'Meet the Chairman' Q&A - Key points

Andrew Graham

Andrew Graham was at Radford's tonight for a 'Meet the Chairman' discussion. He answered a lot of questions regarding the club - both on and off the pitch, as did other directors and Head of Football Tim Harris. Below were some of the talking points...

ON THE TEAM

Tim Harris was there and talked about the football side. Harris says the club has come a long way and fans should be aware of the recruitment. When he took over the club, a lot of loans came in because 'sometimes you've got to beg and borrow'. Talking about players recently signed, they have been scouted and Luke Brick analyses strengths and weaknesses. He said the team looked in great shape and physically fit at training last night. There is a good mix of experience at the club (like Martin Riley and Reece Styche). Harris says fans will love Jacob Jagger Cane, who he says was Weston-Super-Mare's best player last season. Harris says 20 will be an ideal number as regards how many players he wants. It is unlikely Danny Greenslade will play any part of the opening two months of the season.

Harris says he is relishing taking the club forward and has been in this position before; transforming a club from part to full time football. Chairman Andrew Graham says he is confident Harris and Marc Richards can take the club forward, but they are aware 'it's a results-based business' and it's important they are where they need to be by Christmas time.

RICHARDS, O'SULLIVAN & SMITH

Eliot Richards requires an operation on Monday, but is a non-contract player. Therefore, he will wait until he has had it to see where he is. Lance Smith also requires an operation; however Tommy O'Sullivan has signed on for next season. 

BUDGET

Tim Harris says there is a lot of speculation regarding the figure and is not working on a £600-700k budget. There is an increase in budget, but is not the highest in the league. He is talking about 'value for money' players. 

ON WHEN CLUB WILL GO FULL-TIME

Andrew Graham said that, when the time is right, the funding will be available but won't be at the expense of the security of Hereford FC. He added that all board members will have to agree when the club will go full time and discussions have already taken place, even before he became a member on the board.

George Webb added further details. He said the club have got a Head of Football with a Head Coach because every club that have gone full time that Hereford spoke to have got someone who looks for the best players etc. A manager will have to do everything otherwise. 

ON HANDLING CRITICISM

Andrew Graham: "It hurts that fans criticise you as an individual. People have to get on board and nobody likes to play at Edgar Street when we're on form. When we are together, people don't want to play Hereford. People chipping away on the side will be responsible for any demise."

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Andrew Graham says he'll talk to every fan, and there will be no football club without fans, but because he's so busy and wants to move the club forward, he hasn't got time for people who just want to chip away,

ON PREVIOUS CHAIRMAN KEN KINNERSLEY

Andrew Graham says previous Chairman Ken Kinnersley did a lot of work.

"If people's perceptions that Ken was not as forthcoming, I think they have to put that down to people's individual expectations," he said.

"I have already been approachable. But we should have a sense of gratitude for everything Ken has done so far. I have nothing but praise for Ken." There was a round of applause after Andrew made those remarks.

HARD WORK

Andrew Graham says he was surprised by the amount of work that the previous HUST nominated directors did, added that they put in between 20 to 30 hours a week, according to Graham. Graham says being Chairman is an honour and a challenge. He  says he has one job to do and if he fails, he will go back to the terraces - but it won't be for the lack of trying. 

"If we are unable to deliver, then it is down to me because I'm the Chairman." 

ON 'DODSY' NICKNAME

Andrew Graham was previously in the Army and, he was told off after coming back from an operation. So he went to the hairdressers and told the barber to shave off around the beret as a joke. One the parade square, someone shouted 'Ken Dodd' to him as his hair fell out of his beret. So he was subsequently nicknamed 'Dodsy'. A number of you may have seen that nickname on social media, which Andrew is very active on. 

SEASON TICKETS

The 1,000th season ticket has been sold. 

SEASON TICKET PRICES

Director Peter Churchus said the board wanted to increase the playing budget; therefore that meant season prices - including ones for younger supporters - went up.

SCAFFOLDING

The scaffolding at the front of the club office will be dismantled on August 23. One fan labelled it 'an eyesore'.

RELATIONSHIPS

Andrew Graham: "Over the last season, there had been a lot of fractions; we are on a certain path and won't have time to engage with people being negative. They need to offer constructive criticisms with solutions."

He later said that HFC is some people's community; and pays tribute to long-term volunteer Jenny Prosser and ardent supporter Pat Hornsby; both of whom have recently passed away.

BARS

Commercial Director George Webb says there simply isn't the footfall to open the bars in the day and pubs generally are struggling. He added that some groups use Addison's in the day, but not for drinking. Renting them out provides guaranteed income, he said.

SPONSORSHIP

George Webb says it's all about the partnership and what value they offer the club in terms of the brand, not just hard cash.

BLACKFRIARS DEVELOPMENT

Andrew Graham says everything is still on schedule and is looking forward to a positive outcome, adding that it's imperative to have a four-sided stadium.

ACADEMY

Paul Quarrell, Head of Academy, says new Head Coach Andy Bevan is a very experienced coach. It's early days but he brings a wealth of experience to the job. George Webb added that the club have got to produce their own players if the club wants to go full time. And that, Webb says, is one of the jobs that Andy Bevan has got to do.