For today's archive article BN looks back to July 2002. Hereford United had started their pre-season campaign with a home game against Tranmere which they lost 2-0.
In Graham Turner's squad were several trialists.
'The first pre-season friendly resulted in defeat for Hereford United, 2-0 at home against Tranmere Rovers of Division Two.
The Bulls fielded a host of triallists and new signings, who did well in their first warm-up game, but an extra week of training and additional match practice gave Tranmere the edge. They netted both of their goals in the first-half.
Unfortunately, the game was a typical pre-season friendly played at a slow pace, which was not helped by the humid conditions. A further dampener was put on proceedings in the last fifteen minutes as a torrential downpour soaked the players.
United lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with Matt Baker in goal following a trial with Leyton Orient. New signing Andrew Tretton joined Ian Wright and Tony James in the defence, with Matt Clarke and Michael Rose playing in wing-back positions. In midfield, Ben Smith, Jamie Pitman and Danny Williams supported the attacking two of Paul Parry and triallist David McNiven, the former York City and Hamilton Academicals player.
On the bench, Richard Teasdale, Mark Benbow, Rhodri Giggs, John Grant, Josh Perry and Joel Armstrong all featured, with Armstrong taking over on the hour from Baker in goal. A youngster from Chesterfield, Armstrong has experience from loan spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Ilkeston Town.'
The Bulls fielded a host of triallists and new signings, who did well in their first warm-up game, but an extra week of training and additional match practice gave Tranmere the edge. They netted both of their goals in the first-half.
Unfortunately, the game was a typical pre-season friendly played at a slow pace, which was not helped by the humid conditions. A further dampener was put on proceedings in the last fifteen minutes as a torrential downpour soaked the players.
United lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with Matt Baker in goal following a trial with Leyton Orient. New signing Andrew Tretton joined Ian Wright and Tony James in the defence, with Matt Clarke and Michael Rose playing in wing-back positions. In midfield, Ben Smith, Jamie Pitman and Danny Williams supported the attacking two of Paul Parry and triallist David McNiven, the former York City and Hamilton Academicals player.
On the bench, Richard Teasdale, Mark Benbow, Rhodri Giggs, John Grant, Josh Perry and Joel Armstrong all featured, with Armstrong taking over on the hour from Baker in goal. A youngster from Chesterfield, Armstrong has experience from loan spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Ilkeston Town.'
A little more information emerged about the trialists a couple of days later.
'Of the Bulls triallists, Josh Perry is from West
Bromich Albion's reserve team. A striker, Perry is eighteen and was a
prolific scorer for both the reserve and youth sides at the Hawthorns.
Joel Armstrong was Chesterfield's third choice goalkeeper last season
and is just twenty years old, whilst Danny Williams was another
Chesterfield player, released from his midfield role this summer.
Richard Teesdale is a defender from Walsall, having been released after he completed a three year traineeship at the Bescot in May. David McNiven is a twenty three year old striker who played for Hamilton Academicals last season. He has also had spells with Oldham Athletic, Scarborough, Southport, York City and Chester City and is currently being sought by Stranraer.
Rhodri Giggs has a chequered past playing for the likes of Aberystwyth Town in the League of Wales. The twenty five year old is a pacy left winger with good striking ability. In 2000/01, Giggs played 35 times for Bangor City, scoring four goals in the process and last season, he featured in four league matches for Abersytwyth before moving back to the Cheshire Leagues. Meanwhile, Mark Benbow is a local lad who has played for a host of clubs either side of the border, and also in Australia.
It appears that Scott Voice, the injury-hit striker, is on the sidelines again and will miss Tuesday night's friendly against Swindon Town.'
Richard Teesdale is a defender from Walsall, having been released after he completed a three year traineeship at the Bescot in May. David McNiven is a twenty three year old striker who played for Hamilton Academicals last season. He has also had spells with Oldham Athletic, Scarborough, Southport, York City and Chester City and is currently being sought by Stranraer.
Rhodri Giggs has a chequered past playing for the likes of Aberystwyth Town in the League of Wales. The twenty five year old is a pacy left winger with good striking ability. In 2000/01, Giggs played 35 times for Bangor City, scoring four goals in the process and last season, he featured in four league matches for Abersytwyth before moving back to the Cheshire Leagues. Meanwhile, Mark Benbow is a local lad who has played for a host of clubs either side of the border, and also in Australia.
It appears that Scott Voice, the injury-hit striker, is on the sidelines again and will miss Tuesday night's friendly against Swindon Town.'