March 1998

March 3rd:

HEREFORD United manager Graham Turner has secured the services of Wolves striker Richard Leadbetter for another month.

Following the departure of top scorer Neil Grayson to rivals Cheltenham Town last Friday, Turner moved quickly over the weekend to keep Leadbetter.

Leadbetter, who has scored five goals in eight Vauxhall Conference appearances, will lead the Hereford attack at Southport tonight.

SOUTHPORT 0 Hereford United 0 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford maintained a further clean sheet tonight to take their run to four successive matches without conceeding a goal.

Andy Quy was the star player for United tonight on a boggy and cutting pitch. His play throughout the match was masterfully executed with saves coming from all angles as he backed up the excellent offside trap lain by John Brough and Trevor Matthewson.

The offside trap helped hold Southport back into their own half for much of the first half but goal scoring opportunities did not present themselves readily. The best chance fell to Tony Agana when he moved inside Paul Futher and hit a low drive at goal. John Bagnall got to the ball and pushed it over the bar for an un-productive corner.

Pressure persisted though with long shots being sent in by Gavin Mahon, Chris Hargreaves and John Brough, all to no avail.

He second half gave Southport more chances though and kept Andy Quy working hard even though the defence held well and denied the majority of attacking moves.

Quy was pressured though to the extent of having to make an excellent save in the 56th minute when Brian Butler sent in a precise cross from the left wing leaving Steve Morris to finish then job. Morris was stopped though with a double save by Quy.

Morris persisted in attacking the United defence and finally broke through in the closing minutes when the ball came to his feet and he hit it cleanly upon entering the United penalty box, but again Andy Quy was there to save the day with a dazzling save made by simply getting in the way of the hit and taking the full force of it while the defence regrouped.

Altogether a fair result on a failing pitch as United look ahead to a hopeful extension of their undefeated run with Northwich Victoria on Saturday.

March 6th:

AS at 6th March, the proposed CVA (creditors voluntary arrangement) was still not in place, as the monies had not been forthcoming from Chelverton Properties reports HUISA. The reason? The business plan promised by PH (chairman Peter Hill) and the Board at the Shareholders meeting, has only just been submitted, and just for good measure there are two of them, one produced by GT (manager Graham Turner)and one by the mighty Simmons and Vaughan (directors). The mere production of two Plans is hardly likely to persuade a large successful Company, like Chelverton Properties, that the Club is worth investing £500K in - whose do they believe? Would you lend that sort of money to a Club who cannot even produce the basic requirements of Company life, and whose Chairman is so interested that he goes on holiday in the middle of what are crucial negotiations?

In what is arguably the most important period in the Club's history, it is inconceivable that the Club Chairman should go on holiday for such an extended period, returning only 5 working days before the deadline set for the completion of the CVA (14th March). It is yet another betrayal of us the fans. If ever proof were needed that HUISA has been right about PH (and there have been some even now that were prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt), and his cronies, we now have it!

On a more positive note, HUISA understands that negotiations have been taking place between GT and the 5 Herefordshire Businessmen and whilst no firm agreements have yet been reached (nor can they be until the CVA and the share deal are in place), it is at least an encouraging sign. We understand that the Businessmen have, within the constraints of the confidentiality agreement, they were forced to sign by PH, been giving GT all the information they can to assist his negotiations with the bald bastard.

GT does not have however (or so it would seem) any other form of guaranteed financial backing at this stage and may have to carry the costs himself. If the CVA falls through of course, it may be academic (unless the Supporters could raise a minimum of £150k in something like two weeks). Some of the individuals he has been talking to have taken one look at the agreement with the BS group and backed off. Nice deal Mr Hill/Fry!!

March 7th:

NORTHWICH Victoria 0 Hereford United 2 (report by Peter Povall)

United again performed against the odds and pushed their clean sheet run to five consecutive games with this cracking result away from home, making my journey really worthwhile.

The match started as so many this season with United hoofing the ball up the pitch and generally not looking at their best in front of Northwich's brand new stand. The game continued in this fashion with United coming close to conceeding a couple of goals before they settled in and started to play some football.

The game quickly moved onto a higher level as United played the ball to feet with efficiency and pushed hard against Northwich to gain a number of corners. One of which was connected with leaving Dean Greygoose to tip the ball over the bar, and strangly enough, for a goal kick.

The inevitable break finally came in the 44 minute when a foul left Murrey Fishlock with a free kick from just outside the area. Unusually the ball was played low to Brian McGorry who slotted it through to Richard Leadbeater who edged the ball past Greygoose and into the side of the net.

After the break Northwich pushed hard but did not gain much ground as the United defence again held well as John Brough played hard, looking to re-establish himself in the first team line-up.

United, however, caught Northwich on the break and screamed down the field towards the shakey defence when Brian McGorry received a cross from the wing which he curled his foot around sending it looping into the back of the net for one of the more spectacular goals this season.

Northwich fought on though and Andy Quy was required to make a late save to hold the clean sheet and further extend the run.

HEREFORD (3-5-2): Quy; Rodgerson, Fishlock, Pitman, Brough, Matthewson, Hargreaves, McGorry, Cook, Leadbeater (Agana, 56), Mahon. Subs: Warner, G Williams.

After the game manager Graham Turner said " We totally dominated play and it was a comfortable win in the end."

March 8th:

IT has taken a few months, but Graham Turner's deep frown has finally turned into a broad grin reports the Sunday Mercury.

Last May, Turner stood on the pitch at Edgar Street and announced he was offering his resignation as Hereford United's manager.

Turner had just watched his Hereford side lose their Football League status after drawing with Brighton, the only other club who could have gone down on an emotion-charged final day of last season.

It meant Hereford slipping back into non-league soccer 25 years after getting into the League.

Then, Turner's sombre face matched the occasion.

Now, though the former Villa and Wolves manager greets me with a smile.

Not only is he still at Hereford, but he is also the man trying to save the club from extinction - and talking in optimistic terms about the future.

Technically, he is United's chairman. And while he prefers not to use that title for the moment, there is a certain irony to the situation.

Turner is one of several managers who were shown the door at Villa Park by Doug Ellis.

Then, after hauling Wolves from the depths of the old Fourth Division, he suffered a similar fate at the hands of the Hayward family.

But now, even Turner can appreciate just how difficult a job the money men have.

"I still follow the fortunes of Wolves and spoke to Sir Jack Hayward before the Albion game," he said.

"It was my club as a lad so that makes a difference. I keep a close touch on their affairs.

"The amount of money Sir Jack has put into Wolves has been astronomical and he's aiming for the Holy Grail of the Premiership.

"I had a lot of satisfaction at Wolves, taking them from where we did to leaving them in Division One.

"I always said that Wolves was the ultimate challenge considering the state they were in when I took over. People forget how badly off they were.

"It is a similar sort of challenge here. Clubs like this, providing they're well run, can sustain First Division football.

"I don't know whether I will be a manager as such, I have a totally open mind and I need to see how the whole thing evolves from now on.

"But sometimes I wonder whether I should sit in my office and negotiate a new contract with myself swapping seats as I do so!"

It won't be until next month that the club's financial future is settled one way or the other.

But there is no doubt that these are happier days following Hereford's potentially disastrous relegation.

They narrowly avoided a winding-up petition and earned the positive backing of their creditors.

Turner took control of the cash-stricken club and became the majority shareholder to replace long-serving chairman Peter Hill.

But that did not happen overnight.

For seven long weeks, there was a real danger that the club would go under.

It meant desperate measures.

"I used to put my hand in my pocket to pay for petrol for the mini-bus to take the youth team to away matches - things like that," recalled Turner from his pitch level office at Edgar Street,

"And it was difficult to keep morale up when wages weren't being paid.

"They were tough times, but I can't speak highly enough of the players, their attitude was immaculate.

"But now we'll have to batten down the hatches. I want us to stay full-time however and the eventual aim is to regain our Football League status."

Hereford have gone into partnership with a company called Bristol Stadiums who have effectively become their landlords. But the club are still £500,000 short of settling up with their creditors so United have asked another developer to provide that amount of money.

"If that arrangement is not in place by March 14 then the club is finished," said Turner.

"But we are well down the line and hopeful that it will all happen."

So how did Turner become involved to the sort of level where he has effectively saved the club?

"There was a group of people who wanted to become involved with the club, but there was also a total impasse between them and the current chairman.

"I sat at home one day and thought 'why don't I make a bid for the club and his shares'.

"I did that and 24 hours later he accepted in principle, then it came as quite a surprise to find people referring to me as chairman.

"I've no wish to be that, that wasn't my aim, all I want to do is make sure the club is passed from the present chairman into good hands.

"We needed help and quickly. If there is one particular person who is prepared to put a lot of money into the club then he can take it provided it's right.

"It would have been easy to have walked away from it on one or two occasions, I've had offers from other league clubs.

"I offered to resign at the end of last season, but it was the fans who persuaded me to stay."

March 11th:

HEREFORD United's former Aston Villa full-back, David Norton, has been forced to retire following a groin injury.

Norton, aged 33, played 44 times for Villa before moving on to Notts County, Hull City, Northampton Town and Hereford. Last season, he made 45 Third Division appearances, but has been limited to just six this season.

March 14th:

HEREFORD United 1 Gateshead 0 (report by Peter Povall)

Considering that Hereford are pretty much out of the running this season a crowd of 2,007 turned out to see them extend their undefeated run to seven matches with a clean sheet run of six.

Bottom team Gateshead were never seen as an easy kill as they have everything to play for as the end of the season nears and relegation looms large over their shoulders. The statistics were against them though as they have yet to win a game away from home this season. Hereford though had no intention of becoming their first away blood.

The game started at a furious pace with Gateshead pushing hard, showing they were here to win. They generated chance after chance as they cut through the United defence which has started to show the lack of Richard Walker who is currently suspended.

The opportunities had started at the other end though as Brian McGorry grazed the post with a free kick in the opening minutes. The play quickly moved to United's goal and the busy Andy Quy.

The first chance Gateshead had came down to Paul Proudlock as he received a sailing cross from Steve Bowey which he headed into the bottom corner, having it pushed out for a corner by Andy Quy at full stretch.

Minutes later Gateshead missed a real sitter when their easy tap-in was sent wide of the post with the defence looking on.

By the time Tony Agana opened the scoring in the 68th minute, Hereford could easily have been three goals down had the finishing of Gateshead been better. The United defence was not at its best and the attacking line-up appeared to miss the confidence of Neil Grayson who will be sadly missed.

Agana's goal was justly deserved by Hereford as they had controlled the majority of the second half as Gateshead started to tire. Brian McGorry started the move by sending Ian Rodgerson down the wing where he beat a rushing defender and crossed the ball quickly and accurately to Tony Agana who flicked the ball on and into the back of the net past the diving Dean Williams.

Ian Rodgerson could also have added another when he again beat the Gateshead defence but lifted his shot over the bar.

The game was full of "interesting" decisions by referee P Gibbs of Birmingham who had kept the game full of surprises. A number of occassions come to mind where the team sending the ball out of play are awarded throw-ins, keepers are awarded goal kicks having just pushed the ball out of play and corners were awarded almost for fun.

A number of disturbing decisions were made though where a clear advantage play was available. On one occassion Gavin Mahon had beaten two defenders only to be felled having just played the ball through to Jamie Pitman who was clear on goal. The whistle blew and the play brought back. Pitman was lucky not to get booked for dissent as his objections were made load and clear.

Gateshead's Paul Proudlock did manage to get himself sent off for two bookable offences. The first for dissent and the second for a blatent foul on Brian McGorry.

Altogether another good match, although not one of the better ones but a victory is a victory regardless of how its dressed.

HEREFORD (5-3-2): Quy; Rodgerson, Fishlock, Pitman, Brough, Matthewson; Warner, McGorry, Cook; Agana, Mahon. Subs (not used): Mansell, Williams, Hill

March 20th:

A COMBINATION of consistent team selection and good fortune has been the secret of Hereford United's run as the Conference's form team of the moment reports the Sports Argus.

According to director of football Graham Turner, the solid base of a sound defence has been the foundation for the Bulls' seven match unbeaten run, their best for 18 months.

The sequence has coincided with six games without conceding a goal and keeper Andy Quy went into today's clash with Slough having not been beaten in 590 minutes.

Turner, whose side have moved into the top six for the first time this season, says a settled defence has been the cornerstone of the improvement.

"Now we've got square pegs in square holes," he said.

"We lost John Brough and Richard Walker within a match of each other and Trevor Matthewson had been out for a long time so people like Gavin Mahon and Ian Rodgerson have had to play in the centre of defence. That's not their best position.

"Now we've got a fair old foundation to work from and it helps players if they feel we are tight at the back."

But the Bulls have had their run of fortune on the pitch, and Turner admitted they rode their luck in last Saturday's 1-0 win over Gateshead.

Ironically, Hereford's selection problems elsewhere through the team have continued.

They were down to the bare bones against Gateshead when Bridgnorth Town triallist Craig Mansell and YT players Jon Hill and Gavin Williams were on the bench.

Suspension ruled out midfielder Chris Hargreaves and defender Richard Walker, and while Walker was able to return today, midfielder Jamie Pitman had to serve a one-match ban.

March 22nd:

HEREFORD United 1 Slough 1 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford's unbeaten run continued still further today with this draw against Slough. It was of little revenge for the pounding which United received when Slough hosted the game.

The game started promisingly enough with play moving freely each way and some very good football coming to the fore. Andy Quy was looking to claim the club record for maintaining a clean sheet and had to make a scramble save to keep his chances alive.

Gary Cook came through with the opener after chasing down a dodgy clearance by Danny Bolt which he actually sent back towards his own goal. Cook caught the ball and made a very neat header past the approaching keeper. A very well taken goal and worth every second of the celebration time he gave it.

The match was mared in the 40th minute though when Slough were awarded a penalty following a challenge made by captain Brian McGorry. With most of the United players protesting the ball was placed on the spot and fired home by Danny Bolt. Andy Quy was obviously heart-broken to lose his opportunity this way as he ferociously kicked the ball again into the side netting.

This did light a fire under United as they then proceeded to out-class Slough in most respects. The young Craig Mansell was brought on to replace Richard Walker replied almost immediately by fizzing a 25 yard drive just over the bar.

Hereford then proceeded to dominate the match. The already unfortunate Quy just having to look on as he was troubled very little after the fateful penalty.

The pressure continued and another young striker, Gavin Williams, who had been brought on to replace Tony Agana played a major part. Gavin Williams had a fairly simple chance on goal after Gary Cook placed the ball perfectly for him to drive into the net, but his shot was just inches wide.

Craig Mansell was also attacking during the second half and he had another vicious shot pushed out by Wilkerson which John Brough fell upon but managed to head just wide again.

If the finishing had gone Hereford's way today, they could easily have collected all three points instead of allowing Slough a share. Slough certainly didn't deserve any.

HEREFORD UNITED (5-3-2): Quy; Rodgerson, Fishlock, Walker (Mansell 22); Brough, Matthewson, Warner, McGorry, Cook; Agana (Williams 73), Mahon. Sub: Durham

ANDY Quy's dreams of entering the Hereford United record book were shattered by a 40th-minute penalty from Danny Bolt as the Bulls were held to a 1-1 draw by Slough Town (Report from the Birmingham Post)

Goalkeeper Quy, who had not been beaten for 630 minutes in the Bulls' run of eight undefeated Vauxhall Conference games, was left helpless after skipper Brian McGorry had given away a penalty for a foul on Corey Browne.

"Naturally, I'm disappointed," said the 20-year-old, who was out to beat Kevin Rose's 14-year-old club record of 665 minutes.

"It was a harsh decision. I tried to put Bolt off by insisting the ball was on the right spot, but it didn't work."

March 28th:

HEREFORD United striker James McCue faces a fight to save his career at the age of 22.

The front-runner, an autumn signing from Kidderminster Harriers, has been struggling with a back injury,

But the problem has worsened and now McCue, who started his career at Albion, is due to see a second specialist.

The fear is he could need an operation which would leave a question mark over his career.

Bulls director of football Graham Turner said: "He certainly won't play again this season. It's a career-threatening problem.

"He has been suffering with his back and it's gradually got worse, and in the last two months it's been affecting his training and playing."

Hereford, currently the top form team with leaders Halifax in the Conference, will definitely lose another striker next week when Richard Leadbeater returns to Wolves.

The 20-year-old front-runner, who returned to action today after an ankle injury, ends his three months loan spell after Tuesday's game at Dover Athletic.

But Turner is keeping his fingers crossed that Tony Agana - who was ruled out today against Woking - will be fit to resume at the Crabble.

March 29th:

HEREFORD 2 Woking 1 (report by Peter Povall)

United started this match with an unbeaten run of eight games and produced some very impressive football at times to take the run to nine. Woking were not the favourites for this game anyway as they are currently in an acute slump having lost both home and away form recently.

They did however make a go of this match and pushed hard from the start. Collecting a free-kick just outside the box within the first 10 minutes.

Their break came after just 16 minutes when a shot beat Andy Quy, but rebounded off the post and straight back into the prone Quy's arms. This lucky escape could not be repeated though, as the quick but not overly talented Kevin Betsy beat Jamie Pitman and crossed the ball to Steve West who headed in with some ease.

United were now in their usually position of chasing the game after an early goal but they responded very quickly and pushed hard. Murray Fishlock made a swinging cross which Richard Leadbeater headed straight at the keeper. Leadbeater had a further shot rise just over the bar just two minutes later as well.

Woking, however, weren't about to give the lead away so easily though and on 26 minutes an over-head kick from Robin Taylor hit the roof of the net. The goal was quickly disallowed referee much to the United fans delight as he was offside.

Hereford again replied and Brian McGorry was moving through the defence when he was felled by Eddie Saunders inside the box. The resulting penalty was taken by Chris Hargreaves, who drove the ball deep into the lower right corner to level the match.

The pressure on Woking mounted from there. On 35 minutes a loose ball came back from the United goal and out past the Woking defence. They were over committed to the attack and there keeper Laurence Batty made a desperate run to try and beat the chasing Leadbeater. Leadbeater was first to the ball and played a simple move around the slidding keeper, then simply aligned himself and shot home from at least 45 yards out. The Woking defence could only watch and United took the lead.

What little time there was left in the first half was possessed by United who continued to push hard but met with a stronger defence as Woking played five at the back.

The second half started much the same as the first, with Woking pushing to make a goal and gaining a corner which was again cleared.

The replying break though allowed Gary Cook to beat two defenders and give the undoubted star player Chris Hargreaves a cross onto goal which the keeper collected.

Just five minutes later and Hargreaves was causing problems again as he rose for a cross but managed to place it just wide. The onslaught continued with most Hereford players getting involved with an attacking move from one direction or another.

One of the better opportunities fell to Gavin Mahon who collected the ball at about 25 yards out and walked it through the defence using all his skills until he was felled just outside the box by an eager tackle. The free kick gave little result and the scoreline remained the same for the remainder of the game.

Altogether though a better performance and some excellent play by some of the less hailed Hereford players such as Ian Rodgerson who again played well at right back.

HEREFORD UNITED (5-3-2): Quy, Rodgerson, Fishlock, Pitman, Brough, Matthewson, Hargreaves, McGorry, Cook, Leadbeater, Mahon. Subs: Walker, Warner, Williams.

Mar 31st:

DOVER 1 Hereford United 1 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford produced a mediocre performance tonight against a team who has already twice beaten them this season in both the league and the FA Trophy. Surprisingly though they came away with a draw and further extended their unbeaten run to a whopping 10 games.

Dover made most of the running though and opened the scoring after just 5 minutes when Carl Alford scrapped a shot past Andy Quy from the edge of the box.

United returned the pressure fairly quickly after this with Richard Leadbeater trying hard to no avail. His first effort was fired straight at the waiting Dover keeper and held very little power anyway. His second was effort was probably from an easier position but the lob shot was wide of goal.

Dover were now starting to regain the upper hand, but Gavin Williams had other ideas. Ian Rodgerson started the move with a short run down the wing and then crossed sweetly to Williams who collected the ball first time and then finished it with a powerful drive from 10 yards out.

The second half really kept Hereford on the run though, as Dover increased the pressure, forcing United to defend deep into their own half. Murray Fishlock saved the point by clearing a shot from the line with barely inches to spare.

Overall this was not a great performance by any means but considering the distance travelled and the fact that this season is technically over. However a point is a point and helps us to stay in fifth position.