Ryan Green's Testimomial takes place this evening at Edgar Street. So here's the last article in a series looking back at his career with Hereford United.
It's the 2011/12 season.
As usual pre-season started with several fixtures at neighbouring clubs. But what was different was a trip to Spain for two friendlies.
Reality set in on July 23rd with a 0-0 draw against Birmingham at Edgar Street. Green missed the next friendly at Telford as he was stuck in traffic (who else used that excuse?) on the wrong side of the Brynglas Tunnel after an accident that shut the M4.
Green was in the team that lost a friendly 3-0 at Forest Green. He was joined in defence by Janos Kovacs, Tyler Weir and Joe Heath. Incidentially one of the goals was scored by Reece Styche - now plying his trade at Hereford.
The first league fixture was at Southend. Green partnered Stefan Stam.
"First half him and
Greeny needed to get a bit tighter to them," said manager Jamie Pitman. "Once they got tight we got
the ball back better and we passed it a little bit better than we did
first half."
A 1-0 win over Brentford in the Carling Cup saw Hereford travel to Aston Villa in the second round. Before then a dismal start to the season, after three games Hereford were bottom of the league and hadn't scored a goal.
Although Villa won the game 2-0, Hereford held them for 80 minutes and Green was the hero, perhaps having one of his best ever games in a Hereford shirt.
'Ireland tried to feed a
through ball to Bent but Ryan Green’s perfect interception snuffed out
the threat before N’Zogbia was beaten to the ball when Cornell was
smartly off his line.'
'Bent made a dash for goal but was thwarted by a Ryan Green challenge that shook the North Stand into song.'
'Weinmann replaced Bent who appeared distinctly disillusioned by his own failure to get the better of a certain Mr Green. The Bulls’ fans sent him on his way with a rousing chorus of “what a waste of money”.'
Several weeks later and a 1-0 home win over Dagenham but itmight not have been.
'Ryan Green’s tackle on Howell was expertly timed on the edge of the
area, but the assistant referee saw it as a penalty and held his flag
across his chest to indicate this. After much disbelief, Mr Madley
handled the situation fairly, waving aside the arguing factions, before
consulting his linesman and then over-ruling him- common sense had
prevailed.'
Next up was Shrewsbury away.
"They did the double
over us last year but, first of all, we want to get three points to
move us up the table," Green told the Hereford Times.
"It would be nice to get one over our old manager and chairman, Graham Turner, and our old coaching staff."
"It would be nice to get one over our old manager and chairman, Graham Turner, and our old coaching staff."
Shrewsbury won 3-1 but Green was involved in the Hereford goal.
'The increasingly
adventurous Green then crossed a ball into the box, Facey challenged
and the ball fell to Barkhuizen who swept home from six yards.'
At this time Green was sarting every game but results were poor. A 6-1 home defeat to Gillingham on September 17th perhaps the worst. A game Green will want to forget especially given he was captain that day.
'When Ryan Green slipped to let in West Ham loanee Frank Nouble for the first on eighteen minutes it was only the start of catalogue of mistakes and poor decisions.'
Green picked up a thigh injury so missed several games. It was October 29th before he returned to the starting eleven.
At a fans forum on December 1st with Gary Peters and Jamie Pitman a supporters asked if Green's deal could be extended.
"We've talked to Ryan already," said Peters. "He knows what we think of him. He's a super player and he likes being at Hereford.
"He lives in Cardiff, it's not too far for him. I think he would like to stay if we can get something sorted out."
Green missed the Plymouth away game through illness. He was back on Boxing Day but gave a penalty away.
'Collins breezed down the left unchallenged, eventually passing into Myrie-Williams, who managed to sort out his feet before being knocked over by Green. Andy Woolmer pointed to the spot and sub Richards sent Bartlett the wrong-way, much to the delight of the 511 away fans.'
Next a 1-1 draw with Accrington.
'Green played an incisive through ball to Yoann Arquin. The youngster lost his marker, showed some instant control, and fired a terrific low shot from the edge of the box which flew into Ian Dunbavin’s net via the far post.'
Another fans forum and a supporter asked if Gary Peters had thought about playing Ryan Green in mid-field.
"I know a lot of people who write on the Bulls News or Bulls Banter come up with ideas and that one I looked at. I like to know what is going on, what people feel. And I thought that's not a bad idea.
"Ryan is a good defender, he reads games but he had a doubt about it so you can't put him there."
The New Year started well with a 2-0 win at Burton. But Green picked up an injury which caused him to miss several games. He returned for the 2-2 draw at Oxford.
Hereford were near the bottom of the league but a welcome1-1 home draw against Cheltenham on February 11th moved them up to 21st.
Rob Purdie with Ryan Green looking on - both were choosen as man of the match. Pictures taken by Andy Compton.
A virus caused Green to miss a number of games including a creditable 1-1 draw at Bradford in front of over 17000. and a 5-4 defeat at Gillingham.
At this time Green was sarting every game but results were poor. A 6-1 home defeat to Gillingham on September 17th perhaps the worst. A game Green will want to forget especially given he was captain that day.
'When Ryan Green slipped to let in West Ham loanee Frank Nouble for the first on eighteen minutes it was only the start of catalogue of mistakes and poor decisions.'
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At a fans forum on December 1st with Gary Peters and Jamie Pitman a supporters asked if Green's deal could be extended.
"We've talked to Ryan already," said Peters. "He knows what we think of him. He's a super player and he likes being at Hereford.
"He lives in Cardiff, it's not too far for him. I think he would like to stay if we can get something sorted out."
Green missed the Plymouth away game through illness. He was back on Boxing Day but gave a penalty away.
'Collins breezed down the left unchallenged, eventually passing into Myrie-Williams, who managed to sort out his feet before being knocked over by Green. Andy Woolmer pointed to the spot and sub Richards sent Bartlett the wrong-way, much to the delight of the 511 away fans.'
Next a 1-1 draw with Accrington.
'Green played an incisive through ball to Yoann Arquin. The youngster lost his marker, showed some instant control, and fired a terrific low shot from the edge of the box which flew into Ian Dunbavin’s net via the far post.'
Another fans forum and a supporter asked if Gary Peters had thought about playing Ryan Green in mid-field.
"I know a lot of people who write on the Bulls News or Bulls Banter come up with ideas and that one I looked at. I like to know what is going on, what people feel. And I thought that's not a bad idea.
"Ryan is a good defender, he reads games but he had a doubt about it so you can't put him there."
The New Year started well with a 2-0 win at Burton. But Green picked up an injury which caused him to miss several games. He returned for the 2-2 draw at Oxford.
Hereford were near the bottom of the league but a welcome1-1 home draw against Cheltenham on February 11th moved them up to 21st.
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A virus caused Green to miss a number of games including a creditable 1-1 draw at Bradford in front of over 17000. and a 5-4 defeat at Gillingham.
Later BN reported that 'Green is set for a scan on his injured knee today. The
31 year old has missed the last three games with the problem. He was
initially reported to have had a virus when missing the Bradford game,
but is said to have reported the knee problem during their stop-over in
Nottingham when travelling north.'
Richard O'Kelly took over from Pitman as manager but by March 17th the Bulls were 23rd in the table. Green returned from injury for the game at Port Vale but after a home defeat by Crewe, the Bulls were bottom of the league.
More injury problems kept Green on the sidelines. And on May 3rd it was revealed that he had undergone an operation to cure his ongoing knee problem.
Even worse, the Bulls were relegated to the Conference on May 5th.
Martin Foyle became the new manager of Hereford and in a fans Forum on June 18th he confirmed that no offer had been made to Ryan Green 'due to finances'.
In August he joined Port Talbot.