This Trialist Scored The Second Hereford Goal
Several of Hereford's trialists who played at Wellington this afternoon have been named.
Jayden Smith - released by Coventry in May.
Mikell Barnes - released by Aston Villa
Ronnie McGrath - originally with Leeds, more recently at Tadcaster.
Charlie Hickingbottom - released by Barnsley in May
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| Andy Williams Scored Hereford's First Goal |
Hereford fan Sam shares his thoughts:
Hereford won 3-1 at local side Wellington in the first friendly of the 2025/26 season.
A minute’s silence for the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and André Silva preceded the match. Hereford had all the chances in a windy first half. Andy Williams’ snap-shot struck the bar after nine minutes, though he was adjudged offside, and his back-post header was saved low eight minutes later. The veteran striker then opened the scoring with a header ten minutes before the break after Madou Cisse’s cross from the left.
Hereford changed most of their outfield players at half time. Theo Richardson stopped an edge-of-the-box effort early in the second half, and a 35-yard lob from Wellington’s number 9 went narrowly wide. Hereford’s second-half XI had corners and half-chances, though Wellington’s keeper produced great saves - some unorthodox - throughout the half.
The game’s final quarter was its liveliest. Wellington’s number 14 was forced out-wide on the right but found number 9 with a low cross, who tapped-in from close-range to equalise.
Hereford responded with a cross to Remaye Campbell, whose point-blank header was saved. Omari Sterling-James saw a shot saved by the keeper’s feet, before bending narrowly-wide from distance, and hitting the base of the left post from 25 yards.
After a short treatment break for Wellington’s keeper, a trialist winger pinched the ball from a Wellington centre-back and slotted home to restore Hereford’s lead.
With a minute to go, a Hereford trialist midfielder turned in the box on the left, and crossed to the back-post to Campbell, who headed in to make it 3-1.
Hereford Starting Line Up: Richardson; Skinner, Quansah, Trialist, Roberts; D’Ath, Trialist, Trialist; Trialist, Williams, Cisse.
Hereford Second Half Line Up: Richardson (Replaced by a Trialist 67 mins); Trialist, Howkins, Preston, Hudson; Trialist, Bitemo, Sterling-James; Trialist, Campbell, Trialist.
Hereford Goals: Williams 35, Trialist 88, Campbell 89.
Hereford manager Paul Caddis spoke to the media after a 3-1 win over Wellington in the first pre-season friendly.
Press play to listen to the interview in full. Apologies for its poor quality.
It ended:
Wellington 1 Hereford 3
The home side equalised 25 minutes into the half.
But two late goals sealed the victory for Hereford. The first from a trialist, the second from Campbell.
460 watched the friendly.
At half time in this afternoon's friendly it's:
Wellington 0 Hereford 1
Andy Williams scored for Hereford on 30 minutes.
Hereford manager Paul Caddis used a mixture of signed players and trialists in the first half.
The pitch is bone hard and players need to be careful not to get injuried.
Hereford FC play their first pre-season friendly at local side Wellington this afternoon. Kick-off is at 3pm. Radio Hereford FC will have full match commentary.
The five Morecambe directors who quit earlier this week have decided to stay on given the news that the takeover of the club could go ahead on Monday.
Brentwood, who defeated Hereford in the FA Trophy last season, are in talks with Amazon Prime about a possible docu-series.
This from Notts County:
Youngsters Madou Cisse and Charlie Gill have secured loan moves to the National League North.
Cisse, 20, joins Hereford until the end of the season while Gill, 19, will spend the first half of the campaign with Alfreton Town.
The moves come after both academy graduates signed their first professional contracts this summer.
Director of Football Roberto Gagliardi said: “It’s very important that we use the loan market to give our youngsters the opportunity to experience senior football and take the next steps towards competing for a place in our first team.
“We’re grateful to both clubs for providing Madou and Charlie with a platform to grow as players and people – and we look forward to monitoring their progress.”
Meanwhile Hereford manager Paul Caddis has commented about Cisse:
“Madou is a young player we are really excited about bringing into our group. He is a regular squad member for Notts County’s first team and the fact that they have shown faith in him by rewarding him with a new deal speaks volumes about the exciting player we have.
“I would like to thank Roberto and everyone at Notts County for their support in getting this deal done. I am also grateful to them for trusting in me and my previous work with young players in supporting Madou for an exciting future.
“Madou is small in stature and brings another pacy outlet to us at the top end of the pitch, and we are really looking forward to working with him.”
Cisse has been with Notts County for a number of years initially in the youth section.
He made his debut for the first team as a substitute in an FA Trophy tie in January 2023 and made his first team debut, again as a sub, in October 2023 against Newport County.
His first start came in December 2024 against Walsall.
There is a four minute interview with Cisse recorded last March.
https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2025/march/19/interview--madou-cisse/
The latest statement in the Morecambe story.
Bond Group Investments LTD and Panjab Warriors Sports LTD have today agreed final terms for the transfer of ownership and sale of Morecambe Football Club Limited, subject to contract, and intend to complete the sale of Morecambe Football Club Limited on Monday 7th July 2025.
Bond Group have invited former Morecambe FC Directors back to the Board of Directors to support the final stages of the sale process. At time of publication, Bond Group is awaiting confirmation of the Directors.
Panjab Warriors will now engage with the National League to deal with closing steps of the sale process, in particular to convey their plans for the 25/26 season and provide evidence that the club will be in a stable financial position moving forward.
Final documentation is being prepared for the completion, which will to take place on Monday 7th July 2025.
A further update from Bond Group will follow on Monday 7th July 2025.
Thank you
Jason Whittingham,
On behalf of Bond Group Investments
A devasted Morecambe supporter has withdrawn his sponsorship of the club until it is sold.
Tim Barbary, a director of Bay Cameras and Communications, spoke to Bay Radio.
"The only thing I can do is stop sponsoring the club whilst the owner is in place," said Mr Barbary.
"Until there is some financial stability to the club, I'm not prepared to put any more money into the football club.
"It's our community club. The people who work there are all friends of ours. I'm absolutely devastated to that I've had to take the course of action that I've done, but it's something I feel is important. I'm in shock at what's going on..
"Over the last 16 years we have sponsored the bar behind the home end, board sponsorships, numerous games, ball sponsorship, the giant flag as well as sponsorship money that is held on account.
"For a small company this has come at a big cost which we have been happy to do so.
"With the current dealings and shenanigans of the ownership, the non-payment of our good friends the staff of Morecambe FC, as well as the sacking of the board of directors, our managing director Tim Barbary has made the decision to stop all sponsorship and support of Morecambe Football Club with immediate effect.
"We will not be renewing any maintenance contracts or providing any sponsorship until the club is sold.
"We will also not sign the ground safety certificate which we have done every year, this means they will not be allowed to have members of the public in the stadium.
"I am absolutely devastated at what's going on at Morecambe Football Club. The shenanigans of the last week have just magnified the situation that's been going on for two years."
Hereford have been given an away tie in the FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round.
They will travel to either Worcester Raiders or Sporting Club Inkberrow.
Ties to be played in the week commencing Monday September 15th.
This from the FSF:
Tomorrow sees the beginning of the road to Wembley for more than 400 clubs, with the draw for the extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup, and in news that will be welcomed by fans in the non-league game replays are here to stay.
Replays were scrapped from the first round onwards in 2024-25 to help alleviate fixture congestion in the football calendar, and the fear was that replays in the competition’s qualifying rounds would suffer a similar fate.
Following consultation with clubs in the national game system, and feedback from the FSA’s survey of non-league supporters as part of our structured dialogue meetings with the FA last season, however, replays are here to stay for the foreseeable future.
Fans have long supported keeping replays, and early last season our survey of non-league fans identified the strength of feeling on the matter, namely:
And as one survey respondent said: “There’s no competition on the planet that gets close to the level of jeopardy and excitement.”
Richard Tomkins (HUST chairman), National Game Network representative of the FSA National Council, said: “This is a real win for all football fans. FA Cup replays are a key part of the tradition of the world’s oldest cup competition. They provide exciting and unique opportunities for fans and players alike, and can be a much-needed revenue raiser for clubs.
“While there is talk of fixture congestion and the devaluing of the FA Cup, it’s football fans who are standing up and championing replays. Fans are the lifeblood of our game and it remains fundamental that we are consulted on proposed changes to our competitions.”
Former Chester City owner Stephen Vaughan has died. He will be remenbered as taking the club back into the Football League in 2004 but also for his financial mismanagement which led to the club going into administration with debts of £8M in 2009.
Full back Dion Kelly-Evans has joined Chester following his release from Woking. He is the club's fifth new signing of the summer.
Darlington have signed Aidan Rutledge who was previously with Gateshead and also midfielder Will McGowan on a season long loan from Gateshead.
This from the National League:
From the 2025/26 season the National League have introduced a multiball system for all clubs for all league fixtures.
With the start of the new season little over a month away on August 9 a multiball system has been put in place for clubs competing across all three Enterprise National League divisions.
The IFAB Laws of the Game state: "Law 2.3: The Ball - Additional balls which meet the requirements of Law 2 may be placed around the field of play and their use is under the referee’s control.”
From this season there will be 10 match balls allocated for each fixture:
The eight balls will be placed on cones around the pitch next to a ball retriever – split as two along either touchline and two either side of each goal.
The use of the multi-ball system would be managed by the referee and – if deemed necessary – the multiball system can be deactivated for the remainder of the fixture.
If an additional ball enters the field of play during the match, the referee will stop play only if the additional ball interferes with play. The referee shall have the additional ball removed at the earliest opportunity.
As announced earlier this week, all Enterprise National League clubs will be using the Mitre Ultimax match ball for the coming season following the launch of our new partnership with Official Match Ball provider Mitre.
The Shrimps Trust has posted an update about what's happened at Morecambe FC today.
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| Hereford's John Mills And Wellington's Steve Goodwin - Pictured At A Friendly In 2017 |
Hereford FC's first friendly of the 2025/26 season takes place at Wellington on Saturday.
The venue is six or miles miles north of Hereford on the A49, sat nav HR4 8AZ. There is plenty of parking.
BN been told that 'Preparations are well under way at Wellington for the visit of Hereford FC on Saturday. Work on the pitch has been hampered by the extreme dry weather but is looking good.
Jason Wittingham's Bond Group released a statement early this afternoon about what is happening at Morecambe.
Work is continuing and we still have reasonable prospects on the sale completing.
Working Capital, to pay staff and suppliers, remains on top of our agenda to ensure we maintain operations whilst we conclude a sale. We do ask Creditors to continue the incredible forbearance they have shown to date to the club.
We are doing everything possible to resolve the situation and ask fans, sponsors and the community to continue show as much support as they can for the Club and staff during this incredibly difficult period.
Any funds at the Club or coming into the club are for the Club and no one else.
Work continues to complete the sale process and give Morecambe FC the fresh start the club and it’s community deserve.
The
National League have been consulted and updated on the sale process
and, as they require more information and engagement with the Buyer, we
would expect them to be in dialogue with them imminently regarding next
season.
Bond Group has not been a part of the Board since the end of 2022 and, due to us having to source external funding, we made it clear that any budget reliant on Bond Group would need to be minimal unless others funds were sourced. A significant amount of that funding was from Panjab and also this season's budgets were in line with confirmation of their continued support.
There are other buyers interested in the acquisition of the club
however as it stands Panjab are the most advanced and so our focus
remains on completion with them on the agreed deal. In an effort to
achieve that we have organised a meeting for this evening and will
update on that tomorrow.
We are working to avoid Administration, get staff paid and continue into next season.
Maidenhead have brought in defender Ryan Bartley who came to Hereford on loan from Derby last season.
The on-going problems at Morecambe FC were mentioned in Parliament this morning by the local MP Lizzi Collinge. She said: ‘’Morecambe Football Club is in crisis. The current owner is delaying the sale despite us having EFL approval already." Meanwhile a promised statement from the Bond Group expected this morning hasn't surfaced.
Hereford FC are looking for someone to help with media coverage of the Women's team. Anyone interested is asked to contact - media@herefordfc.co.uk
All five of Morecambe FC's directors have stood down according to documentation on the Companies House site.
There's nothing as yet about their decision on the official Morecambe site however the Shrimps Trust commented earlier:
Former Hereford striker Lennel John-Lewis has signed for Boston United.
Now 36 the 'Shop' left York City recently.
Speaking about the move John-Lewis said he was happy to be at Boston.
"Obviously my contract came to an end at York and to be fair, the interest was there straight away as soon as the information came out.
"For me, I was keen to go somewhere where I was wanted. That was a big thing.
"The interest in having me, in going somewhere where I was wanted and I will be appreciated, and the manager made it clear early on that I was wanted."
Forest Green's newly appointed manager Robbie Savage has signed three players from his former club Macclesfield.
Laurent Mendy, Tre Pemberton, and Neil Kengni have joined on permanent deals for an undisclosed fee.
The trio all sign following the arrival of manager Robbie Savage at FGR – their promotion-winning boss at the Silkmen.
All three featured heavily in Macclesfield FC’s successful season winning the Northern Premier League securing 109 points in the process.
Another day at Morecambe.
It's started with a statement from the Bond Group Investments and Jason Whittingham.
There is no doubt that the Club is in a precarious position and is at a
crisis point. We also appreciate the stress this is causing for all
connected with Morecambe FC.
As majority shareholder we are
making every effort to resolve any issues that have arisen and are
working to protect the best interests of the Club.
Bond Group
Investments has started the process to dismiss the Board of Directors
with immediate effect in order that we can take control over the
situation giving us the required additional time to ensure that the Club
has the best chance to avoid Administration.
We hope the The
Board of Directors put the interest of the club before any personal
grievances and during this delicate time of negotiation to save the
club, refrain from their propensity of issuing negative statements.
The
notion that Bond Group Investments is stalling is not true. Bond Group
Investments need to ensure that any transfer of shares, in a sale, is
done in a way that holds no recourse for either the Club or Bond Group.
The safety of the Club’s future is paramount.
Our focus today is
to work to find solutions to resolve the matter of staff salary and the
Sale of the Club to avoid Administration at all costs.
The
staff, players and management team at the club have all been notified as
have the National League. We will be communicating with the Supporters
Trust.
We are deeply sorry for the distress and uncertainty this
is causing. Our next communication will be tomorrow morning to confirm
the outcome.
Thank you.
Jason Whittingham,
On behalf of Bond Group Investments
For the record readers may remember Whittingham was involved with Worcester Warriors when they had financial problems.
The sale of Morecambe has not been completed as of 9pm this evening, so the Board of Directors has released a further statement.
Following further discussions with Jason Whittingham this afternoon and evening, it is apparent to the Board of Directors that he is, for some reason, stalling for time and attempting to drag out what is a truly horrible situation and decision for as long as possible.
We must emphasise that this is without providing the Board with any substantive or convincing reasons for us to responsibly delay triggering the administration process.
The Board of Directors have, this evening, informed Jason that administrators will be called, at the earliest opportunity, tomorrow morning.
Jason still has the chance to do the right thing, agree to sell his shares tomorrow morning, but that opportunity expires once and for all after that.
Rod Taylor,
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Kidderminster have signed striker Tobi Sho-Silva formerly with Maidenhead and attacker Jason Adigun formerly with Dagenham and Redbridge.
Chester have signed former Carlisle and Torquay striker Offrande Zanzala on a one year deal. 'He is an experienced forward player who makes himself awkward to play against," said manager Calum McIntyre.
18 year old midfielder Sam Straughan-Brown has joined Peterborough Sports on a season long loan from Doncaster.
This from the National League:
The deal will see every fixture across the National League, National League North and National League South playing with the Mitre Ultimax Match Ball.
As a brand underpinned by its mission to support and champion football at all levels of the beautiful game, this new partnership will equip players across all 72 clubs in the National League with the elite level Mitre Ultimax Match Ball.
Complimenting Mitre’s existing relationship with the FA competitions including the Emirates FA Cup, Isuzu FA Vase and Isuzu FA Trophy, with many National League clubs also competing in many of these prestigious tournaments.
To mark the new partnership, Mitre has crafted a bespoke Ultimax match ball. The design features The Enterprise National League’s revitalised brand identity and logo, with a palette of deep blue, striking red, and flecks of silver.
Taking centre stage is the new title sponsor, Enterprise, with its logo integrated seamlessly into the design, symbolising a new era for one of football’s most cherished competitions.
A standout design feature is the 72 intricate dots that wrap around the ball, each one representing a club within the league structure, a tribute to the unity and diversity of the National League structure.
The Ultimax range is engineered with performance at its core and tested and accredited to the FIFA Quality Pro standard, guaranteeing elite-level excellence. Packed with innovation and features, it delivers a visible difference that players can feel – a true testament to Mitre’s legacy of quality and precision.
Built from decades of knowledge, it features a unique four-panel design, reducing seams to create a larger sweet spot. This innovation ensures maximum power, improved control, and a better connection with every strike.
The ball is thermally bonded with HyperSeal technology, ensuring superb shape retention, durability, and zero water absorption. Its Hyperflow debossed grooves have been specifically designed for inflight stability, ensuring consistency across all speeds of play. Inside, the Hyperfoam elastic cushioning offers optimal power, close control, and a responsive touch.
Speaking about the new partnership, Simon Rowe, Senior Vice President of Mitre & Global Sports Marketing at Pentland Brands said: “Partnering with The Enterprise National League marks an important milestone for our brand. It will allow us to significantly increase the number of players in the grassroots and semi-professional English football tiers that get to play with our exceptional Mitre products and experience the elite quality equipment that they deserve.
“Bringing Mitre and The National League together aligns brilliantly with our Mission to support and champion football at all levels of the game, we can’t wait to kick off the new season with The Enterprise National League and its players.”
Jon Warburton, Head of Commercial at The National League says “Mitre is a one of the leading brands in the market. Their brand is iconic and strikes a chord with football fans across the country and we’re delighted to have them on board as our Official Match Ball partner.
“We are continuing our drive to partner with brands that can help us develop connections with our clubs, fans and their local community. Welcoming a partner of Mitre’s calibre is a huge next step in that journey.”
The Mitre National League Ultimax Pro Match Ball will be available from mitre.com from early September.
Bedford manager Lee Bircham has been banned for nine games and fined £600 after the FA found him guilty after he made comments to the referee last season.
The game was at Alvechurch in November when Bedford were defeated.
Comments were made to referee Abid Hussain in the Southern League Premier Central match.
The charge was for improper conduct.
The ban applies from June 18th. However pre-season friendlies don't count so Bircham will be in the stands for nine league games.
Read more at: https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/bedford-town-manager-lee-bircham-handed-nine-match-ban/
The Morecambe FC Board of Directors has issued a statement in which they have given the Bond Group until 4pm this afternoon to complete the sale of the club to Panjab Warriors.
Following
multiple meetings with Bond Group throughout the weekend and yesterday,
in several of which Jason Whittingham stated once again his desire and
intention to sell his shares in the Club to Panjab Warriors, in line
with the sale agreement reached and announced weeks ago, the Board of
Directors met at 9am this morning to discuss the fact that, despite all
parties apart from Bond Group doing everything possible to complete the
sale yesterday, as of last night Jason Whittingham was again refusing to
sell his shares in the club to Panjab Warriors.
Because Bond
Group do not have the required funds to meet the club's full payroll
commitment, despite being entirely responsible for paying wages until a
sale completes and aware of that responsibility and the requirement,
this means that wages cannot be paid until the sale completes.
Panjab
Warriors do have the funds available to pay all wages, and are ready to
transfer these immediately, but they are not able to do so unless the
sale completes and they are the owners.
As a result, we have had
no choice but to issue an ultimatum to Jason Whittingham at 9:52am this
morning, Tuesday 1st July 2025, that unless Bond Group's shares are
sold to Panjab Warriors by 4pm today, the Board of Directors will be
left with no option but to begin the process of putting the Club into
administration.
We have been crystal clear in spelling out what
this might mean for all staff, for the Club, and for the whole community
that is built around it, and we have left Jason Whittingham in no doubt
as to the fact that his unwillingness to complete a transaction that he
has repeatedly agreed to is the sole reason we are in this position.
As
a Board of Directors we will continue to do absolutely everything that
we can to apply as much pressure as possible to make the sale happen
before today's 4pm deadline. It is now down to Jason Whittingham and
Bond Group to do the right thing, and not risk the destruction of
people's livelihoods, the truly wonderful football club that we love,
the community that it sits at the heart of, and 105 years of proud
history.
John Rooney has been appointed manager of Macclesfield.
He replaces Robbie Savage who takes over at Forest Green Rovers.
A club statement abour Rooney said he was “someone who is a vibrant advocate of our football philosophy”
"He commands respect at every level of the club, and the relationships he has created here speak for themselves.
“Tactically astute, John possesses all the attributes we need to sustain the phenomenal
momentum we currently enjoy.
“In addition to this, John's passion to lead this club was something that is hard to put into
words.
“John recognises just how much all of this means to our fans and is absolutely committed to bringing further success to this football club.
“There can be no doubt that John is fully invested in the club’s journey on an
emotional level, and we have every confidence that he will be able to continue our upward trajectory towards the EFL.”
Sales of Hereford's early bird season tickets end this evening (Monday).
Radio Hereford FC will have full match commentary of the friendly at Wellington on Saturday.
Ashley Hemmings has left Kidderminster for Dagenham and Redbridge. A fee has been paid for the player who scored 94 goals whilst at Aggborough.
Forward Joe Nyahwema has moved from Spalding to Kings Lynn.
John Rooney, younger brother of Wayne, is understood to be one of the candidates for the vacant manager's post at Macclesfield.
It's thought likely that Hereford will announce a couple of signings this coming week.
The club play it's first friendly next Saturday - away at Wellington - and manager Paul Caddis will need more bodies for the game.
How many of these will be signings or trialists remains to be seen.
However there is speculation that Caddis is interested in two particular players.
One is believed to be an attacking player.
He is thought to be attached to a football league club and may come to Edgar Street on a season long loan.
The second is an Aston Villa youngster who would fit into the midfield. He is said to be similar to Tate Campbell who recently quit Hereford for full time football at Buxton.
