January 1998

January 1st:

WHEN Hereford take on Tranmere on Sunday manager Graham Turner and his players will be winners whatever the result says the Daily Mail.

Win, lose or draw a crowd of more than 6,000 will guarantee - for next week at any rate - the players will get paid!

There wasn't enough in the kitty to cover the wages last month and manager Turner had to take a cut just to keep his job while seven players and backroom staff were axed in a pruning operation. If it hadn't been for the FA Cup run the cash-strapped Conference club, who now have an administrator trying to revive their fortunes, would have been out with the begging bowl.

Turner said: "With a bit of luck we should clear at least £10,000 after Tranmere have taken their cut, which is mighty welcome under the circumstances." It's a far cry from the days when he was manager of Aston Villa and Wolves where he splashed out £800,000 to sign striker David Kelly from Newcastle.

In a cruel twist of fate, Irishman Kelly could lead the Tranmere attack that stands between him and another taste of glory.

"The Tranmere game is a real lifeline," said Turner. "Keeping our heads above water has been very difficult. Sometimes we've been down to the bare bones."

Victory against the Division One club could land Hereford a glamour fourth-round tie, earn enough cash to satisfy creditors and help them through to the end of the season.

Turner is quietly confident.

He said: "You can't imagine Tranmere looking forward to this one. I saw them at Birmingham last Sunday and they have some problems. If they have another off day and we're at our best there's no reason why we can't produce an upset."

Upsets are what the good folk of Hereford have come to expect. They still vividly remember their last giantkilling, when they beat Newcastle in a third-round replay back in 1972.

Tranmere are no Newcastle, but this match still gives Turner a chance to put his managerial talents in the shop window. He said: "I've made no secret that I'd like to have another go at the top." Turner hopes to call on striker Tony Agana - formerly Brian Deane's partner at Sheffield United - who has been out injured for 10 weeks.

"He still has terrific ability," said Turner. "To be honest I always thought he was better than Deano and if he can turn it on against Tranmere they'll have a match on their hands." But the manager's prize asset could still be the club mascot, a prized Herford bull, Freetown Kudos, who will be paraded around Edgar Street before the match. "He could frighten the life out of Tranmere." he said.

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers 1 Hereford United 4 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford United's second double of the season was decisive from start to finish, with the first goal coming from Richard Leadbetter in the 9th minute.

Leadbetter who is currently on a months loan from Wolves laid claim to a wonderful hat-trick. The first goal was set up by Hereford's top goal scorer, Neil Grayson, who made a high curling cross to outside the back post where Leadbetter was waiting to finish it with a well taken header.

His second came when a shot came back off the post to him. His shot also hit the post, but the Kidderminster keeper, Steadman, was grounded and the ball rebounded back into the net.

The third came from a beautifully taken shot from just outside the area to leave the Kidderminster defence in tatters.

Three nil down, Kidderminster made more of an effort in the second half but the work rate of Hereford still overwhelmed them. Although they did have an attempt by Chris Brindley headed off the line by John Brough, allowing time for Andy Quy to recover and punch the ball out of play for a corner.

Tony Agana also made a return to the squad when he was brought on as a substitute for Neil Grayson in the 63rd minute. Agana scored his first goal since being injured back in August when he completed the cross from Leadbetter.

Kidderminster did manage a consolation goal in the closing seconds when Wayne Thomas scored direct from a free kick, but it was far to little to late.

This was however, just the result Hereford where looking for in anticipation of their cup tie against Tranmere Rovers on Sunday.

January 2nd:

HEREFORD United will be looking forward to their FA Cup clash against Tranmere tomorrow with more relish than normal according to the Evening Mail.

For as well as throwing up the chance of another giant killing act should they beat the First Division side it will also ensure another significant event - payment.

Last month there wasn't enough cash at the club to cover wages.

But a bumper crowd at tomorrows match will ensure that, whatever the result, Herefords players have a cheque in their back pocket by the end of the day.

Hereford manager Graham Turner had to take a cut to keep his job while seven players and backroom staff were axed in a pruning operation.

The Cup run has been a vital lifeline for the struggling club who have an administrator trying to revive their fortunes.

Turner said: "With a bit of luck we should clear at least £10,000 after Tranmere have taken their cut, which is mighty welcome under the circumstances."

On Saturday, Turners cash -strapped team could come face -to-face with David Kelly, now a striker with Tranmere, who the Hereford manager signed for £750,000 when he was boss at Wolves. The days of big spending he enjoyed at Molineux and with Aston Villa are gone - but Turner hopes not forever.

And if Hereford make it to the Fourth Round all eyes will be on him once more. "I've made no secret that Id like to have another go at the top," he said.

A glamour club in the fourth round of the Cup could help Turners personal ambitions and the fortunes of the club.

Securing a big name team at that stage of the competition could earn enough cash to see Hereford through to the end of the season.

And Turner is confident: "You cant imagine Tranmere looking forward to this one. If they have an off day and we are at our best theres no reason why we cant produce an upset.

"But the match is a real lifeline. Keeping our heads above water has been very difficult."

January 2nd:

THIS Article comes from the Times:

Graham Turner's secretary, Joan, was in her office trying to cope with the phone calls. The new year programme was placing extra demands on those staff remaining at Hereford United after the redundancies that followed the club's loss of Nationwide League status last May. As usual, when Hereford are on an FA Cup run, people wanted to know where Ronnie Radford was.

"I have been here 18 years and I am sick of it," Joan said. Of that goal. "Neil Grayson has got to score one to kill that Ronnie Radford goal so we never hear that name again." She has worked under ten managers at Hereford, but the name that keeps coming up is Ronnie Radford.

Even Turner, the Hereford director of football, admits to being fed up with it, though one imagines that, if the Vauxhall Conference club's directors shared that view, they would have taken down the photograph in the boardroom by now. It is still there on the wall in black and white: "Goal of the Century", the caption reads, though Radford is not in shot. The boot that launched the cannonball is 30 yards away from the Newcastle United goalkeeper in the picture.

Goal of the century? As far as Hereford's history is concerned, it remains so, but there are 24 months to go. However, for Grayson, the club's leading scorer, to have a chance of granting Joan her wish, Hereford will need to beat Tranmere Rovers in the third round on Sunday. It is no good scoring a fabulous goal to eliminate a first division club. You cannot score the goal of the century against Tranmere. It has to put out a big club, like Newcastle United.

Newcastle, from the old first division, were beaten 2-1 by non-league Hereford at Edgar Street in 1972. Radford scored the equaliser, Ricky George the winner. At the end of that season, Hereford entered the Football League, but, in 25 years before dropping out again, their spoon hardly made a sound against the trophy. Now they are a non-league club again, they are up to old tricks.

After six seasons in which they eliminated only one league club and became one of non-league football's favourite dishes, going out to Yeovil Town, Bath City and Hitchin Town, Hereford have rolled over two league opponents this season. In the first round they put out Brighton, who had consigned them to the Conference. In the second round, they defeated Colchester United.

"I suppose, as a non-league club, there is less pressure," Turner said. "As a league side, you are on a banana skin." Sittingbourne, from the Dr Martens League, threw one under Hereford in the fourth qualifying round and they almost fell. Hereford trailed 2-1 towards the end. "I looked at the sky and asked: 'Why me?' " Turner said. "I could not believe it could happen so soon after Brighton." But the equaliser came and now the fourth round is beckoning. They have never been beyond that stage.

The only bull Turner talks is Freetown Kudos, the club mascot, a one-ton Herefordshire beast occasionally pa raded before matches. Not this Sunday, though. "Haven't had time to think about it," Joan said. There is refreshing straight talking in Turner's replies to key questions. Formerly the manager of Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, is he content at Hereford? Certainly not. Ambition still burns.

"There might be an opportunity to manage somewhere bigger than Hereford," Turner - "a young 50" - said. "People knew that when I came but, if the opportunity comes up, it must mean I have done something here." Next question. Which is more important, beating Kidderminster Harriers in the Conference yesterday or Tranmere? "It's got to be Tranmere," he replied. No platitudes about the league being the bread and butter.

His reasons are "financial". A glamour tie would earn Hereford some £200,000. "That would ease our financial problems," Turner said. He did not want to draw Tranmere - estimated profit on Sunday, £10,000 - and does not mind admitting it. "Disappointing," he said.

Two months ago, Hereford were unable to pay the players on schedule and, though that crisis has passed, a Cup windfall would enable Turner to keep them on full-time next season. He has taken a voluntary 30 per cent cut in salary and helps out wherever he can. "We do not have a commercial manager and I take any opportunity to sell a board on the ground or an advert in the programme," he said.

Hereford are in voluntary administration, nearly £1 million in debt. "That means we have to keep control of our own affairs and there is no administrator coming in, wielding an axe," Turner said. "We have a meeting of creditors this month to sort out a deal to ease the situation and stop the potential winding-up of the club."
One thing that Turner will not admit is that the chance of an immediate return to the third division has gone. "You never give up hope," he said, perhaps recalling that Brighton were 12 points adrift at the foot of the league in December last season.

After their 4-1 win away to Kidderminster yesterday, Hereford are 19 points behind Halifax, the Conference leaders. If John Aldridge, the watching Tranmere manager, left uneasy at the quality of Hereford's play, he may be comforted to know that Richard Leadbeater will not be available on Sunday. Leadbeater played a part in all four Hereford goals, scoring three and making the other, but, as a loan signing, he is prohibited from playing in the Cup.

Going out of the league was Turner's most traumatic football experience. "I had never seen so many grown men cry: in the boardroom, on the terraces, in the dressing-room," he said. If bulls could cry, Freetown Kudos would no doubt have been standing in a puddle. At Wolves, Turner left when abuse from fans became intolerable. At Hereford, supporters voted to raise admission prices this season in a survival gesture.

Relegation inspired a book on the club Hereford United: The League Era . Ron Parrott, the author, suggests that David Icke, the broadcaster turned Green Party eccentric, is "arguably Hereford's best-known former player", a goalkeeper in their first league season. Try telling that to Joan.

January 3rd:

HEREFORD, whose manager Graham Turner reckons one big draw could wipe out their debts "overnight", would doubtless be more confident of seeing off Tranmere tomorrow if the on-loan Richard Leadbeater were available says the Independent.

He scored a hat-trick at Kidderminster on Thursday, but Wolves do not want him cup-tied. The veteran Tony Agana stands by after a long absence through injury.

January 4th:

DAVID Norton has seen more than his fair share of barrel-scraping at soccers basement clubs reports the Sunday Mercury.

But he had never gone without the wages to look after his family. Until this season.

For Hereford United, where Norton is skipper, todays third round tie is about more than the romance and glory of the cup.

It is about securing your next pay slip.

Twenty six years ago, Hereford recorded their famous third round victory over Newcastle United.

And while it was a triumph that propelled them into the Football League, times have changed since.

Last season, Hereford finished bottom and were relegated back into non-league circles. With their entry Into the Vauxhall Conference came a cash crisis that has left players and staff alike wondering whether Hereford will be able to survive.

But, after a period of uncertainty, the Bulls of Hereford have been offered a cash cow in the shape of the cup.

Victories over Brighton - the team that denied them their Third Division status on the final day of the season and Colchester United have given them the chance to set up an even bigger pay day in the fourth round.

And for former Aston Villa midfielder Norton, that prospect spells the chance to continue bringing home the bacon.

"Ive never known anything like this really," he said.

"At one point this season, we would be going three or four weeks without being paid.

"Things seem to be better now and the cup run has been good for us. Its taken the players minds off the Conference."

Norton insists that Tranmere will not have it all their own way, despite being three levels above Hereford.

And the 32-year-old adds that the players have responded well in the fact eof adversity.

"The team spirit has become stronger in spite of all the problems we have had," he said.

"And while our results have not been what we would have hoped for in the league, we have also had a bad run of injuries which hasnt helped.

"We do feel we can beat Tranmere.

"At the club there is a feeling that we were unlucky to go down at the end of last season and there are players here who are keen to show they can still perform well against league opposition."

This stage of the competition is always a special one for Hereford in terms of the history of the club.

And Norton knows it is a day that brings out the best in players and fans alike.

"In Hereford, you are always being reminded of the Newcastle game," he said.

"So it's important that the club plays well whenever they get to the third round."

January 5th:

HEREFORD United have been drawn at home to Sunderland if they can beat Tranmere Rovers in a third round tie which has now been rearranged for tomorrow week.

Herefords director of football, Graham Turner, was delighted with the prospect of taking on high-flying Sunderland, and said: "Its a good draw, but obviously we have to overcome Tranmere first.

"It's at home, its another First Division club and a side that is going a little better than Tranmere. If we need any more incentive to beat Tranmere, this is it."

If Hereford reach the fourth round it will be their first encounter with Sunderland who have won the FA Cup twice.

Jan 8th:

HERE is an update on the CVA situation at Edgar Street courtesy of HUISA:

At a Board Meeting on 18th November 1997, the Board of Directors determined that the financial position of the Club was so bad that they had to seek the professional help of a firm of Insolvency Practitioners. This Board meeting took place TWO DAYS, prior to the meeting HUISA called at the Green Dragon Hotel. It is not surprising (and this is the real reason) therefore that the Board refused to attend our meeting.

The Insolvency company, Smith & Williamson of Birmingham have put together a proposal, known as a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), to ward off potential winding up orders from creditors. Details of the proposal were sent to creditors and shareholders just before Xmas (I wonder why??), and a meeting was called at the Club, to agree the proposal, on 7th January 1998.

The CVA documentation shows the Club to be effectively £1m, in debt, with little prospect of that position improving (i.e. it is getting worse). The largest creditors (after the BS Group of course) are the Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise who are owed some £143K and £120K respectively. Football Clubs are owed some £59K, and the club owes money to many varied "trade" creditors totalling some £74K. In fact it would almost be easier to make a list of those to whom they don't owe money.

In return for agreeing not to wind the Club up, the CVA proposed, that the Club pay certain preferential creditors (including the Football Clubs) in full and the balance of the creditors an initial payment of 40p in the £. The creditors are also promised that they will all get the remaining monies due to them, in full, when the Club secures the freehold on Edgar Street and sells it for re-development. The estimated value of the site in these circumstances, is quoted within the CVA at £8-10m. The CVA is explicit that the arrangements include NO provision for a new ground, stating simply that this matter will be addressed, separately.

The money to make the initial payment to creditors, is being borrowed, from a further property development company called "Chelverton Properties". In return for this further loan, and in addition to the interest payable, Chelverton Properties, gain an undisclosed % of the funds to be generated from the sale of Edgar Street. It seems unlikely that this will be less than the 25%, the BS Group have already secured.

At the meeting on the 7th January 1998, the creditors refused to agree the CVA and both meetings were adjourned for two weeks. The reasons for the creditors refusal were as follows:

That the Club could not prove that the loan from Chelverton Properties was in place!!!!

The Customs & Excise disagreed with the Club's figures, as to how much they were owed.

The Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise, were not happy that the Football Clubs received preferential treatment and were paid in full. Only our Board of Directors could make such a cock-up of things, when they were asking others to let them off the hook!!

Despite the fact that the shareholders meeting was technically adjourned, it was nonetheless extremely interesting. If PH (Peter Hill - chairman) was in any doubt as to how isolated he was beforehand, he can have been in no doubt afterwards. He was asked why shareholders (and therefore the fans) had not been consulted on the BS deal, and blamed weakly, a lack of time; he was also asked about his plans to pay the loan back in 1999, if the ground has not been sold by then. He has no such plans, preferring to believe, rather naively as one shareholder pointed out, that the BS Group will simply give the Club more time!

After an attack by George Hyde, who asked how the CVA could be based on the sale of the ground when the Club did not own it, Graham Rivers spoke for all of the shareholders (and fans) when saying that the Club faced a very real threat of closure with or without the CVA, because of the BS Group deal. He went onto say that for the Club to have any chance of surviving there would have to be a complete change in the Boardroom, followed by the bringing and working together of all parties genuinely interested in saving the Club (the supporters, the Council, the commercial sector in Hereford, etc.). He didn't say it directly but it was clear that the latter wasn't possible without the former. He then proposed an extraordinary meeting of shareholders for this purpose and received the full support of everybody in the room except those on the top table. After trying to arrange the meeting for the same day as the Stevenage game (the Chairman clearly didn't have the date in his diary), the EGM was agreed for Sunday 18th January 1998.

Jan 10th:

HEREFORD United manager Graham Turner is undecided as to who will wear the goalkeeper's jersey against Dulwich Hamlet in the first round of the FA Umbro Trophy at Edgar Street today.

Andy deBont, Hereford's penalty shoot-out hero against Colchester three weeks ago, and Andy Quy are in a squad of 14.

"Both have their qualities and I haven't decided who will be in goal. Tony Agana will start up front for the first time since the summer and Rob Warner will come in for the suspended Ian Rodgerson at full back," said Turner as reported by the Birmingham Post.

Agana returned after an Achilles operation as a substitute at Kidderminster on New Year's Day, scoring in a 4-1 win.

HEREFORD United 3 Dulwich Hamlet 0 (report by Peter Povall)

This match was the start of Hereford United's best chance of reaching Wembley this season. With the Tranmere game on Tuesday night and facing Sunderland after that, the odds in the FA Cup have lengthened.

Hereford however did not play at their best by any means, but a brace of goals from Richard Walker, his first for the club, and a further one from Tony Agana sealed the fate of Dulwich Hamlet.

Hereford's chances started early with Neil Grayson hitting the bar in the 2nd minute. The play then seemed to bound from end to end as both teams took to hoofing the ball up the field only to have it returned to them by the defence. There where, however, some spirited attacks made by Dulwich which did pressure Andy DeBont into making a couple of simple saves.

The first goal came in the 23rd minute when Richard Walker connected with a corner to take his first goal for the club, driving the ball into the back of the net with a header.

Just ten minutes later he was there again, to finish a corner which was flicked on by Gavin Mahon at the front post to put the Dulwich defence in disarray.

After the break, Garry Cook was brought on in place of Brian McGorry, and again did his very best to spread the ball about in midfield. This combined with the great start made by Walker set United rolling.

Neil Grayson again hit the bar in the 54th minute. A mere minute later, Tony Agana headed in from another corner to claim his second goal in as many games. A great performance when you consider that he has been out injured since August 1997.

The pressure then mounted against Dulwich with both Hargreaves and Fishlock have shots saved by Darren Williams. Graham Turner also made a couple of changes by bringing on Andy Quy and releiving Tony Agana with James McCue.

To give Dulwich their due, they did match spirited attacks towards the end of the game and their supporters made more noise than many we have faced this season.

Jan 12th:

HEREFORD CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY 12th JANUARY 1998 (report from HUISA)

One of the other aspects that had been in dispute, at the creditors/shareholders meeting, was whether the leases on Edgar Street had indeed been assigned to the BS Group. Their view was that they had, the Council took a different view. The subject was then discussed at a meeting of the Council's Policy and Finance Committee on 12th January 1998, a meeting called by George Hyde. HUISA made representations to this meeting by way of a detailed letter, requesting that the Council refuse to assign the lease and pointing out what was likely to happen if they did (i.e. the Club would fold). We also asked to be able to attend the meeting.

After some confusion over whether this was possible, the Council finally agreed to let the supporters in and address the meeting. My thanks go to all those who turned out on the night and put our case so passionately and well. Similar thanks go to all those who wrote in to the Council on the Club's behalf and those who collected (and signed) the 307 signature petition we handed in to the meeting. That the council, in closed session, decided to assign the lease, is to be regretted; one of the Club's best hopes was that they would stand up and fight for the preservation of football in Hereford. But it is too easy to blame the Council. The fact is, that they have been out manoeuvred, by a group of clever businessmen (no not our lot, the other lot). HUISA members must not forget that it was the Chairman and the Board, including Mr Fry, who did the deal with the BS Group and nobody else!

January 13th:

From the Times:

JOHN ALDRIDGE and Steve McMahon played together for Liverpool in two FA Cup Finals in the Eighties, but the former will be anxious tonight not to share the latter's experience in the competition this season. Aldridge, player-manager of Tranmere Rovers, faces a tricky third-round tie against non-League opposition, ten days after Swindon Town, the first division club managed by McMahon, were eliminated by Stevenage Borough.

Tranmere travel to Edgar Street, home of Hereford United, whose Clubcall yesterday issued a dire warning of the consequences of defeat for the Vauxhall Conference team tonight. "Hereford, more than ever, desperately need that fourth-round tie," the recorded voice said. "It could even mean the difference between survival and the unthinkable."

The unthinkable, as Peter Hill, the Hereford chairman, explained, is a winding-up order. Hereford, almost £1 million in debt and with a creditors' meeting scheduled for next week, are offering an immediate 40 pence in the pound. Victory over Tranmere could unlock the door to full and swift payment of debts.

Hereford's 1972 victory over Newcastle United, the game of Ronnie Radford, was one of the FA Cup upsets. "When we were drawn against Newcastle, we had financial problems, but that stabilised us," Hill recalled. Two results - a win over Tranmere, a draw at home to Sunderland in the fourth round - could see Hereford from Edgar Street on to Easy Street.

Hereford to follow Stevenage's example? Form suggests that it can be done. Hereford have scored seven goals in their past two matches, Tranmere are without a goal in seven hours. "We have a hard core of 2,000 supporters," Hill said, "but we are saying to people who come for high days and holidays: 'Come now, we need your money.' "

HEREFORD United full-back Ian Rodgerson stands by for a recall for tonights FA Cup clash against Tranmere Rovers at Edgar Street.

The former Birmingham City player missed Herefords FA Umbro Trophy win over Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday due to suspension and is hoping to reclaim the number two shirt.

But Rodgersons recall is not automatic following a good performance from Rob Warner, when the youngster took over against the Ryman League side.

The Bulls director of football, Graham Tumer, said: "Warner did well. I now have to make a decision as to whether he will Start the game tomorrow, or whether I bring back Rodgerson."

Turners decision, however, depends on a fitness check on midfielder Brian McGorrie, who was substituted in the second half against Dulwich due to a troublesome hamstring injury.

If McGorrie is unavailable tonight, both Warner and Rodgerson will be in the starting line-up.

HEREFORD United 0 Tranmere 3 (report by Peter Povall)

The bubble finally burst tonight for United's FA Cup hopes as First Division Tranmere dealt them a fine display of dominance and took away a 3 goal victory.

Hereford fought diligently throughout the first half but were unlucky when Gary Jones got the better of Jamie Pitman and hammered home a headed flick on from David Kelly.

United did attempt replies to this early goal but they were reduced to taking shots from long range as anywhere near the goal and both Neil Grayson and Tony Agana were completely marked out of the match.

One 25 yard curler from Grayson beat both the defence and the keeper but rose just over the bar. A valiant effort from Murray Fishlock was also tipped over by Steve Simonsen just before the break.

The second half saw the match confidently sewn up by Tranmere though as 2 goals in six minutes took them clear of danger and brought severe doubt to the home side.

The first of the killers came from Gary Jones (again) as he received a well placed cross form Parkinson and finished cleanly with a low drive which easily beat DeBont.

The second was more of a scramble goal as Kelly headed against the bar and Clint Hill was in the right place at the right time for a simple finish.

Basically United put up a good fight while there was any real chance of claiming the match but the early goals in the second half made the whole thing seem pointless. Another seasons FA Cup run brought to a close before we could get our hands on the financially beneficial fourth round.

Jan 17th:

GRAHAM Turner has told his Hereford United players to forget all about their FA cup defeat by Tranmere Rovers and concentrate on getting three points from Kettering Town at Edgar Street this afternoon.

"We must put the disappointment firmly behind us and bounce back," Turner told the Birmingham Post.

"While there is still an outside chance of catching the Vauxhall Conference leaders, we should never give up.

"I have also touched on the club's financial problems. Everybody is concerned about what's happening in meetings off the pitch.

"It is only human nature. The players, however, should be capable of putting things to the back of their minds and concentrate on beating Kettering, followed by Stevenage on Monday."

Hereford have the chance to record their third Conference double of the season. They beat Kettering 2-1 in September with two goals from top marksman Neil Grayson.

HEREFORD United 3 Kettering Town 2 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford claimed their third double of the season, to the cost of Kettering as they claimed the three points with a late from loan striker Richard Leadbeater.

The match had started in some sort of doubt though as United had the game taken to them with an excellent 14th minute goal from Craig Norman. He had collected the ball from a poor move by Chris Hargreaves and curled it superbly around Quy from all of 25 yards out.

Hereford were unmoved by this early goal and seemed quite happy to chase the game without really trying to get the equaliser although Leadbeater did head one over the bar before the break.

The bollocking from Graham Turner had some effect at the start of the second half, even if the equaliser came from an own goal. Colin Vowden was the culprit as he attempted to clear an excellent corner from Murray Fishlock which would have finished in the net anyway.

Just moments later Kettering were away again as Chris Pearson sprinted down the pitch with the ball at his feet, beating the entire United defence and then rounding Andy Quy to drive home his shot from a narrowing angle.

United were again chasing the game and some chosen words from Turner in the dug-out finally got them going.

A quick assault won them a corner which Brian McGorry stepped forward for. His cross flew high over the defence but the rising figure of John Brough met it at the back post and directed it home to equalise once more.

The clincher came in the dying minutes as United were eventually getting themselves sorted out. Ian Rodgerson combined well with Richard Leadbeater in a neat little one-two movement from the right wing, beating the defence, and giving Leadbeater the space he needed to drive home his shot from just outside the six yard box.

A poor performance on the whole which would have resulted in a costly defeat had they been playing anyone else. So often United have been complacent against teams who can quickly rise up and bite you.

Jan 18th:

THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING - SUNDAY 18th JANUARY 1998

Prior to this meeting the HUISA Committee invited a number of prominent shareholders in the Club to a pre-meeting in the Green Dragon Hotel on Saturday 17th January 1998, before the Kettering game. The aims of the meeting were simply to identify the options available, that might save the Club and how best to approach the EGM, on the following day. The meeting was attended by the HUISA Committee and representatives of the Businessmen, David Williams, Roger Townley and Mike Davies and Maggie Dean who recently acquired the Duggan shares. Graham Rivers whilst offering support to what we were trying to achieve, felt "unable" to attend and Archie Phillips did not respond to his invitation.

If I am entirely honest, I have to say that the meeting did not achieve a great deal, simply because the picture was, and to a great extent still is, so gloomy. The businessmen explained that the key issue was one of control at the Club, which given his share holding, was exercised by PH, whether he was Chairman or not. They went onto explain that despite months of negotiating they were no nearer persuading PH to sell his shares and give up control of the Club. They expressed a strong doubt that he had ever been serious in his intentions of doing so (hence the "ink dry" warning, given above). Beyond agreeing on a series of questions designed to make PH admit this at the EGM, and a commitment by all parties to keep each other informed of developments, the meeting did not reach any other positive conclusion.

The EGM itself, on Sunday turned out to be something of a farce. Whilst some had expected PH not to turn up, he did so, but got his "independent Chairman", to announce that it was not a formal meeting and that no resolutions (decisions) could be passed. Moreover the meeting was time limited, and after an opening address by Graham Rivers who repeated his call for a new Board and the standard "its not my fault" defence from PH, only a completely inadequate one hour was allowed for questioning.

I won't go into detail but it is fair to say that not one shareholder who stood to ask a question, voiced any support for the Board. Indeed many were vociferous in their view that, they were directly responsible for the state of the Club and had to go. The main facts that did emerge and which should be of concern to all HUISA members, were that:

The leases having been assigned to the BS Group, were not returnable even if the loan is paid off. They have effectively therefore been given away.

The Club has no alternative strategy to the Bullinghope site. All its eggs are in that one basket.

Beyond the sale of Edgar Street, the Club has no business plan, which provides for the repayment of the BS Group loan (plus interest), or the new loan (plus interest) to be taken from the Chelverton Group. The Board had no answer to the question of what happens if the former doesn't happen before the latter is due (31/5/99).

Despite this they have no guarantees that the BS Group will not seek to wind the Club up when the loan is due to be repaid. They state simply that it would not be in the BS Group's interest to do so.

If the Club is wound up, the BS Group's interest in the development of Edgar Street, increases from its current 25% to 100%. But of course this won't encourage them to do so, at all.

The Club had financial problems in the summer, of that there can be no doubt. They cannot have been so bad however, as to justify the deal negotiated by Robin Fry and sanctioned by Peter Hill, with the BS Group. It contains nothing that is to the benefit of the Football Club.

January 19th:

STEVENAGE Borough 2 Hereford United 0 (report by Peter Povall)

Stevenage were gifted their first double of the season as Hereford produced a pitiful performance away from home. The quick succession of 4 games in 10 days may have played its part though.

Stevenage who are on the brink of facing Newcastle never left anything in reserve and took the game to Hereford from the start.

The early minutes saw Andy Quy make a couple of excellent saves from Wordsworth and Neil Trebble as they fought for an early goal which has usually leaves United beaten.

They were justly awared their goal after 20 minutes when Neil Trebble sent an excellent cross to Gary Crawshaw who neatly turned on the ball and drilled it past the diving figure of Andy Quy.

Hereford made a poor attempt at a reply to this but the best they could come up with was when a cross reached Tony Agana which he headed well clear of the bar and a later cross from Richard Leadbeater was sent wide by Neil Grayson.

Stevenage collected their second thanks to a rare mistake from Gavin Mahon who completely mis-judged a backpass which never looked like reaching Quy even if it had been left to its own devices by Crawshaw raced through the defence and never gave Andy Quy as chance as he again drilled his shot into the goal.

Hereford never looked like, nor I hate to say it, deserved even a point from this match.

HEREFORD: Quy, Rodgerson, Fishlock, Pitman (Warner, 76), Brough, Walker (Grayson, 10), Hargreaves, MoGorry, Agana, Leadbeater, Mahon. Subs: MoCue

January 23rd:

HEREFORD United director of football Graham Turner yesterday took control of the cash-stricken club reports the Birmingham Post.

Turner has become the new majority shareholder at Edgar Street and will replace long serving chairman Peter Hill.

After a traumatic week during which the Vauxhall Conference side narrowly avoided a winding-up petition and earned the positive backing of their creditors, the club have now welcomed their new chairman.

Turner said: "I decided that something needed to be done to give the club a future and I made the chairman an offer yesterday.

"Obviously there is a lot to be done to secure the future of the club. Now we have to decide where we go from here.

"The Board will be reconstructed and I will be talking to other people to bring them on board. The intention remains to get Hereford back into the Football League.

"I don't see myself as chairman but I shall be looking to bring in some financial clout. A large part of why I want to take a more active part is the continued support by supporters."

Hill will remain as chairman until third party funding is in place before handing over the reins to the former Aston Villa and Wolves boss, who took over at Edgar Street in 1995.

"I believe after going down to the Vauxhall Conference we must re-group and look to the future. And I do believe there should be a new chairman," said Hill.

"Yesterday I had a proposal and I believed it would be for the future benefit of Hereford United."

January 26th:

GRAHAM Turners takeover of Hereford United has been given the seal of approval by Mike Quarrel, the chairman of the Independent Supporters Association.

Turner, the former Aston Villa and Wolves manager, has acquired a major share holding of 14,000 shares in the Vauxhall Conference club after agreeing to buy out existing chairman Peter Hill and Cosworth development.

Quarrell whose organisation had been campaigning for the resignation of chairman Hill said, "We feel Mr Turner has the overwhelming levels of support and his last-minute bid for control demonstrated his commitment. He is arguably the only man who can unite the board, the supporters and local authority and commercial sector who must all work together to keep the club afloat."

Turner, who effectively took control last Thursday, will now be meeting all sections of the community in a bid to rejuvenate the club who lost the football league status last season.

Already £1 million in the red, Hereford lost another £1,000 when their match at Gateshead was postponed on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.

THE second Hereford United Liaison Committee meeting took place on this evening and was dominated (somewhat surprisingly, I hear you say) by the news of GT's offer to buy PH's shares reports HUISA. GT explained that having attended the shareholders meetings it was clear to him that something had to be done, or the Club would go out of existence, he recognised that the stumbling block was PH and had made his offer for that reason. He does not have any obvious financial backing, and is looking to the Businessmen, the Supporters and the Local Authority, to work together to save the Club. GT proposes creating a separate bank account into which will go funds raised, by a variety of means, all aimed at securing the future of the Club. He has asked that at the next meeting we discuss this proposal in more detail and come up with ideas to raise cash. This is clearly a subject to be discussed in some detail at our next members meeting and I urge all to attend.

Apart from that HUISA agreed to meet some more medical expenses, relating to treatment for Norts and Scouser and some medical supplies for Shakey although here again, the Supporters Club, also provided some assistance.

January 29th:

HEREFORD UNITED manager Graham Turner may need never fear the dreaded vote of confidence from his chairman again according to the Daily Mail. He has come up with a foolproof way of beating the sack - by buying the club.

After weeks of uncertainty in which the former Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss had to take a wage cut and his players did not get paid because of Hereford's cash crisis, Turner took the bull by the horns and mounted his own takeover bid.

With the help of an unnamed backer, he bought a controlling interest (The ownership of a quantity of outstanding corporate stock sufficient to control the actions of the firm. Controlling interest often involves ownership of significantly less than 51% of a firm's outstanding stock because many owners fail) in the Vauxhall Conference outfit - who suffered relegation from the Nationwide League last season - and hopes soon to have a football club to call his own.

'The offer has been accepted and if all the legal matters are cleared, the changeover should take place in about six weeks,' he said.

January 31st:

HEREFORD United boss Graham Turner will be expecting his players to take revenge over Dover Athletic when they clash in the second round of the FA Umbro trophy today says the Birmingham Post.

Dover beat Hereford 1-0 with a goal from Lee McRoberts at Edgar Street in November when Neil Grayson missed a penalty which would have salvaged a Conference point for the Bulls.

"I was particularly disappointed with our performance against Dover," said Turner.

"We have everything to play for and we will be only four games away from Wembley. It is also of massive importance to us both from a revenue and prestige point of view."

HEREFORD United 0 Dover Athletic 2 (report by Peter Povall)

With a longer than usual break between games, Hereford had chance to work on their game, but very little of it showed if they did.

Dover swiftly showed them the exit route from the FA Trophy with this 2 goal home defeat. Hereford had previously met Dover in the Conference last year where Dover went home with a victory as well. This just goes to prove that the smaller clubs can bite.

Again United were chasing the match as Gerald Dobbs claimed the opener after just 11 minutes. This goal came on the rebound after James McCue blazed the ball over the Dover goal. The resulting goal kick was sent down the pitch to Dobbs who confidently chipped the advancing Andy Quy.

United continued a try assualts on the Dover goal but nothing would work. Neil Grayson was given a good position by some excellent moves started on the wing but his shot was well wide of the net.

Another chance early in the second half was thrown away as Trevor Matthewson, who has played very little in the last couple of months due to injury, headed Murray Fishlocks cross wide.

Gavin Mahon however earned his money by denying Ayorinde a goal when he cleared off the line after Quy had been beaten.

The final blow was the result of an inspired substitution though as Roy Godden was brought on at the start of injury time and with almost his first touch of the ball be drove it home into the Hereford net.

More proof about early goals.

HEREFORD UNITED (5-3-2): Quy; Rodgerson, Fishlock, Pitman (Foster 72), Brough (Mansell 23), (Williams 80), Matthewson; Hargreaves, Warner, Grayson; McCue, Mahon.