November 1998

November 7th:

FOR the singer Paul Young it was Wherever I Lay My Hat, but for Hereford United it's more a case of "wherever he lays his pat." From the man who gave us Steve Bull comes the conference club's one-ton mascot bull, who, it is hoped, will hit the target with all the unerring accuracy of the Tipton Terrier on 9 May next year.

Graham Turner, the former Wolves manager, and his staff have come up with a new fund-raising initiative whereby the Edgar Street pitch will be divided into square yards and Kudos Freetown, the club's prize bull, let loose on it to do his business. Tickets will be sold at £10 a time and the precise location of his first pat will mean a new car for someone.

HEREFORD United's young guns will have their sights on the Football League after a host of clubs declared their interest in four stars of the future.

Graham Turner revealed he has already turned down one offer from a Third Division club for an unnamed player, while a couple of Division One sides have inquired about taking players for training assessments.

The Bulls boss fully expects developments in the next few weeks - but he insisted the Conference club would not be giving away stars in the making like Gavin Williams, Gavin Mahon, Tony Lane and Chris James.

All four have been under the spotlight of scouts in recent matches.

The Bulls had to sell Richard Walker to Cheltenham to alleviate their cash crisis but Turner insists it will need a good offer to prise the youngsters away from Edgar Street.

"We are in a position now where we don't have to give away our young players cheaply," Turner told the Birmingham Post. "But I would expect at least one or two move in the next couple of weeks.

"Producing the odd player and selling them on is the lifeblood of clubs like ours."

Hereford's coffers have also been boosted after their 3-0 win at Stevenage Borough earned them the £250 prize for the Mail on Sunday's Performance of the Month for October.

November 7th:

LEEK 3 Hereford 2: (report complied by Peter Povall)

The Bulls travelled to Leek today, but came away empty handed as they failed to capitalise on their goal scoring opportunities again.

Leek were first off the mark when Tony Agana was denied by a deflection of the post which allowed Parker to pounce and score from all of a yard out.

United recovered quickly though and regained enough control to bring themselves level just three minutes later. Leek failed to clear the ball and Mark Druce beat Ingham with an excellent chip shot from 28 yards out.

The contest remained fairly equal for the remainder of the first half.

Following the break, Leek were quick to gain control when McAuley played a very nice one-two with Neil Ellis before racing into the Bulls penalty area before hammering past Jones.

With time drawing near, Leek clinched the game when Mike met a low cross from McAuley to score from six yards out.

Hereford battled hard towards the end and were rewarded with a very late goal when Leadbeater rose at the back post to meet a Mark Taylor cross.

November 11th:

YOUNG ace Gavin Mahon will next week complete a dream move into the Football League - and ensure cash-strapped Hereford United's immediate survival reports the Sports Argus.

The Bulls and Third Division title-chasers Brentford have agreed a £90,000 deal for the exciting front-runner and, with Brentford concentrating on the FA Cup this week, he is expected to sign after the weekend.

Hereford will receive £50,000 up-front plus another £40,000 based on first team games as well as a share of any sell-on fee.

But director of football Graham Turner had already been able to add to his own squad to sign midfielder Wayne Dyer from Walsall, while he is still tracking Hednesford Town fullback Kevin Collins.

Turner had last month been forced to sell Richard Walker to Cheltenham Town to pay imminent debts.

But he stresses that the Mahon deal is not only right financially for the Bulls - but also to further the career of a player he believes can play much higher still.

"From a financial point of view, we need the cash. The money will ease the pressure for the rest of the season," he said.

"But having persuaded Gavin to join us despite competition from Port Vale and Watford we've made it clear we've wanted to help him progress.

"It's important for Hereford that we build a reputation as a club that gives youngsters their chance and provides the platform for them to move.

"Gavin has done that. I wouldn't be surprised if he is at Brentford for a couple of seasons and then moves higher again."

Indeed First Division Norwich have been monitoring Mahon, and had wanted to take him for a trial spell.

Mahon had joined Hereford from Wolves after being freed in 1996. After making 12 appearances in his first season, he was an ever-present last term and ended as the supporters' player of the year.

Meanwhile, Dyer's arrival is likely to be the first of a couple of new additions as Turner looks to get the team back on the promotion track.

The 20-year-old former Blues trainee, who had been at Walsall at the start of the season, caught the eye in reserve action and Turner believes he could be one to watch.

Turner also has not given up hope that he can sign the experienced Collins from Hednesford. Though the Pitmen have given him a free transfer, league rules mean they can demand a fee if he moves to another Conference club.

Collins, who played for Hereford's reserves in midweek, is keen to join though Turner reiterated that they would not be able to afford to pay for the 34-year-old.

November 14th:

HEREFORD 2 Farnborough 0

NEW-signing Wayne Dyer made a dream debut for Hereford United when he scored their second goal within three minutes of making his debut.

Dyer substituted for injured United coach Keith Downing in the 86th minute and three minutes later he surged forward to score with a shot which beat keeper Stuart Mackenzie which went into the net off the foot of the post.

Dyer a former Birmingham City mid fielder joined The Bulls from Nuneaton on Friday.

He supplemented a 56 minute penalty by former Wolves striker Richard Leadbeater.

Bulls keeper Mark Jones only had one anxious moment. That came in the 22nd minute when he made a superb save to tip Keith Rowlands header over the bar.

In the second period Hereford made virtually all the running. Gavin Williams had two good chances. The first he headed over and the second he delayed his shot, which was deflected for a corner.

Evans was then out of luck again when he headed Mark Taylor's corner against a bar before Leadbeater and Dyer sealed victory for the home team.

November 21st:

HEREFORD United have not given up on bringing former Hednesford Town skipper Kevin Collins to the club on a permanent basis.

Hednesford have resolutely refused to release Collins' Conference registration unless the Bulls splash out a fee for the veteran full-back.

Conference rules permit clubs to ask cash even for non-contract players like Collins when another Conference outfit is involved but the Bulls say they have not got the money to spare to buy the 34 year-old.

Ironically, Collins, who had a testimonial at Hednesford last month after seven years at the club, has been able to play in the Bulls' last two reserve games and he was eligible for today's FA Umbro Trophy tie with Hitchin.

The impasse could be solved if the sides agree to a Conference tribunal, though Hereford could still be ordered to pay a fee if the panel decided.

"We would like to sign Kevin but we've yet to resolve the situation with Hednesford Town," added Bulls player-coach Keith Downing. "At the moment any transfer is still on hold."

Meanwhile, the Bulls are continuing to look at other options to strengthen their squad by looking at a number of trialists.

Oldbury United's young striker Andy Wright plus former Worcester City and Methyr Tydfil midfielder Mark Benbow figured in Wednesday's Central Conference clash with Rushden reserves.

But the game at Nene Park reminded recent Bulls signing Wayne Dyer of the highs and lows of football.

The former Blues, Walsall and Nuneaton midfielder marked his Hereford debut on Saturday with the clinching second goal in last week's win against Farnborough,

But a reckless challenge moments from the end of the reserves defeat at Rushden brought a red card and either a two or three game ban.

HEREFORD United 1 Hitchin 1 (report by Peter Povall)

Hitchin Town battled to the end today and gained a replay at home. A repeat of history on the cards? I hope not...

The visitors were the first to start and play some halfway decent football. With a very early move down the right wing, the ball was released square and Mark Jones was forced to make a diving save.

Hereford returned the attack though as Garry Cook shot just wide of the post from a great position.

Maintaining the pressure, United produced moments of good football and forward play but failed to produce the killer finish that it required to win games like this. Gavin Williams nodded the ball over from an excellent cross.

United gained a free-kick on their following assault. It wasn't taken that brilliantly and Hitchin cleared easily.

Their response to the pressure was outright attack. The thundered down the pitch, lobbing the ball infront of their forwards. Mark Taylor received it with a poorly directioned header. This dropped the ball perfectly for Hitchin's No.11 who hammered it past Jones with the ball just stroking the inside of the post.

Give United their due, they didn't give in. Another attacked forced Hitchin back into their own half and kept them there. During the next few minutes, United gained a corner which was headed over by Ian Wright. The also had another great chance from a Williams diving header inside the six yard box.

Hitchin did produce a couple of troublesome runs before the whistle blew for the break, but United provided most of the pressure in the closing minutes.

The second half showed that Graham Turner had probably used some choice words with the squad. They were obviously hungrey for a goal and piled on the pressure from the start.

Within a minutes Hereford gained a corner but this was poorly executed and gave Hitchin ample time to make a clearance.

Hereford gained another corner within a couple of minutes but a weak shot gave Hitchin's keeper an easy save. Moments later and a slightly more powerful shot is parried away.

United kept on though and were finally rewarded when a floater into the box was met by Ian Wright outside the six yard box. He headed straight back across the keeper and into the side netting for the equaliser.

Seconds later, Garry Cook was looking to extend a lead, but his shot turned just wide of the post.

The frustration then set in. United produced chance after chance but failed to put the finishing touch to any of them.

Stuart Evans headed over from a free header at the near post from a Taylor corner. The following Taylor corner was also cleared, but returned quickly from the midfield allowing Taylor to loft one into the box. Gavin Williams met it, sending it over the bar.

Leadbeater had a chance when he received the ball just outside the box, neatly turned on it, moved a pace to gain some power and sent the shot just wide of the woodwork.

The closing minutes were tense to say the least. Some excellent passing and positional play from United produced more chances but again without the killer finish.

Super-Sub Wayne Dyer had a shot which was lacking in power and was easily handled by the keeper.

What followed in the last 3 minutes was a series of some six United corners. The first five were well placed and driven on target forcing Hitchin's keeper to make some excellent diving saves and his defenders to clear off the line. Every one produced another corner with the referee looking at his watch.

The final corner was a little short. As soon as it was cleared from the box the referee blew-up.

Anything but a repeat of history will do nicely from here.

November 28th:

MATT Clarke today vowed to put a nine month injury nightmare behind him and prove his Conference class at Hereford United reports the Sports Argus.

The 24-year-old defender is delighted to have been handed the chance to revive his career in non-League's top flight after linking up with the Bulls on a free transfer from Kidderminster Harriers.

Twelve months ago, Clarke seemed to have taken the next step on the ladder into League football when he joined Harriers in a £10,000 move from Halesowen Town, marked down as Crewe-bound Marcus Bignot's successor.

But he managed 14 starts before being laid low by injury in February - and he hasn't played a first team game since.

He was due to make his Bulls debut today against Doncaster and he vowed: I want to make up for lost time.

"It's nine months since I last played in the Conference and the main thing is that I get back to playing regular football," said Clarke, who had fought back from a double hernia operation last season, only to suffer an ankle injury in pre-season.

"It's a great set-up at Kidderminster and I would have loved to stay there but I couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel.

"It's been very frustrating on the sidelines.

"But I still think I've got a lot to offer as a Conference player and I'm grateful that Graham Turner has given me a chance at Hereford.

"I'm confident in my ability that if I get that chance I will keep my place."

Hednesford, Telford and Halesowen Town had all been alerted when Clarke was given a free transfer but it was the link with Turner and Bulls chief scout Ron Jukes, who had taken him to Wolves as a trainee, that tipped the balance.

"I thought I might have had to drop down a level but it was very flattering that a few Conference clubs were interested in me," added Clarke.

"Having a taste of Conference football, I'm hungry for some more."

Jukes, who had spotted Clarke as a West Bromwich schoolboy, points out that Hereford will have more than one player in bringing him to Edgar Street.

While Clarke prefers a right-back role, he has figured as a central defender and can also slot into midfield.

"When you have a small squad, like we do you are always on the look-out for someone who can play in several positions," added Jukes. "Matt has got a versatility that will assist the squad.

"He's still got time on his side; he has got a degree of Conference experience and I'm sure he will do well."

But Hereford are still weighing up other new faces.

The Bulls are hoping to resolve the Kevin Collins saga in the next week, with a tribunal likely to resolve the fulack's proposed move from Hednesford Town.

And striker Nathan Peel, from Unibond One side Winsford United, has also impressed Hereford in two reserves team outings. The former Preston and Burnley man netted twice in the Central Conference win over Worcester.

November 28th:

HEREFORD United 1 Doncaster Rovers 0 (report by Peter Povall)

With good vocal support from the terraces and poor opposition on the field, Hereford made heavy weather of this match and still needed a penalty to break the deadlock.
This was even more surprising as Doncaster had been reduced to 10 men just minutes before the break.

The game started in scrappy fashion. School football came to find as the ball was hoofed into the air again and again. Scuffles below it, trying to receive the ball first.

Doncaster started the stronger of the two teams. Within 5 minutes they found themselves in a goalmouth struggle and eventually sent the ball wide of the post. Minutes later and they were back again for another try. This time the shot was powerful and turned just outside the post.

Doncasters pressure forced United's Mark Jones into making a high save. Jones actually dropped the ball but then fell upon it as if it were gold.

United did make some progress into Doncaster's half but they were having difficulties coming to terms with the off-side trap, which thwarted many United charges.

Their first real chance came after 20 minutes when Dyer beat a couple of defenders in the corner then sent a low cross across the area which Mark Druce fired well over the bar.

Maintaining their pressure though, and finding a way through the trap, Leabeater made an excellent run down the right wing and into the edge of the area. The then tried to cross the ball square to Dyer but it was intercepted and sent back out to Druce. Druce hit it straight back at goal, but the lack of power allowed it to waver off target. Dyer just wasn't quick enough to get back and simply turn the ball into the net.

With United now finding the gaps in Doncasters defence more easily, the game took a nasty turn.

The first of Doncasters six bookings was the result of an evil tackle by Simon Shaw. He frankly had no intention of playing the ball and dropped the man on the touch-line.

Following an excellent run from Leadbeater once again, he beat 4 men in the process, Mark Druce forced a corner. Taylor placed it about midway into the box and it was cleared with some ease.

The attacks Hereford produced also provided Doncaster with enough opportunities to gain some Yellow Cards. Usually for last man tackles.

Ian Rodgerson played a reasonable game and showed up just before the break when he produced a great cross to the back post. Dyer rose to meet it and fired a header straight at the keeper. A little more power or better placement would have produced the opener.

Doncaster were reduced to 10 men just 3 minutes before the break. Shaw produced another savage tackle, bringing down Leadbeater, right infront of the referee who went straight for his book. The Doncaster players crowded around them which resulted in Number 7 being booked for descent.

The second half started scrappy aswell. Doncaster were again first to provide pressure but United soon got a grip and held them at bay for the majority of the half.

The best chance Doncaster had came in the 71st minute when Ian Duerden beat his man and found himself in space with only the keeper to beat. He struck a great shot across the goal. Jones dived well right and parried the ball back into play. Ian Wright was first to it and cleared to the midfield.

With United back on top, Doncaster were starting to fold at the back. The loss of a defender and maybe the fear of another red card, with four yellow cards having been issued to the remaining players, United gained easier access to the Doncaster area. With just 12 minutes to play, another felling in the area gave United the break they needed.

With Mark Druce already substituted, Richard Leadbeater stepped forward to take the penalty. He stood at the edge of the area until the referee had calmed the players down and then moved forward to the spot. He calmly placed the ball, stepped away, waiting for the whistle, then drilled the ball into the top right corner.

The United fans went mad. The Doncaster fans tried a pitch invasion which thankfully failed.

United weren't out of the woods yet though. The closing five minutes saw the majority of play in United's last third of the pitch. Attack after attack came from Doncaster. Even their keeper came the full length of the pitch to get involved. Time after time United cleared to retain their narrow victory.

November 30th:

HITCHIN 2 Hereford United 1 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford crashed out of the FA Umbro Trophy when Ryman Division 1 side Hitchin came back from behind to record a shock win in a second-round replay on Monday.

With defender Chris Lane sent off for a second bookable offence just 16 minutes from the end, it was an unhappy night for the Bulls in a tie which was almost a carbon copy of Hereford's FA Cup defeat at the hands of Hitchin four year ago.

On that occasion Hereford looked on course for a win after scoring an early goal and they struck first on Monday after just four minutes when a Mark Taylor corner was powerfully headed home by Ian Wright.

Hereford continued to dominate and Gavin Williams was only denied by a diving block from keeper Darren Bonfield, while Stuart Evans' looping header just cleared the bar.

But Hitchin clawed their way back into the game and pulled level on 37 minutes. A free-kick from Tim Allpress fell to Rudi Hall whose shot cannoned off a post and Scott Cretton beat a slow defence to tuck home the loose ball.

Hereford held the edge at the start of the second half and Wright had a shot cleared off the line on 57 minutes before Bonfield saved his follow-up attempt.

A brave diving block from Mark Jones at the feet of Gary Dixon on the hour signalled a change in fortunes as Hitchin took a grip, Adam Parker forcing a save from Jones, while Zema Abbey narrowly touched a cross wide.

The Ryman League side finally went ahead on 71 minutes with a goal which begged plenty of questions about the Hereford defence. A Carl Williams cross into the box was touched on by Abbey and Dixon arrived at the far post to slide it home.

Dispirited by the goal, Hereford lost Lane three minutes later and Hitchin played out for a third round home clash with Enfield.