Next: Worksop Town At Edgar Street On Saturday 20th September at 3.00pm
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Police enquires continue
Staffordshire police enquires into the crowd trouble at Burton last Friday are continuing. One Burton spectator was arrested at the game but more arrests are expected.
It has emerged that the Stafford police are to meet with the West Mercia force tomorrow. Armed with both still pictures and TV footage of the trouble at Burton and police video pictures from the trouble at Tamworth, the police are hoping that many of those involved can be identified.
PC Steve Thomas who is the football liasion officer at Hereford and sometimes travels with Hereford supporters is expected to be at the meeting.
It is also understood that the local Hereford press may be asked to help catch any individuals that the Police fail to identify. The quality of the pictures and film is very good said a Police source.
Arrive early for tonights game
Hereford United have asked supporters to arrive early for tonights game with Telford. The Bulls are expecting another large attendance and will not want to delay the start.
"The message is clear, please get here early" Graham Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
Speaking about the game Turner said:"It's a test of character now and the players have proved that they have character when they came back from 2-0 down after ten minutes to beat Aldershot. We have to prove that we are a decent side capable of staying at the top all season."
As at late afternoon it is still uncertain whether Andy Tretton or Rob Purdie will be in the starting line-up. David Brown and Richard Teesdale are the likely replacements should they fail their fitness tests.
Meanwhile as well as the Hereford versus Dagenham game on Oct 13th being on Sky, it is being suggested that the Boxing fixture at Edgar Street against Exeter may also be televised. If so, the game will be an evening kick-off.
This has not been confirmed by Hereford United.
Matchball sponsorship
HU-FC.co.uk have linked up with sponsors Chelgames.com to sponsor this Saturday's match ball as Hereford United host Gravesend & Northfleet.
With the Bulls flying high at the top of the table, the sponsorship cements the link between the website and its main sponsor, as well as our commitment to Hereford United FC.
Let's hope that, on the field, United have a successful day and come up with the goods - another three points.
Police hunt troublemakers
There can be no excuses for the ugly scenes at half-time last Friday during the Burton Albion versus Hereford United match. And according to today's Burton Mail, the police have launched a major hooligan hunt for those involved.
The violence occured when a group of 'away fans' invaded the pitch and charged the Albion supporters.
Vastly outnumbered, the stewards, joined by Hereford's substitutes, tried to restore order without any help from uniformed police. One man was arrested for assulting a steward.
Albion supporters have also claimed that a child was hit in the face by a missile.
Detectives have studied video evidence and photographic footage of the violence and will be liaising with both clubs and their West Mercia Police colleagues.
Albion chairman Ben Robinson said: "From our video tape we can clearly see that just before the start of the second half a group of Hereford fans invaded the pitch and attacked a section of Burton supporters.
"Over the weekend we held a meeting with the police, who are going to investigate the incident and seek out the culprits."
Burton fan Jonathan Buckley added: "The hooligan supporters were throwing coins and plastic bottles. I was standing by a small child of seven who was hit in the face by a coin.
"At half-time around 10 of the thugs jumped into the crowd punching and kicking anything in sight. One poor Albion fan was being kicked and punched on the floor."
Earlier this season, Hereford had meetings with police to try to identify a group of about twenty thugs who they believe are the main ringleaders.
Detective Sergeant Darren Harding, of Burton CID, said today: "Burton Albion is a family club and we will not tolerate hooligan elements carrying out this sort of behaviour.
"We have launched a post-match inquiry and are working with the club to identify the trouble makers. We would appeal to any fans who witnessed the incident to contact us."
Anyone with information is urged to contact DS Darren Harding on 01785 234734.
Turner may change line-up
Doubts over the fitness of two players means that for the first time this season Hereford United are likely to have to change their line-up for tomorrow's game against Telford.
Andy Tretton (ankle) and Rob Purdie (thigh) will be given as much time as possible to prove their fitness for a game that gives Turner's table-toppers the chance to make up for Friday's 4-1 hammering at Burton.
Richard Teesdale and David Brown stand-by to take the places if the aforementioned two fail to prove their fitness.
"It's an opportunity for us to bounce back very quickly," Turner told BBC Sport. "We've had a very good start and we don't want it to go flat for us."
Bucks boss angered by performance
Telford United manager Mick Jones has told his side to buck up their ideas ahead of tomorrow's match at Edgar Street.
The Shropshire side lost 2-0 to Stevenage Borough on Saturday, and the Shropshire Star spent thirty minutes after the game slamming his team.
Jones said today: "After losing on Saturday, it now makes tomorrow's game against Hereford absolutely vital for us. I was really stung by the result and I expect all the players were too because you shouldn't be in football if defeat doesn't hurt.
"We can't put that result behind us and just forget about it but we can bounce back and I will be looking for real character from the lads tomorrow. We are going to need 11 battlers and 11 men out there tomorrow to get anything out of the game because it gets no tougher than going to the league leaders after just having a defeat.
"In a situation like this players will either rise to the occasion or freeze and I am obviously looking for our lads to do the former."
Telford expect to have several defenders missing for the tie. Injections could be administered to Neil Howarth and Scott Eustace, who are suffering with injuries. Skipper Scott Green has a groin injury while Trevor Challis is hoping to get over a bruised leg.
Of Hereford, Jones added: "It's a tough place to go at the best of times. They're a good slick side. They've been developing for three years and now they're putting the cherry on top of the cake."
Problems continue at Exeter and Chester
Exeter City are due to meet John Moules, chief executive of the Conference, tomorrow to discuss a possible twelve point deduction after being granted permission to set-up a CVA, Company Voluntary Arrangement, last week at Leeds Combined Court.
It is thought that the Conference may be willing to lower the penalty should the Football League set a lower scale at a meeting on September 25th but if no decision is made then twelve points will be deducted.
Should this happen then it will almost certainly stop any likelihood of Exeter reaching the play-offs and having the chance to regain league status at least for this season.
In any case the CVA will stop Exeter buying any new players and any points deduction could have the effect of demoralising the existing squad as they will have little to play for.
City must call a meeting of creditors following the court's ruling that has allowed the club until October 24th to formalise its CVA which to suceed must have the agreement of the major creditors.
Meanwhile, Chester City do not appear to be any nearer settling the dispute with their previous owners.
The NLP has reported that the Smiths, the American family who were thought to have sold the club to present chairman Stephen Vaughan, are alledging that Vaughan has only paid £20,000 out of the £400,000 sale price. The Smiths maintain that as they has not transferred their shares to Vaughan, they still own the club.
However, Vaughan is claiming that as he is Chester's major creditor he could turn the tables on the Smiths by demanding that his reputed £1.8 million investment in the club is paid back.
This story looks as though it could run for some time.
Tuesday - the grand reunion
Two of Hereford United's current squad face their former side on Tuesday when the Bulls host Telford United at Edgar Street, kick off 3pm.
David Brown and Jordan King left the New Bucks Head in the summer to move to Hereford, while John Grant, Matt Clarke and scout Ron Jukes went in the other direction.
Everyone is re-united, along with former United goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie (now at Telford) on Tuesday with the Shropshire-based club under the stewardship of Mick Jones.
Although Jordan King is unlikely to start for Hereford, Brown will push for a place in the strikeforce after Rob Purdie and Steve Guinan failed to find the net in Friday night's 4-1 defeat at Burton Albion.
Brown told the Evening News: "It's always nice to play against your old team but obviously getting injured in pre-season means I'm likely to be on the bench because I haven't broken through yet.
"However it should be a good game," he added. "They've spent a lot of money on players over the summer and brought in some good ones."
On his departure from Telford, Brown said: "I had a good time there it was just a shame the manager was sacked. I didn't agree with that at the time and in many respects my choosing to leave was down to that.
"The club wanted to keep me and offered me more money to stay but it was not right for me and I wanted a new challenge and got that with Hereford."
Hereford could miss defender Andy Tretton, who picked up a calf injury in the game at Burton, so Richard Teesdale is set to deputise at centre back. Telford, who are just outside the top half, lost 2-0 at home against Stevenage Borough on Saturday, and hope to have Lee Mills and John Grant leading their attack, having scored three goals each this season.
No lie-in for Bulls
Hereford United manager Graham Turner has told his squad to report for training this morning after the defeat at Burton on Friday evening.
Speaking after the game , he told the NLP that he is determined to sort out the Bull's problems. "It's in on Sunday to get things sorted out in time for Telford on Tuesday night," he vowed. "Burton worked very hard for their victory. There can be no complaints from us. The only thing is if you're going to lose you might as well lose in style.
"There's a lot to talk about now and a lot to put right. Sometimes a 1-0 defeat disguises things but a 4-1 defeat can't disguise anything."
The NLP also reports on developments in the Paul Parry transfer story. It suggests that Celtic boss Martin O'Neill may have sent a scout to watch Parry at Burton. O'Neill was manager at Leicester when the two teams met in the FA Cup a few seasons ago.
It also reports that Yeovil's Gary Johnson may look elsewhere for a replacement for Michael McIndoe as Hereford have turned down an offer of £25,000 for Parry. Johnson says that Hereford haven't even acknowledged his faxed bid.
Much of this could simply be the two managers, Turner and Johnson, giving the press information designed to lower or rise the price that Parry could be sold at. In effect the article may be little more than speculation.
Baker aims for swift comeback
Hereford United goalkeeper Matt Baker was on the end of a 4-1 defeat at Burton Albion yesterday, but is confident that the Bulls can bounce back.
Speaking after the full-time whistle to BBC Hereford & Worcester, Baker said: "4-1 sounds like an absolute mauling, but I can assure you than in the second half we had the lion's share of the possession and were unfortunate not to get one back earlier on.
"At 3-1 we had an outside chance but for them to break and score a fourth killed the game."
United host Telford on Tuesday night, and Baker reckons that the Bulls can bounce back with a win.
"How we respond is important," he said. "There is plenty of spirit in our dressing room and I don't think it'll be a problem.
"We've been a victim of our own success by winning seven out of our first eight games, and people just expect things to happen. We were going to come unstuck at some point, and hopefully we can forget it and start again.
"Our home form has been good this year, and have had excellent backing from the fans. Hopefully, the fans will get behind us on Tuesday night and we can bounce back in the correct manner."
Chester and Hereford four points clear
A late Luke Rodgers penalty handed Shrewsbury Town a share of the points in their away match at Woking.
Luke Rodgers put the third-placed Shrews 2-0 up but goals from Tanzanian frontman Davis Haule, a penalty from Ian Selley and a last minute Amos Foyewa strike meant Rodgers had to net his injury-time spot-kick to gain a share of the spoils. The result leaves Shrewsbury four points behind Hereford United and Chester City.
The Bulls still lead the table on goal difference, but Chester closed in on Hereford with a 2-1 win at Farnborough Town, who had Ross Weatherstone sent off.
Hereford and Chester now have 22 points, while Barnet jump above Aldershot into fourth with a 2-1 win over Aldershot at Underhill. They have eighteen points, level with Shrewsbury and two more than the Shots.
Elsewhere, well done to Worcester City, who recovered from a poor run in the Dr. Martens Premier with a 7-0 win over Bath City.
Burton inspired by Hereford
After Burton Albion beat Hereford United 4-1 last night, Brewers manager Nigel Clough was inspired by the performance.
Despite hammering the Bulls, Clough was impressed with United and tips them for a title challenge.
He told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "Hereford were the sharpest, quickest side we have played against and I think that inspired us.
"We've had to work so hard and that was the fundamental principle why we won the game. We did well in patches but, in terms of fluency, we've played better at times this season.
"The crowd have seen a glimpse of what Robbie Talbot can do and we are delighted for him."
Hatrick hero Talbot added: "I've not scored for a few games, so to get three was brilliant - I could not be happier.
"It was a magnificent moment when the third one went in and we've really deserved this because everyone has worked their socks off."
Scouts out at Burton
Several scouts and managers were expected at Burton last night to watch what turned out to be an exciting game even if the scoreline was not to Hereford's liking.
Garry Hill from Dagenham was there, not doubt seeing how the Bulls performed ahead of the televised game between the two clubs on Oct 13th. Other Conference managers/scouts thought to have attended were Chris Wilder from Halifax and Brian Miller from Farnborough, while ex-United and Shrewsbury physio Simon Shakeshaft was also in attendance.
From Nationwide League clubs were Colin Dobson from Stoke City, Dave Thompson from Chesterfield, Kelvin Gregory from Swindon, Shaun Conner from Lincoln, Mike Betts from Bolton, Andy Billington from Rotherham, and Dick Bradshaw from Birmingham.
Of the game itself, United midfielder Jamie Pitman told the Evening News: "We conceded some bad goals tonight and the lads are very disappointed with the performance.
"We had been excellent until tonight and we will need to bounce back and make amends against Telford on Tuesday."
| Burton Albion | Hereford United |
| Matthew Duke | Matt Baker |
| Terry Henshaw | Ryan Green |
| Ian Wright (captain) | Michael Rose |
| Darren Wassall (off, 90 minutes) | Jamie Pitman |
| Jonathan Howard | Andy Tretton (off, 86 minutes) |
| Glenn Kirkwood | Tony James (captain) |
| Aaron Webster | Danny Williams |
| Dale Anderson | Ben Smith |
| Robbie Talbot (off, 81 minutes) | Rob Purdie (off, 59 minutes) |
| Nigel Clough | Steve Guinan (off, 72 minutes) |
| Craig Dudley | Paul Parry |
| Subs | Subs |
| Lee Colkin | Ben Scott |
| Barry Williams | Richard Teesdale (on, 86 minutes) |
| Andy Ducros (on, 81 minutes) | Daniel Carey-Bertram (on, 72 minutes) |
| Daniel Robinson | Dean Craven |
| Gary Crosby (on, 90 minutes) | David Brown (on, 59 minutes) |
| Yellow cards | Yellow cards |
| Robbie Talbot (dissent, 19 minutes) | David Brown (dissent, 64 minutes) |
| Craig Dudley (dissent, 76 minutes) | Danny Williams (unsporting behaviour, 84 minutes) |
| Red cards | Red cards |
| - | - |
| Scorers | Scorers |
| Robbie Talbot (18, 57, 78 minutes) | Paul Parry (73 minutes) |
| Jonathan Howard (43 minutes) | - |
| - | - |
| Man of the Match | Jamie Pitman |
| Attendance | 2,532 |
| Referee | Mr. Colin Harwood (Swinton, Greater Manchester) |
Yeovil wait for Hereford response
Yeovil Town have made another 'undisclosed' offer for Hereford United midfielder Paul Parry.
BBC Radio Bristol report that the Glovers are waiting for a response from United director of football Graham Turner.
"I've read newspapers saying (Hereford boss) Graham Turner has not accepted the offer, but I haven't actually heard from him yet," Glovers boss Gary Johnson said.
"Until we hear from Hereford, or Paul, we don't know."
No special plans from Clough
Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough is not about to change his tactics for the Hereford United match tonight, despite the Bulls leading the Conference and scoring freely.
He told the Daily Telegraph: "We will show them as much respect as league leaders deserve but we'll be making no special plans for them."
"Hereford are a good side playing with a lot of flair. Any side unbeaten in eight games has got to be playing well but for them to win seven out of the eight makes it extra special."
There will be live second-half commentary of the match on BBC Hereford & Worcester's 94.7 fm frequency tonight, as well as streaming internet commentary of the whole game accessible through the BBC website at www.bbc.co.uk/hereford. Follow the links from the front page this evening to the commentary, which requires Real Player to run.
LDV game moved
There's good news on the fixture congestion front, as Hereford United's home game in the first round of the LDV Vans Trophy has been moved.
The Bulls would have faced three matches in six days, but the Football League have allowed United to move the game from Wednesday 15th October to Tuesday 21st October.
Hereford play Exeter City in the game, with the Grecians' official website reporting that adults can sit for £9 and stand for £7 and concessionary prices of £5 and £3 respectively.
Sawyers to play a part?
Hereford United could see Rob Sawyers making a return for tomorrow's game at Burton Albion.
The midfielder has been struggling with a back injury but should have a fitness test before kick-off at Eton Park to ascertain whether he can take a place in the sixteen-man squad.
The Bulls are searching for their fifth consecutive win, after successes over Aldershot Town, Stevenage Borough, Farnborough Town and, most recently, Scarborough.
Meanwhile, in last night's FA Youth Cup second qualifying match at Edgar Street, Hereford United beat Worcester City 2-1. The Bulls will play at Bournemouth in the next round.
Bulls aim to continue run
Tomorrow sees Hereford United make the trip to Eton Park to play Burton Albion, kick off 7.45pm.
Last season, United crashed to a 2-0 defeat in Staffordshire but are unbeaten so far this term, while Nigel Clough's Burton are mid-table, having won one, drawn one and lost two of their opening four home matches.
The Brewers picked up a useful point in a 2-2 draw at Telford United last Saturday after ex-United attacker John Grant had scored twice and was then sent-off, and Glen Kirkwood's last minute equaliser gave Burton a share of the spoils.
Ian Wright could line-up against his old club, after switching from Edgar Street to Eton Park in the summer, but faces a late fitness test on his injured ankle.
Graham Turner added: "With the game being on a Friday, all our preparation moves forward a day.
"Sometimes playing under lights creates a good spectacle and we are not unhappy about going to Burton on a Friday night," he told the Hereford Times.
"We realise that we will become the side to beat if we stay at the top for very much longer.
"I think we saw those signs on Saturday against Scarborough, who changed their system to play us and challenged us to break them down. We were a bit disappointed with our play but the players did the job they needed to."
Hereford should be unchanged for the game, once again. Burton will miss attacker Christian Moore, who scored twice against United last term and has two goals to his name this term, as he is suspended for the match. Midfielder Andy Sinton, once of Tottenham Hotspur, has broken a bone in his foot, while Darren Stride, Aaron Webster and top scorer Dale Anderson are also doubts.
Get to Edgar Street early
After last Saturday's big crowd, Graham Turner has apologised for the fact that a number of spectators missed the first few minutes of the game as there were delays getting them into the ground.
He told the Hereford Times that at 2.45pm, the chief steward thought that the queues were manageable and that everyone would be in the ground on time. At 2.55pm, however, after it was decided that the match was definitely start at 3pm, there was a big surge of people coming from the direction of the market. It was too late to delay the kick-off at this late stage.
There was a problem with some people being unable to sit in the block they had been given tickets for and a few complaints about adults and children being seperated at some gates.
The manager is asking that, in future, supporters try to get to the ground 15 minutes earlier than usual to help the flow of fans through the turnstiles.
The support at last Saturday's game was excellent and if a few problems occured because of the size of the crowd this should be relayed to the planners currently designing the improvements to the Edgar Street Basin. It is believed that the Merton Meadow car park was unable to take all those who wished to park there for the game.
Opposition builds for FA cuts
This season's cuts in FA Cup prize money have been opposed by the MP for Hereford Paul Keetch.
The Liberal Democrat MP has signed an Early Day Motion to reverse the trend, which sees a club winning a second-round tie having their income reduced from £30,000 to £15,000.
Keetch was supportive of the plight of smaller clubs, and is known to be a supporter of Hereford United.
He told the Hereford Journal: "One of the great things about the FA Cup is that it has always given smaller clubs like Hereford a chance to get some much-needed cash.
"A good FA Cup run could really set a club up financially for the rest of the season.
"For the FA to cut the prize money available before the Third Round, when it is only the smaller clubs involved, but keep it at the same level for the later rounds, is ridiculous. Who needs the prize money more - Chelsea or Hereford?"
Twenty five members have signed the EDM so far, including Paul Marsden, the MP for Shrewsbury, and Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnor. The motion was tabled by Adrian Sanders, whose constituency covers Torbay, including Torquay United.
Fundraising attempts sound good
HUISA's latest fundraising efforts are set to make supersonic improvements around Edgar Street.
The events have yet to be announced, but the supporters organisation hope to raise funds to upgrade the PA system in both the Meadow End and Len Weston Stand.
Any work would take about a week to complete, so could be done over a period when United are playing away from home on the Saturday.
Meanwhile, the club are still battling to get the date of their LDV Vans Trophy first round match moved from its current date of Wednesday, 15th October. The Bulls, who are due to play Exeter City, also have a televised league match against Dagenham & Redbridge on the Monday, and then have to go to Chester City on the Saturday after, meaning they face a gruelling schedule of three matches in six days.
Dagenham face a similar schedule, as they play Hereford on Monday, host Leyton Orient in the LDV on Wednesday and then play Burton Albion on Saturday at their Victoria Road ground.
Wright looks forward to Friday
Ex-Hereford captain, 31 year-old Ian Wright, is hoping to be fit to face his old team when they meet at Burton on Friday. Wright had a bad ankle injury last Saturday when playing against Telford and had to come off.
In an interview in the Derby Evening Telegraph, he says he's apologised in advance for wrecking the Bulls unbeaten record and has told player-manager Nigel Clough of the strengths and weaknesses of his former team.
He reckons the Brewers can be the first side to beat them when they meet at Eton Park and has already said sorry to striker and joint top-scorer Steve Guinan in readiness of putting one over on his former side.
Wright said: "I'm confident we can get something from them and I'm really looking forward to it. I played golf with Steve Guinan recently and apologised to him beforehand because we are going to beat them. We've got a very good chance with the way we are playing at the moment.
"It was the game I looked for when the fixtures game out and I know plenty about them.
"In the past, Hereford's problem has been scoring goals but I've spoken to some of the lads and they've said everything is going in at the minute.
"That's the only difference they can see. They are scoring a lot and conceding very few.
"Nigel Clough has asked me about them and I think we can be dangerous at set-pieces as they are not very strong in the air.
"Hopefully, I will be all right to play. I jarred my ankle against Telford and it felt bad at the time but it's settled down now and I'm keen to get over it so I can start."
Wright admitted it was a tough decision to leave Hereford but he wanted to begin a new career outside the game and couldn't commit to full-time football.
He is now seeking a job after qualifying as an electrician and added: "It was a wrench to leave as I had been there for so long.
"But you've got to leave some time and I'd got to start doing something else with my life rather than just playing football.
"It's nice to play part-time at Burton but, to be honest, I can not see a difference between us and the full-time sides."
Parry's turn to react to the rumours
Paul Parry has spoken out after transfer rumours surrounded his future at Hereford United.
The midfielder told tffc.tv after Saturday's match against Scarborough that he was not on the transfer list.
"I would like to say that I haven't put in a transfer request, but if a Football League club shows interest I would like to know about it.
"Graham Turner said he'd circulate my name round, and that's the end of it. It's certainly not a transfer request being slammed on the table as it's been said in the newspapers."
Hereford's young bulls on the charge
Ricky George has written a piece for today's Daily Telegraph. The full version is below.
John Charles, one of the world's greatest footballers, was player-manager at non-League Hereford United from 1967 to 1971. Last week the former Wales, Leeds United, Juventus and Roma player returned to the city to sign copies of his autobiography, King John.
The great man could not have timed his visit better. Hereford have started the season in great style, unbeaten and three points clear at the top of the Nationwide Conference.
"It was a privilege to meet John Charles," the Hereford manager, Graham Turner, told me before last Saturday's home game against Scarborough. "He looked as though he had stepped straight out of Burton's window such was his immaculate attire."
Turner doesn't look too bad himself. At 55, there's not a grey hair in sight, which is remarkable considering the seven difficult years he has spent at Edgar Street. The former central defender arrived as manager at the start of the 1995-96 season with a wealth of experience behind him, having managed at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa and Shrewsbury Town, where he also made his name as a player.
It was a good first term, the club making the Third Division play-offs and reaching the third round of the FA Cup. The following season, however, 25 years after Hereford's historic 1972 Cup run and election to the Football League, the club were relegated to the Conference.
"The only time we were bottom of the League was on the last day of the season," Turner said, recalling the traumatic events of May 3, 1997, when a 1-1 draw with Brighton at Edgar Street demoted Hereford instead of their opponents, who had been in last place for months.
When the club went into administration and chairman Peter Hill resigned, Turner, assisted by present company secretary Joan Fennessy, took up the majority shareholding.
"It was a big move to make," he admitted, "but the club would certainly have folded and you know what it's like in football, having taken on the responsibility for players, staff and supporters, I was digging a hole that got deeper and deeper."
As chairman and manager there were times when Turner nearly fell into that hole and, for a couple of seasons, he withdrew from coaching to deal with the ever-increasing financial problems. As an administrator, he devised a simple but effective way of keeping the club afloat while seeking recovery on the pitch.
"We managed to stay full-time by signing young players on free transfers and paying sensible wages," he said. "During that period sales generated over £600,000. Now, for the first time in six years, we don't need to sell to survive and I am back on the training pitch."
With an average age of 22, the present squad have delighted their long-suffering boss by rattling in 25 goals in eight games. Assisted by Richard O'Kelly - "a great coach who doubles up as physio" - and with former Olympic weightlifter Tony Ford as fitness coach, the chairman's exuberance reflects the air of optimism at Edgar Street. For the second home game in succession a near 5,000 crowd saw the young Bulls defeat a difficult Scarborough side 2-1.
Former Manchester United player Michael Rose lashed home a 25-yard free-kick in the first half and, when Paul Parry's diving header went in at the Meadow End in the 77th minute, the jubilant scenes reminded me of two other goals at the same end more than 31 years ago. Ronnie Radford's wonderful equaliser from 35 yards against Newcastle United, in the epic FA Cup third-round replay, and a slightly less spectacular winner from yours truly are enshrined in the hearts of all Hereford supporters.
Thanks to the indomitable spirits of Turner and Fennessy, the Meadow End is singing again.
Smith could close Chester
First it's Exeter, now it's Chester who have financial problems and both clubs, just like Hereford United, are suffering from decisions taken by previous boards of directors.
Chester City owner Stephen Vaughan and his fellow directors have launched a legal battle against former owner Terry Smith after the club has been ordered to pay £300,000 to the American, according to the Chester Evening Leader.
Terry Smith and his father have warned the club that they will close the club if the debt is not paid but the club is hoping to overturn a county court's ruling. Should the club fail it will have to pay the debt.
Vaughan has reportedly put over a £1 million pounds into Chester and the club was starting to reap the benefits from his investments. It is not yet known when any challenge to the court ruling will be heard.
Meanwhile, Hereford supporters will be delighted to learn that Ben Smith (no relation) has been chosen as the new Conference Television player of the month for August.
50 on Friday for Rose
Assuming he is picked, which must be a foregone conclusion, Michael Rose will make his 50th appearance for Hereford United next Friday at Burton. Of the intake of players that joined the Bulls in the late summer of 2002, he has made the most starts; five more than Steve Guinan and six more than Andy Tretton and Danny Williams.
His goal tally is six including two this season, the most recent coming yesterday from a free-kick about 25 yards from goal.
Still only 21, Rose joined Hereford after a spell at Chester and as well as being a vital part of the Edgar Street team, he has also played for the English Semi-Professional side on several occasions. He featured in all three English games at the end-of-season International Tourament held in Wales last May.
The only cloud on the horizon for him at present appears to be his collection of four yellow cards already this season. One more and he will have to miss a game as his punishment.
Who writes for the NLP?
The Non-League Paper carries another Parry transfer story this morning with the headline 'Parry set to sign up for Yeovil'.
The paper reports: "High-flying Hereford have reluctantly put their £50,000 rated winger on the transfer list."
It continues: "Conference champions Yeovil emerged last night as firm favourites to sign Parry as the replacement for Michael McIndoe. Yeovil is believed to be the player's first choice. The player told him (Turner) he wanted to leave."
No-one is credited as having written this story so it has to be asked where the information has come from. Although the paper carries part of the statement released by the club last Monday there are no direct quotes by Parry, Turner or Yeovil boss Gary Johnson.
Also, since the article would have been written before yesterday's games how can they write about the situation as at last night?
Parry had a better game yesterday and for him to be sold to Yeovil would not go down well with Bulls fans. Turner does not need to sell him for financial reasons and Parry may yet realise his ambition to play League football with Hereford United.