For today's look back BN goes back 22 years to March 9th 2002. The home game was called off but there was other news including a HUISA meeting.
HEREFORD United's home game today against Dagenham & Redbridge was postponed due to structural damage at Edgar Street.
Part of the roof of the Meadow End terrace was ripped
off by the strong winds late this morning, and this cut off the
electricity supply to the ground. The game could not have been played
even if the Meadow End had been closed as a lack of a public address
system is not allowed by the Health & Safety Executive.
Police, fire officers and the HSE were called to the
ground before a final decision was made at around 1pm, with several
Dagenham fans and the Essex team having reached the ground.
Sky Sports were due to provide coverage of today's
game on their Gillette Soccer Saturday programme, but instead showed
pictures of the damaged roof.
The game is likely to be replayed in April.
PHIL Robinson, the Hereford United player/coach, has
reacted to John Snape's sending off on Tuesday night by attacking
referee's inconsistency.
Snape was red carded for swearing at the linesman in this week's 1-0 defeat to Telford United.
"Every week you see players like Roy Keane chasing
after referee's jabbing their fingers at them swearing and abusing them
and nothing is done," he told the Evening News. "It's the inconsistency
that is annoying. John swore from about twenty yards away and the
linesman called the referee over and had him sent off. I think it was a
little bit out of order."
Despite goalkeeper Matt Baker making the mistake for
the only goal of the game, Robinson didn't blame him. "If you are an
outfield player and you have the chance to clear the ball from 25 yards
out you might as well do that rather than pass the ball back," he said.
TODAY's HUISA meeting at the Richmond Club revealed
that the Unitary Development Plan, which would keep Hereford United at
Edgar Street, was passed in the first vote unanimously by the
Herefordshire Council yesterday.
The plans mean that Hereford United are set to stay at
Edgar Street and the first hurdles have been overcome. A full statement
is expected from Council Leader Terry James within the next couple of
weeks. All political parties are believed to be backing the project.
HUISA were not allowed to tell the audience about the
details of the plan as negotiations were still ongoing, but outlined the
UDP and its meaning for Hereford United Football Club.
Back in November, Chelverton Properties director Simon
Morgan attended an open meeting with Hereford United supporters asking
for a mandate to back his plan of relocation. HUISA urged the fans to
ask him to come back with more figures, as they knew of the council's
plans but were unable to say anything about them. Chairman Kevin Wargen
told the meeting that the Chelverton plan didn't stack up in terms of
finding a new ground for the club as well as giving amounts of money to
the council and Chelverton. Since then, HUISA have seen Chelverton's
figures and they include the sale of the cattle market in with the
football ground. The whole site was valued at £4.1 million, which
ensures that there aren't sufficient funds in the land value to build a
new stadium for Hereford United.
The UDP, which sees the club stay at Edgar Street,
passed its first stage yesterday, and Wargen said: "The chances of the
club staying there are about 98%." Chelverton failed to stop the plan
going through and they have few chances to prevent its progression, but
are likely to appeal against the council's decision.
Football is likely to remain at Edgar Street, with a
redevelopment of the ground neccessary. The main A49 road through the
city will be widened so the Len Weston Stand will be pushed back, and
all other stands will be rebuilt, according to HUISA's interpretation.
Wargen said that he couldn't go into any detail, but sources of finance
have been investigated by the council and the development is part of a
much larger project. A new multiplex cinema, a leisure centre, council
offices and a hotel are included in the project, as well as social
facilities for Hereford United supporters which could provide the club
with off-the-field income. The total development is expected to total
£60 million. Whilst development is taking place, Hereford United will
continue to play on the ground and the new stands are to reach Football
League standard.
When Hereford United sold their leases to Chelverton
Properties, it appears that they broke the law and, at the time, nothing
was done about it. Herefordshire Council are now adamant that they want
the leases to the Edgar Street ground back, and have the moral
high-ground to negotiate a deal with Chelverton. If Chelverton decide to
hold out and lock the club out of the ground in May 2003, Councillor
James will force Chelverton to maintain the ground, so that it passes
all health and safety regulations, which would mean rebuilding unsafe
areas. The cost of upkeep for Chelverton could be as much as £2 million.
The HUISA committee has spent a great deal of time on
negotiations regarding redevelopments as the club directors are unable
to do so themselves, due to their contractual obligation to backing
Chelverton Properties. When the loans were agreed, Hereford United were
obliged to follow the Chelverton line. Wargen said that all HUISA
efforts were aimed towards the long-term survival of the club, and
apologised for the lack of fundraising events and newsletters over the
past season. Some members have committed three nights a week to attend
meetings on top of their own jobs, and the results will only be noticed
as the plan progresses.
HEREFORD United coach Phil Robinson was understandably disappointed at yesterday's match postponement.
The Bulls were due to play Nationwide Conference
leaders Dagenham & Redbridge, but strong winds ripped off part
of the roof at the Meadow End, and also cut the electricity supply to
the public address system.
"Quite a large section of the roof has blown down and
another part looks as though it might follow," said Robinson in tolday's
Non-League Paper. "It's very disappointing but the safety of the fans
is paramount so our safety officials were left with no choice but to
call the game off."
"We've been existing on a week-to-week basis and with
no revenue coming in today it's going to be a long time until our next
home game a fortnight today."
The game is expected to be replayed in April, and
Hereford's next match is at Farnborough Town on Tuesday night, kick off
7.45pm.