Cleeve Comments About New Cup Competition

Kings Lynn chairman Stephen Cleeve isn't very happy with the new Cup Competition involving National League clubs. Some of the proceeds are supposed to go to clubs in the National North and National South Leagues. But if Cleeve is right these clubs will receive very little.

'The NL told me that yesterdays meeting was not about FA replays when it was- we are clearly not being represented and there is a conflict. The money for NLN clubs is awful. NL winning the tournament receive circa 130k a win gets you circa 8k a draw 4k.

The remaining 4k goes into a pot and is split between NLN and S clubs talk about throwing us a bone.

I am also told that the board did know about it but none of them clearly asked to consult with member clubs as it did not happen - the board does not seem to be operating in the best interests of its member clubs.

To break that down further the 4k will be worth just £25 per NLN or NLS club not even a bone just a piece of grissle'.

  

Scunthorpe Part Company With Manager

Scunthorpe have parted company with manager Jimmy Dean and two of his staff.

The club says that having missed promotion they need to bring expenditure in line with income.

The club has faced a massive wages bill this season which those now in charge say they can not continue to afford.

Owner Michelle Harness commented:

“To be saying goodbye to Jimmy, Chris and Ant is undoubtedly one of our toughest decisions since we took ownership of the club, and it is a decision we’ve made with a very heavy heart.

“We inherited significant debt, along with a budget and payroll which by far exceeds the level that we are currently operating at, and we need to work hard this summer to bring that back to a level where we can both compete at, but also remain sustainable, and this must start at football management level, and then focusing on the playing staff." 

D'Ath Signs New Deal With Hereford

Lawson D'Ath has agreed a new contract with Hereford for the 2024/25 season. 

The 31 year old midfielder joined the Bulls from Banbury for the last month of the campaign just ended.

"Lawson is a player we identified several months back when at Banbury and one we knew could bring experience and quality to us," said manager Paul Caddis.

"A top character with a calming influence both on and off the pitch. He’s slotted into the group with ease and has showed real quality on the pitch.

"Lawson will bring important qualities for us next season and we are delighted to welcome him into the group for the long term and we look forward to working with him on a regular basis."

News Round Up

Darlington supporters have raised £45,000 towards their Boost The Budget target of £175,000 in the first day of the campaign.

The new National League 'rules' that have stopped one of the two local derbies, for example Hereford v Kidderminster, being played over the Christmas period have been questioned by supporters. Given there's little train travel at this time getting to an away game will be more difficult and may impact on the gate receipts of clubs. 

AFC Telford will play Leamington on May 6th. The winner will return to the National North League next season.

National League Cup Competition

The clubs taking part in the new Cup competition for National League Clubs and Premier League Under 21's have been listed.

They are: Sutton United, Forest Green Rovers, Solihull Moors or Bromley, Barnet, Altrincham, Gateshead, FC Halifax Town, Aldershot Town, Southend United, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Hartlepool United, Eastleigh, Maidenhead United, Dagenham & Redbridge and Wealdstone.

The Premier League Clubs Under 21's:  Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham forest, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

One other item of news about the competition in addition to those posted on BN yesterday.

The new competition will comprise four regional groups of eight teams in its group stage. In each group will be four clubs from the National League and four from the Premier League clubs' U-21s. Those teams which qualify from the group stage will progress to a knock out phase. 

THROWBACK THURSDAY | Hereford United 2-0 Rochdale - 4th May 1996

Goals from Nicky Cross and Steve White secure a place in the 3rd division play offs.

Hereford 1 Mackenzie 2 Watkiss 3 Fishlock 4 Smith 5 Cross 6 James 7 Stoker 8 Wilkins 9 White 10 Hargreaves 11 Pitman Rochdale 1 Clarke 2 Thackeray 3 Peake 4 Deary 5 Thompstone 6 Butler 7 Taylor 8 Hall 9 Lancaster 10 Whitehall 11 Stuart Subs Hardy, Lyons Attendance 5,880

Pendley Praised By Manager Wilkins

 

Former Hereford defender Orrin Pendley won a number of awards at AFC Telford's end of season awards.

And his manager Kevin Wilkin has praised his performance during the season.

Pendley scored six goals and helped keep seventeen clean sheets in the fourty appearances he made.

"Overall when you look at the season he’s had and you take everything into consideration, his defending, the important goals he’s scored, the way his game has developed and his consistency," said Wilkins as reported by the Shropshire Star..

“There were some who maybe weren’t enamoured by him at the start of the season, and again that’s a major feather in his cap that he’s shown the resilience to get through that,

"I’ve seen players in that situation that haven’t been able to get through that and struggle with it.

"He’s shown a real belief in what he’s been doing and has transferred that into his game.

"Fortunately for us he’s been great, and hopefully he continues to do so."

Hereford won't play Kidderminster twice over Christmas after National League rule change

Hereford at Kidderminster on New Year's Day in 2023

Despite Kidderminster Harriers' relegation, it looks like Hereford won't be playing the Worcestershire side twice over Christmas.

In recent years, before Harriers' one-season stint in non-league top flights, the Bulls had faced them on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Since 2004, the Christmas and New Year schedules are reversed, in that the Boxing Day Fixtures are reversed with New Year's Day games.

But the National League board said that after surveying all clubs, it agreed that the league will reverse next season's Boxing Day fixtures with Good Friday and New Year with Easter Monday so clubs don't play two games against the same opposition in close succession.

According to the Non-League Paper, this will apply to step one and step two clubs.

It has also been announced that the 2024/25 National League, National League North and National League South seasons will begin on Saturday 10 August 2024 and conclude on Saturday 26 April 2025.

National League announces major change - but it WON'T affect Hereford

The Vanarama National League will allow step one clubs to name seven substitutes from next season.

The major change comes after a recent written resolution and two surveys, the Non-League Paper reported.

It means step one clubs will be able to name a maximum of seven substitutes, of which five will be allowed to be used with the referee's permission.

The previous law saw five substitutes named with only three allowed to feature.

The new motion passed with 18 member clubs in favour and six against.

There does not appear to be a three-stoppage rule.

Chester Aim For 2000 Members Of City Fans United

Chester City are hoping to increase the number of supporters who are members of City Fans United to 2000.

Currently there are 1500 members.

Membership costs a minimum of £2 per month or £24 per year.

All members have one share and one vote. 

Members are co-owners of the club and receive various benefits including priority access to tickets and a vote at the club's AGM.

 

Darlington Launch 2024/2025 Boost The Budget

Darlington have launched their 2024/2025 Boost The Budget campaign.

Last year £162,070 was raised. This year the target is £175,000.

Since the idea of having a Boost The Budget was agreed seven years ago over £800,000 has been raised.

As ever there will be fan rewards on offer.

NEWS | Hereford Awaydays raise £500 for The Little Princess Trust

An online auction of Hereford Awaydays player shirts has raised £500 for The Little Princess Trust.

Click to read more -> NEWS | Online auction of Hereford Awaydays Players shirts raises £500 for The Little Princess Trust  - Herefordshire’s Independent Source of News & Information (yourherefordshire.co.uk)

Clubs Letter About Cup Relays

A number of clubs from both the Football League and the National League have sent on open letter to the Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer about the scrapping of FA Cup replays.

This from Fair Game:

Football chiefs from across the football pyramid joined forces today in an angry riposte to the flawed consultation process that has seen FA Cup replays being jettisoned from the first-round proper from next season.

The clubs, including three past winners of the trophy - Bolton Wanderers, Bury and AFC Wimbledon - this year’s FA Cup heroes Maidstone United and over 20 others, have now penned a letter to the Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer backing a Fair Game amendment to the Football Governance Bill.

The decision was made by the Premier League and the FA in a response to pressure on the football calendar. The reaction from the rest of the pyramid has been almost entirely hostile with a vast majority of clubs kept in the dark.

The amendment demands that any change to the FA Cup must require a majority of eligible clubs to back it.

The letter, which has also been sent to the Premier League, the FA and the EFL, said: 

“We want to save the FA Cup. The FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world and the decision to remove FA Cup replays from the first-round proper further undermines its prestige and does nothing to help protect our cherished football pyramid.

“The Premier League’s influence in this decision is yet another example of football’s growing divide that has seen the gaps between and within divisions grow at all levels.

“Participating clubs in the FA Cup were not consulted. Our clubs as well as the fans have been let down.”

The letter goes on to question the pressure on the calendar. It states: 

“A Premier League club that qualifies for the Champions League - and there will be only four of them in the 2024/25 season - will play a minimum of 50 matches. That includes 38 league games, at least one in the FA Cup, one in the EFL Cup, and 10 Champions League group-stage fixtures.

“However, League One and League Two clubs - and there are 48 of them - will play a minimum of 51 matches (46 in the league, a minimum of one FA Cup and one EFL Cup tie, and three EFL trophy group games). That’s 11 more than Premier League clubs that don’t qualify for Europe.”

Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, added:

“The anger from across all levels of football is huge. Sadly this is totemic of the growing arrogance at the top of the game, and the disdain they show for the rest of the football pyramid.

“Our latest research has shown that the gap in and between divisions is widening at every level. The new regulator needs to step in and reverse that damaging trend that is destroying the game’s heritage and turning the pyramid into a greasy pole.”

The full letter is available to download here.

Fair Game’s lawyers have prepared an amendment to section 54(8) of the Bill, which seeks to deal with the FA Cup changes, and proposed changes to other competitions, by stating that any consultation must include all eligible clubs and demonstrate that a majority of those clubs approve of the change. If the changes were to have implication for distributions of revenues, they would require approval by the regulator.

News Round Up

Wrexham FC lost £5M in the season they gained promotion to League Two from the National League. The company that owns the club, R R McReynolds, is owed just under £9M.

Darlington's plans to build a new stadium have been delayed.A site they were interested in has been sold. 

Gloucester FC have released details of players they expect to be in their squad next season. In addition to four players already contracted, these include former Hereford mid-fielder Harry Pinchard, four others have been retained. One other has agreed a new deal and the club are having talks with former Hereford United striker Theo Robinson. 

Darlington manager Steve Watson was the National North League manager of the month for April.

News Round Up

Scunthorpe were nearly broke last autumn until long life supporter Michelle Harness came along. She has headed a turnaround that looks to have succeeded. There's an interesting article detailing their last year at: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2024/04/iron-in-their-soul.html

Despite being on contract defender Tom Clifford has left King's Lynn. It appears he fell out with manager Adam Lakeland. 

There are plans for a new cup competition featuring Premier League Under 21's teams and 16 teams from the National League. Games would be played at National League clubs and they would keep all the gate money and half the prize money, the remainder split between all the other 56 National League clubs.

Work Starts On Blackfriars End Exit

 

Work has started on removing equipment from behind the Blackfriars End of Hereford's Edgar Street stadium which is due to be demolished next month.

This morning the club said the sprinkler system would be moved to behind the Meadow End.

Under the terms of the club's new lease from Herefordshire Council, some extra land behind the Meadow End has been included.

In time when the Meadow End has to be rebuilt this extra area will be invaluable as it will give the club a greater area for any new stand and associated facilities.

As well as the sprinkler system, water tanks will also need to be moved.

Franklin Scores In Welsh Cup Final

 

Former Hereford player Harry Franklin scored for Connah's Quay in the Welsh Cup final. Connah's defeated The New Saints 2-1.

Franklin was born in Northern Ireland but spent most of his youth playing for Hereford.

After several starts for the first team he was loaned to Merthyr.

Then he joined Redditch and later Evesham.

In February 2021 he signed for Aberystwyth and in July 2022 he moved to Connah's Quay Nomads.

FROM THE ARCHIVES | 20 Years ago today - Aldershot Town 1-1 Hereford United - 29th April 2004

On this day 20 years ago Hereford United headed east to face Aldershot Town in the 1st leg of the Conference play off semi final. David Brown put Hereford ahead, but the home side equalised with a Roscoe D'Sane penalty.

Line Ups

Aldershot Bull Sterling Warburton Giles Charles Gosling Antwi Challinor Downer D'Sane Sills Subs Chewins, McLean, Nutter

Hereford Baker James Tretton Smith Green Pitman Purdie Travis Rose Carey-Bertram Brown Subs Beesley, Betts

Attendance 6,379

Bob Appleby - An Appreciation

Manager Bob Dennison With Bob Appleby

Hereford Historian Ron Parrott has written an appreciation of former Hereford United player Bob Appleby.

Bob was a tidy keeper, if a little on the short side and I have fond memories of him. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family at this sad time. Here is my pen-pic for Bob:-
 
Appearances: 50 (50+0 sub.) Goals: 0

Seasons played: 1966/67 & 1967/68

Born Warkworth, Northumberland 15th January 1940, died Newcastle 25th April 2024, aged 84

Bob was a goalkeeper by trade and started his career with Amble Welfare, just along the coast from his home town. His performances soon attracted the attention of First Division giants Middlesbrough and they signed him in 1957 at the age of 17. Bob was to remain at Ayrsome Park for nine seasons and registered a total of 110 first-team appearances. Legend has it that when at Boro, Bob used to keep a shotgun in his van and when training on the running track around Ayrsome Park, pigeons used to land in the centre-circle and Bob would stop to take pot-shots at them. Renowned as a bit of a dressing-room joker, Bob was infamous among his teammates for putting spin on the ball as he threw it out, making it difficult to control.. It was also said that he'd regularly make bird noises during a game.

He followed ex-Borough manager Bob Dennison down to Edgar Street in the summer of 1966 and in two seasons with Hereford United, Bob played in exactly 50 games. He wasn’t the biggest of keepers but was extremely agile and a very good shot stopper, all attributes that made him popular with fans. After retiring from the game, Bob became a water bailiff in Cumberland and settled in Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales. He finally returned to Northumberland but after an operation in Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, Bob spent some time in intensive care before finally passing away after a brave fight.

Caddis yet to release anyone as he wants to keep as many players as possible

Paul Caddis has not yet released any player and has said he wants to keep as many as possible.

Speaking to the official club website, Caddis said: “After only narrowly missing out on the play-offs after a full rebuild and with a completely new squad, I think keeping as many of the current squad here as possible is important.

“I want to be clear though, that while terms have been discussed with players, it is a fact that in football some offers will be accepted, and some won’t.

“We have players who have already been made better offers than we can hope to compete with and others who are looking at different opportunities, including one or two looking at offers overseas.

“However, rest assured we have all scenarios covered and I will be in the market to freshen the squad up regardless of how the current talks pan out."

You can read more from Caddis here.

The Hereford boss, who has just signed a year-long contract extension, has emphasised again how the club cannot get into a financial battle for players.

Andy Williams has already said he would stay at Edgar Street but the deal isn't finished yet.

Caddis has also spoken about his recruitment plans, looking at players from step three.

Five players are under contract, and there are talks about new deals with most others.

Paul Downing and Jordan Lyden have been invited back for pre-season training and Kieran Phillips and Jid Okeke have returned to Stockport County and Kidderminster Harriers respectively.

Top Obadeyi and Dominic McHale's loan deals have also ended and talks with Mark Derricott and Jordan Cranston - both out on loan - are yet to take place.

The full list:

Under contract:

• Aurio Teixeira
• Alex Babos
• Aaron Skinner
• Lewis Hudson
• Adam Rooney

In talks about new deals:

• Nathan Cameron
• Ollie Southern
• Jason Cowley
• Andy Williams
• Curtis Pond
• Yusifu Ceesay
• Lassana Mendes
• Kyle Howkins
• Lawson D’Ath

Invited to pre-season training:

• Jordan Lyden
• Paul Downing

Returned to parent clubs:

• Kieran Phillips
• Jid Okeke

Loan spells ended:

• Tope Obadeyi
• Dominic McHale

Out on loan – discussions yet to take place:

• Mark Derricott
• Jordan Cranston

London Bulls 'Season Finale' Podcast

This from the London Bulls:

Join us for our sixth episode where we review the 2023/24 Season, we cover Paul Caddis’s contract extension and the decision to scrap FA Cup Replays. Your hosts are Tom Gough and KD Rai as they talk us through the last match of the National League North season - Hereford v Boston United, we get excited about potential away days for next season, as well as home games, after the announcement of a 4-part payment plan for season tickets, available until end of April. 

We congratulate Hereford FC Women on winning the Herefordshire FA County Cup and wish them good luck after their win in the Quarter Finals in the Midwest Counties Women’s League Cup. 

We also dream about (and get a bit carried away with) Jarrod Bowen getting into the England squad this summer, scoring a last minute winner to win England the 2024 Euros and thus decide where the statue might be in Leominster.

 We take an emotional stroll back to Memory Corner where we rewind 10 years to the day, to talk about the final game of the 2013/14 season: Aldershot Town 1-2 Hereford United. We talk about the twists and turns that day, the agony, the late drama and the aftermath of Hereford United.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz62RnR5gGw&t=1s
 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1yR2C0CXsnQcgXihCSsxvE?si=aa472e23d3584b7c&nd=1&dlsi=b1c1cbaa76bf4717
 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-london-bulls-podcast/id1740085118

Two Leave HUST Board

Two members of the HUST board have left.

Simon Wright and Mark Nottingham have left the board.

HUST are looking for replacements.

Currently there are five board members.

Richard Tompkins, Justin Radcliffe, Tony Taylor, Joanie Roberts and Gerry Harrison.

 

Brackley Through To National North Promotion Final

Brackley defeated Chorley in the second semi-final of the National North Leagut play-offs this afternoon.

The score at 90 minutes was Brackley 1 Chorley 0.

1889 watched the game incuding 378 in the away area.

Brackley will meet Boston in the promotion final next Saturday.

In the National South Worthing defeated Maidstone 2-1. They will play Braintree in the final.

In the National League Bromley beat Altrincham 3-1. They will meet Solihull in the final at Wembley next Sunday.

News Round Up

Ryan Bowman has been released by Shrewsbury. The former Hereford United striker scored 22 goals in three seasons with the Shropshire club.Harry Burgoyne, Tom Flanagan, Tunmise Sobowale, Elliott Bennett, Tom Bayliss, Rayhaan Tulloch and Aiden O'Brien have also been released.

Wrexham are holding a football festival at the end of May at which one of the speakers will be former Hereford player and Welsh Cup winner Ian Benbow.

Meanwhile Gary Lineker is speaking about his career at Hay Festival. The event is at 1pm on May 29th.

Hereford FC Under 18's game at Alvechurch due to have been played last Friday evening was postponed. If Hereford win the game when it is played they will finish fourth in their league.

Hereford Women finished second in their league with 33 points from 14 games and a goal difference of + 57. They may be promoted to Division One of the Midwest Counties Female Football League.

National League Update

As of this morning here's a list,from thev Alty Files, of which clubs are/may be moving into or out of the National League.

National League

• Promoted to EFL: Chesterfield
• Still in the play-offs: 2nd Barnet, 3rd Bromley, 4th Altrincham, 5th Solihull Moors.
• Relegated: Oxford City, Dorking Wanderers, Kidderminster Harriers, Boreham Wood
• Relegated from EFL2: Forest Green Rovers, Sutton United

• Promoted from National League North: Tamworth
• Still in the play-offs: 3rd Brackley Town, 4th. Chorley, 6th Boston United
• Relegated: Bishop's Stortford, Gloucester City, Banbury United, Blyth Spartans

• Promoted from National League South: Yeovil Town
• Still in the play-offs: 3rd Worthing, 4th. Maidstone United, 5th. Braintree Town
• Relegated: Dover Athletic, Havant & Waterlooville, Dartford, Taunton Town

HUST - Recruitment Campaign For HFC Board Member

This from HUST:

HUST is pleased to launch the 2024 Recruitment Campaign for a Nominated Director on the board of Hereford FC.

Richard Tomkins, Chair of HUST confirms, "The Board of HUST is pleased to be able to report that the annual process of selecting a Nominated Director, is now open for applications from HUST Members. The process is due for completion by the end of June 2024. Mike Langford stands down by rotation and I’d like to thank him for 3 years hard work supporting HUST principles on the HFC Board. This year’s successful applicant will be appointed for a three-year term of office up to June 2027.

“The Supporters Trust is the Club’s largest single shareholder and has developed a vision for the organisation and the Football Club that its Nominated Directors will play a key role in moving forward." 

Hereford FC has a unique ownership model that sees the Supporters Trust as one of six major shareholders. There are currently 7 Directors at the Football Club. HUST nominates three Directors to the Club board. Four are appointed by the Club's other shareholders. Each Director on the Football Club board undertakes a specific role.

“The role is open for any HUST Member to apply for and we welcome applications from all as we are keen to make the most of the talents within our supporter base.” 

For more information please contact: secretary@hust.org.uk
 

Premier League's Jarrod Bowen wants to return to Edgar Street

Jarrod Bowen says he wants to return to Edgar Street

West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen has said he would like to return to Hereford.

The forward made his senior debut in a game at Barnet in 2014 and then scored his first senior goal in front of the Meadow End in a 3-2 win over Alfreton.

Bowen has just become the first West Ham player to score in three different games against Liverpool in a season since Geoff Hurst in 1964/1965.

The 27-year-old has now also just scored his 20th goal of the season and said he wants to go back to Edgar Street.

Speaking to the Iron Cast podcast, Bowen, who also made his 200th West Ham appearance on Saturday afternoon, said: “I’ve only been back once with Hull City for a pre season friendly, but hopefully I’ll go back at the end of my career.”

“My uncle (Ben Bowen) does the pitch there, he’s the groundsman, sometimes I’d sit in his van and watch the game from there, even when I’d moved to Hull!”

“I never thought I’d play that kind of professional football," Bowen responded when asked how much better he was than players at Hereford.

“I didn’t think I stood out, I just saw it as an honour to play for my local team.”

He also reminisced about going to his nan and grandad's farm and would like to do more farming - but his family are quashing it by saying he'll have been a Premier League footballer.

In the 45-minute podcast, he also talks about his Hereford United days and the euphoria at Aldershot, how leaving home at 17 was brutal and his move to West Ham.

News Round Up

Former Hereford striker Jarrod Bowen is the first West Ham player to score in three different games against Liverpool in a season since Geoff Hurst in 1964/1965.

Chester's Season Tickets have gone on sale. A seated ticket costs £350 if purchased on an early bird deal, £395 afterwards.

Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke is backing Fair Game's campaign 'Smaller Clubs Won't Survive' which aims to keep FA Cup replays. 

Solihull Moors are going to Wembley in the National League play-off final. They will face either Altrincham or Bromley who meet tomorrow. Former Hereford assistant manager Andy Whing is in charge at Solihull.

National North League Semi-Final

In today's National North League semi-final Scunthorpe were at home to Boston.

At half time the score was 0-0. And at full time. And after extra time so the game went to penalties.

Boston won the tie on penalties. 5-4.

It was the third game in the National North play-offs that ended goal-less after extra time and was decided on penalties.

Tomorrow Brackley play Chorley.

Happy 65th Birthday to Mel Pejic

Hereford United club legend Mel Pejic celebrates his 65th Birthday today.

Pejic made a club record 412 Football League appearances for The Bulls from 1980-1991.

Here is an interview recorded with Mel in 2019.

& a selection of some of his goals for Hereford United.