Pell rallies Bulls to push on after nightmare season

Harry Pell

Hereford's assistant manager Harry Pell, who has signed a two-year contract extension with Aaron Downes, has said the players gave everything as they avoided relegation on the final day of the season by the skin of their teeth.

The Bulls surrendered their early lead from Aaron Skinner's penalty but a bullet header from Mikey Lane levelled the scores - and Curzon Ashton failing to beat Alfreton meant the Bulls can look forward to their ninth season in National League North.

For Pell, who has repeatedly said he never wanted to be in management but came to Hereford with pal Downes, he said the club now needs to be looking up.

"We're so proud of this whole football club," a drained Pell told Bulls News after the 2-2 draw against Peterborough Sports, saying avoiding relegation was a special feeling that was different to everything he had experienced during his playing career.

"Look how strong this football club can be. Hopefully, we can all smell it, enjoy it, but this club needs to be looking up. We can't be looking down, no chance."

The 34-year-old former midfielder who played more than 460 games, including for Hereford United, also gave credit to the players.

"They've managed their family life, they've managed their work, and they've managed the commitment and what it means to represent a football club of this ilk, in this kind of league, and the pressures that come with that," he said.

"I think the players have been absolutely fantastic and I think each individual is a credit to their family, I must say that.

"I've never done it in my career where I had to play Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday." With a laugh, he added: "I can say it now as an excuse because we're safe.

"They were brilliant. The staff, the hierarchy, have been absolutely superb with us. They've supported us in every way, shape and form that we needed.

"The staff around the building, the grounds, everyone's bought in. I'm just so proud. I never wanted to be in this moment. I'll be honest, I wasn't too sure if I wanted to stay in football, but my god, I don't want to leave it for a very long time."

Thanking the club for the opportunity now, and putting him on the map during his two years in the early 2010s, he said he knew there was obstacles in the way of retaining their step two status when walking in in February.

From the backlog of fixtures and pitch problems leaving the Bulls temporarily homeless, the Bulls had 21 league games left, were 23rd in the table and 11 points from safety. After bagging 20th place, even midfield Lawson D'Ath posted on social media dubbing the season "crap".

Pell added: "If you inherit a squad that has been losing games, it's going to be tough, but I'll be completely honest with you, I always had faith in my mate, the gaffer.

"This was his dream and he's worked so hard to get to this opportunity. He's been ready for a long time.

"He's waited in the wings and the moment he applied for this football job, I told him how powerful this club could be.

"We've seen it today and my family, his family, are blown away by the support that this football club gets at this level. Going forward, I'd like to think this is a building block for for the future for whatever may happen."