August 97

Aug 1st: 

RUSHDEN & Diamonds sign Adrian Foster for £50,000 from Hereford.

Aug 5th: 

Bulmers have refused to help HUISA in their attempts to help Hereford United. Drink something else said co-ordinator Mike Quarrell. 

 Aug 8th: 

COMMERCIAL Manager at Edgar Street John Pulling has been given notice and will leave his post on 17th August. The Club are advertising for a young and thrusting replacement. 

Aug 15th: 

FROM the Independent: For the first time since 1972, Hereford United will be playing non-League football tomorrow, when they entertain Welling at Edgar Street in the opening round of GM Vauxhall Conference fixtures. The Bulls will launch their campaign to regain their Nationwide Football League place with Graham Turner, their director of football, still at the helm. Turner, the former Aston Villa and Wolves manager, offered to resign in the aftermath of the traumatic final game of last season, when Brighton gained a draw at Edgar Street to save themselves and relegate Hereford. Turner changed his mind, however, and has maintained a full-time playing squad which has been strengthened by the signings of the forward Neil Grayson from Northampton and two defenders, Ian Rodgerson from Cardiff and Richard Walker from Notts County. The man in charge on the pitch at Hereford is their captain David Norton, a former Villa midfielder, who said this week: "It's been a long three months since the Brighton game. Everyone has had those three months to reflect on what happened last season... I've been surprised at the quality of our football pre-season, but against Welling it's three points that matters, not how we play." Not all of Norton's team-mates from last season have stayed at Edgar Street, though. The centre-back Dean Smith has gone to Leyton Orient for £42,000 while two forwards have left: Adrian Foster to Rushden & Diamonds and John Williams to Walsall. In Hereford's last season in non-League football, 1971-72, they finished as runners-up to Chelmsford City in the Southern League. Tomorrow the Essex team play Clevedon in what may be their final game at their New Writtle Street ground, which has been sold for redevelopment. City have arranged a ground-sharing deal with the Jewson Eastern League side, Maldon Town. 

August 16th: 

HEREFORD United 1 Welling 2 (report by Peter Povall) Hereford United made a poor start to their Conference season in front of a bumper 3132 crowd. Hereford were physically dominated throughout the first half of the match by Welling who were expected to be an easy first scalp on the run back to the league. Wellings lead came in just the 4th minute when captain Paul Copley headed neatly into the back of the net from a Barry Lakin corner. The assault by Welling escalated and they made their second in the 27th minute thanks to Andy DeBont failing to hold a cross, leaving Mark Cooper looking at an empty net which was just asking for the ball. After the break Hereford pushed on the pace and managed to maintain more control of the game forcing some 10 corners, but the Welling defence was strong, and held until youngster Gavin Mahon crossed to Tony Agana who powered home a shot from the edge of the box. Hereford continued to pressure the Welling defence but almost lost a further goal as Welling substitute Colin Simpson broke away leaving Andy DeBont to push his shot away. Hopefully Hereford will now concentrate on the job at hand and present some useful results so that the present support is maintained, and the move back to the league is as swift as possible. 

August 17th: 

"We are going into the unknown," Hereford United's manager, Graham Turner, had said last week as his team contemplated a season in the Vauxhall Conference after finishing bottom of the Football League last May. Well now he and his players know they are in for a long hard slog after losing this first game to Welling United, a team who, to give the result some perspective, finished fifth from bottom of the Conference last season. Their victory was no fluke either, Welling being far more determined than their opponents. Hereford are hoping that they can do what Darlington and Lincoln City have done in the past, in climbing back out of the grave before the diggers had time to pour on the soil. But Hereford's quick return to League status is by no means guaranteed. Hereford have hung on to their full-time professional squad, albeit reduced in numbers, while Turner, who offered his resignation after that fateful draw against Brighton, has been persuaded to stay on with the slightly inflated title of director of football. Turner's management experience with Wolves and Aston Villa had been seen as a vital advantage to Hereford, who were installed as 7-1 fourth favourites to win the Conference. Those odds would have lengthened like the evening shadows after this game. Hereford's gush of optimism for a good start to their Conference campaign lasted just four minutes by which time they were already a goal down. Welling's big central defender Paul Copley was left unmarked from Barry Lakin's corner to head past Andy de Bont in the Hereford goal. The home crowd's patience, carefully nurtured over the summer break, seemed to dissolve fairly quickly, almost as quickly as Hereford's confidence. Inside the half hour they were two down, courtesy of more poor football at a setpiece. Tyrone King's free-kick was too much for de Bont, who could only fumble the ball on, allowing Mark Cooper a stooping header into an unguarded net. Hereford were understandably more energetic in the second half, having no doubt been reminded of their full-time professional status. And it was the old pro Tony Agana who brought the home team back into the game, driving home a shot off a defender after Welling had failed to clear a free-kick. But the better chances were all Welling's, particularly for the substitute Colin Simpson, who might easily have had two goals. By the end the Tannoy's invitation to book seats on the coach trip for Monday's game to Hednesford Town were being greeted with loud cheers 

August 18th: 

FROM the Independent: Two framed photos adorn Graham Turner's spartan office. Far from celebrating the day fate and romance conspired in Hereford United's favour, when Ronnie Radford's shot found the Newcastle net like a heat-seeking missile to launch the invasion of the parka coats, they are a constant reminder of the club's darkest hour and a half. One shows Turner striving to control his emotions as he leaves the manager's touchline post - and the Football League - after the draw with Brighton which saw the Sussex club survive and Hereford relegated in May. In the other, his half-stripped players bow their heads and weep. Similar shots hang in the dressing-room, their presence designed to inspire a "never again" determination rather than self-pity. But on Saturday, when Hereford made a fresh start in the Vauxhall Conference, the picture remained sadly familiar for Turner's team, who opened with a 2-1 home defeat by Welling United. The Hereford faithful comprised all bar 39 of what Turner described as an "incredible" crowd of more than 3,000. Such loyalty made it all the more galling that his defence seemed determined to accommodate opponents who were robust and resolute yet otherwise as mundane as last season's 18th place would suggest. Two crosses, two soft goals and with half an hour gone, a summer of goodwill was all but betrayed. One of the ex-League players in whom Turner is trusting, Tony Agana, halved the deficit against his first club. Hereford's full-time status was expected to tell, but Welling, whose edge in strength and size might force a reappraisal of the "seasoned pro" strategy should it prove typical of the Conference, held out comfortably. Agana was not the only one coming full circle. Hereford went into their first non-League fixture in a quarter of a century - since they were voted in as Southern League runners-up on the back of their FA Cup heroics - encouraged by the fact that Lincoln, Darlington and Colchester all secured a swift return to the senior ranks. Turner, who works under the title of director of football, admits he took several weeks to get over the trauma of Brighton; or as he refers to it, apocalyptically, "the last day". He was helped by Sir Jack Hayward, who called from Wolves within 24 hours to offer his former manager a family holiday in the Bahamas. Further heartened by the refusal of his chairman, Peter Hill, to accept his resignation, Turner set about rebuilding. The £110,000 Hereford received from the League, half the sponsorship payment made to members of the Third Division, enabled them to avoid going part-time. It did not ease a long-running financial crisis at Edgar Street, encapsulated by Hill as "living hand to mouth". "For a long time we couldn't sign anyone, let alone buy them, because of a transfer embargo," Turner explained. "I've just paid my first fee, £20,000 for Neil Grayson from Northampton, but I've been surprised at the money clubs like Rushden & Diamonds and Hednesford are offering players. It's much more than a lot of Third Division teams, and I've missed out on people because we can't compete." Turner has also had to make staff cuts, behind the scenes and on the playing side. He now doubles as club coach and even mucks in on commercial chores. Only by pulling together, he argues, can Hereford stop the rot. "There's a lot at stake for everybody, not least me. You're working now to salvage your career. I don't think I've ever worked harder." Since the Last Day, Turner has made a point of meeting Hereford fans, attending forums and chairing meetings. He detected "a real buzz" in the city, a feeling that the Conference need not be a disaster. After all, they still had their own ground, and no one has to trek 150 miles for home matches. "The Brighton game showed you should never underestimate the depth of feeling for a small club like this," Turner said. "I've never seen so many grown men crying. But once the public accepted our plight, they rallied round magnificently. We've sold loads of T-shirts saying `Hereford: On Loan to the Vauxhall Conference'. After 20 years in the bottom division, I think people are looking forward to seeing new teams and visiting new grounds." The more resilient will make a start tonight at Hednesford, deep in his old Molineux constituency, although the sardonic laughter which greeted the injury-time announcement of travel details suggest that Turner will need to turn the tide soon to keep Hereford united. 

 HEDNESFORD 1 Hereford United 1 (report by Peter Povall) A trip to Hednesford was welcome after a defeat at the opening match of the Conference. United put on a much better performance and could have won this with a little more finishing accurancy. Graham Turner made a few changes by bringing in Brian McGorry as part of a five man midfield, feeding strikers Tony Agana and Neil Grayson. Andy DeBont was also dropped in favour of Chris "Macca" Mackenzie who missed most of last season due to back problems. Chances started injust the 8th minute as Tony Agana flicked on a Chris Hargreaves cross to Neil Grayson, who failed to hit it cleanly, sending it wide. Grayson corrected this in the 40th minute by heading in an outstanding cross from Ian Rodgerson. Hereford maintained the majority of possession for the second half as well, but during a push by Hednesford, gaining them a corner, a poor clearance resulted in Lake helping Kevin Collins cross into the net. United's pressure continued with Murray Fishlock having a shot saved and Grayson hitting the post. It just wasn't to be. 

August 20th: 

HUISA have just published their latest newsletter. Here's some of the content: FANS FORUM: The attendance at the Fans Forum was a little disappointing (I estimated only about 100 people turned up) given the popular call to get Peter Hill in front of the Fans. The lack of questions submitted in advance, by HUISA Members was also surprising, as I would have thought that their was much to tackle or beloved Chairman on. The net result was that we did not put him on the spot as much as perhaps we should have and frankly for him to have got the support, (including a round of applause at one stage) he did on the night, was somewhat bizarre, particularly as some of his statements were in direct "contradiction", to information we had been given by GT at the previous Forum. Quite the biggest surprise of the night however was when he revealed that he had just £35k invested in the Club (with £25k of that, as a bank guarantee). There were clearly some at the Forum who thought this was adequate: for a man of his (alleged) means and stated "love" of the Club, I cannot agree. The search must continue to find an individual or a Consortium who is/are willing to risk a little bit more. Jane Simmons' performance at the Forum has been described variously as everything from reasonably impressive to insipid. For myself, I resent her applying the old Robin Sly tactic of blaming the fans for everything and throwing any difficult question back at us with the line, "well what would you do". She outlined her commercial experience at great length, although this seemed to be mostly in the public and voluntary sector, which is of course, light years away from raising funds on a commercial basis. Perhaps most telling is the fact that she admitted to being on the Board for 3 years, without influencing the commercial direction of the Club. Moreover she has been responsible since early summer for this area and yet no major initiatives have been implemented or are seemingly planned at the present time. I can't say that this gives me a warm feeling for the prospects of our commercial operation in the immediate future. And the Leisure Zone continues to resemble a disaster area! New Board Members: Peter Hill indicated that he is in talks with a group of 5 Herefordshire Businessmen who are "considering his offer" to join the Board. He would not be drawn on their names, although HUISA understands that the group does include Graham Rivers and Mark Ellis. According to our beloved Chairman however, the group do not want to invest any money in the Club and are not prepared to provide any bank guarantees; what they are offering is the provision of their extensive commercial expertise to the Board. It is difficult to know exactly how much of the full story we were given at the Forum, and whilst "commercial expertise" is clearly necessary, some investment (more than £35k that is!!) is also essential, if we are to get out and stay out of the Conference. Rumours persist that "the Consortium" are interested in doing just that, but not in direct support of the current regime. If this is the case, I for one, would not blame them. At the Forum, Peter Hill made it clear that he takes no responsibility for what has happened to the Club and has no intention of stepping down as Chairman. In those circumstances it is not difficult to see why others should be reluctant to invest their money! Relocation: It is essentially shit or bust according to PH. The terms of the deal with the BS Group are such that if relocation has not taken place (or is imminent) within 2 years, then we will be required to pay back the £500k, and will go bankrupt. There are no alternative strategies available to the Board (I don't think they have been looking too hard) and (according to PH) the redevelopment of Edgar Street is a non-started for financial reasons. He quoted a figure of £2.5m to replace the Meadow End and Blackfriar Street Terraces, with seating, always assuming that we get the necessary planning permission. PH did confirm that Robin Fry would not be involved with the Club or its relocation plans in the future. He may of course make his money, if the further development plans for the Grafton site become a reality (as will PH of course), in his Cosworth Developments guise (so that's all right then isn't it?). Both PH and JS reiterated the plea (made by RF at the first Forum of the Summer) for fans to write to the Council, voicing their support for the Club's plans. PH said that HUISA should have organised a petition over the summer (it obviously never occurred to him to ask his Fans Representative on the Board to do so!). If however the majority of members feel that this is something HUISA should be doing, then we will. Personally, my answer to PH on the night stands; until and unless he can give us assurances about where the profits to be generated by relocation will go, we are effectively being asked to back him, the current Board and RF, blindly. They do not deserve that degree of trust, in my view. And to ask others to sign a petition, in such circumstances, would clearly be something of a nonsense. I wouldn't sign one - would you?? Even were we to get guarantees, about the money, given his record, PH suffers a lack of credibility, as the man to use it, in the Club's best interests! [This last bit, is of course no more than a personal view:] TELL US WHAT YOU THINK and we will act on the majority view. 

August 23rd: 

FARNBOROUGH 0 Hereford United 2 (report by Peter Povall) Hereford finally claimed their first victory in the Conference with a win at Farnborough which was much needed for the team and fans alike. Neil Grayson opened the scoring after just 5 minutes but he was deemed offside and the goal disallowed. This didn't harm his confidence though as he continued to pressure the Farnborough goal. David Norton and Chris Hargreaves also had shots denied late in the first half. Farnborough did rise to the occasion for a period at the start of the second half by sending in some excellent long shots which Chris Mackenzie duly dealt with. The deadlock broke in the 66th minute as Gavin Mahon laid off to Grayson on the wing who in turn crossed into the box for a waiting Murray Fishlock at the near post. The second was completed by Ian Foster, who had replaced Mahon, in the 78th minute by running past the defence and crossing to Grayson who finished the cross easily. At last some decent points on the board but 4 out of 9 will not see us back to the league if the trend continues. 

August 25th: 

HEREFORD United 3 Cheltenham Town 2 (report by Peter Povall) Hereford were smiled upon by the God's to pull this one out of the bag. Cheltenham took the lead after 35 minutes following an excellent strike from Dale Watkins. If their finishing had been a little better, they could have had another two before the break, but Neil Grayson hammered home the equaliser in the 42nd minute. After the break, Hereford held most of the possession with Grayson claiming a second and three minutes later Ian Foster took his first goal for the club with a well struck shot. This seemed to put Hereford in control but as has happened so many times before they became complacent. leaving Jason Eaton free on goal with just 8 minutes remaining. Cheltenham's second goal really put the pressure on Hereford as they were pressured hard for the remainder of the game and often had a scramble inside the 6-yard box to prevent to draw. I understand that Graham Turner later admitted that this was the luckiest three points Hereford were going to get, as the game could have been lost so easily. Cheltenham's manager Steve Cotterill also admired Neil Grayson and said that he will be causing opponents plenty of problems in the future. 

August 30th: 

HEREFORD United 0 Stevenage 2 (report by Peter Povall) A pitiful performance by Hereford allowed Stevenage to claim a simple victory and United should be thankful that they were only taken for two goals when it could easily have been in double figures. Hereford were not at full strength with David Norton out following a groin injury and Tony Agana being out with a hamstring. Brian McGorry was also not at his best following a virus infection. But this was by far the worst game I have seen Hereford play for some time. Chris Mackenzie was something of a "saving" grace, by stopping a number of excellent shots, but the Stevenage lead opened when he made an excellent diving save from a Jason Solomon header only to have the free ball driven home by Ryan Kirby from all of two yards. Just five minutes later and Neil Trebble sent in a stinging 20-yard drive which Mackenzie managed to touch but failed to keep out. Stevenage's dominance continued well into the second half with Hereford rarely moving out of their own half. On 55 minutes, Stevenage almost went three nil up as Neil Catlin belted another 20-yard shot which hit the underside of the bar sending it straight down for Ian Rodgerson to clear. Five minutes later and Chris Mackenzie was again thanking the God's as Neil Trebble lopped the ball past him only to hit the bar and bounce clear. United's only real efforts came in the last 10 minutes when Ian Foster had a shot well saved by Gallagher and Richard Walker headed against the post. Altogether a very poor performance and United must to better if they are to stand any chance of getting out of the Conference this season.  

HEREFORD United's advert for a young and thrusting person to sort out the Commercial Department has not met with a tremendous response say HUISA. Whoever they get in, clearly has their work cut out. For example, the reason we had a 32 page programme for the Welling game (and not 48) was that 16 pages of advertising space that they thought had been sold, had not! Reiterating the plea that GT made in his opening programme notes, try and support those companies that do help the Bulls and if you do, tell them why you are doing it! 

 August 31st: 

ACCORDING to the People one of Hereford United fans is singer Roger Whittaker.