Mike Marggets contrasts the paths of both Hereford United and Leeds United which culminated in the League One game last Tuesday.
Five years ago this week in the Premiership, Leeds United played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in front of 67,774 people at Old Trafford; 225 miles to the South East, Hereford United were returning from the somewhat less inspiring surroundings of Stonebridge Road having secured an eventful 5-2 victory over Gravesend (as they were then) in front of 1,230 hardy souls on their way to the Conference play offs.
But as the two teams trotted out at Edgar Street this week both sets of supporters must have felt that 2004 was a few lifetimes ago.
The spectacular decline of Leeds has been well documented whilethe steady climb of Hereford has captured fewer headlines. Tuesday evening’s game provided a sharp focus on the contrasting fortunes of both teams and at the end of 90 minutes it genuinely looked as if the visitors were the team more familiar with the lower leagues.
It also underlined the uncertainty of the great game. Anyone who had suggested in 2004 that Hereford would, in the not too distant future, be meeting (and beating Leeds) in a League match would have been labelled a fool or a dreamer.
Dream on, Hereford fans…
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Scarborough In The League At Edgar Street On Tuesday 19th November At 7.45pm