Post Beadle - Where Are We Now?

Marc Richards And Tim Harris

It's coming up to six weeks since Peter Beadle was sacked. His dismissal came after Hereford were beaten by Westfields in the HFA Cup but it looks as though even if that game had been won, the board were going to fire him anyway at some 'convenient' point.

The reasons why Beadle and his right hand man Steve Jenkins were dismissed have been debated ever since with the club board maintaining that 'this is a decision taken more with the long-term goal of progressing to the Football League in mind.'

Six days after Beadle was sacked Tim Harris was appointed as head of football, his role described as 'overseeing all football activies from the academy through to the first team'. 

On October 2nd Marc Richards became head coach at Edgar Street. Four candidtates were shortlisted for the role and interviews took place at the HFA Headquarters.

"However, after lengthy discussions, it was felt that Marc was the best candidate overall and that he would be offered the role," said Harris.

Along with Richards, several other assistants have been appointed. However Roger Lloyd, who was been kit-man at the club, decided to give up his post.

To date Harris and Richards have let two players go, Jennison Myrie-Williams and Joslain Mayebi, and one other Tom Harrison, who was on a one month loan, has returned to Bristol City.

However it was thought more players would have left by now.

"We've got a big squad of players, something like 25, that's an awful lot at this level," said Harris after the defeat at Chester on October 2nd.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that we need somebody up front that can actually hurt people.

"We need to whittle down that squad a little bit."

In the friendly last Thursday there were five trialists. Tommy O'Sullivan, in particular, might be worth a second look. But he is a midfielder, not an area some supporters feel needs extra bodies.

Unless there have been changes that are yet to be announced the squad size today is thought to be 24.

In have come youth keeper Brandon Powell, and three loanees. Two of those Matt Yates and Ethan Wassell are from Derby, George Lloyd comes from Cheltenham.

Harris isn't a fan of loan players. At the recent fans forum he said he would 'rather have his own players'.

But, as yet, Harris and Richards haven't brought in any players other than loanees. This may well be because they've been unable to attract anyone they consider good enough to come to the club at the terms they can offer.

The situation is not desperate but it might well be shortly if results don't improve. Next Saturday is a trip to Boston who are currently sixth in the table and the following Tuesday an away game at seventh placed Telford. And, at present, neither game looks winnable.

Harris and Richards have a lot of work to do.