Keeper Crisis at Edgar Street

No one could have foreseen the goalkeeping problems that have occured so far this season at Hereford United.

To have one keeper out of action often happens. To have two keepers unavailable seldom happens. To have three keepers out for whatever reasons must be virtually unknown.

At the start of the season manager Graham Turner must have thought he had signed two adequate keepers. Darren Randolph was signed on a season long loan deal from Charlton and Craig Samson joined the club after several seasons in Scotland.

Turner had noted Randolph last season especially when he kept goal for Bury against Hereford. And whilst the youngster didn't start his career with the Bulls very well - disappointing display at Kidderminster pre-season for example - he soon established himself as the first choice. His display against Leeds at Elland Road will be remembered by Bulls fans for sometime.

For his first league appearance for the Bulls Samson kept goal at Bristol Rovers. He must have wondered what had happened when the Gasheads put six goals past him. After that Randolph got the nod until just before the FA Cup game against Dagenham and Redbridge on November 8th, other than the Paint game against Swindon.

What was said between Turner and Randolph on that Saturday may never be known. But the arrival of Wolves keeper Matt Murray had leaked out. Suffice it to say Randolph blotted his career by refusing to play and Samson was brought in with just two hours before the kick-off.

Murray's arrival was warmly welcomed. A first class keeper who was on his way back to full fitness after a string of injuries. His command of the area was first class. Turner had brought in a gem.

Then that game at MK Dons on November 25th. Everything was going well until early in the second half when Murray was injuried after going down on his left leg and was carried off.

Graham Turner managed to bring in Chris Weale from Bristol City. Weale had already played for the Bulls early last season although for only one game. Then he was recalled because of a keeper crisis at City.

His first game was just last Saturday at Colchester. He had a good game bringing off several great saves late in the game as Colchester pressed for an equaliser.

Then yesterday an injury to his thumb at training has ruled him out for up to six weeks.

It won't be easy for Turner to bring in another goalkeeper as Randolph is understood still to be a Hereford player although he has returned to West Ham. And there is the financial implication. As well as having to pay both Randolph and Samson, Murray and Whele won't have come to Edgar Street for nothing.

With hindsight perhaps it's a pity Turner didn't offer former keeper Wayne Brown a better deal. It was rumoured that the gap between them wasn't great. Some say Brown was after a two year deal, other suggest it was no more than an extra £50 per week.

But others will remember why Chris Weale was brought in last season - because Brown was injuried.

Injuries are part of football and the numbers tend to even themselves out over a season. Hereford United has had more than its fair share to date this season. It can only get better.

Meanwhile another keeper will arrive at Edgar Street early in the New Year when the transfer window re-opens unless Turner can persuade the FA that the situation is desparate.

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