Ten years ago this weekend, Hereford United defeated Wrexham in the first round of the FA Cup. But what made the day even more important was the fact that the BBC was there and the game televised live. The income was a gods-send to chairman Graham Turner at a time when the club were desperate for every penny to keep the club in business.
Over the next few days BN will reprint several articles from that very important weekend.
To start with here's a preview of the game first published on November 17th 2001:
Hereford United's Phil Robinson could name himself in the starting line-up for tomorrow's FA Cup first round tie against Wrexham, kick off 1pm.
The game, televised on BBC1, will see the bottom side in the second division travel to Edgar Street and face a strong Hereford side which could include Robinson, who hopes to have shrugged of a slight muscle strain picked up in training. Injury doubt Tony James, who had a sore thigh, will start but Scott Goodwin and Matt Clarke are suspended.
"Apart from the two suspensions I've got pretty much a full squad to choose from including myself if I recover from a slight niggle I've picked up," said Robinson. "At this moment I've got a fair idea of the team I will pick,but there are a few places I will mull over. I will see how training goes and probably make a decision closer to tomorrow."
The chance of competing against opposition from a higher league will excite and give the players added impotus to succeed, according to Robinson. "It's such a big difference for lads at our level that it makes it a little bit more special," he said.
"Wrexham have been the focus of a big TV game with their Cardiff match but I think it is a little bit more exciting for us and I hope we can respond. We've got a chance obviously because they are on a run of poor form but there is still a massive divide with Hereford two divisions below. If you look through their team they've got some quality players and a very experienced manager and we need our players to perform to the top of their form to give us a chance."
The Swede Worshippers will be out in force before the game and will aim to kick it into the goal at the Meadow End as a good luck symbol. "It started off in the 1950s but was forgotten about until the match with Leicester a few years ago," said Penny Bayliss, who has painted the swede.
Striker Steve Piearce will be named in the squad but is unlikely to start tomorrow's game. However, Phil Robinson said that once he gets himself fit, he will be a real threat in the Conference.
"He had a good goalscoring record for Halesowen Town but since we've signed him a couple of years ago he has struggled to keep himself fit which has hampered his first team opportunities," commented Robinson. "I'm sure a fit Steve Piearce playing regular first team football could have an impact on Conference football and score goals but we have not had the chance to give him a run which is frustrating for him and Hereford."
Ian Rodgerson will also miss out with a thigh problem whilst goalkeeper Scott Cooksey is due to see a specialist at the end of the month after taking a complete rest in a bid to cure his wrist problems. "He's been told to rest it for a month to let nature take its course but it's not looking good at the moment," said Robinson. Matt Baker will continue between the sticks.
Robinson has said that he has never had much success in the FA Cup and hopes to start tomorrow. "I've never really been involved in any FA Cup runs or played against any big teams but in the League Cup I've played against Arsenal, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers," he said.
Wrexham boss Denis Smith is adamant that despite his team's lowly league positioning, there will be no major surprises in his team selection.
Smith told the Evening Leader: "There will be no great surprises, there can’t be! We haven’t got that many players. I’ve more or less sorted out in my own mind what the team will be on Sunday - and I’m the only one who knows what it is at the moment.
"I’ve got to look at a lot of things, bearing in mind the importance of this match. I’ve got to look at the goalkeeping situation, midfield and the striking situation because Lee Trundle is out suspended. I’ve also got to look at the wide positions because we have not provided from those areas what I want."
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Marine At Edgar Street On Saturday 9th November At 3.00pm