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Sunday, May 01, 2016

This Season The Foundation To Move The Club On Said Bishop


 

Hereford FC assistant manager Matt Bishop gave an interview to BN yesterday.

Firstly he spoke about the season to date.

"It's been fantastic hasn't it," said Bishop.

"If you had said we would be in this position after the start the way we did with no players and the club reforming, I think we've lost only four games this season, I think it's 32 clean sheets, 24 away wins, 188 goals, it's been a marvellous season.

"Again I think there were 1100 of our fans here today so unbelievable season.

"I think it's been the foundation to move the club on."

The season isn't over yet with three cup finals starting tomorrow with the HFA County Challenge Cup.

"Monday is another big game isn't it, one we want to win. Local derby and that rivalry as well so there will be a bit of spice to it as well so we're looking forward to it.

"As I said to you the other week, every game we play in we want to win."

The second cup final is at Solihull Moors, perhaps a shame it's there?

"We'll go anywhere and I think the pitch is very good. 

"We're delighted to be in that final as well and hopefully we'll be sucessful in that."

Then Wembley.

"I've obviously been there with work but it's the first time I've been there in terms of a game so very much looking forward to it like everybody is.

"The amount of interest that's been around the game not just locally but nationally as well, it's captured the imagination.

"It's a fairy tale story with the club being a phoenix club and reforming. Now they're at Wembley and they've won the league in the first season.

"I think we're going to take 16,500 to 20,000 maybe. It's going to be a very special day." 

Going back twelve months or so what made you take your position with Hereford?

"It's quite interesting, I had a phone call from Peter to say we might have a chance with the Hereford job, would I be interested and I said yes without a doubt. There wasn't even a second thought.

"We both sat down and said what do we need, how are we going to do this, this is going to be a massive challenge.

"And I think it proved that in the first few games, it took us time to settle down. I think the expectations were a little bit too high, too soon.

"But once we got momentum, once we got a settled team and then we won a few games and I think we got on that bandwagon we haven't looked back really. To only have four defeats in the whole season is unbelievable."

Looking forward to next season and a league higher, Bishop confirmed he hoped to stay with Hereford.

"At this moment in time yes, we're not contracted so if the club decide to make changes they'll make that decision.

"But we've been talking about next season and players.

"The team will evolve again but we've said it before we've got an unbelieveable squad here, a squad  that could quite comfortably compete in the next level up.

"But ultimately you do need to evolve it and maybe bring a couple of fresh faces in to challenge people and maybe stengthen certain areas.

"We're going to lose Sirdic and Muss anyway because they can't play the next level up so we got to find replacement for those two who will be big losses for us.

"That's the job of the manager to go and find the players that can make the difference.

"I think the difference for the forthcoming season is that people will want to come now, whereas we were trying to persuade people to come.

"Sounds a silly thing with the size of the club but we were trying to persuade people to come.

"You look at it and you think you wouldn't have anticipated gates to average near 3,000 and 4,500 once or two. So for any players to come to our club and play in front of that gate especially when you've been used to playing in front of 80 to 150 people is a bit of a culture shock and does take a bit of time to get used to and also the expectation on the players and the fact that it's Hereford and everybody wants to beat us.

"We've had this this season and that why I think the players have been absolutely magnificent. You have to tip your hat to them and they've done all the hard work." 

They wouldn't have done it without Peter and you.

"Peter's name is on the door and he's the one who has driven it on and he's set the standards and the bar.

"We have a supporting role whichever way it is. I know we've all been involved in the success but at the end of the day credit where credit is due.

"To manage that group of players and drive it on Peter needs a big pat on the back and hopefully he will be rewarded by the club.

"He deserves it."