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| Ronaldo At Edgar Street For The HFA County Cup Final - BN Picture |
Hereford
FC and the Herefordshire Football Association (HFA) are delighted to
confirm that the Football Association (FA) has given final
confirmation that Hereford FC club mascot, Hereford Prize Bull,
Hawkesbury 1 Ronaldo, can be paraded inside Wembley Stadium ahead of
the club’s FA Vase Final appearance against Morpeth Town on Sunday
22 May.
This
announcement follows a huge amount of detailed preparatory work
behind the scenes over a number of weeks, followed by a meeting at
Wembley last Thursday, where officials from the two organisations –
alongside representatives from Westons Cider - met with Wembley staff
to agree and finalise the exact procedure for the day.
It
was agreed that Ronaldo will make his way pitch-side at 11.10 am and
then parade in front of the Hereford fans for around half an hour
before leaving the arena at 11.40am.
Hereford
FC and the HFA would like to thank officials at the Football
Association and Wembley Stadium itself for agreeing to this
unprecedented request, and would also like to thank Westons Cider –
Hawkesbury 1 Ronaldo’s owners – for their assistance and the
enthusiasm they have shown in helping make this unique appearance
take place.
Speaking
earlier today, Hereford FC Chairman, Jon Hale, said:
‘I
have to be honest, when this idea was first mooted I was not
confident we would succeed with our proposal. Therefore I am
absolutely delighted that the FA and Wembley Stadium have agreed to
our request and I know seeing ‘Ronaldo’ gracing such a iconic
venue will be a proud moment for every Herefordian.
‘I’d
like to thank everyone who has played a part in making this happen –
it is only going to make what will be a special day even more
remarkable.’
Herefordshire
Football Association Chief Executive, Jim Lambert, added:
‘I
am delighted that we have been able to facilitate the meeting with
the FA to enable Ronaldo to grace this wonderful occasion. I’m sure
the Hereford public will appreciate and respect ‘Ronaldo’. A
Hereford team at Wembley is a source of pride not only to the
Football Club, but to the County as a whole.’