Next Saturday Tonbridge Angels welcome Hereford FC to their ground for an FA Third Qualifying Round Cup Tie.
As part of the build up to the game Simon Piper has written an article all about Hereford United and Hereford FC.
On Saturday afternoon the Angels are honoured to welcome guests that
during their glory years were among the best semi-professional football
had to offer. The original Hereford United crossed swords with Tonbridge
regularly in the Southern League, during our own purple patch of the
1950s. Attendances of between 4,000 and 5,000 witnessed frequent clashes
at the old, town centre Angel Ground, in the division just below the
professional set-up.
And our FA Cup record over nearly 50 years points towards another-season-wait. That said, the competition is for the underdogs as “Supermac” and the likely lads of 1970s’ Newcastle will testify. But, are Tonbridge or Hereford the favourites today? The Angels, of the Ryman Premier, possibly have the edge on paper, being near the top of a division higher on the pyramid (level 7 compared to 8).
In all honesty though, the Bulls, managed by former Gillingham forward Peter Beadle, have the cup pedigree, support and tradition, and, with proper management, the potential to follow in the footsteps of the fan-owned AFC Wimbledon.
With Hereford’s previous heroics and heritage, suspect the old adage of
“concentrating on the league” will be the eventual outcome at Longmead,
possibly after a replay at a quaint and famous veteran venue…
Read this excellent article in full at: http://www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk/teams/37863/news/hereford-heroics-and-heritage-1699629.html