Lest We Forget - Day Seven

Continuing BN's look back at the last week of Hereford United, we've reached December 19th 2014 and, as it turned out, the former club's last appearance in the High Court.

The appearance was set for 4.30pm and it wasn't long afterwards that the news was the club was to be wound up was public knowledge.

Hereford United have been wound up. Registrar issued compulsory order around 4.35pm.

The 1939 Limited Company has been wound up.

It was the club's 13th appearance.

Lonsdale had promised to put £1M in.

Club's Barrister said that Lonsdale had got funds but Registrar said that as Lonsdale hadn't got to the court with evidence, Registrar wound up the club. 

Reportedly Lonsdale was 'stuck in traffic'. 

Back at Edgar Street reports emerged that players and staff, having heard the news, were trashing the stadium.

BN posted this information and asked supporters to get to the stadium. Police were also called.

Police Arriving At Edgar Street

Former assistant manager Neil Phelps was reported to be 'very aggressive towards fans'.

Phelps reportedly tried to grab supporters mobiles as they attempted to film him and his car. One supporter told BN that he thought Phelps's car had a lot of items in the back. The car had been backed upto the player's entrance which made supporters curious. Police were given the number of the car.

Jon Taylor And Neil Phelps Behind Bars At Edgar Street

Manager Jon Taylor left around 5.30pm.

"We're all very disappointed because quite frankly we've been lied to from day one," said Taylor.

"We had a lot of promises but nothing came to fruition.

"You always want to believe who employs you but the writing has been on the wall in the last couple of months."

The Guardian caught up with chairman Andy Lonsdale.

The End Of Lonsdale

He told the Guardian he was “gutted” the club has been wound up, saying that they inherited a club in crisis, have put in £600,000 and worked hard to put a team on the pitch. Lonsdale added that he did have a bank statement showing £1m in the bank and was genuinely stuck in traffic, having left his base in Staines for London at 3:30pm. He said he will appeal against the high court decision, but acknowledged that some fans are “ecstatic” his ownership is over. “Maybe it’s fate,” he said. “I’m gutted, not just about the money, but because it is six months’ hard work gone.”

Mess Everywhere

Later former director Dave Preedy said that the stadium had been 'trashed more than damaged'.

"Televisions are missing but they were on hire purchase.

"Spirit optics are also missing.

"The changing rooms have been trashed. It's just mess everywhere."

The 'final' words came from HUST.

The Hereford United Supporters Trust (HUST) is saddened and bitterly disappointed at the winding up of Hereford United (1939) Ltd at the Court today.

The decision has been made by the Judge after a lengthy list of false promises from a series of majority shareholders regarding substantial investment into the club.

   
While a few individuals have overseen the rapid downfall of a 90 year old club, it will be the thousands of supporters that will again be a victim of the mismanagement that is so often rife in football. However Hereford United is the supporters that have had the club at their hearts, in many cases for generations of their families, and the spirit of the club will live on through each and every one of us.

The best course of action now is to channel the spirit of the fans and the community into a new club playing at Edgar Street.

---