April 1998

April 4th:

HEREFORD have beaten the transfer deadline - to sign up some of the biggest names in rock music.

Simple Minds, Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde have all joined the Bulls `support band' by becoming members of the Hereford United Independent Supporters Association (HUISA).

Spurred on by Bulls fan Stan Tippins, tour manager for Simple Minds, they have donated cash to the Save our Football team campaign. Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, of Simple Minds, donated five figure sums.

STAYLBRIDGE 2 Hereford 3 (Birmingham Post Report)

Hereford United moved up into fourth place in the Vauxhall Conference after staging a late revival at the Bower Fold.

Two-goal veteran Trevor Matthewson and Chris Hargreaves helped extend the Bulls' unbeaten run to 11 games and keep them on target for a top three finish.

But it was not until the dying seconds that man of the match Matthewson clinched victory.

Hereford broke the deadlock on 28 minutes when Hargreaves latched onto a ball from Gavin Williams before chipping past Neil Cutler from 12 yards.

But Celtic equalised with a soft goal from Dean Martin. Lee Trundle swept it into the Hereford goalmouth but Matthewson and John Brough both failed to clear in the mud and Martin slipped in to slide past Andy Quy.

Following the equaliser Hereford piled on the pressure, Hargreaves and Brian McGorry forcing saves from Cutler. But it was Stalybridge who took the lead when Trundle fed winger Chris Dolby who fired past Quy.

Matthewson levelled it off his knee though before clinching victory on the stroke of time from McGorry's corner.

And he admitted: "We showed character to come back after giving away two sloppy goals.

"Everything was against us,'' reckoned the 35-year-old former Blues defender. "The weather was appalling and the pitch was the worst I've played on in 18 years of football."

HEREFORD UNITED: (5-3-2): Quy; Rodgerson, Walker, Pitman, Brough, Matthewson; Hargreaves, McGorry, Agana; Williams, Mahon. Subs: Warner; Durham; Parry.

April 10th:

MARK left dad, Graham Turner the Hereford United manager, to join Telford United at the end of last season. Mark showed his father what he had missed out on when he scored for Telford against Hereford in the 1-1 draw in the Vauxhall Conference clash in February. The pair were also together at Wolves between 1991 and 1994, the year when both left the club.

April 11th:

HEREFORD United chief Graham Turner admits he is facing a nerve-racking wait to end the uncertainty on and off the pitch according to the Sports Argus.

Though Turner's proposed takeover remains on the cards at Edgar Street, it has yet to be completed nearly a month after the initial deadline for the Bulls to pay off their creditors.

And while the financial situation remains indefinite, Turner cannot plan for next season.

The Bulls are ending the campaign as the Conference's form side with an unbeaten 11 match run and want to build for a push to regain their Football League status next term but all their players' contracts are up for renewal at the end of the season.

The Bosman ruling could have a nightmare effect in wrecking Turner's plans.

"Because of the money problems last season, we could only offer the players one year contracts," explained Turner.

"Now we've got to sort out everybody in the summer.

"To be honest, it's something I could do without. The players need to know where they stand.

"Until the financial situation is resolved, we can't decide on any budget or identify the players we can afford to keep or whether we can make any additions to make sure we can challenge for the title next year."

Turner added: "I think the nucleus is here and I would hope they would stay.

"With the current run of results, we've shown what we can do. It has helped our credibility and that will help in trying to persuade current players to stay and new players to come to Edgar Street."

Turner, though, is hopeful that the takeover can be completed shortly. Though the £500,000 loan from Bristol Stadiums to pay off their creditors has been promised, the exact details have still to be confirmed.

"We are still in the process of sorting things out," said Turner. "We are still very much dependent on that before the transfer of shares to me will go ahead.

"It's been a nerve-racking time."

HEREFORD United 0 Halifax Town 0 (report by Peter Povall)

Before the game, Hereford's unbeaten run looked like it would receive it's greatest test as they met the Conference leaders, Halifax, at Edgar Street. Halifax have almost walked away with the Conference title this season and with Cheltenham losing one of their games in hand, it looks like they will not be caught.

The game itself proved somewhat different. Hereford dominated the match for lengthy periods and Halifax had only two real chances on goal during the whole 90 minutes.

Questions were being asked by the home fans as to how Halifax had gained such a lead if they played at this calibre. We had received far sterner tests from Woking and Hednesford during previous games.

That aside, Hereford played some stunning football at times with moves being sourced from the back by the likes of Rodgerson, through Gavin Mahon in midfield to the young Gavin Williams who had an excellent game and showed some real potential for the future.

Tony Agana was also in the starting line up again, although he did not appear to be match fit yet and played the majority of the game in almost slow motion, allowing the Halifax defence to overwhelm him.

Gavin Williams on the other hand produced surprising amounts of spped when needed and could turn well on the ball to bring it back into the centre. Giving Agana, amongst others, chances on goal.

United's best chances all fell from corners. Hereford finally appear to have got their act together where set-pieces are concerned (both attack and defence), and Chris Hargreaves rose to meet a corner from Murray Fishlock which he sent just a coat of paint wide of the post.

Earlier in the first half, Gavin Mahon produced a stunning free-kick, in an obviously practiced set-piece attack which cleared the crowd of defenders and dummy strikers allowing Hargreaves again to meet it outside the back post with a diving header. The ball beat the keeper but again grazed the far post before going out for a goal kick.

As for any attacks by Halifax, their star man from the previous encounter, Horsfield, was marked out of the game, and when given the opportunity to make any sort of play showed no real threat as the United defence held strong.

Another unbeaten game which takes the tally to some 12 matches. One has to wonder why we didn't produce this sort of form at the start of the season. It has also been noticed that the current form coinsided with Keith Downing taking over the coaching, so perhaps he knows the secret that every manager in the league wants to know. At any rate, he should certainly be retained for next season along with the cream of the current team, which I believe should at least include, Gavin Mahon, Richard Walker, Gavin Williams, Garry Cook, Andy Quy, Trevor Matthewson, Brian McGorry and Chris Hargreaves. It's only a shame that we were unable to retain Neil Grayson.

The current run boads well for next season and with Halifax out of the way, we stand a very good chance as long as we remain full-time.

HEREFORD UNITED (5-3-2): Quy; Rogerson, Fishlock, Pitman (Warner 56), Broth, Matthewson; Hargreaves, McGorry, Agana; Williams, Mahon. Subs: Walker, Parry.

April 12th:

TERRY Wogan has become the latest celebrity to back a £1 million campaign to save Hereford United FC.

Soccer fan Stan Tippins approached the Eurovision Song Contest presenter after a recent National Lottery show, which he was presenting.

Herefordshire-based Stan - who is Simple Minds' tour manager - has already had donations from ex-Blondie star Deborah Harry and Simple Minds members Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill.

Kerr's ex-wife, Chrissie Hynde, and England football coach Glenn Hoddle - and his deputy John Gorman - have also joined the Save Our Football Team appeal.

The club is currently in debt and urgently needs funds to survive on a day-to-day basis.

John Paul Getty, who is a Freeman of the City of Hereford, is backing the campaign.

Football shirts signed by Hoddle, Gorman and Wogan will be auctioned off later this year and are expected to fetch more than £2,000.

Stan said: "Support for our campaign has been great so far."

April 13th:

CHELTENHAM 1 Hereford 2 (report by Peter Povall)

United presented their fans with an excellent Easter present by completing the double over Cheltenham Town today at Whaddon Road.

The entire away side of the ground was filled to capacity as 700+ United fans braved the cold, to cheer the lads home to victory.

I was personally surprised to see John Brough start the match in the centre circle as he took up position alongside Tony Agana to spearhead the Hereford assualt. I even questioned Graham Turners judgement with other fans but in the 14th minute I was made to eat my words as he rose to meet a well placed cross from Rob Warner driving it past Steve Book to the United fans delight.

Brough was causing the home defence some serious concern as he revelled in being let loose in his new position. He came close on a number of further occassions during the first half as he sought his second.

The first half was dominated by United but their former striker Neil Grayson did manage a couple of good efforts on goal as he blazed his first chance just over the bar from all of 20 yards out. His second chance was headed just over as he latched onto a Keith Knight cross on the break.

The second have proved quite different though as Cheltenham were driven back into their own half for much of the time and Grayson was expertly marked out of the game by Trevor Matthewson. Grayson really had to expect this as we of all clubs know just how dangerous he can be.

Steve Book was pressured from the start as attack after attack was sent in against the home defence which appeared fairly easily beaten but Book make some excellent saves and the United finishing could have been better. Brough alone had a real chance of a hat-trick here as a further attempt was cleared from the line.

Steve Cotterill had other ideas though and an inspired substitution which saw Dale Watkins come out to play, gave Cheltenham a fighting chance. He quickly made a difference as the United defence was breached and he fired a shot at Andy Quy. Quy blocked the shot but failed to hold it, parrying it away, but Jason Eaton reached it before the defence and he belted it into the back of the net.

Hereford fought on though and with there best run in years just waiting to be extended they created a further chance just 6 minutes later when a scramble in the Cheltenham area fell free to Chris Hargreaves he had little troubling in finishing the job from 12 yards out.

The only downside to the game is that you have to wonder where this sort of form has been all season as United clearly deserved the victory and were justly awarded it.

April 18th:

KEITH Downing today revealed how life as a stand-in boss has whetted his appetite to become a manager in his own right.

Coach Downing has taken charge of Hereford United's day to day preparation since February while director of football Graham Turner has been forced to concentrate on boardroom matters in his take-over bid.

But former Wolves and Blues man Downing could not have wished for a better start as `boss', and today Hereford stood on the verge of equalling their best ever unbeaten record.

The Bulls have not lost in 13 outings, with Slough the last team to beat them on February 3.

Turner said: "I have been involved more on the business side of running the club, wearing a suit rather than a tracksuit, so Keith has been left to do most of the training and coach. He is doing an excellent job as the results show and I know that the players have enjoyed his sessions."

Downing had been forced to quit the pro game after 13 years in the League just over a year ago because of a back injury and Hereford took him on to look after their youth set-up.

And while he still believes he can play at non-League level, the last three months have given the 32-year-old from Bromsgrove a real insight into management.

"I've enjoyed being involved in the day-to-day running of the team," he added.

"Obviously on Saturday the boss comes in and he has the final say in selection. But it has whetted my appetite. I've thoroughly enjoyed it."

With Turner set to be complete his buy-out this week, the Bulls will then be able to plan ahead after their financial traumas.

And Downing, who had stepped into the pro ranks after being potted with Mile Oak Rovers, will be hoping he will be able to continue to play a role at Edgar Street.

"The club's financial problems have been well documented and we've gone through spells where we've not been paid for six or eight weeks. It's been a day-to-day situation," he added.

"It's been difficult but the way we are finishing off the season shows the spirit and the character of the people here.

"There's a lot of confidence in the side, and that comes with winning.

"Because of the injuries we've had, we've had to bring a couple of the YTs like Gavin Williams, Paul Parry and Ryan Durham. But we've kept the run going.

"It was just unfortunate that we've playing catch-up after a poor start to the season.

"Hopefully with the money in place for the takeover Graham can sort out a new board and we can look to challenge to regain our League place next season."

YEOVIL Town 2 Hereford United 0 (report by Peter Povall)

United's unbeaten run was finally brought to a close today at Huish Park. Yeovil Town put on a fine display of football against an inept performance from Hereford.
The match started with pressure appearing quickly at both ends of the field as play moved freely but in the 12th minute as United were being driven back on a very fast counter attack, John Brough was easily beaten as he watched the ball fly back over his head, allowing himself to be rounded by Ben Smith, who collected the ball and finished it cleanly past Andy Quy.

The early goal was a sure sign that United were going to have problems and for those that attend the Bulls games regularly, the fact that they were forced to chance ends before kick-off almost confirmed the loss of the game before they even started.

United made a brave attempt to reply to the early deficite but the pure skill of the Yeovil midfield was overwhelming as United were clearly outplayed on what was an excellent pitch.

Not even Gavin Mahon was able to compete in the skill stakes as he played one of his lesser performances of the season.

Yeovil's second, in the 30th minute, was almost a duplicate of the first. The United defence were again beaten by a high ball back over them, and again they allowed Ben Smith to race through leaving Quy to face him alone. Not really a fair contest in the best of conditions.

This just about finished the match as United were held back by the Yeovil defence and pressured almost immediately after each attack by Owen Pickard and Steve Parmenter who combined well up front.

United's problems ranged across the whole team today, the defence was weak and yeilded easily under pressure. The midfield was held together by Brian McGorry who again played well throughout and moments of brilliance from Mahon. The strike force left alot to be desired though, Gavin Williams, who has been quite useful in the reserve fixtures and has shown a great deal of promise in his first team matches, was substituted about halfway through the second half by Craig Mansell, which considering we were two goals down was a strange move anyway.

The real problem of the day was Tony Agana, the persist injury and the fact that he no longer has anything to play for may explain his complete lack of committment. When he did receive the ball he either gave it away again or had it taken from him and he made no effort to move into space for much of the match. I in fact kept tabs on him once and while United held possession in Yeovil's half for at least two minutes they neither entered Yeovil's penalty area and Agana walked around on the edge of the box and actually stood still for 20 seconds while no effort was made to assist the attacked.

In conclusion, Yeovil deserved their victory and I cannot deny them that. They were by far the more committed team on the day.

They could also teach us a number of other things in respect of the Conference and how clubs should be run. As I mentioned, the pitch was in excellent condition and they produced one of the best programmes I have seen this season.

To be perfectly honest, the only good thing about today was the pub meal at the Full Pitcher, Ledbury, on the way back.

April 22nd:

GATESHEAD 1 Hereford United 1 (report by Mike "GFB" Quarrell)

What can one say about Gateshead, except that two trips a year is two too many. And yet there we were 30+ sad bastards with nothing better to do than travel countless miles, to watch a nothing game in a stadium with less atmosphere than the big black thing that comes to see us every night.

Having been one of those who made the whole trip last time only to see the game called off, simply because the pitch was under 10 inches of water, this time round, we pursued a fistful of complimentary tickets, like men possessed. Feeling rather smug that we had obtained some, we were then somewhat disappointed to find that Gateshead's security left a lot to be desired and just about anybody could walk in unchallenged. Well its no fun then is it? No wonder they're skint.

Having seen Gateshead play well at Edgar Street only a few weeks previous, taken together with their thumping of Slough 5-1 on the previous Saturday (when we had lost dismally to Yeovil), not too many amongst the travelling contingent gave much for our chances of getting anything from the game. Gateshead also needed the points to avoid relegation.

Our pessimism proved unfounded however as after one or two early scares (with Andy Quy yet again to the rescue - if only he'd been with us all season), the Bulls took control of the game, only to suffer their now familiar lack of confidence in front of goal. Time and again play was over elaborated, with players seemingly preferring to try and walk the ball into the net, when given the heavy state of the pitch, a few long range shots were called for. Gavin Mahon in particular, was guilty of passing up the opportunity to test the goalkeeper on a number of occasions, preferring instead to try and find one more pass.

The goal when it came however was no more than we deserved, a corner from the right, fell at "Agana Agana"'s feet only one yard out and he had time to call his granny out of the stand to tuck it away. Right on 45 minutes too, the ideal time to score.

Having reminded the Geordies about the fact that there is only one Ronnie Radford, (and as Cpl Jones used to say "they don't like it up 'em"), we set off on a pie hunt. We shall miss Gateshead next year - Cornish Pasty for 65p, excellent value and tasty too.

The second half was much like the first, except that:

a) We were playing the other way
b) It pissed down for most of it
c) They scored and we didn't

Their goal came right out of the blue as they hadn't really threatened at all. In truth it was down to piss poor marking from a left side corner (not the first time that has happened this season, and unmarked from about 8 yards the Gateshead player couldn't really miss, as he wasn't called Adrian Foster (see Rushden & Diamonds). Even after this we had two clear chances to win it, with the best falling again to Gavin Mahon who somehow managed to head straight at the keeper from only one yard out.

Man of the Match, was a three way tie between Quy, Basil Brough who clearly enjoys playing up front and the ball boy on the far side, who had no cover and had to spend much of his time retrieving the ball from Row Z, in the large unpopulated stand that runs the length of the stadium - poor sod!

Only a 240 mile journey home, I was in bed by 2.00am, with a 6.30am start the following day. Oh the joys of being a Bulls fan!!

April 25th:

GRAHAM Turner today warned that continuing financial uncertainty has put his planned take over at Hereford United - and the club's survival - in doubt reports the Sports Argus.

The expected £500,000 from Bristol Stadiums and Chalverton to rescue the Vauxhall Conference club has yet to come through, more than six weeks after the initial deadline had been set to pay the outstanding creditors.

And Turner declared that Monday would now be D-day for the money to be in place - or the current club could go bust.

"The future of the club is very much under threat," said the Bulls director of football.

"We know we will see the season out which was the priority but what happens after that is still up in the air.

"We've still got bills to pay as well as sorting out the Creditors Voluntary Agreement.

"Hereford United in its current set-up is either days away from survival or from going under. I think it will be determined on Monday."

Turner has agreed to buy out the majority shareholding from current chairman Peter Hill, but the stumbling block had been getting written agreements with former managing director Robin Fry to sell his minority holding.

Development companies Bristol Stadiums and Chelverton, who have joined forces in their rescue package, had made it clear they would not put up the £500,000 to satisfy the creditors until the arrangements over the shares transfer were guaranteed.

But Turner confirmed yesterday that the agreement with Fry had now been lodged with their respective solicitors.

And that gives him cause for hope.

"I'm a bit more optimistic about the situation now," said Turner. "It's been quite a traumatic time for everyone at the club.

"With the way things were going, I was starting to get cold feet. But I've got to continue if the club is to survive."

Though the take-over would mean ex-Wolves, Villa and Shrewsbury boss Turner would become chairman, he has made it clear he would be looking to bring in a successful businessman with the resources to plough into their ambition of retaining their League status.

Ironically, Hereford are ending the season in the sort of form to suggest that they will be one of main players in next season's promotion battle.

Though they missed out on equalling a club record 14 match unbeaten run with defeat at Yeovil last Saturday, Turner was pleased that they showed their battling spirit with a point at rain-lashed Gateshead on Wednesday. They remain on course for a prize money finish.

"It worried me a little bit going on along trip to Gateshead, playing in big ground with few people watching," added the Hereford boss. "It might have led to us putting in a lacklustre performance but we approached the game professionally."

HEREFORD United 1 Rushden 1 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford started the match brightly as they sought revenge for the defeat placed against them when they visited Nene Park.

Play was moving quite freely as both teams tried to gain the possession and apply pressure. In just the 5th minute the ball came free to Tony Agana who was some 10 yards outside the box. He collected the ball and turned on the spot sending in a low, curling, speculative drive. To the crowds surprise the ball slipped under the diving Mark Smith for the opener.

This really set the Bulls going and play rarely ventured out of Rushden's half. The pressure mounted on Rushden but the referee was making some strange decisions which gave them the chances they needed.

Just seven minutes after his first, Tony Agana struck again when Mark Smith fumbled a cross allowing Agana to just tap it in. The linesman had other ideas though, and judged Agana to have been offside, which none of the fans could really see.

Hereford kept going though and a mere moment later, Brian McGorry latched onto a cross but his header was straight at the keeper who held on to it easily.

The set peice which provided a goal at Northwich showed up again halfway through the half but not quite as successfully. Gavin Mahon hit the free kick from just outside the box, low into the centre where McGorry touched it on for Agana. Unfortunately, Agana was a foot to far forward and missed to connect with the ball.

United's pressure continued as the Rushden defence was repeatedly beaten. McGorry, Agana and Chris Hargreaves all had shots either saved or scrap the woodwork.

Rushden didn't apply any pressure to the United goal until 3 minutes before the break when a surging run down the right wing produced a powerful shot which beat the advancing Andy Quy but hit one of their own forwards in the back to bring the ball back to United.

Just before the whistle, Mark Smith came out to clear a back-pass and Agana rushed him. The assault obviously affected Smith as his clearance was poor enough to allow Hargreaves access to the ball, but Smith played an impressive turn and volley to send the ball looping out of the ground via the Merton Stand.

The second half also started well as McGorry came through onto an Agana play but hit the ball just wide. Three minutes later and Hargreaves made a run on his own and hit an excellent shot from a narrow angle but again Smith made an excellent save to match it.

Rushden then seemed to find themselves and applied continued pressure on Hereford for most of the closing time. During this time, Adrian "Donkey" Foster was brought on to aid the attack, which delighted the home fans as they had been looking forward to baiting him for as long as possible.

I hate to admit that he did make a difference in that Rushden acquired more chances on goal but his finishing was as hopeless as ever. Within the space of 10 minutes Foster had missed wide on both sides of the goal and headed over, all from great positions where it would have been easier to score.

In the dying moments though, a scramble in the United box allowed Darren Collins to drill a shot home through the mass of legs, leaving Andy Quy without a view of the ball until it had almost reached the line, but he was still close to saving it.

In injury time, Richard Walker punished Collins for his goal as he cleared the ball with an extreme amount of power. Collins somehow managed to get his face in the way and immediately crumpled under the pain.

Agana had one last chance on goal before the final whistle but his header went wide from a difficult position.

Altogether a much better performance than was made at Yeovil and I have been told that the standard of play at Gateshead was also greatly improved.

HEREFORD: Quy; Rodgerson, Fishlock, Warner, Walker, Matthewson, Hargreaves, McGorry, Agana, Pitman, Mahon. Subs: Mansell, Williams, Parry.

April 27th:

HEREFORD United boss Graham Turner is facing up to another crisis in his bid to save the cash-stricken Vauxhall Conference club says the Birmingham Post.

The Bulls have until 4.30 today to have the £350,000 rescue package from two development companies in place or face a winding up order which will be petitioned by the supervisor Neil Hickling under the company voluntary agreement set up in January.

Turner revealed the latest situation after Hereford's 1-1 draw with Rushden and Diamonds that the rescue now depends on former managing director Robin Fry and Chelverton plc reaching personal agreement. "As I understand it at the moment Robin Fry has to conclude his own business agreement with Chelverton before the agreement between myself and Robin over the purchase shares goes forward." said the Hereford Director of Football.

It is understood that the winding up order has been written out and if the money is not in place by 4.30 today it will be implemented by the supervisor.

April 30th:

HEREFORD United's immediate future appears to have been secured following negotiations with property development company Chelverton plc.

It is understood a cash injection in the region of £400,000 will be put in place and chairman Peter Hill said: "I have been informed by our club solicitor that there will be sufficient funds released to satisfy the company's voluntary agreement and cover our immediate requirements".

Hereford have also received in the region of £20,000 from the Independent Supporters Association, which has been used for transport, medical and other expenses.