From the Archives - March 9th 2002

A very windy morning caused Hereford United's game against Dagenham to be called off.

A small part of the Meadow End roof had blown away and the electric supply cut off so a decision was taken to postpone the match because of Health and Safety rules.

Hereford will have to pay for match officials, Dagenham's travelling expenses, programmes plus lost revenue in sponsorship. It's estimated it could cost the club £3,000.

Perhaps as important on the day was a HUISA meeting at the near-by Richmond Club.

TODAY's HUISA meeting at the Richmond Club revealed that the Unitary Development Plan, which would keep Hereford United at Edgar Street, was passed in the first vote unanimously by the Herefordshire Council yesterday.

The plans mean that Hereford United are set to stay at Edgar Street and the first hurdles have been overcome. A full statement is expected from Council Leader Terry James within the next couple of weeks. All political parties are believed to be backing the project.

HUISA were not allowed to tell the audience about the details of the plan as negotiations were still ongoing, but outlined the UDP and its meaning for Hereford United Football Club.

Back in November, Chelverton Properties director Simon Morgan attended an open meeting with Hereford United supporters asking for a mandate to back his plan of relocation. HUISA urged the fans to ask him to come back with more figures, as they knew of the council's plans but were unable to say anything about them. Chairman Kevin Wargen told the meeting that the Chelverton plan didn't stack up in terms of finding a new ground for the club as well as giving amounts of money to the council and Chelverton. Since then, HUISA have seen Chelverton's figures and they include the sale of the cattle market in with the football ground. The whole site was valued at £4.1 million, which ensures that there aren't sufficient funds in the land value to build a new stadium for Hereford United.

The UDP, which sees the club stay at Edgar Street, passed its first stage yesterday, and Wargen said: "The chances of the club staying there are about 98%." Chelverton failed to stop the plan going through and they have few chances to prevent its progression, but are likely to appeal against the council's decision.

Football is likely to remain at Edgar Street, with a redevelopment of the ground neccessary. The main A49 road through the city will be widened so the Len Weston Stand will be pushed back, and all other stands will be rebuilt, according to HUISA's interpretation. Wargen said that he couldn't go into any detail, but sources of finance have been investigated by the council and the development is part of a much larger project. A new multiplex cinema, a leisure centre, council offices and a hotel are included in the project, as well as social facilities for Hereford United supporters which could provide the club with off-the-field income. The total development is expected to total £60 million. Whilst development is taking place, Hereford United will continue to play on the ground and the new stands are to reach Football League standard.

When Hereford United sold their leases to Chelverton Properties, it appears that they broke the law and, at the time, nothing was done about it. Herefordshire Council are now adamant that they want the leases to the Edgar Street ground back, and have the moral high-ground to negotiate a deal with Chelverton. If Chelverton decide to hold out and lock the club out of the ground in May 2003, Councillor James will force Chelverton to maintain the ground, so that it passes all health and safety regulations, which would mean rebuilding unsafe areas. The cost of upkeep for Chelverton could be as much as £2 million.

The HUISA committee has spent a great deal of time on negotiations regarding redevelopments as the club directors are unable to do so themselves, due to their contractual obligation to backing Chelverton Properties. When the loans were agreed, Hereford United were obliged to follow the Chelverton line. Wargen said that all HUISA efforts were aimed towards the long-term survival of the club, and apologised for the lack of fundraising events and newsletters over the past season. Some members have committed three nights a week to attend meetings on top of their own jobs, and the results will only be noticed as the plan progresses.

HUISA have been offered a part on the consortium in charge of the development, which will include non-football related business people financing the project.

As yet, HUISA have not backed either the Terry James plan or Chelverton's proposals, and are expected to release a statement on the subject soon.

---