Text at top (next game etc)

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

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Multi-Storey car park to close for five months


The Garrick House Multi-Storey 400-space car park in Widemarsh Street used by Bulls fans attending matches at Edgar Street is to close for five months from March 11th for "renovations".

Work on the lifts was completed last year and this new work is said to include the stairwells, strengthening on all levels and water damage prevention.

In place of the missing 400 spaces, The Council is to provide a temporary 60-space facility nearby.  A spokesman has said that research has suggested that the temporary park along with the other existing facilities will "be able to accommodate this".

It is not clear why this work wasn't undertaken during the time when the entire old market site was unused and available for temporary parking with space for probably a thousand cars at, say, £2 a day? 

Then again, that would have involved some forethought.


Ebbsfleet Owners See Further Membership Dip


The MyFC owners of Ebbsfleet have seen membership dip below 1,000 for the first time.

MyFC chairman Keith Handley says the annual renewal period has seen membership drop to 966, just 3% of the 32,000 that originally signed up to the venture.

Ebbsfleet needed £20,000 in donations to see them through January and require further funding to see them through the season, but Handley says the organisation has received no offers for the club and talks with the Supporters Trust are at an impasse.


News Round-Up


Portsmouth have had their council loan approved at an emergency council meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The £1.45million loan will enable them to meet the £3million valuation they hope the courts will impose on Fratton Park. The Football League are seeking a new sponsor after nPower withdrew their backing after three years. Their current £21million deal will now expire this summer.

Newport can go for promotion this season after confirming a ten year extension to their Rodney Parade lease, allowing them to meet Football League rules. Coventry have been told by landlords ACL that they will no longer negotiate on rent payments at the Ricoh Arena. The £400,000 a season offer is their final, and they will take legal action to recover the £1.3million debt if it is not accepted.

Bury have been placed under a second transfer embargo of the season after needing another PFA loan to cover the wage bill. The Shakers are six points the wrong side of the League One relegation line. Southport have released striker Michael Bakare by mutual consent. The former Macclesfield man, a former Bulls target, drifted out of the first team picture after early promise.

A Portsmouth blogger is facing legal action from one member of the Keith Harris consortium that the Football League is refusing to deal with. Banker Pascal Najadi has lawyers threatening defamation action against blogging network fansnetwork.co.uk over a piece posted by Pompey fan Micah Hall. Details of the problem are on the twohundredpercent site. 

Telford are offering a 'mates rates' discount for their coming home match with Gateshead, allowing Season Ticket holders to get a ticket for a friend in exchange for 'any UK banknote'. Kidderminster boss Steve Burr has been named Conference Manager of the Month for February, with striker Anthony Malbon winning the player award.


Bookies Back Bulls To Defeat Nuneaton


Hereford United are favoured by the bookmakers to defeat Nuneaton on Saturday.

Current best price for a Bulls' win is 4/5. That's with BetVictor.

Top price for a draw is 23/8 with Pinnacle.

Latest offer from BlueSq:

Hereford 4/6  Draw 14/5  Nuneaton 7/2

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Wycombe Seek £850,000 To Avoid Administration


Wycombe are seeking an 'immediate' £250,000 cash injection and a further £600,000 through the summer to avoid Administration.

The club, whose Trust owners only took over in the summer, are proposing to sell their Marlow Road training ground to an unnamed consortium of fans for £350,000, who will rent the ground back to the club at £30,000 a season.

Gates at Adams Park have fallen by 1,300 since relegation from League One last summer. The Trust needed to raise £125,000 by October to cover legal fees from their 'nominal fee' takeover of the club, and shut the club's youth Academy immediately after their takeover to cut costs.

Such is their need for cash that the Trust are proposing to bypass voting rules agreed in the summer as the relevant 'legacy' members are yet to be nominated. An email vote of members was circulated to members on Monday, with a Wednesday lunchtime deadline, warning that a refusal by members would lead to Administration.

A 10 point deduction would plunge the Chairboys into the League Two relegation battle, dropping them to 23rd in the current table.


Imps Appoint Simpson


Lincoln have appointed former Macclesfield boss Gary Simpson as their new manager.

The 51 year old left the Silkmen last March after a run of 16 games without a win, and was previously caretaker boss at Sincil Bank nine years ago.


From The Archives - Magic!


Nine Years ago today the Bulls put nine goals past Dagenham in a Conference League fixture.

Friday February 27th 2004

Dagenham & Redbridge 0 - 9 Hereford United

Magic!

 
Hereford United equaled a Conference record this evening as they thrashed Dagenham & Redbridge 9-0 at Victoria Road in front of Sky TV cameras and a crowd of 1617. The record was previously held by Sutton United, who beat Gateshead 9-0 in 1991. This result will act a reminder to Chester City that the Bulls have certainly not given up hope of bringing the title to Edgar Street.

It was, however, the Daggers who started the better of the two sides. Dagenham played some nice passing football in the opening quarter of an hour and produced many difficult crosses from both flanks, one hitting the cross bar and another needing the finger tips of Hereford 'keeper Matt Baker to divert the ball away from goal.

United's first goal was scored against the run of play following a good passing move. Ryan Green played a neat one-two with Rob Purdie and then beat Danny Shipp to the ball who tripped the wing-back in the area. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, and showing Shipp a red card for a professional foul. Tony James hammered the ball home low to the right of the goal for his 6th goal of the season, all of which have been from the penalty spot.

The red card was a turning point in the game and from then on Hereford were rarely troubled by Gary Hills' play-off chasing team. United had chances for a second through David Brown and Steve Guinan and finally doubled their advantage in the thirty-eighth minute. Brown was played in behind the defence by Guinan then turned his marker and fired a left footed shot into the bottom corner at Tony Robert's near post.

Baker was called into action late on in the first half when a free-kick was layed on to Danny Hill whose first time shot was saved well by Baker, who tipped it round the post. Hereford broke down the other end with pace and won a throw in on the left wing which Green took. Rose played the ball to Simon Willis, who found Green once again. His tidy chip found Brown on the left of the box who drove a powerful cross to Guinan who capped a brilliant Hereford move and made it 3-0 at the break.

United took just two minutes to open up their second half account when Rose crossed a free-kick for Guinan to tap in from close range. After the fourth Hereford took their foot off the pedal and slowed their game down allowing Dagenham to have a period attacking the Hereford goal but didn't look like scoring. The closest anyone came to beating Baker was Jimmy Jackson, who headed just over the bar.

Hereford scored five goals in the last twenty minutes as Dagenham began to tire. Each time Hereford attacked it looked like they were going to score. In the sixty-nineth minute Baker began a counter attack as he released the ball down the left to Rose. Rob Purdie and Brown found themselves with just one defender to beat, so Purdie squared the ball to Brown who beat the advancing 'keeper only to see his shot headed off the line by a covering defender. The resulting corner, well taken by Rose, was headed in at the near post by Brown.

Danny Williams, left out of the starting eleven to make way for new signing Simon Willis, took just three minutes to find the net after being subbed on for Willis. His effort from twenty yards hit the inside of the post and then found the back of the net for United's sixth. Guinan was also replaced by Marc Beesley and Jamie Pitman made way for Dean Craven as Graham Turner looked to rest key players for Tuesday nights trip to Telford.

Beesley scored his first for the club following his transfer from Chester. He met a Rose corner from the right with a half volley at the far post for Hereford's seventh. Two minutes later Green played Williams one-on-one with Roberts and he netted his second. In the eighty-nineth minute man of the match Brown completed the rout and his hatrick when one-on-one with the 'keeper. This was United's eightieth Conference goal this season.

This was an excellent performance by the Bulls which will give them great confidence in going to Telford on Tuesday.

And here's a few comments from those involved:

Steve Guinan:

"I don't think I've ever played in a game like that! 

"For any team to score nine goals at any standard is a good display but at a decent standard like this is something else. Credit has got to go to our team.

"When we come away from home we get a little bit more freedom. We've come here and they have to be the attacking team and we get a liitle bit more space. I do think the sending off changed the game tonight early on. It's hard to get your head around it really, they just kept attacking and leaving space for us to go forward.

"We had quite a few chances and you've got to put them away and we scored nine goals, so it's a brilliant feeling for us. In short spells Dagenham played some decent stuff, but whenever we had the ball we seemed to find an extra gear from nowhere. Everyone was flying forward.

"If anything I think I should have had another one; it's going to be a great journey home"

Graham Turner: 

"We didn't do very much wrong and in fact they made one or two very good saves to keep the scoreline down.

 "It's an occasion you don't want to rub it in, you don't gloat on these occasions. It was an extraordinary night for us, for the club itself. I think the last time the club scored nine was in 1934.

"So it was a tremendous night for us and it was against a side I have a lot of respect for. They are a side that has had two excellent seasons in the Conference and there were still thoughts that they might make the play-offs. So that just added to the achievement."


News Round-Up


Lincoln have extended the loan of Walsall winger Jake Jones to the end of the season. The teenager has started the last three games after joining last month. Telford boss Mark Cooper says he missed out on signing Wrexham loanee Dave Artell after releasing former Bull Richard Peniket to free up funds.

Macclesfield have released a trio of loanees with Brighton midfielder Yasser Kasim, Blackburn striker Micah Evans, and Wolves winger Jonny Gorman all failing to make a significant impression during their loan spells. Plymouth's Supporters Trust has criticised club owner James Brent for a lack of leadership, warning that the club is 'quietly sliding out of the League'.

Telford have signed defender Simon Ford from Grimsby until the end of the season. The 31 year old joined the Mariners, after a two year spell with Chesterfield, last summer but is yet to debut for them. Gateshead's home match with Kidderminster next Tuesday will now take place at York's Bootham Crescent. The Heed's own ground remains waterlogged, while Hartlepool are using their Victoria Park that night.


Kalezic: Bulls Were Better


Stockport boss Darije Kalezic conceded that the Bulls were the better side after watching his side lose last night.

The Bosnian joined a number of fans on their Yellowboard forum in conceding that the Bulls deserved the points, telling the local press:

“I can’t say that the players don’t want to win and don’t do everything to win. 
However, if you concede three cheap goals at home, then it’s difficult to win the game – especially against a good team – but you could see that Hereford were better.


“The problem is we don’t have time to work on things between games, it’s only recovery time. 
After two or three days we’re playing again and we don’t have too much time to work with the players.”




The Hatters are only four points clear of the bottom four with two of their relegation rivals holding games in hand.


Images From Stockport


A few images from Stockport where, last night, the Bulls defeated the Hatters 3-2.

Are We Ready?
Waiting For A Throw-In
Sam Clucas In The Wars
Joe Heath Came On For James Musa
Josh O'Keefe With Watkins, Jackson, James and Graham After The Winning Goal
A Very Happy Stam After Another Three Points For The Bulls


Cambridge Set 2,100 Break Even


Cambridge are to work to a 2,100 break-even budget next season - half the figure they were working on just six seasons ago.

The U's budgeted for 4,200 gates in the 2006/7 season but averaged just over 2,500, while in the 2010/11 season the budget was for 3,200. This season they are believed to be working on a 2,400 average, which is currently around 150 over their actual gates.

Director Dave Doggett told the local press, in the light of comments made by manager Richard Money last week, that the board had to cover February's wage bill at the club with just one home game in the month: 

"Every director at a football club knows it comes with the territory and seeing as we had a shortfall in February, the directors put in short-term loans. In March, we’ve got four home matches so all of a sudden you go from only having one match and not enough money to having enough and being able to repay the directors’ loans and you move on.

"I explained to the shareholders at the AGM the financial challenges at every football club, and most of them at a lower level haven’t got that cushion to cover variations in cashflow. That’s one of the reasons why Jez (George, director of football) is doing this 100-mile walk so short-term issues such as postponements don’t have such an effect on cashflow.
"It’s why we’ve also said for next year’s budget, we’re working on breaking even on 2,100 gates while working hard to bring in more non-matchday income and at the same time have a football budget that’s ambitious and competitive so we can be challenging for the play-offs next season.
"The club is a bit like an oil tanker that’s been going along in a steady direction for so long and I’m just trying to stop it before I turn it around.
"It’s not something you can do overnight, so it’s taking time and I’m pleased with the progress, but there’s a long way to go and we need everybody to come along on the journey with us."


Foyle Remains Realistic


Martin Foyle at Stockport Last Night
Despite a 3-2 victory at Stockport last night, Hereford United manager Martin Foyle remains realistic about the possibility of a play-off place. The Bulls are now in seventh position in the table.

"To me at the moment it seems a million miles apart," Foyle told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"I've got a small squad so I'll have to speak to the chairman.

"I've got 18 boys just running, running and running for the club which is great but that could chance very, very quickly."

Foyle remains pleased with the committment of his squad.

"Sometimes you conceed goals and heads drop.

"Their heads certainly haven't dropped and we know we are capable of scoring goals."


Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Results Round-Up


The Bulls are up to seventh with one eye on the play-offs after tonight's results. John Still's opening game as Luton boss saw more of the same with a 2-0 loss at Braintree, dropping the Hatters down to tenth in the table. Wrexham head the table by two points after a 1-0 win at Barrow, with Kidderminster holding second after a 1-0 win at Nuneaton. Grimsby beat Ebbsfleet 3-1 to stay third, with Mansfield up to fourth after a 1-0 win at Lincoln. Newport hold the final play-off spot with their game at Gateshead postponed, with Forest Green's 2-0 loss at Woking dropping them down to sixth.

At the foot of the table, Telford's plight is little better with them not in action and the rest of the bottom four losing. Alfreton beat Hyde 5-1 to move up to 16th, ahead of Stockport and Lincoln. Cambridge arrested their slide with a 2-1 win at Tamworth.

In League Two Harry Pell scored his first goal for Wimbledon but they could only draw 1-1 with Plymouth at home. That pair are the bottom two after Accrington won 3-0 at Rochdale, while Barnet beat Southend 2-0. Torquay's slump without Martin Ling continues as they lost 2-1 at home to Wycombe.


Bulls register back-to-back wins on the road



Stefan Stam Leading The Players Out Onto The Pitch
Goals from Luke Graham, Ryan Bowman and Josh O’Keefe earned The Bulls three points at Edgeley Park this evening and pushed United up to SEVENTH in the Blue Square Bet Premier.



Martin Foyle named an unchanged side for the fourth game in a row while Stockport gave home debuts to keeper Richard O’Donnell and former Bull Simon Hackney.

An early Stam clearance almost put Watkins away but the ball ran out of play before Bittner was brought into the action to save a Cullen shot.  Clucas broke from a defensive position but was unfairly impeded and needed treatment for a bang in the face.

A chipped ball forward by Gallinagh found Sharp who was pushed in the back to give The Bulls a free kick that was cleared under pressure by the Hatters defence.  Kingsley James tried a shot from distance that brought a save from O’Donnell on fifteen minutes before Stockport took the lead when a Cullen shot was saved by Bittner but the rebound was turned in by Adnan Cirak.  Bittner was harshly booked for colliding with Cullen after having made the save.

Ryan Bowman flicked a ball forward to O’Keefe as he burst into the box but a waving flag halted the threat.  A long diagonal Clucas pass almost found Watkins and the next break produced The Bulls first corner from which United got the equaliser.

Luke Graham's Header Is Goalbound
A well-worked corner routine enabled Luke Graham to rise and head a fine goal just short of the half hour mark.

Hackney was frequently involved as the hosts produced some decent passing football as The Bulls dropped into their familiar defensive shape.  O’Donnell collected Musa’s long throw before Bowman laid off to James but his through ball found Sharp in an offside position.  Sharp was then caught again when a Clucas/Bowman combination got the ball forward.

Three first half minutes of added time failed to produce any further score with Stockport having shaded the possession in the first period.

HT Stockport 1  Bulls 1

The Bulls kicked off the second half attacking their fans in the away end and an early chance saw Sam Clucas lift the ball over O’Donnell only for it to land on the roof of the net.  Clucas then forced a  corner from which Watkins dragged his effort just wide before a Stockport shot sailed high over the bar.

United were looking the brighter of the two side in the early stages of the second half with Watkins and Clucas both looking threatening.  A long Musa throw found Sharp in space but his hurried shot was blocked by O’Donnell.  Then The Bulls took the lead with ten minutes played.  Watkins checked inside his fullback before sending a fine cross to Bowman who sent a bullet header in at the back post.

Players Gather Around Bowman After The Striker Scores His 18th Goal Of The Season
Watkins was penalised for a needless push and then collected a silly yellow card for throwing the ball away.  Graham blocked a Stockport shot following a corner before another period of tidy possession by the hosts again failed to produce a threat on goal.

Gallinagh cleared a deep cross by Cullen at the expense of a corner from which Stockport grabbed a leveller.  The corner was not attacked by the Bulls defence and the ball was forced home by defender Tunnicliffe with twenty minutes of the half played.

Sharp released Bowman but Newton was quickly across to block the shot from The Bulls top scorer.  Stam, hampered by what appeared to be a back problem, was caught out by a through ball and Bittner had to be alert to save from Cullen before Bowman dragged a shot across goal as the game opened up.

Sharp cut in from wide and sent a shot high and wide,  Heath replaced Musa at left back and Marlon Jackson took over from Sharp as Foyle freshened the team with some fresh legs with seventeen minutes remaining.

Gallinagh made a rare sortie into the opponents box and tried a shot that was saved before Stam had another good header saved on the line.  Stockport threw on Paul Marshall and Danny Hattersley.  But it was The Bulls who retook the lead on eighty minutes.

Heath drilled a free kick into the box that fell to Jackson and his driven cross was headed in by Josh O’Keefe.

Josh O'Keefe Scored The Winner
 Watkins caused problems for the home defence with a couple of darting runs as The Bulls looked good value for their second half lead.  Stam cleared a cross from Hackney then another substitution saw the hosts change the second striker in Whitehead in place of Cullen.  Kingsley James forced an error from Whitehead with good persistent pressing and McDonald came on to replace Watkins as Martin Foyle looked to see the game out.

Marley Watkins Taking A Corner - Shortly Afterwards He Was Subbed
A Stockport throw was heaved onto the roof of the stand by Gallinagh as the officials offered an extra four minutes.  Bittner was out to clear with a hefty hoof downfield and Graham cleared a corner as The Bulls showed great determination to hang on and send the 78 travelling fans in the crowd of 2618 home the happier.

FT Stockport 2 Bulls 3

Hereford:- Bittner, Gallinagh, Graham, Stam, Musa (Heath 75), Watkins (McDonald 88), James, O’Keefe, Sharp (Jackson 75), Bowman.  Unused Curruthers, Smikle.

Stockport:- O’Donnell, Hall, Newton, Hammar, Tunnicliffe, Sharidan (Marshall 77), Nolan, Mainwaring, Hackney, Cullen (Whitehead 85), Cirak (Hattersley 78).  Unused Ormson, Fagbola.

A fine hard-working and deserved win for The Bulls having come from behind to create the better opportunities in the second half.  Once again, Jackson’s introduction provided the spark after Sharp had run the legs off the opposition in the first hour.  It’s a tactic that is serving Martin Foyle well.

Bring on those Nuneaton boys on Saturday



Stats from Edgeley Park


Here's a run down of the stats after Hereford's victory at Stockport County this evening.
Final Score: Stockport 2-3 United
Goalscorers: Adnan Cirak, James Tunnicliffe / Luke Graham, Ryan Bowman, Josh O'Keefe
Possession: Stockport 47% Hereford 53%
Shots on target: Stockport 8 Hereford 8
Shots off target: Stockport 1 Hereford 5
Corners: Stockport 6 Hereford 3
Fouls: Stockport 11 Hereford 6
Cards: Yellows for James Bittner, Marley Watkins and O'Keefe
Attendance: 2,618, with 78 in the away end
Table: Hereford up to 7th; 14 points clear off the drop and 11 points off the play-offs. Looking upwards rather than downwards tonight.
Roll on Saturday!

Bulls' head their way to victory

Hereford United claimed a second successive away victory, winning 3-2 at Stockport County. Despite going behind to Adnan Cirak's strike, Luke Graham headed in a corner to equalise. Ryan Bowman then nodded in Marley Watkins' cross early in the second-half but the hosts levelled through James Tunnicliffe. Josh O'Keefe had the last say though, meeting Marlon Jackson's cross with a diving header to seal the points for United.
 
78 brave away fans made the journey as Hereford rise to 7th in the Blue Square Premier.
 
Full report to follow.

Losses Continue Says Keyte


Hereford United chairman David Keyte has said that losses at the club are continuing. Yesterday the club announced a £422K loss for the year to May 31st 2012. 

"We have made cutbacks and far closer cost control," Keyte told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"But with the drop in Football League funding we face a similar loss.

"These set of accounts highlight that a club at this level cannot compete without the bonus of cup runs and transfer of players.

"Perhaps the only viable financial way back is the development of the ground, which we are actively working on, and the fact that the board are always open to new investment." 

Bulls 11/6 To Win At Stockport Tonight


11/6 is the current best price for a Hereford United win at Stockport County this evening. That's with Pinnacle.

Top price for a draw is 12/5 with Bet365, BetVictor and Stan James.

Latest odds from BlueSq:

Stockport 6/4  Hereford 6/4  Draw 23/10

Meanwhile both BBC Hereford and Worcester and Bulls Player will have full match commentary of the game.

Luton Confirm Still Appointment


Luton have confirmed that Dagenham boss John Still is their new manager. 

The 62 year old will be officially unveiled at a 1pm press conference. His first home match will be the Bulls' visit to Kenilworth Road on March 9th, with three away games before then.

Dagenham say they have waived a large compensation fee due under Still's contract in light of his service to the club, instead accepting a nominal payment and further sums based on his success with the Hatters. 

They have also named his assistant Wayne Burnett as their manager to the end of the current season. The 41 year old's last managerial appointment was with Grays in the Conference for a four month spell.


Hatters Sign Duo Ahead Of Bulls Match


Stockport have announced the signings of Paul Marshall and Greg McDermott ahead of the Bulls' trip to Edgeley Park tonight.

Midfielder McDermott and winger Marshall both come in on non-contract terms. McDermott came through Newcastle's youth system, where his dad Terry worked, but was released in the summer. Marshall has been playing for Halifax in recent weeks after a brief spell at Port Vale 12 months ago.


Stockport Face Similar Cash Battles


With the Bulls' AGM fresh in the mind, the team travel to Stockport tonight - a side with similar cash issues to the Bulls.

In their first season in non-league, the Hatters lost £650,000 after losing £850,000 in their final League Two season. They expect losses this season, their second in the fifth tier, to be down to £100,000 after heavy cost cutting.

To cover losses the Hatters have had to borrow £500,000 from shareholders, as well as raising a further £500,000 from a share issue - something the Bulls board are also considering to bolster funds at Edgar Street. 

In denying internet rumours of a £1.5million debt at Edgeley Park this week, vice chairman Spencer Fearn acknowledged that the heavy losses of the last two years could imply that size of debt:

"I can see where people have got £1.5m from; £500,000 was a share issue that went into the club. What I can tell you is there’s £500,000 of loans and that’s it – they are to existing shareholders."



News Round-Up


The future of Gloucester's new ground is up in the air after club owner Eamonn McGurk admitted they were locked in planning hell. Plans for the ground were 'minded for approval' back in September with minor changes expected, however the four year long project is stalled in planning with a string of meetings taking the project no further forward. The club have called off the latest meeting with the council and will decide on Wednesday  whether to proceed with the plans or look for an alternate site.

Accrington chairman Peter Marsden has backed manager Leam Richardson to keep them up after they sunk into the bottom two of League Two in the past week. Former manager John Coleman watched their game with Cheltenham alongside assistant Jimmy Bell on Saturday, prompting speculation that the pair were due to take over. Marsden told the press Richardson, who has a two year contract, remained their long-term managerial pick.

Newport are expected to have to play four games in eight days after their game at Gateshead tonight was called off. The Exiles only have one free Tuesday but the Heed are already committed to another game, meaning that the pair are likely to face on a Thursday. Alfreton have signed Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford on loan. The England u19 man comes in with senior keeper Phil Barnes injured.

Telford have opted not to extend the loan of former Bulls loanee Richard Peniket. The Fulham youngster started his first game for the Bucks at the weekend but didn't impress boss Mark Cooper. Former Bulls loanee James Walker has been released by Eastbourne at his own request. The former Charlton trainee has been with six different teams since his loan at Edgar Street three years ago.

Forest Green have signed midfielder Lee Fowler from Doncaster on a months loan. The 29 year old joined Rovers from Fleetwood in January, shortly before Fowler's former Wrexham boss Dean Saunders left for Wolves. Wrexham have signed defender Dave Artell from Northampton for the remainder of the season. The former Chester man hasn't played since October due to injury.


Monday, February 25, 2013

Short Report From AGM


Hereford United held their 65th Annual General Meeting at the Starlite Rooms earlier this evening.

Chairman David Keyte took the meeting. Along side him on top table were directors Grenville Smith, Nick Nenadich, Dave Preedy and Colin Addison. Around 30 shareholders including several from outside the county also attended.

The chairman apologised for the AGM being held later than he had hoped. He also revealed that some of the figures were changed last Thursday after discussions with the club's accountant about payments to previous employees (Jamie Pitman and Russell Hoult)

A loss of £422,472 for the year to May 31st 2012 was reported against a profit of £431,601 the previous year. There were several reasons for the loss, the main ones being a drop in transfer receipts of £206,000 and no prize money as against £112,500 the previous season.

Turnover was £1,873,696 compared with £2,055,026.

In the wages and salaries, which amounted to £1,421,402 -up £134,000, was the cost of settling with former managment staff. This added £60,000 to the expenditure. Directors fees were just £7,200, mainly paid to former director Tim Russon.

The loss also included a one-off VAT charge of £45,399. Questions were asked whether the club might be able to recoup some of this from either Graham Turner and/or accountants at the time Kidsons Impey but the chairman felt this was unlikely.

Shareholders were told about changes to contracts regarding stock in the club shop. Because of a former deal the club had to sell off shirts cheaply, including on e-bay. A new deal has now been signed which meant the club now carries less stock.

The police bill had risen but the chairman felt it was reasonable.

On an evening of gloom, there was some good news regarding the Starlite Rooms. Since last October the rooms had started to be in profit and this would be reflected in the next set of accounts.

The chairman felt the VP club was one area which could do more to help the finances of the club. It needs to move forward he said.

Players contracts were discussed. There were still players at Edgar Street with Football League contracts which would have to be paid until the end of July. The chairman noted that just two of those players started the game at Cambridge last Saturday.

Director Nick Nenadich spoke about how he is still trying to find out what has happened to the £100K bond lodged with Hereford Council. 

At the end of the meeting, the chairman said he would be not be quite so involved with the day to day running of the club for the next three months. His wife is due out of hospital tomorrow and he wants to devote some time to ensure she returns to full health.

One further point from the accounts was the fact that the club/company has current (as at May 31st 2012) liabilities of £238,211. However the directors say they 'have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being at least twelve months from the date of sign off.'

The directors are, in effect, funding the club at present. They hope that in the longer term the development of the two ends of the ground may allow them to recoup some of their investment. 

Finally the club is unlikely to return to profit this financial year. The club broke even, with the help of the cup-run, TV, and the fund raising by supporters, up to around the New Year. However currently it's losing around £30,000 per month.

Newport Report Sales Of 1100 For Next Tuesday


Newport report that they have sold over 1100 tickets for next Tuesday's rearranged game at Edgar Street.

Exiles fans can still return tickets from the original December date if they cannot make the new kick-off, but returns and new sales must be made by close of business on Friday.

Cash from the sales is yet to be handed over to the Bulls, under Conference rules, meaning County are likely to hand over in excess of £10,000 from ticket sales when the match has been played.


BT Purchase Of ESPN Limits Conference TV Appeal


BT have announced the purchase of ESPN's main UK and Ireland channels, cutting the options on the table for a future Conference TV deal.

With BT having secured Premier League rights for next season, cutting ESPN out of the deal, both parties were expected to have holes in their football coverage that could have been filled by the Conference. The merging of their rights pools means that BT will have access to the Premier League, FA Cup, Scottish Premier, and German league action next season as well as Europa League coverage.

The sale price of ESPN has not been disclosed, but is rumoured to be less than 10% of the £738million BT paid for Premier League rights last year.


Preview: Stockport vs Bulls


The Bulls travel to Stockport on Tuesday night seeking revenge on a Conference loss earlier in the season.

The two sides met at Edgar Street in October, the Hatters winning 2-1 with former loanee Phil Marsh scoring for the Bulls. The Bulls won on their last trip to Edgeley Park in 2010, Rob Purdie opening the scoring with a brace in the opening 15 minutes of what turned into a 5-0 win.

Stockport have changed manager since the last meeting, with Jim Gannon being replaced by Darije Kalezic. The Bosnian signed a deal to the end of the season expected to avoid relegation but has not produced tremendous improvements so far, with his two wins, two losses, and a draw matching the Hatters' form in the five matches prior to his arrival. They have failed to score in their last two games, against Ebbsfleet and Tamworth, with 10 goal top scorer Danny Hattersley netting twice since the managerial change.

The Bulls will seek back-to-back league wins for the first time since November, when Luton and Wrexham were dispatched in the week after the FA Cup demolition of Shrewsbury. Ryan Bowman brought back memories of the taming of the Shrews with his cheeky penalty finish against Cambridge at the weekend, with the 16 goal striker returning to form after a couple of quiet performances. Marlon Jackson's performance after coming off the bench means he will push to alter Martin Foyle's plans after naming the same XI for three games running.

Stockport County vs Hereford United, Edgeley Park, Tuesday 26th February, 7.45pm.


Accounts Expected To Reveal Large Loss


Hereford United's annual accounts will be released this evening and they are expected to show a large loss for the year ended May 31st 2012.

For whatever reason, shareholders will not be be given a chance to look at the results until just ten minutes before the start of this evening's AGM which starts at 7.00pm. In the past shareholders have been sent copies a fortnight or so before the meeting allowing them time to digest the figures and ask reasonable questions at the AGM.

Originally the accounts were to be released on Friday, but delays meant they were not ready. 


News Round-Up


Former Bulls trialist Chris Zebroski has joined Conf South big spenders Eastleigh. The seventh placed side recruited former Bulls Chris Todd and Dean Beckwith in the January window. Nuneaton have extended the loans of Coventry duo Lee Burge and Aaron Phillips to the end of the season. Keeper Burge, 20, and defender Phillips, 19, have been regulars for the Boro over the last month.

Gateshead have postponed their match with Newport tomorrow night after a pitch inspection at the International Arena. The ground is still covered from weekend snowfall and is waterlogged in places. Plymouth boss John Sheridan says he needs his side to score more goals after netting in just two of his six games so far. The Pilgrims are bottom of the League Two table, two points short of safety, after netting just 33 times this season.

Kidderminster say they are investigating a claim of racial abuse from one of their players. Remarks are said to have been made by someone in the away end at Aggborough during their home match with Alfreton at the weekend. Alfreton defender Theo Streete has been banned for four games after his red card for violent conduct at the weekend. It was his second dismissal of the season.

Portsmouth's Administrator says the club's year in Administration as cost around £3.5million in fees. PKF have charged the club £300 an hour for over 7,000 hours since coming in last February, while the club owes £11.4million to 'football creditors' that must be paid in full. 

Wrexham have beaten Kidderminster to the signing of Rochdale striker Dele Adebola. The 37 year old has started only one game since Boxing Day, netting six times in 28 games since a summer move from Hull, and will vie for forward roles with 36 year olds Andy Morrell and Brett Ormerod. The Dragons have also extended the contract of midfielder Jay Harris to the end of next season. The 25 year old has made over 100 appearances since joining them from Chester in 2010.


Luton Offer £700,000 Manager Contract?


Luton are reported to have offered Dagenham boss John Still a £700,000 deal to become their new manager.

The Hatters are reported in the national press as offering veteran Still £200,000 a year to become their new boss on a three and a half year deal. The 62 year old, who is in his ninth year at the Daggers, is now the bookies' odds-on favourite to take over after leading them to the Conference title and into League One on a shoestring budget.


Futsal Friendly At Hereford


An International Futsal friendly between England and Wales will take place at The Point 4 Arena in Hereford on March 17th







Sunday, February 24, 2013

News Round-Up


The walkout of Swindon's management team after Tuesday's game left players Tommy Miller and Darren Ward in charge. With both playing in yesterday's draw with Preston the pair needed a voice in the dugout, turning to former Bulls boss Jamie Pitman. The former Swindon trainee is development coach for the Robins' 13-16 year olds.

Cambridge have launched a scheme to raise £100,000 to prop up the club's finances. The club are to issue special 'commerative centenary shares' in the club, with Director of Football Jez George walking 100 miles over the Easter weekend to raise funds for the club. Manager Richard Money has also told goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge he can leave the club once they have secured a replacement for loanee Jesse Jonoren.

Southport have signed midfielder Sean Clancy on non-contract terms. The former Chester man left a similar deal at Kidderminster earlier in the month. Tamworth have extended the loan of Cambridge defender Jonathan Thorpe to the end of the season. The 20 year old has made six appearances for the Lambs in the last three weeks.

Dunfermline players are to make a complaint to the SFL after not being paid this week. The Scottish side have had to delay a new share issue to raise funds, with £500,000 needed to see it through the season, and have admitted a 'short term cashflow issue'. Grimsby have signed defender Tom Naylor from Derby on loan for the rest of the season. The 21 year old has just spent three months at Bradford, making seven appearances.

Kidderminster have made an offer for veteran striker Dele Adebola, with the 37 year old watching their game at the weekend. Adebola, currently with Rochdale, is also reported to be interesting Wrexham. Gateshead have announced that Tuesday's game with Newport will take place at the International Stadium after failing to agree a new venue, but heavy overnight snowfall has put the game in doubt with 4 inches currently covering the ground.


Stockport Travel – Tuesday


Stockport County v Hereford United
Blue Square Bet Premier
Tuesday 26th February 2013 KO 7.45pm
Edgeley Park
Hardcastle Road
Stockport
SK3 9DD
Phone 0161 286 8888

Edgeley Park has a capacity of just short of 11000 and is all-seated with visiting fans normally given the uncovered Railway End.  However, and it is hoped this will be the case on Tuesday evening, in times of inclement weather they sometimes allow seats in part of the Popular Side.  Admission is believed to be £16 for adults, £11 for concessions and £3 for U16’s.

HUISA – Not going

BY CAR - M6 to junction 19. Take the A556 towards Manchester/Altrincham. Then join the M56 towards Manchester Airport. After a few miles leave the M56 and join the M60 towards Stockport. Leave the M60 at Junction 1 and head towards Stockport. Turn right at the second set of traffic lights to go onto the A560 towards Cheadle. Then turn left into Edgeley Road (there is a pub on the left hand corner at the lights at this junction). The ground is down this road on the right.  Postcode is SK3 9DD.  Distance 137 miles.  You should allow two hours and forty-five minutes.

TRAIN – Trains leave Hereford at hourly intervals at five minutes to the hour.  However, the last scheduled train to arrive back in Hereford on the same day departs from Stockport at 9.44pm meaning you will miss the end of the game.

ALEHOUSES – Plenty to choose from in the main street and around the ground with many serving the excellent Robinsons’ beers.  The Crown Inn is a fifteen-minute walk north from Edgeley and can be found under the railway viaduct by the M6 on Heaton Lane.  It was the Stocky CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2008 and regularly has around a dozen pumps including a couple of ciders as well Stowfords keg.  The Market Place is a good area to head for where you will find a selection including the Pack Horse and Bakers Vaults (Robinsons).  The local ‘Spoons is the Calverts Court at 13, St Petersgate in the centre.  There is a small Labour Club next to the visitors entrance to the ground which I have used a couple of times.  They charge a small admission fee but it is particularly handy for the late arrivers who want a swift one before the game.  Finally, The Armoury is just five minutes from Edgeley.  It can be found at 31 Shaw Heath.  It carries Robinsons’ Hatters, Unicorn and Old Tom.  If the Old Tom tempts you you’re advised to treat it with respect, as it is 8.5%!  The Armoury is well used by home fans but well-behaved visitors are usually made welcome.

Enjoy.


Money Questions Hereford's First Penalty


Cambridge United manager Richard Money has questioned whether the first penalty awarded to Hereford in yesterday's game should have been given.

“I thought there was a push for the first penalty, and I’m not saying he didn’t handle it because he obviously did, but I don’t think he could have avoided it," Money told the press afterwards.

“The referee said at half-time that he knew he’d made a mistake; well, there were two or three occasions in the second half when he could have evened it up but he didn’t. 

“I’m not going to use that as an excuse, but it is the reality that as the home team it absolutely kills you."


More Images From Cambridge


Below are a few images from yesterday's Conference game at Cambridge United where the Bulls put on a better display to win the game 3-1.

Josh O'Keefe Keeping Eyes On His Marker


Kingsley James Partnered O'Keefe In Mid-field
Which Of You Handled The Ball?
Bulls' Supporters Cheering The Second Goal

Bowman After Scoring His Second Penalty
Bowman Holding Up Play Close To Full-Time
 For an excellent collection of photos from the game go to :

Printers Not To Blame For Accounts Delay


Hereford United had hoped to have copies of the latest accounts available for shareholders to collect last Friday but they were not ready.

"It was posted on the internet that they were due to be available at 1pm," Director Dave Preedy told BN.

"I went in and said they're not going to be ready for 1pm so the message was changed.

"They were not printed in time. Outside printers.

"They were not missing like some wags may have thought!

"We had the auditors in on Tuesday and then they have to be signed off before you can print.

"They were coming in the previous Friday but the chairman couldn't attend as his wife was having an operation.

"It was not the printers fault, it was a delay in having the meetings."

Money Praises "Spirited Display"


From Left: Richard Money (Cambridge), Martin Foyle and Andy Porter (Hereford)
Cambridge boss Richard Money called his team's performance a 'spirited display' after their loss to the Bulls.

He told the press: "The first thing I want to say is a big thank you to the support base today.

"They know we're struggling a bit at the minute and they were good because they saw a spirited display from the team and if they stay on side, it will turn. We've got one or two back and they'll still take a bit of time to come back, so from that point of view, it was a spirited display.


He also revealed loan keeper Jesse Jonoren walked out of the club after he was told he would not be starting today's game:

"He trained yesterday, but it all blew up yesterday afternoon. When Jed Steer came in it was totally different. He’d played 20 or more League games, so he has seen the hurly burly.
"This boy, although he’s a man of pedigree, he hasn't, so I felt it was better for him to have a look at it today, so Craig Ross would have played today in any case.
"He wasn't prepared to accept that. Whatever people say to me that `he has got to do this, he has got to do that', I'm the team manager and I’ll decide who plays, so if that’s the case, go back.
"We had an agreement with Fulham which I don’t think was correctly portrayed to the player and I’m not going to have a gun held to my head that he has got to play."


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Cambridge pay penalty as Bulls triumph



A brace of spot kicks by Ryan Bowman and a Sam Clucas shot that deflected into the net gave The Bulls a deserved victory despite a home strike by Tom Shaw.


Martin Foyle, a little surprisingly, named an unchanged side and the opening twenty minutes provided little to suggest an improved performance was to be expected. 


Stefan Stam Captained The Bulls This Afternoon
Stefan Stam took a nasty knock from Elliot when the Cambridge man followed through after the ball had gone.Meanwhile, Cambridge were passing the ball ominously well in midfield but without forcing a save from Bittner. 

Gallinagh calmly chested a through ball back to the Bulls’ custodian before Clucas tested the pace of the fullback as he burst down the left.  Elliot directed a header straight into the arms of Bitts and Hughes blasted high over the bar as the home dominance continued.

Sam Clucas won a corner from which Craig Ross saved Bowman’s shot low down before referee Hopkins noted the names of both Kingsley James and Josh O’Keefe for fairly innocuous challenges.  Elliot received similar treatment from the referee for yet another late challenge, this time on Luke Graham as The Bulls slowly started to get into the game.

Graham played a long ball into the box but Sharp’s knockdown was volleyed over by O’Keefe.  Clucas lifted a free kick into the danger area but O’Keefe’s header was wide while Bittner easily collected a similar Gash Header at the other end. 

Sam Clucas sent a rasping effort on target, which drew a fine save from Ross before The Bulls took the lead on forty minutes.

Musa launched a long throw into the box from the left and Josh Coulson was adjudged to have handled as he attempted to clear.  Bowman confidently dinked the ball down the middle despite the distracting antics of Ross.

Another Goal For Ryan Bowman
Gash deceived the referee into awarding a free kick just outside the box but Bittner was well positioned to collect Elliot’s header.

HT Cambridge 0 Bulls 1

The second period started briskly with, firstly, Josh O’Keefe finishing with a fine header only for the referee to disallow the goal for, apparently, an earlier infringement.  Cambridge struck back with a 20-yard goal from substitute Tom Shaw.

With the game opening up, both sides used the flanks to good effect.  Watkins blazed a free kick well over in a wasted opportunity and Gash joined the yellow collection when Mr Hopkins finally tired of his persistent fouling. 

Marlon Jackson replaced Chris Sharp on the hour mark and was swiftly into his work with a threatening run down the right.  Sadly, his cross failed to fall to a white shirt and the hosts were able to clear.  Then, with twenty minutes remaining, The Bulls re-took the lead.

Watkins and Jackson combined on the right before the ball found its way to Sam Clucas to the left edge of the box.  He turned inside and shot towards the far post but the ball took a deflection off Jarvis and into the net with Ross already going the other way.

Sam Clucas's Deflected Shot Put The Bulls In The Lead
Five minutes later the game was effectively over when Bowman converted from the spot for a second time in the match. 

Marlon Jackson Was Brought Down Just Inside The Area
Jackson jinked his way into the area and was upended by Harrison Dunk.  Bowman sent Ross the wrong way in front of the travelling Herefordians.

Bowman's Second Penalty Of The Game
Jarvis had an effort sail over the bar and Bittner collected Roberts back post header.  Martin Foyle sent on MacDonald for a ten minute run in place of Marley Watkins as The Bulls fairly comfortably saw out the match in front of 2171 including 161 from The Shire.

Hereford: Bittner, Gallinagh, Graham, Stam, Musa, Watkins (McDonald 80), O’Keefe, Graham, Clucas, Bowman, Sharp (Jackson 62). Subs not used: Heath, Carruthers, Smikle.

Cambridge: Ross, Roberts, McAuley, Coulson, Anderson (Shaw 46), Berry (Reed 77), Jarvis, Hughes, Dunk, Gash, Elliott (Brighton 70). Subs not used: Hedge, Wassmer.

This was, without being spectacular, one of the better performances of late from the erratic Bulls.  Bitts did what was required of him and the back four looked solid throughout with Galls getting forward to deliver some good crosses.  The wide players were a constant worry for the home defence while the central pairing were more effective than inspiring.  Chris Sharp worked hard and Bowman, apart from his goals, looked better for the introduction of the lively Jackson.

BN MOM Luke Graham

More of the same at Stockport please.