Text at top (next game etc)

Next Game: Banbury Away On Friday March 29th Kick-Off 3.00pm

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Clucas Writes Foreword For 'No Final Whistle'


Clucas's teammates congratulate him on his goal against Cambridge in February 2013. Pic: BN.
Former Hereford United midfielder Sam Clucas has penned the foreword for a new book 'No Final Whistle' written by a former team-mate Seth Burkett.

The book is the fictional account of a young player called Alfie Bennett who bounces back from rejection of his own.

Alfie Bennett is going to be a superstar. He is absolutely sure of it. Every second of his life is dedicated to football. And when he gets signed up by the famous Borough Academy, it looks as if he's well and truly on the way to achieving his dream. Yet life at Borough isn't all that it seems.

In his foreword Clucas says he felt rejected when he was released by Leicester as a teenager. 

'When Leicester released me at the age of 16, it felt like my world had ended. After being there for six years, Leicester City was all I knew. I had been sure that I was going to make it into their first team.

Being released made me feel like I had let a lot of people down. Those around me had made plenty of sacrifices over the years: taking time off work to get me to matches, driving me to training sessions, buying me boots, watching me play. It hadn't been easy or cheap for them. And it had all been for nothing. But I didn't let that stop me.

I used that setback as motivation. I wanted to prove wrong all the people who said that I was too small to be a footballer. I wanted to prove wrong all the people telling me to give up on my dream.

Most importantly, I wanted to succeed for my parents and those who had supported me. I owed it to them and I also owed it to myself after all the sacrifices that had been made to become a professional footballer.

I signed for a local team called Nettleham. Soon enough I was called up to represent my county, Lincolnshire. That's where I met the author of this book, Seth. While I'd been released by Leicester, he'd been released by Peterborough United. We played down the left hand side; him at left back and myself at left wing.

From there, he signed a professional contract in Brazil and went on to write a few books, including the one you're about to read.

I signed for Lincoln City, then Jerez Industrial, Hereford, Mansfield and Chesterfield. I was moving up through the leagues.

Then, finally, I reached the top. I got promoted to the Premier League with Hull and won Player of the Year. When Hull were relegated, I returned to the Premier League by signing for Swansea

If I could say anything to an aspiring footballer it would be to enjoy every second of playing. The percentage of young players who make it professional is very small, so you should have as much fun as you can when on the pitch.

If you always listen to your coaches and teachers and keep trying to improve, though, then you never know what can happen. Even now I'm still improving my own game. Learning never stops.

If you enjoy playing and keep on learning and trying to improve then anything is possible. It's what No Final Whistle is all about. It's what my career has been all about. And it's what I've proved with my journey to the Premier League.

Anything is possible.'

Footage of Archie Phillips from 1985

Thank you to Stewart Phillips for giving me permission to post this fantastic video. Filmed ahead of the Arsenal FA Cup match in 1985, we get to hear from Archie Phillips, as well as John Newman and Stewart Phillips.

Archie had invested £100,000 into Hereford United, which was a huge amount in 1985.


Lots more being uploaded daily to www.youtube.com/djmatthealey

Bulls News Prediction League: Changes to Scoring & Rules


Reminder of Important Rule Change.

You can now also submit a Reserve / Alternate goal scorer. This selection will automatically replace your first selection if they do not start and is not on the bench.

The other major change is the points for Attendance... Check out the scoring and rules:

BNPL Scoring & Rules 2018/19

Hereford Supporter Is Raising Money For The Children's Trust


Hereford supporter Nick Locke is to take part in the Great North Run.

On September 9th I'll be taking part in The Great North Run in Newcastle to raise money for The Children's Trust, a leading charity for children with brain injury. 

I've been stepping up the training recently and can be spotted running around the city in my colourful Children's Trust top! 

As a Hereford FC fan I'm really thankful that the club have allowed me to do a bucket collection outside Edgar Street before their first home game of the season on Saturday. 

I'm a teacher at a local primary school and I'll be joined by some pupils and their parents who are kindly giving up an afternoon of their summer holidays to help me collect donations. 

Any amount people can give will be hugely appreciated and go to a fantastic cause and for anyone who can't make the game on Saturday or simply wishes to donate online they can visit my personal fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/gnr18.

BN Mobile Site


BN is currently making some slight changes to its sites, in particular the mobile site which may be unavailable at times.

We apologise to our readers.

Updated HFC Womens Pre-season Fixtures


The recently launched Hereford FC Womens team have updated their pre-season fixture list.

All four games will be played at 'home', either at Pegasus Juniors or UITC's Central (Victoria) Park.

Manager Scott Russell says he hopes there will be a couple more friendlies to confirm before start of the season on September 2.

1) Hereford FC Women vs Bartestree Ladies
Date: Thursday 9th August
Kick Off: 7.00pm
Venue: Pegasus Juniors FC, Old School Lane, HR1 1EX.

2) Hereford FC Women vs Kidderminster
Date: Sunday 12th August.
Venue: Pegasus Juniors, Old School Lane, HR1 1EX.
Kick off: 2.00pm

3) Hereford FC Women vs Welland Ladies
Date: Sunday 19th August
Kick Off: 2.00pm
Venue: Central Park, Field Grove View, HR1 1AW.

4) Hereford FC Women vs Ross Town Ladies
Date: Sunday 26th August
Kick Off: 2.00pm
Venue: Pegasus Juniors, Old School Lane, HR1 1EX

Tickets For Saturday On Sale This Morning


Tickets for Saturday's National North game against Blyth Spartans at Edgar Street go on sale this morning.

They will be available online from 10am until 9am Saturday.

Tickets will also be available from the club shop on both Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm. And, as ever, on Saturday at the Ticket Office from noon.

Meanwhile season ticket holders who haven't collected their 'book' can do so at the club shop on Wednesday or Friday. They will also be available from the Ticket Office on Saturday from mid-day.

Monday, July 30, 2018

Blyth Manager Short Of A Centre-Half


Blyth manager Alun Armstrong has said that he is hoping to bring in a centre-half in advance of Saturday's National North League game at Edgar Street.

He is likely to give at least four of his summer signings, Alex Nicholson, Jamie Holmes, Kieran Green and Bradley Fewster, debuts against Hereford but feels he still needs extra players

“All I will say to the Blyth fans is that I am working hard,” Armstrong told his OS.

“I’m trying to get people in to boost the squad. They [the fans] just have to help us as much as they can by getting behind the lads.

“We’re still looking for a few players ourselves – I think everyone knows that. I’ve been battling out for three months now trying to get a centre-half in.

“It’s just really difficult but I’ve got to keep going and hopefully I’ll get a couple in, in time for Saturday but it doesn’t give me much time to work with the lads.

 “We’ll do ok this season. I will say to the fans: don’t get too worried about it. We are working hard and I will not stop working hard but they’ve got to help us by getting behind us.”

Armstrong isn't a fan of pre-season.

“I’ve said before I’m not a big fan of pre-season games. That’s the thing in pre-season, I’ve never had the full squad yet.

“That’s what I get frustrated about in pre-season for part-time clubs, you never get to work with what is going to be your full team in pre-season.

“That’s the frustrating thing but it’s about getting minutes for the lads and getting them as fresh as they can be.

“It’s just frustrating how you can’t get everyone together. We haven’t got a bad squad when everyone is here. I know we’re short but it’s something I’m working on.”
 

Sunday, July 29, 2018

BNPL Starts Aug 4th


Join in the fun of the Bulls News Prediction League.

Score points for correctly predicting the Score, Attendance, First Hereford Scorer and a Reserve Scorer for the game on Saturday vs Blythe.

New for 2018/19 BNPL KO Cup.

Register your TeamName and Submit your entry to bullsnewspredictionleague@hotmail.com

See how points are scored and the rules here;

BNPL Scoring & Rules

Good luck all,
Chris

Both 50/50 Draw Prizes from the Cardiff City XI match still UNCLAIMED

From the HUST website... 



Both 1st & 2nd Prizes from the Half Time Draw at the last home Pre-Season Friendly v Cardiff City XI have yet to be claimed!

Do you have the the winning tickets?

1st Prize - £150 - Ticket 159544
2nd Prize - £100 - Ticket 159784

#YOUCOULDBEAWINNER 
Please email Tony Taylor to claim your winnings


UPDATE | PA & Scoreboard messages for the 2018/2019 season

With the pre-season fixtures now completed we can now look forward to the opening game of the season against Blyth Spartans at Edgar Street on Saturday.

Due to work commitments I have missed most of the friendly matches, and would like to thank Keith Hall for deputising. Because of these increased commitments the new deadline for a PA or Birthday message is 24 hours before kick off. So just for clarity, the deadline is 3pm on a Friday afternoon, or for a Tuesday night match the deadline is 7.45pm on a Monday evening. 

I work on a match by match basis too. So (hypothetically)please dont message me for a shoutout for the FC United game on the 10th November. When we are still to play Altrincham on the 3rd November.

This will be a strict deadline with no exceptions, so any message's for Birthday's, Anniversary's etc received after the deadline will not be broadcast. I do not have the time to constantly update the scoreboard or re-write the running order. This was causing me numerous problems towards the end of last season, particularly the Gosport and Kettering matches. 

There are two ways to contact me.  Firstly via e mail - matthewhealey@hotmail.com, or alternatively Matt Healey on Facebook Messenger.  Please don't message or call the club, as this causes the office staff extra unnecessary work when they are already extremely busy . It all needs to come to me.

Here is hoping to another successful season :) 





Four In Yesterday's Cardiff Squad Set To Leave


Four of the players in the Cardiff squad that played against Hereford yesterday are set to leave.

Anthony Pilkington, Omar Bogle, Stuart O'Keefe and Lee Tomlin appear to be out of favour with manager Neil Warnock.

"We've had one or two enquiries," said Warnock.

What are they worth?

According to WalesOnline, Tomkins could sell for £2.7M, Pilkington for £1.8M, Bogle for £675,000 and O'Keefe also £675,000.

So those four players might be worth a total of £5.85M.

All four played in the first half for Cardiff at Edgar Street yesterday which, in theory, reflected the quality of the squad Cardiff sent to the game. 

However given neither of them scored in that half against a National North side might just back Warnock's decision to let them go.
 

Saturday, July 28, 2018

After The Final Whistle


A selection of pictures captured after the final whistle at Edgar Street this afternoon.

Harvey Smith Speaking To The Officials
Whilst Jamie Bird Talks To A Cardiff Player
Lee Camp Lifts The HFA Trophy For Cardiff
Some Of The Cardiff Squad
Ben Bowen Mowing The Pitch Just After The Game Finished
Mike Symons Chats To Hereford FC Photographer Andy Walkden

We Need To Focus On Us Said Beadle




Hereford FC start life in the National North next Saturday with the visit of Blyth Spartans to Edgar Street.

How much does Peter Beadle know about them?

"We know that we are going into games that are going to be tough," he said in his post-match interview.

"This week we'll do our homework, if we can we'll look at some footage. We'll speak to a few people up that way who may have played them last year.

"Once the season starts it changes a little bit because we have access to footage of all the games so we can be more prepared.

"However like last year most importantly we need to focus on us and make sure we are as right as we can be and ready as we can be.

"Obviously we want to pinpoint certain things of every team, their strengths and weaknesses but it's all about us on the day as we've shown today.

"I thought between the boxes we played really well but the difference was in both boxes, we were not quite as clinical as they were.

"You look at some of those players out there today, Tomlin, Pilkington, Bogle, the boy on the wing, these are players that have played in the Championship, some in the Premiership.

"They are no mugs, they are a good side and they came today and they didn't stroll through the game they put a shift in and we matched them for periods.

"We didn't have that bit of extra quality but that's why we are where we are and they are where they are.

"But it was ever so pleasing and it bodes well when we start playing teams at our level it will be a bit more of an even playing field and hopefully we can continue to move forward."

Beadle later spoke about the fitness of players.

"For the players it's all about the individual and making sure they are as fit as they can be.

"They all have different types of fitness. No two players are the same really when you do their running and their measurements and all the testing then there are very few who are exactly the same.

"Some prefer to play games to get fit, some prefer to run to get fit.

"As for the quality I think we are on a par as to where we were last year.

"We've lost Jimmy, Keiran is not the same player. We've brought in Harry, Harry is not the same as John.

"I think we are as strong if not a bit stronger than we were last year."

Second Half Pictures From Cardiff Friendly


A few pictures from the second half of the pre-season friendly between Hereford FC and Cardiff City.








First Half Pictures From Cardiff Friendly


A selection of pictures from the first half of this afternoon's HFA Invitation Cup, or pre-season friendly, between Hereford and a Cardiff City XI.









Report: Hereford 0 - Cardiff City 3


Harvey Smith
Hereford FC played their final pre-season friendly this afternoon at Edgar Street. Harvey Smith made his debut for the club partnering Ryan Green in defence.

It was a tough game for the Bulls against a Cardiff City XI with a number of players with experience in their first team. Three of the players who've more recently been out on loan, Matthew Connolly, Anthony Pilkington and Stuart O'Keefe, have 278 first team appearances between.

Dean Lyness
Hereford had their fifth keeper of the season start in goal this afternoon, as Dean Lyness was named on the team sheet. He spent last season at National League North Side Nuneaton, as well as having clubs like Kidderminster Harriers, Burton Albion and Blackpool to his name.




At a wet Edgar Street, which groundsman Ben Bowen must be very pleased about, Hereford had the first real chance of the game as Jennison Myrie-Williams was brought down 25-yards out. The energetic Jamie Bird stepped up, but the ball just crept over the crossbar with goalkeeper Lee Camp untroubled.

Anthony Pilkington was the man responsible for Cardiff's first shot, but his powerful effort after cutting into the box was deflected behind by Ryan Green. Hereford's trialist keeper was less than convincing after he completely missed the ball after rising to punch it clear, but thankfully nobody was well-placed to stab the ball home.


Back down in front of the Blackfriars End, another foul on Marie-Williams saw Jamie Bird with another chance to open the scoring in the 20th minute. From a tight angle on the left, Bird whipped the ball into the box, but it was headed clear just as it started curling towards goal. 


Chance For Myrie-Williams
Two goal worthy chances for the Bulls followed either side of a fingertip save from Lyness denied Pilkington. With 23 minutes on the clock Myrie-Williams saw his shot drift just wide off the far post, before Harry White repeated the trick six minutes later after being played into space by Jamie Bird.

It was a decent first half performance from Hereford with two headed efforts from captain Ryan Green before half time, but it wasn't enough to break the deadlock.

HT: Hereford 0 - Cardiff City XI 0

As the rain continued to last down at Edgar Street, seven minutes after the restart Cardiff took the lead. It turned out to be an easy goal for the visitors, after Kadeem Harris' beat Keiran Thomas to the ball, his cross found the head of the unmarked Omar Bogle to head home.

In response to the opener, Eliot Richards battled to win possession in the middle of the park before playing the ball through to his midfield partner Mike McGrath, but his shot sailed over.

After holding their own for the first half, it was disappointing to see Hereford concede again in the 66th minute. After a trio of changes, a lapse in concentration effectively gifted Cardiff the goal. Callum Sainty was guilty of losing the ball in midfield, allowing Lee Tomlin to set up £1million striker Anthony Pilkington to fire the ball home from within the box.

Harry White Was Disappointed With This Header

Having arrived at Edgar Street on a one month loan deal from Bristol City, Harvey Smith had a decent chance to score his first goal in a Hereford shirt. After getting on the end of Billy Murphy's corner, Smith saw his header from close-range go wide of Camp's goal. 

Quick reactions from keeper Dean Lyness kept the deficit at just two goals, after managing to palm away a 25-yard shot from substitute Rhys Healey. However the Bluebirds added their third and final goal in the 90th minute courtesy of Rhys Healey. After playing a smart one-two with Anthony Pilkington, it was an easy tap-home for the 23-year-old.

It couldn't be said that Hereford were totally out of their depth today, it's just a case of Cardiff taking advantage of one or two pieces of poor defending and making the most of the chances they had. Overall it was a game with plenty of positives for Hereford, having lost 5-1 to probably a weaker Cardiff side last summer.

FT: Hereford - Cardiff City XI
Att: 804 (63 away)

Hereford FC: Lyness, Thomas, Greenslade, Murphy (Dinsley 78’), Green (Liburd 63’), Smith, Bird (Hall 63’), McGrath (Sainty 63’), White, Richards (Hockey 78’), Myrie-Williams (Franklin 78’). Subs not used: Horsell.

Cardiff City XI: Camp, P. McKay, Coxe, Waite (Veale - 43'), Brown (Bodenham - 75'), Connolly, Pilkington, O’Keefe (Evans - 46'), Bogle (Healey - 60'), Tomlin, K. Harris (M. Harris - 81').
Sub not used: J. McKay. 

Next Game: First League Game - Blyth Spartans at Home on Saturday 4th August at 3pm


Beadle Wants One Or Two More Players Before Saturday


Hereford start their Vanarama National League North campaign next Saturday and manager Pete Beadle would like to get another player or two in before then.

Striker Mike Symons has been ruled out for ten weeks after fracturing his fibula and Keyon Reffell is still a doubt.

Speaking after the 3-0 loss to a star-studded Cardiff City XI, when asked if he might bring in new players, Beadle said he'd like to.

"Who knows, we may well do. It's been a hectic couple off weeks with Jimmy [Oates] moving on and Mike [Symons]'s injury," said Beadle.

"Football does move quickly, we'd like to maybe get another body or two in before the season starts. That's not saying I'm not happy with what we've got. I'm happy with what we've got so far. 

There's lots of players out there in the last few games that have given me food for thought for next weekend. A forward is as much of a priority as another goalkeeper, we don't want to be light in that attacking third. 

"We know we've got goals in us and we showed that today as we could've been 1-1. A bit of a better cross, but they break away and scored at the other end. That just goes to show the difference in class we've played today."

"We're not unhappy with what we've got and we've had a fantastic pre-season. It's been a little bit stop-start with players coming in and going on holiday, then being away again and injured, but in general it's been a really good pre-season.

"Apart from Mike we've had nothing too major injury-wise and now we'll start preparations this week with two sessions to get ready for Saturday."

"Really pleased with what we've seen today from the players."

With the season starting a week today, Beadle says Hereford are as ready as they're ever going to be.

"You're never completely ready for the start, you could always be that little bit better or that little bit more organised, or you could have everyone to choose from. 

"We know we're not going to have that, but we're ready as we're ever going to be and you can't postpone the game so we've got to be ready for it.

"It's a big week now in preparation, the lads will be nice and focussed and relaxed, but also ready for the game on Saturday."

Speaking about the game itself, the Bulls boss was disappointed with the goals, but said his side did well against a strong Cardiff side - a stronger side than what they faced last summer in a 5-1 defeat.

"Obviously disappointed with the goals, but I think it's shown how far we've come," Beadle added.

"I think we played a much younger group last year and we probably weren't as competitive as we would've liked to have been.

"Today we've been far more competitive against a far stronger side. We're actually delighted with the team that Cardiff sent down because it's given us a far greater challenge. Apart from maybe being a little bit more ruthless in both boxes, between that we did really well today.

"For long periods of the game I thought we played ever so well."

Harvey Smith has arrived at Edgar Street on a one month loan deal from Bristol City, and there was a new keeper between the sticks today as Dean Lyness was on trial.

"Good debut seeing as he only met the players on Wednesday, he didn't train on Thursday because we didn't train properly, we had more of a recovery session," Beadle said.

"So to come in cold without knowing anyone it was a nice steady performance."

"Hudnott had already agreed to come and play on Wednesday and we'd already arranged for Dean to come in and play today.

"It's given us some food for thought for both of them. I think Dean's situation is a little bit different to Conor's so we'll sit down and discuss that this week. We'll then see if we can do something with one of them."

Defeat In Final Pre-Season Friendly


Hereford go into the new season on the back of three straight defeats to higher-graded opposition.

The Bulls had their fifth keeper of pre-season start between the sticks today. Dean Lyness was with National League North side Nuneaton last season, with other clubs like Kidderminster Harriers, Burton Albion and Blackpool to his name having come through Birmingham City's youth system.

Second half goals from Omar Bogle, Anthony Pilkington and Rhys Healey secured the win for Cardiff in the Herefordshire FA Senior Invitational Cup.

HUST Membership Ballot Results


This from HUST:

 

RESULTS OF MEMBER BALLOT JUNE/JULY 2018

 
You will recall that at the HUST AGM, last year, a proposal was made by a Trust member to seek changes to the Hereford FC Articles of Association. In order to ascertain views, a ballot of members was requested and has now been completed. We are pleased to be able to announce the results in a question by question breakdown. Thank you to all those who voted.
As you will see, from the results below, there was overwhelming support from Trust members to seek changes to the governance arrangements of the Football Club. The Trust will now begin to prepare the necessary documentation with a view to proposing the amendments at the 2018 Hereford FC AGM. The proposed amendments to the articles of association will be discussed and voted upon by shareholders at the meeting. Should the proposed amendments be agreed, it will provide HUST with an extra HFC Board Member upon the completion of purchasing 289,000 shares and provide extra protection of our home at Edgar Street, changing the colours the team play in and the name of the Football Club.
We will keep members informed of progress with this issue and the Trust hopes to be able to gain the support of shareholders to secure these important changes in the governance of the Football Club.

 
Should HUST propose that the number of HFC Directors be increased to 8 and the number of HUST Nominated Directors be increased to 4 upon the completion of the purchase of 289,000 A Ordinary Shares by HUST?
Yes 246 votes (92.1%)
No 21 votes (7.9%)
Yes wins with 92.1% of the vote.
267 votes and 13 abstentions






Should HUST propose that the club should remain based at Edgar Street unless agreed otherwise by shareholders, by way of a special resolution?
Yes 266 votes (96.0%)
No 11 votes (4.0%)
Yes wins with 96.0% of the vote.
277 votes and 3 abstentions





Should HUST propose that the name of the Football Club shall be Hereford FC unless agreed otherwise by shareholders, by way of a special resolution?
Yes 205 votes (81.7%)
No 46 votes (18.3%)
Yes wins with 81.7% of the vote.
251 votes and 29 abstentions





 
Should HUST propose that the primary colours of the club home strip be black and white unless agreed otherwise by shareholders, by way of a special resolution?
Yes 268 votes (96.4%)
No 10 votes (3.6%)
Yes wins with 96.4% of the vote.
278 votes and 2 abstentions






Turnout - 280 ballots submitted of 622 eligible voters 45%


Strong Squad Expected From Cardiff

Lance Smith played against Cardiff last year

It’s thought Cardiff will send a strong side to Edgar Street this afternoon with a number of first team players involved.

Hereford host an XI from the Premier League side who also have a game at Burton Albion.

When the sides met last summer, the three first team players made the trip were Welsh International Declan John, winger Craig Noone and midfielder Stuart O’Keefe. 

Hereford manger Pete Beadle saidM "From what I gather speaking to Steve [Jenkins, Hereford assistant mananger], because he's organised this one, is that it's going to be an extremely strong squad.

"Under 23s and maybe three or four sent down from wherever the first team are training at the moment so it's going to be another really, really tough game for us.

"It's one that we need, we need these type of games now. Really looking forward to it, I know there was a great crowd here on Saturday and hopefully we can do the same again this Saturday.

"It'll be a nice and a good day, but it'll be another hard day for the players. Then we'll rest them up during the week and get them ready for that all-important big day."



UITC Go Back On Plan To ‘Cease Operations’

Cllr Sue Boulter (Mayor of Hereford), Jesse Norman, Russell Cheasley and coach Laura Davies with Aspire footballers

A U-turn on United in the Community’s decision to close was made after a new member of the board saw something worth saving.

After their relationship with the club broke down and the youth teams taken over, UITC said it would ‘cease operations’ at the end of the season. They changed their mind when when Russell Cheasley joined the Board of Trustees, eager to carry on the community work that the registered charity does.

"I think the Trustees were just shell-shocked at the time and put out a statement thinking can we continue?” Cheasley said.

“It was then when I was HUST's vice-chair and for the community I engaged with UITC and became part of their board. When I came in it was a case of having a look at what we're doing. 

“The Academy did take up a lot of time and it was a case of sitting back and reviewing what was happening and saying 'no', there is something here that's worth continuing. We had to restructure and remodel and this is now the fruit of our labour.”

UITC now want to develop their home at Central Park and MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire MP Jesse Norman says he’s delighted with their ‘ambitious plans’.

There are plans to refurbish their clubhouse to make it more accessible to people with disabilities, cheaper to run and to create more storage space at a cost of around £20,000. UITC currently have 22 years left on their lease of the council-owned Victoria Park.

“It's always been great set up and it's fantastic that Russell [Cheasley, UITC trustee] and the guys are taking it onto the next stage, they've got some very ambitious plans and I'm delighted with that,” Jesse Norman said.

“UITC has got the word community in the title that's because it's always taken that aspect very seriously. Football is one of those sports that brings people together so it's fantastic that they're doing it.”

One of the organisations UITC work closely with is Aspire Living who support people with learning disabilities in Herefordshire. They help them to live independently but also by getting them involved in sport and other social activities.

“The main change is trying to make it accessible because at the moment you can’t get a wheelchair in. If someone is in a wheelchair then they’ve got no access to facilities. We want to put that in which will enable us to do a lot more,” Cheasley added.

“At the moment we’ve got half a changing room which is used for storage. It’s a case of investing in the property, making it cheaper to run so we’re not spending a fortune on utilities so it makes us more sustainable in the future.”

UITC say their aim is to promote and engage people in sport, helping their health and wellbeing, but also wanting their facility in the city to become a community focal point.


Friday, July 27, 2018

UITC Look To Refurbish Central Park Facility


Aspire Footballers With UITC Coach Laura Davies
United in the Community (UITC) are looking to refurbish their Central Park facility but how much they can achieve will depend on whether they can raise enough funds. 

That's the message that came out of a press briefing earlier today.

Initially they are hoping to upgrade their clubhouse, provide an extra pitch, create a pedestrian access from Aylestone Park and improve the existing parking area.

In the medium term there is the hope they can install floodlights at the ground.

And they are talking to Hereford Council about land adjoining Central Park which if progressed could see several more pitches perhaps including an all-weather pitch. 

Trustee Russell Cheasley said that UITC wanted to cement its place in the community especially since Hereford FC have taken back the Academy.

"The principle objective in our plan is to cement ourselves at Central Park," said Cheasley.

"It's a wonderful facility which can offer a lot more.

"We have a cracking clubhouse but it does need some work on it. That's the main purpose of our first phase.

"We want to do a lot more here. We are talking to a potential partner at the moment for future development."

UITC have a lease on Central Park for 25 years at a 'very reasonable rent' but parking in particular does present a problem.

"We are in discussion about an access agreement so we can open an pedestrian access from Aylestone Park. Then we can use the parking here for players, officials and dignitaries who come to use the facilities. Everybody else would be able to access from the parking at Alyestone Park."

What about floodlights?

"It would be nice to get floodlights but we've got to go through the planning applications on that.

"We would also like to get a 3G pitch here to help with sustainability in the future.

"The pitch is our main income but we are hoping to expand ourselves into the community."

Will Hereford FC youngsters be playing at Central Park this season?

"We don't know at present. They were training here both last night and Tuesday. We've got two friendly games booked here at the weekend."

Where will the finance for improvements come from?

"We've got Section 106 money. As part of any planning process for major developments in the area there is money set aside called section 106 funding. And that is based on what the community's needs are.

"The Council seem to think there are various pots we can draw from. Because we already have the 106 money it would be match funding. 

"We think we can raise a fair amount towards what we want for the first phase. We are talking around £20,000."

Who is using the main pitch?

"The Civil Service premier side will be playing here every other Saturday. The Pheonix junior side are looking to play from here as well. Then we have the Hereford FC academy who have expressed an interest in playing games from here.

"If the weather is good the income would be substantial. It will help deliver other things.

"But we do rely on sponsorship and people being kind with donations.

"We've been in touch with Cargill but they've changed names to Avara so they are a new company. We are in the process of discussing our future with them.

"And there's Aspire, a local charity who deal with people with learning disabilities. We provide training sessions and football for their team Aspire FC. Aspire pay us but they get grant aid from the Mayor's fund and other sources."

Finally what's the relationship between HUST (Hereford United Supporters Trust) and UITC?

"HUST's aims are based around the community, all of the community. HUST have not financially helped UITC in the past. We've helped each other with manpower at events. We promote each others events."

As well as a trustee of UITC, Cheasley is on the HUST board.

"A decision was taken over a year ago that we forged closer links with UITC and then it was proposed that as I was involved with the community for HUST  I would become a trustee of UITC."


Beadle Brings In Defender From Bristol City


Hereford FC will have an extra defender in their squad for tomorrow's friendly against Cardiff.

19 year old Harvey Smith has joined the Bulls on loan from Bristol City.

Initially it's a one month loan.

Smith went on loan last season to Weston. 

Peter Beadle has commented to the OS on the loan.

"Harvey is a centre-half who had a very successful spell at Weston last year, so we know that he can handle this level of football."

Last season Cameron Pring came to Edgar Street on loan from Bristol City and Beadle feels that both clubs gained from the deal.

"It’s a relationship that is beneficial to everyone involved. We get the chance to bring in a quality defender and Bristol get to send out their youngsters to get some taste of first-team competitive football."

Smith was at Edgar Street last Wednesday to watch the friendly against Forest Green.
 

Thank you to former player - Max Nicholson

Big thanks to former Hereford United player Max Nicholson, who has sent me VHS Footage of the time Hereford United played then Premier League Wimbledon in the 2nd Round of the League Cup . The matches took place in the Autumn of 1993. Vinnie Jones and John Fashanu played in both games for the Crazy Gang. I have been after this footage for years. Thank you Max.

1st Leg | Hereford United 0-1 Wimbledon
2nd Leg | Wimbledon 4-1 Hereford United

Max has sent me a letter to go with the VHS Cassettes

 

Lots more footage being uploaded. Subscribe now ->  www.youtube.com/djmatthealey