25 Years Ago Today

For today's archive fixture BN goes back to April 3rd 2001 and an evening game in the Conference League against Woking.

HEREFORD UNITED 0 - 1 WOKING

I'm sure I've written this before! It was Hereford United against Woking, there was a torrential downpour, and the Surrey side won the match. Yes, it was a repeat of that FA Cup tie tonight as Woking beat the Bulls 1-0 at Edgar Street in awkward conditions.

Prior to the match, Graham Turner said that the FA Trophy semi final second leg tie on Saturday at home to Forest Green Rovers mattered more that tonight's match. and showed that by fielding a weakened line-up. Scott Cooksey, Matt Clarke, Ian Wright, John Snape and Robin Elmes were all rested as Matt Baker, John Shirley, James Wall, Seamus Crowe and Kerry Giddings came into the side. However, Woking also made changes as seventeen year old goalkeeper Stuart Baverstock came in to make his debut, and the away side were also without midfielder Jamie Pitman.

A lively first half proceeded, with Woking's back line stretched by Hereford's attack. Chances came Hereford's way, firstly from Gavin Williams. The Welshman's had his effort saved by Baverstock, who turned the ball around the post, and he was soon called into action again when young full-back John Shirley hit a testing twenty five yard drive goalwards, but Baverstock saved well.

To imply that it was one way traffic would be wrong. Charlie Griffin had an effort blocked by the legs of Bulls' goalkeeper Baker, and soon after Matt Hayfield somehow missed an open goal, firing over from just ten yards out. Baverstock had to save his side again in the first period, firstly when one-on-one with Gavin Williams, the youngster came out on top to keep the score 0-0, and then from Phil Robinson, which was deflected wide. The former Stoke player picked up a knock just before the break, and failed to return for he second half. John Snape came on in his place. Paul Parry and Gavin Williams again were foiled by the Woking defence as the score remained 0-0 at half time.

The second half began and the game began to change, with Woking coming more into the action. Charlie Griffin hit wide whilst one-on-one with Baker, and then Hereford boss Graham Turner brought off the lively Paul Parry for Matt Clarke, but Woking were continuing to pressure the Hereford goal. It came as no surprise when the away side took the lead with nineteen minutes left. A left footed in-swinging corner from Scott Steele met the head of Steve Perkins who hit a unstoppable bullet-like ball past Baker.

Moments later, Steve Bull replaced the disappointing Gavin Williams and Bull almost got on the scoresheet eight minutes from time when he hit wide. Hereford pressurised the Woking goal in the last ten minutes, but couldn't break the deadlock.

With their minds on the FA Trophy semi-final, it was no surprise that Woking emerged victorious and Hereford were again poor in front of goal and have now lost their third league match at Edgar Street this season.

Referee Mr. S. Tanner of Bristol booked four Woking players; West, Boardman and Smith for fouls and Griffin for unsporting behaviour. An attendance of 1,280 turned out, but a higher crowd will appear on Saturday as Hereford push for a place in the FA Trophy final.

Hereford - Baker, Clarke, Wall, James, Shirley, Rodgerson, Parry, Crowe, Giddings, Williams, Robinson
Substitutions - Snape (46), Clarke (62), Bull (72).  

This Afternoon's National North Fixtures

A list of this afternoon's fixtures in the National North League.

Alfreton Town v Worksop Town
Bedford Town v Leamington
Buxton v Macclesfield
Chester v AFC Telford United
Chorley v AFC Fylde
Darlington v Scarborough Athletic
Kidderminster Harriers v Hereford
Merthyr Town v Oxford City
Peterborough Sports v King's Lynn Town
Radcliffe v Curzon Ashton
Southport v Marine
Spennymoor Town v South Shields 

Downes rejects fatigue excuse as Bulls risk nightmare run not seen since 1997

Hereford supporters at Aggborough last season

Hereford could be about to hit a new low if they lose at Aggborough on Good Friday as it would be the first time they've lost seven in a row since the nightmare 1996/97 season.

With Hereford being relegated from the Football League after 25 years, Bulls fans were left scarred as a final day 1-1 draw against Brighton sealed their fate.

With relegation once again looming, the first since the club reformed in 2015, manager Aaron Downes insists survival is still achievable.

The Aussie insists Hereford will not hide behind fatigue as they look to halt their losing run and respond against play-off hopefuls Kidderminster Harriers.

The Bulls have endured a gruelling schedule in recent weeks, playing 10 games in March, but Downes was clear that tiredness will not be used as an excuse despite Tuesday's 2-0 home defeat against Macclesfield being their sixth in a row.

“I'm not going to use fatigue," he told the press after the match. "We've had a lot of fixtures in a short space of time, but fatigue is in your head and it's when you decide you're tired.

"A lot of those boys are still giving a lot and I know they will so that's not going to be an excuse from us."

Instead, the Hereford boss says the focus must be on leadership, character and guidance quickly in a relentless run of fixtures, including three over the next seven days.

The players know what is expected of them and what I want," he added.

"I've git to deliver that message to them quick and sharp. I can do that individually by phone calls, by chats before the games. We regularly have Zoom meetings as a group so there's opportunities for me to give messaging."

Attention now turns to a crucial trip to Kidderminster, with Downes highlighting both the scale of the occasion and the opportunity to reset.

Describing it as a good and big game regardless of league positions, Downes said he understands the magnitude of the occasion as he has played at Aggborough during his time at Cheltenham Town.

"I know the importance of it," he said. "It's about us making sure that we show up on the day and giving our supporters something to cheer about because it's been a tough two-and-a-half week for them.

"We really want to give them something back."

Kidderminster Lost £122K Last Season

Kiddeminster Harriers lost just over £122K last season.

From the statement below it appears losses over the years now exceed £4M. 

Click on statement to enlarge: 

 

 

National North League Good Friday Preview

Snowfall At Kidderminster During Last Season's Game

 This preview was written by Tom Scott of the National League.

We're into the final month of the season and there is still a whole host of issues still to be settled in the Enterprise National League North.

AFC Fylde currently lead the way and topped the 100-goal mark in midweek.

The Coasters also moved into a four-point buffer over the chasers ahead of a what could be a tricky trip to Chorley.

South Shields won't need a lecture on tricky away trips - they head to Spennymoor Town who top the form chart for their last six games.

The Moors have dropped just two points from their last 18 available - ending March with a brilliant win over promotion-chasing Kidderminster Harriers in midweek.

That defeat saw Adam Murray's side slip into fourth-place ahead of their grudge match with rivals Hereford who are now six points from safety after a sixth-straight defeat on Tuesday.

Macclesfield hopped over the Harriers into that all-important third spot.

Third comes with a guaranteed semi-final place, of course and the Silkmen are in that driving seat now ahead of a trip to Buxton.

Peterborough Sports are still scrapping for survival but could edge closer to the drop if they lose against King's Lynn Town while Alfreton Town host Worksop.

Leamington's fate was already sealed but Bedford Town are still desperate to put some ground between them and the bottom four.

AFC Telford United and Chester collide with both sides well in with a shout for a top seven place.

Two sides already the right side of the dotted line face off as Darlington host Scarborough Athletic - the Seadogs head to Blackwell Meadows unbeaten in seven while the Quakers are looking to get back to their best after back-to-back defeats.

Elsewhere, Southport and Marine clash with both looking to put their FA Trophy heartache behind them.

Two sides in poor form meet as Radcliffe - one point in seven - meet Curzon Ashton who are winless in eight games and looking over their shoulder at the sides at the bottom.

Oxford City are in great form with one defeat in seven ahead of their trip to Merthyr Town. 

Edgar Street PA Regular Missing Last Tuesday

Matt Healey Talking To Chris Price

Hereford FC were without their regular occupant in the PA box last Tuesday. 

It was the first home league or cup game in any season that Matt Healey had missed since he took over the post nearly 22 years ago.

The last game he didn't cover was the visit of Scarborough on September 18th 2004 which Hereford won 1-0. His first match in the PA box was ironically also against Scarborough, on September 28, 2002.

He wasn't available last Tuesday as he was booked for a wedding event. When he took the booking some time ago he didn't think the Bulls would be playing that evening.

Matt hasn't disclosed how many games he has covered but it must be at least 600.

Keith Hall covered for Matt last Tuesday.  

Hereford 6/1 To Win At Kidderminster

The bookmakers are offering prices of around 6/1 for a Hereford win at Kidderminster tomorrow afternoon.

This is surely the highest price offered for a Hereford win since the club reformed.

Currently Hereford are 22nd in the National North League with just 38 points from 38 games and a goal difference of minus 20.

Kidderminster are 4th in the table with 69 points from 40 games with a goal difference of plus 14.

Last Tuesday Hereford extended their recent poor form to six defeats in a row when they lost 2-0 to Macclesfield (3rd) at Edgar Street. Kiddeminster also lost their game on Tuesday evening, Away at Spennymoor (8th) they were defeated 3-1. 

Hereford's away form is won 4, drawn 5 and lost 11. 

Kidderminster's home form is won 11, drawn 7 and lost 2.

Recent form:

Hereford LLLLLL

Kidderminster WDLWLL

Kidderminster 6/13  Draw 15/4  Hereford 6/1 

Seventh time lucky

Six losses on the bounce now for Hereford then, following defeat on Tuesday to Macclesfield. Seven is considered a lucky number. It really needs to be if this is to be seventh time lucky, especially with Bedford hosting Leamington as Hereford make the short trip to Aggborough for a Good Friday derby against Kidderminster.

Kiddy have been bang in the mix all season without ever threatening to get involved in the two-horse race at the very top for automatic promotion. They’ve lost three of their last four, but would have to go on the sort of run Hereford are on to miss out on the play-offs, and that looks very unlikely.

A nasty concussion incident that caused Harriers’ game against Radcliffe to be abandoned a few weeks ago means that goalie Christian Dibble is absent. It’s probably too simplistic to put their recent wobble down to that absence, but it might have had some sort of unsettling effect on their defence.

Their 1-0 win at Edgar Street on Boxing Day wasn’t a patch on their annihilation of the Bulls last season, when they cantered to a 3-0 win away and topped that off with a 5-1 win at Aggborough, another Easter encounter. If that points to them being a weaker side this season, the league table doesn’t seem to agree.

Harriers are very strong at home, having lost just two of their 20 games at Aggborough. Tellingly, the three recent losses were all away.

Adam Murray took over as Harriers’ manager last summer, arriving from Eastbourne Borough, who he’d guided to third place in the National League South last season, falling just short of promotion. He and his new club therefore had something in common, with Kiddy missing out on automatic promotion in agonising fashion on the last day of last season. It was then somehow inevitable that they wouldn’t then make it up through the play-offs, such is the nature of that cruel mistress of promotional decision-making.

Murray has been chopping and changing his side in recent games in order to address the recent wobble, with five changes made ahead of the recent defeat to Spennymoor, which has to be taken as a good sign for the visitors, although admittedly it’s clutching at straws a bit.

For the Bulls, Harrison Sohna completes his suspension with this game and will presumably be feverishly hungry to make an impact against Merthyr on Monday.

Freddy Willcox continues to shine despite the hundreds of minutes he’s played in a short space of time recently.

George Munday will presumably start again here, although like Willcox his young legs must be feeling it a bit by now. His hat-trick against Leamington feels like a bit of a distant memory. What would be far more valuable than that now would be another hat-trick of goals spread evenly across three consecutive 1-0 wins.

Yet another youngster who’s recently been putting a serious shift in is Cormac Daly. He remains the most likely option to find a way round or through the Harriers defence.

Keziah Martin looked bright and buzzy on Tuesday, and the collective defensive display in the first half was more solid than it has been. Credit there perhaps to Matt Preston, who could be facing his old club here in a fixture normally generously peppered with players on both sides who have the other side on their CV too. That’s not the case to quite the same extent this time, and could be a sign that for several seasons now the two clubs have been shopping at very different supermarkets. However, Preston, Kyle Howkins and Martin have all been Harriers, and ex-Bull Charlie Cooper should be making an appearance in a red shirt.

It could be that Preston makes way for the vastly improved Keenan Quansah though, with the latter presumably just rested on Tuesday.

Ahead of the game between these sides at Edgar Street on Boxing Day, the Bulls had just fallen back into the relegation zone. They’ve not been able to find their way back out of it since, and are now in fact deeper in its grasp than they were then, not helped by a series of postponements, of course.

The run-in after this game is just about as straightforward as could be hoped for. Whether you believe in luck or not, clubs don’t lose many more than six on the bounce unless they’re complete basket cases, and this squad certainly isn’t that, despite its shortcomings. An upturn could start here, or at home against Merthyr on Monday. There’s then six back-to-back games to end the season that a side absolutely desperate for wins will be playing against either poor sides or sides with half an eye on the beach. If the Bulls can’t generate enough points from those to secure safety, relegation will have been justified.

COYW

THROWBACK THURSDAY | Cardiff City 0-3 Hereford United - Welsh Cup Semi Final 1st leg - 2nd April 1990

A famous win at Ninian Park. Goals from Mark Jones, Ian Juryeff and Chris Hemming.

Cardiff 1 Hansbury 2 Rodgerson 3 Daniel 4 Barnard 5 Kelly 6 Gibbins 7 Fry 8 Griffith 9 Pike 10 Perry 11 Chandler Hereford 1 Elliott 2 MA Jones 3 Devine 4 Hemming 5 Peacock 6 Bradley 7 Pejic 8 Narbett 9 Robinson 10 Juryeff 11 M Jones Attendance 2,393

Torquay Lost £742K Last Season

National South League Torquay lost £742K last season.

This from Torquay: 

Torquay United has today published its accounts for the year ended 30 June 2025, covering the first full financial year under Bryn Consortium ownership.

It is important to remember the context in which these numbers sit. For much of this financial year, the club was still operating under a CVA until April 2025. A CVA, or Company Voluntary Arrangement, is a formal agreement that allows a business to repay creditors over time following insolvency while continuing to trade. In simple terms, that meant the club was still working through the financial legacy of the previous regime for most of the period covered by these accounts.

We know annual accounts are not always the easiest documents to read, so we wanted to set out a simple summary for supporters in plain English.

There are some encouraging signs in the numbers. The club’s turnover – the income generated from its normal activities – increased from £1.88 million to £2.26 million during the year. Gross profit also improved significantly, rising from £153,370 to £517,978. In straightforward terms, that means the club made better progress from its core trading activities than in the previous year.

At the same time, the accounts show a loss for the year of £742,438. Put simply, the club still cost more to run than it generated in income during 2024/25. The accounts also refer to retained losses of £3.17 million. That figure is not just about this year alone; it is the accumulated deficit built up over a number of years, rather than the result of one season in isolation.

The accounts also include a balance sheet, which is simply a snapshot of the club’s financial position on 30 June 2025. It shows what the club owned, what it was owed, and what it owed to others on that date. At the year end, the club had £47,798 in cash, £166,441 owed to it, and total current assets of £221,742. Against that, it had £1.68 million due within one year and £557,107 due after more than one year.

The balance sheet shows net liabilities of £1.91 million. In plain English, that means the club’s liabilities were greater than its assets at the year end. It does not mean that amount had to be paid immediately in cash, but it does underline the scale of the financial challenge the club has been working through.

It is also important to view these figures in context. The previous year’s accounts showed a large accounting profit, but that was heavily influenced by one-off items, including a £5.92 million loan write-off and an £81,000 historic accruals write-off. Those were exceptional accounting movements rather than normal football trading, which is why the 2024/25 accounts give a clearer picture of the club’s underlying day-to-day financial position.

The notes to the accounts also show continued backing from the ownership structure. At 30 June 2025, the club owed £661,313 to Big in Business Ltd, which is the Bryn Consortium vehicle and is listed as the majority shareholder, with Scoring Goals Limited named as the ultimate parent company. This figure reflects the initial capital funding injected by Bryn, which was used to repay creditors during the period of Administration. In simple terms, it was funding put in to help stabilise the club. That shareholder loan figure is also in the process of being converted into equity over the coming weeks, strengthening the balance sheet further.

The simple takeaway is this: the club made progress in growing income during 2024/25, but it still made a loss and continued to rely on shareholder support. That is why growing attendances, commercial revenues, sponsorship, hospitality and other income streams remains so important as we work to build a stronger and more sustainable future for Torquay United.

We believe supporters deserve openness about where the club stands. Progress has been made, but there is still more work to do, and everyone at the club remains focused on improving the financial position over time while continuing to move Torquay United forward both on and off the pitch.

The full accounts can be viewed here.

Key figures referenced:

Item	Figure
Turnover	£2.26m (2025) vs £1.88m (2024)
Gross profit	£517,978 (2025) vs £153,370 (2024)
Loss for year	£742,438
Retained losses	£3.17m
Cash at bank	£47,798
Amount owed to club	£166,441
Due within one year	£1.68m
Due after more than one year	£557,107
Net liabilities	£1.91m
Owed to Big in Business Ltd	£661,313

Source: Torquay United AFC statutory accounts for the year ended 30 June 2025, signed 31 March 2026

Second Half Pictures Hereford v Macclesfield

Pictures from the second half of last night's game.

First Half Pictures Hereford v Macclesfield

A selection of photos from a fairly uneventful first half at Edgar Street last night.

Downes taking responsibility and mulling changes after 'hurtful' sixth straight loss

Aaron Downes admitted Hereford’s sixth consecutive defeat was “hurtful” and challenged his players to rediscover their belief after another setback at Edgar Street.

The Bulls fell to a 2-0 loss against Macclesfield, with a set-piece once again proving costly, and Downes did not shy away from his own responsibility.

“It’s a frustrating one. That is a hurtful one because I didn't anticipate that,” he said post-match.

While the game remained goalless at the break, the Hereford boss felt the decisive moment came after the interval when his side conceded from a corner – an all-too-familiar theme and he's hinting at changes.

“I have to take responsibility,” he admitted. “I’ve got to look at our set-up, I've got to look at the way we're defending them and our attitude to defend them.

"We came in this afternoon an hour early to go through things on our pitch to try and give the players an edge and a bit more detail.

"But ultimately that’s two in two now that have let us down. It’s an accumulation of things and me, as a manager, I've got to take responsibility.

"I've got to look at the way that we set up, which I will do because it's a setup I believe in, but ultimately I've got to do what's right for the personnel we've got

"I might have to change my way of thinking. The players are trying their hardest so I've got to give them the best set-up to defend it."

Alongside the tactical concerns, Downes also questioned his side’s mentality after falling behind, admitting the reaction lacked the belief he demands.

“I don’t know if we had that belief after we went one-nil down,” he said. “That’s probably the most disappointing thing for me out of tonight.

He added: “I want us to have belief that we can come back from one-nil down, two-nil down, three-nil down.

"I want us to have belief and have that sort of consistency in that belief."

Hereford did create chances, with an effort striking the woodwork in each half, but Downes refused to hide behind misfortune.

“I'm not kicking myself," he told the press. "I'm not a victim. I’m not someone that's going to feel sorry for myself."

With results going against them and confidence clearly dented, the Bulls can still avoid relegation as despite being six points from safety, still have up to three games in hand on the sides above them in the table.

Downes added: "We've got to keep fighting and it's still in our hands. The end goal is still achievable and I've got to make sure that we turn around quickly.

"It's hurting all of us - supporters, players, staff, board - but the only way we're going to do it is together. 

"I've got to show strength now. I've got to show leadership in making sure that we're all doing the same thing."

Football Agents Fees

The FA have released a list of amounts paid to football agents for the year ending February 2026.

Interestingly Hereford do not appear to have paid any agents fees in that 12 months. 

NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM

This information has been made publicly available pursuant to the FA Football Agent Regulations.
The information has been included in good faith for football regulatory purposes only and no undertaking, representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness.
We cannot guarantee that any information displayed has not been changed or modified through malicious attacks or “hacking”.

F o o t b a l l A g e n t F e e s – 4 t h F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 5 t o 2 n d F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 6
The information below represents all Football Agents' fees paid by Clubs during the
specified period

CLUB NET TOTAL

AFC FYLDE   £ 2 4,1 3 7
ALDERSHOT TOWN   £ 4,4 2 0
ALTRINCHAM   £ 2 6,2 4 4
BOREHAM WOOD   £ 1 3.3 4 2
BOSTON UNITED   £ 3 0,3 6 5
BRAINTREE TOWN   £ 8,6 4 6
BURY FC   £ 2,0 0 0
BUXTON FC   £ 3,1 4 5
CARLISLE UNITED   £ 1 8 7,9 6 0
CHELMSFORD CITY   £ 1 5,7 0 3
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE   £ 3 7,8 2 8
DARLINGTON   £ 1,3 0 0
EASTBOURNE BOROUGH   £ 4,6 5 7
EASTLEIGH   £ 3 0,1 5 4
EBBSFLEET UNITED   £ 1 9,5 0 3
FC HALIFAX TOWN   £ 4,4 0 0
FOREST GREEN ROVERS   £ 1 6 4,3 7 3
GATESHEAD   £ 1 1,0 4 3
HARTLEPOOL UNITED   £ 2 9,3 0 4
HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE   £ 4,0 6 8
HEDNESFORD TOWN   £ 3,3 2 8
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN   £ 5 0 0
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS   £ 1 2,9 0 0
KINGS LYNN TOWN   £ 5,2 6 3
MACCLESFIELD FC    £ 1 6,6 0 2
MAIDENHEAD UNITED   £ 1 7,1 5 0
MAIDSTONE UNITED   £ 2,8 6 5
MARINE   £ 1,0 0 0
MORECAMBE   £ 1 5,9 1 0
OXFORD CITY   £ 1,0 0 0
POOLE TOWN   £ 2,1 5 5
ROCHDALE   £ 4 2,5 2 4
SALISBURY   £ 5,9 1 5
SCUNTHORPE UNITED   £ 3 1,2 1 2
SOLIHULL MOORS   £ 2 5,9 4 5
SOUTH SHIELDS   £ 7,0 7 2
SOUTHEND UNITED   £ 8 0,8 1 5
SOUTHPORT   £ 5 0 0
SUTTON UNITED   £ 3 4,2 4 2
TAMWORTH   £ 6,3 4 7
TORQUAY UNITED   £ 1 4,6 9 0
TRURO CITY   £ 9,0 9 2
WOKING   £ 1 2,7 3 3
YEOVIL TOWN   £ 3 3,1 0 9
YORK CITY   £ 1 6 9,0 8 9 

Click on the image to enlarge: 

Maidstone United Accounts

A lot of clubs playing in the National Leagues are reporting their 2024/25 accounts.

Yesterday National League South Maidstone released their figures with comments from the joint owners. 

Turnover for the year was £1,963,993, a decrease on the previous season (£2.74m), which had been boosted by an exceptional FA Cup run. The club recorded an EBITDA loss of £167,267. On a cash-flow basis, borrowings increased from £2,415,000 to £2,616,000, represented by interest‑free loans from owners Terry Casey and Oliver Ash.

The 2024/25 season was successful on the pitch, with the men’s team reaching the National League South Promotion Final and all other areas of the club in good sporting health. The club also continued to serve the Maidstone community, as it has done since the Gallagher Stadium opened in July 2012.

The financial loss for 2024/25 can be attributed to a number of factors, including global‑economic pressures. The rising cost of living for supporters impacted attendances compared with the previous year – a trend seen across the leagues.

The club also faced significant cost inflation, both within the playing squad and in general operational expenses such as repairs, maintenance and utilities. Stewarding and match-day safety costs also rose sharply.

Oliver Ash said: “With regard to squad costs, the club continues to experience strong wage inflation, fuelled by several clubs offering substantial wage increases. These clubs appear willing to sustain significant short‑term losses.

“We continue to regret the absence of effective financial governance within the National League, which previously rejected a proposed salary cap that would help control wage inflation, promote sustainability and support fair competition. The league’s management of the financial side of the play-offs also meant that, despite reaching the final, the club incurred a loss of approximately £30,000.”

Terry Casey said: “As result of a number of cost cutting measures we aim to reduce the losses for this 2025/26 financial year but there will still be a disappointing shortfall. The financial safety and security of the club is the absolute top priority for us and we are determined to ensure that there will be no further losses incurred in the future.

“The challenging economic climate continues to make it difficult for suitable new investors to come forward, although several serious discussions are ongoing. We remain confident that a sale can be agreed in the coming weeks, in the best interests of the club and supporters.”

 

Pre Kick-Off Against Macclesfield

Another good attendance at Edgar Street for the visit of Macclesfield. 

Andy Williams captained Hereford in place Lewis Hudson who missed out because of injury.

Some pictures from before kick-off: