmed the Hereford crossbar, and John Snape hit straight at Howie. Ian Wright also turned a McIndoe corner wide. Alan Pardew's side took the lead on thirty six minutes as former Spurs midfielder and Reading captain Darren Caskey hit a good cross to star striker Jamie Cureton. The former Bristol City man turned and hit a great shot from eighteen yards past Cooksey and high into the net.
Despite conceding, Cooksey was in good form for much of the evening despite suffering badly from flu. However, he was at fault for the second Reading goal. Itsix minutes of the half remaining, as Tony Rougier hit a low cross from the right hand side to Jimmy McIntyre, and the Scotsman scored from close range. The goal really was the result of poor defending by the Bulls, which I suspect Graham Turner will criticise after the game.
After the break, Reading's Sammy Igoe received a McIntyre pass but fluffed his shot, hitting over the crossbar from close range. The McIntyre should have lengthened the scoreline when he hit a close range effort wide of Cooksey's post.
Hereford looked second best at this stage, but pushed their way back after Ian Wright headed off the line from Jamie Cureton. They started to get back into the game and good tackles from Ian Rodgerson and Phil Robinson showed United's dogged perseverance.
The Bulls pulled a deserved goal back with twenty minutes remaining, as Adrian Viveash's passback was missed by goalkeeper Scott Howie, and Gavin Williams took the ball goalwards before hitting a sweet shot across goal, and it was knocked in off the far post.
Gavin Williams almost created the chance that could have resulted in an equaliser two minutes later. His cross was missed in the box by McIndoe and the chance trickled away.
All in all, United fans cannot argue that they were hard done by, by Graham Turner's side showed they can compete against league sides and rose to the occasion. Matt Clarke was sorely missed, but Kerry Giddings was a breath of fresh air when he entered the fray.
Referee Mr P Rejer of Tipton made two bookings on the night. Reading's Hunter and Gray were both cautioned for fouls.
Hereford - Cooksey, Rodgerson, Gardiner, Robinson, Wright, Wall, Snape, Sturgess, McIndoe, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Giddings (67).
Man of the Match - Gavin Williams.
Jan 10th:
GRAHAM Turner said Hereford's LDV Trophy disappointment was down to dodgy defending. He told the Nationwide Football website: "Reading's finishing in the first half was first class. Their first goal was a superb strike but their second came from sloppy defending. But we had a go in the last 20 minutes and the players enjoyed the experience of playing against good opponents."
Reading boss Alan Pardew told of his delight to the Official Reading website.
"I was pleased with the victory because it was a difficult tie for us and it is a difficult place to go. I have a lot of respect for their manager Graham Turner because he has a lot of experience, and they have a few good players in the side so we had to play well to come through. Before the game I wondered whether the timing was good for us, after losing to Millwall it would have been beneficial to get a full weeks work on the training ground, but a victory is a nice boost for us, and it was also a good performance which is equally as pleasing. We only changed the side around just to get a look at a few things tactically, it wasn't a case of putting anyone in the shop window or anything like that."
"I'm not too concerned by the goal, those types of mistakes do happen. Both Howie & Adie went for it, and because of that it was a positive mistake. I'd rather two players went for the ball than none. We'd love to eliminate those mistakes completely and the goal did make the last 15 minutes more difficult for us as we would have liked to have had the game wrapped up by then. It hasn't changed what I think about Scott Howie because this season has been hard for him and he has been very patient. Phil Whitehead has been one of our best players this season and Scott will continue to work hard as he has done all year."
"I knew that coming to a club where Graham Turner was in charge would be tough and I wasn't relishing it," commented the Royals boss. "But we are into the next round even though we put ourselves under pressure by conceding a goal. Hereford did have two or three good players and striker Gavin Williams caused us a lot of problems."
Meanwhile, an argument has broken out about the current state of affairs at the club, and particularly about a loan of £5,000 which the fans think should have been a donation from HUISA to the club. It appears that some fans are calling for HUISA to disband and for an official supporters club to be reformed.
Finally according to Graham Turner, the sale of Chris Lane was to keep the club alive and with Kettering, Rushden and Telford all having strong financial backing, Hereford's may eventually come along. "In the meantime, we will continue with our very best efforts to return this club to the league," said Turner. "It can be done without help from a benefactor but a financial backer of the club would make life easier."
Jan 12th:
GRAHAM Turner is not being over-confident about tomorrow's home match against Dover Athletic in the FA Trophy third round. The Bulls are unlikely to win the league so the Trophy has added importance.
Turner said: "Dover are a good side and I've every respect for their manager Bill Williams, a shrewd and experienced operator. We will treat them with caution and play as well as we can, perhaps as we did against Reading when we had a go in the last 20 minutes and might have got a draw."
An replay will be at the Crabble Ground on Tuesday, January 16, and the fourth round draw is next money.
Meanwhile, Graham Turner is part of a sub-committee that has been formed to spearhead the push for two promotion places from the Conference.
John Moules, chief executive of the Conference, said: "Back in the summer, when the principle of increased promotion places to the third division was agreed, everyone at our level of football was extremely optimistic. We felt that that come the new year, we would have all the arrangements in place and ready to implement for the beginning of next season.
"Unfortunately, we haven't managed to make this progress and we think it's vital for the Conference, the League and the FA to meet to finalise the necessary details and implement plans for the new agreement. After all, in order to get the rule changes on the agenda for this summer's AGM’s, we really do need to be agreeing decisions in March. We have three parties all keen to resolve this matter - we just need that final push."
Also on the committee is Phil Wallace (Stevenage Borough), Andy Shaw (Telford United), Charlie Clapham (Southport) and Terry Smith (Chester City).
Jan 13th:
A FROWN creased the face of the most prolific and lionised goalscorer in Wolverhampton Wanderers' history when he heard the club's latest centre-forward discovery being hailed as "the new Bully" reports the Independent. For one thing, he felt Adam Proudlock should not be burdened by such labels. For another, as Hereford United hope to show, there is life yet in the "old" Steve Bull.
Sixteen months after injury forced his retirement from full-time football, the Black Country cult hero and former England striker is ready to resume the personal vendetta against defenders and goalkeepers which brought him 250 goals for Wolves in the Football League alone. Bull, now 35, is primed for a playing comeback with Hereford, the Nationwide Conference and ex-League club whose manager-chairman, Graham Turner, first took him to Molineux 15 years ago.
In fact, he has already made his debut for Hereford, who are appropriately nicknamed "The Bulls". Dominating but trailing 1-0 at Northwich Victoria last Saturday, Turner sent him on with 15 minutes left. Unfortunately, his first game since coming on in the No 14 shirt for Wolves against promotion-bound Bradford City on the last day of the 1998-99 campaign ended not only in defeat but with a tweaked hamstring and the substitute being subbed.
Bull, however, has thrust his limbs where studs are raised too often to be deterred by such a setback. If he is not fit for Hereford's FA Trophy, third-round tie at home to Dover Athletic today then he will be raring to play his part in what he hopes will be a run to the final - his public-relations duties with Wolves permitting.
"I do 10 hours a week at Molineux," Bull explained, "and everything else comes second to that. I visit hospitals, schools and factories, plus charity stuff, and that's helped to fill the gap in my life that was left when I had to stop playing for Wolves. I've still got strong feelings for the club - I'm gold and black through and through - and it's always difficult to accept that it's over when it's like that.
"I could probably have carried on for another year, playing two games one month and one the next, but I wanted to play week in, week out or not at all. But if I can't play for Wolves, Hereford's the next best thing. I've got to be at Molineux for home games, but the agreement's very flexible."
When Bull linked up with the non-Leaguers last summer, it was to lend his experience at training to Turner ("a good manager and a good mate") and a one-time Wolves colleague, Phil Robinson, the new player-coach. "What was frustrating was that there was nothing, no buzz, at the end of the week," said Bull. "I was seeing the lads go out and make chances, and I thought: 'I could still do that, still get goals'.
"The problem wasn't the knee I'd had the three operations on. It was all in my head and I needed a few months to realise that. The training I do with Hereford isn't as intense as I did at Wolves either. I keep myself in trim - I've put on just three pounds in the past 18 months - so once the leg's okay, I'm going to get out there and start scoring again."
The words are spoken with such certainty that Hereford, intelligently prompted by Robinson but lacking a cutting edge, may still redeem a season which now hinges on Trophy success. A revitalised Bull would certainly ease the pressure on the current strike-force of Gavin Williams, who scored against Reading in the midweek LDV Vans Trophy defeat, and Rob Elmes, a Sutton Coldfield school-teacher.
A few weeks ago, it looked as if Wolves could do worse than invite Bull back into active service themselves. Then the sacking of his last manager there, Colin Lee, was followed by an upturn in results under the temporary stewardship of John Ward and Lee's successor, Dave Jones.
"It's funny how people start playing again when a new manager comes in," said Bull, who plainly did not mean funny ha-ha. "I can't understand why they weren't playing in the first place."
Proudlock's scoring spree, while modest by his predecessor's standards, has been a feature of the revival. "People have said Adam's like me, and he is young, raw and a local boy," reflected Bull. "I also scored quite a few like his winner at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup last Sunday. But it would be wrong to put him under pressure by calling him the new Steve Bull. He's got his own attributes, though the way he finishes is very similar, and he'll go a long way if he stays level-headed. If he has as much success as I did at Wolves, Dave Jones will be delighted. So will I."
HEREFORD UNITED 1 - 0 DOVER ATHLETIC
FA Umbro Trophy Third Round.
A Gavin Williams goal on thirty two minutes gave Hereford United victory and the key to progress to the fourth round of the FA Trophy at home against Conference side Dover Athletic. The win will have delighted manager Graham Turner and also boosted the club finances, and the draw will be held on Monday at 2.30pm.
The previous meeting between these two this season, also at Edgar Street, resulted in a 4-2 victory for the Bulls despite being 2-0 down after just eight minutes. The previous Trophy game came back in 1998 when Dover went home from Edgar Street with victory. Hereford haven't made the fourth round of the trophy since their relegation to the Conference in 1997, until now.
In addition to the long-term absentees of Paul Parry, Tony James and John Shirley, and Steve Piearce who is out on loan, Hereford were without Steve Bull. The veteran striker had a hamstring strain picked up against Northwich. Both Gavin Williams and Matt Clarke overcame injuries as Matthew Gardiner dropped to the bench. Clarke played at right back whilst Ian Rodgson played wide on the right of midfield.
Dover fielded a strong eleven. Hyde, the captain, played in goal, with Stuart Munday joining Norman, Chapman and Lee Shearer in the side. Also competing was Beard, Pluck, Strouts, main threat Joff Vansittart, Danny Hockton and the man who scored two goals against the Bulls earlier this season, Neil Le Bihan.
Hereford started brightly and were on top for the majority of the first half. It came as no surprise when the Bulls did as they had been threatening for twenty minutes when Robin Elmes provided a good pass to Gavin Williams on the left side of the area, and he proceeded to lift the ball over the advancing Hyde to give Hereford the lead.
The Bulls attacked the Meadow End in the first half so Cooksey could keep out of the sun. Gavin Williams started well by shooting just wide on two minutes, and then Ian Wright headed goalwards before a superb save from Hyde kept the scores level five minutes later.
After the Hereford goal, they sat back but Dover couldn't create anything of any real vigour. Matt Clarke, James Wall and Ian Wright were all strong at the back whilst Ian Rodgerson, Phil Robinson and Michael McIndoe all worked well in midfield.
The second half started in the same fashion as the first, with Elmes missing a sitter after just three minutes. However, Dover soon came back and Cooksey had a close shave on the hour when he tipped over a dipping shot from Jimmy Strouts.
Gavin Williams received a pass from McIndoe soon after, and he was unlucky when he hit the bar. and a minute later Hyde saved well from Williams. Dover made the Bulls uncomfortable with their attacking play late on, especially when prolific striker Joff Vansittart hit the bar with five minutes remaining, sandwiched between efforts from Hockton and Vansittart once again.
An attendance of just 1,294 saw the game, one of the lowest at Edgar Street this season. However, those that did turn up were served a competitive match with plenty of incident, even if there was only one goal!
The referee, Mr S. Castle, had a poor match and missed several incidents. He also cautioned Sturgess, Elmes and Le Bihan for fouls, and Elmes and Munday for dissent.
Dover will consider themselves unlucky not to gain a draw but it's Hereford who will enter the next round draw to be held on Monday at 2.30pm, live on TalkSport. The final is at Villa Park in May.
Hereford - Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess, Robinson, Wright, Wall, Rodgerson, Snape, McIndoe, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Giddings (89).
Man of the Match - Gavin Williams
Jan 14th:
FORMER Hereford United striker Stewart Phillips has said that Gavin Williams is worth £200,000 on the current market. Phillips, who runs a fitness centre in the city, told the Nationwide website: "He is worth at least that sort of money at today's transfer values."
Meanwhile, Graham Turner has responded to people who have slammed his decision to sell Chris Lane via the fans forum on the official website. Turner wrote in his programme notes in 'Bullseye'.
"Not unexpectedly there was a backlash to the sale of Chris Lane. There was a great deal of criticism flying about with even a suggestion that we may be better to let the club fold which is quite ludicrous," he said. "It seems that when football business decisions are taken rational thinking goes out of the window. Let me make it quite clear once again that I nor our board of directors wish to sell players. We have this dream that we can restore this club to a place in the Football League and financial stability. However, faced with threats of a court action or failure of the company voluntary arrangement and subsequent closing of the club, we are occasionally forced to do things that are unpalatable."
Jan 15th:
SOURCES close to the club have revealed that star striker Gavin Williams wants to stay at Edgar Street, and will not be leaving unless it is beneficial to the club. Williams is apparently very happy at the club and has not been affected by rumours that various clubs are after his services.
Unconfirmed rumours have been circulating that Williams is wanted by fellow non-leaguers Rushden & Diamonds, Reading of the second division, and Premiership sides Charlton Athletic and Coventry City, but none of these have been confirmed by either Hereford United or the potential bidding party.
Hereford United have been drawn at home to Leigh RMI in the FA Trophy fourth round. The match is scheduled for Saturday, February 3rd and therefore the home league match against Woking has been postponed. When it will be resheduled is not yet known. Also to be rescheduled is the away match at Southport after it was cancelled late last year, but again no date has yet been confirmed.
Jan 17th:
OFFICIAL Nationwide Conference website footballNOW! have announced that the Nationwide Building Society are to extend their sponsorship of the league until 2004. The sponsorship deal started in 1998, and John Moules, League Chief Executive, said: "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to build our excellent relationship with Nationwide even further. They are a prestigious organisation and have a huge profile within the UK, and it's a privilege to have their backing. The commitment of Nationwide across all levels of football also helps to elevate the profile of our competition."
Peter Gandolfi, Head of Sports Marketing for the Nationwide Building Society, said: "Our links with football in the UK are broad and extensive, with sponsorships from the grass roots right through to national teams. Nationwide is an organisation rooted in the community - just like the 22 teams in the Conference. The extension to this sponsorship re-inforces Nationwide's commitment to the community and all levels of football, and demonstrates our long term commitment to The Nationwide Conference - we are delighted to be on board until 2004.".
Due to Hereford United's match against Leigh RMI in the FA Trophy fourth round on Saturday 3rd February, the scheduled league match against Woking has been moved to February 6th, 2001.
Bulls chairman Graham Turner is set to meet FA boss Adam Crozier regarding the second promotion place from the Conference, and knows Crozier is keen to open up the door wider.
Turner said: "The first thing is to get the ball rolling and meet with the chief executive of the FA. That will happen next week. I think there's a great deal of work to be done. The time factor is important - we want it in for next year. The Football League AGM is early to mid-June and they have to give 35 days notice of any changes to rules."
Turner added: "I don't think that the Football League chairmen will vote themselves another relegation place. We're fourth in the table and in any other league people would be thinking you're having a reasonable season. But because there's only one promotion place, people think you're having a bad season."
The Football League have stalled on negotiations, so it is unlikely that the second promotion place will be opened up for next season.
Jan 19th:
GRAHAM Turner has told BBC's Ceefax that tomorrow's match at home against lowly Hayes will be a testing time for his side. "We played them very early in the season and they looked a top side," he said. "They are fighting for their lives and it will be a very tough game."
On Gavin Williams' injury, Turner said: "He took a fair bit of battering against Dover but I don't think he is being singled out for treatment - he is that quick and sharp that people are going in for tackles and he is past them."
Meanwhile, Hayes boss Terry Brown is optimistic about his side's chances. "Our away form has been much better than our home form," admitted Brown. "We have improved considerably in the last month so I am hopeful of going there and getting something from the game."
Also, the HUISA Members Meeting will be held on Saturday at the Richmond Club, starting at 12pm.
Jan 20th:
HEREFORD UNITED 3 - 2 HAYES
Having already beaten Hayes 2-0 at Church Road in September, the Bulls were going for their first league double of the season at Edgar Street this afternoon - but it didn't come from the predicted sources of goals. Substitute Kerry Giddings scored twice to pull the game round to Hereford's advantage and secure all three points.
Hereford boss Graham Turner thought star striker Gavin Williams had recovered sufficiently from his injury to start up-front alongside Rob Elmes, but Steve Bull was missing.
Hayes decided, probably wisely, not to field Jimmy Quinn, a Hereford player for just three matches earlier in the season. Alvin Watts (wrist) and Jason Googliffe (ankle) also missed out, so Terry Brown named just three substitutes for the London side.
From the off it was clear that the away side were a force to be reckoned with, dominating early periods of play and Scott Cooksey was the busier of the two 'keepers. In fact, Moore and Boylan both had chances to beat him from long range but the dominant figure was equal to the shots. Hereford's captain Ian Wright hit a long range effort over the crossbar of Paul Gothard in one of the home side's few first have chances at the Blackfriars End.
Hayes took a deserved lead on thirty five minutes when Barry Moore got hold of the ball thirty yards from goal. He hit a cracking shot goalwards which bounced awkwardly and past Cooksey into the goal.
Hereford looked second best, but Gavin Williams made a good chance soon after the goal. However, Gothard was equal to the shot, as he was when Rob Elmes hit a close range effort straight at him minutes later.
The interval resulted in two changes for the Bulls. Captain Ian Wright picked up a muscle strain and Gavin Williams was suffering with the injury that had prevented him from training this week. Both were taken off, Matthew Gardiner taking up the central defensive role and Kerry Giddings partnering Elmes.
Giddings was much more influential and brought a new dimension to the home attack, and the side looked in control despite being 1-0 down. However, it took some twenty three minutes before the pressure could be converted into goals, mainly down to the good form of the away 'keeper.
The home side got a deserved equaliser on sixty eight minutes when a corner from Michael McIndoe was knocked on by Elmes for Giddings to push into the net. Just ninety seconds later, Giddings was up to his tricks again, beating three defenders on his way to firing a superb second goal for United. His rasping effort, from fifteen yards, gave Gothard no chance as United took the lead.
Gothard saved well eight minutes later, but a corner was given. Robin Elmes made it 3-1 to the Bulls when a short corner, again from McIndoe, allowed the part-time striker to tap the ball home on the far post. The introduction of Hayes' three substitutes did nothing to improve their position as Hereford still had the advantage.
In injury time, Brendan Gallen hit a consolation goal for Hayes. His effort from the edge of the six yard box was a sweet goal into the top of the net. However, it was a matter of too little too late.
The referee, Mr. A. Marriner of Birmingham, had a poor game and made some mind-boggling decisions to say the least. He booked three players, Hereford's Paul Sturgess for a foul eleven minutes after the break, Hayes' Steve McKimm and Gallen, again both for wreckless challenges.
A disappointing crowd of 1,368 watched the game, and this will do nothing to improve the financial position of the club. After two recent low crowds, the club must be wondering how to bring fans back to Edgar Street.
Elsewhere, leaders Yeovil went down to ther first home defeat of the season against third placed Southport. Former United man Chris Lane scored the only goal late in the game. Doncaster Rovers were 3-0 winners at lowly Forest Green Rovers, and now move into fifth place as Stevenage's match at home to Hednesford Town was postponed. Rushden & Diamonds vs Northwich Victoria was also off. Next week's opponents, Telford United, recorded a 2-1 home victory over struggling Nuneaton Borough.
Hereford - Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess, Robinson, Wright, Wall, Rodgerson, Snape, McIndoe, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Giddings (45), Gardiner (45).
Man of the Match - Matt Clarke
Jan 21st:
KERRY Giddings told BBC Hereford & Worcester yesterday of his delight at scoring two vital goals. "I thought we were far superior, but the pitch didn't help us at all," said Giddings. "In the first half the surface was very hard, but the rest of the lads softened it up for me after the break."
He was disappointed, though, that it needed Rob Elmes' third to win the game.
Meanwhile, William Hill have quoted Hereford United at 50/1 to win the title, in from 100/1 yesterday morning. A combination of three points, plus a defeat for Yeovil against Southport, has meant new odds from the bookies. Yeovil Town, the current leaders, are at 4/3, with Rushden & Diamonds at 7/2 second favourites. Southport are at 15/1, with United further back at 50/1. Doncaster Rovers are right out at 100/1.
Jan 22nd:
ACCORDING to the Official Boston United website, satellite television giants Sky Sports are to show a new Conference-related programme from the start of February. The first show will apparently be broadcast on Thursday, 1st February, and will be shown weekly. It is thought that it will feature goals and news from all around the Conference.
Confguide.com have announced that the show will be broadcast between 7 and 7.30pm, and be repeated later, on Sky Sports 1.
Graham Turner has said that Saturday's dismal crowd has meant the club are unable to fully pay the wages this week. Only 1,368 watched Hayes' visit to Edgar Street, and Turner said: "We have won and have had a good run at home the past month, but the worrying thing is the attendance. The gate of 1368 is not enough to pay the wages."
"Yet we are fourth in the table and probably having our best Conference season. What a difference it would make if there was a second Conference promotion place. So I don't really know what more we can do to attract more through the turnstiles.".
Meanwhile, Turner wrote in Bullseye of his aim to get the Conference a second promotion place. "I and the other chairmen will put our case to Adam Crozier," he said. "We will then rely on him and the FA to back our case. Time is crucial if we are to get things moving for next season. But make no mistake about it, there is a determination amongst us to make it happen."
Jan 23rd:
SKY Sports have given information regarding their new programme focusing on the non-league scene. The show will be broadcast weekly and will be called 'The Non-League Football Show.' It will first be shown on Thursday, February 1st on Sky Sports One at 7.30pm, and repeated at 12.30am.
There will be a featured match from the Conference each week, with the first game being Stevenage Borough vs Rushden & Diamonds which will be held this Saturday. A round-up of the other matches should also be included.
Graham Turner has gained further support in his push for a second promotion place to Division Three, this time from the chairman of former league side Scarborough. Turner has met Adam Crozier, FA Chief Executive today, regarding the plan, and Scarborough chairman Trevor Milton has accused the Football League of delaying the issue.
He said: "The League have to start seeing sense because more promotion places have got to come - that's agreed by everyone in the football world. The League has asked for more time but they've already had plenty of that. We believe the real issue is money."
Hereford United FC have released the following statement via the official website:
"Following the disappointment to supporters over the sale of Chris Lane, we would like to make it clear that the financial position of the club is critical. Whilst realising that it is not desirable to transfer our promising players it is unavoidable and will have to continue while the finances remain in the present state.
"We have actively sought investors and other sources of capital without success. Last weeks attendance of 1368 was over 1000 short of our break-even figure, this despite us having lost just one home league game this season and currently lie fourth place in the Conference.
"The Board of Directors would welcome anyone interested in pursuing an active roll in the club."
Jan 24th:
GRAHAM Turner has been pleased by the meeting with Adam Crozier of the FA. He told the Hereford Times: "The meeting was very positive - he said all the right things to us. The vibes that we got were that the FA are going to support the extra promotion place."
The club have also released a statement regarding the fans forum on the official website (http://www.herefordunited.co.uk). It reads:
"Following a meeting of the Liaison Committee it was felt that due to continual scurrilous and hurtful comments about individual members of that committee a statement should be made concerning the current situation.
"HUISA, Vice Presidents, Junior Bulls, the Official Web Site and the Board of Directors are united in their attempts to ensure the survival of the Club. A considerable amount of work has gone into fundraising from all sections and their contribution have been greatly appreciated.
"We feel that our Web Site Forum has on occasion been used as a vehicle in an attempt to divide the Club, particularly the relationship between the board and HUISA where unfounded, undeserved comments and criticism of voluntary members of that committee are unacceptable.
"We therefore propose that, whilst wishing to keep open debate on Club issues, we are not prepared to accept anonymous contributions. We do not wish to censor views and opinions but desire that contributors make themselves known through registration. We therefore propose to turn it into a registered Forum."
Scott Cooksey, Hereford's first choice goalkeeper, has been named in the England semi-professional squad to play Wales. The game, to be held at Rushden's Nene Park on 13th February, will kick off at 7.30pm.
The squad is:
Goalkeepers : Wayne Brown (Chester City), Scott Cooksey (Hereford United).
Defenders : Kevin McIntyre (Doncaster Rovers), Tim Ryan (Doncaster Rovers), Jason Goodliffe (Hayes), Tarkan Mustafa (Rushden and Diamonds), Steve West (Woking), Terry Skiverton (Yeovil Town).
Midfielders : Gary Patterson (Kingstonian), Geoff Pitcher (Kingstonian), Stewart Drummond (Morecambe), Mike Marsh (Southport), Paul Underwood (Rushden and Diamonds).
Forwards : Justin Jackson (Rushden and Diamonds), Steve Brodie (Scarborough), Warren Patmore (Yeovil Town).
Jan 25th:
TELFORD United boss Jake King has announced that he will require different tactics when facing Hereford on Saturday. After last weekend's 2-1 home win over Nuneaton, morale will be high but King has told that he will face a hard tie.
"We've got some tough games coming up against the likes of Hereford and Southport where we will need to employ a different gameplan from the one on Saturday," he said.
Meanwhile, Graham Turner has re-iterated the point that players could be sold to ease financial problems. He told the Evening News: "The club has survived over the last three or four years by cup runs or the sale of players. That is the only way the club can survive, and in many ways the situation has not changed. The situation has been exaggerated by the alarming drop in attendances since Christmas, and a gate of just over 1,300 against Hayes highlighted that. We need 2,500 to break even. We are still in a Company Voluntary Arrangement which makes it doubly difficult. We are also in debt to the developers which is well known."
The reserve side won 3-0 at Burton in the Sygnus Central Conference last night.
The FA have announced that they are to meet with the Football League regarding a second promotion place from the Conference. The finances have been the stumbling block, but an FA spokesman said: "The FA board considered the matter at their meeting yesterday. We are delighted to say that we are arranging a meeting in the near future to reach an amicable solution with the Football League and Football Conference; for the good of the game as a whole."
The Football League clubs are worried about losing money from the television deal and a Football League spokesman said: "We have always been in favour of this in principle and have consulted our clubs, who have positive feelings about it. But we need to talk to the FA about how exactly it would be financed as there would be a greater need for parachute payments."
He added: "People have said turkeys wouldn't vote for Christmas in relation to the Third Division clubs but there is a feeling that if they do go down, there would be more places for them to come back up again."
The current options include:
Three promotion and relegation places.
Two promotion and relegation places.
Two promotion and relegation places, with a play-off between the third highest and third lowest teams.
Jan 26th:
TELFORD United chairman Andy Shaw has backed the FA in their moves to introduce a second promotion place after a meeting with Adam Crozier earlier in the week.
"This news reconfirms our faith in the Football Association and is very positive for the Conference," said Shaw, who is part of the team which includes Graham Turner committed to pushing the move. "The Conference want three up and three down by the season 2001/2002 - that is the deadline we've set and we expect it to be introduced."
Graham Turner has said to his side that they must focus on the task in hand and not worry about off-field problems if they are to beat Telford tomorrow.
He told the Evening News: "They have got behind on their fixtures because they have had a lot of problems with the playing surface, but they have a decent home record. But we are in reasonable form ourselves. Despite the defeat at Northwich a couple of weeks ago we will ourselves. Despite the defeat at Northwich a couple of weeks ago we will go there with a a little bit of determination and confidence.
"All the off-the-field problems will be have to be put to one side when we go out on the field tomorrow. We have got two young players chomping at the bit waiting to get in, so it will give them a chance."
Meanwhile, Jake King, boss of Telford, has told of his selection headache tomorrow. With Roger Preece out suspended and injuries to Kevin Jobling and Steve Palmer, King has reason to be worried.
"Neither Jobs or Stevie have done anything this week, and we've had to treat them with kid gloves," he said. "They will both have fitness tests tomorrow before the game and I have to admit it's a big worry. We don't have a great deal of strength in depth in midfield and in an ideal world I don't want to start chopping and changing a team which has only been beaten twice in 11 games."
However, King is still confident of his side's chances. "We have only been beaten twice in the last 11 games, away to Blackpool and Yeovil, so we are doing quite well. I would say we have been steady as much as anything."
Jan 27th:
THE Official Website have announced details of the Family Quiz Night, due to be held in Legends on Monday 19th February at 7:30pm.
Tickets will be priced at £1 per person, with a maximum of four members per team. The quiz masters will be Trevor Owens of BBC Hereford & Worcester, and V Shop's Paul Stevens. Also to attend is Graham Turner and some of the players.
Categories in the quiz include: Sport, General Knowledge, Music, TV & Film, HUFC, Picture & Audio. There will be a range of questions suitable for all ages and interests. Prizes will be awarded for each category and the overall winning team, and draw tickets will be available for 25p each (£1 per strip), with lots of prizes to be won.
In the effort to raise as much money as possible the club will be placing small change collection buckets strategically around the room and on the bar! All the money raised on the night will be announced and presented to Graham Turner that evening.
Tickets are now on sale from the club shop and office.
A report in the Evening News has suggested that Hereford United FC may be forced to change to a part-time setup if the financial difficulties don't ease and the club's gates do not improve. With a severe warning from Chairman and manager Graham Turner that finances are critical after a lack of a cup run, and despite being fourth in the table, one promotion place meants United are effectively out of the title race.
However, the Bulls are still in the FA Trophy and, should they reach the Villa Park final, some cash could be brought in as many fans may find it easier travelling to Birmingham that to Wembley for the final. Turner, though, has said that the lack of a social club has hit revenue, and he may be forced to sell players to survive. Star striker Gavin Williams could well be the next to go for a low fee, after the shock sale of Chris Lane to Conference rivals Southport three weeks ago.
Turning part-time may be the only option to cut costs, but Turner says that full-time is the best way to win back promotion. However, the last team to win the league as a full-time club was back in 1992, but Yeovil look set to emulate that this year as Southport are the only part-timers in the top four.
In a recent poll, fans voted that the league season was as good as over and the club should focus on a good run in the FA Trophy to bring in extra revenue. Should Hereford reach the final at Villa Park, they should hopefully be able to cash in on the day by taking several thousand fans.
TELFORD UNITED 1 - 0 HEREFORD UNITED
Having already beaten Telford once this term, a 2-0 victory at Edgar Street back in September, Graham Turner's men must have been confident that they could repeat that feat this afternoon. However, they obviously didn't rate the Shropshire side highly enough as Telford scraped victory in today's match.
Prior to the game, Hereford had won their previous two matches but in their last away league match, Northwich were victorious by a single goal. Meanwhile, last week Telford beat Nuneaton 2-1 but Tuesday night's home encounter against Hednesford Town on Tuesday night was postponed. However, Telford had won seven of their last ten home encounters before today.
Hereford had major injury problems with Tony James, Ian Wright and Matt Gardiner all out in the centre of defence. James Wall was sure to start, but it was not clear until just before kick-off who was to partner him. In the end, Phil Robinson filled the role, with Ian Rodgerson moving inside in midfield to fill his usual place. Michael McIndoe served his one-match ban for five bookings, so the left midfield berth was also up for grabs. It was taken by Gavin Williams, as Jimmy Quiggin came in on the right. Robin Elmes partnered Kerry Giddings in attack.
Jake King, Telford boss, also had an injury headache. Brian McGorry, the former Hereford player, was the only recognised midfielder in the Telford setup as Kevin Jobling had a knee injury and Roger Preece was suspended. However, Jobling was drafted into the team. Goalkeeper Ryan Price, formerly of Macclesfield Town, was injured in last week's match so was also unavailable for selection in Jake King's squad. Striker Steve Palmer had a need injury and passed a fitness test this morning.
Telford were by far the better side in the first half, with McGorry leading from the centre. He was impressive in the Telford team and was the driving force behind many of their attacks. However, neither defence was really attacked with any force and this resulted in a dire spectacle.
By half time, it was clear that Hereford's best chance of taking the lead was to come through Gavin Williams. He played well on the left wing and looked likely to unlock the Telford defence on several occasions. His counterpart on the right, Jimmy Quiggin, also looked to be having a good afternoon and created chances from his flank. Phil Robinson, playing at centre back, was nothing short of awful, with missed-placed passbacks, and he generally wasn't up to the job.
The half time interval sparked some imagination into the sides as both sides came close to scoring within minutes. Firstly, a knock-on from Robin Elmes released Kerry Giddings, who had been quiet until this point. However, Giddings hit straight at Dean Williams, who collected easily.
A couple of minutes later, Gary Martindale hit just wide of Scott Cooksey's goal after a Steve Palmer ball released the prolific striker. All in all, Martindale was pretty ineffective and it came as no surprise when he was taken off later in the game.
On the hour mark, Kerry Giddings almost gave the away side the lead and had three attempts to get the ball in the back of the net. The closest he got was when he hit the post, but the effort underlined that it really wasn't going to be Hereford's day. Williams originally supplied the cross, and Giddings hit against the post before the ball spilled out and a scramble resulted, before Williams collected.
After that point, Hereford came into the game as a strong midfield took control. Gavin Williams was inspirational on the left wing and almost scored soon after. He nearly managed a shot but Neil Moore, the Telford captain, made a superb tackle to deny Williams.
Telford boss Jake King saw the flaw in his game plan, so brought on Scott Huckerby, and a few minutes later, Chris Makin. Jake Edwards almost gave the home side the lead soon after but Cooksey tipped the ball around his post, and Makin had a shot cleared off the line by Robinson.
The inevitable goal came just five minutes from the end of the match, and there was no way back for the Bulls. Chris Malkin hit a superb effort to beat Scott Cooksey in front of the home fans from just inside the area out. The former Tranmere striker had only been on the field for thirteen minutes as he replaced Gary Martindale.
In the last minute, Hereford almost equalised through young defender James Wall. The centre back jumped above the home back line to head goalwards, but 'keeper Dean Williams was equal to the challenge.
Referee Mr J. Tattan made six bookings during a game which his handling of affairs was poor to say the least. All came in the second period, with Telford's Sandwith and Jobling, along with Hereford's Snape and Quiggin for fouls, whilst both Bentley and Sturgess were cautioned for coming back onto the field after being treated with twenty minutes remaining.
The end-to-end affair probably should have resulted in a draw, and the four hundred or so Hereford fans went home disappointed from a crowd of 1,848. The New Bucks Head is still a building site, and Hereford fans were kept behind for five minutes after the match as the players had to cross their path between the stand and the dressing room 'Portacabin'! There are no seating areas, and currently no stand on the far side of the pitch. Even the press box is at the back of a tent which is effectively the directors box! At least the financial backing is there - it is clear that they will have a superb ground in the future. Whether we will even have a ground is still unsure.
Hereford - Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess, Robinson, Quiggin, Wall, Rodgerson, Snape, Giddings, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - None.
Man of the Match - Gavin Williams
Jan 28th:
WILLIAM Hill have quote Hereford United are joint fourth favourites for the Conference title, at 150/1 with Doncaster Rovers. Yeovil are still favourites at 7/5, with Rushden just behind at 20/7. Southport at 17/1 in third place.
Meanwhile, a 'Boycott Bulmers' website has been setup to push Bulmers to support Hereford United FC. It can been seen at http://www.boycottbulmers.homestead.com.
As reported in various places, Orange, the mobile phone operator, have been refused permission to add an extra five years extension onto their lease of masts on the top of the floodlight pylons. Property developers Chelverton have refused to guarantee that they will still be there in five years time, so the club cannot receive payments of about £12,000 per annum for the masts. This has been reported in Talking Bull which will be on sale next week at Edgar Street, priced at just £1.
Jan 29th:
TELFORD boss Jake King was delighted with his team's 1-0 win over Hereford United on Saturday.
"We now have 20 fit players at this club and having Malks fit is a major bonus for us," said King. "It was a terrific goal, something he's always capable of, and to have players of his quality to come off the bench is great. But we have a superb team spirit at this club and even though Marty was the one subbed he was still running down the touchline to congratulate Chris for scoring.".
Neil Moore, the Telford captain, told the Shropshire Star: "I thought we did very well on Saturday and if we'd come off at 0-0 it would have been a huge disappointment," he said. "We have to make sure we build on the results against Nuneaton and Hereford and begin to push ourselves up the table. I think we're only something like seven points behind Hereford and have four games in hand. Both Gary Martindale and Jake Edwards know if they're not playing well then Scott Huckerby or Chris Malkin will come off the bench desperate to prove a point, and that's what happened on Saturday. The supporters really got behind us on Saturday and it makes such a difference to hear them shouting out the players' names."
After recent criticisms that the club has not made a big enough push to sell 50-50 half time draw tickets, club secretary Joan Fennessy has launched an appeal to find people to sell tickets. If you, or someone you know, can help the club, please call Ms. Fennessy on 01432 276666.
Jan 30th:
BOTH Hereford striker Gavin Williams and goalkeeper Scott Cooksey are likely to play in the semi professional match coming up soon - but for opposite sides! Williams is Welsh and so could face Cooksey, the English 'keeper, if both are selected for their respective sides. Williams is almost certain to feature but Cooksey faces competition from Chester's Wayne Brown for the spot between the sticks.
Jan 31st:
LIFELONG Hereford United fan Pauline Williams has launched a campaign to help Hereford United should they vitally require cash, through her `Save Our Club' campaign. Money can be sent to Pauline to keep in an independent bank account until the club requires the funds. Pauline and fellow fan Garry Hughes have decided to run the scheme, and have already had 'quite a few' donations.
There is currently a quiz-sheet competition, which is particularly challenging, available to raise money priced at £1 each, and a `Chinese' auction is to be held in their village of Clyro, near Hay-on-Wye.
If you wish to buy a quiz-sheet or give money, please call Pauline on 01497 820268 or 07769 896268. Alternatively, donations can be made through the club office or in the Vice-Presidents Club, marked for Pauline Williams or Garry Hughes.
The club have announced that they have received several donations from anonymous donors to help their plight, including a sum of £1,000 from one fan.
Graham Turner has welcomed FIFA's decision to rethink proposals to scrap the transfer system to conform with EU employment law, as has Herefordshire's Euro MP Liz Lynne. The proposed system could have resulted in the collapse of transfer fees and also of many clubs such as the Bulls.
Turner said: "I can't understand why they're tampering with the law. But I'm sure there will be compromise somewhere along the line."
Lynne said: "The FIFA plan would have meant that players could have left clubs after just three months notice, which would have been disastrous for smaller clubs in particular. We need a system which respects freedom of movement but maintains the long-term viability of the game. Income to small clubs, where 90 per cent of players enter the game, must be protected. "It would be totally wrong not to allow small clubs who train and nurture young players to get any benefit in later years. If all payments are banned, scores of clubs could collapse.
FIFA and UEFA are in negotiations with the EU about other proposals.
Meanwhile, Saturday's match against Leigh RMI is vital to the club finances as elimination from the Trophy would be distastrous. Turner told the Hereford Times: "We've got to keep our season going. I don't think it will be easy by any means. We know what they are capable of but I think we've got every chance of progressing."
Tommi Morgan, the manager of the Welsh semi-professional side sees Gavin Williams as one of the most promising players in the Conference. Speaking to hu-fc.co.uk earlier he said:
"I have spoken to Graham Turner and several other managers in the Conference and he's obviously very highly rated," said Morgan. "I'm sure he's got something to offer us (the Welsh side). We are going to meet up and obviously he can play as a striker or out wide so we will be looking to utilise his ability to the full."
"From all accounts from other managers that I have spoken about other players from the Conference, they are all of the same opinion that Williams is destined for better things."
Tony James is also eligible for the squad, and Morgan said: "He was considered but last year we had a good result against England and one or two of the players defensively did good work for us. I have kept a backbone of last years team plus a few new faces."
Of the game against England, due to be played at Nene Park, Rushden, on February 13th, Tommi Morgan commented on the ability of the opposition but also said: "We'll give it our best shot.".
Of Scott Cooksey, Graham Turner told the Hereford Times: "I'm very pleased for the lad. He's worked hard on his game."
