Westons Extend Sponsorship At Hereford

Westons Cider is extending its sponsorship of Hereford FC for a further five years.

The company has been supporting football at Edgar Street for many, many years.

Len Weston joined the Hereford United board in 1946 before being elected as chairman three years later.

After stepping down as chairman in 1965 he became president of the club until his death in 1971. 

After his death, his name was placed on the newly built Len Weston Stand. Completed in February 1973, it remains a lasting legacy for a man the club will be lucky to see the likes of again. 

After Hereford FC was formed Westons were one of the first companies to back the new club. They signed a two year deal to rebrand the stand next to the A49 as the Len Weston Stand. 

At the time Helen Thomas, Managing Director of Westons Cider and great niece of Len Weston, said that the return to EdgarStreet is a special one.

“I am delighted to be involved in the new deal. My great uncle Leonard was a true supporter of Hereford and he would’ve been so pleased to see the continued involvement with the club and ourselves. For me, to have the opportunity to bring back his name to the heart of the action – back to this fantastic stand – is a very proud moment.” 

So the news today that Weston are extending their support of the club has been well received. In particular they are helping with a 'makeover' of Radfords Bar and erecting new advertising boards in the disabled area.

George Webb, Hereford FC's commercial director, has thanked Westons for their continued support.

“We are absolutely delighted with this deal and on behalf of everyone at the club I’d like to thank Westons for their generous, ongoing support.

“Westons continue to be a huge Herefordshire success story and our partnership with them has been of great benefit to our club in a huge number of ways. We are looking forward to developing that partnership still further and we are already talking about freshening up the signage that they have in various other parts of the ground.

“As with all our sponsors, the support we receive from Westons is absolutely vital as we continue to look to drive Hereford FC forward on and off the field, which is why extending this deal for the next five years is fantastic news for the club because of the long-term commitment it provides.”

For Westons, Brand manager Gemma Evans responded.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to continue our partnership with Hereford FC for another five years. Our connection with the club runs deep – built on shared values, local pride, and a love for great cider and great football.

“Seeing the new Stowford Press branding at Radford’s Bar is a real celebration of that bond — the perfect pint poured right here at Edgar Street.”

Hereford 13/10 To Defeat Curzon Ashton

Jaiden White Scored For Hereford In Last Season's Game

The bookmakers are offering prices of around 13/10 for a Hereford victory over Curzon Ashton tomorrow at Edgar Street.

Currently Hereford are 18th in the National North league table with 15 points from 13 games.

Curzon are 8th with 22 points from 14 games.

Last Saturday Hereford lost 2-1 at AFC Fylde (2nd)

Last Tuesday Curzon defeated Kings Lynn (19th) 3-0 

Hereford's home record is won 2 drawn 2 lost 2.

Curzon's away record is won 3 drawn 3 lost 1

Hereford 13/10  Draw 5/2  Curzon Ashton 2/1 

Hereford Chairman Pays Tribute To Colin Addison

Colin Addison

 

 Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds has paid tribute to Colin Addison, whose death was announced earlier today.

Addison was manager of Hereford United when they defeated Newcastle United in the FA Cup in 1972.  

In an interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester, Ammonds spoke to Andrew Easton.

"Really sad news that has come out this afternoon, it sort of kicks you quite hard.

"We knew Colin had been a little bit unwell for a while so it hasn't come as a complete shock but it is really really sad news. 

"He's an absolute legend of football but particually a legend of football in Hereford.

"Many people regard that Hereford United victory over Newcastle United as the greatest FA Cup shock of all time, I definitely say it is.

"It's still in the news now all these years on, it gets brought up every time the FA Cup is played, Ronnie Radford's goal and the muddy pitch.

"But it's almost bigger that than, that FA Cup run for Hereford United it was the catalyst for Hereford United finally getting into the football league in 1972.

"It was difficult to get into the football league back then because it was a re-election, it wasn't just done on field progress.

"I think the publicity and drive that Colin created  through the team that he put on the field of play really did lead to Hereford United getting into the football league for the first time.

"I think you only had to spend with him, I was privileged to spend a bit of time with him just to hear him talk about football and the passion that he had and the knowledge that he had.

"He always had time for people, he made you feel like you were the most important person in the world when you were talking to him.

"I often thought if that's how he made his players feel as a manager then it's no real surprise that he had success on the field with his teams that he did.

"When Hereford FC was reformed after the sad loss of Hereford United, I worked there full time for the first 14 months, the number of times Colin wandered in or you would go pitchside and Colin would come in through the tunnel and look around.

"He was incredibly proud of the place, he was so relieved when Edgar Street wasn't lost and football did start again at Edgar Street.

"He was incredibly proud of the club, of Edgar Street.

"When he was around the lads from 1972 you could just see the bond they all had.

"Colin as player/manager, he played on the field as well as off it, you could just see the bond they had.

"He'll never be forgotten by anybody who cares about football in Hereford, football at Edgar Street.

"We're probably doing him a disservice just to talk about Hereford because his reputation in the wider game was extraordinary as well.

"Colin's tales about what happened in the cup run and the lads in the team and how it went, they were just brilliant.

"And he was always immaculately dressed and as much as anything he was a true gentleman.

"And it was a real priviledge for anyone who has ever been associated with Hereford United or Hereford FC to have someone like him around the place still taking an interest, still offering his views, still offering an insight.

"I'm a massive Hereford fan at heart and I always felt a little bit in awe of him when I was around him and that's just the way he maide you feel.

"I would imagine there will be a few glasses raised to Colin in Addisons Bar tomorrow ahead of our game against Curzon Ashton.

"It will be an emotional day tomorrow but I think we'll do a proper tribute to Colin next week at the home game against Southport.

"We've got the Remembrance Day game tomorrow when we will pay tribute to the fallen. We'll acknowledge Colin tomorrow and we'll look to do a fitting tribute next Saturday.

"In our hospitality lounge tomorrow we have a tribute to Peter Isaac, he's a guest with his family and we're going to pay tribute to him and his service for the club over many, many years.

"It will be even more poignant tomorrow given the news today about Colin.

"Colin's name would have cropped up any number of times anyway tomorrow but I think it will crop up even more and I'm sure whereever he is he'll be looking down having a chuckle at some of the stories that are bound to come out tomorrow."

Could a fourth stand at Edgar Street be known as the Addison Stand?

"He is of such significance that we'll got to try and look at doing something that stands the test of time and is significant.

"We're very honoured to have Addisons Bar there already alongside Radfords Bar in honour of Ronnie Radford who played in the same team as Colin.

"We'll be talking about this for a long time, we'll have the initial tributes to look at in the short term to acknowledge how important he is to everybody.

"And then further down the line we can look at where we are with that."   

Colin Addison At The HUST Launch

With the very sad news that Colin Addison has died, BN looks back to August 2013 and the launch of HUST.

Addison spoke at the meeting.

Addison In Fine Form

Colin Addison

Colin Addison was the final guest to speak last night at the launch of the Hereford United Supporters Trust. And it wasn't long before the former player and manager soon had the audience in fits of laughter.

MC Trevor Owens introduced him.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, he is a living legend at Hereford United - Colin Addison."

Colin started by getting personel.

"Thank you Trevor - he's put a little bit of weight on!"

And then he turned to Gareth Davies who had spoken earlier.

"Well done Ging, you did well as my warm up man, took all my jokes."

Earlier players Luke Graham and Sam Smith were at the launch.

"Have they gone? Oh bloody hell.

"No heckling tonight by the way."

Addison had spent the weekend in London with his family and on Monday had watched some football.

"I've got a lovely story to start with.

"A young player called Harry Pell sends his best wishes to everybody at Hereford United.

"We got tickets and went to see the game. Pell scored a super goal.

"I had twenty minutes with him at the end of the game.

"And he kept asking how's things at Hereford United. Please send my best wishes to everybody."

And then a story from Worcester Races last Tuesday. Both chairman David Keyte and director Nic Nenadich had horses running that afternoon.

"In between the running of Nic's two donkeys, believe me one is still going now, I managed to catch up with David. I missed both the Alfreton and Tamworth games.

"David was quite excited about the possibility that the trust is going ahead."

Then Colin look around for one of Hereford's best known supporters.

"He's still there?

"Mr Blandford, Mark, you'll need the boots on Saturday. Did you hear that?

"I'm going to do a bit of training tomorrow just in case I get a call." 

Finally a pat on the back for the new Trust.

"There will be a Hereford United team here, that's for sure, we'll go on for years and years when we have people like you." 

Giant killing legend Colin Addison has died

By Ian Morris

THE man who masterminded the FA Cup’s greatest ever giant killing has died at the age of 85.

Colin Addison not only managed but also played for Hereford United in their seismic defeat of Newcastle United in 1972.

The match is remembered for Ronnie Radford’s 40-yard thunderbolt, a young John Motson starting out in commentary and the pitch invasion of parka jackets.

It also shone a spotlight on a 31-year-old player-manager who would go on to take charge of a long list of clubs including Derby County, Swansea City, Atletico de Madrid, Cadiz and Celta Vigo.

Born in Taunton, Addison joined York City as a teenager. After helping his side win promotion to the third division, he was bought by Nottingham Forest in 1961.

Addison enjoyed a successful spell at the City Ground, scoring 62 goals in 160 league appearances. Arsenal manager Bertie Mee was one of many impressed by the style of the young forward and Addison moved to the Gunners in 1966 for £45,000.

Sadly, Addison sustained injuries at Arsenal and, after scoring an average of one goal in every three games, he was sold to Sheffield United in 1967.

During his four years as a player at Bramall Lane, Addison completed coaching courses and, when Hereford offered the Blades £3,000 for his services as a player manager, he took the chance to move south.

Speaking to the Observer in 2007, Addison said: “It was my first management job - a real crash course. Everyone else was part-time and the players were scattered everywhere.”

Addison’s first season saw Hereford play 79 matches – many of those in an incredible FA Cup run featuring replays instead of penalty shoot outs.

One often forgotten fact among the drama of the Newcastle victory is that the part-timers of Hereford held their higher-graded opponents to a 2-2 draw in the North East in a now overlooked first match between the two sides.

Addison scored one of the Hereford goals and Malcolm McDonald, the fearsome Newcastle number 9, said in his autobiography that it was one of the greatest strikes he had ever seen. Alas, no TV cameras were at St James’ Park that night to film the goal.

The same could not be said for the third-round replay that eventually took place on February 5, 1972, on a quagmire of a pitch at Edgar Street.

The story of that match, filmed by Match of the Day cameras, has been retold thousands of times and Radford’s strike is replayed whenever TV producers believe another FA Cup shock is possible.

Speaking to Four Four Two Magazine in 2022, Radford said his player-manager was pivotal to the victory.

“Colin inspired us with his words,” he added. “Even today, whenever he talks to you it’s like a team talk. Colin came in and made a huge difference. He was a very good player – the best signing Hereford ever made.”

Hereford almost pulled off an even greater shock when they were unlucky to only draw 0-0 with a West Ham side featuring Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking in the next round.

Their marathon 11-match journey in the FA Cup finally came to an end at the replay when Hurst scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win at Upton Park.

After taking Hereford United into the Football League and a first-season promotion, Addison enjoyed a successful management career that spanned four decades and five countries.

Highlights included working with Ron Atkinson and West Brom’s ‘Three Degrees-inspired’ side that thrilled fans in the 1970s, leading Newport County to their highest post-war league finish and managing some of Spain’s leading clubs.

Despite working all over the globe, his family home remained in the city of his most famous achievement and he would regularly return to watch football at Edgar Street.

A road – Addison Court – was named after him a few hundred yards from the pitch where Addison helped to write the name of Hereford United into English footballing history.

He was always generous with his time and whether it be to a journalist or a supporter, would happily retell the experiences of managing the giantkillers.

In an interview in 2005 with Spain’s Canal Plus, Addison – speaking from the Edgar Street dugout – was moved to tears as he recounted the day Hereford beat Newcastle.

“After the game on my way to the dressing room I went in a little treatment room and I remember crying.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that. I had some good days with Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Sheffield and other big clubs, but there was nothing like this.”

Addison is survived by his wife Jean and his daughters Rachel and Lisa.

Future of Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough home in spotlight amid sale notice

Hereford fans at Aggborough

Kidderminster Harriers’ Aggborough Stadium and its adjoining car park have been listed for potential sale, prompting immediate action from the club’s supporters’ trust.

KHIST (Kidderminster Harriers Independent Supporters Trust) confirmed it has received formal notification from Wyre Forest District Council under the Assets of Community Value scheme - a protection the Trust secured to help safeguard the ground’s future.

The move means Aggborough, which first opened in 1884, could soon change hands. KHIST has contacted the council asking for assurances that any sale will include conditions ensuring the site remains used for football.

The Trust has also informed the club of a potential bidder and asked for written confirmation that, if Harriers themselves are involved, the intention is to secure Aggborough as the team’s long-term home.

KHIST said transparency over the process is vital to reassure supporters and protect one of non-league football’s most historic grounds.

While details are currently sparse, further updates are expected as discussions continue.

BULLS FANS SURPLUS ‘GO-FUND-ME’ MONIES NOW PAID ACROSS

Following the Show Racism The Red Card Campaign, HUST took the ‘GoFundMe’ surplus monies into safe keeping, and those funds have now been transferred across to the charity nominated by Sporting Khalsa.

The sum of £1,102.41 has been transferred to Sporting Khalsa Community Facilities, Registered Charity Number 1142196.

We consequently have an auditable route to demonstrate that the surplus funds have been faithfully applied as the ‘GoFundMe’ subscribers wished.

More about Sporting Khalsa Community Facilities

• Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space

Services Sporting Khalsa Community Facilities provides:

• The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
• Amateur Sport
• Economic/community Development/employment
• Recreation

Sporting Khalsa Community Facilities provides for:

• Children/young People
• Elderly/old People
• People With Disabilities
• People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
• Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
• The General Public/mankind

Sporting Khalsa Community Facilities charitable objectives:

The Sporting Khalsa Community Facilities aim is to inspire future generations to build better communities for all. Providing sports facilities to use sport to educate, motivate and inspire youngsters and adults.

David vs David

Hereford FC host Curzon Ashton on Saturday, following bitter disappointment in falling to last-minute defeat last Saturday at full-time footballing giants Fylde.

1000 people were in attendance at that game. This is very much back-of-fag-packet maths, but I think that means they’re £30,000 short of what Hereford generate in revenue every fortnight, which in turn means that their owner David Haythornthwaite would have to be pumping, at a conversative estimate, £500,000 in a year to afford a wage bill akin to Hereford’s.

Given that the players he collects are significantly more expensive than Hereford’s, his pet project will be costing him something somewhat north of that. That dwarfs, very substantially, what even Kidderminster are losing every year, in an attempt to reach the hallowed ground of two matches against Wealdstone each season. Whatever he’s sinking or pumping into his project, it’s very difficult to compete against across a whole season if you’re a club quite rightly trying to run itself viably as a business.

Tiny outfits on financial steroids with no natural catchment of support are undoubtedly an irritant, but Curzon Ashton operate largely without steroids and have done brilliantly to achieve what they’ve achieved over the last few seasons, not just in staying in the National League North but battling it out with steroid merchants at the top of the table.

The Nash have been busy of late, which could favour Hereford here, although they’ve also been successful of late, which is, inconveniently, less favourable. Last Saturday they beat struggling Peterborough 1-0 at home, and on Tuesday they won 3-0 against Kings Lynn, again at home, one late goal and another very late goal lending the scoreline a more comprehensive flavour. Those back-to-back wins have seen them climb to within a point of the play-offs.

Their away record is solid, with only one loss in seven, and they’ve scored freely on their travels too.

If Paul Caddis can get his side to come out of the blocks sharply and put in the sort of 90-minute performance that comfortably saw off Alfreton at the end of August, and avoid the disjointedness of too many other home games, a win is possible. That’s about as far as current form can push the optimism meter, and honestly everyone’s beating Alfreton.

The fact that Hereford have only won one other game so far this season at home, 2-1 against a Worksop side that isn’t going to trouble the top half of the division, illustrates the sort of start they’ve made.

The Bulls currently sit in 18^th position in the National League North table, one place below the classic 17^th underachievement/total boredom place. Is it a false position occupied by a squad poised to fly up the division and storm the play-offs? Or is it actually representative of a side that becomes nervous in front of a home crowd rather than inspired by it? We’re now comfortably past the ten-game ‘table-doesn’t-lie’ stage.

There’s nothing in terms of cold, hard evidence yet to suggest that Paul Caddis can field a side this season that can produce a consistent, winning performance at home, and get results away at the sides with loads of moolah.

The performance in defeat last Saturday at Fylde was a step up from that in the 1-1 home draw with Telford, and offers more evidence to suggest that the side can more relaxedly fulfil its potential away from a crowd rather than in front of one.

A lot could be revealed here in terms of shaping hopes and expectations over the coming months, and the possibility of turning Edgar Street into a place other NLN sides fear coming to. That said, it’s dawning even on the likes of me, someone still cursed with a Hereford United mindset, that Curzon Ashton vs this iteration of a club playing at Edgar Street is far removed from being David vs Goliath, and is very much David vs David.

Nevertheless, 2500 people, an attendance that actually is David vs Goliath compared to what the Nash get, will be willing 11 people to play football without fear and get back to winning ways here, and those 2500 need to be seen by the players as a supportive help rather than a stressy ‘mustn’t make a mistake’ hindrance, if indeed that’s the problem with the home form. Much depends on Charlie Cooper becoming the new Tom Pugh and Gus Mafuta getting fit.

Young Harley Hamilton will have to sit this one out as he’s suspended, but in future games he is perhaps the missing link between the midfield and a lone striker, generally Remaye Campbell, who has been hopelessly isolated too many times this season, making it too easy for bang-average sides such as Bedford to come to Edgar Street and go from edgy to super-confident in the opening 15 minutes of games.

Oxford and Southport follow this. Four points will be a minimum requirement from those games, and even then it could be four points towards staving off relegation, given current form.

It’ll click, consistently, soon. Bound to, right?

COYW

HFA County Cup - Second Half Pictures

A selection of pictures from the second half of last night's HFA County Cup tie between Hereford and Littleton.

HFA County Cup - First Half Pictures

A selection of pictures from the first half of last night's HFA County Cup tie between Hereford and Littleton.

 

Badges On Sale At Curzon Ashton Match

A large selection of HFC pin badges will be on sale pre match this Saturday v Curzon Ashton. All the badges pictured are available at £1 or £3 each ( cash only ) from a sales point in front of the matchday ticket office. As usual all net proceeds go directly to HFC.