Curzon v Hereford - First Half Pictures

A selection of pictures from the first half of yesterday's game at Curzon Ashton.

 

Match Report: Curzon Ashton v Hereford

Hereford Captain Lewis Hudson Opened The Scoring

Hereford are now 23rd in National League North following their latest defeat, 2-1 at Curzon Ashton. Things are looking pretty grim at the moment, although as everyone keeps pointing out, we have 5,6, or even 7 games in hand on the teams above us. That, however, is no substitute for points, and the two games a week schedule for the rest of the season will test the stamina and durability of the players to the limit.

It wasn’t all bad at Curzon, in fact the Bulls played some good football in patches and had the upper hand at times, but were unable to turn that into goals, whereas the home team’s second goal resulted from a period of sustained pressure which the Bulls finally caved in to.

One bright spot was the performance of the young loan players from Villa and Forest, in particular Cormac Daly whose pace and control was frequently too much for the home defence, operating on the left wing in the first half, switching to the other flank for a period in the second.

The Bulls lined up with Richardson in goal as always, with Skinner, Quansah, Roberts and Hudson the back four. Mafuta, Martin and Hamilton in what I suppose you could describe as the 6, 8, and 10 roles respectively. Andy Williams the central striker with Donowa and Daly wide right and left.

The Bulls have made a habit of conceding early this season, but on this occasion they took an early lead. An excellent through ball from Hamilton connected with Hudson’s run into the box – his first touch took the ball round the keeper leaving him a tap in for a ninth minute lead. 

The lead only lasted for four minutes until Darby was given far too much space and time and scored with a low shot from outside the area with Theo seemingly flat footed – was he unsighted?

The game then went through a fairly flat period before the Bulls started to put some better moves together, and Daly was proving a handful for the home defence – once he gets settled into the team, and perhaps improves his decision making he could be a real asset.

Cormac Daly

I re-read my report on last season’s match. In that I described Curzon’s captain Spencer as “knowing all the tricks”. So it was this time, he spent most of his time whinging and moaning at the ref, and collapsing in a heap on the floor. He received a yellow shortly before halftime for protesting at the ref not awarding a free kick despite the assistant flagging for it.

The half finished with scores even. Hereford finished strongly but without really testing the home keeper.

Half time: Curzon Ashton 1 Hereford FC 1

The second half started with a period of dominance by the home side. Richardson took a knock saving at the feet of a Nash attacker as he raced onto a through ball. Shortly after, a cross/shot from Richards clipped the Hereford crossbar, and in the 60th minute Curzon predictably took the lead. A corner from their right caused chaos in the Bulls defence before it was eventually fired home by centre back Amado.

On 67 minutes Yaya and Pavey came on to replace Martin and Donawa. Donowa I thought looked sharp and had an eye for an opening without ever receiving the ball quickly enough to make an impact. Yaya looked solid and composed, Pavey took a while to get into the game but then had three attempts on goal and looks promising.

The Bulls pushed hard for an equaliser. Daly created a couple of chances with low balls across the face of the home goal with no-one able to finish them off. Mufata was replaced by Rooney to boost the attack, and he came close with a low shot. Skinner’s powerful volley was heading for the top corner but was denied by a fine save by Hawkins. The Bulls kept pressing but just came up short of rescuing a point.

Full time: Curzon Ashton 2 Hereford FC 1

The Teams

Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Quansah, Roberts, Hudson, Hamilton, Mafuta, Martin, Donawa, Daly, Williams

Subs: Lewis, Preston, Rooney, Howkins, Cisse, Yaya, Pavey

Curzon Ashton: Hawkins, Amado, Stobbs, Curran, Spencer, T. Weston, C. Weston, Darby, Richards, Barton, Ezennolim

Subs: Sobowale, Stokes, Ollerenshaw, Holmes, Flannery, Welsh

Another disappointment, but the three young loan players all look to have potential, and given that they’ve probably only one training session so far will make a bigger impact once they’re properly integrated into the team.

From where I was sitting I could see Caddis’s touchline behaviour clearly. He was in the fourth official’s ear relentlessly from the first minute. I don’t know if he just can’t help himself or whether it’s a calculated attempt to influence the outcome of the game, but I don’t know how it benefits the team. It’s certainly not hard to see how he picks up yellow cards.

There’s much talk of how Caddis is working to strengthen the squad, and with Campbell’s departure we must improve the attacking options. Willo’s demeanour seems to be one of constant frustration, arms spread wide in exasperated gestures. It seems to have been the case all season that we have a single striker who always looks isolated.

Finally, the pie report. Possibly the worst pie I’ve ever had at a football match. Or anywhere else come to that. The only choice I was offered was a cheese and onion pie that looked like it had been squashed and then the top burnt. I had one bite and gave it back. One out of ten and that’s being generous.

Harwood Bull

Hudson Scored For Hereford At Curzon

Ten minutes into this afternoon's National North League game at Curzon Ashton, Lewis Hudson put Hereford into the lead after being fed by Harley Hamilton.

Another game postponed - but it might not be as bad as you think

Hereford have had another game postponed due to Marine's progress in the FA Trophy.

The Merseyside side beat higher-graded Tamworth on penalties to reach the quarter finals.

That match will be played on February 28 - the same day Marine are due to host Hereford. With the Trophy taking priority, it means the game will have to be rearranged. However, Hereford may be able to play Alfreton away on that day.

At the moment, they are set to play on Tuesday, March 17. However, the Derbyshire side will also have a free day on February 28 due to their opponents, Southport, also still being in the Trophy.

Therefore, you would think Hereford and Alfreton will try and bring their game forward. 

Caddis's brief answer when asked about Campbell sale

Paul Caddis has described Remaye Campbell as a brilliant human being

Hereford boss Paul Caddis has said he won't add to the chairman's statement after Remaye Campbell joined Hemel Hempstead Town for an undisclosed fee.

On Friday, the club confirmed the sale of the striker to the National League South promotion chasers, with chair Chris Ammonds issuing a statement.

In it, he said there had been a number of bids by Hemel Hempstead for Campbell, though the Bulls were not actively looking to sell him and were under no financial pressure to do so.

But things changed when Campbell contacted Ammonds directly to request permission to speak to Hemel, explaining that the contract on offer would likely provide greater long-term security than his existing deal at Edgar Street.

After talks, an agreement that Hereford believed reflected Campbell’s value was agreed. The deal includes an up-front payment, with a potential additional fee payable should Hemel achieve promotion this season.

Ammonds acknowledged that the timing of the sale was far from ideal, particularly with fixtures coming thick and fast, but said the club took a “pragmatic view” once the player had indicated a desire to explore a move elsewhere. He stressed that the transfer would not have gone through had Hemel’s final offer fallen below the club’s valuation.

In an interview after the 2-1 defeat at Curzon Ashton on Saturday, only adding to the Bulls' woes as they drop to 23rd in the National League North table, BBC Hereford and Worcester sports editor brought up Campbell.

Speaking to Caddis, Owens said: "Just a word about Remaye Campbell; it was announced yesterday he'd left. Disappointing to lose him, presumably?"

Caddis replied: "I think the chairman's come out and said what he said and I won't add to that.

"All I'll say is Rem's a brilliant character, brilliant human being. Loved him. Players loved him.

"He was really good for us in the year he was here. I just want to wish him all the best. We've got loads of time for him and obviously he's moved on."

The 25-year-old, who joined Hereford from Matlock last February, made his debut for Hemel Hempstead on Saturday as the side fell to a 2-1 defeat against Dover Athletic.

Caddis gives update on recruitment efforts ahead of gruelling run of fixtures

Caddis insists he is trying to bring new players in

A downbeat Paul Caddis has given a recruitment update after his side fell to a 2-1 defeat against Curzon Ashton.

The Greater Manchester side, who had lost six of their last seven games - including a sobering 8-0 defeat at home against AFC Telford United - came from behind to pick up three points on Saturday.

Speaking in Tameside after the defeat which saw the Bulls drop to 23rd, Caddis said he hasn't been sitting at home not doing anything, reiterating he's constantly trying to bring new players in.

But despite bringing youngsters Cormac Daly and Cherif Yaya from Nottingham Forest and Charlie Pavey from Aston Villa, Hereford lost Remaye Campbell ahead of the trip to Tameside as he forged a move to National League South promotion chasers Hemel Hempstead Town for an undisclosed fee.

Still wanting to bring in at least four new faces before a horrendous run of 11 weeks with two games taking the side to the last week of the season, Caddis said it hasn't been easy.

Asked if new faces can be expected before Tuesday's home game against Marine, Caddis said: "Listen, we're trying, we are trying and trying and trying.

"The frustrating thing is we've got to be respectful of the seven day stuff, that obviously takes a bit of time.

"I understand everyone's desperate but Nik [Marsh, football secretary]'s kind of been in the front line with me the last week, just going back and forth.

"We're offering players contracts, trying to get players in on loan, putting bids in for people.

"We've tried to speed things up and we'll continue to try. We really will. It's difficult, but it's not impossible, and we'll keep going."

When asked if older heads were needed, Caddis said there was experience in the side with the likes of Aaron Skinner, Keenan Quansah, Theo Richardson, Lewis Hudson, Gus Mafuta, Justin Donawa, Keziah Martin and Andy Williams.

The Scot said: "It's easy to say, do we need more experience now? We just need players in that can make it."

He added: "It's not about age. It's about the type of player we need. If there's that 20-goal striker there then by all means we'll put our name in the hat and try and try and get them in. We've done that. We've missed out on players.

"We were very close, and in terms of being close I actually mean two experienced players we had pencilled off but something happened at their club where both managers had moved on so that put a stop to that.

"But listen, we'll keep going. I'm not sitting on my backside at home doing absolutely nothing, we're doing everything we possibly can to get get bodies in for the group."

Saying the job is like a mini rebuild of the squad, Caddis went on to say that he's now able to attract players he couldn't have three or four months ago.

"We're at the stage where there's limited time left in the season so we can try and attract players, especially with that appeal of having so many games left so there's going to be lots of game games opportunities."

Listen in full: Caddis tells players to do their jobs as he analyses Curzon Ashton defeat

A disappointed and downbeat Hereford manager Paul Caddis has given his thoughts on this afternoon's 2-1 defeat Curzon Ashton.

The result now leaves Hereford 23rd in the National League North table.

Press play to listen to the interview in full.

National League North results and updated table as Bulls sink to 23rd

This afternoon's National League North results are as follows:

Buxton (1) 1-2 (0) Spennymoor Town
Chester (1) 1-3 (1) Radcliffe
Chorley (0) 0-1 (1) Peterborough Sports
Curzon Ashton (1) 2-1 (1) Hereford
Darlington (0) 3-1 (1) Merthyr Town
King's Lynn Town (0) 0-2 (0) Alfreton Town
Macclesfield (2) 2-1 (1) Bedford Town [3586]
Oxford City (1) 1-3 (1) South Shields
Scarborough Athletic (0) 0-0 (0) Worksop Town

The updated league table can be found here: http://bullsnews.blogspot.com/p/league-table.html

Hereford fall to defeat at Curzon Ashton

Hereford's season is showing no signs of improving after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Curzon Ashton.

Despite Lewis Hudson putting his side ahead in the ninth minute, the lead lasted only four minutes until Ben Daley pulled the hosts back level.

Into the second half, Joel Amado netted a second for Curzon from a corner in the 62nd minute. But despite efforts from Aaron Skinner and Adam Rooney in stoppage time, the Bulls couldn't find a way back to secure what would have been a vital point as they look to escape the relegation zone.

Hereford and Curzon level at the break

It's 1-1 at half time between Curzon Ashton and Hereford in the National League North.

Captain Lewis Hudson put the visitors ahead in the ninth minutes after combining with Harley Hamilton.

But the Greater Manchester side pulled themselves back level four minutes later through Ben Darby. 

Hereford team news for Curzon Ashton

This afternoon's Hereford side to take on Curzon Ashton.

Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Quansah, Roberts, Hudson, Hamilton, Mafuta, Martin, Donawa, Daly, Williams

Subs: Lewis, Preston, Rooney, Howkins, Cisse, Yaya, Pavey

 

Chester to part company with manager

Chester have announced manager Calum McIntyre will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

A club statement said that following extensive discussions, the board of directors has decided that the end of the current campaign is the right time to part company with Calum.

"We strongly believe that Calum and his staff represent the football club’s best opportunity to achieve our target of securing a play-off place and competing for promotion this season, and they will continue to receive our full backing for the remaining 17 National League North fixtures, beginning today against Radcliffe," the statement said.

"All parties agree that ensuring clarity for our players, staff and supporters gives us the chance to have a complete focus on finishing this season as strongly as possible, while allowing the football club to plan for 2026/27 and begin the process of recruiting a new First Team Manager to take the club forward."

City Fans United chair Nick Phillipson said: “The Board would firstly like to place on record its thanks to Calum and all members of the management team for their efforts during their time at Chester FC.

“All of us - directors, players and staff - recognise that results of late have not been good enough, and we are fully aware that the situation must improve if we are to achieve our target this season.

“We understand some people may question the timing, but the Board has given this full and proper consideration, and we feel that this is the right decision for the club for now and the future.

“Calum’s record speaks for itself in terms of play-off finishes, he retains the full support of the players, and everyone is clear on what is required over the next three months.

“We hope that this clarity about the future allows us all to have one focus until the end of the season – giving absolutely everything to try and make the play-offs and get our club promoted back to the National League.”

McIntyre was appointed as boss in May 2022, the club's seventh permanent managerial appointment since it was reformed in 2010.

McIntyre was the club’s full-time Academy Head Coach since 2016 until his appointment, overseeing the development of Academy graduates such as Sam Hughes, Tom Crawford and Will Goodwin, as well as current promising first team squad members Harrison Burke and Ollie Heywood.

He had also performed a variety of roles across the first team coaching staff – being involved in over 140 first team fixtures under three different management teams – as well as a spell as Caretaker Manager in April 2018, securing an away win at Barrow in one of his three matches in temporary charge in the National League.

This Afternoon In The National North League

A list of the games set to take place in the National North League this afternoon.

Buxton v Spennymoor Town

Chester v Radcliffe

Chorley v Peterborough Sports

Curzon Ashton v Hereford

Darlington v Merthyr Town

King's Lynn Town v Alfreton Town 

Macclesfield v Bedford Town

 Oxford City v South Shields 

Scarborough Athletic v Worksop Town 

On This Day In 2009

A look back to January 31st 2009. Not a good day for Hereford United at Stockport.

Stroll in Edgeley Park for County

Stockport County made easy pickings of a dodgy Bulls' backline to overcome Hereford United 4-1 at Edgeley Park this afternoon. The hosts took a lead within 15 seconds of the start with Dominic Blizzard nipping into finish with ease. United managed to level through Sam Hewson before Matty McNeil headed from a corner to restore the lead. In the second-half, County dominated against a lacklustre Hereford side and added two more goals through Matty Mainwaring and Leon McSweeney.

With Kris Taylor suspended after picking up his fifth card of the season against Walsall, Richard Jackson was bought in at right-back with Richard Rose moving to left-back. Ben Smith made way in central midfield for Hewson, who had recovered from a groin strain. There was no place in the County team for Jimmy McNulty, who is set to leave the club on Monday. Two former Hereford full-backs were included; Robbie Threlfall was preferred to start with Michael Rose having to be content with a place on the bench.

Stockport kicked off and a long-ball from Johnny Mullins up field was completely mis-kicked by Karl Broadhurst allowing in Blizzard who made no mistake firing across Craig Samson to ensure a horror start for Hereford. There may have been a bobble which deceived Broadhurst, with the pitch causing problems for both teams throughout after Sale's rugby match last night. Oli Johnson received a pass from Paul Turnbull and ran at Rose, before firing towards the near-post forcing Samson to push the ball behind the post. Turnbull himself fancied his chances sending in a 20 yard shot which bounced before going wide. Hereford's first opportunity fell to Andy Williams, who turned his marker on the edge of the box but couldn't hit the target with a left-foot strike. McSweeney hit a free-kick just past Samson's post before the visitors shocked Stockport with an equaliser.

A pass down the right-wing allowed Jennison Myrie-Williams to out-pace and outmuscle Threlfall before running into the box; he cut back onto his left-foot before picking out Hewson, who controlled before poking past Owain fon Williams from 12 yards. Threlfall soon made up for his lapse in defensive duties at the other end as he provided the assist for County's second. It had followed a sliced effort going wide from the Liverpool loanee as County won a corner; Threlfall swung it in at pace and it made its way to the unmarked McNeil who nodded in from close-range. Although it was at the other end of the ground to the visiting supporters, it looked like poor marking and question-marks must be asked again over Samson's ability to take crosses. Myrie-Williams showed a good turn of pace down the wing before dragging a left-foot shot well-wide. Just before half-time Turnbull headed over from another Threlfall corner.

The second-half was fairly routine for County who dominated possession and played around Hereford. They were rewarded for their play with a third goal when a Tommy Rowe corner wasn't cleared and Mainwaring somehow managed to weave his way past two players inside the crowded box before shooting into the corner. Hewson sent a snapshot half-volley wide after Matty Done had crossed from the left before both sides made a sub. Simon Johnson was introduced for Williams, who again had a disappointing afternoon whilst M. Rose replaced Threlfall. Rowe's burst into the box after picking up a ball from a loose header saw him force Samson to make a close-range block to stop a goalbound left-foot effort.

The hosts made sure of their win with a fourth goal in the 76th minute with yet more poor defending contributing to the goal. M. Rose was found on the left and he crossed into the box; Samson came to claim but instead punched out to McSweeney who controlled before sending a relatively weak shot goalwards and it ended up in the back of the net after Broadhurst failed to make, what looked like, a routine block. Late subs were made by both teams, which really dampened the end of the game. James Vincent and Danny Pilkington came on for County in place of McSweeney and Blizzard, whilst Hereford gave Sam Gwynne and Dean Beckwith a run-out in place of Done and Broadhurst respectively. In the closing moments, Samson dived to his left to save a placed shot by Pilkington but it was the last of the action as Stockport passed their way to the end of the match.

It was a crushing defeat for United, who never came close to matching their opponents. It had little to do with Stockport's quality, but more to do so with Hereford's lacklustre approach; defensive mistakes coupled with the midfield's inability to close-down led to the result. Up top, there was little which offered excitement for United with Williams again failing to deliver on a number of half-decent openings. Next up for Hereford is the painfully long trip to Carlisle on Tuesday, lets hope it'll be a better journey back from Cumbria than it was from Stockport.

Stockport: fon-Williams, McSweeney, Mullins, Raynes, Threlfall, Turnbull, Blizzard, Mainwaring, Rowe, Johnson, McNeil.

Subs: Pilkington, Rose, Dicker, Thompson, Vincent.

Hereford: Samson, Jackson, Broadhurst, Gowling, Rose, Myrie-Williams, Diagouraga, Hewson, Done, Guinan, Williams.

Subs: Veiga, Beckwith, Gwynne, Smith, Johnson.

GT: "Way Short Of The Requirements"

"We were way short of the requirements for first division football." That was a simple summary of the game from Graham Turner, speaking to BBC H&W's Keith Hall.

"(I'm) upset about the level of performance and about the work we've put into it. It's been unusual this season where we've complained about the way we've worked. Generally we've put ourselves into a game and worked very hard and in a lot of games, particularly away from home, we've played reasonably well. But today we were short, way short, of the requirements for first division football.

"Why that has taken place I don't know. I think there was a bit of upset about the pitch, the state of it to start with, and then we concede a goal -20, 30 seconds - where it was laughable. After that we looked as though we might get into it but, unfortunately, they outplayed us and outworked us.

"It's one of those days that you have to take stock, look where you can change it for Tuesday against Carlisle, thankful we've got another game coming up fairly quickly so we can forget all about this one. It's not humiliation, but it's certainly not far off."

When asked about Karl Broadhurst's substitution, Turner added "We've got to think about what we do at the game on Tuesday, maybe that's a pointer." adding that Sam Gwynne was firmly in his thoughts for Tuesday.

Turner reiterated his hopes for new faces: "Over the last 48 hours we've lined up two players to come, agreements with their clubs, we had one club send the forms over to us signed just waiting for the player to agree. Then, just as we're booking him into a hotel he phoned us to tell us he's signed for a Championship club. The other we had agreement with, bigger clubs got wind of it and he's finished up at a bigger and higher up the table team than us.

"There is one almost definitely signed. He's going into his club over the weekend to sign and will join us on the way up to Carlisle." 

National North Weekend Preview

A preview of the games set to take place in the National North League tomorrow written by Richard Dorman.

There’s a slightly slimmed-down schedule in the Enterprise National League North this weekend – FA Trophy progress for a few Step 2 sides have caused four fixtures to be postponed.

But there’s nine games scheduled to go ahead… and they’ll be champing at the bit to get going again. Especially those nine sides who saw their league encounters called off in midweek due to the wet weather!

That includes league leaders South Shields, who had their top-two fixture with AFC Fylde postponed on Tuesday. With the Coasters in FA Trophy action, South Shields could extend their lead at the top if they win at 21st-placed Oxford City.

But they'll need to be wary. Oxford City have three wins in their last four home games, all against top-half teams: Darlington, Buxton, and a shock triumph against Fylde last Saturday.

Darlington welcome Merthyr Town to the north east on Tuesday. The Martyrs still sit third but have had a barren week – they’re looking to avoid a third straight defeat for the first time this season after back-to-back losses to Southport and Telford. Hosts Darlo, meanwhile, sit fifth and are undefeated in the new year.

Chester also came out empty-handed in each of their last two fixtures and now sit 12th. But in a congested table, they could close the gap on this weekend’s visitors Radcliffe – who lie sixth – to just three points if they can claim victory.

The only other side occupying a play-off position in league action this weekend is Scarborough Athletic; they welcome Worksop Town, who are winless in four.

Peterborough Sports clambered back above the dotted line with a turnaround win against Macclesfield in midweek. They visit Chorley, who are winless in their two fixtures in 2026 to date.

Curzon Ashton return home for the first time since their 8-0 humbling at the hands of Telford, and prepare to host a Hereford outfit seeking their first win in six games, in all competitions.

If relegation-threatened Alfreton Town are going to escape the drop this season, then it’s fixtures like this weekend’s trip to King’s Lynn Town that could be all-important - a rearranged encounter that got frozen off three weeks ago. The Linnets are two points above the drop-zone and are winless since November.

For all the talk of Macclesfield's upcoming FA Cup fixture with Brentford, they have three home fixtures in the National League North to consider first. First of which is Bedford Town, who are five points clear of the drop.

And finally, floating around the mid-table area are Buxton and Spennymoor Town, who meet in the Midlands on Saturday. The Bucks are in fearsome form, coming in on the back of consecutive wins by four-goal margins against Marine and Radcliffe. Spennymoor are searching for a first win in seven.

McFarlane Loaned To Oxford City

 

Just a couple of weeks after he ended his loan at Hereford, Callum McFarlane is off to another National North Club.

This from Oxford City FC:

'We're delighted to announce the signing of forward Callum McFarlane who joins us on loan from Solihull Moors  

Welcome to Oxford City, Callum!'   

In other news striker Kurt Willoughby has left Kidderminster by 'mutual consent'. 

Campbell's parting message: I have every faith in Caddis and his players

Remaye Campbell has issued a parting message as he leaves Edgar Street to join National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town.

Campbell said he was "absolutely buzzing" to join the promotion-chasing outfit. According to Bulls' chair Chris Ammonds, the striker, who joined Hereford from Matlock last February, wanted to progress talks over the "long-term security" on offer.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Campbell said: "Where do I start? From my debut at King's Lynn, I felt like I was part of the Hereford family.

"I want to thank the fans for welcoming me and showing constant support, home and away. You have been unbelievable.

"I want to thank all the players I've played with this season and last, I have truly made some friends for life and it has been the best changing room I have been a part of.

"And to the gaffer, he has been so good to me and for me. I can't thank him enough.

"I have every faith that the group of players alongside the manager and his staff will go on a huge run and get the club up the table."

Campbell’s move brings his spell with the Bulls to an end, with Hereford now continuing their search to strengthen the squad ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.

Hereford 16/11 To Win At Curzon

Hereford travel to Curzon Ashton tomorrow and the bookmakers are offering a price of around 16/11 for an away win.

Currently Hereford are 22nd in the National North League with 22 points from 22 games.

Curzon are 14th with 34 points from 27 games.

Last Saturday Curzon lost 2-1 at Leamington. Hereford last played the previous Saturday drawing 0-0 at Kings Lynn.

Curzon's home form is won four, drawn two and lost seven.

Hereford's away form is won three, drawn four and lost six.

Recent form - League only:

Hereford WLLDD

Curzon LLLLL

Curzon Ashton 19/10  Draw 5/2  Hereford 16/11 

Chairman issues statement as Campbell leaves for undisclosed fee

Hereford FC have confirmed the sale of Remaye Campbell to National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town for an undisclosed fee.

The move comes after sustained interest from Hemel, with Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds revealing that several bids had been rejected before a deal was eventually agreed this week.

According to Ammonds, the Bulls were not actively looking to sell the forward and were under no financial pressure to do so. However, the situation shifted after Campbell contacted the club directly to request permission to speak to Hemel, explaining that the contract on offer would likely provide greater long-term security than his existing deal at Edgar Street.

After talks, an agreement that Hereford believed reflects Campbell’s value was agreed. The deal includes an up-front payment, with a potential additional fee payable should Hemel achieve promotion this season.

Ammonds acknowledged that the timing of the sale was far from ideal, particularly with fixtures coming thick and fast, but said the club took a “pragmatic view” once the player had indicated a desire to explore a move elsewhere. He stressed that the transfer would not have gone through had Hemel’s final offer fallen below the club’s valuation.

Campbell departs having been a regular part of Paul Caddis’ squad, and the club thanked him for his professionalism during a period when his future was uncertain.

The chairman also moved to reassure supporters that recruitment work is ongoing ahead of the final 24 games of the season, with the club aiming to strengthen both in terms of squad depth and quality in what he described as a highly competitive market.

Campbell, 25 joined Hereford from Matlock Town last February and extended his stay in the summer.

His departure leaves Caddis with strikers Andy Williams, Adam Rooney and Harley Hamilton as the Bulls face Curzon on Saturday.

Hereford FC 2024/25 Accounts

Hereford FC held their AGM this evening. On the agenda were the 2024/25 accounts which were recently completed.

More comprehensive figures from the accounts will be available from Companies House in the next week or so. 

However the profit and loss figures are unlikely to be made public in full although the club may release some of the figures later this evening. 

Below are some of the main points:

Turnover £1,438,575 (Last year - £1,398,604)

Cost of Sales £983,598 (LY - £959,863)

Gross Profit £455,159 (LY - £438,741)

Admin Expenses £362,684 (LY - £374,758)

Other Income £43,634 (LY - £54,309)

Operating Profit £136,109 (LY - £118,292)

Interest Income £10,242 (LY - £6,275)

Tax on Profit £Nil (LY - Nil)

Profit For The Year £146,351 (LY - £124,567)

Shareholders funds have risen to £277,441. Below are the figures to show how that has happened.

FIXED ASSETS:

Tangible Assets £123,006

CURRENT ASSETS:

Stocks £43,886

Debtors £92,539

Cash At Bank £274,256

TOTAL ASSETS: £415,682

CREDITORS:

Amounts due within one year £261,246

NET ACCOUNT ASSETS:

£154.435 

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES:

£277,441 

SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS £277,441  (LY £131,090) 

Morecambe Sack Manager

Morecambe have sacked their manager.

Morecambe Football Club can confirm that the Club and First Team Manager Ashvir Singh Johal have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect. 

Johal has won just 6 of 32 games since he took charge. Morecambe are currently 23rd in the National League. 

And it's not only the manager that's going.

Morecambe Football Club can confirm that the Club and Terrace have mutually agreed an early exit to their technical kit and retail partnership, which will come to an end at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. 

Meanwhile 

The board of the Shrimps Trust at Morecambe have written to the club’s owners, Panjab Warriors, and the club’s chairman Kuljit Singh Momi, expressing their concern at the direction of the Lancashire club.

The open letter details a number of concerns relating to both on-pitch and off-pitch matters, with the trust claiming that promises made have not seen results delivered or communication with fans.

The new ownership group took over at the start of the season following a long campaign by fans to oust previous owner Jason Whittingham, who presided over their relegation from the EFL.

Supporters hoped that after this period of turmoil which saw club wages going unpaid, a gutting of the club’s playing staff, and their early fixtures in the National League suspended, that new ownership would steady the ship.

Now the club find themselves in the relegation places of the National League.

The trust, however, are concerned that promised recruitment, strengthened board governance and a lack of expertise in key positions haven’t been addressed, and following a fans’ forum in December there remain questions as to the direction the club are taking.

The trust said: “We hope these questions are answered as constructively as they are intended to be received… the wider fanbase need to hear direct from the club’s ownership, and the update provided needs to be as substantive and specific as possible. Only then can reasonable concerns be laid to rest.”

 

Hudson Gets UEFA A Licence

 

'Hereford captain Lewis Hudson has been preparing for a further stage in his football career.

'After a really enjoyable 12 months, I’m delighted to have passed my UEFA A Licence. 

Huge thanks to everyone at the Scottish FA for all the help, support, and guidance along the way.'  

New kids on the block

Hereford FC travel to Manchester on Saturday to lock horns with Curzon Ashton, as they attempt to start climbing away from relegation trouble.

There’s something deeply ironic about going to the wettest city in Britain in order to find a football pitch dry enough to play a game on. Given the water-based travails of HFC recently, that irony’s enhanced by the prospect of playing a club called Marine after this on Tuesday. That’s assuming the Edgar Street surface is up to it.

The forecast for Manchester is wet (of course it is), but the rain should be light, which should aid the crisp passing on the floor and overall total football that will be the hallmark of the Bulls’ dominance as they surge up the table and crash the play-offs over the course of the next few months.

The stop-start nature of the season so far, a season which has recently been a lot more stop than start, has been frustrating for supporters of course, but for the club’s staff it must be very difficult indeed, particularly in the era of unhelpful poisonous, anonymous and cowardly social media contributions; those staff members are trying to practically and constantly do things for the good of the club, and will make mistakes along the way, as we all do.

The multifarious reasons why this season hasn’t yet gone to plan are mirrored by the many opinions we all have on how the club is set up and whether it’s an accurate manifestation of the model we were presented with, almost as a non-negotiable, when HFC was marketed as the only available option to counter Tommy Agombar. We were sold it at a time when we needed a football club like a junkie needs a fix. We’re now a club possibly in flux and needing an investor if we want to progress, but where is that progression progressing to? Countless millions given away by someone for the right to play Tamworth in the division above? Countless more for the right to play Harrogate in the EFL? And let’s be clear it’s very much ‘given away’ not ‘invested’. It’s almost certainly football generally that’s wrong and bankrupt, in several senses of the word, rather than HFC and its prudent financial planning that is holding the club back.

It was encouraging to hear Paul Caddis trying to find positives from the situation during the week, so how’s this for a positive? If Hereford win their eight games in hand over seventh-placed Scarborough they’re just three points behind the Seadogs.

With new players coming in and the hope of drier weather signalling a start to the two-game-a-week programme the Bulls have ahead of them for the rest of the season, it feels very much like a mini-season is about to commence. It’s that which the manager will be looking to tackle on the front foot with a positive mindset, in the hope that it will go much better than the mini-season that never really got started from August until now, which is probably best to just forget all about.

The players coming in are younger than most of my trousers, so they should have plenty of enthusiasm, and they’ve also been described as skilful. Now, it might seem a bit odd finding fault with that, but with the Edgar Street pitch likely to remain heavy for some time, will it be a surface that skilful players will benefit from playing on? Hopefully there will be some grit to go with the skill.

Encouragingly, the Nash are better away than they are at home, as demonstrated by them racing to a 3-0 lead at Edgar Street earlier in the season before conceding three goals to the now-departed Omari Sterling-James. They’ve scored twice as many goals away as they have at home.

Further encouragement can be gained from the fact that they’ve lost five of their last six games. The standout result from that poor run was the 8-0 loss at home to in-form Telford. They also lost last time out 2-1 at bottom club Leamington, with the Brakes scoring the winner in the 94^th minute. All in all this looks like an excellent time to be playing them.

Veteran striker Jimmy Spencer knows the division inside out, but their goals this season have come from ex-Marine striker Bradley Holmes.

The Bulls’ relegation problems are now very real, such that even if they win their next two games they’re still likely to be in the bottom four. Multiple games in hand are useful, but a continuation of the form which has seen them win just one game in their last ten will fail to convert those games in hand into the points necessary to get out of trouble.

What of these new kids on the block brought in recently by Paul Caddis? 19-year-old Villa loanee Charley Pavey has done well a level lower with Bromsgrove, scoring freely with finishes described as ‘stunning’ and ‘confident’ in the local press. The pair of midfielders from Notts Forest, Cormac Daly and Cherif Yaya both look like they may be able to supply that grit along with some quality, with Yaya in particular described as ‘tenacious’. He’ll need to be in this division as a defensive midfielder.

It would of course be grossly unfair to expect three teenagers to between them turn the Bulls’ season around, but they’re intriguing new options for Caddis to deploy and should add some freshness to the dressing room if nothing else.

With the hosts’ confidence presumably at rock bottom, they could get very wobbly indeed if the Bulls can uncharacteristically score rather than concede an early goal. Can the recently-arrived new kids provide that goal and make a much-needed difference generally? We’ll soon find out.

COYW