November 1997

November 1st:

MORECAMBE 1 Hereford United 5 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford recorded their highest victory in the Conference to date today as they waltzed away at Christie Park.

The outcome had looked like it would be somewhat different at the start of the match though as Morecambe's Brian Healy simply walked through the United defence and finished a clean shot past Andy Quy, who we have recently acquired.

This seemed to have no effect on United as Healy was again allowed easy access to the United goal only to send his shot wide. Minutes later and Mark Ceraolo also had an attacking chance denied by Quy as he saved at his feet.

Hereford eventually realised that they were meant to be playing in the match after about 20 minutes and the tables turned quickly.

John Brough forced an excellent save with his header. Moments later the pressure was back on Morecambe's keeper Andy Banks as the talented young mid-fielder, Gavin Mahon, found Ian Foster in the penalty area allowing him to slot his shot into the bottom corner to equalise.

With the pressure continually mounting, Hereford took the lead just before the interval as Brian McGorry charged down the centre of the field and hit a powerful shot from the edge of the area. Andy Banks blocked the shot but failed to hold on to it, allowing Milner to fire the rebound home.

Within a minute of the restart Milner asserted some more of Hereford's dominance by beating the home defence then rounding Banks to give him a simple tap-in for his second.

The third followed quickly as well, although it was Ian Foster who did the work for the goal. Foster drew and beat the defence when he released the ball to Milner on the edge of the area, who again finished the attack well.

In the closing minutes both Trevor Matthewson and Gary Cook were denied as Matthewson's shot was cleared from the line and Cook's attempt beat the keeper but rattled the woodwork.

Gary Cook's continued efforts paid off though as he ran onto a long ball from Richard Walker and chipped the rapidly approaching Banks.

Altogether a much better performance. Although it may already be too late to claim the Conference with Hereford lying in 8th and the inconsistency of the results still showing.

November 8th

RAY Daniel, the former Wales, Arsenal and Sunderland centre- half, has died aged 69. Daniel made 274 league appearances before becoming manager of Hereford.

YEOVIL Town 1 Hereford United 1 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford failed to produce the form they found against Morecambe which resulted in this poor result. Again sacrificing vital points.

The result could easily have been different though as in the 13th minute John Brough had a penalty awarded against him for pushing. Warren Patmore took the spot kick which he hit directly at Andy Quy who blocked the ball back into play allowing Brian McGorry to finish the clearance.

The match flowed easily from end to end which some impressive plays being made on both sides. One attacking move gave Hereford a corner. Murray Fishlock sent the ball into a pack of players in the box, with the ball falling for Andy Milner to drive into the back of the net.

Again the match continued well until a late first have assult by Steve Trott was brought to an abrupt end by Murray Fishlock as he felled him inside the area. The referee awarded a second penalty decision against United and Fishlock's protested saw him booked for discent.

Steve Parmenter did a vastly better job of completing the penalty than his predecessor as he blasted the ball past Andy Quy to equalise.

The second half continued much the same, but with United finding more chances on goal. Hereford's former keeper Tony Pennock was on hand to make some excellent saves though as he denied Rob Warner, Ian Foster and Neil Grayson who should really have finished his shot with power rather than trying to round Pennock.

Jamie Pitman was also unlucky as he rattled the woodwork with a savage drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Hereford presented the referee with plenty to complain about through the match as Jamie Pitman was also booked for discent and Ian Foster was read his rights after driving the ball into the net following an offside whistle.

November 9th:

FROM the Independent:

Graham Turner still recalls his worst week in football. The staff were not being paid, the fans were demonstrating against the board, players were struggling to turn up for training because they could hardly afford petrol, the manager was spending much of his time selling advertising space. Then, Saturday's opposition snatched an equaliser with the last kick of the match, which was probably their only one.

Considering that this was only a fortnight ago Turner, the Hereford United manager (or to give him his precise, if narrow-ranging title, director of football), is remarkably chipper. Wages are almost up to date, the only impediment to a full complement at training is the usual football club injury list, he is concentrating more on the game itself, and the team seem to have found their touch.

Hereford v Brighton: no tie in the FA Cup first round next Saturday is imbued with such fascination or passion. For it was Brighton who terminated Hereford's Football League status after 25 years. On the last day of last season the two sides met. Brighton earned the draw they needed to secure penultimate spot and consign Hereford to the Vauxhall Conference. "It was inevitable that we'd get Brighton. I suppose," said Turner. "The Cup's like that. I can look forward to it now and even think of winning but till a few days ago all that was on our minds was the struggle for survival.

"There are historic debts to the taxmen that haven't gone away but there is hope in that direction and the staff are getting paid again. In a strange way it has helped. Out of that adversity has come strength."

Hereford's crowds in the Conference are holding up well (the novelty of seeing new teams, the desire that it will be for only season, thinks Turner) and there are plans to sell the lease on their shabby Edgar Street ground. For the moment the fans are mollified.

Despite the keenness of developers, Turner is adamant that a replacement stadium is built before they move in. A spying mission on Brighton for their home match at Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham, on Wednesday night confirmed that belief. "They looked dispirited and no wonder," Turner explained. "They were playing before very few fans miles away from their natural base. I think we should have a very good chance against them. Any non-league side coming up against Third Division opposition thinks they can do it. This is no different. But I do know you've got to have a home ground."

Brighton are once more in desperate trouble this season, being spared last season's awful travails only by the shambolic state of the league's bottom club, Doncaster Rovers. Despite Hereford's patchy start (four defeats including two at home), they start favourites. Their £20,000 close-season signing Neil Grayson, who has already secured a place in the fans' hearts with eight goals, is fit again, and the handling crisis which has forced Turner to use four goalkeepers seems to be over. They may even draw succour from their reputation as legendary non-league Cup giantkillers as their 1972 replay win over Newcastle United will forever testify.

A Cup run is on Turner's mind because Hereford need the matches to garner the revenue to pay the wages. But the Conference championship and re-elevation to the Football League will concentrate it more. "The fans have been marvellously loyal," Turner said. "We have 17 full-time players. We're surviving but we need to be in the league again." Otherwise that week in October may not remain his worst in the game.

Monday Nov 10th:

AGAIN from the Independent:

If Hereford United win their FA Cup first-round tie next Saturday, the scenes at their Edgar Street ground might not quite resemble those that followed the famous demise of Newcastle United there 25 years ago. They will, however, be unreservedly happy ones.

Their opponents, for those readers who do not follow these matters closely, are Brighton and Hove Albion, whose 1-1 draw in the West Country on the last day of last season dramatically saved their own Third Division skins and consigned poor Hereford to the Vauxhall Conference.

Revenge, therefore, is in the air and it would take a confident Brighton supporter to bet against their bringing it off. While the homeless South Coast club - beaten at home by Rotherham on Saturday - have won only twice all season and not at all in their last seven matches, Hereford have lost only once in their last nine Conference games.

And Brighton could hardly find themselves up against a hungrier club.

Although results have been encouraging, they are still carrying the burden of the financial problems that so weakened their bid for Nationwide League survival. Tax and VAT bills are still to be settled and the players only recently had to endure seven weeks without wages.

Ironically, it was only after supporters picked the recent match against Southport to protest about the club's financial plight - and demand the resignation of veteran chairman Peter Hill -that there was enough cash from a bumper gate to pay them.

"In a strange way," director of football Graham Turner said, "the fact that the players had not been paid has acted as a bonding process for all of us."

Hill, who has been with the club 30 years, is ready to sell to the right bidder. In the meantime, however, the players are ready to grasp a run in the Cup as the passport to their own salvation.

Nov 11th:

REPORT of a meeting betwen the Police and HUISA.

The Cheltenham Kick off time debacle was discussed and Chief Inspector Davenport explained that the Police had in accordance with current guidelines, always planned for it to be a 3.00pm. kick off. The Club only approached them a matter of days before to ask for a switch to 7.45pm and by then it was too late. Their intelligence told them to expect more trouble if it had been an evening kick off. Whether you agree with their view or not the Police's case, at least makes sense which is more than you can say for the reply we got from Peter Hill.

Discussion also took place on the treatment of HUFC fans at away grounds and in particular the cases of Hednesford and Morecambe were discussed. Again the Police explained that they had not passed any information to either Club (they had not even spoken to Morecambe) which would have led to the sort of concerns and problems our supporters faced. So where did the information come from I wonder?

With Keith present we did discuss the Police role in his sacking and CI Davenport explained that in her view, certain of his actions had given rise to come concern to the Police on the day and that this is what they had reported to the Club. It is still my personal view that the Club has grossly over reacted and old Adolfson stuck the boot in unnecessarily. We also took the opportunity to complain about the lack of safety announcements and their clarity following Keith's departure. CI Davenport promised that this would be discussed at the next safety meeting with the Club.

Policing arrangements for the Brighton FA Cup game were discussed and I think the evidence of the day was that they were considerably more positive and less confrontational than on 3rd May 1997 as had been promised. With regard to the May game CI Davenport defended the Police actions by referring to the intelligence they had received prior to the game about the intentions of the Brighton fans and the actual trouble that took place on the day, which saw her officers attacked both on the pitch and in Blackfriars Street.

The Police also advised us about the do's and don'ts of legal protect so we shall endeavour to ensure that all future protests stay within the law. It will do HUISA's cause no good at all if some of us get arrested or if more damage is done - please pay heed to this.

Finally CI Davenport intimated that the likely KO times for the Kiddy Xmas/New Year games will be 12.00pm on Boxing Day and 12.30pm. on New Years Day.

November 15th:

WHEN the season opened, a new set of photographs adorned the walls of the manager's office and home dressing-room at Hereford United reports the Birmingham Post. They showed players and supporters weeping, or with heads bowed, after May's fight to the finish with Brighton & Hove Albion. Now, like Hereford on that feverish afternoon, the pictures have come down.

The stark, black-and-white images were intended to instil in everyone connected with the club what it meant to relinquish Football League status, filling them with a desire to regain it via promotion from the Vauxhall Conference. But when the FA Cup's infinite capacity for coincidence brings Brighton back to Edgar Street today, they will be gathering dust behind a cupboard.

"We don't need photos to remind us of how bad it felt," reasons Graham Turner, Hereford's director of football. "That day, I remembered Bill Shankly's famous saying about football being more than a matter of life or death. He wasn't talking literally - there are obviously many more tragic circumstances - but the feeling of loss made me understand what he meant."

At the risk of opening old wounds, it may be appropriate to put the contest in context. When the final day of last season dawned, Hereford occupied bottom place in the Third Division. Brighton, the only other side who could be relegated, were level on points but had scored more goals. They needed only a draw to escape.

An own goal by Kerry Mayo threatened to earn him the freedom of Hereford and cider for life, only for Robbie Reinelt to equalise and set up the most fraught 28 minutes imaginable. When it was over and Brighton had slipped their chains of seven months, the emotions which engulfed Turner's team belied the belief of many football fans that they have a monopoly of feeling for a club.

Hereford reportedly changed in silence, broken only by Sussex's songs of relief outside. "Oh no," says Turner. "What you could hear was our lads sobbing, some of them hardened pros who've been in the game a long time. Whatever noise Brighton or their supporters were making was blotted out. It was like a dream.

"I've never seen so many grown men crying - on the pitch, in the boardroom, in the stands. It really was traumatic. I didn't think I'd ever see sport get to people so intensely. People might think `Hereford's only a backwater, so it doesn't really matter', but it was shattering for those involved. The next day on TV I saw Middlesbrough fans in tears because they'd gone down. We lost far more.''

Turner recalls feeling an "enormous sense of responsibility" as the final whistle sounded and snarling police dogs barred his way down the tunnel. There had been mitigating factors: he had not bought anyone for the best part of two years because of a transfer embargo and he was forced to sell five key players. He decided, however, that offering his resignation was the only honourable course.

Hereford's chairman, Peter Hill, refused to accept it, though it was the reaction of the supporters that persuaded Turner to battle on. "I got dozens of letters urging me not to give up. They even stuck posters on the doors saying I had to stay."

As one who was hounded out of Wolves, a victim of the very expectations he had raised, he appreciated the irony. When he was at his lowest ebb that Sunday, the Molineux owner Sir Jack Hayward rang and insisted on treating Turner and his family to a holiday in the Bahamas. He did not stop calling until his former manager agreed.

After the initial grieving, the club and city came round to thinking positively. The Conference offered a way back to the League, and by staying full-time Hereford planned to emulate Lincoln, Colchester and Darlington in bouncing back. Currently lying eighth, they are handily placed, but even that position was not achieved without pain.

Only weeks ago, the club's cash-flow crisis deepened to the extent that they were unable to meet their obligations to the players. Those paid monthly had to wait seven weeks between salary slips; the weekly earners were more than three weeks behind.

"These fellas, who aren't on big money anyway, have got young families, mortgages to pay and need to put petrol in their car," Turner says. "But they responded superbly. In a strange way, adversity seemed to bind them closer together."

The situation had another unexpected side-effect. Several of the squad live a considerable distance from Hereford and were struggling to make ends meet, so Turner cut the training back to a couple of days a week. The next Saturday he was struck by how well they performed. The following weekend they won 5-1 at highly placed Morecambe.

"I don't think you could do that every week, but they did look refreshed. I heard a rugby union player recently say that when they were part-time and trained just twice a week, the Saturday game was the highlight. Since they'd gone full-time and were training every day, it didn't have the same magic."

A Cup replay with Sittingbourne brought in urgently needed revenue (helping Hereford see the bright side of Trevor Matthewson's diving header into his own net in Kent). Likewise an average gate which, at 2,800, is up on this time last year. The Brighton tie has generated further revenue, fuelling Turner's optimism.

"There's a lot of pressing debts - the VAT people and taxman are chasing us - and we've lost £100,000 in Football League money. But we're actually operating profitably because we've cut right back on wages and support has been so good."

Hereford have no chief executive or commercial manager, and Turner reckons he spends as much time doing the accounts as on the training ground. "It's been all hands to the pump to keep the club afloat. I've done everything from driving a dumper truck to rotivate the pitch to selling advertising boards."

The Cup was the making of Hereford - their epic victory over Newcastle helped them gain election to the Fourth Division 25 years ago despite failing to win the Southern League - and it could be the saving of them. Two years ago they netted £200,000 from two tussles with Tottenham. According to Turner, a similar draw this season could wipe out their problems overnight.

Before they start dreaming of Old Trafford or Anfield there is a score to settle. As they emerged into the night at Sittingbourne, a press man said to Turner: "You'll never guess who you've drawn." He did not need Mystic Meg to know that the answer was the B-word.

"Brighton haven't started well and won't relish coming back here," Turner says. "I won't regard it as revenge - one Cup win can't compensate for losing League status - but we'd take a lot of satisfaction from beating them."

HEREFORD United 2 Brighton 1 (report by Peter Povall)

United reaped some revenge against Brighton today following their relegation to the Vauxhall Conference at their hands in the last match of last season. The club also pickup up some much needed funds as the BBC camera's towered over the stands to record every kick for the Match Of The Day highlights that night.

The match started very well with play flowing easily and United pressurising the Brighton goal. The first opportunity United had on goal came when Minton gave the ball away to Foster deep into the Brighton half. Foster quickly moved through the thin defence and shot with a narrowing angle. The Brighton keeper made a high save.

Brighton replied quickly when Storer sent a through ball to Westcote which Murray Fishlock attempted to intercept but was beaten on pace. Westcote then played a short square ball to Maskell who tamely tried a shot past DeBont who confidently reached to hold it.

The best chance of the first half fell to Gary Cook though. The move started with Ian Foster on the left wing. He crossed the ball to Jamie Pitman who wasn't expecting it, but the ball bounced free to Brian McGorry who turned the ball over and sent it into the box. Gary Cook moved forward to intercept but a defender got a touch on the ball sending it high. Gary Cook didn't have time to compensate but did get a reasonable touch on the ball and looped it over the stranded Brighton keeper. The ball hit the face of the bar though and bounced down to the waiting keeper.

Brighton again were given an excellent chance to reply as Storer was free on the wing when his cross into the centre was completely unguarded, leaving a gapping hole in the United defence. Minton quickly ran onto the ball from midfield and drove his shot hopelessly wide of the target.

Hereford were also giving another chance on goal in the closing minutes of the first half as McGorry sent Pitman away with a through ball which he caught and paced beautifully, but his cross into the centre where Grayson was tracking, was too far forward and allowed the Brighton Keeper to collect easily.

The second half started with a chance as James McMue replaced Ian Rodgerson thanks to a calf injury. The captaincy therefore passed to Richard Walker. Brighton started the pressure with an early assualt on goal. The clearance was returned to the box where Maskell was felled by the new Captain Richard Walker as he slid a tackle in which arrived after the ball had left. The referee, Gerald Ashby, immediately pointed to the spot to give Brighton there best chance of the match.

Paul McDonald was sent in to take the penalty but his placement of the ball was contested by Andy DeBont who felt that it wasn't actually on the spot. He in fact moved the ball and was supported by the referee in his action. McDonald hit a well placed shot right to the edge of the goal, but Andy DeBont made an even better save as he dived to full stretch to reach the ball and push it out for a corner.

The returning corner came in after a slight scramble in the penalty area Warner cleared the ball up field.

Hereford's opener came just minutes later with the best collection of passes and moves during the entire game. Murray Fishlock played down the line to Foster and ran around him to gain position. Foster returned the ball, again down the line, leaving Fishlock with very little space as Smith beared down on him. His ground-ball cross into goal was run onto by Pitman from the right and a sweet little back-heal gave Grayson all the space he needed to round the keeper and simply tap into the net.

Brighton quickly obtained the upper hand though as they were gifted a corned. Paul McDonald sent the ball in and DeBont came to collect it, but didn't complete the job. The ball continued on it's way to Stuart Storer who was waiting just outside the back post to half-volley the ball powerfully home.

Brighton were given another chance just moments later as well, when Westcote sent in a low drive which DeBont failed to hold onto and a scrapy clearance was called for. The clearance was collected in defence after it had been returned, and Fishlock sent a long ball out to Pitman who in turn sent the ball out to Foster on the wing allowing him to use his pace to beat the defender and cross to the centre where James McCue got a toe to the ball but still sent it wide.

Barely a minute later and James McCue was again striking on goal as his shot slid over the bar from just outside the penalty area.

Almost as quickly again, Fishlock released the ball to Foster on the wing who tried to turn inside Smith and open the angle on goal. Smith was not prepared to give in though and their struggle which started a yard outside the penalty area ended with Foster being pushed to the ground. Again Ashby had call to point straight for the spot.

Neil Grayson came forward to take the penalty. His vicious left foot shot grazed the underside of the bar and drilled the ball down into the back of the net for his second goal of the match.

Almost immediately from the restart Hereford went in search of a third. Foster sprinted down the wing with the ball at his feet and then crossed to Grayson in the centre, who in turned flicked it on with his head to James McCue, who controlled the ball fairly well but then blasted his shot wide of the goal and deep into the home fans.

The match closed with some very scrappy play as United clung to their victory position and Brighton threw everything into the final moments.


REVENGE, as any Mafiosi will tell you, is a dish best eaten cold. Hereford have had to wait just over six months to get their own back on the side who cast them into the depths of the Conference by forcing a 1-1 draw at Edgar Street on the last day of the season reports the Independent.

Memories of that fateful day almost came back to haunt them when the goalkeeper Andy deBont handed Brighton an equaliser - many still blame him for the Brighton goal that cost them their League place in May. But this was the FA Cup and the romantic element had been played out 12 minutes before when he saved Paul McDonald's 49th-minute penalty.

Hereford had edged the first half and only Nicky Rust's crossbar had denied them a due reward when Garry Cook beat the keeper with a header. A first-half injury to the skipper Ian Rodgerson forced alterations in the home tactics after the break and the addition of Jim McCue's Glaswegian aggression was unsettling for Brighton's defence.

No one could have blamed Hereford for feeling the fates were still against them when Richard Walker's challenge on Craig Maskell in the 49th minute cost them a penalty. Brighton, who had gone more than eight hours without scoring, gave McDonald the job of rectifying matters but deBont read the kicker's intentions and dived to push the ball to safety.

A relieved Hereford took heart and seven minutes later Jamie Pitman back-heeled Murray Fishlock's cross into Neil Grayson's path for the striker to side-step Rust and stroke the ball home. Six minutes later deBont chose to play villain when he flailed at McDonald's corner only to see Stuart Storer's volley fly past him into the net.

But 17 minutes from time Ian Foster pierced the visitors' defence only to be hauled back by Paul Smith. Grayson confidently smacked the penalty past Rust - both his goals scored at the same end as Ronnie Radford's goal that beat Newcastle 25 years ago. The romance of the Cup notwithstanding the Hereford boss Graham Turner pointed out that his side were still in the Conference and Brighton were still in the League.

Nov 17th:

HEREFORD, pinning their hopes on a plum third-round draw to ease the financial crisis at Edgar Street, were less kindly treated by the FA Cup draw. Having purged their Brighton blues to some extent, Graham Turner's men must travel to Brentford or Colchester.

Nov 22nd:

HALIFAX Town 3 Hereford United 0 (report by Peter Povall)

The match started well with both Hereford and Halifax making some excellent attacking plays. None of which resulted in a goal although many were deserved.
The best chance of the first half came to Grayson whose low drive from the edge of the box beat the keeper but hit the post returning the ball to the keeper who never deserved to have been so lucky.

There were other chances as well though for both sides and both Horsfield and Lyons provided the United defence with ongoing problems. But with all due respect, McCue and Grayson were causing as many problems at the other end as well.

The opener came some 20 minutes into the second half as Paterson hammered in a 20 yard drive which hit the same spot on the post as Grayson's previous effort, but Halifax were luckier as the ball rebounded back into play giving Horsfield and simple finish.

Hereford reacted well and piled on the pressure and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty following a blatant handball a Halifax defender and Chris Hargreaves was also felled in the area.

Another excellent opportunity was denied when Jamie Pitman allowed Gavin Mahon to drive in a savage shot which the Halifax keeper blocked and sent the ball back to Murray Fishlock who also made a great attempt but again the shot was blocked and Neil Grayson blasted what should have been the equaliser over the bar from a great position.

Just minuets later and Horsfield extended his scoring total and the Halifax lead when he collected the through ball from Lyons and finished it easily. It was questionable though as to whether he was onside when he scored though.

Disregarding this though, Horsfield's third goal could not be denied as he made the running from the midfield and again finished with a flurry which has seen him become one on the top scorers this season.

Nov 24th:

ON November 20th there was a meeting in the Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford of many interested parties in Hereford United. Below is a slightly edited report from HUISA.

The calling of the meeting followed the effective demise of the Bulls 1100 Scheme and was intended to bring all groups with an interest in the future of the Football Club, together in one room, so that the current problems could be clearly identified and potential solutions discussed. Unfortunately this proved impossible as the main players either refused to attend (Peter Hill and the Board), were unable to attend (Paul Keetch and the reps from the City of South Hereford Councils) or "didn't get their letter" (the BS Group).

Those present included Mark Ellis and Alistair McHarg, representatives of the VP's and Supporters (without Stewards") Club and Talking Bull, Graham Turner and Michael Roberts (ex Director of HUFC - who still has a £25k Bank guarantee in the Club). Press representation came from the Hereford Times, BBC Hereford and Worcester and Western Daily Press.

I don't intend to bore readers of this Newsletter with the details, of the full discussion but it is sufficient to say that it highlighted the uncertainties that exist concerning the exact state of the Club's finances and the deal done with the BS Group. The self same uncertainties that the meeting had been called to clarify! Whilst many opinions were expressed around the table, it was clear the nobody knows the exact detail except the Board and the BS Group themselves and they won't tell us. You have to wonder why don't you? The representatives of the Businessmen having had the opportunity to study the Club's books and the agreement with BS Group also know what the situation is but in view of the confidentiality agreements they were asked to sign are unable to divulge the full information.

Prior to the meeting, one of their group (Stephen Knights), wrote to us however and said that the key issue, in his view, was the undoing of the BS Group agreement, which is, in his words, "far too onerous" on the Club. It is fair to say that neither Mark or Alistair dissented from that view on the night - and don't forget they have all seen the details! As mentioned above the BS Group would appear to have no interest in withdrawing from their agreement. The obvious conclusion is that from their viewpoint, the deal done is a bloody good one! It perhaps is not that surprising therefore that PH is reluctant to talk to us about it!

Whilst much discussion took place at the Meeting, little of substance could be decided in view of the missing parties. It was obvious to all present that little real progress could be made without access to facts and that they could only be obtained from PH and the BS Group (given that the businessmen aren't allowed to tell us!). The evening concluded therefore with the general acceptance of an offer from Michael Roberts to attempt to broker a further meeting, between PH and the Board and the groups represented at the Green Dragon meeting. I'd like to say I am optimistic that PH will come to such a further meeting but frankly I am not.

It is typical that Peter Hill in making his excuses for not attending the Meeting should once again, prefer to characterise our criticism, as a personality issue and claim (without ever being specific of course) that we have slandered and libelled him. This is done of course simply to make it easier for him to deflect criticism and ignore real issues. In doing so he trivialises our complaints. That it is not true seems to have escaped him and for that matter, the local Press who seem to take an utterance from PH, as akin to one from the almighty! A bit of investigative journalism would not go amiss methinks.

HUISA members however should not to be fooled. At the end of the day it doesn't matter who's in charge at Edgar Street, or whether we have to relocate or not. All that matters is that whoever is in control, acts with the interests of the Football Club first and foremost. Whatever decisions that are taken must be for the benefits of the Football Club alone and should seek to secure the long term security of Hereford United - so that we have a (hopefully successful - at least every now and then) Football Team to go and watch for the next "X" number of years (until we are all pushing up the daisies).

Now it may be that PH and his Board are doing just that. Its just that his 20 year track record of abject failure, is not one which would justify giving him the benefit of any doubt. And there is amongst many (the majority I would say) just such real doubts. If he/they want to stay in charge therefore and set aside the doubts of supporters, then let them come clean and prove that they are acting in the Club's interests and that their plans do indeed put the Club first and seek to secure its future. Not too much to ask is it? And if they have nothing to hide, then why hide the details from Supporters???????

If they will not (cannot??) divulge their master plan and give us assurances about the future, security of the Club, over the coming months (and yes it could well be as short as that). HUISA cannot and will not stay silent, when there is any risk that our Club will not survive. Despite what PH might want you to believe it won't be curiosity that killed the Club - but apathy!!!!

Nov 26th:

FARNBOROUGH 2 Hereford United 1 (report compiled by Peter Povall)

What can I say, I didn't attend this Spalding Cup match and the only access to information about the game is an article in the mightly "Talking Bull", Hereford United's spendid fanzine.

The author of the article is Mike "GFB" Quarrell, and he spent three pages discussing the journey down there and the events of the night, with only two paragraphs even vaguly relating to game itself.

I understand that Neil Grayson's goal made the entire journey worthwile as he thundered home a shot from all of 25 yards out, into the top corner.

The Farnborough keeper is believed to have asked the United fans if they thought he should have saved the shot as he was going to get a bollocking from the manager anyway.

The Farnborough goals can both be attributed to keeper error, again. The first one was from a cross which DeBont failed to collect when he should have stayed on his line, and the second one also came from a cross where DeBont stayed on his line but should have come out to collect. Hindsight has always had 20:20 vision though.

United also managed to get a player sent off. Craig Mansell was the victim of the red card following two bookable offences. This was however, quite an acheivement, as he had only been brought on as a substitute 5 minutes earlier.

So Hereford finished the match and dropped out of the competition.

Nov 29th:

HEREFORD United 0 Dover 1 (report by Peter Povall)

After beating Brighton in the FA Cup, this match seemed meerly a formality, which as so often is the case, quickly leads to defeat.

Hereford produced a poor finishing performance at Edger Street today as they threw away another three points which they so desperatly need.

The story is a typical United one. Hereford held the majority of possession but failed to capitalise on their chances which, granted, were not littering the match, but were in enough abundance to seal the victory.

One of the better chances came when Murray Fishlock and Rob Warner combined well to get behind the Dover defence, allowing Fishlock to cross to Hargreaves, who failed to latch on to the ball with his head.

Dover's keeper also made a save at the feet of James McCue, pushing the ball out to Jamie Pitman whose shot was cleared from the line by Lee Palmer.

Dover never really threaten the United goal until the second half when Lee McRobert broke through the defence following a rare mistake by Gavin Mahon and hit what should have been a simple goal well wide.

He made amends for this just 4 minutes later though as a srappy play in the Hereford penalty area released the ball to him, which he powered in from 10 yards out.

Hereford upped the pressure at this point as they were again chasing a game they should have been winning. Dover started to feel the pressure as well, as players started to panick and play some very dubious football. One dodgy tackle resulted in Jake Leberl leaving for an early bath following a second bookable offence.

Just minutes later and United were given their greatest chance to level the match after Paul Wilson felled Gavin Mahon in the area. Mahon had been free-on-goal and the referee immediately pointed to the shot. Grayson stepped forward to take the penalty, but his powerful shot easily cleared the bar.

With just 10 minutes left, Dover bolstered their defence to what seemed to be all remaining 10 men and clung on to the win, leaving United to regret another poor show of finishing ability.