HUISA, the Hereford United Independent Supporters Association was set up around 1997. At this time the club was in free-fall both on and off the pitch.
At the end of the 1996/97 season the Bulls were relegated from the League to the Conference and Graham Turner had just completed his second year as manager.
In those days HUISA played a big part in keeping Hereford United alive. They started having regular meetings with Turner in the summer of 1997.
However it's probable that in those early days HUISA hadn't thought of getting into local politics.
But just three years later HUISA launched 'Campaign 2000'.
So with a general election imminent, BN looks back at what HUISA were hoping to achieve.
At the Fans Forum on 15th February HUISA announced that we are going to contest the Hereford Council elections in May 2000. This news was received as something of a sensation by all those present, whether supporters or the representatives of the media. We had deliberately waited until the Fans Forum to go public on this, to gain maximum impact. Our press release summarised the background:
We have taken this action in response to an apparent lack of interest in United's cause by the majority of current councillors. The future of Hereford United FC has been in the balance since relegation from The Football League in 1997. The previous board of directors negotiated a deal which will lead to the sale of Edgar Street for redevelopment and a move to a new ground. The search for and the building of a new ground is vital to the club's survival.
Local councillors have been approached to support this cause. Only some have shown any interest in the revived county's senior football club. Over the past three months HUISA has been assessing the positions of Herefordshire councillors. We have identified the wards where councillors will support our aims. We intend to contest other wards on a platform of Hereford United and a series of local issues.
This is a decision which has not been taken lightly. The committee has done its homework concerning the rules and regulations governing the election and the prospects for HUISA candidates in each of the county's 30 wards.
We have not publicly revealed our full plans because what would give away too much to the opposition parties. Bear in mind that the regular political parties are experienced electioneers and shrewd with it. However, the opposition reckoned without HUISA's own political 'mastermind' Kevin Wargen, a former Hereford councillor himself!
The main political parties are drawing up their plans and have begun looking for their candidates. HUISA already has a number of candidates lined up. Nonetheless, the more candidates who want to get involved the better.
If any HUISA member wishes to stand, or to assist during the run up to the election, please contact Kevin Wargen, Richard Tomkins or any other committee member.
There will be further news on 'Campaign 2000' in subsequent newsletters.
STOP PRESS...HUISA HAS BEEN INUNDATED WITH PHONE CALLS AND LETTER OF SUPPORT FOLLOWING OUR PRESS RELEASE...HUISA WILL FIGHT FOR OUR CLUB...STOP PRESS
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Spennymoor at Edgar Street On Saturday February 8th Kick Off 3.00pm