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Coach aims for the top!
In his first year with Hereford United, coach Richard O'Kelly played an important role in one of the Bulls' most successful seasons in recent years.
So how high is HU-FC.co.uk sponsored O'Kelly aiming this season?
"As high as we possibly can! Pre-season training has gone well, we have an enthusiastic squad and we can't praise them highly enough. The work they've done in training, their attitude and everything they do is first class."
"The group of players left from last year had a great team spirit and the new players are of the same ilk; they're young, enthusiastic and want to improve themselves. If you have fifteen or sixteen players with that frame of mind then they'll get better."
One of the pre-season signings, David Brown, is expected to score plenty of goals this season.
"David Brown started off the pre-season training very well, and he's obviously worked at his fitness over the summer because his fitness levels were very high for a player of his type," said O'Kelly. "Unfortunately, we had a training ground collision and he ended up with a cracked collarbone, but the initial diagnosis was about six to eight weeks. After further x-rays, though, it doesn't look so bad."
Another striker, Danny Bertram, signed recently but at Bromyard, was taken off soon after entering the area. O'Kelly explains: "He had a dead leg against Ludlow and there was a little bit of residue left over from that, and I think he just felt a little bit tight when he went on yesterday so, as a precaution, we took him off.
"I signed Danny at West Bromwich Albion when he was fourteen or fifteen and followed his career with interest. I was very surprised that he was released. He is not the finished article, nowhere near, but he has wonderful enthusiasm, a good touch and pace combined with an eye for goal, he can only turn into a better player."
Another player, Danny Moon, has featured in the United team this pre-season, playing at centre back. "Danny was involved with us last year, and he never let himself down," continued O'Kelly "He's a local lad, Hereford through-and-through, and he's still involved with the football club.It's always good to have local lads involved with the team."