December 1998

Dec 5th:

VETERAN Robbie Dennison aims to prove his career is far from finished after being handed a Hereford United lifeline reports the Sports Argus.

The former Northern Ireland international has linked up with the man who guided him through the spring and summer of his career at Wolves - and now he wants to see out his autumn days by helping Graham Turner's Bulls battle for a Football League return.

He links up with Turner, the man who took him to Molineux from Albion in 1982, after ending a disappointing last few months with Hednesford Town.

Despite a promising start at Keys Park, Dennison has found himself over-looked this term and he had been on the transfer-list for the past two months, prompting an earlier loan inquiry from Turner.

But now Dennison is keen to show there's still plenty of life in the 35-year-old.

"I feel fit enough to keep playing for another two to three seasons," he vowed. "I just wanted to be involved and playing in the first team and I'm grateful that Graham Turner and Keith Downing have given me the chance."

Dennison, who had joined Hednesford from Wolves 18 months ago, admits it's been a roller-coaster time at Keys Park but he accepted that their recent form had made it difficult for him to get a regular role.

"The team has gone ten or 11 games unbeaten and the team has been largely unchanged," he added. "I've no gripes about that.

"I would have liked to have played more but I'm looking forward not back."

Dennison is one part of a double deal with the Pitmen after the clubs also resolved the Conference future of Kevin Collins to allow him to play league games.

Hednesford had been holding onto the former captain's league registration and under Conference rules they were entitled to a fee. Ironically, Collins had been able to play in the Bulls' FA Umbro Trophy games.

Turner said: "We've been relying on what is a very young side and with Robbie and Kevin coming on board, as well at Matt Clarke, we've got three players with plenty of experience. Hopefully, that will rub off on the rest of the side.

"Robbie will add a lot of quality to our play. We know his strengths well enough though we know he hasn't been playing too much this season and will get games under his belt."

The treble swoop, plus the recent arrival of Wayne Dyer, will provide the Bulls with plenty of options for the vital festive period.

After the midweek FA Umbro trophy KO at Hitchin Town, all thoughts are firmly focused on a Conference title challenge.

Dennison added: "Hereford are in a good position to go on and make a real push. No-one is running away with the title like Halifax did last year and they are probably seven or eight clubs still in with a chance. It's a question of getting a run

Dec 5th:

NORTHWICH 1 Hereford 0 (report by Mark Farmer)

United will be regretting missed chances after going down to a second minute headed goal from Northwiches Tait. Northwich came out flying and put extreme pressure on United for the first 5 or 10 minutes, the goal, a glancing header, came after a corner was only partially cleared and allowed the Vics winger to whip in an angled cross that eluded the Hereford defence and found Tait unmarked to put the slightest of touches on the ball and find the bottom left hand corner. The pressure that United had to endure resulted in three excellent saves from bulls keeper Andy Quy, and it was from one of those saves that Northwich gained the corner that was produce their only goal.

Hereford rallied and started to put together some neat football, on more than one occaision United found themselves in usefull positions only to waste good chances. New signing Robbie Dennison had a great chance to level things in the fifthteenth minute when after being forced wide he construed to shoot just wide and left with the Vics keeper, Dean Greygoose, well beaten. Dennison had a chance to make ammends five minutes later when he found himself unmarked on the penalty spot with the keeper rooted to one side of the goal, he snatched the shot and hit it straight at the keeper. Hereford continued to enjoy the majority of the possesion for the remainder of the half without making enough clear cut chances.

The second half continued much the same as the first had finished, Hereford pushed forward and Northwich defended in numbers. The referee had given two yellow cards to United in the first half but refused to dish out the same punishment to the Vics as one bad challenge after another came in on the edge of the penalty area. Hereford worked some good free kicks and the "Colchester" set piece almost gave them an equaliser when Taylor flicked on for Leadbeater to smash the ball to the bottom right corner and produce an amazing save from Greygoose in the Vics goal. The replacement of Druce for Cook was needed but it was a substitution of like for like and the difference was minimal.

Near the end of the game Rodgerson flicked over a great cross to find Taylor on the edge of the six yard box but his powerfull volley to the near post was parried out for a corner by the in form Greygoose. United continued to push but an excellent display of defending from the Northwich centre halfs was enough to keep United at bay.

All in all it wasn't a terrible performance by the Bulls, the defence looked quite solid, the midfield was good, but our lack of ideas up front was very evident throughout the match and challenges for the ball seemed half hearted at times.

Positive things that came from this game were the performances of Keith Downing and Matt Clarke who were both brilliant. On a personal note, I think with better performances from our front players or indeed a new front player or two coming into the squad, we really could make a challenge for the title.

HEREFORD: Quy, Clarke, Collins, Downing, Wright, Evans, Druce, Taylor, Leadbeater, Rodgerson, Dennison. Subs: Lane, Snape, Cook.

December 12th:

KEVIN Collins has turned the page on his career at Hednesford Town and is looking forward to a new chapter with Hereford United reports the Sports Argus.

The veteran full-back ended the will-he, won't-he saga last week when Hednesford finally let him sign on Conference forms as part of the Robbie Dennison deal.

The hold-up while Hednesford looked for a fee according to the Conference regulations left a sour taste in the mouth of the 34-year-old whose loyalty to the club earned him a testimonial match two months ago.

But Collins insists: I never look back, only forwards.

"Hednesford is in the past and I'm looking forward to playing at Hereford.

"Hereford have given me the chance to play in the Conference as I wished and I hope I can repay them."

He added: "I didn't leave Hednesford on the best of terms. I thought Hednesford as a club could have done better for me after the service I had given them. The situation could have been dealt with earlier.

"But I don't harbour any grudges. I had some great times there and I wish them all the best."

Having linked up with Graham Turner, the man who gave him his break in the pro game at Shrewsbury, he wants to play a part in helping Hereford regain their League place.

The arrival of Collins and Dennison plus Kidderminster's Matt Clarke will provide more Conference experience and Collins accepts they must pass on their know-how to help the Bulls stay in the promotion-chasing pack.

"It's all about confidence and consistency and hopefully we can help in those areas," said Collins.

"The spotlight isn't really on us, there's no pressure on us.

"But we still feel we've got as good a chance as anybody if we can put a run together over Christmas.

"Every team is capable of beating any other in this league. Consistency will be the key.

"We've got a big month ahead of us with Kettering next week and then the two Kidderminster games."

Mind you, one red-letter day for Collins will be January 9 when he faces his old team Hednesford.

Villa boss John Gregory has promised to take his first team squad to play in Chris Price's Testimonial match against Hereford at Edgar Street on Tuesday.

December 12th:

HAYES 0 Hereford United 1: (Birmingham Post report)

Super-sub Gavin Williams gave ten man Hereford the points with a winner two minutes from time.

He scored from close range after Russell Meara had blocked his first near post effort.

The Bulls were reduced to ten men four minutes after the break when John Snape was dismissed after a second bookable offence.

But battling United struck first when player coach Keith Downing scored his first goal for the club from a free-kick on 66 minutes.

Hayes hit back when Chris Sparkes rose to head home a Barry Moore corner on 75 minutes.

But Hereford never gave up and it was no surprise when Williams struck.

The dramatic second half was no bigger contrast to the first with chances few and bar between.

The best one for the Bulls fell on 22 minutes when a Paul Meira clearance went straight to Mark Druce 25 yards out, but with the keeper out of position, he hit it straight at a defender with the goal at his mercy.

December 14th:

Kidderminster 1 Hereford United 2 (Endsleigh Challenge Trophy 2nd round - report from Halesowen News)

Hereford marched on in the Endsleigh Challenge Trophy when a last-minute goal from Mark Druce earned them a dramatic second-round victory over rivals Kidderminster at Aggborough.

Deadly Druce struck just when the disappointing clash looked to be heading for extra time.

The Bulls had taken the lead in the 61st minute when a spectacular 25-yard angled volley by Paul Parry gave Kidderminster keeper Stuart Brock no chance of saving.

Kidderminster, ousted from three cup competitions in 14 days, drew level when substitute Ian Arnold knocked the ball in from close range.

Hereford, however, refused to be unsettled by the setback and finally snatched their last-gasp victory after being boosted by fine saves by keeper Mark Jones which denied both Arnold and Martin Weir.

Fortunately for the lowest crowd of the season at Aggborough -- 645 -- the entertainment value increased during the second period after a grim display by both sides during the opening 45 minutes.

On-target shots in the first half were few and far between with Hereford also being handicapped by a couple of injuries.

On 26 minutes Ian Rodgerson limped off to be replaced by Keith Downing. He lasted only 14 minutes, however, before being stretchered off and taken to hospital with a head injury sustained in an accidental clash.

After the break the tempo lifted slightly and Jones did well to stop a shot from Arnold and a header from Weir before trainee Parry marked his full debut with his superbly taken goal.

Arnold, who came on for the second half in place of Leroy May, equalised from 12 yards out before Druce stole the limelight with his late winner after the opening had been created by substitute John Shirley.

Hereford: Jones, Clarke, Collins, Snape, Evans, Cross, Druce, Taylor, Williams, Rodgerson (Downing 26 minutes), (Shirley 40 mins), Parry. Sub not used Hill.

Attendance: 646

December 15th:

CHRIS Price is looking forward to his "special" match tonight when Villa play Hereford in his testimonial.

But Hereford boss Graham Turner admitted the club's injury crisis could force him to turn to Villa for help.

"I might have to ask them if I could use a few of their youngsters," said Turner who will have as many as nine first team regulars missing.

"We have had a heavy spell of games in the last few days which has not helped but it is a long time since I have know an injury situation like this."

Hereford still managed to sneak a win over Kidderminster Harriers in the Endsleigh Trophy last night thanks to a last minute winner by Mark Druce.

But with a crucial league match against leaders Kettering on Saturday to keep men fit for, Turner is hoping Villa will be able to help him out.

As for Price, who played 130 games for Villa between 1988 and 1992, he's looking forward to his big night - four years after he began planning it.

The full back, who also played for Blackburn Rovers, was hoping to hold it back in 1994 but it never came off.

This year Villa boss John Gregory has helped make it a reality.

"This will be a special night for me and the club," he said. "When I saw Villa win on Sunday I was thrilled."

December 16th:

VILLA made it a priceless testimonial for Chris Price with a host of first team stars led by Stan Collymore lining up to face Hereford United last night reports the Evening Mail

But there was only ever going to be one winner and the Premier League leaders, and especially Lee Hendrie, could have made the 2-0 win far more emphatic.

Even though he wasn't there to watch the game, Villa boss John Gregory promised to make Price's long awaited soccer send-off a night to remember. And apart from Dion Dublin and Gareth Southgate, who both watched the match from the sidelines and the addition of youngster Lee Collins, it was the same Villa team who beat Arsenal only three days before. Julian Joachim opened the scoring on 17 minutes, finishing off after Andy Quy failed to hold his shot.

Then on the stroke of half-time Alan Thompson made it two, taking a deflected ball past Hereford's defenders and slotting coolly past Quy. Before the match United boss Graham Turner admitted he might have to call on a few of Villa's youngsters to boost his injury hit squad for the testimonial. Instead of teenagers, Gordon Cowans slipped on his boots and gave an impressive display in Hereford's midfield.

Nearly 3,500 supporters packed out Edgar Street and Price, who was a claret and blue regular between 1988 and 1992, can expect to make around £17,000 from the match he first began planning back in 1994.

December 19th:

FORMER England star Gordon Cowans pulled on a Hereford United shirt - and was immediately told: Come and join us!

The Sports Argus says that Bulls boss Graham Turner made the tongue in cheek offer after 40-year-old Cowans, now reserve and youth team coach at Villa, pulled on his boots for Tuesday's Chris Price testimonial against Villa.

Hereford's nightmare run of injuries had left them with ten players ruled out but Cowans slotted into the side for the entire second half.

Turner said: "`Sid can still pass no matter how old he is. If he has got a free Saturday he can come and play for us anytime!"

The game for ex-Villa and Hereford man Price - which attracted 3,500 fans - was the Bulls' third fixture in four days.

With worrying injuries to Paul Fewings, Gary Cook, and Tony James - who could be struggling for the Christmas matches - plus Robbie Dennison, Ian Rodgerson and Keith Downing on the casualty list, Turner had to draft in the youngsters - and he was delight ed with their response.

Matthew Cross had made his full debut last Saturday in another excellent away win at Hayes to maintain their promotion push, and he was joined by teenagers Paul Parry and John Shirley at Kidderminster as they impressed in securing a place in the Endsleig h Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win on Monday. The Bulls now have a home tie with holders Morecambe.

HEREFORD United 0 Kettering Town 2 (report by Peter Povall)

After a promising first 3 minutes United displayed some of their worst football so far this season.

Playing the Football Conference leaders should have inspired the team to greater efforts but they showed a complete lack of commitment. It brought the reasons for the low gates home. If the team aren't going to make an effort then why should the supporters.

I hate having to write this, being the eternal optimist, but the truth needs to be told. The team must also understand that todays performance let themselves down and worse still, the fans.

United started the match very promisingly as they surged forward and presented Kettering with pressure deep into their half. But as soon as they lost the ball and Kettering made an attacking run, the shoulders dropped and things grew gradually worse.

Ian Wright came the closest in the 7th minute when United gained their first corner. Taylor sent the ball to the back post with Wright heading well wide.

Kettering replied quickly and gained the advantage on the break, leaving the last man open. Thankfully the pressure did the defenders job as he cleared the bar.

Snape had a half chance when he fired a dipping shot directly at the keeper. Anywhere else and it could have posed problems, but as it was, it was easily collected.

The tempo then lifted a little as Kettering decided to take the game to United. The pressed forward and defended a long way forward with a savage off-side trap.

Andy Quy was tested with a low angled shot. He dropped to collect it at the front post but it slid past him and the open goal. Anyone managing to reach it would have been gifted a simple tap-in.

United made their last real efforts on goal just before the break when Mark Druce headed just wide and Gavin Williams pulled an over-head kick out of the bag, from within the area. This chance was also wide.

Kettering snatched the lead with seconds of the first period remaining. A poor clearance dropped the ball back into United's area. Hudson fell upon the chance and rifled it home.

The second period rarely saw United out of their own half. If they were, it was to chase a ball they had just "hoofed" up the pitch.

Kettering were hungry for a second goal. They piled on the pressure and came very close after 9 minutes of the second period when a messy clearance again gave them an open chance, which they wasted.

Fisher claimed the second goal at the back post when Matthew Cross' attempted difficult clearance of a free-kick smacked against the post and fell perfectly for Fisher to sneak past the diving Quy.

This second nailed the lid on the coffin of this match. United struggled to regain some momentum but without the passion for the points they were defeated before they started.

While I am complaining about the standard of the game, I might as well comment on the standard of the officials.

The referee did not allow the game to flow at all. He made numerous dodgy decisions. To illustrate one, he recalled a throw-in as the United player had moved a little to far down the line for his liking. The problem is that the player then re-took the throw from the same place and was allowed to continue. He should also have sent-off Ketterings number 9. Who on two occasions desented by kicking the ball away. This should result in a mandatory yellow card for the first offence and a red for the second.

The linesmen were as bad. They continually gave incorrect decisions and were known to reverse them if questioned by either the referee or the crowd.

The team must make an effort in the coming matches. We have a great opportunity to drag ourselves back into this league and really compete for the championship.

December 24th:

THE son of former Aston Villa and Wolves manager Graham Turner yesterday escaped a jail sentence for his part in a drunken brawl.

Andrew Turner, whose father now manages Hereford United, punched Mr Shaun Cook in the face after sexually explicit remarks were made about a girl.

His friend, Paul McAleese, also attacked Mr Cook, an engineer, and his drinking friend, Mr Robert Perrin, a fraud investigator for the Department of Social Security.

Mr Cook suffered a broken nose and damaged teeth and Mr Perrin was left with a broken cheekbone and a double wrist fracture.

But Judge Andrew Geddes said the victims of the punch-up outside a fish and chip shop in Stagecoach Mews, Hereford, had provoked the violence.

He said Turner acted in a bid to protect McAleese from much older men but the 19-year-olds went way beyond what was justifiable.

Petrol station worker Turner, of Carey Court, Carey, Herefordshire, was ordered to carry out 150 hours community service and pay Mr Cook £200 compensation.

McAleese, a soldier with the Royal Greenjackets, of Mayberry Avenue, Redhill, Hereford, was sentenced to six months jail, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay Mr Perrin £300 and Mr Cook £200.

Both admitted assault causing bodily harm on Mr Cook. McAleese also pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Perrin.

Worcester Crown Court heard the victims had been on a stag night on July 13 last year. They bought chips after leaving a wine bar and were sat on a wall eating.

Banter between them and the teenagers, who had left a nightclub, sparked the violence.

Mr Euan Ambrose, for Turner, said Mr Cook made sexually explicit remarks about a 17-year-old girl in the group.

During a scuffle, Turner punched Mr Cook - who had drunk ten points of cider - twice in the face when he thought McAleese was in danger.

Turner, also set on a career in the army, came from a highly respected family whom he had let down, said Mr Ambrose.

He said: "The defendant has spent the last 18 months fearful for his future. The family has been under extreme strain."

December 26th

KIDDERMINSTER 1 Hereford 0 (report by Peter Povall)

In poor conditions and the worst cross-wind I have witnessed this season, Hereford and Kidderminster met for their usual Boxing Day clash.

The local rivalry is great between this pair and tends to make for some interesting viewing. Today's match was the complete opposite though.

With heavy showers and strong winds playing a part, the overall quality of football displayed by both teams wasn't great.

Kidderminster started the stronger side and were quickly pressuring the United goal, gaining their first corner after 7 minutes. The corner produced a shot from inside the area which was fired wildly over the bar.

Seconds after the goal kick and the Harriers were back again. The shot produced a save from Andy Quy, who fumbled the ball, dropping in also on the goal line before diving onto it as cover.

Hereford fought straight back. Gavin Williams made a screaming run down the right wing before having his cross blocked by a defender, conceding the corner. The corner being easily cleared by Kidderminster's big defenders.

United kept the pressure on though. The keeper made some excellent interceptions with long crosses denying United their chances.

One of the best United chances of the first half came after 16 minutes when Mark Druce was sent a through ball to chase. I believe he should have reached it and beaten the keeper, the only man between him and goal. Instead when just a few yards from the ball and seeing the keeper bearing down on him, he eased of his run allowing the keeper to get their first.

On 20 minutes, United broke the deadlock and netted from and Ian Wright corner. The referee had other idea's though and disallowed the goal due to pushing at the back post.

The game then went from end-to-end as the fans questioned the referee's judgement. Kidderminster fired a shot just over the bar and United gained a free-kick on the edge of the Harriers area. The shot slidded past the post.

The final 5 minutes before the break were all United's. Gavin Williams made another quick run down the wing before being felled from behind. In the World Cup, this tackle would have resulted in a Red Card. In the Conference, however, no card is raised.

Robbie Dennison and Paul Parry both had efforts on goal. Dennison shot wide with from a difficult volley and Parry shot was forced out for a corner which was cleared.

The second period started at full pace. United made an excellent run through the centre of the field. They played to feet and combined a number of passes before sending in a dreadfully weak shot which skidded along the ground to the keepers feet.

Kidderminster replied. A run down their right wing to the weak spot of Hereford's defence (not having a left-back), allowed for a great cross the back post which brought Quy of his mark as he failed to collect. The ball was brought down before blasting a great shot past Quy. Tony James, man of the match in my opinion, manages to get a diving boot to the ball and flicked it behind himself, right across the goal and out for a corner.

Kidderminster's corner was cleared but not before Quy sustained an injury. He went down holding his lower back and the crowd suspected a provocation of his previous injury. He did regain his feet and finished the match though.

The pressure was maintained and United were forced to defend deep in their own half. Kidderminster gained free-kicks, corners and deep throws, all of which were fought off in an attempt to maintain Hereford's excellent record at Aggborough.

United did manage a couple of attacks over the next few minutes. The best of which brushed the bar from a Taylor corner.

Kidderminster were definitely the better team in the closing minutes of the match. One attack which completely caught the United defence left Quy facing three forwards on his own. The ball was played across the goal mouth and Quy did his level best to follow it. Thankfully the condition meant that they had to control the ball before shoting. This gave Quy the split second he needed to dive and reach the ball, felling the Kidderminster player in the process.

The clincher of the match came with just moments to spare. Both the referee and the linesman have to be brought into question for these incidents. Thomas was defying United defenders on the touch line within 5 yards of the linesman. I clearly saw the entire line appear under the ball before he managed to break away and make a cross on goal. The linesman didn't react. The cross was cleared and Kidderminster made another attack on goal. They managed to make a clear run down their right wing again before getting a power cross in.

Thomas was there again. He brought the ball down using his forearm before firing past Andy Quy to claim the club their three points.

Don't get me wrong. I am not a bitter loser. Kidderminster were the better side on the day and deserved to win. What I object to is the very poor state of the officials in Conference football. Today's referee was a joke. He spoilt todays game by making poor decisions through-out. One incident comes to mind where a tackle on a United player brought him down and every player on the pitch stopped, including the Kidderminster players, as they knew the tackle would produce a free-kick. What it actually produced was nothing.

Oh well, maybe Forest Green on Monday will yield some points.

HEREFORD: Quy; Lane, Parry, Downing, Wright, James, Rodgerson, Taylor, Williams, Druce, Dennison. Subs: Cross, Dyer, Shirley.

December 28th:

FOREST Green 2 Hereford United 1 (report from Matchfacts)

Forest Green maybe be finding their debut season in the Conference tough, but how the mighty have fallen with the visitor's Hereford on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline.

Hereford have only themselves to blame as they failed to capitalise upon an hour of solid and patient possession, surrendering their single goal lead with two suicidal defensive lapses in the second half.

Hedges could only half-clear Taylor's corner to the edge of the box and the on-rushing Snape powerfully volleyed into the top left of the goal.

The equaliser from Syke's inswinging corner was headed back across the face of goal by Kilgour for Hedges to evade his marker and nod in at the far post.

The winner came from Bailey's lofted 30 yard throughball from midfield which released Hunt who casually nutmegged Quy on the edge of the penalty area with his first touch.

Hunt's winner bordered on the magical but Hereford were already out of steam as the home side ran up their fourth home win of the season.

December 31st:

HEREFORD United striker Paul Fewings is back in training after missing the Bulls' last 14 matches due to a sciatic nerve problem.

Fewings, however, will not be available for Saturday's Football Conference clash with arch-rivals Kidderminster Harriers.