July 2000

July 1st:

HHEREFORD United chairman and Director of Football Graham Turner has announced changes in the boardroom at Edgar Street.

Solicitors Tristran Richmond-Sterry and Sam Lodh have resigned and accountant Hugh Brooks is expected to be confirmed as a director at the club's next board meeting on July 17.

Meanwhile Turner hopes to make two new signings within the next seven days.

Turner has kept the nucleus of last season's squad at Edgar Street but is currently on the lookout for a second goalkeeper to cover for Scott Cooksey.

And Turner is still talking to Leicester City about a pre-season friendly on August 12th.

Former Foxes boss Martin O'Neill had promised Turner a pre-season friendly, but O'Neill's move to Celtic has now left that date in doubt.

Turner said: 'We're still talking to Leicester, but they won't be sending their first team and I might have to find someone else.'

ACCORDING to the club, the new club shop will be opening in July. Jane Griffiths will run the shop, and the new shirt will be on sale before the open day in August. New lines include mini-kits, mini-scarves, hats and babygrows, so there really will be something for all the family!

July 2nd:

SPECULATION that Phil Robinson, the Stoke City defensive midfielder is close to signing on the dotted line as player-coach at Edgar Street. Robinson, who has played for Aston Villa, Wolves and Notts County throughout his distiguished career, has been looking for a coaching role after completing his UEFA B grade coaching certificate. He is a fully qualified physiotherapist so may assist Ian Rodgerson and Simon Thompson, and is also a superb midfielder despite playing in defence for Stoke for much of the season.

Meanwhile the Wolves Official Site says Former Wolves favourite Steve Bull must decide between a new PR/Ambassador role at Molineux or a move to Hereford United to become Graham Turner's number two. Bull's Wolves contract expired on June 30th, and has recently been awarded a UEFA coaching badge. Graham Turner is looking for a new coach but whether Bull would be prepared to play as well as coach is not known. Turner will decide between Bull and Stoke City's Phil Robinson in the next week or so.

HEREFORD United manager Graham Turner has been talking about the current problems to Wolves, his former club. Whilst he was there he didn't have much money to spend.

"Wolves are proof that money doesn't always bring the results you want, investing millions is no guarantee of succcess," Turner told the Sunday Mercury.

"And the impression that there was a bottomless pit of money only put extra pressure on managers to ensure the success was immediate. It created impatience and panic. Everything had to be done yesterday.

"Jack (Hayward) has been a Wolves supporter since he was a lad and I know the lack of success has been a real heartache for him especially when he has seen how Blackburn and Newcastle have done.

"But the situation Wolves are in now, where money is tight, might actually help Colin Lee. The pressure is off and he can re-build the spirit which I feel has been missing.

"That's the important quality we had when we came up through the divisions, when the stadium was filled with rats and we had to train on the car park. Conditions like that create spirit and real belief in a team and that's something that money doesn't always bring."

July 3rd:

HEREFORD United have completed the signing of the former Luton Town midfielder Michael McIndoe on a two-year contract.

Twenty-year-old McIndoe was at Kenilworth Road for four seasons, in which time he made around 60 first team appearances.

He finalised his move to the Nationwide Conference club over the weekend.

Hereford's director of football, Graham Turner, told BBC Hereford and Worcester, he was delighted McIndoe had agreed a move to Edgar Street.

"His 60 appearances for Luton proves he has considerable ability.

"If he comes and plays for us like I know he can, then we'll have a good signing on our hands."

FOLLOWING recent talks between the club and developers Chelverton Properties and the Bristol Stadium Group, United have moved a step closer to remaining at their traditional home reports the Worcester News.

The club had originally considered relocation to be the solution to their long-standing financial problems, but have found problems securing a site in the city.

Director of Football Graham Turner said talks are continuing with the developers who helped bail out the club three years ago.

He said: "We are all optimistic that something can be worked out and it is appearing now that the club's future could be at Edgar Street.

"If we can get everything sorted out it would be ideal to stay at Edgar Street, but there is a lot of work still to be done.

"Repayments of loans to the developers are required by May 2003. But if things are moving on then I am sure that the future of the club could be safeguarded."

Meanwhile, United are set to have a new-look board of directors in place by the start of the new season.

Hugh Brooks, previously with club accountants HLB Kidsons, is set to be approved as a new director at the next board meeting, with another director likely to be in place before the season starts.

That will compensate for the loss of solicitors Tristram Richmond-Sterry and Sam Lodh, who have both decided to stand down after two years on the board.

The pair were invited onto the board after using their legal expertise to help Turner with his takeover back in 1998.

Turner said: "Both have worked tremendously hard with the reorganisation of the club since they took over.

"They have always been very welcome in the boardroom, but they felt it was now appropriate to step down and allow local people onto the board."

July 4th:

ANY hope that Steve Bull might sign for Hereford United now seem to have ended, as the player-coach role looks likely to be filled by Phil Robinson.

Meanwhile twenty year old midfielder, Michael McIndoe is a left winger but can also play in the centre. Born in Edinburgh, he spend a section of last season in rehabilitation after an injury and failed to hold down a first-team place on his return to Luton. Coincidentally, the move was Luton manager Lennie Lawrence's last action as boss, as he has now left the club.

STOKE City midfielder Phil Robinson is to sign for Hereford United within the next few hours, according to the Hereford Evening News. Robinson, age thirty three, will become the second new signing at Edgar Street in fourty eight hours when he agrees to a player-coaching contract with Graham Turner. A central midfielder, Robinson is highly experienced and has played for Wolves under Turner, and has notched up over 400 league appearances. Turner told the Evening News : "I am reasonably confident. He has been around a bit, played for a lot of clubs and has picked up plenty of experience."

July 5th:

ACCORDING to the official Southport website, the opening game of the season is against Southport at Edgar Street (August 19th). The fixtures will officially be revealed today.

July 6th:

HERE are the Conference odds for next season. Hereford United are at 14/1.

Rushden & D 9/4
Doncaster R 6/1
Scarborough 6/1
Chester City 10/1
Morecambe 10/1
Kingstonian 12/1
Hereford United 14/1
Stevenage 16/1
Yeovil Town 16/1
Dover Athletic 20/1
Nuneaton B 20/1
Southport 20/1
Boston United 25/1
Hayes 25/1
Hednesford Town 25/1
Kettering Town 25/1
Woking 25/1
Dagenham & R 28/1
Telford United 33/1
Northwich V 40/1
Forest Green 50/1
Leigh RMI 50/1

July 6th:

IN two of their friendlies, HUFC will face former goalkeepers. Against Moor Green, they will face Andy DeBont and when they play Halesowen, they will face Andy Quy, who was signed last month from Hereford.

Leicester City will play at Edgar Street against HUFC on August 9th. They are expected to bring a full squad for the game, with a 7.45pm kick off.

Phil Robinson, the Stoke City midfielder, has signed a player coach contract with Hereford United. According to the Hereford Times, he has signed a two year contract. Robinson holds a FIFA B coaching badge, and is in traning for an A grade certificate. Graham Turner told the papaer: "He has played for several clubs and picked up experience under a number of managers." Turner also told of his deal to beat Doncaster to the signing of Michael Micindoe: "We've known of him for a while. He was given a free by Luton, we followed it up and the deal was concluded on Saturday."

July 7th:

ACCORDING to the Official Website, Steve Bull is having talks with Graham Turner today about a possible part-time coaching role. However, his knee injury is too bad for him to become a player. Another two players are also in talks with officials at the club.

Phil Robinson, the former Stoke City midfielder, has revealed his discontent with life under Gudjon Thordason at the Brittania Stadium. In addition to the new player-coach role, a major factor in Robinson's decision in signing for Hereford United was the promise of regular first-team football. Robinson said: "It was frustrating but it is one of the occupational hazards of being a footballer. You have to accept that when a new manager arrives at a club, he will have his own ideas." He only started five games after Thordason's arrival at the helm, and linking up with Turner again has given him a new lease of life.

July 8th:

GRAHAM Turner - the man who turned Steve Bull into a Wolves goalscoring legend - wants to help the Black Country hero on to the first step of the coaching ladder according to the Birmingham Post.

And in the process he hopes 'Bully of the Bulls' can help title hopefuls Hereford United climb the Nationwide Conference to bring League football back to Edgar Street.

Turner, Hereford's managing director and football supremo, has already appointed a new player-coach this week by welcoming Phil Robinson from Stoke City.

But Turner confirmed he had also approached Bull - who had to retire from football last season with a chronic knee problem - to join his back-room team. The signs are encouraging and he hopes for a positive response on Monday.

'I would be delighted if it comes off,' said Turner. 'Steve wants to take the first step on the football management ladder and this would give him some good experience.

'If I can help Steve I will, but he would also help us. It would be a massive boost to have someone of Steve's standing in the game involved with us.'

Bull bagged 306 goals in 460 games for Wolves after Turner and Ron Jukes, now Hereford's chief scout, plucked him from West Bromwich Albion and polished a rough diamond into the jewel in the Molineux crown.

The England international has since passed his coaching badges, but the knee injury which ended his career means he would not be able to play for Hereford, if he did join.

'There would be no possibility of Steve pulling on a Hereford United shirt in a competitive game. Any further injury to his knee could leave him crippled,' added Turner.

It was a similar case of opportunity knocks which had convinced Robinson to become Hereford's player-coach.

Similar to Bull, the midfielder played under Turner at both Aston Villa and Wolves before spells with Chesterfield, Birmingham City, Northampton and Notts County. As well as a qualified UEFA A grade coach, he is also a chartered physio.

Turner added: 'I'm sure he will add something on the coaching side and on the pitch.'

July 8th:

HEREFORD boss Graham Turner has spoken of the position in the possible signing of Steve Bull at Edgar Street.

He told the Official Wolves website: "I've had some preliminary talks with Steve. I met him a couple of weeks ago and have telephoned him since then with a view to him helping out with the coaching here. Steve wants to get into management and we've talked about him taking a few sessions with us and gaining experience with senior players and generally having an involvement with Hereford United.

"I'll be delighted if it comes off. It'll be a fairly loose arrangement. He knows me well enough and I know him well enough and if I can help him out on the first steps of a coaching and managerial career, then, as I say, I'd be delighted. I know that if he came in with his enthusiasm for football, and with his status in the game, that he'd certainly help us."

July 9th:

RON Parrott, the author of 'Hereford United - The League Era', a history of the club's fortunes throughout their twenty-five year league period, is back and is currently in the process of writing a new book - but this one is a much bigger task!
The new project will be a complete history of the club from 1924 to the present day. It will include every single team line-up, result and information from every single game played since that date! Features will include month by month accounts of events on and off the field, full results, attendances, scorers and much more. It will be more comprehensive than his previous effort, and will be made even better by the use of many photographs. Pen pics will be included for every HUFC player since 1945, with pictures and details of their subsequent careers.
When it eventually is published (hopefully sometime in 2001), the club will have a bigger role and may earn much needed funds from it.

You're probably thinking - where do I come into this?

Ron is currently desperate to obtain copies of old HUFC programmes prior to 1955, and any memorabilia from pre-1950's. These are particularly hard to source so if anyone reading this article thinks they have anything that may help Ron in any way, please get in contact with him. It doesn't just have to be materials, though. If you, or anyone else for that matter, remembers events from before the 1950's, alos get in contact with Ron as you may be able to throw up something that could be a vital cog in the wheel.

Alternatively, if you know of anyone who may be able to help, please ask them to contact Ron.

Remember, any memorabilia or memories are useful, so please get in touch.

July 10th:

STEVE Bull, the Wolves legend, has been offered a coaching role under Graham Turner, according to BBC's Ceefax service. Whilst the details of the contract are not known, it is expected to by a part-time coaching role, so Bull can also become a PR executive at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

July 11th:

THE long awaited electronic scoreboard has finally been installed at the Blackfriars End. A life-long Hereford United fan left money to the club in his will specifically for the purchasing of the board.

The signing of Steve Bull, the Wolves legend, as a coach has been welcomed by Graham Turner. He has a part-time role at the club, whilst continuing with his PR work at Wolves, and so is on a very low wage. Bull was also told by doctors that playing will put a huge risk on his current fitness. However, Turner is also said to have released striker Leroy May. May, signed from Kidderminster last summer, was a regular starter in the first team.

July 12th:

GRAHAM Turner told the Vice Presidents Club that Leroy May has left Hereford United. At their AGM, Turner announced the decision as it was the best for both parties, and that it was 'by mutual consent'. May, signed from Kidderminster last summer, was a regular starter in the first team. He will be remembered for scoring the winner in the FA Cup 1st tie last October against York City, and for the publicity that his stripping antics brought to the club.

Meanwhile, Turner has acquired Barry Andrews, a former QPR and Leyton Orient youngster on-trial. If he signs, he will take the role of back-up 'keeper to Scott Cooksey, after the departure of Andy Quy. Andrews was third-choice goalkeeper at Leyton Orient last season and was released from his contract after failing to break into the first team.

July 13th:

THE Hereford United youth team is to join forces with the North Birmingham College. The side will play home matches at Pelsall Villa, Walsall, in the northern division of the Programme for Academic and Sporting Excellence League. FA Youth Cup and Midland Youth Cup games, however, will be held at Edgar Street.

Paul Sturgess, the Hereford United full back, has missed the start of pre-season training after he was in a car accident. Sturgess, 25 next month, was not badly hurt but suffered a neck injury which will keep him out of action until next week.

July 14th:

ACCORDING to clubcall today, Hereford United manager Graham Turner has said that Leroy May had his contract terminated for a severe breach of club rules. May, who left the club earlier this week, was apparently sacked for failing to appear for pre-season training sessions, and has been given fourteen days notice to quit the club.

July 15th:

AS of yesterday, the official site said that Leroy May was still under-contract with the club. However, this is in contrast with the Clubcall service, which said he had left. Confusing!

Despite good sales, tickets are still available for the concert on July 18th (Tuesday), featuring Cher, Queen and Abba. For more details contact the club on 01432 276666.

According to the official website, the new scoreboard has been erected at the Blackfriars End (directly above the goal) and is now ready for action. The club has also said that adverts are possible, and if you are interested, please contact the club on 01432 276666.

The painting of Edgar Street will take place today and tomorrow, and all help is greatfully received. Just pop in throughout the weekend to lend a hand, as any time you can spare will help. For more details contact the club on 01432 276666.

July 16th:

GLOUCESTER City have confirmed that they will take on Hereford United in a pre-season friendly. The game, scheduled for Saturday, August 12th, will kick off at 3pm, according to the Gloucester City club secretary. United will travel to Meadow Park with a first team squad.

July 17th:

HEREFORD United will face an exciting re-match with Leicester City to wind up their pre-season programme.

Graham Turner's Bulls earned nationwide headlines with their FA Cup exploits against the Premiership side in December when they only succumbed in extra-time of a memorable replay.

But new Foxes boss Peter Taylor has fulfilled former manager Martin O'Neill's promise to send his team to Edgar Street for a money-spinning friendly on Wednesday August 9.

They will be the fourth pro club to visit Hereford, with two of Turner's former sides also providing eye-catching opposition.

Aston Villa are the guests on July 29 and then Shrewsbury Town line up on August 5. Oxford United also provide pro opposition on August 1.

Hereford kick-off their eight-match programme on Thursday before a trip to Halesowen Town on July 25 will mean a return to their former clubs for summer signing Matthew Gardiner, plus Rob Elmes, Steve Piearce and John Snape.

July 17th:

GRAHAM Heffer, the legendary mascot of Boddingtons, has revealed his favourite football team is Hereford United! Heffer told the Sunday Times Style section that his favourite side are the Bulls, in addition to his love for Sandra Bullock, Goldie Horn and the film Raging Bull!

According to Peter Povall, HUFC Online webmaster, the painting weekend went well but work hasn't quite been finished. To complete the task, a second date has been announced - Sunday 30th July 2000. Please try and spare some time, even if it's only an hour, to come down to the club and lend a hand. The action starts at 10am.

July 18th:

AN additional friendly match has been arranged for the pre-season period - against Pershore Town. The game will be played away on August 7th, just two days before the Leicester game. Meanwhile, the club have announced admission charges for the home pre-season games (there are four - against Oxford United, Aston Villa, Leicester City and Shrewsbury Town), with adults being charged £6 and concessions just £3.

The following dates have been annouced :
FANS FORUM - 15th August in Legends - starting at 8pm
HUISA AGM - 19th August in the Richmond Club - starting at 12.15pm prompt

July 19th:

THE Ryman League is to stop being a feeder league to the Conference from 2002/3. Under new proposals set out by the Conference, four teams will be promoted (2 from the Unibond, 2 from the Dr. Martens). The Ryman league is expected to merge into the Dr Martens and there will be a huge re-organisation and two new leagues are expected to be named called Conference 2 North and Conference 2 South.

Leroy May missed six out of the first seven pre-season training sessions this season, it was revealed today by BBC Ceefax. He has subsequently been released from the club, and has not yet appealed against the decision, action he must take within seven days. The previous spell was Leroy's second with the club.

The home match against Yeovil Town, originally scheduled for October 7th, has been moved on a day to Sunday October 8th due to a clash with the World Cup 2002 England vs Germany qualifying match. Kick off for the match at Edgar Street will remain at 3pm.

July 20th:

HEREFORD United's Football in the Community Officer Adriano Girolami has announced several dates for youth training sessions. Youngsters between the ages of seven and fourteen can attend a three day course at Hereford Leisure Centre (7th-9th August) and John Kyrle High School, Ross-on-Wye (14th-16th August). There is also a girls-only course, from July 27-28th at Hereford Leisure Centre. If you would like to attend, call Adriano on 01432 341065.

Hereford United's pre season schedule begins tonight with an away game at Oldbury. Kick off is at 7.30pm. All of the side are expected to take part, including on-trial goalkeeper Barry Andrews.

Hereford United's Vice-Presidents Club have announced that they have donated £12,500 to the club over the past twelve months. The club, which has 72 members, will increase its membership fee from £300 to £325 for next season. The Chairman, Richard Howard, was re-elected.

OLDBURY 2 Hereford United 2: (report by Pauline and Katie Williams)

After leading 1-0 at the break, Hereford United finished the match at 2-2 with Oldbury in the first of their pre-season friendly games.

The first Bulls goal went in off an Oldbury player so is noted as an David Titterton own-goal, and the second eventually deflected in off the referee, the initial shot coming from on-trial striker Gary Twynham. Paul Parry was strechered off in the first half and replaced by Gavin Williams. The extent of his injury is not yet know, but it is thought to be a suspected broken ankle, after he turned to pass and fell on it. Barry Andrews, an on-trial keeper, had a disappointing game in goal for United.

Hereford - Andrews, Lane (Shirley 67), Gardiner, Robinson (Snape 45), Wright (Beale 73), James (Pitt 83), Clarke (Rodgerson 45), McIndoe (Hanson 55), Piearce (Elmes 45), Twynham, Parry (Williams 31).

July 22nd:

LEROY May has played his last game for Hereford United according to Bulls boss Graham Turner.

The striker had his contract terminated this week following a breach of club discipline.

Turner added: 'Leroy has not appealed against the decision - in fact he hasn't turned up to training'.

Turner is currently running the rule over 19-year-old goalkeeper Barry Andrews who was previously with Orient.

Hereford United aim to get their first pre-season win of the campaign as they travel to Halesowen tonight. The Grove Park side will not be easy opposition but recently lost star goalkeeper Danny McDonnell to Worcester City and, of course, Matt Gardiner joined the Bulls. Also, Andy Quy has moved to the Yeltz, and Halesowen will meet up with former players Robin Elmes, Steve Piearce and John Snape who now are vital cogs in the United system.

July 25th:

HALESOWEN TOWN 1 - 1 Hereford United (report by Pauline and Katie Williams)

Hereford United had an improved performance in their second pre-season friendly, but couldn't secure victory against Dr. Martens Premier League side Halesowen Town. All the action came in two minutes, quarter of an hour before the end of the match, with the home side scoring first on 75 minutes through Andy Hodgetts, but former Halesowen striker Robin Elmes came back to haunt them with an equaliser just a minute later. Andy Quy was beaten in goal in his first game for Halesowen after his move from Hereford, but otherwise had an impressive match for his new club. In goal for Hereford, on-trial 'keeper Roy Johnson had an average game, but much better than Barry Andrews, who was not signed after his trial against Oldbury last Thursday.

An attendance of 411 watched the game, and they saw an attractive match with new Hereford signing Michael McIndoe playing particularly well, as did Gavin Williams who hit the bar with a shot from thirty yards. Robinson replaced McIndoe, Beale replaced Rodgerson and Shirley came on for Craig Hanson as manager Graham Turner attempted to use all of his side. Perhaps these are being gelled into the team for next season, as more stars are emerging from the productive youth system. Already, the likes of Gavin Mahon, Paul Parry and Gavin Williams have emerged through the ranks to establish first-team places. Former United midfielder Craig Mansell starred for Halesowen.

Overall, a better game from United, but a win is needed against Moor Green on Thursday to boost morale for the big game on Saturday, when Aston Villa come to Edgar Street.

July 27th:

MOOR GREEN 2 - 0 HEREFORD UNITED (report by Terry Goodwin)

Moor Green, of the Dr. Martens Premier League, taught Hereford United a lesson or two by beating the Conference hopefuls by two goals. Under fifty Hereford fans bothered travelling, as this was the third away trip in eight days, but they missed nothing as the players should be ashamed of the performance last night. All in all, United were abysmal. The Bulls found chances extremely hard to come by and a lightweight strikeforce was quickly broken down by a tough Moor Green side. However, Moor Green are nothing special. They created several good opening and netted two, but it was only luck that the scoreline was not a whole lot more embarrasing for United.

Graham Turner must be hugely disappointed by this result, and only Craig Hanson could really say that he gave 100%, but captain Ian Wright did come out with some credit. If this is the kind of performance that is shown at Edgar Street on Saturday, a side made up mainly of Aston Villa reserves will rip the Bulls apart, and fans will be extremely discontented as the new season dawns upon us.

The Moor Green goals came on nineteen minutes - low low drive by Mark Shepherd which went under Johnson, and on fifty-one minutes after Hall hit the post, Petty drove the rebbound in. However, Hereford had a goal disallowed through Piearce, and Hanson had an effort cleared off the line.

Hereford - Johnson, Lane, Sturgess, Wright, Gardiner, Robinson, Rodgerson, Snape, McIndoe, Elmes, Piearce.
Substitutes who came on - Cooksey (61), Shirley (74), Beale (74), Hanson (61).

July 28th:

THE trials of Gary Twynham and Barry Andrews have ended at Edgar Street after neither impressed Graham Turner in the friendly match at Oldbury. Andrews flapped a cross for the second goal, and Twynham was not the kind of player Turner is after. However, more trial players are expected to star in the Villa game on Saturday.

With Aston Villa's run in the Intertoto Cup at the forefront of their pre-season preparations, they are expected to bring a reserve team to Edgar Street on Saturday for the friendly match. Whilst star names include Finnish international goalkeeper Paul Enckelman and young England prospects Richard Walker and Darius Vassell, the rest of the squad will mainly consist of reserve players.

Here is the squad: Peter Enckelman, Neil Cutler, Matthew Ghent, Najwan Ghrayib, Neil Tarrant, Darius Vassell, Richard Walker, Aaron Lescott, Michael Standing, David Curtolo, Gavin Melaugh, Stephen Evans, Jonathan Bewers, John McGrath, Ben Willetts, Leon Hylton, Stephen Cooke, Jay Smith, David Berks, Stuart Thornley.

July 29th:

FIT-again Steve Piearce is ready to take on all-comers to prove his true worth to Hereford United.

Bulls boss Graham Turner is spreading his scouting net to bolster his strike-force after the exits of Leroy May and Paul Fewings, but Piearce will happily tell the Bulls and any newcomers - I'm ready for the challenge.

The 25-year-old striker has a spring in his step, whereas last season he limped from one physiotherapy session to another.

Regarded as a coup signing when he opted for Hereford after three goal-filled seasons with Halesowen Town, Piearce's injury frustrations meant he managed to start only nine games.

But with back problems seemingly overcome, he is desperate to keep hold of a first-team place.

He accepts he needs to sharpen up his game, but that will come with more time on the pitch. Like his goalscoring, he intends to snap up the chance if Turner offers him a shirt.

'I know the gaffer has got his scouts out looking for more strikers,' said Piearce, who had started his career with Turner at Wolverhampton Wanderers. 'But, from my point of view, competition is great. Anything that can benefit the team is great.

'I'm ready to fight for my place. Last season was a nightmare for me, but, touch wood, things have been going great for me in pre-season.

'Everything is gearing up for August 19 when we start our league games against Southport. I just want to try and make sure my name is on the teamsheet.'

Piearce played the full 90 minutes in Tuesday's friendly at former club Halesowen - although it was another ex-Town old boy, Rob Elmes, who hit the Hereford equaliser -while playing 45 minutes apiece against Oldbury United and Moor Green.

But Craig Hanson has also impressed and is set to start in today's home friendly with Aston Villa.

The Bulls are giving a trial to former Bristol Rovers 'keeper Ray Johnson, but they will not be pursuing former Leyton Orient No 1 Barry Andrews.


The star of this afternoon's friendly against Aston Villa will be Peter Enckelman, the Finnish international goalkeeper. Other players to appear will include young England prospects Darius Vassell and Richard Walker. If you can, get along to the game this afternoon at Edgar Street. The match holds a 3pm kick-off.

HEREFORD UNITED 0 - 1 ASTON VILLA (report by Terry Goodwin)

Hereford United played against the youthful Aston Villa side expected this afternoon, but many fans were disappointed when Finnish international Peter Enckelman and England prospects Dariusz Vassell and Richard Walker didn't even appear on the substitutes bench. However, Aston Villa brought a selection of young star and reserve players which were good opposition for Hereford who have yet to win in four attempts this pre-season.

Though Hereford had much of the possession, the Villa side pinched a goal which swung the game in their favour with around ten minutes remaining of the match.

The first half was a fairly even affair, with Hereford just shading Villa possession-wise. Despite their clear advantage, Hereford couldn't manage to create any clear goalscoring opportunities and it was Villa who tested Cooksey with the first real effort. With one minute left of the half, a good run left the former Shrewsbury and Peterborough goalkeeper Cooksey facing the young Villa striker one-on-one, but Scott dived to his right to prevent him from scoring.

ABOVE - Chris Lane and former Luton midfielder Michael McIndoe attempt to close down a Villa youngster.

On the hour, Villa made a good opening which created a hairy moment for the United defence. First, Cooksey palmed away a cross but the ball fell to a Villa player out on the left who knocked it back towards goal, only for club captain Ian Wright to header away off the line.

An attendance of 1,198 was hoping to see a stronger Villa side but they would have been impressed with Hereford's new player-coach Phil Robinson, who played an outstanding opening home match for the Bulls. Also, former Luton Town midfielder Michael McIndoe played well and worked hard throughout, and will be a vital member of the side for next season. Matt Gardiner, the defender signed from Halesowen, had a quiet match but showed reassuring signs that he too will be important come the new season. On trial striker Michael Holte had a few good touches of the ball but failed to come up with the goal when it was required. Craig Hanson replaced Steve Piearce and again looked as if his lack of height lets him down, and Piearce had a good game before retiring through a slight knock.

Villa almost took the lead on seventy four minutes when a good volley came in and beat Cooksey. However, the ball rebounded off the far post and, after some hesitation, Ian Wright cleared the ball to safety. Immediately after, United surged forward and almost took the lead themselves, but the resulting shot went just wide of the post.

Aston Villa take the lead below the new scoreboard at the Blackfriars End (above).

Aston Villa did eventually take the lead with ten minutes remaining after a Villa cross from the left was slotted home by Jay Smith after Cooksey had come for the ball. A slight delay was evident before the new electronic scoreboard flashed up ***GOAL*** several times, but at least it's up and running! Fans were also able to keep up with the latest scores from the Scottish Premier League and were told about forthcoming events at Edgar Street via the board.

A free kick was conceded by Chris Lane with five minutes left, but the Villa free kick from twenty five yards went high over the bar, and thankfully missed the scoreboard! However, two minutes later Phil Robinson showed his set-piece potential with a free kick wide on the right, but no one could get a touch to the ball before it went out at the other end of the Aston Villa area.

Hereford - Cooksey, Lane, Sturgess, Robinson, Wright, Gardner, Rodgerson, McIndoe, Holte, Piearce, Williams.
Substitutes who came on - Shirley (37), Hanson (64), Beale (84).

July 30th:

HEREFORD United fans have become used to a high amount of news updates from this site, but over the next seven days these will be limited due to changes being made to the server. Currently, the site is hosted by Crosswinds but due to server changes at their headquarters, I have moved the vital pages to another server. This allows updates to take place, but not as frequently as normal. However, normal service will be resumed next weekend.

July 31st:

HEREFORD United are without a win in their opening four friendly matches, but Oxford's two matches have been much worse! Denis Smith's Oxford United have lost 3-0 to Birmingham and more recently 5-1 to Chelsea but the boss reckons his pre-season preparations are going well. "Pre season has gone fine except for one 45-minute spell, which isn't bad. I wasn't happy with the first half at Chelsea.", Smith told TeamTalk. He is targetting the Hereford game for his first win, but whether this will come to fruition is not yet known.

An unofficial Cardiff City website have announced that Dai Thomas, their twenty four year old striker, will start for Hereford United in their friendly tomorrow night (Tuesday). Thomas, who started out at Swansea before moving on to Watford and then back into Wales to Ninian Park, is eager to regain match fitness after an injury. However, Hereford are likely to be competitng for his signature should they want to sign him as Chesterfield have been watching him. Despite this, Thomas is eager to stay in Cardiff and regain his first team place.