After yesterday's High Court hearing was over, several Hereford United supporters had a 'chat' with former owner Tommy Agombar and chairman Andy Lonsdale.
One of those supporters described to BN what took place.
Three of us attended purely as fans yesterday. There was also Richard
Prime from Hereford Times and Matthew Bone from the BBC. We were
surprised to even see Tommy Agombar at the hearing – it does make one
wonder about his continued involvement in the club, despite failing an
ODT. But confrontation with him was the last thing on our minds. We kept
our distance. One of our party wryly suggested it was like avoiding the
school bullies.
When we left the court we walked quietly past Mr Agombar to make our way down the stairs, and out of the building. When he saw us he said something like "I bet youse are happy now”. We expressed our surprise at seeing him. He told us all to f*ck off. A short conversation.
As we left the building Agombar and his friends caught us up. Lonsdale was already outside, eloquently laying out his plans for the club to a BBC correspondent. Not wanting to waste any time, Mr Agombar immediately started abusing me, and it all got a little bit fraught. There was plenty of room in the street, but he didn’t seem to want to use it. He preferred the time-honoured, intimidatory three-inches-from-your-face approach. I found myself admiring his woollen orange scarf. It looked like a good thread.
Pleasantries:
Agombar: “Why are you here?”
Aggrieved supporter ”I’m a Hereford fan. And why are you here?”
Non pleasantries:
Agombar: “You're going a little pale"
Aggrieved supporter: “Yes, Mr Agombar, it’s the London weather”. (pointing to the overcast sky)
Agombar: “You’re going pale, mate”
Aggrieved supporter “Maybe I need a bit of sun, Mr Agombar”
…
Aggrieved supporter (stupidly rising to the bait) “You must must know Hackney Marshes, Tommy. I’d rather watch a team playing there on a Sunday, then watch Hereford United with you in charge”
(Note to self: next time take a deep breathe and adjourn to Pret-a-Manger for a non-sweetened soy latte)
…
Lonsdale: “It’s my club”
Aggrieved supporter: No it’s not, it’s my club”
Lonsdale: “You’re a plastic fan. That’s what you are. I bet you haven’t even been down to Hereford. You’re banned”.
Aggrieved supporter: “I’ll be here when you are long gone."
…
Aggrieved supporter’s friend: "A pint in 'Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese' would be nice".
Aggrieved supporter: "Splendid".
When we left the court we walked quietly past Mr Agombar to make our way down the stairs, and out of the building. When he saw us he said something like "I bet youse are happy now”. We expressed our surprise at seeing him. He told us all to f*ck off. A short conversation.
As we left the building Agombar and his friends caught us up. Lonsdale was already outside, eloquently laying out his plans for the club to a BBC correspondent. Not wanting to waste any time, Mr Agombar immediately started abusing me, and it all got a little bit fraught. There was plenty of room in the street, but he didn’t seem to want to use it. He preferred the time-honoured, intimidatory three-inches-from-your-face approach. I found myself admiring his woollen orange scarf. It looked like a good thread.
Pleasantries:
Agombar: “Why are you here?”
Aggrieved supporter ”I’m a Hereford fan. And why are you here?”
Non pleasantries:
Agombar: “You're going a little pale"
Aggrieved supporter: “Yes, Mr Agombar, it’s the London weather”. (pointing to the overcast sky)
Agombar: “You’re going pale, mate”
Aggrieved supporter “Maybe I need a bit of sun, Mr Agombar”
…
Aggrieved supporter (stupidly rising to the bait) “You must must know Hackney Marshes, Tommy. I’d rather watch a team playing there on a Sunday, then watch Hereford United with you in charge”
(Note to self: next time take a deep breathe and adjourn to Pret-a-Manger for a non-sweetened soy latte)
…
Lonsdale: “It’s my club”
Aggrieved supporter: No it’s not, it’s my club”
Lonsdale: “You’re a plastic fan. That’s what you are. I bet you haven’t even been down to Hereford. You’re banned”.
Aggrieved supporter: “I’ll be here when you are long gone."
…
Aggrieved supporter’s friend: "A pint in 'Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese' would be nice".
Aggrieved supporter: "Splendid".