Len Weston Terracing Also Gets Cut

In a video interview on the official site, Graham Turner adds further woes to the ground situation with the news that the terracing under the former Len Weston stand will also have it's capacity cut.

In the interview, Turner says that while the crush barriers were tested fine they are now too long for current regulations and that they will have to be cut to make additional walkways - bringing the capacity of Edgar Street further down. Turner hopes, once the final calculations are done, that the capacity will remain above the Football League requirements of 5,000.

Turner will seek permission from the Football Licencing Authority to allow some people to stand on the flat area at the front of the Merton Meadow but, he acknowledged, that the letter of the laws was against the request.

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Blackfriars End to close

The Official Hereford United website has confirmed that the Blackfriars Terrace will not be open for this coming season as it has failed a health and safety inspection. The news comes as a blow to the club as it may lead to reduced revenue from away teams with large followings, as they would often be given half of the terrace.

The news follows another health and safety rule which means that the capacity of the Meadow End has also been reduced slightly with no standing allowed on the flat areas of the terrace.

Supporters can only hope that some good can come from the announcment in that it may provide a real eye-opener to the Richardsons in that Edgar Street is in need of urgent re-development. The Official Site states in its article that the club will be having a series of meetings with interesting parties in the coming weeks to discuss the development of the Blackfriars End, including a meeting with the Richardsons.

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Slopes Are Next On Ground Grading Hitlist

After forcing Accrington to install seats that may never be used, and leaving vast plains empty at Edgar Street, the people who write the ground grading regulations have sloping pitches in their sights.

Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous, in the second part of his interview with their supporters association, says the most recent review of ground regulations wanted to increase minimum capacities and banish slopes from pitches: "As it stands now, we meet the League criteria. The problem is that as little as two years ago there was another Football League working party set up to look at ground criteria. Fortunately I managed to get on that working party.

"I found that there were only two things on the whole agenda: one was what the stadium entrance capacity should be - whether or not it should go back to being 6,000 - and the other was what the allowable slope on a pitch should be. We dealt with that issue, but we all know that eventually we'll be told enough is enough. You cannot carry on with a pitch like ours; the slope is just not acceptable. And then we have this problem that if you straighten the slope, you have to straighten all the stands too. We just don't have the room here."

Kleanthous also notes further changes to other parts of the regulations that will have to be complied with that will cost thousands to adhere to: "Just to give you an example of how difficult it is, each press box now has to have a writing station and an electricity point for each member of the press.

Most clubs would think 'Okay, it's a bit of work but we can deal with it'. But for us, having to provide each press person with their own electricity point means we won't have enough electricity on the site, so that's a major nightmare for me. We're having to work on rebalancing the power on the site because we actually don't have enough electricity coming into this site to run this ground. To fix that we'd have to buy a big transformer, but there's nowhere to put it and anyway they cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. So even the most minor things can cause a huge problem here.

"We even had times last year when we had to turn tea urns off in some of the tea huts because it was overloading the power. People don't realise some of the crazy things we live with. When the floodlights are on, we really struggle with power for anything else."

The full interview can be seen here.

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Ex-Bull Watch

Theo Robinson has completed his switch from Watford to Huddersfield for an undisclosed fee. The 20 year old has signed a three year deal after the Terriers baulked at the £1million asking price of Bristol Rovers striker Rickie Lambert. Robinson told the local press: "I believe I'm good enough to play in the Championship. This is a big club with a genuine ambition to play in that division, which is where I want to be."

Dean Beckwith had other options other than Northampton, according to boss Stuart Gray: "We had to act quickly or we would have lost him and there were plenty of other clubs ready to pounce. That is why we had to act decisively with Mark Hughes. He had had a long enough period to decide if he wanted to stay. There was no decision from Mark or his agent so we made the decision for them. Had we not, we would have missed out on Dean."

Meanwhile returning loanee Darren Dennehy is surplus to requirements at Cardiff according to local reports. The Bluebirds have signed central defenders Mark Hudson and Anthony Gerrard, leaving the former Everton trainee still down the pecking order despite the departures of Roger Johnson and Darren Purse.

Another former Hereford loanee is set to be on the move again according to Sky Sports. Robbie Threlfall, who spent two injured plagued loan spells over the past two season with United has been made available for a loan move by his parent club Liverpool and is interesting a number of teams north and south of the border.

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News Round Up

Grimsby are to sign freed Leeds midfielder Peter Sweeney on a two year deal. He spent the last three months of last season at Blundell Park on loan, and he will be joined by Chester defender Paul Linwood. The 25 year old has agreed a three year deal. Barnet striker Paul Furlong will put his 40 year old body through pre-season training before deciding whether to sign the new contract put in front of him.

Crewe have accepted a bid from Scunthorpe for transfer listed midfielder Michael O'Connor, who fell out with boss Gudjon Thordarson shortly after the Icelander arrived at the club. They are also expecting Derby to come back with another offer for ex-Burton man John Brayford. Burton have confirmed making an offer to Kidderminster for midfielder Russell Penn, but it is thought to be way below the minimum £50,000 asking price.

Dagenham have received a bid from Gillingham for striker Paul Benson, but it is way below the suggested £150,000 asking price. Rochdale have a major cleaning up operation to do after heavy storms this morning flooded their executive boxes causing damage to the ceilings and furniture.

Millwall chairman John Berylson says they will become a 'small club' if a wage cap is imposed on them as it is in League Two. They spent £4million in wages last season, and lost £6million, while a wage cap would limit their spending to 'just' £3million. He claims Leicester spent £8million on wages last term, and Leeds £7million.

Farsley Celtic have been kicked out by the Conference after the club went into Administration. The club will appeal the decision, citing Northwich's sucessful appeal to the FA, but face having no other league to play in with the lower tiers already having issued fixtures and club lists.

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Council Ponder Leases Purchase

Herefordshire Council have been told the only solution to the impasse over the redevelopment of the Bulls' Edgar Street home is for them to buy the leases back and start work themselves.

Cllr. Terry James, head of the Community Services Scrutiny Committee, accused Formsole Ltd, the lease holders owned by Richardsons, of 'dragging its feet' and that the council should negotiate an early surrender of the leases with Formsole: “The council needs to be proactive, not just for the club, but for its fans, who deserve better than they are getting,”

Graham Turner had originally wanted planning applications in place for at least one side of Edgar Street by the end of 2007 but, 18 months after that date, no planning application has been made and little work is envisaged for another 18 months with the credit crunch playing havoc with building plans across the world.

The Blackfriars End has always been earmarked as first for redevelopment with the stand shunted forward towards the pitch erasing the large areas of flat land, now rendered useless by the latest stadium rules, and leaving a sizable parcel of land at the rear of the stand for redevelopment.

But those plans were put into disarray towards the end of 2007 when the Edgar Street Grid board turned down proposals to site a fitness club, hotel, or cinema on the newly available land - with the board wanting to keep those commercial developments for their own land. Graham Turner's words at the time have now proved rather prophetic:

"I realise, of course, that the Edgar Street Grid board and developers are only concerned with maximising their prime site. However what it will do is leave us with few alternatives. My fear now is that the Richardsons, who have a number of projects on the go throughout Europe, will put the Edgar Street ground redevelopment on the back burner and adopt a wait-and-see attitude. That will leave us in a state of limbo."

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Greg Thomas Memorial Match

On Sunday 19th July, Wellington FC will be holding a football match in memory of Greg Thomas. The Wellington team will be made up of players of the Wellington U16s from 07/08, the team in which Greg played. Providing the opposition will be the Hereford United Supporters team who recently helped raise around £800 for The Mayor’s charity. The Supporters team would welcome the addition of extra players. Please contact "Chesh" at will_cheshire@hotmail.com

Everyone is welcome, there will be refreshments available and there is an entry fee of £2. All money will be given to a charity of Greg's parents choice.The match will kick off at 1pm. Spectators should arrive anytime after midday. Wellington FC is situated in Wellington Village approximately 5 miles north of Hereford just off the A49. Take the turning into Wellington Village and the ground is behind the local school on the left after about 400 yards.

Greg was a keen football fan who enjoyed both playing and supporting The Bulls both at home and away. He left us on the 8th April 2009 aged just 16 years.

Please come and support this celebration of his life.

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Dennehy Returns On Six Month Loan

Darren Dennehy has returned to Edgar Street on loan from Cardiff until January.

The 20 year old Irishman managed just three games for the Bulls last term after contracting glandular fever while on international duty, but will now form part of the completed back line for at least the opening half of the season.

The Hereford Times has a picture of all the new recruits here.

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Beckwith has nothing to prove

Dean Beckwith has told BBC Northamptonshire that he has nothing to prove to his former employers, Hereford United, after he was released following a disappointing season for the player and club alike.

"I had three very good years at Hereford, but last season didn't go too well for anyone involved at the club. I want to have a better season than I did last year, but I don't think I've got anything to prove to Hereford." said Beckwith.

"I'm confident that I can perform at this level and in League One. Nobody wants to play in League Two. You want to play at your highest level, so obviously I want to try to get Northampton back into League One. I feel it's a good move for me. I'm going to be happy playing football, so hopefully I can produce my best football this year."

Beckwith joins another former Bull at Sixfields with Steve Guinan also having joined Stuart Gray's team.

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News Round Up

Shrewsbury have signed Chris Neal from Preston on a three year deal. The 23 year old keeper last played a first team game at Edgar Street in October 2006 as a loan player for the Shrews. They have also added winger Lewis Neal, also from Preston, on a two year deal. Darlington have only two of last season's first team squad left after announcing their first 12 players for the coming season. None of the 12 are under contract currently as they cannot sign while the club remain in Administration. They will be going for the oldest strike force in League Two, with 40 year old Dean Windass being paired with 33 year old Lee Thorpe.

Grimsby are in talks to sign Chester defender Paul Linwood. Wrexham are debt free and own their own training ground and stadium. Funding is in place to start development of over 150 flats for student accomodation at the ground that will 'allow the club to stand on it's own feet'. Dagenham boss John Still is in talks over a new five year deal with the club.

Bradford are looking for a sponsor for one stand of their ground, and hope to get £30,000 for the season. Lincoln have signed a deal with the local university that will see their logo emblazoned on away shirts for the next two years. Ken Bates has been ordered by a judge to pay £50,000 in libel damages to a former Leeds director after a series of articles in Leeds' club programme published various accusations and the director's home address. Bates faces a £1.5million legal bill for the action.

Ex-Bull Stephen Gleeson has completed his free transfer move to MK Dons despite manager Roberto Di Matteo leaving for West Brom. Ex-Bull Chris Lane has signed for Vauxhall Motors in Conf North. Burton have signed Robin Shroot on a season long loan from Birmingham. He had a month at Walsall last season, making a string of sub appearances, after joining the Blues from non-league Harrow.

Salisbury are still up for sale for £1, but can find no takers. Two interested parties have disappeared with the club only having two contracted players for next season and unable to agree new deals until a sale is concluded. Southampton's Adminstrator wants around £15million for the club. Two foreign groups have held talks over the last 48 hours, with former Bournemouth bidder Marc Jackson claiming to be ready to launch another bid if they both fail - just a day after withdrawing from the race.

Walsall have turned down a £200,000 offer for transfer listed defender Anthony Gerrard from Scunthorpe. Ex-Bull Alan Connell will miss most of pre-season after having surgery on his knee. He will be limited to running until August and is likely to be only a bit-player through the first few weeks of the season. Meanwhile, League 1 new boys and soft furnishing modification specialists Exeter City have secured the signatures of ex-Reading defender Scott Golbourne and former Swinedon striker Barry Corr.

BSkyB have shut down the rivals.net group of club-based sites. Sky bought the group in early 2007 and implemented changes that saw many site editors quit. A curt letter sent to the remaining site editors overnight merely stated that the sites were to close after a review, with the rival.net domain now currently unavailable. Ex-Bull Brian Smikle has signed a new 12 month contract with Kidderminster. He has played 118 times for Kiddy since arriving there three years ago.

Cheltenham have brought in former Lincoln goalkeeper Barry Richardson as their new part-time keeper coach after Alan Fettis left the club for a similar post with Sunderland. Notts County have signed departed Shrewsbury midfielder Ben Davies on a three year deal. The 28 year old is said to have turned down clubs in the Championship and League One for the newly rich Magpies.

Macclesfield have signed Nat Brown on a years contract after he agreed a payoff to his Wrexham deal. He spent part of last season on loan at Moss Rose. Barnet have signed striker Jake Hyde on a one year deal. The 19 year old was released by Swindon in May.

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FSF National Supporters Survey

The Football Supporters Federation have another survey for fans to complete. The aim of this survey is to help us discover more about the actual experiences and views of match-going football supporters so that they can campaign better on your behalf.

The survey can be accessed here.

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Edgar Street Capacity To Be Cut Again

The capacity at Edgar Street is to be cut again after the ground regulations were changed for the worse yet again.

The changes will mean that the flat areas on both end terraces will have to be clear of supporters, and that tests could force the closure of parts of the terracing.

Speaking to BBC Hereford and Worcester's Trevor Owens earlier, Graham Turner spoke about the changes that would have to be made: "The flat areas behind the goals are walkways, and no people should be allowed to stand on those flat areas. So we've got to stop people standing up against the wall, getting close to the action.

"It seems ludicrous to me that that is a safety matter. It will be a massive disappointment for our supporters but there will be nobody allowed to stand on the flat areas behind either goal."

In addition to this, the crush barriers on both terraces have to be tested to take the pressure of a five tonne strain, and each barrier will be tested this week: "We're keeping our fingers crossed that we can send a report in before next Tuesday to the Licencing Authority. Again it's going to cause us problems if any of them fail... parts of the terracing might be closed because of that."

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Adamson Joins, Taylor Leaves

The Hereford Times has named Chris Adamson as no.2 goalkeeper and coach to Adam Bartlett for the coming season.

Adamson, a former West Brom apprentice, has recently been plying his trade for Ilkeston after spells in Ireland and Sweden. The 30 year old was named as Goalkeeper of the Year in the League of Ireland in 2003. He spent the 07/08 season with Stockport, playing twice in FA Cup matches as, before helping Ilkeston to promotion to Conf North last season.

The paper also confirms that Kris Taylor's contract offer has been withdrawn, and he has formally left the club. Taylor, a free transfer signing from Walsall in 2007, played 83 times for the club, scoring three goals, but rarely played in his preferred position of central midfield.

The paper also states that a centre half will sign later today.

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News Round Up

Farsley Celtic have avoided today's winding up hearing by rushing through their application to enter Administration by the backdoor. With no time for the club itself to enter Administration brewers Coors, who are owed for supplies to the club bar, forced the club into Administration rather than allow the taxman to fold the Leeds based side.

Departed Shrewsbury full back Darren Moss says the one year contract offered by the club meant a 40% pay cut for him. He opted to join Morecambe yesterday on a two year deal instead. Dagenham are to negotiate compensation after defender Magnus Okuonghae signed a two year deal at Colchester.

Lincoln forward Sam Mullarkey has left the club after turning down a new contract. Notts County have signed Nottm Forest defender Brendan Moloney on a six month loan. He previously had a loan spell at Chesterfield. Darlington are hoping to sign released Brentford midfielder Gary Smith. He is the former Middlesboro man that lost a £4.5million case over a tackle that ended Man Utd youngster Ben Collett's career.

Burton have signed released Bristol Rovers striker Richard Walker. The one-time Bulls target, 31, scored five in 27 games on loan at Shrewsbury last season. Macclesfield have signed Paul Morgan from Bury on a two year contract. He spent last season at Moss Rose on loan from the Shakers, becoming their player of the year in the process.

Wycombe's Supporters Trust has backed the controversial plans to change the club's constitution to allow Steve Hayes to own the club outright after he guaranteed sums to the Trust if the club went bust.

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Smith Gets Robins Trial

The final nail appears to be firmly in the coffin of Ben Smith's Bulls career after he started pre-season training with Cheltenham Town.

The 30 year old played 151 times across two spells at Edgar Street, but was not formally offered a new deal by manager John Trewick after preliminary talks between the two. Trewick indicated in interviews that the door was left open, but the recent signings of Glen Southam and Jamie Tolley appear to have ended that opportunity.

Robins' boss Martin Allen told the local press: "We already have two good central midfield players in David Bird and Andrew Gallinagh, but Ben is more of an attacking player and is very good going forward. He would also give me the option of playing a three."

In other ex-Bull news Theo Robinson, or at least his agent, has been accused of 'shenanigans' by Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton over his on-off switch to the County Ground. Fitton, who claimed to have a verbal agreement with Watford over a £275,000 move, told the press: "We agreed a deal with the club and player but there are shenanigans going on that we have warned certain people about. This is a classic example of agents and greed."

Another former loanee Stephen Jennings is likely to become Jim Gannon's first signing at Motherwell. Now 24, and out of contract at Tranmere, he is expected to make the move north.

Meanwhile another ex-Bull will be on the move next season. Ryan Flynn, who joined the Bulls on loan but never made an appearance due to injury, will again be farmed out on loan this season after a spell at Wrexham last term.

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