July 2nd:
THE Cardiff City friendly, scheduled to be played on July 18th, has been cancelled on police advice. The cancellation was originally revealed last week but only now has the reason been released.
Fans wanting to play in the HUISA XI vs Hereford United first team should contact the association as soon as possible. Bids of at least £40 are required to gain your place in the side, and should be sent to HUISA, PO BOX 1999, Hereford.
Finally, Phil Robinson will miss some of the pre-season games thnks to his injured wrist which has flared up. Whether he will require surgury is as yet unknown.
July 3rd:
BARNET's return to non-league football means a game at Edgar Street against Hereford United on Saturday, August 18th and the match will be the opener to the Conference season thanks to those lovely people at Sky Television.
The first live Conference game of the new season will be Hereford United vs Barnet with a noon kick-off on Sky Sports 1. The next live game is between Yeovil and Nuneaton on September 1st.
July 4th:
GRAHAM Turner has told the Evening News that he is pleased with the opening fixture to the season - a home match against Barnet. The game will be held on Saturday, August 18th and now has a 12pm kick off as it is to be screened live on Sky Sports 1.
"It's an excellent game and one we are very much looking forward to," said Turner.
July 5th:
AND then, there were five...!
The second pre-season friendly of the new season has been cancelled by the home side. After the police stepped in to prevent the Cardiff City match going ahead, the game at Tamworth on July 24th has also been cancelled. The reason - the Lambs are to play an Aston Villa side on the day before.
Perhaps the game could be rearranged for the Wednesday night?
July 6th:
MARK Williams has been signed from Division 1 new boys Rotherham. He has a good track record from being at Everton, Tranmere and Rochdale before joining Rotherham. He plays either centre back or right back and two 'Miller' sites have pointed out how he has not played much due to injury.
On the injury front Scott Cooksey and James Quiggin have both got to go under the knife before the start of the season. But both are expected to be ready for the Bristol City friendly.
July 7th:
PHIL Robinson's wrist injury is going to rule him out until October, but he still remains upbeat about Hereford's chances of the plays-off.
"I am sure if we can keep up there and with the support and atmosphere we get at Edgar Street that we have a chance of grabbing one of those five places," he told the Evening News.
He also points out the Trophy run was United's downfall in the league last time out. "At one point it was promising so much but I think the cup run detracted from our league form. We took the decision to rotate the squad to make sure legs were fresh for cup games but may be that backfired in the league form and we had a couple of dodgy results, lost confidence and had a bad patch."
He goes on to say how the play offs will help the Conference, "For a lot of clubs by Christmas the interest can have gone but with this fifth place it means any club from halfway in the league still has a chance of getting in there."
Phil has now finished his training for his UEFA A licence goes on to say, "It is an ambition of mine to stay in football in either the coaching or management side of it. I really enjoyed my first season as first team coach and am looking forward to getting stuck in and improving the team and working closely with Graham Turner."
July 9th:
GARETH Owen has turned down Edgar Street to join Doncaster Rovers, he also turned down Kidderminster, Bournemouth and Shrewsbury after leaving Wrexham. But this story comes from the Non League Paper, the same paper who said James Wall was on £600 a week with HUFC. This is just a little wrong when you think that HUFC's highest wage last season was Wright or Cooksey on £350 depending on bonuses. Also in this week's Non League Paper it has Graham Turner 33/1 for the sack (whats he going to do sack him self? I think not!) and they also say HUFC are bad value at 10/1 for promotion!!!! The final odds they gave were the FA Trophy with HUFC being 12/1 to win it.
July 10th:
Graham Turner has spoken on new signing Mark Williams, and here is what he told the Worcester Evening News: "He has a lot going for him and there is plenty of room for improvement, and Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore recommended him highly. He is a decent lad and is a player with potential. We had him watched in the reserves a couple of times last year, we met him recently and subsequently made him an offer which he accepted."
As the Pre-Season Friendly against Tamworth has been cancelled, Hereford have arranged a new friendly AWAY to Stourport on the 26th July.
July 12th:
THIS pre-season has to be one of the most boring ever despite all the wranglings between the Conference and the Football League writes Terry Goodwin. Don't ask me why it's been so boring - perhaps its because of no World Cup or European Championship, perhaps its because of a lack of transfer activity at Hereford United or perhaps its because the last two games to the season were so exciting it left me wanting more!
The squad is taking shape for next season but I think Mr. Turner still knows we could do with another defender after losing Sturgess, Wall and Gardiner to Stevenage, Nashville and Worcester respectively. True, Scott Goodwin has been brought in, but I still think one more defender is required for back-up. Also, Graham will be looking into signing up another couple of players to get through the gruelling season.
Then there's Scott Voice (yes, another Scott! That's three now!) who scored almost fifty goals last season for Bilston Town in the Western Division. I know it's two league below us now, but surely he can get a few next season. The attack looks pretty strong, assuming Voice does okay and Piearce manages to stay standing. Williams may slot back into midfield to accommodate people which may be no bad thing, and Elmes will be there, as always, using his physical presence and letting the others do the running!
So, to sum up the squad, the goalkeeper is fine, the defence needs more back-up, the midfield is looking good and the attack should be fine. Now Mr. Turner, we don't need to win the league but top five would be nice, and then perhaps consecutive victories in the play-offs? Who knows, it could happen.
July 13th:
IT has been reported by the BBC that the Conference plans for Play-Offs to decide promotion into Division 3 have been stop by the FA.
With the Conference Chairman voting 20:2 for the change in the league set-up to generate more money at the end of the season, the question is being asked should the FA really stop it? Or even allowed to stop it?
July 14th:
GRAHAM Turner has been talking more on new signing Mark Williams, and here is what he told the Worcester Evening News's Tony Moore:
"We had been looking for a central defender and needed a physical presence in the side. He is 6ft 2in, weighs 14 stone and will be pushing for a place in the centre of the defence. He has been recommended by Rotherham's manager Ronnie Moore, who has let him go because he is looking to make room for more quality players."
Tony Moore also mention that Tony James and Ian Wright are consider the best defensive partnership in the Conference!
July 16th:
WITH the FA stopping the new play-off plans for the Conference, Graham Turner told the Evening News his thoughts of the rejection:
"I think it is a devastating blow to the Conference. I have not heard of one single reason why the FA have rejected it or any logical explanation why they should, particularly when all the clubs want it. The play-offs would have made the league stronger and given supporters more interest for a longer period of time."
Other news: Stourport friendly date is still unclear.
July 17th:
THE Stourport friendly will take place on Thursday July 26th.
July 18th:
TERRY Goodwin looks forward to the coming season.
The fixture list has been out for a couple of weeks now and I would have thought the most interested Hereford United fans have planning which away trips to make next season. Obviously, the most commited just say 'All of 'em!' but in practice it's not always possible to make every match but we all try our best!
So far, I can see two 'problems' from a personal point of view; the first being on September 11th when we are away at Dagenham on a Tuesday night. There is no way (at the moment) that I can see myself making the trip to Essex from the depths of Herefordshire for a football match on a Tuesday night in September, so if anyone wants to write a report on that one, you know where to come!
Otherwise, any other far-flung matches on midweek evenings cause problems. The fixture list isn't too bad as there are only two scheduled midweek away matches - Dagenham and the trip to Nuneaton. Otherwise, we have home matches on Tuesday nights against Farnborough Town, Chester City and Forest Green Rovers. We start at home to newly-relegated Barnet.
Personally, I enjoy my trips to the seaside resorts and this season, we have five to visit! The regular trips to Scarborough, Morecambe, Southport and Dover, and also a new one to Margate (formerly Thanet United). We should have a nice day if the sun holds out on September 1st (Margate) and 15th September (Morecambe), but expect it to be slightly colder when we go to Scarborough (31st March) and Dover Athletic (16th March). The trip I am not looking forward to is the trip to Southport in January (26th) when it's sure to be cold, wet and windy!
Anyway, there's the new Christmas double-header to look forward to! After four years of Kidderminster and then Chester last year, the relegation of Hednesford has meant the club closest geographically to Edgar Street will host and visit over the New Year period. We go to Telford United on Boxing Day, with the return match on New Years Day. The other period to look out for is February/March when we go to Boston, and then host Chester, Yeovil and Dagenham within the period of a month. Those games could be vital in deciding which direction our season goes.
Finally, we end at Stevenage Borough, my pre-season tips for promotion. By then, hopefully we will be securely positioned in the play-off zone and look to extend the season by another week or so. It looks like only time will tell - but I'll be there all the way.
July 19th:
THREE of HUFC players have been hit with injury and look like there to miss the Stourport friendly. Striker Steve Piearce - calf, Tony James - back and John Shirley - ankle.
GT has been giving more views of the further rejection that the Conference has had:
"It's an absolutely ludicrous situation and I cannot think of one good reason why the proposal was rejected. Sky television was going to screen live coverage of the play-offs, and sponsors wanted to put some money it. I could understand the Football League rejecting it, but I did not think that FA would tell us it was not possible. It's a devastating blow to the Conference. The sanctioning committee's decision was outrageous and I hope that common sense prevails. For some clubs the season can be over by March, and the idea would attract a lot more supporters to Conference grounds each week. The FA claim to look after grass roots football but they could do a lot more for smaller clubs."
July 24th:
THE official website (www.herefordunited.co.uk) has revealed the attractions on offer at the Open Day on Sunday, 29th July at Edgar Street. Kick off is at midday, and here's the attractions list:
LAUNCH OF NEW AWAY SHIRTS - ON SALE - £35 ADULT - £27 CHILD
COME AND JOIN IN A FITNESS SESSION WITH TONY FORD (HUFC’s fitness coach) & PLAYERS
COMPETITIONS
STALLS
PENALTY SHOOT-OUT WITH HUFC PLAYERS
SKI RUN
BOUNCY CASTLE
SALE OF PLAYERS KIT
REFRESHMENTS & B-B-Q
CLUB SHOP OPEN
MANCHESTER UNITED X1 TICKETS ON SALE
SEASON TICKETS, JUNIOR BULL AND BULLS MEMBERSHIPS ALSO AVAILABLE.
So, come along and have a fun day out!
Meanwhile, the FA has rejected finally the plans for play-offs from the Conference for next season. After a meeting the FA threw out the proposal to decide the only promotion place.
A statement from the Nationwide Conference read: "Members clubs are bitterly disappointed that once again they are unable to control their own competition with the intervention of the governing body of football. The board of directors and member clubs will now discuss the implications of the FA's decisions at meetings to be held in the immediate future."
Nationwide Conference chief executive John Moules told BBC Radio Five Live: "Football is about principals and the FA is telling us that champion clubs should always be promoted. We quite agree with that, but when you only have one place for going up that makes it very difficult for the competition to last the full nine months of the season.
"We are probably the most sanctioned competition under the FA. We're only allowed one up but we have to relegated three clubs. What we're trying to do is to take the national game forward but with only 22 voices to be heard, it's very difficult," he added.
July 25th:
HEREFORD United fans face a dilemma tomorrow night - attending the vital fans forum at Edgar Street or watch the Bulls in action at Stourport.
Herefordshire councillor Terry James and MP Paul Keetch are expected to be present at the HUISA fans forum in Legends Bar to answer questions regarding the redevelopment of the Edgar Street area. It is vitally important that United fans turn out to show their support and ask questions of the two.
Also, the first team have a friendly at Walshes Meadow, Stourport, kicking off at 7.45. A small travelling contingent is expected.
July 26th:
The Birmingham Post reports that the Hereford United Independent Supporters Association are to mount a protest against the Football Association at the Bulls opening Nationwide Conference match against Barnet at Edgar Street on August 18.
The fans are angry that the FA has vetoed the proposed play-off system for promotion to the Football League which was agreed at the Nationwide Conference's annual general meeting last month.
Hereford's match against Barnet is being shown live on Sky Sports and the supporters will be asked to hold red cards aloft in front of the cameras to protest against the FA's decision.
Tonight, Hereford play the first of their pre-season games when they visit Dr Martens League new boys, Stourport Swifts.
THE Hereford Journal has revealed a plan to rebuilt the supporters club at Edgar Street, with a sponsors, community and conference suite on the site of the old burnt-out club.
Edgar Street leaseholders the BS Group and Chelverton will release £20,000 of the £100,000 available to reinstate the old club, destroyed in a fire in 1995, to enable United`s plans to go ahead.
"We have an approved business plan to build a suite for use by sponsors and as a classroom for training by school and college footballers, as well as by the community sports officer and businesses", said United chairman and director of football Graham Turner.
HEREFORD United Independent Supporters Association (HUISA) chairman Kevin Wargen has written the following letter to the Hereford Times asking for support for the two-up, two-down campaign.
MADAM, Your editorial column was spot on this week calling for non-league club supporters to rally round in the support of the play-offs system.
This, of course, is not the only kick in the teeth the clubs have faced this summer, the greed of the third division chairman put paid to the second promotion place into the league.
The argument put forward by the league clubs as to players contracts still needing to be honoured even if a club is relagated is a fair point, so with all the money the Football Association has available, why don't they step in and put some money towards the parachute payments.
Only this week through my letter box comes detials of Sky's box office football coverage costing me another £50 per season, on top of the £30 odd per month I already pay. They must be joking!
Of course this has meant even more money for the FA. They seem to have the ability to find money to construct super-duper stadiums in London which most supporters do not want.
What we want is a stadium such as the Millennium Stadium but built at Birmingham, central of most of the country. The FA are only intrested in the Premier League, not football at grass roots level.
It is now time to show the Third Division chairman and the FA that the Conference will not go away. The committee setup to negotiate the deal with the Football League has failed so now it is up to the supporters to show the way and get fully involved in keeping up the pressure on the FA all season long.
We know the Conference committee want to keep the issue low-key for a while so to that end we will not embarass the Football League clubs by using any of their facilities while the Sky cameras are here for our opening fixture.
HUISA have two advertising boards in the ground so we will put up a banner on each one - 'save the Conference two' or 'justice for the Conference'.
I have emailed the chairman of the Barnet Supporters to ask them to bring a banner to put up in the away end.
I am appealing for supporters to help HUISA put United's case by making placards or carrying banners past Sky coaches to bring it to their attention.
If anyone is going to the England games over the next couple of months, please take a banner or placard.
We have other ideas which will release the press, both local and national, nearer the time.
We need to have our voices heard on national and local sport phone-ins quoting the injustice of the league structure.
The play-offs within the Conference were not to everyone's liking but it would have meant a lot more income to the top 10 clubs right into April and the season not over at Christmas for the majority of the clubs.
Our club needs more revenue through the turnstiles and this the was a way in which we should have been able to achieve this.
The HUISA committee asks all supporters of the club to get behind this campaign and get justice the Conference deserves.
If you need any motivation, listen to the remarks of the Celtenham chairman after the vote was take, I quote: " The Conference are lucky to have one place let alone two."
This from a club that was non-league up until two years ago.
Thankfully Rushden didn't forget their roots.
TONIGHT's game against Stourport Swifts at Walshes Meadow will see several traillists in action for Hereford United, according to today's Hereford Times.
Bilston Town midfielder Leon Jackson should start for Hereford, as could Jamie Mills of Swindon Town, Shaun Berry, released by Sheffield United, and Nick Plotnek. Plotnek, a full-back, played once for Hereford's first team last season coming on as a substitute for Paul Sturgess for fifteen minutes against Kingstonian last April, and was named on the bench on several other occasions. He played for the youth team at North Birmingham college.
Scott Cooksey will be out after his recent wrist operation, so Matt Baker will deputise, and John Shirley has an ankle problem. Club captain Ian Wright and Matt Clarke should play after niggles, but Steve Piearce is out. Paul Parry (knee) and Tony James (lower back) are doubtful.
"One or two players have got a few injury problems but they are mostly minor knocks," said Graham Turner to the Evening News. "But if they are not fully fit they won't play against Swifts or Bristol City on Saturday."
On new signings Scott Voice, Scott Goodwin and Mark Williams, Turner said: "They've all settled in well and should play although Goodwin has had a week's illness so he will have to catch up."
Swifts have a full squad who will all get games including new signings Adam Nicholls, former United man Quentin Townsend, David Davies, Asa Charlton and Willie Dunn.
There will be a report on the Stourport Swifts match, and also on events at tonight's fans' forum at Edgar Street, later this evening.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Hereford United youth team have received a home draw in the first round of the Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup. Mile Oak will face United, but whether the game will be played at North Birmingham College or at Edgar Street is as yet unclear. Local Herefordshire teams Wellington, Bromyard Town and Pegasus Juniors are also in the first round draw.
HEREFORD United played their first friendly of the new season tonight, away at Stourport Swifts. United won 2-0, with a goal from Danny Davidson, a big striker from Burton Albion, midway through the first half and a penalty from Gavin Williams five minutes into the second. Hopefully, I'll get a full report for you tomorrow (perhaps!).
Regarding tonight's fans forum, perhaps something was expected to be announced but further information was not forthcoming. I was at the forum so will provide a full report tomorrow but it appears that whilst little progress has been made over the past two years, the club is at the heart of the development. However, it is just a small piece of an overall development which includes the cattle market, the Edgar Street area and a larger site amounting to around fifty acres of land.
July 27th:
STOURPORT Swifts 0 - 2 Hereford United
As neither webmaster was able to make it to Walshes Meadow, due to the fans' forum with Terry James and Paul Keetch in Legends, the following report is taken from the Worcester Evening News.
GIANT striker Daniel Davidson proved too hot to handle as he inspired Hereford United to a 2-0 victory at Stourport Swifts.
The former Leek Town forward, on trial with the Edgar Street club, showed some excellent skill in a side with seven new faces in the starting line-up.
He opened the scoring on 27 minutes, collecting a pass from Ian Rodgerson before jinking his way past two defenders and placing his shot beyond the reach of Swifts keeper Derek Dudley.
Earlier, defender John Snape headed just over the Swifts bar while the nippy Jamie Hart fired over at the other end on 18 minutes.
Seconds after Davidson's opener, new signing Scott Voice missed a glorious chance to double the Hereford lead, pouncing on a miscued Jan Mulders clearance only to steer a shot wide from 10 yards. Stourport's best chance of an entertaining opening half fell to new signing Adam Nicholls on the half-hour but he glanced a header wide from in front of goal.
Five minutes into the second half Davidson was again involved, this time being hauled to the floor by Paul Mountford. The Bulls were awarded a penalty and substitute Gavin Williams made no mistake from the spot much to the delight of the good-sized Hereford following.
Of Hereford's other new faces, triallist Jake Sedgemore caught the eye in defence while summer signings Asa Charlton and Willie Dunn impressed for Swifts.
LAST night's HUISA fans forum at Edgar Street saw Hereford MP Paul Keetch and City Council Leader Terry James answer questions about the redevelopment of the Edgar Street area and the future of Hereford United. The general concensus at the start was that little progress had been made in the last two years, but particularly from James, it is clear that there have been further discussions regarding the possible out-of-town relocation of the cattle market and possible development.
The meeting started with Paul Keetch displaying his utter disappointment at the failure for the Conference to achieve a second promotion place to the Football League. He said that he had supported the motion as did the former sports minister, Kate Hoey.
As the forum progressed, it was evident that the redevelopment of the Edgar Street area would indeed include Hereford United Football Club remaining in the city centre, and also that the new development could house leisure facilities, a tourist attraction and a central county council building, instead of the current nineteen offices dotted around the area. The whole site should be classed as one development opportunity, not several small ones.
However, the football club is just a small pawn in the overall development and the public must be persuaded that the idea for development is to include something for them. Plans that were released in the Hereford Times some two years ago were rejected by Terry James as rubbish after being presented to him by a supporter, and not official at all. He said that they were made up to fill a space in the paper.
The redevelopment should be seen as an opportunity for Hereford, according to Keetch, to catch-up with the likes of Cheltenham and Worcester, who draw people out of the Hereford area. Whatever happens, it now seems as if United will stay at Edgar Street and, with help of development companies and the council, their debts could be cleared.
Terry James told the forum, as he had done many times to Graham Turner, that it was lucky that Edgar Street didn't belong to the club. Had it been owned by the club, Hereford United would be history because the creditors would have taken the money and run.
However, James did say that due to the law, the council cannot pay off the debts of United as it is a private company, but can help the club by redeveloping the stadium and also asking the developers to drop the money owed to them as part of a much bigger project. However, he refuted claims that a supermarket would be built on the site, as there were enough in the town already and it wouldn't be in the public interest.
Fans said that James had come to a similar forum two years ago and said exactly the same thing, but he responded in saying progress had been made. There were no solid plans, but he wanted to hold a competition to design the area so people could decide what they wanted in the area. Within a year, James hoped that the whole plan would be finalised.
Keetch responded to a point that little had been done over the last two years by outlining the size of the project, and then satisfying the farmers who didn't want the market moved out of town. He then said that farming brings in more money to the area than Hereford United ever does, and implied that the market was more important than the football club. At the end of the meeting, a farmer told Keetch that the market should be moved as it was outdated and congested in the city centre.
The harsh reality of the United situation was outlined when the two speakers told that there are developers waiting for Hereford United to fold, and whilst there is still a football club, the council's redevelopment plans are the only option.
Unfortunately, Keetch dropped himself in it when a supporter underlined the importance of Hereford United to the city - not only through its cup runs but also by quoting that Hereford United have more supporters per person in their hometown than any other football club in Britain. Instead of playing up the comment, Keetch said that it didn't show up very well for British football.
Overall, most will agree that whilst little progress was made on the night, the situation of what is to happen and the councils plans are clearer than what they were. However, with the clock ticking down to 2003, everyone will be hoping that the council can present some solid plans - soon.
Hereford United fans should now publicly support the council in the development.
DANNY Wilson, the Bristol City manager, is to face a tough game in high temperatures tomorrow at Edgar Street. The man who took Barnsley to the Premiership is now manager at Ashton Gate and United coach Phil Robinson will not be underestimating the size of the opposition.
"It will be a hell of a test, Bristol City are a very strong team," he said. "Danny Wilson's teams are always good footballing teams that keep possession. It looks like it will be a very hot day so it will be physically demanding as well."
United's team news includes a fitness test for trialist Daniel Davidson, who picked up a knock against Stourport. Fellow trialists Jamie Mills from Swindon Town, Sean Berry, formerly of Sheffield United and Nick Plotnek plus Bilston Town's highly rated midfielder, Leon Jackson, could all play a part in tomorrow's game.
July 28th:
DANNY Davidson, a striker on-trial from Leek Town, and his fellow trialists, will be hoping impress Graham Turner today in an attempt to secure permanent contracts at United. Bristol City are the visitors to Edgar Street in the latest pre-season friendly match for the Bulls.
Player-coach Phil Robinson has said that the trialists will not be judged over one match and will have several chances to prove themselves. He told the Evening News: "The Stourport match was the first game for everybody but they won't just be judged on the 45 minutes which most of the lads had. We have got a few games coming up and the majority of the trialists are training with us as well and we are going to wait to look at them over a few games before we make any decisions."
The three new signings - Scott Voice, Scott Goodwin and Mark Williams - will make their home debuts and Robinson said: "They have all settled in really well and are still getting introduced to the way we play but on their showing from 45 minutes against Swifts, they look to have taken everything on board."
Hereford United 0 - 1 Bristol City
Second Division side Bristol City were the first visitors at Edgar Street for 2001/02, in a pre-season friendly match. Hereford United were to name a varied team with several trialists in the squad, whilst Bristol City's travelling playing staff totalled twenty four. The hot, muggy conditions and hard pitch ensured that there would be plenty of substitutions and a physically demanding game in store.
Hereford lined up with just three new players from last season's squad in the first eleven. Matt Baker started in goal due to an injury to Scott Cooksey, whilst on-trial James Mills started alongside John Snape in midfield. New signing Mark Williams from Rotherham was named with Ian Wright in the centre of defence, whilst Scott Goodwin played at left back. Jimmy Quiggin partnered Gavin Williams in attack. Bristol City's new signing Mike Stowell, a goalkeeper from Wolves, made his debut and the highly rated Tony Thorpe played the whole game in attack. Left back Mickey Bell was another 'one to watch'.
The game started with City attacking the United goal, but over the whole ninety minutes Matt Baker played superbly to keep the Division Two side at bay. As early as the third minute, Louis Carey had an effort headed off the line by Goodwin after an excellent stop from Baker. Goodwin looked to be settling in well with a good tackle and plenty of fight in him, whilst John Snape's stamina over the ninety minutes couldn't be faulted.
United had their first effort on ten minutes after Jimmy Quiggin was tackled in the area. His striker-role didn't suit him and he should revert to midfield once the season starts. Jamie Mills got onto the clearance and hit a long shot into the arms of the travelling goalkeeper.
City came out and continued to attack, having one shot go weakly wide whilst another headed just over. United kept their pressure up too though, with a Gavin Williams header well saved on twenty minutes. New signing Mark Williams had an average game, and saved United on once occasion when clearing after a good run by the City right winger, but Jamie Mills showed little to urge Graham Turner to sign him on permenant forms.
United should have taken the lead on the half hour when Quiggin received the ball inside the box. However, he hesitated before the goalie stole the ball from his feet, much to the disappointment of the home crowd. Quiggin was removed soon after, and replaced by on-trial Christian James from Swansea. It is thought that he suffered a reaction to his recent hernia operation. A minute later, Paul Parry hit over from thirty yards but the defence was too open. Ian Wright swapped with Jake Sedgemore, another trialist, but Tony Thorpe had two good chances before the break which Baker saved excellently.
Matt Clarke's performance warrents a special mention over the afternoon until he was replaced by Leon Jackson from Bilston, and Christian James had the ball taken from his feet when six yards out soon after. With twenty minutes of the half gone, Mark Williams headed just over from a corner six minutes before Tony Thorpe headed over Baker's bar.
With fifteen minutes left, Gavin Williams showed a moment of magic as he passed a couple of defenders before crossing from the byline, but the goalkeeper came and held the effort. Matt Baker then remained in top form to somehow keep City's attackers at bay, but the killer goal came in injury time. From the edge of the box, Greg Goodridge, who had come on as a substitute, hit a strong shot past Baker and deep into the net. He received the ball following a good run from Kevin Amankwaah.
So, a disappointing result by the performance was encouraging. Some of the trialists don't look up to much, but the full time signings made by Herreford United did appear to look more impressive on this occasion. An attendance of 917 turned out, including a good 150 from Bristol. Despite his great performance, Gavin Williams couldn't shake off the Matt Baker challenge for man-of-the-match.
Team: Matthew Baker Matt Clarke Scott Goodwin Jamie Mills Ian Wright (captain) Mark Williams Ian Rodgerson John Snape Jimmy Quiggin Gavin Williams Paul Parry
Subs: Jake Sedgemore (on, 37 minutes) Leon Jackson (on, 60 minutes) Christian James (on, 35 minutes) Shaun Derry (on, 66 minutes)
July 29th:
NOW is your chance to get your mitts on a minimum first week JACKPOT of £200 by entering the GoalRush competition at www.goalrush.co.uk.
Go to the website, read the details, print off the entry form and send your entry in NOW!
Who will win the first JACKPOT?
Will there be a JACKPOT ROLL-OVER?
Will Margate be a higher scoring team than Man U?
Who knows?
Who cares?
You will!
COME ON, HAVE A GO.
GET YOUR QUIDS OUT FOR THE LADS!
All proceeds to Hereford United Football Club. Should you have any queries please email query@goalrush.co.uk
Written by the Goalrush team, 29th July 2001.
DESPITE a slightly lower turnout at this year's Hereford United Open Day, the club will deem the afternoon a success following hot, sunny weather and fun had by all.
There was the hot-dog stall and ice cream van, old kit on sale, golfing and penalty shootouts and the launch of Goalrush (see news article dated 29/7/01). The brand new away kit was unveiled whilst there were several competitions taking place in various areas of the ground.
July 30th:
ACTING Bristol City boss Frank Barlow told of his personal satisfaction gained from Saturday's 1-0 victory over Hereford United to the Western Daily Press.
"We have been very pleased with the fitness and attitude of the players throughout the training and the workout today," he said. "Also a special mention for the supporters who could have done other things today but have supported us well."
Hereford manager Graham Turner said: "I think with a few of our more experienced players we could have given City a closer game." Matt Baker stood in in goal for the injured Scott Cooksey, and Turner commented: "He’ll certainly gain in confidence from that performance."
July 31st:
TONIGHT's match sees Hereford make the trip to Boldmere St. Michaels, but the next home friendly is on Saturday as a Manchester United XI travel to Edgar Street.
It appears that despite the 'big names' not being present, the Premiership champions should bring a squad with them that has experience and youth and European and international level. Major first teamers such as Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Ryan Giggs will not feature as they are to play in Man. United's game at Wrexham on the same day. However, new signing Roy Carroll, a £2.5 million signing from Wigan Athletic, could start in goal. The Northern Ireland international made his debut in United XI's 3-2 win over Sheffield FC last night.
Other players named in the Manchester United team include Nicky Culkin, a goalkeeper who originally started out with York City, Michael Clegg, the England under-21 international, Irish defender John O'Shea, David May, who moved from Blackburn for £1.6 million seven years ago and Mark Wilson, who had a successful loan spell with Wrexham.
Hereford should name an almost fit squad, with Phil Robinson, Scott Cooksey and Steve Piearce likely to be absent. However, trialist Danny Davidson and striker Scott Voice should play for the first time in from of the Edgar Street crowd.
Scott Voice missed out with a slight hip injury, whilst coach Steve Bull hasn't been seen. Turner said: "Bully has been looking for paid employment. I don’t know what’s come up for him and at the moment I don’t know whether he’ll be here for the coming season or not."
JAMIE Mills, the trialist from Swindon Town, will not be offered a contract with the club after playing twice, according to the Evening News. He failed to impress Graham Turner and has moved on.
Tonight's game at Boldmere will see a Hereford United side without Ian Wright, Matt Clarke, Scott Voice and Steve Piearce. However, Tony James will return to partner Mark Williams in the centre of defence whilst Jimmy Quiggin should feature.
"Quiggin was withdrawn as a precautionary measure and we hope he will play some part in the match tonight," said Graham Turner, the Hereford United director of football.
July 31st:
BOLDMERE St. Michaels 1 - 4 Hereford United
Boldmere's Church Road was the setting for Hereford United's third pre-season friendly, following one win and one defeat so far.
And Rob Elmes scored against his old club to help United make it played three, won two, lost one in a space of under a week. The local Sutton Coldfield schoolteacher will have been pleased to net his first goal in his first game of the pre-season campaign.
For the match, United were without Steve Piearce, Scott Cooksey, Phil Robinson, Matt Clarke and Ian Wright, whilst Jimmy Quiggin hadn't recovered enough from his recent operation to play.
The first goal came after five minutes when Paul Parry received a ball from the Boldmere goalkeeper after he spilled an effort from on-trial former Leek Town striker Danny Davidson, and Parry was on-hand to put United 1-0 up.
Half an hour was on the clock when Rob Elmes, playing his first pre-season match since returning from holiday, doubled the score. Scorer turned provider as Paul Parry swung in a perfect cross for Elmes to net one of his trademark headers.
The second half arrived with four changes being made for United, with all four substitutes coming on. Two of them managed to add to the score as they turned out an impressive display.
Gavin Williams made it 3-0 just a couple of minutes after the restart. A cross came in from the wing and Danny Davidson did the hard work with a good header down. Gavin Williams was then on hand to volley in from seven yards out, giving the goalkeeper now chance.
If the United faithful thought that goal was good, they were delighted with the fourth. Recent signing Scott Goodwin, of Hednesford, passed a couple of defenders before hitting a sweet curling shot into the top right corner of the net.
Shaun Derry could have made it 5-0 with a few minutes left but the Boldmere goalkeeper did well to push his shot from just outside the box onto the crossbar.
United were comfortable at 4-0, and it was a bit of a shame when on-trial Nick Plotnek hand balled when sliding in the area, and Matt Baker went the wrong way from the resulting penalty shootout. Nevertheless the crowd which amounted to about 250 will be pleased with the footballing show on offer, and the small United travelling contingent will have gone home happy.
Boldmere were not as impressive as expected but it gave the trialists to show off what they're capable of. No one failed to impress with Derry and Jackson impressing, and also the performance of Rob Elmes was good to see considering it was his first match of the season.
Team: Matt Baker Jake Sedgemore Christian James Mark Williams Tony James John Snape (captain) Shaun Derry Paul Parry Danny Davidson Robin Elmes Leon Jackson
Subs: Gavin Williams (on, half time) Scott Goodwin (on, half time) Ian Rodgerson (on, half time) Nick Plotnek (on, half time)
