McQuilkin's Time At Edgar Street

James McQuilkin

James McQuilkin has left Edgar Street after nearly four seasons with the Bulls.

Below BN looks back at what must have become an increasingly frustrating time for the mid-fielder as his appearances been less and less frequent.

McQuilkin joined the Bulls on July 31st 2009 initially on a one year deal. He made his debut in the 1-0 win over Charlton in the Carling Cup on August 11th and his league debut at Cheltenham four days later.

The opening stages lacked any real action and the first point of note was an injury to Michael Pook after a challenge from James McQuilklin.

However he didn't have many chances to shine for his new club until February 2010. His hard work was noted in the game against Lincoln: 

An influential display from James McQuilkin in the centre of the park.

A few days later it was Torquay at home:

James McQuilkin, who was battling effectively in midfield and distributing it with aplomb, was robbed by what looked to be an over aggressive tackle from behind by Nicky Wroe. Angry that no foul was given, McQuilkin returned the compliment and Wroe kicked out in retaliation.

And on February 16th a 2-0 win over Aldershot:

James McQuilkin was exemplary in his decision making, holding up when required and releasing accurately to create openings.

McQuilkin's first goal for the Bulls came the following Saturday but it was more by luck than judgement:

Eventually, the shin of McQuilkin diverted it over the line.

McQuilkin was sent off for collecting two yellow in the game against Cheltenham om March 2nd but a month later scored his second goal in the game against Barnet.

"We looked good until James McQuilkin was sent off," said manager John Trewick. "It was only his second foul of the game, and quite honestly worse tackles went unpunished later on."

A splendid move started with an intelligent clearance from Bartlett, and went from Jake Jervis to Young, who picked out Manset. The Frenchman turned the ball back for McQuilkin to hit an exuberant shot into the net.

At this time McQuilkin was often paired with Kenny Lunt in mid-field. This after a 2-0 win at Accrington on April 17th.

The back division coped well and the Lunt/McQuilkin partnership was industrious and probing in midfield.

The final game of the season was a good one for the Bulls who defeated Rotherham 3-0 and also for McQuilkin:

Man of the match: The sponsors, Tupsley Whites, selected James McQuilkin

 Season 2010/11

McQuilkin signed an extension to his initial deal on May 27th but with Graham Turner leaving, Simon Davey became his manager.

McQuilkin With Team-Mates July 2010

The first game of the new season resulted in a 1-0 win at Crewe.

New captain Kovacs probably shared the man of the match performance with James McQuilkin.

It was in his second season with the Bulls that McQuilkin became a regular in the starting XI, first with Davey and then with Jamie Pitman.

His first goal came in the 3-1 loss to Southend at Edgar Street on September 28th:

It all started so brightly. Just over 3 minutes had elapsed when Hereford were awarded a free kick over by the corner of the box, a rather innocuous push on Fleetwood being the crime. Instead of the expected ball floated to the opposition keeper. Little Jimmy McQuilkin tried his luck with a shot curled towards the near post. A startled Glenn Morris could only palm the ball into the roof of the net, the Bulls were one up, and fans speculated as to the last time we had scored direct from a free kick had been.

McQuilkin Celebrates - Picture Taken By Andy Compton Of The Hereford Journal

Another goal for McQuilken came at Northampton in that dramatic 4-3 win on October 16th:

Quilks topped off his usual industrious display with a fine goal 

He had to wait until an away game at Port Vale for his third of the season.

Waide Fairhurst laid the ball off to James McQuilkin who sidestepped a couple of challenges before firing into the corner of the net from 18 yards.

At the end of the season McQuiklin agreed a new two year deal to stay with Hereford United.

McQuilkin played in Hereford's first two games of the 2011/12 season but then appeared to lose his place to Nicky Featherstone.

He came off the bench in the game on August 16th against Macclesfield which the Bulls lost 4-0.

James McQuilkin had only been on the pitch for a few minutes when he misplaced a pass in his own half. The recipient, one Ross Draper, noted that Hoult was well out of his goal, and attempted an audacious 35 yard lob which sailed over the keeper and into the net.

But he did start in the Carling Cup tie at Villa Park a week later.

Later that autumn Gary Peters was appointed as director of football and at a fans forum in December he was questioned about McQuilkin:

"Jimmy has been battling against Harry Pell and maybe Tom Barkhuizen.

"If we put Jimmy and Kenny in there together, I think we would get out-muscled, and I don't think it would work.

"If we put Jimmy instead of Tom Barkhuizen, people would say that's crazy. He's a lovely lad, he's trains hard, he works hard but I can't see him getting in the team.

"We've said to Jimmy you need to be playing some games. If you're not getting involved what do you want to do. We've got him for next year as well. We feel he needs to play some games so he might go out on loan to do so.

"We're not passing the ball so that takes Jimmy out of the game a lot."
 

 In January 2012 McQuilken was loaned out to Kidderminster Harriers where he stayed for a month and made five appearances, scoring once.

"It's nice to come here and get a few games," said McQuilken.

"I'm looking forward to the rest of the month and get as many minutes as I can.

"I haven't played much lately so obviously there is a little bit of rustiness there.

"My loan is a month to start with but maybe it could be longer if I'm happy and the club are happy. It could be for the rest of the season, but I don't know yet."

McQuilkin returned to Edgar Street in February but he had to wait until March 24th to start a game. A few days before Richard O'Kelly, who had just been appointed as manager noted:

"There's Harry Pell and James McQuilken who haven't been involved yet although at training they are looking the part.

But otherwise there were just a couple of sub appreances.

So to this season and McQuilkin was involved in most of the pre-season games but had to sit on the bench for 88 minutes in the first game of the season, against Macclesfield, by new manager Martin Foyle.

Gary Peters Talking To McQuilkin At Hyde On September 8th

It was October 20th before he had his first start, in the FA Cup game at Bury against FC United. And then five more starts which included a goal in the home game against Luton.

McQuilkin Takes A Corner At Southport

However, for reasons unknown, McQuilkin appeared to be out of favour at Edgar Street and played little part in the remainder of the season.

And yesterday he was released.

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