Text at top (next game etc)

Next Game: Home Against Farsley Celtic On Saturday March 23rd Kick-Off 3.00pm

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Beckwith - Man of the Match


According to the PA stats, Dean Beckwith was Man of the Match for Hereford United this afternoon.

Beckwith and Tamika Mkandawire combined well together at the heart of the Bulls defence.

Beckwith (pictured) received an eight with Brown, Travis, Mkandawire, Webb and Purdie all awarded a seven.

Travis was the sponsors man of the match.

For the Dons, McGovern was given an eight.

Meanwhile Martin Allen complimented Hereford United on their performance this afternoon.

He told the post match press conference that it had been a difficult game and admitted that the reports he had received on Hereford didn't reflect what he had seen.

"They fought for every ball, run for every ball, challenged, tackled. I sure their manager must be delighted.

"This team that we've been playing against today - none of my scout's reports echoed that."

Finally the Hereford United under-18 side also collected a point today.

They travelled to Swindon and drew 1-1.


47% of possession to the Bulls

In difficult conditions this afternoon at Edgar Street, Hereford United were judged to have had 47% of possession in the game against 53% for MK Dons.

Shots on target were at a premium, with just two for Hereford and four for the Dons.

However the Dons had eleven corners as opposed to just three to the Bulls.

And they also were penalised for nearly twice as many fouls as the Bulls, eleven against six.

The point gained moves Hereford United up one place in the League table:

13 Rochdale 39 13 52
14 Mansfield 40 0 50
15 Chester 40 -3 50
16 Hereford 40 -6 50
17 Grimsby 40 -19 50
18 Barnet 40 -13 49
19 Bury 39 -14 42

There were 261 MK Dons fans at Edgar Street this afternoon. In the game At MK Dons last October the Bulls took 518 supporters.

Meanwhile, belatedly, a figure for the Hereford United support at Accrington last Saturday has been published as 222. When Stanley visited Edgar Street last October they brought 122.


Bulls prove a match for MK

Having been beaten on home turf 3-1 earlier in the season, Milton Keynes Dons were out for revenge, as well as continuing their promotion ambitions, at Edgar Street against Hereford United this afternoon. Stuart Fleetwood was United's star man that day, but there was no place for him in the squad today, as Marcus Palmer took to the bench. There was a return to the starting eleven for Alan Connell too, as Graham Turner reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, with Phil Gulliver dropping to the bench.

The MK Dons were threatening from the first minute, as they got in behind Hereford's backline a couple of times but couldn't create a notable chance. It was by no means one way traffic though, as the hosts proved they haven't lost all their quality following four straight defeats, with Danny Thomas bursting forward but shooting woefully. Had he looked up to his right he'd have seen Andy Williams in acres of space, with a clear run on goal. The Bulls were much better in the middle of the park, helped by the fact that Luke Webb had a far better game than he has had of late, but in all the half was pretty equal.

Williams came closest to netting midway through the half as a Thomas cross fell to him on the right; he cut inside and hit a curling left footed effort that dropped just wide of the far post. Williams was then at the heart of a Bulls break which saw Steve Guinan inches away from meeting Connell's cross before another good move saw Connell fire into the arms of Steve Harper in the MK goal. Before the interval though Webb had to be aware at the far post as he cleared a Diallo header off the line following a corner.

No changes were made at the break and it was MK, out well before the restart, who made the early running in the second period. A cross fell to John Paul McGovern but his low effort was held by Wayne Brown before Guinan headed tamely wide at the other end from a Thomas cross. United built pressure and enjoyed a dominant spell in the game that ended in a driven Thomas free kick which was well saved down low to his right by Harper, but a minute later Brown made an even better save for Hereford. Yet another huge throw in from first half sub Stirling fell to Keith Andrews on fifty seven minutes, and he volleyed through a crowd of players in the box. The ball was destined for the back of the net but from nowhere Brown threw his arms out and turned the ball behind for a corner.

The Dons' top scorer Izale McLeod was taken off on sixty three, probably because man of the match Tamika Mkandawire had him in his pocket all afternoon, and the centre back did exactly the same with the replacement, Leon Knight, who was signed from Swansea City earlier this season. United's best chance in the second half came through a counter attack in which Williams was flawed, and after Dean Lewington was booked, but advantage was played and Travis burst into the box and flashed a ball across the goal face, just out of reach of Guinan who came sliding in.

Ben Smith, impressive in the middle once again, picked out Guinan who then crossed for Connell but the striker couldn't get the ball to drop when in a good position and the danger was cleared before United crafted another good move down the right. Travis and Guinan played a one two after a fast attack, but Travis' cross didn't match the quality of the approach play.

This was pretty typical of United's afternoon, as they couldn't seem to find that vital final pass. However, the draw earns a very respectable point against one of the top sides in the league as the Bulls once again proved they are worthy of their League status. Having stopped the rot of straight defeats, United will now look forward to next Saturday's visit of Swindon Town, who are also flying high in the league; and like today Hereford have the chance to complete a double against one of the promotion hopefulls.

HUFC: Brown, Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Purdie, Thomas, Smith, Webb, Williams, Guinan, Connell. Subs: Gulliver, Thompson, Rose, Sills, Palmer.

MKDFC: Harper, Jamie Smith, O'Hanlon, Diallo, Lewington, Edds, Andrews, Blizzard, McGovern, McLeod, Platt. Subs: Watts, Stirling, Hayes,Baines, Knight.


Smith wants pitch improvement

Ben Smith, the Hereford United captain, has suggested that an improved pitch at Edgar Street would help the type of game the Bulls like to play.

"I don't know if people realise by watching but when your on (the pitch) it is so bobbly. It's really hard to play the way we want to play," Smith told BBC Herefortd and Worcester.

"Our home pitch should be to our advantage but today I think MK Dons would have probably preferred the pitch more than we did.

"I'm sure that is something the Gaffer and John will have a look at in the summer.

"Hopefully we can improve it because the way we want to play we need a good surface. It makes everything a lot easier."

Smith was pleased that his team had picked up a point after losing the last four games.

"It would have been nice for it to have been a win. We always knew it would be a tough game. They are very direct and physical but I think we more than matched them.

"With a bit more composure in the last third we could have probably won it."


League Two Results Round-Up

Hartlepool's 3-0 win over Chester last night stretched their unbeaten run to 23 games, and puts them five points clear after today's results. Walsall kept pace with a 3-2 win over Accrington. Swindon took advantage of MK Dons' missed points today with a 2-1 win over Shrewsbury to take back the third automatic spot.

Wycombe's 3-3 draw with Peterboro pushed the Shrews back out of the play-off spots and dented the Posh's play-off hopes. Lincoln lost ground on the automatic places after a 2-0 loss to Rochdale, who have slayed two play-off contenders in as many weeks.

Down the bottom, Torquay gave themselves some hope after beating Stockport thanks to a last minute Reuben Reid goal. Former Bulls and Stockport full back Mark Robinson provided the cross to sink his former club. The Gulls remain seven points adrift, and are joined in the bottom two this week by Boston. Their depleted squad lost 1-0 at home to Bury, who eased their own troubles. Wrexham moved out of the drop zone with a 0-0 draw with Mansfield in front of 7,752.

In the other game Barnet beat Darlington, who were reduced to ten men after just two minutes, 2-1.


Bulls Hold Dons To Stop The Rot

The Bulls drew today's League Two clash with MK Dons 0-0, ending a run of four straight league defeats.

Dons manager Martin Allen protested to the referee after the final whistle as he believed several penalty claims went against his side. Allen and his bench, who were barely seated throughout the game, made five seperate penalty claims during the second half.

Full report later.


Harvey to be offered longer deal at Forest Green

Former Hereford United player Jimmy Harvey, now looking after Forest Green Rovers, is said to be wanted by Aldershot Town to take over from Terry Brown.

However any approach will be unwelcome according to Colin Gardner, the Forest Green chairman.

Harvey is expected to be offered a 'a five-year extension to his contract this summer.' His current deal run out in summer 2008.

"Once we get this season over with, I'm planning to sit down with Jim and effectively tie him to Rovers for another six years, " Gardner told the Gloucester press.

"That's a measure of how much the board of directors and myself rate him as a manager and as a man.

"He was at Morecambe for 12 years before joining us, and that's because he looked after the whole club - right from the youth team upwards.

"He's doing exactly the same here and, without being disrespectful to anyone before him, I believe he's producing a better standard of football than we've ever had here.

"Jim's working at a brand new stadium and he knows he has a board of directors who will back his plans to strengthen the team, so why would he want to go anywhere?"

Harvey spent eight seasons at Edgar Street.


Cheap tickets today for young Hereford fans


Entrance tickets of just £7 for the family stand and £6 for the terraces are available on the gate for young Hereford United supporters to watch the MK Dons game this afternoon.

The club has decided that because of confusing information released earlier this week to drop the usual rule of youngsters having to purchase their tickets in advance.

Last Wednesday Bulls News published details of ticket prices for visiting young fans. These prices were taken from the Official MK Dons website and said that youngsters would be charged £5 or £6 depending on whether they stood or sat and the statement implied those charges would be available on the day.

On Thursday the Official Hereford United website stated that information on the MK Dons site was incorrect and had been amended. Early bird tickets would not be available on the day.

Yesterday Hereford changed its mind and said The clubs usual 'Early Bird' offer of £7 and £6 for the Beefeater Family Stand and the Meadow End Terrace, will now be available for children to 'Pay on the Gate' ...for tomorrows game only.

However MK Dons now say: Junior tickets for the Dons League Two fixture at Hereford United on Saturday will now NOT be available from Edgar Street on the day.
Junior tickets, along with adult and concession tickets, are currently on sale from the MK Dons Box Office but juniors purchasing from Hereford on the day will now be asked to pay concession prices.


So if your a MK Dons youngster who purchased a terrace ticket for today's game early in the week you might have paid just £5. If you purchased it yesterday it would have been £6 and today depending on which version of events you read you might pay £6 or £10.

Confusing?


Friday, March 30, 2007

Best Hereford United players wanted by H&W

BBC Hereford and Worcester want Bulls supporters to tell them who were the best players ever to wear a shirt for Hereford United.

The station is teaming up with their television colleagues on BBC Midlands Today to find the region's Greatest Midlands Footballer.

To set the ball rolling, they want Bulls supporters to choose their all-time greats from Edgar Street - from any era.

Nominations have to be in by April 12th.

Go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/sport/hereford/index.shtml and click on Best ever Bull


Stanley Get Fine For Ineligible Player

Accrington Stanley have been fined £12,000, half suspended, for fielding ineligible players in the Football League this season.

In a statement on their official website, the club say they are satisfied with the outcome. They claim that the law under which the first player, Chris McGrail, fell foul was not in the actual Football League handbook but only in a guidance note, and that the second player, Martin Fearon, was signed last year under Conference terms for the PASE scheme (as operated by Hereford United with Pershore College) and was not eligible to play for a Football League side despite the current year's recruits to the scheme being acceptable.

The club also take a swipe at an un-named club, also at the lower reaches of League Two, that pushed for a points deduction when the news broke.


Club Extends Early Bird Discounts

Hereford United have announced this lunchtime that the 'Early Bird' discounts will be available for people to pay on the gate for tomorrow's game.

This means that under 16's can pay either £6 for the Meadow End terrace, or £7 for the Beefeater Family Stand only. The discounts are not available for other areas of the ground.


Saturday Too Soon For Jennings

The Bulls are likely to be without Stephen Jennings for tomorrow's clash with MK Dons, with Graham Turner acknowledging that the game is probably too early for the midfielder to come back from injury.

Turner told the local press: "Jennings has progressed well but I do not think he will be ready for this weekend, although there is a very good chance he will be back to fitness in time for the games over Easter."

Jennings has been a hit at Edgar Street, playing nine times since his arrival in January on loan from Tranmere, but the club have not won since he was forced out of the side early in the second half against Hartlepool at the start of the month.

MK Dons are expected to give a debut to loan winger Albert Jarrett after he missed last week's draw with Walsall with an ankle knock but Aaron Wilbraham, Jamie Smith, Sam Page, and Paul Mitchell all miss out on the trip to Edgar Street. Last week's MK Dons side that drew with Walsall saw just five start out of the same team that lost to the Bulls at the National Hockey Stadium in October.


Play-Offs Confirmed For Wembley

The Football League Play-Off Finals will be at Wembley this season, it was confirmed today. The matches will be held on their traditional Bank Holiday weekend of May 26-28th.

In other news, Boston have confirmed the return of winger Brad Maylett from his loan spell at Chester. The move gives manager Steve Evans 13 players for the weekend clash with Bury.

ITV and Setanta are to add FA Cup coverage to their line-ups after securing a £400million deal with the FA for four years of FA Cup and England international coverage. The deal is around one third more than the previous arrangement with the BBC and Sky. Previously, when ITV had sole coverage of the FA Cup, lower league sides and the early rounds were largely ignored.


Clubs Up For Sale

More League Two clubs are up for sale and, in one case, for the second time this season.

Joining Boston and Mansfield in the shop window are Swindon, who have received a written offer from a consortium led by former director Bill Power. Power, who withdrew his day-to-day involvement in the club after an aircrash in August, is looking to reclaim the cash-strapped club after previously being chairman at QPR.

Meanwhile, Torquay are back on the market and could be sold - again - before the end of the season. Chairman Mike Bateson, who retains a 51% shareholding despite selling 34% to former leader Chris Roberts, has two interested parties in his remaining stake. One in a local based consortium believed to include two former directors, while the other is an un-connected party.

Bateson announced the interest as he chaired the latest AGM. The accounts, originally signed off last October, predicted a reasonable season with a chance of promotion - but also showed a small profit. The current season is expected to show a heavy loss.


Giles Out For Season

Martin Giles is unlikely to play again this season, according to Graham Turner.

The Bulls boss told the local press that Giles was unlikely to play again after tests revealed the extent of the injury that has kept him out since October:

"Martin has been seen by a variety of specialists and has undergone all sorts of tests to determine what has happened to his back. It has now been confirmed the problem is a muscular one, rather than skeletal or anything like that.

"I do not think he will be back before the end of the season now because he has done so very little training and there are only a handful of games left anyway."

Giles has played 15 times since arriving in the summer from Camarthen Town.


Thursday, March 29, 2007

From Spain to Edgar Street

The MK Dons squad have had a short break in Spain this week in preparation for their trip to Edgar Street on Saturday.

They flew out last Monday from Luton Airport and returned yesterday evening. It's not the first time MK Dons have been away together as a squad.

Manager Marin Allen told Milton Keynes today that "these trips give the players a chance to relax together, talk to each other and, I hope for them, to reaffirm what it is they want to achieve over the next seven matches.

"We have kept them ticking over, they have been very professional, there have been no problems and we'll get back out on that training ground today to prepare for the trip to Hereford."

Allen took several of his injured players with him to Spain including Aaron Wilbraham, Jamie Smith, Albert Jarrett, Sam Page (all ankle), and Lloyd Dyer (groin). plus an undisclosed player – boss Allen insists he will not risk anyone who is not fully fit.

"Only people who are 101 per cent fit will be taking part and representing us on Saturday.

"It is one of seven cup finals we have left this season so we need everyone firing on all cylinders."


Postman Pat delays Annual Report

Some Hereford United shareholders arriving at last Thursday's Annual General Meeting hadn't received the club's annual report because of postal delays. Normally annual reports are sent out well in advance so that shareholders can study the report before the meeting and formulate any questions they might wish to ask.

The reports were sent out from the club the previous Monday but many only arrived at their destination on the day of the AGM.

It is understood that the reports were sent out with a first class 'Large' stamp attached to them. They were franked at Worcester on Tuesday March 20th.

However some arrived with a yellow sticker on them asking the recipent to pay 111 pence made up of 11p 'unpaid deficient postage' and a handling fee of £1.

The club told shareholders that they had checked the postage rate with the Post Office before sending out the reports.

Another point emerging from the AGM was the re-election of directors. Normally it is usual to tell shareholders in advance which directors are up for re-election but this was not done.


Ex-Bull Rose out for months

Former Hereford United left back, Michael Rose, is expected to be out for up to six months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the Stockport/Rochdale game last Saturday.

Rose limped off after 52 minutes of the game.

He is due to meet the club's surgeon, the aptly named Mr Turner, and an operation will follow.


Palmer in contention for Saturday

Graham Turner has confirmed that Marcus Palmer isn't going to Bath City at present.

The Hereford United manager has told BBC Hereford and Worcester that Palmer is likely to be in the squad for Saturday's game against MK Dons.

Palmer impressed in the game at Westfields last Tuesday after scoring three goals in extra time. He had been moved from the wing to center forward.

"He's had a habit of scoring goals in the reserves. Because we've got a lot of strikers here he's hasn't always played up-front in the reserves," said Turner.

"He was due to go to Bath City on loan - that was all arranged. He should have been there now but we have held him back and he could figure somewhere in the sixteen on Saturday."


Ex-Bull Says Gulls Spirits High

Former Bulls' defender Mark Robinson says spirits in the Torquay camp are high despite their fight to stave off relegation almost being a lost cause.

Robinson spent a single season at Edgar Street, playing 44 times. He rejoined former mentor Chris Turner at Stockport in the summer of 2005 and was feted as one of the few bright points in an otherwise dismal season. 'Robbo' fell out of favour during the current season under Jim Gannon and opted for a transfer window move to strugging Torquay.

On the plight of his current side, Robbo said: "After the way we beat Grimsby 4-1 and then Wycombe 3-0, it's a bit disheartening for us to be in the position we are. Until it's mathematically impossible for us to stay up, we're going to give it everything we've got.

"The Shrewsbury lads were saying last Saturday (when the Shrews won 1-0) that they've played a lot worse sides than us this season, and they're not the only ones who have said that. There's still a good team spirit here, and the training is good."

The Bulls travel to Plainmoor on the last day of the season, but most pundits expect the game to be nothing more than a swansong for the Gulls.


Palmer Loan In Doubt

Marcus Palmer's loan move to Bath is in doubt after his hat-trick against Westfields gave Graham Turner food for thought.

With the Bulls senior strikers failing to score in the last three games, Palmer's strikes have left Turner pondering adding the teenager to the squad for Saturday's match with MK Dons. The former Cheltenham man is yet to feature at all for the first team squad, but is highly thought of by the Edgar Street coaching staff.

Bath manager John Relish told the local press last night: "Graham Turner is having second thoughts about letting Marcus go as he might be involved with their first team on Saturday. He's going to give me a decision tomorrow."

Any loan move would have to be completed prior to today's deadline.


News Round Up

Woking have sacked manager Glenn Cockerill and assistant Matt Crossley with immediate effect. The former Southampton midfielder spent four and a half years at the helm, but the club have struggled this season and are only five points clear of the relegation spots.

The Football League have announced that crowds for the Football League Trophy are up 41% this season. New initiatives to stop teams fielding understrength sides and offering cheap admission has seen crowds go up, on average, by 900 per game. 55,000 are expected for the final this Sunday, 13,000 up on last season's final.

Swindon fans are being offered discounted travel for their trip to Edgar Street next weekend. The club will subsidise travel by up to £3 per person as they look to get back into the automatic promotion spots. Caretaker boss Martin Kuhl wants the job permanently at Aldershot. The former Coventry player may face competition from Graham Westley, who has thrown his hat into the ring.

Halifax fans have been told that they must raise £40,000 to see a takeover of the club completed. A group of businessmen want to come in to the stricken club, but cannot afford both the £30,000 to cover the wage bill for March and a £50,000 CVA payment. Bristol Rovers have appointed Ron Craig to take over from the long serving Geoff Dunford, who will remain a director.

Cambridge United shareholders have voted in favour of scrapping ownership limitations to allow major shareholder Paul Barry to invest £600,000 into the club. With today's loan deadline for sides outside the Football League, a few moves have been finalised. Lincoln have loaned midfielder Jamie Sherlock to Hinckley after the player failed to make the grade following a summer move from Gainsborough.


Coleman confident of avoiding points deduction

Accrington Stanley will be awaiting tomorrow's Football League verdict over their alledged fielding of two ineligible players with great interest as, if proven, they could be docked up to seven points.

"We feel quite confident," manager John Coleman told BBC Sport.

"We haven't tried to deceive anyone. It was an administration problem. We don't feel we've done a great deal wrong."

Club chairman Eric Whalley described the problem as a "minor technicality".

Stanley will hope that the League will follow the example they set when they recently reduced a points deduction for AFC Wimbledon from eighteen down to three.

Interestingly the hearing takes place at Preston from where one of the players involved came from.

Chris McGrail played twice for Stanley when on work experience at the club and registered as a scholar with North End.


Wednesday, March 28, 2007

McClenahan's Olyroos defeat Saudis

Australia's under 23 soccer team, known as the Olyroos, defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in Adelaide this evening (Aussie time).

Hereford United's Trent McClenahan travelled to his homeland last weekend to be with the squad and was expected to take some part in the game.

However he remained on the bench as an un-used sub.

Meanwhile former Bull Paul Parry came on as a sub for Wales in their 3-0 win over San Marino.


Cheap tickets for Dons youngsters on Saturday

Young MK Dons fans are able to purchase tickets for next Saturday's game at Edgar Street for just £5 or £6 according to their website.

And there is no suggestion on the site that these prices will not be available on the day of the game as well as beforehand.

Dons supporters can purchase tickets for the game at Edgar Street from the MK Dons Box Office all this week. Tickets will be available on the day but remember tickets bought in advance from the Dons Box Office benefit your club.There are tickets available in both terraced and seating areas priced as follows:

Adult Seating: £15
Adult Terrace: £13
Concession Seating (over 65s and students): £13
Concession Terrace (over 65s and students): £10
Juniors Seating: £6
Juniors Terrace: £5


Assuming the information is correct it implies that MK Dons youngsters will pay less than Hereford United youngsters who do not purchase their ticket in advance.

Normally reduced prices for young fans are not available on matchday at Edgar Street.

Meanwhile details have been announced of the new MK Dons stadium which is due to be completed by the start of next season.

The UEFA four-star stadium is said to provide an unrestricted view from every area and has padded seats for every supporter. It has a lower 'bowl' with a capacity of 22,000 and can be extended by 9,000 with an upper tier.

The stadium forms part of a complex which includes a luxury hotel with huge ballroom and a purpose-built arena for basketball and indoor music events.


Boston Face Eviction Crisis

Not a day goes by when something else threatens Boston's existence, and this time former chairman Pat Malkinson is trying to evict the club for non-payment of rent.

Malkinson retained ownership of the ground when he left as chairman, but the club are now seven months behind on rent payment and Malkinson is seeking a court order to evict the troubled club.

"This is not the first time court proceedings have been issued against the club over the non-payment of rent. The first time the rent was met, but following the second occasion, it is still outstanding. The club is seven months behind." a spokesman for Malkinson said. A court date has been set for April 26th: "The Malkinsons will be seeking forfeiture of the lease unless the outstanding rent is met before the hearing on April 26."


Bath say Palmer due to arrive today

The saga of whether young Hereford United striker Marcus Palmer is off to Bath City on loan continues.

Palmer played for the Bulls last night at Westfields and scored a hat-trick in extra time.

However the official Bath City website continues to say Palmer is due to join them and they expect him to join up with them sometime today.

Any loan deal has to be agreed by Thursday.


News Round Up

Bristol Rovers will not be groundsharing with Bristol City after the City board formally rejected their proposals. City are expected to agree to a share with Bristol Rugby Club, forcing Rovers to leave the city for 18 months.

Boston failed to make any loan signings because of the wage cap rules, according to their Chairman. Jim Rodwell told the local press: "It wasn't a case of us not having enough money. We were prevented from bringing players in because of salary management. Believe me, we explored every possible way around the situation with the Football League, but there was nothing we could do about it."

Chester will not stand in Boston's way if they want to recall Brad Maylett. Manager Steve Evans want the player back to ease their player worries, but is concerned the club cannot afford his wages despite Rodwell's assurances that money is available.

Notts County are to sign midfielder Ciaran Toner from Grimsby in the summer. The former Spurs trainee has scored eight times from 26 appearances so far this season but will leave when his contract expires.


Dover confirm Wallis signing


Dover Football club have confirmed the signing of Jon Wallis.

Below is how they have described his move from Hereford United.

DOVER ATHLETIC have pulled off a major transfer coup in completing the signing of Jon Wallis from League Two club Hereford United.

Jon, who was a fans' favourite at Crabble during a loan spell earlier in the season, will join initially until the summer.

This boosts the squad massively in our bid to gain promotion back to the Premier Division.

Jon, who has been on loan recently at Conference National champions-elect Dagenham, only inked the deal at Crabble on Tuesday night - and will go straight into the squad for our vital game against Chatham on Saturday.


Meanwhile Wallis has spoken to the Kent press.

"I had a wonderful loan spell here earlier in the season and really enjoyed myself. The club made a big impression on me and I'm delighted to be back at Crabble.

"There are a lot of great lads at Dover and I want to help them get out of this division. That is my main focus now.

"Clive has promised he will not stand in my way if a club at a higher level comes in for me - and, when I say that, I mean Conference or above.

"It goes without saying that I want to play in the Football League or Conference - and I will be listening to what other people say in the summer.

"However, if I am getting loads of games at Dover, become part of a successful team and enjoying myself here, it'll take an amazing opportunity elsewhere to prise me away. I may decide I want to stay here."


Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Bulls progress via extra-time

A spirited Westfields performance was overcome in extra-time by Hereford United, who eventually won the game 6-1. The scoreline, however, flattered Hereford. John Trewick handed starts to youngsters Jordan Fitzpatrick, Sam Gwynne and Marcus Palmer, along with a majority of first team players.

The first half was largely uneventful as Westfields defended well and battled hard to keep Hereford at bay. Stuart Fleetwood looked a threat with some long range efforts, whilst Westfields had their fair shares of chances. The only goal of the half came when Tim Sills was felled from behind in the box; Fleetwood tucking home the resulting penalty to hand United a narrow half time lead.

Westfields were on level terms early in the second half, when a defensive mix-up between Glyn Thompson and Dean Beckwith, led to the Hereford centre half heading into his own net. Once again, both sides had chances to score, with Andy Williams blazing over from close range and Westfields nearly snatching a late winner. However, neither side could find the net again and the game progressed into extra time.

Hereford's fitness shown through in extra-time as they put five goals past Westfields. Fleetwood was replaced by youngster Craig Jones, and within minutes of the restart, Palmer chased a long ball and managed to flick the ball over the Westfields keeper to give Hereford a narrow lead. More goals followed, as Phil Gulliver smashed home a volley after a Sills head down, and Jones tapped in Williams' driven cross.

Both Karl Lewis and Simon Travis played cameo roles, as they replaced Thompson and Alex Jeannin respectively. Palmer then struck twice more in the second period of extra time to put the result beyond doubt, firstly taking advantage of a mix-up between goalie and defender to tuck in, and secondly, being played through before striking home, despite the chance looking to have been lost.

The scoreline suggests an easy victory for Hereford, but it was far from it. Westfields worked hard throughout the game and caused problems for the away defence, but in the end, the extra fitness led to Hereford being able to strike five goals in extra-time. A total of 419 fans were present on a cold evening, which sees Hereford progress to the final of the Herefordshire Senior Floodlit Cup, to face Ledbury in the final.

Hereford United: Thompson, Rose, Gulliver, Beckwith, Jeannin, Williams, Palmer, Gwynne, Fitzpatrick, Sills, Fleetwood.

Subs: Lewis, Travis, Webb, Jones.


No early Bath for Palmer


Despite reports from the Bristol press that he was to join Bath City on loan, Marcus Palmer was alive and scoring for Hereford United at Westfields this evening. (Full report shortly)

Whether he will move remains to be seen, but his performance this evening was a highlight in an otherwise unspectatular performance by the Bulls who eventually won the cup-tie 6-1.

Youngster Craig Jones was a substitute for Hereford in the second half.

Meanwhile Andy Ferrell (pictured talking to one of his fans) could be out for the rest of the season.

Ferrell, who moved to Kidderminster on loan last week, pulled his hamstring in training yesterday.

UPDATE Wed: Ferrell has returned to Edgar Street for physio according to Sky


Accy's Brown loses appeal

Former Hereford United striker David Brown has lost his appeal against his sending off in the game against the Bulls last Saturday.

Brown will miss three games.


Who told the BBC?

Confirmation that the Shrewsbury game on April 28th at Edgar Street will start at 12 noon has finally come from the Hereford United Official Website this lunchtime.

The news comes exactly two weeks after the change from 3pm was reported on Bulls News. That information had come from the BBC.

What is difficult to understand is how the BBC knew of the change before the club. Who would have told them? The information must have come from somewhere.


Wallis Leaves Edgar Street

Hereford United have confirmed the departure of midfielder Jon Wallis 'by mutual consent'.

The former Gillingham player recently spent a month on loan at Dagenham, making two substitute appearances for the Conference leaders. He played just twice for the Bulls after an impressive pre-season and Graham Turner stated early on that the player hadn't settled.


News Round Up

The FA Trophy final will be played at Wembley. Kidderminster will take on Stevenage in the game on May 12th but the capacity will be reduced. The FA Vase final will also take place there the following day under the same restrictions.

The fire that destroyed Westfields' stand was started deliberately, Police claim. The match with the Bulls will go ahead tonight after frantic work by a team of volunteers to patch up the ground and floodlights, and Police are conducting house-to-house enquiries.

Torquay have lost the services of veteran midfielder Paul Smith through injury. The one time Bulls target suffered knee ligament damage and will not return this season. Boston manager Steve Evans trying to get winger Brad Maylett recalled from Chester, but the club don't have a recall option and the Boston board cannot afford his wages.


1500 places for Swindon supporters

Hereford United have offered Swindon Town 480 seat and 1020 terrace tickets for the game at Edgar Street on Saturday April 7th.

The tickets are already on sale at Swindon but it isn't clear whether the game is all ticket for their supporters or whether tickets can also be purchased on the day at Edgar Street.

The match is scheduled to kick-off at 3pm.

Meanwhile it is reported that Bristol Rovers have increased their prices by £3 for the visit of Swindon Town on April 28th to the Memorial Ground.

When the two clubs met at Swindon earlier in the season there was a 'chair throwing clash' between rival supporters and trouble in Swindon town centre.

Rovers has asked for extra police to be on duty and have justified the admission charge hike because of the extra costs involved.


Monday, March 26, 2007

Dons look to bring good support to Hereford

MK Dons are hoping their supporters will turn out in numbers for their visit to Hereford next Saturday.

Their last away match was at Peterborough to which they took around 1,200 fans and after excellent home gate of over 8,000 against Walsall yesterday, they are hoping for plenty of vocal encouragement at Edgar Street against 'Graham Turner's unpreditable outfit.'

The Dons website reports that tickets for the game can be purchased from their office ' which benefits our club' as well as from Hereford on Saturday.

MK Dons are currently third in League Two.

Meanwhile the referee for the game will be David Foster from Tyne and Wear.


McClenahan could return home

Hereford United's Trent McClenahan has been sunning himself near Adelaide in his native Australia but also training with the under-23 squad in preparation for their game against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

In between times he has been talking to the press about how he arrived at Edgar Street.

"I spent a few years at West Ham coming through the ranks and made a few first-team appearances," McClenahan said.

"When they got promoted to the Premiership it made it more difficult for me.

"I wasn't going to play regularly and get that much of a sniff.

"So it wasn't that much of a hard decision to leave.

"I'm young and I need to play regularly to learn so that's why I joined Hereford. I've played a fair few games this year and we'll see what comes of it."

He has made 22 appearances for the Bulls so far but never played at a senior level in Australia.

"Whenever you play for your country it is at a high level, especially in such a big match which we need to win.

"They'll be very tough, they're top of the group with two wins out of two.

"They'll come here looking to make it three but we're at home and we've got to look to be on the front foot."

McClenahan seems uncertain of how his future will pan out. However he admits that given the right offer he would consider returning to his home land.

"But I've never received an offer to play in the A-League so it's never really been a decision for me.

"We'll just see what happens."


News Round Up

AFC Wimbledon have seen their 18 point deduction for fielding an ineligible player reduced to 3 by the FA. The Ryman League imposed the penalty after the club failed to get the correct international clearance for former Cardiff player Jermaine Darlington, but the FA ruled the punishment was excessive 'given the specific and unusual circumstances' even though the deduction was wholly acceptable in accordance with Ryman League rules. The £400 fine remains in place.

The judgement gives some hope to Accrington in their case with the Football League, which will be heard on Friday. The club have also lodged an appeal over David Brown's red card against the Bulls at the weekend, while winger Sean Doherty is expected to go on trial to Ipswich this week. Darlington have lost the services of loan defender Ian Miller as parent club Ipswich need him to cover for injuries.

Stevenage have extended the contract of manager Mark Stimson until 2010. The former Grays chief has taken the club to the final of the FA Trophy and the Hertfordshire side are poised for a late run into the play-offs.


Westfields game is on

Tomorrow evening's game at Westfields is on despite the club having its stand burnt down early on Sunday morning.

Repairs to the flood light cables have been carried out this afternoon and so the Herefordshire Senior Floodlit Cup semi-final game goes ahead.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm.

It will be the first time Hereford United have played at their neighbours new ground.

UPDATE 6pm: Andy Morris, the Westfields chief executive, has spoken to BBC Hereford and Worcester about the cup game.

"We've got Hereford United here tomorrow night which is the biggest game we shall host in the history of the club. We expect a big crowd.

"We are very determined to play the game.

"We had an opportunity to swap the game to Edgar Street but we would like to take advantage of the home draw and play the game here on our own park."

Morris has also spoken about how the local community has rallied around.

"We have had a great response from the public because of the loss of the stand. We are going to get a lot of people up to support us," he told the Worcester News.

"We have had to dig trenches all the way around the ground. It's been a real Challenge Anneka-style effort.

"New cables have been fitted. The engineers did not allow us to turn the lights on until we had done that."


Brown defends himself against sending-off

Former Hereford United striker David Brown has defended himself against being shown a red card late in the game at Accrington last Saturday. Earlier he had scored against his old club.

"It was nice to score a goal. I'm happy that we've won the game. I'm just gutted with the sending off and that it's ended in that way," Brown told the Lancashire press.

"It's nice to play against your old teams and I've got a bit of a knack of scoring against them as well, but it's a first to get sent off against one of them.

"It's never been a sending off.

"I've fouled the lad, yes. I've brought him down. But I've not gone with any intent to smash him.

"There were so many reasons why it wasn't a sending off. To say that it was serious foul play I think is very harsh. Hopefully we will be able to appeal and get it overturned."


Players must play with some spark says Turner

The Hereford United manager has told his players to "get themselves right" in time for next Saturday's game against MK Dons.

"The players must get themselves right and play with some spark because it is now a big challenge for us next week," said Turner according to Sky.

"We must analyse why we are so flat. We have not kept a clean sheet in our last five games. There was nothing in this game but we lacked a cutting edge."

Meanwhile coach John Trewick has also commented.

"They (Accrington) scored a wonderful goal from 30 yards but the killer blow came in the second half from a free kick," said Trewick.

"In the last couple of games we have struggled to lift ourselves and put in slack performances.

"It is difficult to accept as there are seven games to go and we want to finish as high as we can in the league.

"But at the moment we haven't got the spark that is needed to turn the game our way."


Sunday, March 25, 2007

League Two Results Round-Up

Hartlepool move five points clear at the top after they comprehensively beat local rivals Darlington 3-0. Second placed Walsall could only bag a draw at MK Dons after being denied a cast iron penalty and two 'offside' goals. Swindon are fourth after beating Lincoln (5th) 3-2.


Palmer's move confirmed by Bath City

Marcus Palmer's loan move from Hereford United to Bath City has been confirmed.

Palmer will join Bath for the remainder of the season. The young striker moved to Edgar Street from Cheltenham Town at the start of the season.

He featured in several pre-season friendly games and scored in his first game at Ludlow.

Palmer, now 19, comes from Gloucester and once had a trial at Cardiff City.


Brown To Quit Shots

Terry Brown will quit as boss of Aldershot after five years in charge following Tuesday's home match with Weymouth. Brown's wife is ill and he has decided to spend time away from football. Assistant Martin Kuhl will step up until a successor is found.

Brown guided the Shots into the Conference and to the play-off final in 2004, narrowly losing out on a Football League place for the reformed club that left the league in 1992. Since that loss, the Shots have been in indifferent form in the league and have incurred heavy off-field losses that has seen the board admit that, apart from an FA Cup run, they would have been in Administration.


Westfields game in doubt

Tuesday's local cup game at Westfields is in doubt this morning after a fire at the All-pay stadium.

Crews attended the blaze around 5.30.

Westfields chairman, Andy Morris, has spoken to BBC Hereford and Worcester's Terry Goodwin.

"We had a game here yesterday and everyone left the ground at 6.30 last night.

"At 6.30 this morning we've got no main stand and a game against Hereford United on Tuesday which would probably attract five or six hundred people.

"All the 150 plastic seats are completely burnt. The metal flooring is completely melted. The cladding around the stand is completely gone.

"It's just the main steel structure that's still in place."

Tuesday's game is a Herefordshire Senior Floodlit Cup semi-final which will kick-off at 7.30pm if it goes ahead.

UPDATE 1pm: Fire service have said it may have been deliberate.


It's not over says Trewick


Speaking to BBC Hereford and Worcester after yesterday's game at Accrington, the Hereford United coach John Trewick.

"The last couple of performances we've struggled to list ourselves a little bit. We've put in one or two flat performances. It's difficult to accept.

"I think there's seven matches left in the season. It's not over.

"We want to finish as high up the League as we can."

The Bulls have only gained two points from their last six games. The last time they collected three points was at Lincoln with probably their best performance of the season.

This week the Bulls have two games. First a local cup game at Westfields on Tuesday, then next Saturday MK Dons visit Edgar Street.


Saturday, March 24, 2007

Stanley's stadium still the worst in the League


Whilst there have been improvements to the entrance for visiting fans, Accrington Stanley's stadium must still be the worst in the League.

With neither end under cover and the one side very narrow, it's not the best place to be on a wet and cold day. Luckily for the visit of Hereford United it was dry.

However the home fans do their best to liven up the place with plenty of banners and the food is reasonable perhaps because their catering is done by a local firm.

It also appears that Accrington have recruited new stewards this season as today they were both friendly and helpful.

One other point, their Tannoy system was loud and clear.


Poor ratings for Bulls players


Only Tamika Mkandawire (pictured) and Ben Smith were awarded seven points by the PA for their performances at Accrington this afternoon.

The rest of the Hereford United side received a five or a six.

For Accrington loan signing Antwi received a nine whilst ex-Bull David Brown, Cavanagh and Whalley were awarded an eight.

The eight for Brown was surprising considering he was given a straight red for his reckless challenge on Danny Thomas.

Hereford had 14 goal attempte against 12 by Accrington. However the home side had more on target - eight as opposed to five.

No Hereford players were booked and the Bulls were penalised just eight times for fouls against 23 by Accrington.

Hereford drop to 17th place after today's results.

15 Rochdale 37 14 49
16 Mansfield 39 0 49
17 Hereford 39 -6 49
18 Barnet 39 -14 46
19 Accrington Stanley 39 -11 41
20 Macclesfield 39 -16 41


Turner loans striker to Bath

Graham Turner is to loan a young striker to Bath City for the rest of the season.

The 19 year old striker has not been named but is thought to be Marcus Palmer.

Bath City manager John Relish knows Graham Turner well as they both at Chester City together.

"Graham Turner has agreed to let one of his very promising young lads - a quick striker who has been scoring goals in his reserve side - come to us on loan," said the City boss.

"I've know Graham since we played together at Chester and, if he says the lad we're getting is a good prospect who can do a job for us between now and the end of the season, that's good enough for me.

"We needed to get somebody in to keep the squad up to strength in the run-in after losing Scott Partridge for the rest of the season through injury.

"It looks like we've found a player who fits the bill and he'll be with us after the weekend because Graham Turner wants him available for Hereford's game against Accrington Stanley this weekend."


Lacklustre Hereford fall to defeat

Accrington Stanley sealed a vital three points to help alleviate their problems at the bottom of League Two with a 2-0 victory over Hereford United at the Fraser Eagle Stadium. Former Bull David Brown opened the scoring in the first half, and Peter Cavanagh doubled their advantage early in the second. However Brown was sent off late in the game.

United made two changes from the side that lost at Darlington, reverting back to a 3-5-2 formation. Alan Connell and Richard Rose made way with Phil Gulliver and Dean Beckwith replacing the duo. Andy Williams moved up front with Danny Thomas playing in central midfield. Stuart Fleetwood was included in the substitutes, for the first time since he lined up against Macclesfield in mid-January.

The early stages were poor, with little created from either side. Rob Purdie had the first opportunity for United, after he cut inside but he shot wide of goal. On loan Liverpool defender, Godwin Antwi had Accrington's first chance, with a powerful header from a corner. Luckily for Hereford, Luke Webb managed to clear the ball off the line and out for another corner. Steve Guinan then struck a half-volley into the arms of the Stanley keeper David Martin, another Liverpool loanee.

Stanley took the lead in the 26th minute, after good work on the left hand side from Shaun Whalley. He ran past Simon Travis, before the ball found its way to Brown, who struck first time from 25 yards right into the corner of the net. The goal was similar to Eifon Williams winner for Hartlepool three weeks ago; once again, Wayne Brown could have done little about it.

United should have scored an equaliser minutes after Brown's goal, when Purdie hit a hopeful long ball up field. Robbie Williams mis-judged the ball and it fell to Phil Gulliver, who was still up-field from an earlier corner. However, Gulliver hit a terrible shot wide when he was through on goal. Had it been virtually any other player on the pitch, it could have been so much different. Shortly afterwards Travis was caught out when Whalley managed to get past him down the left hand side, and then the tricky winger also went past Tamika Mkandawire. Luckily, Brown denied his low shot with his legs, and Mullin's follow up was weak. Late on in the half, Guinan headed straight at Martin.

Much like the first half, the second half started slowly with little threat from either side. This all changed though in the 54th minute when Mkandawire felled Whalley on the edge of the area. Stanley captain Cavanagh stepped up and fired a powerful free-kick past the wall and into the corner. Once again, Brown had no chance with the shot and Stanley had a cushion. Graham Turner reacted to the second goal, bringing off a defender, Gulliver, and giving Fleetwood a chance against the team he spent a month on loan at earlier in the season.

Yet, despite decent possesion, Hereford failed to create chances and Accrington were looking comfortable. Alan Connell was introduced half way through the second half for the in-effective Andy Williams. With Guinan being marked out of the game by the impressive Antwi, it was up to Fleetwood and Connell to make their mark on the game.

Romuald Boco struck a shot over the bar before Guinan had a decent opportunity to score for United. Mkandawire headed a corner back across goal, and the ball fell to Guinan in a crowded penalty area, his powerful goal-bound effort was blocked though and cleared. Connell also went close after he struck a powerful left foot volley from a Thomas cross, Martin though was equal to it, superbly holding the shot.

Stanley could have made it three late on when Williams curled a shot towards the corner. 'Superman' scrambled to his left and tipped the ball around the post. In the 90th minute, goalscorer Brown saw red for a late tackle on Thomas. United were looking to counter-attack, but Brown commited a cynical challenge. A yellow would have been justified but the ref saw fit to send off the former United striker. Connell tried late on to find a consolation but his turn and volley trickled wide.

Hereford failed to create any clear-cut chances, and it was a dissapointing afternoon for the 250 or so fans who made the journey north. With the season now all but over for United, the recent performances have been lacklustre. United are now six games without a win, and haven't scored in their last three. As for Stanley, the three points could prove vital at the end of the season in their hunt to avoid relegation.

Next up for Hereford are three tough looking fixtures, against MK Dons, Swindon and Walsall. All three are chasing promotion and will be a real test for The Bulls. Hopefully, Steve Jennings will return in midfield and provide the bite that has been missing in recent weeks.

1848 fans were present at the game, as Accrington continued their fine record at home against Hereford. They have beaten the Bulls on every occasion the teams have met at the Fraser Eagle Stadium in the League and Conference.

Hereford: Brown, Travis, Gulliver, Beckwith, Mkandawire, Purdie, Webb, Smith, Thomas, Guinan, Williams.

Subs: Thompson, Rose, Fleetwood, Connell, Sills.

Accrington: Martin, Cavanagh, Williams, Antwi, Richardson, Todd, Boco, Proctor, Whalley, Brown, Mullin.

Subs: Dunbavin, Ventre, Welch, Doherty, Mangan.


Ex-Bull Watch

Tony James scored a penalty as Weymouth beat Tamworth 3-1. Neil Grayson scored twice as Stafford beat Grays 4-2. Craig Stanley was an unused sub as Morecambe lost at Burton. Bertrand Cozic and Adam Stansfield both started for Exeter as they drew 1-1 with ten man York. John Grant scored his 18th of the season for Aldershot in last night's draw with Gravesend, for whom Chukki Eribenne debuted.

Neil Mackenzie scored for Scunthorpe as they drew 2-2 at Leyton Orient. Paul Parry was an unused sub for Wales as they lost to the Republic of Ireland.


League Two Results Round-Up

Rochdale will surely get the performance of the day award after smashing seven past a Stockport side that were setting records for clean sheets just a couple of weeks ago. Their 7-2 win included four goals in the first 20 minutes.

Down the bottom it was single goal games all the way, Torquay are now ten points short of safety after losing 1-0 to Shrewsbury. Wrexham brought themselves to within a point of safety after a 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers, and Bury are firmly back in the mire after a 1-0 loss to Notts County.

In other matches, Chester beat Barnet 2-0 to remain in mid-table but the game was watched by just 1,591, and Peterboro's late surge continues as they beat Grimsby 2-0. There are three matches tomorrow, featuring all of the top five sides.


Bulls Sink To Fourth Straight Loss

The Bulls season is in danger of falling to pieces after a 2-0 loss at Accrington in today's League Two encounter left the Bulls with just two points from 18 and sitting in an all too familiar 17th place in the league.

Ex-Bull David Brown scored, and was later sent off, to spark Accrington as the Bulls front line failed to score for the third game running. The gate of 1,848 was slightly better than recent gates, but the Stanley board will be disappointed it wasn't larger after more than 3,500 home fans took advantage of last week's free offer.

Full report later.

Andy Ferrell made his debut for Kidderminster, alongside ex-Bull Jon Brady, as they drew 1-1 with St Albans in a game that saw Kiddy get two sent off.


Wages in League Two

Hereford United's wage bill last season was around £700,000, nearly £140,000 higher than the previous season. How much higher the bill will be this season remains to be seen but another increase, perhaps to around £900,000, is expected.

With promotion to League Two is was inevitable that wage costs would rise. However even at £900,000 they could be slightly lower than the average if a survey, taken last April, by the Independent newspaper is correct.

Hereford United have had up to 25 players on the books this season.

AVERAGE BASIC WAGE:

League Two

Age 17-18 **

Age 19-20 £16,000

Age 21-22 £32,350

Age 23-24 £43,650

Age 25-26 £46,300

Age 27-28 £47,300

Age 29-30 £50,500

Age 31-32 £52,000

Age 33+ £45,800

Average* £49,600

*all players aged above 20. **insufficient sample pool for meaningful average.

AVERAGE BASIC WAGE BY PLAYING POSITION

League Two

Goalkeeper £45,900
Defender £44,400
Midfielder £46,800
Forward £67,900
Overall £49,600


Friday, March 23, 2007

Pressure on Accrington grows

The pressure on Accrington Stanley has grown with two of the clubs around them collecting points in this evening's league Two games.

Macclesfield defeated Mansfield 2-1 and Boston surprisingly took a point from Wycombe in a goal-less draw.

19 Macclesfield 39 -16 41
20 Bury 37 -14 39
21 Boston Utd 39 -25 39
22 Accrington Stanley 38 -13 38
23 Wrexham 37 -26 35
24 Torquay 38 -24 29

Hereford United remain in 14th position.


Match Programme makes money

BullsEye, the Hereford United matchday programme, appears to be making money even though it's sales are quite low.

Last season programme sales came to £43,417. The cost of those sales was £22,944 giving a mark up of over £20,000.

With the cost of the programme at £2.50, just over 17,000 were sold.

58,653 spectators watched the 21 Conference games and around another 12,000 saw various cup games and the Play-off game with Morecambe at which programmes were available.

These figures suggest that just one supporter in four purchases a copy of Bullseye.

Another interesting figures from the accounts is the gate revenue. After taking out the share to the Conference and visiting teams the net income from the gate is £606,753. Although the admission charge was reduced for a couple of cup games, it is reasonable to suggest that the average price paid for admission to a game at Edgar Street was just under £9.

Hereford United increased prices by about £3 for this season but have allowed children special deals which may have reduced the average increase to about £2.00.

The average gate for this season is expected to be about 3,350 for 23 home games (77,000) plus a good run of cup games which will have added about 15,000 to the gate.

Very roughly these figures should give a total gate revenue of about £1,000,000. There will be an amount to be deducted for the League and visiting teams. But the net revenue should be over £900,000, which is some £300,000 more than last season.

And assuming one in four spectators purchases a copy of BullsEye at each game, the revenue from the match programme will also have increased.


No night out for Bulls

Although Accrington Stanley is well over three hours from Edgar Street in a coach, the Hereford United squad will travel up to the Fraser Eagle stadium tomorrow morning.

This will be their first away game since playing at Chester they've travelled on the day.

The Bulls haven't had a very good record this season when they stayed away overnight losing at Wrexham, Hartlepool and Darlington to name three.

Manager Graham Turner is keen to get back to winning ways tomorrow.

"We've got to try an impose ourselves on them and play the game that we want to play.

"We're a side that want to pass it and sometimes it is difficult to get on top of the opposition and impose our game on them."

Meanwhile there will be second half commentary from Accrington on BBC Hereford and Worcester's 94.7FM frequency with Keith Hall.


Torquay is all ticket

Hereford United's final game of the season, away at Torquay United, has been made all ticket according to the Hereford United official website. The tickets will go on sale before the next home game, against MK Dons.

Details are as followed (from the official site):

STANDS

ADULTS - £15

UNDER16’S -£5

CONCESSIONS- £12.


TERRACES

ADULTS -£14

UNDER16’S -£5

CONCESSIONS- £11.


News Round Up

Aldershot boss Terry Brown will discuss his future with the board on Saturday morning after a second successive disappointing season. The Shots have again ended up in mid-table after starting the season with high hopes, and recorded heavy financial losses for last season and are operating at a loss this term. Their game with Gravesend on Friday night may be his last in charge after five years.

Boston's problems continue after the prospective owners Standing Alone and ground owners the Malkinson family fired at each other in the press. Standing Alone's takeover hinges on the purchase of the ground, but they claim the Malkinsons are holding out for far too much money and suggest that they want to see the club go bust to sell the ground for housing. Talks between the pair have ended and the situation looks bleak with a £1million Inland Revenue bill due in June.

Cambridge are giving every season ticket holder two free tickets for the next home match in an attempt to get more supporters. The club have recently handed out thousands of free tickets to residents in the local area but gates are still struggling under the break-even figure.

Bristol Rovers fans have voted for Twerton Park as their first choice for their next groundshare. 56% of a recent poll wanted their old Bath home for the stay away from the Memorial Ground that could last 18 months.


Seven Out For Stanley

Accrington will be missing seven players for the game with the Bulls tomorrow.

Alongside the two suspended players, Jay Harris and Phil Edwards, manager John Coleman will also be without Alan Rogers, Danny Ventre, Andy Tretton, Ian Dunbavin, and Leighton McGivern.

Influential midfielder Romauld Boco is expected to return after a knee problem but Bolton keeper Przemyslaw Kazimierczak has returned to his parent club after his loan ended. Such are the changes to the Accrington squad over the season that just five of those that started at Edgar Street in October started in last weeks win over Torquay.

The Bulls will be without Stephen Jennings and Martyn Giles but have no fresh injury concerns. The only change to the squad from the last match will be Andy Ferrell, who went out on loan yesterday.


Ex-Bulls Watch

Former Bulls forward Nick Harrhy has left Welsh Premier side Llanelli for a second spell in Australian football. Harrhy, whose only Bulls appearance was in a LDV Trophy tie against Northampton in 2003, has joined North Coburg United.

Chukki Eribenne is also on the move, finally completing a loan move to Gravesend after a brief spell at Grays. The former Bulls loanee was a target for Gravesend in January but the deal fell through at the last minute.

Another former forward, John Grant, is negotiating a new contract at Aldershot despite interest from several league sides. Brentford are one of the sides watching the striker who has scored 17 in 36 games this season, but the player has told the local press that he '100 percent' wants to remain at Aldershot.

Meanwhile, Andy Tretton played his first game in some time for Accrington's reserves on Wednesday. He has featured in only one first team game in over twelve months, making just seven appearances for Stanley in nearly two years. He will not be risked for Saturday's match with the Bulls.


Thursday, March 22, 2007

Players must prove their worth

Graham Turner has told his players to step up a gear and prove their worth if they want new contracts.

"Contracts run out at the end of the season so players have plenty to play for - either staying here or moving elsewhere. What we don't want is for the season to peter out," Turner told the Worcester News

"You always have forward planning but our focus is Accrington and we want to stop the run of defeats."

"We know all about Accrington.

"We have played against them once this season and I have watched them.

"They are quite a direct and combative side with better forward players than defenders.

"They are fighting for their lives and we are on the back of three straight defeats so we have got to go out there and put that right."

As regards who will play for the Bulls on Saturday, there is a doubt about Rob Purdie who has a rib injury whilst Alex Jeannin has a knock on his knee. Andy Ferrell has joined Kidderminster and both Martyn Giles and Steve Jennings are out.

Meanwhile Accrington Stanley have withdrawn their poster (see Sunday's Bulls News) depicting Hereford as a small side in Wales.


AGM attracts 16 shareholders

Just 16 Hereford United shareholders attended this evening's AGM which was held at the Three Counties Hotel at 7pm.

Chairman Graham Turner took the meeting and was accompanied on top table by fellow directors Joan Fennessey, Grenville Smith and Hugh Brooks.

As recently reported Aidan McGivern resigned as a director last February and Dave Preedy, who was appointed as a director last March, is no longer a director as he needed to purchase some shares in the club within two months of his appointment. However the chairman stated that Preedy was on his way to obtaining some shares. The inference is that he will be re-appointed as a director shortly.

The first part of the meeting looked at the accounts for the year ending last May. Huw Brooks reviewed them and he and Graham Turner answered several questions from shareholders.

Brooks stated that this was the third year in a row that the club had made a profit allbeit a much smaller one. The main reasons were the reduction in gate income and less money from transfers. He reminded shareholders that the previous accounts included a one-off profit of £110,074 which was the surplus arising from settlement of the CVA.

The chairman was asked about the redevelopment plans for the ground and stated that everything was moving very slowly. He thought that plans for the Blackfriars end would include the old social club.

Mention was made of the catering franchise and the extra donations received this year. The catering franchise comes up for renewal in two years and the extra donations were understood to be help with the new floodlights.

The subject of admission charges to games was discussed. It was generally agreed that it was important to try and get children to come to games with the hope they would become supporters of the club for many years. The chairman said that the club was looking at the whole question of admission including season tickets prices for next season.

A vote was taken on the report of the directors and the accounts which was passed unanimously. Also passed were votes to re-elect directors and the auditors.

That ended the formal part of the evening. The Chairman then agreed to a question and answer session with shareholders.

Most of the questions were about individual players and it would be not correct to publish the answers of the Chairman (who, in any case, was very guarded with his comments).

Suffice it to say that the Chairman felt there would be some players who would leave at the end of the season and some he hoped would stay.

However he did reveal that Martyn Giles was still suffering with a back problem and Steve Jennings had returned to Tranmere for treatment. He thought Jennings would be 50/50 for the Milton Keynes game a week next Saturday and gave the impression that Stuart Fleetwood might be in the squad on Saturday.

Close to the end of the meeting the chairman was asked what had happened to the club's former mascot Billy The Bull. His reply was that he didn't think mascots were very important and if it came to a vote he would vote no.

The meeting ended just before 8pm.


Board Block Boston Loans

With the loan deadline passing, Boston manager Steve Evans has confirmed that he will fight the remainder of the season with just 12 players.

Evans lined up four loan deals ahead of the deadline, but the Boston board refused to sanction any of the deals - including the two announced but delayed from last week. Boston will now travel to Wycombe tomorrow night with just 12 professional players, one youth team player, and no back-up goalkeeper. They are currently 9/4 for relegation.


Ferrell Joins Kiddy

Bulls midfielder Andy Ferrell has joined Kidderminster Harriers on loan.

The hard tackling midfielder has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks, and has been rumoured to be in the bad books with the coaching staff at Edgar Street for some time. Ferrell played 65 times for the Bulls since joining in the summer of 2005 from Watford, scoring three times.

He was sent off in the loss at Macclesfield in January, coinciding with the arrival of Ben Smith and Stephen Jennings, and has started only one game since. He will go straight into the squad for Harriers' Conference match with St Albans on Saturday.

There is some confusion over the length of the loan with Harriers claiming it to be until the end of the season, but the Bulls official site saying it is for one month.

He will be joined at Kiddy by ex-Bull Jon Brady, who has fallen out of favour at Cambridge United and joins on loan for the rest of the season. Brady played 24 times for the Bulls last season before being allowed to join Cambridge as travelling from his Northants home was a problem, but he has been a peripheral figure at the Abbey Stadium in recent weeks.

In other news former Bulls manager John Sillett's son, football agent Neil, is amongst the interested parties to buy Weymouth. The younger Sillett was previously a physio with a number of clubs and briefly relinquished his agents licence to manager Farnboro for 34 days in Feb/Mar 2005. The Bulls beat his side 6-0 during one of his five games in charge.


Prudence is the by-word says Turner

Graham Turner has spoken about Hereford United's latest accounts in this morning's Hereford times.

He said that it was not an easy task to have traded in the black for the past three seasons.

"Without anyone putting money into the club, prudence will remain the by-word in its operation," said Turner.

He then, perhaps surprisingly, makes the following comment.

"It will be of interest to hear how the current year is panning out financially."

The impression from that statement is that the club does not know how well or poorly it is doing from month to month which seems strange.


News Round Up

Wrexham are selling tickets at the checkout of the local Asda store in a bid to boost attendances. Tickets for their coming game with Mansfield are again priced at £5, with 1,000 on the checkouts of the store.

Wycombe have rejected the chance to postpone Friday's match with Boston due to international call-ups. Jermaine Easter, Fola Onibuje, and Ricardo Batista are all off on international duty, but the Chairboys will play on regardless.

Bristol Rovers have confirmed that they are in groundshare talks with four clubs ahead of the redevelopment of the Memorial Ground. The club are talking to both Bristol City and Bath City, despite both having current tenants, and Cheltenham and Swindon and are expected to discuss the matter with fans once suitability and financial arrangements have been discussed.


McClenahan in Aussie squad

Hereford United's Trent McClenahan has been picked for the Australian squad for next Wednesday's crucial Olympic qualifier against Group D leaders Saudi Arabia in Adelaide.

McClenahan is expected to fly out after Saturday's game at Accrington Stanley.

Meanwhile today is the last day when loans can be made. There is speculation that one or two Hereford United players may be 'loaned out'. Alex Jeannin's name has been mentioned in the Hereford Times this morning, while the paper states that Simon Travis turned down Stockport for personal reasons: "While it was a good offer and it was flattering to be asked, it just was not right for my family at the present time."


Deadline Day Loan News

With the 'emergency' loan deadline today, here is a list of the deals that affect League Two clubs:

  • Barnet - Out - Stuart Lewis (MF), released
  • Bury - In - Darren Kempson (DF) from Crewe, loan extension to end of season, William Mocquet (MF) from Sunderland, season loan
  • Darlington - In - Mark Phillips (DF) from Millwall and Rory Prendergast (MF) from Rochdale, season loan
  • Out - Craig James (DF) to York, season loan
  • Grimsby - Out - Isiah Rankin (ST) to Macclesfield, season loan
  • Hartlepool - In - Craig Hignett (MF) unattached
  • Lincoln - Out - Spencer Weir-Daley (ST) from Nottm Forest, loan terminated, Peter Holmes (MF) to Luton, season loan
  • Macclesfield - In - Isiah Rankin (ST) from Grimsby and Ciaran Donnelly (MF) from Blackpool, season loan
  • MK Dons - Out - Nicky Rizzo (MF) to Chesterfield, season loan
  • MK Dons - In - Dominic Blizzard (MF) from Watford, season loan
  • Peterboro - Out - Mark Arber (DF) to Dagenham and Trevor Benjamin (ST) to Walsall, season loan
  • Rochdale - Out - Callum Warburton (MF) to Northwich and Rory Prendergast (MF) to Darlington, season loan
  • Rochdale - In - Glenn Poole (MF) from Grays and Danny Reet (ST) from Mansfield, season loan, Tom Bates unattached
  • Stockport - In - Joe Lewis (GK) from Norwich, season loan
  • Swindon - In - Kevin James (ST) from Nottm Forest, season loan, Dave Partridge (DF) from Bristol City and Ashley Grimes (ST) from Man City, months loan, Claude Gnapka (DF) unattached,
  • Torquay - In - Reuben Reid (MF) and Ryan Dickson (MF) from Plymouth, season loan
  • Walsall - In - Trevor Benjamin (ST) from Peterboro, season loan
  • Wrexham - In - Anthony Williams (GK) from Carlisle and Michael Proctor (ST) from Hartlepool, season loan
  • Wycombe - In - Mikhael Jamal-Ruiz (GK) unattached

More about the disappointing accounts

A more detailed look at the latest Hereford United accounts reveals that the club was only kept in profit because 'donations received' rose from £45k to £95k.

Where that extra revenue came from is not stated.

The accounts suggest why Graham Turner may have felt the need to accept bids for both Andy Williams and Tamika Mkandawire recently as it now looks unlikely that the club will be able to do much more than balance the books in the current twelve months.

However the Board of directors appear to remain confident of the club's future.

The Board of Directors are pleased to report another profit for the season 2005-2006. The good financial results reflect a successful season on the pitch, including promotion back into the league.

The financial situation of the company is now better than it has been for a number of years. We hope that this is a base from which we can build further success in the future.

It is now clear that in the long term the Club will continue to play at Edgat Street and that the ground will be developed and refurbished in partnership with Developers.


The profit for the year is just under £8,000. down from £291,880 last year. However the debt is still over £750,000.

Staff costs have risen from £615,202 to £754,989. Transfer fees received down to £31,997 from £89,375 the previous year. Gate revenue is down by around £80,000 although season ticket receipts rose by £15,000. Prize money rose by £24,000 and sponsorship by £19,000. Club shops sales dropped by £13,000.


Only £8,000 profit last year

Despite hopes that Hereford United had made another reasonable profit last season, the club has said that it made just £8,000 in the year to May 2006.

In his weekly column in the Hereford Times, manager Graham Turner revealed the figures which suggest that the cost of promotion was higher than generally realised.

Gate reciepts were down by £80,000, transfer income down £50,000 and wages up by £140,000.