January 1999

Jan 2nd:

GRAHAM Turner reflected on the injury nightmare that has dented Hereford United's title challenge but insisted: Don't write us off yet!

The Bulls' casualty list has been growing in the past few weeks, with half a dozen players having to sit out the festive games.

Turner's men had just seemed nicely poised to step up their bid to regain their Football League place, only for defeats against Kettering, Kidderminster and Forest Green Rovers to knock their hopes.

But Turner is not a man to make excuses and he is remaining positive.

"Kettering deserve some credit for the terrific run they have had and they have put themselves into a good position," he told the Birmingham Post.

"But there are a lot of teams who are capable of putting together a run to challenge and I believe we are one of them."

Turner has every confidence in his squad, especially after the arrivals of Matt Clarke, Robbie Dennison, and Kevin Collins, but he has not been able to field a settled side in recent weeks to prove it.

"At the moment, we are battling with a number of injuries and we are finding it difficult to cope," he said.

"It has been frustrating because we felt we were just ready to take off but then we've been hit with injuries.

"But that's not an excuse. Everyone has injuries, but we've just had that spell of casualties when we could have done without it.

"We haven't had that continuity and more importantly there's no challenge for places.

"We've been down to the bare bones and Mark Druce had to go on the bench even though he was not fit on Monday.

"We have just to got to grit our teeth and keep battling."

Though Paul Fewings, Gary Cook and Stuart Evans remain on the sidelines, Turner is optimistic that Clarke, Ian Wright and Keith Downing are progressing and the trio faced fitness tests before today's clash with Kidderminster at Edgar Street.

It had been feared that commanding defender Wright had suffered a broken arm but the injury has been diagnosed as severe bruising.

HEREFORD 1 Kidderminster 3: (report from the Birmingham Post)

Kidderminster came from behind to complete a Bank Holiday double over local rivals Hereford with their second away League win of the season.

It was a game with plenty of incident - four goals, a missed penalty and a sending-off. But there was no joy for the Bulls as it was their fourth successive defeat.

United director of football Graham Turner said: "It is the most depressing Christmas period of my career.

"There are areas of our game in which we are not good enough."

Before a crowd of 2,658 - the highest for a Conference game at Edgar Street this season - Hereford were awarded an eighth-minute penalty when Mark Yates brought down Mark Taylor.

Keeper Stuart Brock dived to his left to push away Mark Druce's spot-kick - the fourth missed penalty by Hereford this season.

Seven minutes later Druce made amends by slipping a pass for Robbie Dennison to beat Brock with a close-range shot which the keeper could only palm into the net. It was the former Wolves and Northern Ireland international's first goal for Hereford on his home debut.

Midway through the half the Bulls almost made it 2-0 when Matthew Clarke headed Taylor's corner against the bar.

Within 15 seconds of the restart, Harriers substitute Steve Taylor equalised. Andy Quy blocked Ian Arnold's shot and Stewart Hadley's drive cannoned off a defender to Taylor who swept the ball out of Quy's reach.

In the 68th minute, Hadley made it 2-1 with a header that deflected off Snape into the net. Snape then took a kick at Hadley and was immediately sent off by Swindon referee Robert Desmond.

Eight minutes from time former Hereford striker Leroy May put the match out of United's reach when he beat Quy with a low volley.

Jan 7th:

THE Hereford Times has said that Hereford United director of football Graham Turner is hoping that trialist Dean Martin will be the man to pep up his strike force, an area of the game in which they have been found wanting this season.

United go into Saturday's Football Conference match against Hednesford at Edgar Street bidding to arrest a run of four defeats and having scored only 28 goals in 24 league matches.

Martin was due to play in a reserve team match at Gloucester this week and could be in the squad for Saturday's match.

In recent years Martin, aged 26, has played most of his soccer abroad and has just returned from a spell in Ireland.

He started his career with Fisher Athletic before moving to West Ham United for whom he made two first team appearances.

He played eight times while on loan to Colchester United and subsequently turned out on 19 occasions for Brentford.

He is only 5ft 7in tall and Turner said: "Ideally, we need a big, physical striker. But, on what he has shown in training, Dean makes up for what he lacks in height with mobility.

"He has a good first touch and is willing."

Striker Paul Fewings has resumed training after a long absence through sciatica but will not be ready for first team duty yet.

Ian Wright, who missed last Saturday's match against Kidderminster Harriers because of a badly bruised arm, should return to bolster the defence, however.

His fellow central defender, Stuart Evans, is also back in training after being sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Player-coach Keith Downing is nursing a groin injury, while striker Richard Leadbeater was still down with flu at the start of this week.

Two of United's newer recruits, Kevin Collins and Robbie Dennison, should have an added incentive to do well as both were released by Hednesford towards the end of last year.

Veteran 38-year-old striker Paul Davies could be in Hednesford's line-up. Davies recently stepped down as player-coach at Kidderminster where he served 17 years.

During his career with Harriers, Davies made over 650 appearances, netting 295 goals. He has agreed to join the Pitmen on a short-term basis because of their current injury problems.

Hednesford are lying one place above United in eighth position in the Conference.

Jan 7th:

THE Bulls will be hoping the Football Conference will have a more sensible fixture list in December this year. Their only home league game last month was on Saturday, December 19. They were away on both Boxing Day and Bank Holiday Monday, while some clubs had home fixtures on both dates.

Director of football Graham Turner said: "It was poor fixture planning. If we had been given a home match with Kidderminster on either of the two Bank Holidays, instead of a normal Saturday, our gate would probably have been 1,000 more."

The Bulls will play their Endsleigh Challenge Trophy quarter-final home tie with Morecambe on Tuesday, January 26 and re-arranged Conference matches against Woking at home on Tuesday, February 9 and Southport away on Tuesday, February 16.

Company secretary Joan Fennessy said: "We tried to get Morecambe here on Saturday, January 16 when we have a blank date but they had agreed to play Doncaster."

Jan 9th:

HEREFORD United are weighing up whether former West Ham United striker Dean Martin could be the man to solve their goals shortage according to the Sports Argus.

The 27-year-old spent the last week training with the Bulls and netted a penalty for the reserves in their midweek win at Gloucester.

Player-coach Keith Downing said: "He deserved the goal for his work-rate. He is very enthusiastic and makes some willing runs."

Martin, who also played for Colchester and Brentford, returned to England before Christmas after a spell in Scandinavia and came to the attention of Hereford's chief scout Ron Jukes when he played for Walsall's reserves in a trial game.

He has also had a run-out with Barnet.

Hereford, who have lost their last four Conference games, have struggled for firepower and Jukes admitted: "Someone who can score goals is a priority.

"We do want a proven goalscorer but they are difficult to find without paying a lot of money."

Jan 9th:

HEREFORD United 0 Hednesford 0 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford started well against Hednesford and gained a corner against the visitors within the first couple of minutes. Hednesford cleared and then gave away a free-kick in the process. The kick being blasted and wasted.

The Hereford attack force has been strengthened by the new signing of Dean Martin. A small player at just 5'7" tall, but he's quick and skillful and made a difference today. He caused a few problems for the Hednesford defence and looks set to score a few during the remainder of the season.

United continued their attacks and gained another corner on 10 minutes. The ball was sent to the back post where it was headed just wide.

Hednesford made their first assault on Herefords goal shortly after but were caught in the offside trap with ease.

United attacked again. I have to say it was nice to see the players having a run at the Hednesford defenders. Druce fluffed the resulting chance.

Again United pushed forward. Dean Martin was felled about 25 yards from goal after receiving a through ball from the midfield. The free-kick was deflected out for a corner giving United another chance.

The corner was played to the centre of the area and was poorly cleared during the scrabble. Rodgerson fell upon the chance and had his powerful shot saved by the diving Morgan.

Within the space of the next minute. Taylor had a chance to open the scoreline but hit his weak shot wide. The resulting goal kick bounced long and eventually fell to Carty who found himself one-on-one with Quy. He tried to catch Quy early and hit the ball clear across goal and out for a return goal-kick.

The majority of play went Hereford's way with rushes coming from Hednesford which kept the game alive. The next real chance came from Dennison who's shot on goal bounced lightly before reaching the keeper. As it reached Morgan though, it must have caught a rut as it suddenly jumped and hit him in the chin.

Five minutes later and Dennison was there again, Morgan again saving his effort. A play later and United gained another free-kick from about 25 yards out. Again this was pushed out for a corner. The ball was sent to the near post, flicked on and then headed down. Hednesford cleared from the line with half the crowd thinking the ball was in.

Collins came out with a shot late in the first half when his drive was blocked by Morgan. Hednesford made a final effort seconds before the whistle for the break when they gained a corner which Quy rose for but seemed to half fumble, half punch clear. Hednesfords shot was well wide.

The second half was much the same. Hereford held the majority of the possession but never managed to finish the frequent attacks off.

Clarke and Wright made attempts within moments of each other. Dean Martin also had a cracking effort which scraped over the bar from all of 18 yards out. Give the lad his due, he's willing to have a crack from almost anywhere.

Hednesford made a couple of good runs but never looked likely to finish the job. Attempts where being sent well over the bar from inside the area.

The final five minutes produced some good football. Parry worked hard in the corner, beating two defenders and still finding himself in trouble, he checked the players around him and back-heeled the ball into the space behind him. No United players read the play though as it rolled out for a goal-kick.

The dying moments saw Hednesford produce a brilliant run into the area complete with a neat turn of the ball to rid two defenders. The build-up was perfect but the execution of the shot was less so. Again the ball was blazed over.

Parry had a final dig when he chased a long ball down, trying to catch it before it reached the keeper, but met the goal post whilst the keeper made a simple save.

Not a brilliant performance but there is certainly a better chance of us scoring goals now that Martin is here. I only hope that Fewings will have recovered shortly so that they can use his size and Martin's speed to really give a defence problems.

Jan 14th:

HEREFORD United's coffers will be boosted to the tune of £15,000 now that their former midfielder Gavin Mahon has made 10 first-team appearances for Third Division Brentford reports the Hereford Times.

On checking that Mahon had reached the double-figure target, United director of football Graham Turner immediately invoiced the Bees for £15,000.

The cash injection could not have come at a more opportune time for United. The gate for Saturday's home match against Hednesford slumped to 1,610 and the Bulls, who are without a game this week, do not play in the Football Conference again at Edgar Street until January 30.

Turner said: "It is good for us and Gavin that he has settled into Brentford's first team in double-quick time. It looks as if he has a good chance of making at least another 10 appearances this season which will give us another £15,000 pick-up."

Mahon was transferred to Brentford for a down payment of £50,000 last November. On his playing 30 first-team games, United will also be entitled to a final £10,000 appearance money. Should he be sold on for a fee exceeding £90,000, United will garner 20 per cent of the difference.

Meanwhile, former Brentford and West Ham United striker Dean Martin's debut for the Bulls against Hednesford has turned out to be his swan song for the club.

After converting a penalty which gave United Reserves a midweek 1-0 win at Gloucester City in the Optimum Central Conference, Martin gave a promising display on Saturday.

Turner said: "I said I would take him on for a month with a view to a more permanent contract, but he declined the offer."

Turner is now trying to bring a striker from a Football League club to Edgar Street on loan.

With clubs in Scotland finishing their holiday break, Turner tried to entice one of them to come to play a friendly at Edgar Street this Saturday but there were no positive responses.

Central defender Ian Wright will miss the Conference match at Dover on January 23 because of a one-game suspension for totalling five yellow cards.

Gary Cook is back in training after injury but Paul Fewings' sciatic nerve problem keeps him sidelined and he is due to see a specialist shortly.

Turner is hoping that central defender Stuart Evans will have recovered from a hamstring injury before United renew Conference battle at Dover.

Jan 23rd:

TEENAGER Paul Parry will be earmarked as Hereford United's starlet for the Millennium.

The 18-year-old front-runner has earned himself an 18-month contract deal after being promoted from the Youth Training scheme.

Parry, who plays wide left, has sufficiently impressed the Bulls' boss Graham Turner in a couple of first team run-outs. The gifted youngster has already opened his goals account at Kidderminster in last month's Endsleigh Trophy win, and now Turner expects him to stake his claim for a regular role.

"I've been very pleased with his progress and he deserves this contract," said Turner.

"He is a very bright prospect and I believe he has got the potential to play at quite a reasonable level."

The Bulls have already seen one their home-grown youngsters take the step into the League this term, with Gavin Mahon joining Brentford.

Gavin Williams has also been attracting interest and Turner knows that developing a conveyor belt of saleable talent can secure the Bulls' future on and off the field.

Parry's goalscoring touch will also prove a real asset for a team whose inability in front of goal has been a worry.

Turner is running the rule over Shrewsbury Town targetman Mark Williams. The Bangor-born forward, who had had a spell in the Conference with Telford United before joining the Shrews in 1997, has been hit by injury in his time at Gay Meadow, but he is tra ining with the Bulls and is set for a reserves team outing next week.

Meanwhile, Hereford midfielder John Snape will see a second specialist on Monday in a check-up on a nagging back injury.

Ironically, Snape is ruled out through suspension at the moment but Turner admits the back problem is a concern.

Jan 23rd:

DOVER 3 Hereford 1 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford were unable to profit from Mark Druce's sixth-minute strike as they slumped to their 11th Football Conference defeat of the season on Saturday.

Bulls director of football Graham Turner had commented before the game on Druce's sharpness in training during the week, expressing the hope that the former Oxford man might bring that form into Saturday's game.

The early indications were promising when Richard Leadbeater nodded down Chris Lane's free-kick and Druce rounded defender Lee Palmer to slide his shot past Charlie Mitten into the corner of the net.

After this, however, Druce's only real contribution to the proceedings was to pick up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Palmer as the Hereford strike-force more or less disappeared from the game.

Leadbeater, who, along with Chris Lane, was also cautioned for a first-half foul, should have done better in the second period when he lost control of the ball after being put clear by skipper Ian Rodgerson. But by then the tide was flowing against Hereford.

The man who turned things around was substitute Matt Carruthers, who came on at half-time and made an immediate impact with this strong running.

Just six minutes into the half, a powerful run and cross set up Mark Hynes for the Dover equaliser and although Hereford staged a mini-revival, they once again failed to overcome the direct tactics which have so often been their downfall since returning to non-league football.

Tony James did well to block a powerful drive by Carruthers and then Andy Quy had to stretch to tip over a shot by Dave Clarke. But, with the Dover pressure mounting, it seemed only a matter of time before the home side went into the lead.

The decisive moment came after 84 minutes when Ricky Reina broke clear on the right and crossed for Jake Leberl to score from close range.

Leberl, who was sent off in the Conference game at Edgar Street last season, at least now has a happier memory of matches against Hereford.

In the dying seconds, with Hereford pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Carruthers and Reina both looking suspiciously off-side, broke away and Reina added a third.

With just one point from the last six matches and a solitary Conference win since the end of November, Hereford have slumped to 12th position in the table and a new attitude on the part of some of the players will be necessary to prevent the season from collapsing completely.

A FANS Forum was recently held at Legends. Here is a report from HUISA.

The Forum was attended by Graham Turner, Joan Fennessy, George Hyde, Mike Hancocks, Ian Rodgerson and Chris Lane. The packed floor was occupied by 150 fans who were keen to hear what the board members and players had to say.

George Hyde started off by saying that he was impressed by the level of support at the Forum and that it is encouraging to see us continue our fight.

He went on to say that he has received 'verbal' confirmation from the BS Group that the repayment of the first loan of £500,000 plus interest which was due for repayment at the end of May 1999 is no longer required by that date. A confirmed revised date for the repayment has not yet been made. It was also confirmed that as from the end of May 1999 the interest due on the capital loan will be frozen at whatever level it has reached. This is estimated at £100,000 and would have been expected to increase by approximately £50,000 per annum.

With regard to the outgoings Mr Hyde explained that the club had two court actions being taken against it. The first action being brought by former manager John Layton who is claiming £50,000 in compensation for alleged unfair dismissal.

The second claim is being brought by a woman, claiming £10,000 for personal injury she suffered from scaffolding which had been erected temporarily around the former Supporters Club building following the arson attack and fire. Mr Hyde explained that he believed that the club had been insured against such claims.

However, when the action was originally received by the club, the then Club Solicitor, Mr Simmons (husband of former club director Jane Simmons), allegedly did nothing to contest the claim nor advise the club's insurance company. Under the terms of the insurance, as the possible claim was not advises within two years, they are no longer prepared to deal with the claim.

It has been suggested that the club may be able to lodge a counter claim against the solicitor under his professional indemnity insurance. Mr Hyde stated that the club would be looking into this.

A recent VAT inspection had also revealed a discrepancy. It would seem that no VAT had been paid on the tickets sold by Darlington FC following the play-off match a few years ago. This debt amounted to £10,000 and could not be included in the Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).

Whilst outlining these claims Mr Hyde made it crystal clear to those in attendance that he felt that these examples typified how the club had been run by the previous Board of Directors and that it was "difficult to remain positive when we keep being hit by missiles from the past."

The monthly running costs of the club have decreased dramatically. Currently the accounts up to May 1998 are being audited and these will show the position before the new Board of Directors took over.

The bank account is currently stable with an overdraft facility of £90,000. This has steadily been reduced from £250,000 over the last few years.

Jan 28th:

STRIKER Mark Druce has been sold to local rivals Kidderminster Harriers for £10,000 on a two and a half year contract. The deal was concluded yesterday afternoon and should take immediate effect.

HEREFORD United director of football Graham Turner is confident the transfer of striker Mark Druce for £10,000 to Nationwide Football Conference rivals Kidderminster Harriers will be concluded today according to the Hereford Times.

Yesterday Turner said: "Harriers made an offer for him earlier this week and, although there were a few details to tie up, the deal should go through."

United signed Druce, aged 24, from Rotherham United last close season. But he has not been able to provide the fire-power United were looking for up front.

After missing some early-season games through injury, he started in 15 matches, substituted six times and netted four goals.

United's strike force could be reinforced before long, however, with the return of Paul Fewings who is now making progress after his long-term injury problems.

Turner is expected to make changes for Saturday's match with Stevenage at Edgar Street when the Bulls will be attempting to record their first double of the season in the Conference.

In October the Bulls gave their best performance of the season to win 3-0 at Stevenage with two goals from Richard Walker, subsequently transferred to Cheltenham Town, and one by Richard Leadbeater.

But they will need to make considerable improvement on their recent results - five defeats in six outings - to repeat that display.

Turner was extremely disappointed after their 3-1 defeat at Dover last Saturday, saying: "After a bright start we melted away and that should not have happened with the experience we had in the side."

Hopes of giving players returning from injury or suspension a run-out in a reserve game have been frustrated by fixtures being postponed.

But changes are likely with central defenders Ian Wright and Stuart Evans and midfielder Keith Downing all coming into contention for a return to the action.

Turner and company secretary Joan Fennessy are also negotiating with Sun Valley regarding an extension of their sponsorship of the club which ends this season.

Turner said: "Sun Valley have been good sponsors for us and we are hoping to be able to negotiate a new deal."

FROM last Saturday Hereford United became a Nationwide Football Conference club after the world's biggest building society agreed to sponsor the competition until the summer of 2001 according to the Hereford Times.

The Football Conference, who have been without a sponsor since GM Vauxhall relinguished their association with them last season, are delighted to be linked with the sponsors of the Football League and the England team.

Conference secretary John Moules said: "Nationwide will not reveal the financial details of their sponsorship. But I can say for us it will be in excess of £1million and, per season, will be more than the amount we received from our deal with General Motors.

"The Nationwide Building Society is the ideal partner to help us move forward our long-term plans. The fact that they now sponsor us should help us in our aim to get a two-up two-down promotion and relegation link with the Third Division."

As well as prize money for the top three, Conference clubs each received £12,000 a season when Vauxhall were the sponsors, so it looks as if they can expect a larger amount than that during the next couple of seasons.

United director of football Graham Turner said: "It is good news that the Conference have now got another sponsor. The fact that it is Nationwide should help in furthering the integration between the Conference and the Football League."

Jan 30th:

HEREFORD United insist their plans for a new ground will be their lifeline for the new Millennium.

The Bulls' precarious financial situation meant another player had to be sold this week when striker Mark Druce joined Kidderminster Harriers for £10,000.

Hereford boss Graham Turner was left with no alternative but to accept the offer when a series of bills for £9,000 landed through the Edgar Street letter-box.

Turner says the Druce cash will tide them over for now, but the only solution long-term will be to sell Edgar Street and move to a new ground.

The club has now identified three possible new sites and Alan Cotterill, who helped design the new-look Molineux and Reading's new Madejski Stadium, is already drawing up plans.

Turner stressed any concrete moves were still a some time away and any switch would depend on the go-ahead from the local council. Negotiations are continuing with several parties.

But he has no doubts that a move is the only way to secure the Bulls' future.

"The long-term future of the club is looking a lot rosier but we always knew this would be a critical season," said Turner.

"Moving to a new ground holds the key for us but hopefully that could happen in three to five years.

"If we have the co-operation of the local authority we can realise the asset of Edgar Street which is a prime site for leisure or retail development."

Druce, a free transfer signing from Rotherham last season, is the latest player whose departure has been enforced.

"We've sold nine players in the last two-and-a-half years and we've brought in £300,000," said Turner. "That has kept the club afloat.

"Selling Mark was a necessity. We were faced with several bills which came in and the money from Mark's transfer will enable us to pay our way again."

He added: "It's disappointing to have to sell players but it's a necessity. Unfortunately it does have an effect on the team - you can't expect to sell players like Gavin Mahon, Richard Walker and Mark Druce and not expect it to have an adverse effect."

Meanwhile, midfielder John Snape has undergone an injection which it is hoped will cure a back problem.

Snape has is suffering from a couple of bulging discs and if this latest treatment does not work the only alternative is surgery.

KIDDERMINSTER manager Phil Mullin is delighted to have signed Mark Druce from Hereford.

"I'm really chuffed Mark has signed for us - we've got him at a pinch," he told the Birmingham Post. "He's exceptional at retaining possession, turning defenders and making the right runs."

January 30th:

HEREFORD United 0 Stevenage 1 (report by Peter Povall)

Another poor performance from United has given them their sixth defeat in seven games. The current lack of confidence in the squad continues to give them problems.
A slow start to the match gave Hereford an early chance as they pushed forward. Paul Parry was allowed beyond the Stevenage defence to receive a long cross which he headed well over the bar.

Stevenage replied and pushed back against United. They were allowed an open run at United's goal before being forced wide. Stuart Evans was beaten and the ball crossed with some power, meeting the near post and going our of play.

The referee then decided he had had enough as he went to the Stevenage dug-out for treatment to a calf-injury. This resulted in him being substituted as the forth official got a game.

Stevenage had the better runs of play for much of the first half. United would gain possession but then give the ball back to Stevenage on a far to regular basis.

Borough were given a great chance when a poor clearance from the United area fell to an open striker who drove his shot just over the top corner.

United replied, pressuring the Stevenage defence and gaining a free-kick in the process. The ball was played into space but Ian Wright's header was straight at the keeper.

Stevenage claimed the remaining minutes of the half as Downing was rounded before a poor drive was almost handed to Andy Quy.

The start of the second period produced some text-book football from Stevenage.

A well paced run down the centre of the field drew the Hereford defence out of position. The ball was laid off to the right wing and returned with the first touch. Alford had advanced quickly into the area and finished with a powerful header past Quy.

United hit back and Ian Rodgerson's shot just cleared the bar. Parry also had a shot sail over the bar.

The best chance came about midway through the period when United gained a free-kick on the edge of the area. Dennison played the ball wide when the curling shot into the corner was easily on. The ball was returned immediately to the back post where Dennison was advancing to, his shot striking the side netting.

Seconds after the goal-kick and Richard Leadbeater was chasing down a back-pass. The keeper hit the ball straight at him, striking him firmly in the head. This disorintated him long enough for the keeper to recover and clear.

United's next chance came when they gained their first corner of the match. The ball was cleared to the edge of the area when Keith Downing volley it back into the goal mouth where Garry Cook had it snatched from his head by the keeper.

The closing minutes produced more disappointment for United as they made chances, only to squander them. Goal mouth scuffles and a shot from Jon Shirley all failed to produce the goods.

Altogether a poor match. The current form does remind me of the relegation season where a series of mid-season results cost us dear.