News Round-Up

UITC Girls team completed their fixtures for this season with a 6-4 win over Whitchurch at Central Park earlier today. The victory means that they finished a very creditable second in the Under 18 Gloucester FA Girls League.

Hereford FC Season tickets can be purchased from the club on Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week all between 10am and 4pm. They can also be purchased online at https://herefordfc.cloudvenue.co.uk/home

Former Hereford United captain Luke Graham was a unused substitute for Brackley in the FA Vase final at Wembley today. Brackley won the game on penalties.

Cefn Druids defeated Cardiff Met 1-0 in the Europa League Play-off. Former Hereford FC captain Joel Edwards was in the Met team.

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Dave Morris | Audio Interview - Hereford United Archive : Episode 9

Dave Morris is tonight's guest. Signed from Bournemouth in February 1993. Dave stayed at Edgar Street for a season and a bit.

Find out:

*Why left the South Coast for Herefordshire.

*Playing in the game which relegated Halifax to the Vauxhall Conference.

*Standing up to Wimbledon's John Fashanu and Vinnie Jones.

*Enjoying the big game crowds at Edgar Street.

*His dramatic late equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Walsall.

*Having to play in goal against Mansfield when Alan Judge was sent off.

*Loving Non-League Football

*Delight in being reunited with former Hereford United players on Social Media

The goal against Walsall is at 28:20 on this footage

Subscribe now    www.youtube.com/djmatthealey

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Andy Ferrell | Audio Interview

The former Hereford United player joins me for a chat. The ex Newcastle midfielder was at Edgar Street from 2005-2007.  He currently works at St James park organising away coach travel for Newcastle supporters.

Find Out :

*How John Trewick was instrumental in him arriving at Edgar Street

*Enjoying playing against Shrewsbury Town

*Which Hereford game he feels had the best atmosphere

*Memories of the Halifax Play Off Final

*What Guy Ipoua bought to the team

*How he found life in League Two

*Praise for Ben Smith & John Eustace

*How former Hereford United manager Martin Foyle supported him in prison

*The great bond the 2005/2006 squad had

*His love for Hereford

www.youtube.com/djmatthealey

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Alan Rodgerson - A Tribute

ALAN RODGERSON – A TRIBUTE TO A GREAT FOOTBALLER AND A REAL GENTLEMAN

 

Club Historian Ron Parrott has compiled this tribute to Alan Rodgerson, a Hereford United legend who sadly passed away this week:-

 

As a 14-year-old and fanatical Hereford United fan, I lived in awe of our new manager Bob Dennison and although he arrived at Edgar Street too late to save us from our first ever relegation in 1963/64, he wasted no time in bringing in new players to strengthen his squad. One of these was Alan Rodgerson, who had played under Bob at Middlesbrough and although he was with Cambridge United at the time, Alan had no hesitation in rejoining Bob at Edgar Street and it was the start of an association with the club that lasted for the rest of his life.

Alan was indeed a gifted footballer, small in stature but a giant in terms of his ball play and passing ability and never before had I seen such skill at Edgar Street. I was star-struck and frequently queued up at the players’ entrance after a game to ask for his autograph, several of these I still proudly have with my programme collection to this very day. Without a doubt, Alan was my schoolboy hero and I never tired of seeing him play. As a player, his conduct was always exemplary, his work-rate was phenomenal and he would get stuck in when the occasion demanded. Alan was a member of the 1971/72 giantkillers’ squad and only injury prevented him from taking his place in the team.

Over the years, I got to know Alan very well and it must be said that he was always a perfect gentleman and always sought me out in the club for a chat before and after a game. His knowledge of the game was outstanding and he had that ability to identify strengths and weaknesses that others failed to see and I’ve always reckoned that he would have made a great coach!

During his two spells at Edgar Street, Alan made a total of 264 appearances and scored 48 goals and the full pen-pic I have for him is as follows:-

 

Born Eastington 19th March 1939, died Hereford 17th May 2018

 
Alan started his career and came through the Middlesbrough junior ranks to earn schoolboy international honours before making 13 Football League appearances for Middlesbrough between 1958 and 1960. In his Division Two debut he scored twice in a 4-1 victory at Rotherham United, the scorer of the other two being the legendary Brian Clough. Alan joined Cambridge United in 1961 and helped them to gain runners-up spot in the Southern League in 1962/63. Alan was then snapped up for Hereford United by his former boss Bob Dennison in 1964, at the same time as his former Middlesbrough team-mate Eddie Holliday. A diminutive but clever, scheming mid-fielder, he had two successful spells with Hereford with two seasons at Gloucester City, 1968 to 1970, sandwiched in between, when he helped them secure promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League. Alan returned to Edgar Street in 1970 but injury prevented him from becoming one of the "giantkillers XI" in 1971/72 and when he returned to fitness, boss Colin Addison loaned him out to Cheltenham Town and the move was made permanent after a month. Alan scored a total of 48 goals in 264 games for Hereford and returned to Edgar Street again in 1973 in a coaching capacity. An electrician by trade, Alan settled in Hereford after his retirement from the game and was a regular visitor to home matches for many years after.

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Hereford FC To Launch Women's Team

Hereford FC have announced they are to set up a women's team in time for next season. The team will compete in the Midwest Counties Female Football League.

"We are extremely proud to make this announcement today as our ambition has always been to have our own open-aged, women’s team," said Academy chairman Paul Quarell.

"The successful launch of our academy has given us the impetus and confidence to progress this plan sooner than originally anticipated and we are really looking forward to being involved in the fast-growing women’s game.

"We will begin the recruitment of coaches and players immediately and will obviously be aiming to have a talented squad in place so pre-season training can start in plenty of time for our players to hit the ground running at the start of their first campaign in a Bulls shirt."

Trials will take place next month.

More details at: https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/bulls-to-launch-womens-team-for-201819-season/

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Updated Managerial Stats

Earlier in the week, Bulls News published an article from club historian Ron Parrott about the win rates of Hereford managers.

Some readers contacted BN and picked up on a few minor issues with the stats. In light of this, Ron updated the table and for the sake of accuracy the article has been republished.

We're hasten to add that Ron appreciates the corrections and we'd like to thank him for his work.

With negotiations still ongoing with Hereford FC and manager Peter Beadle and his team, it started Club Historian Ron Parrott wondering about just how good Peter’s record really has been and Ron comments 

As a self-confessed admirer of Peter Beadle, I listen to the habitual doubters every season, who seem to think that he’s not up to the job ahead as we progress even higher up the football pyramid. All I can say is let’s have a look at his record compared to previous Hereford managers and see where he stands in history.

The following league table of Hereford’s 26 managers is based on the number of matches in charge and the percentage of victories achieved during his time in charge.

Click on the table to enlarge.

Stats of course can be presented in many different ways to prove any particular point and although my definition of success is based on percentage of games won, you could equally argue that success should be gauged in terms of percentage of games lost, not won. Either way, there is no denying that Peter Beadle is streets ahead on both counts! 

In terms of games won, he has recorded 78.1% against the next nearest on just 55.81% and on the reverse side of the coin, Peter has lost just 10.22% of games played, with his next nearest rival on 25.58%.

Fans often say to me that I’m not comparing like with like i.e. how can you compare John Sillett in the old Second Division (today’s Championship) to Peter Beadle in say, the Midland Premier League? My answer to that is quite simple, in that a manager has to work with the tools that he has available and it’s how he forges those into a successful team that count. In my view, John Sillett working with Terry Paine and Dixie McNeil is no different to Peter Beadle working with Pablo Haysham and John Mills!

To the doubters who wonder whether Beadle (and his team) are up to the challenge of yet another level up, the short answer is that of course they are and they have earned the right to prove it and should be given it without a shadow of a doubt! Personally, I have every faith and truly believe that we could be a contender for at least the play-offs.

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Football On Sunday Morning

 

UITC's under 18 Girls play their last game of the season tomorrow morning at Central Park, HR1 1AW.

They entertain Whitchurch.

Kick-off is at 11am.

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Overnight Work At Edgar Street

Pictures From Ben Bowen

Work has been taking place overnight at Edgar Street.

Head groundsman Ben Bowen has been busy through the night giving the pitch a top dressing.

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Latest Award Is Just The Cherry On Top Said Beadle

 

Earlier this week Hereford manager Peter Beadle received the 'Red Insure Team of the Year' award.

Beadle and his three colleagues had travelled to Chelsea for the National Game Awards in association with SCL.

“To do three promotions on the bounce - we’re really proud of what the club has achieved,” said Beadle.

“To maintain that level on consistency over the years has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“We’ve had fantastic support in the last three seasons. We try to live up to the old philosophies of the old football club. 

“We try to play the way the supporters have been brought up on, so we’ve done that and been successful with it, so we look forward to going into another new division next season and trying to do it all again.

“Everything’s in place now. We have to be careful with what we do regarding how we spend our money because we only spend what we earn.

“We don’t have a benefactor and we have to be careful we don’t go down the route of the old club.

“It’s a fresh challenge and one we’re up for and looking forward to.

“It’s just been a huge year of achievement for us, to be in the room with all these people that have won all these different things throughout the season.

“To be regarded as the team of the year is just the cherry on top.”

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Car Park At Hay Festival In Aid Of Macmillan

 

Once again this year Bulls News will be running a car park opposite Hay Festival which starts next Thursday.

 

A donation from the proceeds will be given to Macmillan Cancer Support.

 

Meanwhile in collaboration with The Courtyard and Hereford FC, BN will have banners and leaflets to help promote 'The Goal' which is all about six ball-boys at Edgar Street on the day Ronnie Radford scored that goal against Newcastle back in 1972.

Finally the co-founder of Hay Festival Peter Florence received the CBE at Buckingham Palace earlier today.

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Four Away Friendlies Confirmed

 

Hereford FC have confirmed that they will visit four clubs in their 2018/19 pre-season friendly campaign.

They are Melksham, Cirencester, Sporting Khalsa and Evesham.

Full List:

Melksham Town (A) | Saturday 7th July | 3pm
Cirencester Town (A) | Tuesday 10th July | 7:45pm
Sporting Khalsa (A) | Saturday 14th July | 3pm
Evesham United (A) | Tuesday 17th July | 7:45pm

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News Round-Up

FC United of Manchester have announced three new signings. They are strikers Brodie Litchfield and Kurt Willoughby, along with centre back Chris Lynch. Litchfield joins from Stocksbridge, whilst Willoughby comes on board from Clitheroe where he finished top scorer in the Evo-Stik North with an impressive 33 goals. Vastly experienced former Salford captain Chris Lynch should add experience to the heart of their defence.

Altrincham have signed winger Anthony Dwyer who was last with Hednesford Town and previously at Telford.

Kidderminster has lost the services of  midfielder Elton Ngwatala. He had been with the Harriers for three season but has now moved to Dundee.

Barnet have appointed John Still as their new manager. Still quit Dagenham yesterday.

 

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Two More Players Agree New Deals With Hereford

Jamie Bird Has Agreed To Stay At Edgar Street

Two more players have agreed new deals with Hereford.

And So Has Billy Murphy

They are Jamie Bird and Billy Murphy.

Offers have also been made to Martin Horsell, Will Puddy and Eliot Richards.

Keyon Reffell, Lance Smith, Mike Symons, Jordan Liburd, Mike McGrath and Harry Franklin have already signed for next season. 

Beadle still has to speak to a number of players who are on holiday.

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News Round-Up

Stockport were presented with the PFA Fair Play Award yesterday at Chelsea. Manager Jim Gannon said 'I’m very pleased to collected this award because we haven’t had a red card in the league for the last two seasons and, since I returned, not one player has been sent off for violent conduct, serious foul play, professional fouls, deliberate handball, dissent or foul and abusive language. The award is important, because it demonstrates that you can be successful and develop players whilst playing the game in the right way.'

Telford are considering going full-time. New manager Gavin Cowan is to speak to chairman Andy Pryce about the matter.

Guiseley have appointed a new management team.  Russ O’Neill and Marcus Bignot become Joint Managers with Paul Clayton as Assistant Manager.

Liam Hughes has joined Darlington from Billericay.

John Still has quit as manager of Dagenham and Redbridge. He was last at Edgar Street when Hereford put the Daggers out of the FA Trophy in December. The club recently lost their main sponsor Glyn Hopkins.

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Former Hereford United Player Alan Rodgerson Has Died

Former Hereford United midfielder Alan Rodgerson has died. He was 79.

Rodgerson, second from left bottom row in this 1965 photo, had two spells with Hereford. The first from 1964 to 1968. He then moved to Gloucester for two season before returning to Edgar Street.

Formerly with Middlesborough, he initially joined in the summer of 1964 after being scouted by his former manager Bob Dennison who was now in charge at Edgar Street.

His first league game for Hereford was against Stevenage Town on Wednesday August 26th 1964. Along side him in the starting eleven were Jock Wallace, Rees Thomas, Selwyn Vale, Alan Attwood, Johnny Neville, Arthur Tyrer, Jackie Evans, Brian Punter, Albert Derrick & Ronnie Burbeck. Hereford won the game 5-3.

Rodgerson is one of a select group of players that have scored hat-tricks for Hereford. His came, in just 11 minutes, during a match against Hillingdon in the autumn of 1970.

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Summary Of Last Season's Stats

 

Hereford historian Ron Parrott has been delving into his records from last season.

 

Goals:- There were 28 different goalscorers in first-team games last season:-

 

40 John Mills, 28 Lance Smith, 12 Keyon Reffell, 10 Mike Symons,  9 Jamie Bird, 8 Pablo Haysham, Jennison Myrie-Williams, 6 Dara O’Shea, Garyn Preen, 5 Adam Page, 4 Mike McGrath, Jimmy Oates, Rob Purdie, Eliot Richards, 3 Tyrone Duffus, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, 2 Jack Deaman, Gethyn Hill, Jamie Molyneux, Mark Preece, Own Goals, 1 James Bowen, Jamie Cuss, Calvin Dinsley, Ryan Green, James Hancocks, George Hayes, Billy Murphy.

 

Appearances:- 38 different players were used last season, there were no “ever presents” and the full list is:-

 

55 Jimmy Oates (54+1), 54 Keyon Reffell (51+3), John Mills (44+10), Mike Symons (28+26), 53 Martin Horsell (53+0), 50 Lance Smith (35+15), 49 Pablo Haysham (36+13), 45 Dara O’Shea (39+6), 43 Ryan Green (42+1), 41 Rob Purdie (27+14), 36 Jack Deaman (32+4), 34 Garyn Preen (24+10), 32 Cameron Pring (27+5), 29 Eliot Richards (25+4), 26 Jamie Bird (19+7), 24 James Bowen (24+0), Mike McGrath (22+2), 22 Billy Murphy (18+4), 20 Calvin Dinsley (19+1), 19 Adam Page (7+12), 18 Jordan Cullinane-Liburd (18+0), 14 Jennison Myrie-Williams (14+0), 9 Will Puddy (9+0), Daniel Preston (8+1), 7 Jamie Molyneux (6+1), 6 Mark Preece (5+1), 4 Gethyn Hill (4+0), 3 Tyrone Duffus (3+0), Jamie Edge (2+1), Harry Franklin (1+2), George Hayes (1+2), 2 Alex Harris (2+0), Jamie Cuss (1+1), Bradley Williams (1+1), 1 James Hancocks (1+0), Dan Pugh (1+0), Sean Swan-McBride (1+0), Josh Beadle (0+1)

 

League Double Wins:- 16

League Double Losses:- 1

Sendings off:- 7 (Dara O’Shea 3, Mike Symons 2, Ryan Green 1 & Mike McGrath 1)

Player of the Year:- Ryan Green

Hat-Tricks: 7 (John Mills 3, Lance Smith 2, Jennison Myrie-Williams 1, Adam Page 1)

Leading scorer:- John Mills 40

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News Round Up

A former Hereford United youth team player has said he won't give up on his professional dream despite being released from Cheltenham Town. Josh Thomas was in the under-15s when he joined the Robins academy. Despite earning himself a professional contract last summer, he's just been released after spending much of the season on loan at Evo-Stik South West side North Leigh.

Montgomery Waters have extended their sponsorship of Hereford's Executive Club as well as becoming sponsors of the back of the shirts. Commercial manager Martin Brain has thanked Montgomery Waters' Operations Manager Steve Prosser, who's a lifelong Bulls fan, for 'driving this enhanced deal forward'.

Former Hereford United midfielder John Snape has agreed to stay as  Worcester City manager for next season. Snape hinted last month that he would stay with the Midland Football League side, telling the Worcester News he'd been assured he'd have a budget. 

Boston United manager Craig Elliot has given his thoughts on the new clubs in the National League North. Elliot said that Hereford are a strong, well-supported club, Guiseley have got some good players and Chester are a big cub despite financial issues.

Telford United's nine week week pitch renovation work started yesterday. Manager Gavin Cowan has also secured defender Ross White for another season, saying he was a real stalwart in their back line last season.

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Cuss Retires After 'Frustrating Year'

Jamie Cuss was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win at Dorchester in January

Jamie Cuss, who was one of two players released by Hereford on Tuesday night, has taken the decision to retire from football after struggling for almost two years with an injury.

Cuss receives treatment at Romulus

Cuss now needs another operation as the first on his knee wasn't as successful as firs thought. The striker initially picked up the injury on Romulus' 3G surface in September 2016, and in May last year he'd raised £10,000 in order to have the operation done privately - saying the NHS waiting list was 12 months.

He's now taken the decision to retire, but thanked everyone who dug deep to help him get the operation done as soon as possible.

"Following my chat with Beads, I feel now is the right time to say thank everybody who helped and contributed towards my knee op last year.

"Unfortunately the op wasn't as successful as first thought and further investigation has shown that I require further surgery to my knee. 

"This will put me out for another year for further rehabilitation so I’ve taken the decision to retire from playing football due to my age and work commitments. 

"Thanks for all the support over the last frustrating year."

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National League North v National League South

Bill Thomas compares the two leagues.

I expect that a lot Bulls fans may suspect that National League North may be a stronger league than National League South.

This season there were eleven teams in National League North with average gates of more than 1000, with three teams averaging more than 2000. Stockport had the highest attendances with an average of 3458. In National League South, Dartford's average attendance was 1023, but all of the other teams had average gates of below 1000. But does this mean that the North is stronger?

To try and work this out, I have compared the National League finishing positions of all the teams that have been promoted from step 2 between 2015 and 2017. Please see below.

Northern Teams.
Barrow - 11th, 7th, 20th (three seasons)
Guiseley - 20th, 20th, 24th (three seasons)
Solihull - 16th, 18th (two seasons)
North Ferriby - 24th (one season)
AFC Fylde - 7th (one season)
Halifax - 16th (one season)

Southern Teams
Bromley 14th, 10th, 9th (three seasons)
Boreham Wood 19th, 11th, 4th (three seasons)
Sutton 12th, 3rd (two seasons)
Maidstone 14th, 19th (two seasons)
Maidenhead 12th (one season)
Ebbsfleet 6th (one season).

These comparisons do appear to suggest that the teams promoted from National League South since 2015 have a better record than those promoted from National League North. None of the southern teams have been relegated, and five of the southern teams have finished in the top half of this season's National League table. Boreham Wood reached this season's play-off final.

Interestingly four of the twelve promoted teams had average gates of below 1000 during their promotion seasons, with three coming from the North. Another comparison factor is that Gloucester City finished 14th in this season's National League South, and 10th in last season's National League North.

Before I looked at the records of the promoted step 2 teams, I thought that the North would be stronger, but now I am not so sure. The attendances in the North suggest that the North is stronger, but the records of the teams promoted between 2015 and 2017 suggest that the South is stronger. Maybe they are about equal? I am simply delighted that we have won promotion!

As for the geography, some will prefer north and some will prefer south. But as we are a team that can be placed in either, I think that we are ideally suited to national football. So I say let's win promotion number four!!!! Up The Bulls!!!!

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Throwback Thursday | Hereford United 3-2 Halifax Town - 20th May 2006 - Play Off Final

Hereford United return to the Football League with a 3-2 win over Halifax Town. Goals from Andy Williams, Guy Ipoua and Ryan Green.

 

 

www.youtube.com/djmatthealey

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Season Tickets Sales On Par With Last Year

Season tickets at Edgar Street have now been available for three days and sales, at this early stage, are very similar to last year.

Late this afternoon the club reported that sales had reached 400.

After three days last year sales were said to have been 410.

Season tickets have gone on sale several weeks earlier this season, so there is a view that for sales to be on a par with last years is very encouraging.

Tickets can be purchased online at any time.

Addisons will not be open tomorrow but will reopen on Friday from 10am to 4pm.

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Another Title For Hereford

Picture From Peter Beadle's Twitter Account

Hereford FC have won another title. This one is the 'Red Insure Team Of The Year'.

"With all the titles we’ve won, we sit down as staff and feel we’ve seen the best from everybody because we’re a big club, and have deserved promotion," said manager Peter Beadle.

Later he added: "Delighted to pick up Non League Paper Team of the Year. Amongst so many worthy winners to come out on top is unbullievable!!!"

The Red Insure Team Of The Year is part of the National Game Awards which took place at Chelsea this afternoon.

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UITC Whitsun Week - Craft/Activity Days

This from UITC:

United in the Community will be delivering Craft, Games and Activity days alongside the Soccer Schools during Whitsun Week. The craft activities will be delivered by a qualified childcare assistant on Wednesday 30^th and Thursday 31^st May - a new initiative for this course.

Breakfast is included for all children who attend, please inform staff of any allergies during the signing up process.

Venue: Central Park, Field Grove View, Hereford HR1 1AW (Outdoor venue)

Dates: Wednesday 30^th and Thursday 31^st May  

Cost: £15.00 per day

To book a space, please email laura.davies@uitc.uk.com

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Rob Purdie Third In Hereford's All-Time Appearance Records

Rob Purdie with supporters Chris Oleksy and Lucas Kirby after the game against Kettering last month

Club Historian Ron Parrott has just completed the definitive record of appearances since the Club was formed in 1924 and is now 100% happy that he has the correct information.

The top 20 appearances belong to the following - click to enlarge the table.

Ron comments: "For a long time, I believed that John Layton (Senior) and Mel Pejic held the record jointly but when validating the information, I discovered that Layton had also played in an obscure Birmingham Senior Cup match that counted as a first-team appearance so 'Gentleman John' now stands proudly at the head of the table. 

"Elsewhere, Rob Purdie moved up to third place overall during last season and Ryan Green has an added incentive to stay with us for next season because he has an opportunity to overtake Ernie Watson and move up to 8th place and with a full season, he’s also within touching distance of fellow full-back Chris Price and striker Stewart Phillips!"

Rob Purdie has recently retired from football after qualifying as a firefighter. When Purdie made his 400th appearance for Hereford last year, Bulls News ran a series of articles on Purdie's career (link).

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Some Len Weston Seats Condemned

As part of the club's annual safety certificate checks, it has come to light that some seats at the back of the Len Weston Stand are unsafe to use.

The seats along Row E in Blocks G and H have insufficient supports. These are different to the other seats around the ground as they're embedded in the concrete, which means neither the supports or seats cannot be replaced.

Despite the loss of seats, the capacity of the two blocks will remain at a very similar level. This is because the club has needed to limit the amount of supporters due to the time it takes to exit in the event of an emergency.

In a letter to affected season ticket holders, the club said if there was an acceptable and viable alternative, it would have been implemented.

Standing along the back row is also not an option because of the conditions of the safety certificate.

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News Round Up

Former Hereford loanee Josh Gowling is one of three players placed on Torquay United's transfer list, with another five being released. The 34-year old defender joined the Gulls last summer from Grimsby and was named as their captain.

Chester have appointed Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson as their new joint managers for their first season back in the National League North. The pair come fresh from winning the division with Salford City but parted ways due to 'irreconcilable differences'. City Fans United chairman David Harrington-Wright told the club's official site the duo have a well proven track record and an excellent knowledge of football in the North West.

Hull City's supporters' player of the year is Jarrod Bowen. The 21-year old scored his first senior goal at Edgar Street in 2014, and has since gone on to make 49 appearances and score 14 goals after signing a two-year contract in November that year.

Brackley Town boss Kevin Wilkin says it was just a game too much for his side as they lost in the National League North promotion final 3-0 to Harrogate Town. Wilkin, who has at the helm since 2015, said his side have done well during the season but looked mentally tired on Sunday.

Defender Kallum Griffiths has made the switch from Spennymore Town to York City and has already set his eyes on promotion. The 28-year old has helped Spennymoor Town to four league titles over the past nine years, but told York's YouTube channel becoming full-time and his need for a new challenge meant it was a chance he couldn't refuse.

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Five Players Agree New Deals

Mike Symons Has Signed A New Deal

Around half of the squad met with manager Pete Beadle this evening and five agreed new deals for the 2018/19 season.

They are:

Lance Smith

Mike Symons

Jordan Liburd

Mike McGrath

Harry Franklin

Keyon Reffell Is Already Contracted For Next Season

Keyon Reffell is already under contract for next season, with Jamie Cuss and George Hayes released.

As previously reported on Bulls News, the three players on loan at Edgar Street have returned to their parent clubs:

Dara O’Shea

Cameron Pring

James Bowen

Those not mentioned will meet with the manager on Thursday evening.

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Hereford Supporter To Join In 'Abide With Me' At FA Cup Final

Hereford FC supporter Andrew Boucher is to represent the club when the traditional FA Cup Final hymn 'Abide with Me' is sung by fans of 14 clubs from across the football pyramid on Saturday 19 May.

A number of clubs were invited following their exploits in contributing to a memorable season in the Emirates FA Cup.
The clubs who accepted the invitation to take part are AC London, Bath City, Boreham Wood, Chelsea, Coventry City, Fleetwood Town, Framlingham Town, Hereford, Litherland REMYCA, Manchester United, Newport County, Notts County, Truro City and Wigan Athletic.
Sporting their club colours, the individuals nominated by their clubs will form the ’For All’ choir and take centre stage on the pitch before kick-off alongside four vocalists from the RAF.
Andy Ambler, The FA’s head of professional game relations said: “The singing of ‘Abide with Me’ remains one of the iconic moments on Cup Final day and we wanted to use this moment to recognise clubs across the football pyramid who have made it such a special season in the Emirates FA Cup.
“We are grateful to the clubs who selected such deserving representatives and wish them a very special day.”

Also in the limelight on Saturday will be former Bull Calvin Dinsley. He will be one of 137 goalscorers from this season’s competition the Cup Final ball to be used at the 137th edition of the showpiece fixture.  

The 'Ball For All' celebrates players from Step 6 of the National League system through to the Premier League, who all share the accolade of being a goalscorer in the world’s oldest domestic cup competition.

Dinsley scored for Hereford in the 1-1 draw at Fleetwood Town during their impressive cup run.

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Shrewsbury Start To Install Safe Standing

Shrewsbury Town are the first club in England and Wales to be allowed to install safe standing at their ground.

Work started this morning to take seats out of their Salop Leisure South Stand.

"The plan is for them to get most of the seats out today and then start working on installing the safe standing units, so it’s a nice sight to see them starting the work," said Shrewsbury's CEO Brian Caldwell.

"It’s going to hopefully help the atmosphere going forward. 

"The fact that we are getting the Safe Standing units to be the first installed in England and Wales, starting today, is going to be huge and there will be media interest on the club again." 

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News Round-Up

Southport have started renovation work on their Merseyrail Community Stadium. The roof of the Main Stand is being replaced as well as the seating. A new press box and new dug-outs are also promised. However work on the pitch has been put back a year.

At Stockport manager Jim Gannon has confirmed that twelve players remain under contract for next season. He has also given a first contract to 18 year old defender Jordan Downing who has progressed from the youth side.

York City have signed 28 year old defender Kallum Griffiths from Spennymoor Town. He leaves after nine years in which he made 389 senior appearances.

Altrincham has revealed that fifteen of their players have agreed to stay at the club for next season.

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