With Hereford FC about to commence their first season in the Southern Premier League, BN looks back to August 1971 when Hereford United started their final full season in the Southern League.
The first game was a 1-1 home draw against Wimbledon played in front of 5,502. Then followed two away wins, firstly at Nuneaton where Dudley Tyler scored the only goal of the game, and then 2-0 at Telford.
So after three games Hereford had five points and was in fourth position.
The programme for Hereford's second home game that season contained some comments from manager John Charles, an article entitled Bits and Pieces and Supporters' Club Jottings.
Here's some of what was written.
'This is our second home match of the new season and I must admit I was disappointed with our performance against Wimbledon because we should have been two up in the first quarter of an hour,' wrote Charles.
'But we missed essential chances and paid the penalty at the end.
'Since then the team have certainly made amends. They have picked up maximum points from two away matches at Nuneaton and Telford, and I must pay them the highest praise for these two results, to win away from home is always an occasion for a celebration.'
And from Bits and Pieces.
'Our first Southern League game of the season against Wimbledon attracted an attendance of 5,502 and this was bigger than the gate figure at nine of the 11 Fourth Division games, and three of the Third Division matches. The fact that it was the biggest attendance in non-league football was mentioned in the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mirror.
'Due to the FA Cup we found ourselves without a game on September 4th because Romford were involved in the preliminary round of the competition. It was not possible to arrange an alternative Southern League match but club officials have fixed up a friendly game against Salisbury, the Division One South club, instead. Originally we would have been playing at Romford. Now we have a home match at Edgar Street.
'Congratulations to club director David Vaughan on his recent engagement to Miss Veronica Johnson, manageress of Hereford Farmer's Club. Veronica is a keen United fan and seldom misses a game. That should make it easy for David in the future. It helps to have an understanding wife when you're involved in football.
'Another director in the news this month was Mr Harry Neild, who had a breakdown (well his car did) when he was holidaying with his family in Poland. He had to return home by sea from the Polish port of Gdynia and missed United's first two games. Said popular Mr Neild, 'It was a six day sea voyage and I was really upset about missing the start of the season.'
Finally from the Supporters' Club Jottings which were written by then chairman Phil Godsall.
'At our annual meeting this week I was able to report that we donated £6355 to the parent club last year in addition to the improvements we made on the ground. The covered accommodation at the Merton Meadow End has provided welcome shelter on rainy days and the terracing at the Blackfriars End has removed what was previously an eye-sore. I was also able to report that the toilet facilities had been improved.
'Special praise to Mr Dave Billing for his work in running the canteens and also Mr Bert Kelland and Mr Wally Norton who have done so much to make the club shop an outstanding success. Club officials have all worked hard in helping put United back on an even keel
'At the meeting I pointed out that the role of a Supporters Club is two-fold: we are here to raise money for United and also to improve the facilities for supporters.
'We have now recived a lease from the Board of Directors for the Social Club and will be negotiating in the near future to improve the building. At the end of 1969 we had liabilities of 4475 but have now paid off all this money and can go ahead planning for the future. Our aim is to have a club up to Third Division standard.'