Brown targets survival first as improved Sports eye third straight win against Bulls

Hereford at PIMS Park in March 2024

Hereford make the trip to PIMS Park on Saturday to face a Peterborough Sports side whose newly-installed boss Phil Brown insists the immediate aim is survival - before turning attention to a promotion push next season.

The match has been switched from Edgar Street because of ongoing concerns about the Hereford pitch, and both sides arrive in need of points at the wrong end of the National League North table. The Bulls sit 22nd with 17 points from 17 games, while Sports are 20th with 20 from 19.

Sports have stitched together back-to-back league wins - a 3–0 demolition of Radcliffe followed by a 3–1 victory over Bedford Town - and also picked up key points against Chester, Southport and Brown’s former club Kidderminster since the 66-year-old arrived.

Brown’s aim is clear: survival now, promotion later. “If I can keep Peterborough Sports in this division, first and foremost... if we survive this year, which is our first goal, then it’s all about next year and can we get promoted? Can we move this club on?”

The former Hull City boss, who famously led the Tigers into the Premier League, has managed across the top six tiers and abroad and still leans on humour to get his point across.

“When you interview for a job, they always want to hear this word ‘philosophy’ - I’m called Phil and my daughter’s called Sophie, so it’s something to do with that.”

The turnaround has not been instant since his appointment in September, but signs are clear. Brown has spoken openly about the realities of part-time football, the need to “be more understanding” with what players who have day jobs can handle and the adjustments required after arriving from full-time Kidderminster.

But as results improve and belief builds, Sports suddenly look far from the early-season strugglers. Hereford will need a reaction after recent frustration, and against a Phil Brown team on the up, nothing at PIMS Park will come easy.

In recent weeks, Brown even mooted the club are considering going full-time. Currently, their average gate this season is 327 - the lowest in the league.