Why Downes Has Hereford Looking Up Again

 

This from the National League:

They may have had games in hand, but plenty of managers would have shuddered at the thought of performing a rescue act at a club 11 points from safety with two months to go.

Talk about throwing yourself in at the deep end. Aaron Downes had been an assistant for the best part of a decade and was “waiting for the right opportunity” to become a number one.

Hereford were happy he applied. The club successfully dodged relegation from the Enterprise National League with a late-season surge playing twice a week, safety sealed on a nail-biting final day.

But as fun as it all was, he doesn’t fancy having to do it all again.

The Bulls are hoping for much better next season, and supporter Matt Hale has explained why optimism has grown despite an almost devastating season.

Sum up your club’s summer so far in three words
Exciting, promising, correcting.

Fixture release day is on Friday July 10 - who’s your ideal first day opponent?
There is never a perfect start to a season fixture wise. But for Hereford this season a home game to start would be huge. Someone like Worksop or Bedford at home is as close as it would get to ideal for me.

What ground are you looking forward to visiting next season?
There are some amazing grounds at the level this season. But the one that I really cannot wait for is Hednesford! A gorgeous stadium that has undergone huge upgrades since my last visit. Will be a top day out.

What one player would you not want to lose this summer, even if a club record bid came in
If I had been writing this a couple of weeks ago I would have been begging for a Aaron Skinner contract extension... and luckily enough my prayers came through and we got the news! But still we can't lose our starman.

You’ve got two minutes alone with your club’s manager - what advice would you give him?
I would tell him to keep doing everything he is doing and stay confident. Aaron and Harry [Pell] have been excellent because they are confident with the players and the players show it back. 

What’s the one thing you would change about your team’s stadium?
I would love us to build the new Blackfriars End stand. This has not been in use for a very very long time and got demolished a couple of years ago.

It’s early days but who’s winning the league in 2026/27?
It will be one of the most competitive league seasons in recent times, the obvious answer is Morcambe but as Scunthorpe United showed a few years ago it is not as easy as it looks. Hednesford look very strong as do South Shields, but if I had to pick one it would be Hednesford, simply off their early summer business.

Who’ll be the surprise package?
I think we will be a fairly big surprise to some after a poor season last season. A big push for top seven could follow - very optimistic I know! Hebburn Town are also looking strong to maybe shock a few.

If you could sign one player this summer from any team in the division, who would it be?
Lewys Twamley at Merthyr Town. He is just unreal and has the stats to back it. Unfortunately, he has just moved to Southend!

What's one thing about your club that opposition fans probably don't know?
The meadow End at Edgar Street is curved due to the ground formerly having a running track around it.