January 2000

Jan 3rd:

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers 1 - 1 Hereford United (report by Terry Goodwin)

Just when Harriers think they could win this match comfortably, an old face appeared and gave them one hell of a fright. It was Leroy May who secured United the point at Aggborough in the second league encounter between the old rivals in a week. This was a true derby, with great action and heated encounters.

But unexpectedly, it was United who took an early lead - Leroy May, released by Harriers at the end of 1998/99 season, popped up to score in just the fourth minute. He took his chance well, and reminded the opposite fans what made him top-scorer last season. Fewings intercepted a poor clearance, but his shot went all wrong. Luckily Leroy was on hand to place the ball past Clarke for a narrow angle.

Fewings almost made up for that miss thirteen minutes later. Taylor swung in a free-kick onto Fewings' head who flicked it uder the bar. Clarke was on hand to fist it away for a corner to United.

Kidderminster's former United striker Ian Foster almost equalised in the first half when Skovbjerg knocked in a low cross, but Hadley missed it and Foster was destined to score. Matt Clarke, however, managed to turn the ball away for a corner and save United. Clarke was sent off on 57 minutes after recieving his second yellow card. H was cautioned in the first for a foul, and brought down Foster in the second who was destined for goal. The resulting free-kick was taken by Scott Stamps, it bounced off the United wall, and rattled the post.

United were living dangerously, and the inevitable equaliser came on 65 minutes. Mark Jones caught a long-range effort from Dean Bennett, but fumbled with the ball and Ian Foster was on hand to slot it home. 1-1. The man advantage had obviously paid off, but it wasn't to last long. Two minutes after the goal, former West Ham midfielder Mike Marsh was sent off. He had been booked in the first half, and for bringing down John Snape in the centre circle. Referee Andrew Penn sent off the Kidderminster captain.

Kidderminster continued to have the best of the play, and almost secured all three points with five minutes to go. Bennett's run split the United defence but his shot was rushed and went wide of the goal. A relieved Hereford side must be happy with a point from Aggborough, after losing a defender on 57 minutes.

Attendance = 4,606

Man of the match - Dean Bennett (Kidderminster)

Hereford - Jones, Lane, Sturgess, Snape, Wright, Clarke, Rodgerson, Taylor, May, Williams, Fewings

Sub(s) who came on - Shirley, Elmes, Wall

Jan 4th:

ACCORDING to Teletext reports, top clubs are watching United winger Paul Parry. This was after outstanding performances in the two FA Cup Third Round matches against Leicester City.

Jan 5th:

A number of league clubs are keeping tabs on Paul Parry. Interested outfits are rumoured to include Premiership Coventry City and Division One high-flyers Huddersfield Town. Two Premier League clubs have asked Graham Turner to keep them posted on his progress. Matt Clarke and Craig Hanson have attracted informal attention, but no offer has been made by the unnamed side as yet.

Jan 6th:

MATT Clarke has been suspended for one match from the 17th January. This is after the Billericay Town Trophy match.

GRAHAM Turner has said that his side will be ready for a potential FA Umbro Trophy upset from Essex Ryman League side Billericay Town. Paul Parry and Tony James are expected to recover from injuries, but Paul Sturgess has damaged knee ligaments, and could be out for weeks. United will play Billericay on the 15th, and only have two Nationwide Conference home matches throughout the whole of January and February (22/1 Altrincham, 19/2 Dover Athletic).

The United boss was thankful for the FA Cup run: "Without the revenue we recieved from our FA Cup ties, financially it would have been a very worrying two months. We must now aim to be successful in the Trophy, while the chase for the Conference title is still wide open with only fifteen points seperating the top nineteen teams." United are currently ten points behind leaders Rushden and Diamonds.

Jan 8th:

FA Cup hero Rob Elmes can enjoy another dream come true after being called up for the FA XI for their latest England semi-pro trial game on Monday.

The Sutton teacher, whose goal earned Hereford United a Cup giant-killing over Hartlepool in November, has caught the eye of national team boss John Owens and gets his first FA call-up for the game with Combined Services at Worcester City (7.30).

The striker is one of three Bulls players in the squad. Skipper Ian Wright and left-back Paul Sturgess have also been included.

Jan 8th:

LEROY May hushed the Kidderminster crowd with the first Conference goal of the 21st century - and then promised Hereford United will still be big noises in the title race reports the Sports Argus.

The striker, Harriers' top scorer last term before being freed, took just four minutes to net Hereford's opener in Monday's New Year derby.

It silenced the Aggborough boo-boys and though Ian Foster earned Harriers a point, May is convinced Hereford remain firmly in the championship picture.

Hereford have proved their quality in their memorable FA Cup run but now they need to show consistency in the league to close the gap - currently ten points - on leaders Rushden & Diamonds.

"I believe we are still in there," vowed May. "Anyone can win this league. It's a matter of getting the run together.

"Kidderminster had high hopes of being top over Christmas. They probably thought they could have had six points against us. But we are still in the title race and we will have something to say.

"I hope we go on now and put in same good performance and get right up there with the pacesetters. It's really tight. There's only a couple of games here or there.

"You have got to be solid and consolidate."

May, having been a regular sub, was starting his first game since November and he was delighted to justify boss Graham Turner's decision to include him.

"It's good to get a start and get a goal," he said. "I'm sure the gaffer knew I would be up for it coming back to my old team.

"Some of the fans gave me a bit of stick and it was great to shut them up.

"Now I want to get back into the side regularly and keep my place."

Jan 10th:

ROBIN Elmes, Ian Wright and Mark Taylor have been selected for the England trial squad against the Combined Services tomorrow. All three will be available for the FA Trophy tie on Saturday, as will Paul Parry who will return after recovering from a groin injury.

Jan 12th:

HEREFORD's delayed Conference matches have been rescheduled : Stevenage Borough vs Hereford United for 21st February, and Kingstonian vs Hereford United for 22nd March.

Jan 13th:

ROBIN Elmes scored for the FA X1 as they beat the Combined Services 4-0 in their friendly match. Fellow teammates Ian Wright and Mark Taylor also participated in the match.

Billericay team news - United could have Tony James, Paul Sturgess and Gavin Williams back for the tie at Billericay Town on Saturday. Also to return is Paul Parry. Billericay are currently mid-table in the Rymans Premier League, but lost 4-0 to leaders Dagenham and Redbridge last weekend.

Jan 14th:

Billericay Town have announced that they expect a full house tomorrow as United play them at New Lodge in Essex. Manager Gary Calder is hoping for a 1,500 attendance as Billericay play for the first ever time against the Bulls. There are expected to be around 500 Hereford United fans at the FA Umbro Trophy match. Billericay's recent form is poor. They have lost seven of their last nine games but Calder is upbeat about the match.

"This is a great game for the club, but we're certainly not entering it thinking we're without a chance. We've had Hereford watched three times, had three training sessions ourselves this week, and hopefully have got our preparations spot on. If we go out there with the right attitude and defend properly – and that's something we've not been doing recently – we're in with a chance."

The Essex side may be without Steve Blaney who pulled a hamstring in training this week, and the chairman has asked all fans to arrive early if possible to avoid congestion. The clubhouse is open from 1pm, but everyone should be thinking about entering the ground at around 2.30pm.

THERE have been further suggestions from unofficial sources that an unnamed top club are to swoop for United midfielder Paul Parry.

Jan 15th:

IT'S has been a fairy tale season for Hereford United's Rob Elmes - but he still hopes there's another chapter of success still to be written.

A move to a Conference club, a place among the top scorers, an FA Cup giant-killing and a match-winning goal to boot, and now a chance to represent his country, the Sutton teacher of German has crammed more into half of one season than in the rest of his career.

But, pardon the pun, nothing would would cap the achievements of the 29-year-old than an England call-up.

The striker, plus Bulls' team-mates Ian Wright and Mark Taylor, figured in last Monday's FA XI trial game against the Combined Services, one of five matches designed for national semi-pro boss John Owens to select his squad for three internationals in the spring.

Elmes' continued the script for success with one of the goals in a 4-0 romp at Worcester City - Andy Thackeray (Nuneaton), Marc McGregor (Forest Green) and Christian Moore (Ilkeston) also netted - and now he will wait to hear whether he will be involved in the first international in Padova to face Italy on March 1.

"It was flattering to be selected for the FA XI," said Elmes. "It was an honour putting on an England strip. It's every footballer's dream to play in a shirt with three lions on the chest.

"It was a real privilege to play alongside so many talented players and to be lucky enough to score a goal after ten minutes made it even more memorable.

"It's nice for a striker to get any goal but in a trial game was even better. If I could get the chance to play for England in an international it would really cap a very successful season for me and for Hereford. Hopefully there's more success to come for all of us."

Meanwhile the Bulls - who have not written themselves out of the championship equation - will be given a double boost with both Steve Piearce and Andy Quy eying a comeback.

The unlucky Piearce - Elmes' partner in goals at Halesowen Town last term before their summer move to Edgar Street - has been started just eight games all season, while goalkeeper Quy has been missing since September 4.

"They are making good progress and I expect Steve and Andy to play in the reserves a week next Wednesday," said Bulls chief Graham Turner.

"It will be like having a couple of new signings on board."

Jan 15th:

Billericay Town 3 - 1 Hereford United

FA Umbro Trophy Third Round Match

Hereford United travelled to Essex knowing that anything but their best performance could see them eliminated from the competition. Billericay were a tough side to contend again, and their ground New Lodge was sure to present Hereford with a hostile reception. Billericay, lying ninth in the Dr. Martens Premier League before the start of play, had lost 4-1 to league leaders Dagenham and Redbridge in their match last weekend.

At half time, the Ryman Leaguers had a 1-0 lead. Billericay had played well and Stafford Browne banged in the first goal. The second half brought more bad luck as United conceded again - and again. Justin gentle side-footed the second past the helpless Jones and then Colin Simpson, on his return from injury, made it Hereford United 0 Billericay 3.. Only a good cross from Leroy May presented Hereford United with any kind of a chance, and Robin Elmes' header was enough to salvage a goal - but no win. The embarrasing scoreline of 3-1 means United are out of the Trophy, and leaves the league. United's league form is less than great this season, and thoughts of last seasons late struggle come flooding back. Perhaps a good run could see United flung to the higher reaches of the Conference, but a bad run could see them fighting relegation. Hereford have not won since the fourth of December, and Altrincham next week must be the match to end the run.

Attendance = 757

Man of the match - Stafford Browne (Billericay Town)

Hereford - Jones, Lane, Sturgess, Snape, Wright, Clarke, Rodgerson, Taylor, Elmes, Williams, Fewings

Sub(s) who came on - May, Parry

Jan 16th:

United in the Conference update - Leading goalscorers : =6th Fewings (Hereford) 10, Strike rates Average time taken to score a League goal - home: 3rd Hereford 39 mins away: 20th Hereford 100 mins, overall: 6th Hereford 54 mins. Concede rates - home: 5th Hereford 60 mins, away: 10th Hereford 56 mins, overall: =7th Hereford 58 mins.

Jan 17th:

ANYONE thinking of going to see the Bulls at home better get to Edgar Street on Saturday as they will be taking on Altrincham. Your support is vital as the next home match is on 19th February against Dover Athletic, a four week break.

Jan 20th:

UNITED director George Hyde has resigned as Chairman of Herefordshire council but will remain a director at the club

Altrincham Team News - Matt Clarke starts a two match suspension and is absent for Saturday's vital Conference League match against Altrincham. Ian Wright, Leroy May and James Wall have all been suffering from flu this week, and will have to fight to recover. Mark Jones will play, but it was thought Mark Jones may have been out after suffering a nasty shin injury against Billericay. Tony James and Paul Parry will return, but Paul Sturgess is still absent with a knee injury. Andy Quy and Steve Piearce will play their first match on their return from injury against Hednesford in the reserves next Wednesday. In the last encouter between the two sides, Altrincham beat Hereford 2-1 at Moss Road in November, but Altrincham are unbeaten in eleven. Hereford haven't won in six league games.

No new players - Graham Turner has said that no new players can be bought after United crashed out of the FA Trophy to Billericay Town. The income from the remaining ties would have been vital to increase the size of the squad.

Jan 20th:

HEREFORD City Centre is in great need of redevelopment, and local newspaper The Hereford Times has revealed plans set out be the city council to save the club, and refresh the surrounding area.

The major part of the plan is that Hereford United Football Club and the Hereford Livestock Market will not be moved from the city centre. Councillor Tony James will show the plans to the public next month, and the plan is for commercial and sporting events to come together. The big part for the sporting side of the city would include a new stand on the Merton Meadow side of the ground. The new section of stadia will include a corperate hospitality section with bar/administration/social space for the cities sports clubs (HUFC, Hereford Rugby Club etc.) and for the Herefordshire Football Association headquarters. Across the car park would be a sports physiotherapy and medicine centre, and the lower Merton Meadow end will house a multiplex cinema. Other new features include a hotel and the demolision of Garrick House.

Chelverton Properties development director Simon Morgan has said the plan had many "attractive elements" and was pleased of the councils involvment in the situation. Graham Turner is "delighted" with the plans if they come to life. Turner also said that if the loans are paid off, it will be brilliant for the club and provide an extra income from non-footballing events. Other clubs wanting use of the stadium include Pegasus, Westfields and Hereford Rugby Club. Both of the soccer clubs were upbeat about proposals, but the rugby club were more sceptical. They would rather improve their current facilities at Wyeside.

Jan 21st:

GRAHAM Turner has continued to lead the calls for increased promotion opportunities to the Football League.

The Edgar Street boss, whose side were relegated from the Third Division in 1997, spoke of his hopes of a fair promotion and relegation system.

He said: "It is up to the Conference to persuade the Nationwide League to open the door to more relegation and promotion places.

"It is the same league clubs who have insisted upon a continuation of three up and three down between the league and the Premiership, yet they continue to thwart the Conference in our quest for fairness."

Jan 22nd:

HEREFORD United have been reminded that their season is far from over, despite their shock FA Trophy exit last week.

Having been the giant-killers in the FA Cup, the Bulls were on the receiving end after crashing 3-1 at Ryman Leaguers Billericay Town in last week's third round tie.

They will have a mountain to climb to challenge for the summit of the Conference - but boss Graham Turner says there will be plenty of incentive, individual as well as collective, to make sure their campaign doesn't peter out.

Players - young and old - will be fighting for their futures.

"We've got to keep our season alive," said Turner.

"We've still got some big games coming up and we need to put a run together.

"There's a lot to play for individually. One of two of the youngsters are being watched by bigger clubs so they need to keep doing well if they want to move, while other players have got contracts coming up at the end of the season and their performances will decide whether they stay or go."

Youngsters Paul Parry, who had been interesting Coventry City, Gareth Williams, Tony James and Chris Lane have all been marked down as ones to watch.

Turner insists Hereford would not stand in their way of a dream move to a League side, but unlike previous seasons he is under no pressure to sell.

The income generated from their excellent Cup run has helped them cut their overdraft by half and though Turner has no money to splash out in the transfer market the financial future looks a lot firmer.

Jan 22nd:

HEREFORD United keeper Mark Jones is fit for today's home clash with Altrincham, despite injuring his shin in last week's shock FA Trophy defeat at Billericay.

But flu-hit striker Leroy May is out along with defender Matthew Clarke, who starts a two-match ban after being sent off in the New Year's holiday return match at Kidderminster.

Jan 22nd:

Hereford United 2 - 2 Altrincham (report by Terry Goodwin)

Hereford United surrendered the lead at the end of a vital match and gift Altrincham a point. It was substitute Richard Landon who scored the goal and extend Altrincham's unbeaten run to twelve league matches. Hereford United have now not lost a league match since December 8th, but have not won a match of any kind since December 4th. Landon scored three minutes into injury time, his fifth goal in six matches.

United included Wall, James and Parry into the side changed from their 3-1 defeat to Billericay in the FA Trophy last Saturday. Hereford had the best of the early play and a good free kick from Sturgess was headed just off target be Robin Elmes. A minute later Elmes again headed a ball on target but a great save from Greygoose meant the ball hit the post and rebounded away. Altrincham had their first chance on nine minutes, when Price shot from the edge of the area. Jones saved the effort well, and Elmes immediately latched onto a loose ball but Greygoose saved comfortably from the resulting shot. Further attempts were seen from Hawes and later by Taylor, whose shot from fifteen yards went wide. Two minutes later Gavin Williams shot from an Elmes pass, but the ball went just over the bar.

On the half hour, Kevin Ellison had a good shot from the left. After a scramble the Hereford left-back Paul Sturgess cleared, and United broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half when Taylor crossed in a good ball. Elmes flicked on to meet Parry who scored from three yards to give Hereford the vital opening goal. Altrincham equalised after just two minutes when Gavin Price headed a Hodson free-kick into the far corner.

The lead, however, lasted little more than two minutes when Taylor's short free-kick was knocked on by Robin Elmes from Rodgerson to head in his second goal of the season. United held the lead until the third minute of injury time, when Altrincham's substitute striker Richard Landon got onto the end of a Gary Talbot shot after a Steve Hawes free-kick. Only three players were booked by referee Mr North, and only Lane for dissent for Hereford with eight minutes left.

Attendance = 1,789

Man of the match - Dean Greygoose (Altrincham)

Hereford - Jones, Lane, Wall, James, Sturgess, Rodgerson, Taylor, Snape, Parry, Elmes, Williams

Sub(s) who came on - None

GRAHAM Turner's post match comment: "Yet another two points thrown away. We played much better than we did at Billericay and in patches passed the ball around positively.

"But we gave away an unnecessary free-kick which led to their first goal. Then we have to defend a corner successfully and the game is won, but we fail to do so."

Jan 24th:

HUISA Meeting - The supporters meeting is on 16th February in Legends at 8pm. The Members Meeting is at the Richmond Place Club on the 19th February. It starts at 12.15pm so there is plenty of time for you to get to the match.

Jan 25th:

Andrew Quy and Steve Piearce have returned from injury and will be available for Saturday's match against Hednesford Town.

Jan 26th:

Bulls in the Conference - Football Conference Statistics show that Paul Fewings is the =8th top goalscorer with 10 goals. Hereford are second fastest to score a home league goal (39 mins, Dover are 37 mins), and are 20th fastest to score an away goal (100 mins). Overall, Hereford are =5th with Rushden (53 mins), but they concede a home league goal every 58 minutes (=4th), and every 56 minutes away (9th). Overall they are =7th (58 minutes) with strugglers Hayes and Forest Green Rovers

Jan 27th:

GRAHAM Turner has announced that he is looking to loan one or two experienced players soon. He had been offered youngsters but feels his side lacks the right amount of experience. Team news and Ian Wright and Matt Clarke will both be suspended this weekend as Hereford United travel to Hednesford Town. James Wall is struggling with a groin injury, but Parry (knee) and May (flu) will struggle to return. Hednesford have lost their last three matches and will be eager to end the run.

Jan 28th:

GRAHAM Turner has signed two players on one month loans from League clubs. Scott Cooksey, a goalkeeper, has signed from Shrewsbury and Tom White, a Central Defender from Bristol Rovers. Cooksey was a former England semi-professional international and White has been with Rovers all of his career.

Jan 29th:

IT might only be a short-term move, but Scott Cooksey admits his one-month loan at Hereford United will play a big part in his long-term future.

The giant goalkeeper's Football League dream has turned sour and he accepts he has no place in Shrewsbury Town's plans.

New boss Kevin Ratcliffe has told the keeper, signed by previous Shrews boss Jake King for £15,000 18 months ago from Hednesford, that he will be given a free transfer in the summer.

But joining Hereford for a temporary spell will give him the chance to revive his career - and put himself `in the shop window'.

"I'm just looking forward to playing and getting some games," said Cooksey, who still has 18 months on his contract.

"It's been a bit monotonous playing just in the reserves and it's been frustrating.

"I haven't been given a chance by the new boss at Shrewsbury so this move to Hereford puts me in the shop window.

"I've been speaking to clubs about playing next season but there's nothing definite so I hope I can do well at Hereford and take it from there. If it becomes a longer term thing, that would be great."

Ironically, Cooksey was due to make his debut today for Hereford at Hednesford, the club he served for four years.

But the 27-year-old will be no stranger to being the one-time hero cast as the villain.

After leaving Bromsgrove Rovers to join Peterborough, he was loaned to Welling - and made his bow against the Greens.

It was the same story when he had a spell at Stalybridge - and Rovers were again first up.

"As somebody always says: `it's a funny ol' game'," smiled Cooksey. "It will be strange to be in the opposition dressing room at Keys Park, but all I'll be thinking about will be keeping a clean sheet."

Cooksey is one of two loan signings made by Hereford director of football Graham Turner to try to revive the Bulls' season.

Bristol Rovers defender Tom White has also joined a Hereford side, whose FA Cup heroics have been followed a run of seven games without a win. White - who was 24 on Wednesday - had made over 50 appearances for Rovers but didn't figure at all last year.

Jan 29th:

TODAY's match between Hednesford Town and Hereford United was delayed due to traffic congestion. The match kick off : 3.45pm.

The Stevenage match (away) has been moved again - this time to Monday 28th February.

'WHAT time do you start?

'I'm not sure, what time can you get here?'

The old joke was doing the rounds at Keys Park on Saturday as Hednesford Town's kick-off against Hereford United was delayed by 45 minutes.

Traffic hold-ups were the problem, but not for the Bulls.

Half of Graham Turner's team live in Birmingham, and the delay was caused by the Pitmen's reliance on players based in the north-west, all of whom were stuck in the same jam on the M6.

As one was goalkeeper Billy Stewart and manager John Baldwin didn't have a replacement, the referee was forced to put back the kick-off until he got there.

Hereford had the last laugh, though. Rob Elmes got the winning goal with just 13 minutes left and, as one would expect from the man who spends his weekdays as a Sutton Coldfield schoolteacher, he's never late for class.

HEDNESFORD Town 0 - 1 Hereford United (report by Terry Goodwin)

Hereford United went into this game knowing that they had only won twice away in the league this season - and with a fourty five minute delay thanks to travel problems, it was looking to be a long day. Hednesford's goalie Billy Steward and Ged Kimmins were stuck in a motorway pile-up, and their team not in the best of form, had lost their last three league matches. Graham Turner was unhappy with the original 15-minute delay and was then fuming over a further 30 minutes.

He was, however, to come home pleased with a 1-0 victory but it wasn't until Elmes scored thirteen minutes from time that he could relax. The Bulls attacked from the start and missed chance after chance. Defender Comyn blocked a Parry shot and then United hit the woodwork twice. Snape's header from a Taylor corner on 21 minutes bounced off the post then seven minutes later a surging 40-yard run by Paul Parry meant Elmes hit the post from the edge of the box.

Rodgerson also had a good chance which Stewart tipped away and all those chances came in just the first half. The second half brought Hednesford back into the match. John Hibbins and Scott Bettney, both on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, had great games to prevent United from scoring but they couldn't prevent the 77th minute effort. Gavin Williams, who had played very well all afternoon, squeezed in a cross from the left between two defenders which Elmes found with a powerful header to beat Stewart from six yards. The goalkeeper got a hand to the ball, but it wasn't enough to prevent United going 1-0 up.

Hednesford had been nothing short of awful up to then and one couldn't see their performance improving greatly. Cooksey, making his debut in the Hereford goal in a loan spell from Shrewsbury,, had only one save to make. Three minutes from time a right-wing cross from Kimmins was volleyed by Hednesford defender Chris Brindley but Cooksey saved well. Little can be seen from this match whether him and Tom White (central defender on-loan from Bristol Rovers) are any use. United had the last chance when Fewings, on as a sub, shot but Stewart tipped just wide. The referee, Mr Bryan, had only two bookings to make in the game. Bradley and Evans were carded for Hednesford. Overall a satisfactory performance resulted in a deserved three points for Hereford United.

Attendance = 1,129

Man of the match - Gavin Williams

Hereford - Cooksey, Lane, Sturgess, Snape, White, James, Rodgerson, Taylor, Elmes, Williams, Parry

Sub(s) who came on - May, Fewings