Council Release Development Agreement

Herefordshire Council have released the Development Agreement relating to Edgar Street.

The document can be read alongside a number of Freedom of Information releases on the Council website - https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/transparency-hufc

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Lonsdale on H&W Tuesday Morning

Hereford United chairman Andy Lonsdale is set to be interviewed by Andrew Easton on BBC Hereford and Worcester tomorrow (Tuesday) morning sometime between 8.00am and 8.30am.

Meanwhile TalkSport are expected to discuss the 'fit and proper person' test for club owners, directors and the like this afternoon after 4pm.

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Ex-Bull Watch

In the Championship, Marc Pugh netted a hat-trick as Bournemouth netted eight against a Birmingham side with Darren Randolph in goal.

In League One, Sam Winnall scored for Barnsley as they drew with Bristol City. In League Two, Tom Nichols scored for Exeter as they won at Morecambe.

In the FA Cup Karl Hawley scored for Alfreton in their draw with Lincoln. Kyle Perry scored for Altrincham as they won at Barwell. Waide Fairhurst scored for Macclesfield as they drew with Wrexham.

In Conf South, Glen Southam scored from the penalty spot for Sutton in their draw with Bishop's Stortford. 

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62% Of Club Funds Comes From Supporters

At a football networking day organised by Football Trade Directory, Evo-Stik Northern chairman Mark Harris told attendees that he estimated that 62p of every pound a club generates in revenue, at the level Hereford United are now at, comes directly from the fans.

Harris, who is also chairman of Witton Albion added: 'We rely on the good will of our fans and volunteers. If you asked the 60 odd Evo-Stik club chairmen if they'd prefer ten grand in cash or an army of good volunteers, the majority - if not all - would take the volunteers.'

More from the event is on the Football Trade Directory website (link).

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Beer Festival Next Weekend

Beer In Hand, based in Eign Street, are holding a beer festival next weekend.

The micropub, a HUST corporate member, will be donating the profits over the weekend from one of it's new Odyssey Brew Co range to HUST.

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Akinde Stays With Hereford United

BN's report that Samuel Akinde had been 'exonerated' from blame for the troubles at Slough last Tuesday has been confirmed by Hereford United.

However the club reports that Aaron Wickham has been been dismissed for his part. 

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Lonsdale Decines Five Live Interview

Hereford United chairman Andy Lonsdale declined to be interviewed on BBC Five Live this morning.

He had been asked to take part in the Adrian Goldberg programme which covered the problems at Edgar Street last Sunday.

"Andy Lonsdale the chairman of Hereford United had said he might be available to talk to us this morning," said Goldberg.

"Sadly, for the second Sunday in a row, he's was unavailable.

"But don't worry, we will keep on.

"I know a lot of Hereford fans are passionately concerned about the future of their club."

However Cllr Jim Kenyon was interviewed by Goldberg.

He started by asking him for how much longer are problems going to affect Hereford. 

"It was a long time for them to stump up the rent, lots of promises, lots of deadlines and court on seven occasions," said Kenyon, a lifelong supporter.

"You've really got to feel for the fans because they don't know what's going on."

Goldberg then mentioned whether those running the club were fit and proper in the eyes of the FA.

"There's a record of the current owners moving round from club to club and you think what is going on.

"There's a lot of interest because there are leases there, development etc.

"You have to question the reasons why they are here."  

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Report From St Neots

This report on yesterday's game is from the St Neots Town OS.

  “Sometimes you have to win ugly” said St Neots Assistant Manager Liam George and that adequately summed up a rather disappointing match at the Cozy Stadium. It was however three important points after St Neots had picked up just one from their last two league outings and it was their first clean sheet since September 9th. Hereford promised much in their industrious approach play but delivered little in front of goal with St Neots custodian Paul Bastock seldom tested.   

            The one change in the starting line-up saw Bruce Wilson back to replace Ollie Thorne after missing three games through injury and the return of Ryan Frater at the back after his midweek facial injury was a welcome sight for the home supporters.  

            The result gave St Neots their first league double of the season following their victory at Edgar Street on the opening day of the season. However Hereford, still under the threat of being wound up because of debt, return to court for a final decision on their future on December 1st and St Neots will be hopeful for their continuation because if the club is liquidated, then six league points will be lost.  

            St Neots could have been ahead after just three minutes when Matt Nolan cut in from the right to round the advancing goalkeeper but tight to the goal line he tried to walk the ball into the net but was crowded out by two defenders. Hereford’s main attacking threat in the early part of the game came from quick breaks down the right flank and these produced their first two shots on goal with Daniel Sullivan sending a rising shot into the arms of Paul Bastock and the keeper then parried a cross shot from Bilal Yafai. After twelve minutes, from the second corner of the game, St Neots took the lead as Matt Spring’s cross found the head of Josh Bickerstaff and when his powerful effort was only parried, Drew Roberts was on hand to claim his fifteenth goal of the season with a crisp finish.

            That should have inspired St Neots but they failed to respond and never really tested visiting keeper Luke Williams in the remainder of the first half. Hereford had several chances – Bilal Yafai fired wildly over the bar and from a Steve Vetier corner Brad-Lee Gascoigne headed towards the corner of the net but Jay Davies was perfectly placed to clear off the line. That was to be the closest Hereford were to come to a goal although Serge Diop should have done better just before the break when left unmarked at the far post he sent an effort high over the bar.

            There was no significant improvement in St Neots fortunes early in the second half. However just past the hour they did string together a really flowing move with Hilliard, Wilson and Roberts combining neatly to set up the overlapping Matt Spring but off balance he skied his shot over the bar. In a bid to improve the supply to the front pair St Neots sent on Dean Cracknell for the disappointing Jay Davies and after 70 minutes a Spring free kick was headed back at the far post by Gavin Hoyte to find Matt Nolan but Williams dived fearlessly at his feet to save.

            Now St Neots upped the pace and their play began to show more quality.   The hard working Nolan shot across the face of goal and Williams did well to save a Roberts’ header from a Bickerstaff cross.

            St Neots’ second substitute, Nathan Frater, was denied what looked to be a certain penalty kick when he was brought down by Gascoigne and Roberts shot narrowly wide. The save of the match came when Williams got down to his right to push a low effort by Hilliard for a corner but with ten minutes left St Neots decided to slow play down and protect their slender lead. This they did well with their only anxious moment coming when substitute Gary O’Neill shot wide after Hereford’s best second half attack.

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Second Half At St Neots

A selection of pictures from the second half at St Neots yesterday.

Sam Akinde On For Serge Mor Diop

Who Wants The Ball Says Sam Bobes-Gilroy

Akinde Tries To Get In Front Of York

Sub Aboubakar Kone

Joshua Hawker

New Coach Jeff Wheeler

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Pictures From St Neots Town

A selection of pictures from the first half of yesterday's Southern League game between St Neots Town and Hereford United which ended 1-0 to the home team.

Obi Onyeike, Samuel Bobes-Gilroy, Joshua Hawker, Javia Roberts and Serge Mor Diop

Dan Sullivan

Serge Mor Diop

Brad-Lee Gascoigne's Header

Bilal Yafai

Max Spring Clears For St Neots

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Little End Product From Bulls At St Neots

The Main Stand

St Neots won yesterday afternoon's Southern League match against Hereford United by the only goal of the game.

Not for the first time recently Hereford failed to take chances despite some good attacking play. The need for a striker remains.

Line-Up

Jon Taylor made a couple of changes to his starting eleven with a return for Sam Bobes-Gilroy after suspension and a start for loanee Dan Sullivan.

Sam Akinde was on the bench. Taylor told BN before kick-off that the striker had been 'exonerated' after video evidence from the Slough game had been examined. Akinde had been accused of spitting and involvment in an incident just after the end of the game. 

St Neots kicked off with the sun and a slight wind behind them.

Their winning goal came on just 13 minutes.

The home side were awarded a corner. Max York got his head on the ball and directed it towards Hereford's keeper Luke Williams who couldn't quite gather it.

Drew Roberts On Right

The ball came back to Drew Roberts who slotted it home from fairly close range.

Roberts Celebrates

Shortly afterwards Brad-Lee Gascoigne had a chance to level but put his header wide.

Gascoigne Gets His Head On The Ball

As the game progressed St Neots had the majority of chances and should have put the game beyond doubt but didn't.

Still Spritely at 44 - Keeper Paul Bastock

At the other end veteran keeper Paul Bastock, who spent twelve seasons with Boston, had little to do.

Some Of The Around 40 Hereford Supporters At The Game

The attendance was 329 with less Hereford supporter than at Poole last Saturday, perhaps around 40 in total.

Hereford remain in 17th position in the League having gained 17 points from 18 games.

On Tuesday evening they are away at bottom placed Banbury and so should be favourites to pick up all three points.

Hereford: Williams, Onyeike, Roberts, Hawker, Gascoigne (Capt), Gordon, Vetier, Bobes-Gilroy, Mor Diop, Yafai, Sullivan.

Subs: Akinde, O'Neill, Kone, Fortnam-Tomlinson, O'Reilly 

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New Coach For Hereford United

Jeff Wheeler

As promised by 'owner' Tommy Agombar a new coach, Jeff Wheeler, was helping Hereford United manager Jon Taylor at St Neots yesterday afternoon.

A die-hard QPR supporter, Jeff is the inventor of, and driving force behind Sweetspot™. When not working in the office, Jeff is out in the field – the football field. As a UEFA ‘B’ licensed coach Jeff has a background in ‘grassroots’ football development. He has worked part time at the West Ham United Community Scheme for six years, and the idea for Sweetspot™ came from his experience of coaching young players.

Wheeler has also been involved  with the AIR football project which helps promote a healthy lifestyle for youngsters 

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Banbury Match Abandoned After "Fan" Attacks Ref

Tuesday night's opponents Banbury saw their game with Slough today abandoned at half time after reports that a "fan" attacked the referee with the Puritans losing 2-1.

However the local press suggested otherwise, with the Oxford Times reporting:

'A FOOTBALL match was abandoned this afternoon after a bottle was thrown onto the pitch towards the referee. 

The disruption happened at about 4.11pm during Banbury United’s game against Slough Town at the Spencer Stadium in Banbury. It is understood a bottle was thrown towards referee Lee Sheridan but didn't hit him. 

A police spokeswoman said officers were called and are now investigating. She added that no one was injured in the incident and so far there have been no arrests.'

A brief statement appeared on Banbury's website:

'The football club regrets that today's game had to be abandoned at half time.

The club will carry out a full investigation into the half time incident and co-operate fully with all the relevant authorities.'

Hereford United visit on Tuesday night after three games without scoring, having beaten the Puritans at Edgar Street 1-0 in August. Since that game the Puritans have appointed Paul Davis as manager. Davis arrived at Edgar Street with Jon Taylor in the summer with the pair having previously worked together at Banbury.

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St Neots Complete Double

St Neots completed a double over Hereford United with a 1-0 win in today's Southern League Premier match.

Despite fans claiming Jon Taylor had told them yesterday that both players red carded in the week had been sacked, Sam Akinde was named on the teamsheet but not in the starting XI. 

Drew Roberts scored the only goal of the game, with keeper Luke Williams again keeping the score down. A new coach was on view, but neither Tommy Agombar nor Andy Lonsdale were present.

Photographs from the game will be uploaded tomorrow.

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Taylor To Make Changes For St Neot's

Hereford United manager Jon Taylor will make several changes to his squad for this afternoon's Southern League match at St Neot's.

Sam Akinde isn't expected to take any part in the game after his sending off at Slough on Tuesday evening.

Josh Oyibo is still suspended because of a red card. However Sam Bobes-Gilroy is available.

St Neot's is known to Taylor.

"I know a bit about St Neots and the way they set up, but against the better teams, we have tended to do better.

"They had a poor result against Chesham, but that just goes to show that anyone can beat anyone in this league."

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