Support Hereford FC Women At HFA Cup Final

Hereford FC Women are hoping that club supporters will turn out in good numbers next Wednesday evening, May 6th, for the HFA County Cup Final in which they will play Hereford Pegasus Ladies.

The game is being held at the HFA County Ground with a 7.45pm kick-off. 

News Round Up

Southport have recorded a loss of £87K for the year ended July 31 2025. They have only made a profit in one year of the last nine. Total losses are over £2M.

Striker Callum McFarlane, who had a spell on loan with Hereford last season, is on the Solihull Moors retained list. 

The NPL Premier Division play-off final will be between Hednesford Town and Warrington Ryelands.

Former Hereford striker Lenell John-Lewis is staying with Boston for a further season. 

Another former player, defender Ben Pollock, has been offered a new contract by Spennymoor but Mitch Hancox has been released. 

 

From The Archives - Hereford Safe From Relegation

Back to April 30th 2011 and Hereford United faced Bradford City in their last home game of the season knowing that they might have needed more than one point to remain in League Two.

NOT PRETTY, BUT SAFE AT LAST

Ultimately, the result of this one was all-important, with the Bulls snatching a late leveller to ensure League football for another season. The point gained, together with results elsewhere, means that the outcome of next week’s end of term trip to Moss Rose will be academic. As a spectacle, this afternoon’s business, played in bright sunshine, but with a tricky wind, was a nervy, disjointed affair with a paucity of lively action. Panic seemed about to set in when Bradford converted a late penalty, but Stuart Fleetwood equalised with a direct free kick minutes from the final whistle.

Fleetwood's free kick hits the post and goes in - pictures from Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal.

David Syers made an acrobatic attempt to open the scoring for the visitors, clad in their traditional “egg and bacon” strip. Adam Bartlett watched as the shot drifted tamely wide. Fleetwood then drew a foul from Ex-Bull Robbie Threlfall, and John Leslie’s free kick was cleared by Luke Oliver. Fleets then misplaced a pass and the speedy Omar “He’s Making Eyes At Me” Daley got free from Ryan Green. The pass was collected by Jake Speight who forced Bartlett into a confident stop. Again the in-form keeper denied Daley by claiming a hanging cross at full stretch.

Joe Colbeck embarked on a purposeful run, and a neat move involving Rob Purdie, Leslie and Kenny Lunt did not finish with a shot on target. Another move involving the same cast once more lacked the final, telling delivery. Nicky Featherstone then raced onto a through ball and went to ground in the area, and a hopeful appeal for a penalty was waved away. Lunt and Featherstone played Purdie in, but a timely intervention by Lee Bullock prevented a shot. Colbeck unselfishly cut a ball back for Fleetwood, which fell just behind the striker. After a quick piece of counter-attacking from the Bantams, Gareth Evans’s long range effort cleared the bar by some margin, and just before the interval Daley was able to waltz unchallenged through the centre of the park, though this too came to nothing.

HT: HUFC 0 BRADFORD CITY 0

After the break, Daley’s cross took a wicked deflection which Bartlett kept a wary eye on to make the save. Speight was then thwarted by Joe Heath with a well-timed tackle. Stefan Stam then pulled Speight back just outside the box, avoiding what seemed an inevitable card, and the resulting free kick was headed clear by Michael Townsend. News that Accrington had taken the lead against Barnet was greeted with the afternoon’s biggest cheer thus far. Neither side had troubled the opposing goalkeeper, as the game became littered with misplaced passes.

Leslie turned cleverly inside to set up Fleetwood whose shot from an angle had too much altitude. At the other end, Syers’ attempt lacked power and direction. Bartlett’s wind-assisted clearance was mis-read by Oliver, but the giant defender recovered in time to give away a corner, just before Colbeck, the subject of some banter from visiting fans, could intervene. Bantam banter? Then a Fleetwood drive was beaten to safety by Lenny Pidgeley. The game seemed destined to remain goalless as fans’ reacted to news from elsewhere on the scoreboard, and calculated what each new goal meant in terms of the league table. Waide Fairhurst did well to direct an awkward header goalwards, but Pidgeley scooped the ball round his post.

Just 9 minutes remained when James Hanson, a master at playing the simple ball, collected a return pass and ran into the area. Before he could cut it back, he was clearly pulled back by Stam, and referee Mr Phillips had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Speight stepped up to slam the ball past Bartlett. For a few minutes, Hereford seemed to go to pieces, giving the ball away cheaply and not achieving any fluency in their moves. Then with 87 minutes on the clock, the desperate Bulls were handed a lifeline. Fairhurst went on a marauding run, only to be checked on the edge of the box by Lewis Hunt. Fleetwood assumed control of the situation. Taking the kick himself, and ever mindful of his recent goal drought, our Stu lashed an unstoppable drive into the far corner of Pidgeley’s net. The relief shown by the team, management, and the fans was palpable.

Many of the team celebrating after the game

FT: HUFC 1 BRADFORD CITY 1

Attendance: 3219, including 254 Yorkshiremen.

HUFC: Bartlett, Green, Townsend, Stam, Heath, Leslie, Purdie (Fairhurst 58),Lunt, Featherstone (Kovacs 90), Colbeck (Patulea 86), Fleetwood.

BRADFORD CITY: Pidgeley, Oliver, Hunt, Threlfall, Daley (Williams 82), Worthington, Bullock, Syers, Evans (O’Brien 59), Speight (Dean 90), Hanson. 

 

Relegation would have cost £500K says Keyte

David Keyte, the Hereford United chairman, is delighted the Bulls will be in League Two again next season as relegation would have cost the club £500K.

"I think when we look back over our first year it's been quite a journey," Keyte told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"In all honesty we probably made one or two wrong turns and had to reverse out of cul-de-sacs but yes it's nice to get over the finishing line.

"I would like to say I thought the crowd was superb today.


Part of The Meadow End This Afternoon

"We always thought there were 3,000 people wanting to come out and help us and they were here today, Great Day.

"Since Christmas Jamie Pitman and the team probably couldn't have given much more than they have.

The players coming back onto the pitch after the game

"In the last couple of months he's fallen on a formula based on the players he'd got, the 4-5-1. No pretty at times and I think Stuart Fleetwood in the last four or five matches has been out on his feet. But it was working.

"Jamie is his own man which I think will stand him in good stead.

"Had we lost the Football League grant that's about half a million pounds a year we would be worse off.

"So significent result today."

The National League North attendance table

Hereford had the third highest average attendance last season.

Only Macclesfield and Kidderminster had more than the Bulls' 2,611.

However, that includes the three matches that Hereford played away from Edgar Street.

At the foot of the attendance table are the four teams who were relegated.

Hereford of course finished fifth bottom and only stayed up on goal difference.

THROWBACK THURSDAY | Hereford United 4-1 Hartlepool United - 30th April 1996

We wrap up Throwback Thursday with a fantastic win on this day 30 years ago, Steve White, Nicky Cross, Dean Smith and Gareth Stoker secure the win. 

After 6 years of throwbacks the tape library has been exhausted and its time to bring the series to a close, a massive thank you to everyone who has viewed the videoss. If you do come across any VHS or DVD Hereford United footage, please email me at matthewhealey@hotmail.com. There are still bits missing in the archive.

Hereford 1 Mackenzie 2 Watkiss 3 Fishlock 4 Smith 5 Cross 6 James 7 Stoker 8 Wilkins 9 White 10 Hargreaves 11 Pitman Sub Lyne Hartlepool 1 Jones 2 Billing 3 McAuley 4 Henderson 5 McGuckin 6 Howard 7 Halliday 8 Ingram 9 Allon 10 Canham 11 Walton Sub Conlon Attendance 3,942

Dramatic winner for Macclesfield

Macclesfield beat Chester 2-1 in tonight's National League North Play-Off Eliminator thanks to a 98th minute winner.

Luke Duffy grabbed the to the delight of the home crowd. Earlier, Josh Kay cancelled out Connor Woods' opener for Chester.

Macclesfield will now travel to Kidderminster in Saturday''s semi-final. 

 

Meanwhile, Spalding defeated Halesowen 1-0 in a SFL Premier Central semi-final.  Former Hereford winger Yusifu Ceesay scored the only goal of the game. 

 

And in a Southern League Division One South semi-final, Malvern defeated Bishops Cleeve 2-1 after extra time. They will play Shaftesbury in the final.

 

Finally, Gloucester defeated Poole Town 3-2 so they have reached the Southern League Premier South final. 

Ticket prices to go up next season

Ticket prices are going up across the board next season with a family of four having to fork out as much as £61 to sit and watch a match. 

Early bird season tickets for adults will be £326 terrace and £375 seating - up from £310 and £346.50 respectively. The standard price meanwhile will be £364 terrace (up from £357) and £425 seating (up from £405). 

Meanwhile, the Executive Club season ticket are £625 for an adult. That is a flat price, with no early bird option. 

There is an option to pay in four monthly installments.

Due to last Saturday's dramatic draw against Peterborough Sports being enough to preserve their National League North status, Hereford have started the ball rolling much earlier than last season. They have announced that season tickets will go on sale later this week.  

Matchday prices

Seating

Adult: £21 (advance), £24 matchday

Concession: £18.25 (advance), £21 matchday

U16: £5 (advance), £6.50 matchday

U16 Block A: £4.50 (advance), £6.50 matchday

Junior Bull: £4 (advance), £5 matchday

Terrace

Adult: £18.25 (advance), £21 matchday

Concession: £15.75 (advance), £19 matchday

U16: £5 (advance), £6.50 matchday

Executive Club

Adult: £27

U16: £11

All matchday prices are going up. For example, an advance adult terrace ticket was £17.50 for the 2025/26 season, while it was £20 to sit. 

Club's justification

Hereford say that prices have been set taking into account the increased costs the club daces in all areas, and the need to provide the management team of Aaron Downes and Harry Pell with as competitive a budget as possible.

"We are very pleased to launch our ticket pricing structure, particularly off the back of safeguarding our National League North status," said Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds.

"Having frozen season ticket prices last summer, there is a small increase this time around to cover the ever-increasing costs we face, and also to ensure we can give Aaron and Harry as much support as possible in terms of their playing budget.

"While we acknowledge that any increase is difficult to discuss and announce, we feel it is a necessity, having not put prices up last year as a 'thank you' to supporters, even though the reality was we probably needed to."

Ammonds added that the club can not let itself get into the position like it faced in the season just gone, therefore bumper season ticket sales will be a huge boost as it looks ahead with positivity and optimism. 

Huntbach Asks For More Support For Women's Team

 

Katy Huntbach, who plays for Hereford Women, has released the following post.

25 years. That’s how long I’ve given to football—competing at a high level, building relationships, creating memories, and achieving things I’ll carry with me for life. I may not be at my physical peak anymore, but my passion for the game hasn’t faded for a second. 

What has remained constant, though, is the lack of consistent support from the men’s side of the club I’ve represented. 

At a time when the women’s game is growing at an incredible pace, it’s deeply frustrating to see local support moving backwards. 

I currently play for Hereford Women, and our home ground is Edgar Street. Yes, the pitch has been unavailable for a long while this season—but it’s hard to ignore the fact that the men’s team have recently been able to play there multiple times a week, while we haven’t been able to host a single fixture. Not even a cup final—an event that has been held there for the past two seasons.

 

Now I appreciate the mens game generates a lot more than the woman's, I am not blind to this, but how can it ever improve if things don't change? 

There are also questions around finances. Players are asked to pay a £200 signing-on fee, as well as secure sponsorship of the same amount, with no incentive for sponsors! On top of that, the team has generated thousands of pounds over the past two seasons through FA Cup competitions. So where is that money going? Greater transparency and proper recognition for sponsors isn’t too much to ask—it’s essential for trust and continued support. 

A few months ago, when our manager became unwell—thankfully now on the road to recovery—the team was held together by the incredible commitment of a parent, Paul Mear, who travelled two hours just to coach and support us. That level of dedication should have been matched by the club. It wasn’t. Not even with acknowledgment. 

Now, with our cup final just one week away, there has been little to no visible promotion or communication from the club. For a moment that should be celebrated and championed, the silence is deafening. Visibility matters. Support matters. And right now, both are lacking. 

This club has the players, the history, and the potential to be something truly special. I joined Hereford Women with pride—not just to wear the badge, but to help build something meaningful for the next generation. Because young girls in this area deserve a pathway into competitive football without having to make the same sacrifices many of us did—I would travel a three-hour round trip just to train at a decent level. 

This isn’t just about one team. It’s about respect. It’s about equality. And it’s about the future. 

With the right support, this team will thrive. Without it, we risk losing something incredibly valuable. 

And that would be a failure no club should accept. 

Cheltenham To Honour Neil Grayson On Saturday

Neil Grayson -  From Matt Healey's Collection

Cheltenham are to honour Neil Grayson on Saturday.

The striker played for Hereford United before joining Cheltenham in March 1998.

Sadly he has been diagnosed with dementia at just 61 years old and Cheltenham have arranged a fund-raising effort to help with his care. 

Grayson scored 11 goals for Hereford in just 24 games. He arrived at Edgar Street from Northampton in the summer of 1997 for a fee of £20,000 and was sold for £15,000. 

Replica Shirts Reduced To £10

 

Hereford have reduced the price of their replica shirts to just £10. 

Some shirts including most of the home shirts have sold out.

To purchase: https://hereford-fc.myshopify.com/collections/2025-26-replica-kit 

 

Buxton prevail in play-off eliminator

Buxton beat Scarborough 4-2 tonight in a National League North play-off eliminator.

They will now travel to face South Shields on Sunday.

The other eliminator - Macclesfield v Chester - is tomorrow night. The winner of that tie face Kidderminster, also on Sunday. 

Spennymoor Reveal Season Ticket Prices

Substitute Edwards With A Long Range Effort For Hereford At Spennymoor Last August

 Spennymoor FC have revealed season ticket prices for the next campaign.

The club, which finished 10th this season, recently confirmed that Tommy Miller will be in charge for the next 12 months.

Adults £250

Concessions (over 60) £150

Public Services £170

Student £170

Junior (under 18) £70  

National League Fans Survey

This from the National League:

The Enterprise National League is built on its fans – the people who follow their clubs, travel the miles and support their communities every season.

That’s why Enterprise and the National League want to hear directly from you about what matters most, and what it’s really like to live and breathe the National League.

From matchday realities and travel to community, connection and culture, the Enterprise National League Fan Survey gives supporters the opportunity to share their views and experiences.

Because if you’re here for the National League, your voice deserves to be heard.

Have your say – take the survey

As a thank you, you’ll also have the chance to enter a prize draw to win a Football Gift Card worth £250.

 

End Of Season Awards

The end of season awards took place at Edgar Street last Saturday.

London Bulls - Theo Richardson

 

Junior Bulls - Aaron Skinner

 

Goal of the season - Harrison Sonha - The solo goal against South Shields

 

Player of the season - Aaron Skinner

  

Hebburn Town Promoted To National North League

 

One of the teams promoted to the National North Leagie is Hebburn Town, picture from Shields Gazette, who just nine years ago were watched by gates of just 50 or so.

They won promotion last Saturday by defeating Rushall Olympic in front of a 3,000 crowd.

Since 2017, Hebburn have secured three promotions and the FA Vase, as well as winning the Northern Premier League East Division two years ago. 

Daniel Moore’s side will now compete against the likes of Morecambe and Hereford as the Hornets compete at the highest level in their history.  

After last Saturday's win Hebburn  Moore said he was speechless. 

"I don’t know what to say, I’m a bit speechless - but what we have seen today is what Hebburn and the borough of South Tyneside is all about. We are a little club but we have a big heart. 

"We had 3,000 here today and I think the scenes at the end summed it all up. I’m not emotional yet - but I am getting emotional just thinking about it because when I took this one nine years ago with the owners, this way the kind of thing we wanted to see. 

"We thought the FA Vase win was magnificent but we couldn’t have any fans there. To have 3,000 here packing out the stadium, they never shut up, it was excellent. Credit to Daniel, Mark, Carl and the lads because they have done amazing. We are in for a great party because it’s a big moment for the area."

Recently the club received permission for improvements to their ground.

These include a new artificial main pitch, stand, gym, club shop and a balcony overlooking the pitch. Also included is increasing car parking.

But will supporters continue to come. Chief executive at the club Stephen Rutherford hopes so.

"The phrase is if you build it they will come isn’t it? We’ve built it on the pitch, it’s been fantastic. We had a sell-out crowd and even if we could get half of that every week it would be great. 

"I know we are up against it with the professional clubs Newcastle and Sunderland and then South Shields and Gateshead on our doorstep but this what we can do and hopefully we can go on from here "   

American Investment In Tamworth?

It looks like National League Tamworth could receive some American investment shortly if press reports are correct.

According to the Sun, Tamworth are on the brink of a deal that would see a US based group take control by purchasing shares from the current majority owner Bob Andrews.

The group is understood to be real estate company Dawn Group who already have a small stake in Truro City. 

Currently Tamworth are part-time and do not own their stadium. 

This is how close celebrating Bulls fans' joy could have turned to despair

Max Hunt clears the ball off the line to deny Curzon Ashton a dramatic win. Picture: Alfreton Town's YouTube channel. 

Millimetres. That's how close Hereford were in being relegated. 

When the full time whistle blew at Edgar Street on Saturday, hundreds of Bulls fans invaded the pitch, thinking that the draw the club had gained against Peterborough Sports was enough.

However, Curzon Ashton were still playing at Alfreton. Having trailed 3-0, the Tameside club clawed it back to 3-3 thanks to Tom Weston's equaliser in the 99th minute.

That was still not enough though as Curzon Ashton had to win. And they almost did. Within a minute, Max Hunt cleared the ball off the line before Adam Barton headed over.

If either of those efforts had gone in, they would have stayed up, and Hereford would instead have gone down. The highlights of the match can be found here. 

We Are All Family

A selection of 'family' pictures from Edgar Street last Saturday.

Harry Pell And Aaron Downes

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Downes Remembers 'Jamo'

During the players and staff walk around Edgar Street last Saturday, manager Aaron Downes hoisted the 'Jamo' flag into the air and went to meet his family.

Supporters And Players At The Meadow End

Some more pictures of the players and supporters at the Meadow End following Saturday's game against Peterborough Sports.

 

INTERVIEW | Mikey Lane

Mikey Lane spoke to Carson Wishart after Saturday's game with Peterborough Sports, click on the play button to hear his thoughts.

National North Play-Off Eliminators

National North League Play-Off Eliminator ties:

Tuesday 28th April

• Buxton v Scarborough Athletic

Wednesday 29th April

• Macclesfield FC v Chester FC  

Semi-Final – (Kidderminster Harriers v Eliminator B Winner) – Saturday 2 May – 12.30pm

Semi-Final – (South Shields v Eliminator A Winner) – Saturday 2 May – 4pm

Promotion Final – Saturday 9 May

National Leagues Ups And Downs

National League Promotion:

• Promoted to EFL2 as Champions: York City
• Play-off qualifiers: Rochdale, Carlisle United, Boreham Wood, Scunthorpe United, Southend United and Forest Green Rovers. Only Southend and Rochdale of this group were National League clubs last season, as Carlisle and FGR were in EFL2, whilst Boreham Wood and Scunthorpe United were in Step 2.
• Relegated: Truro City, Morecambe, Braintree Town, Brackley Town. Braintree were the only club of the four who had been in the division in 2024/25.

National League North:

• Champions: AFC Fylde
• Play-off qualifiers: South Shields, Kidderminster Harriers, Macclesfield FC, Buxton, Scarborough Athletic and Chester FC
• Relegated: Leamington, Peterborough Sports, Alfreton Town and Curzon Ashton

National League South:

• Champions: Worthing,
• Play-off qualifiers: Hornchurch, Torquay United, Dorking Wanderers, Hemel Hempstead Town, Weston-s-Mare and Maidenhead United
• Relegated: Eastbourne Borough, Enfield, Chippenham Town and Bath City.  

Daly In National North League Team Of The Week

 

Hereford winger Cormac Daly has been selected for the National North League team of the week.

Daly, who is on loan at Edgar Street, consistantly troubled the Peterborough Sports defence in the game between the two clubs last Saturday. 

Carson's Last Commentary At Edgar Street

BBC's Carson Wishart was in the commentary area for the last time at Edgar Street on Saturday.

In particular his commentary, assisted by Ben Goddard, of the penalty goal scored by Aaron Skinner last Tuesday against Marine will be remembered by many for a long time. Press the play button below to hear it unfold.

 

 

'My last-ever commentary notes on ⁦Hereford FC for their biggest game since re-birth.

Hoping to call home just one more win after an incredible season that I’ll never forget. 

I’m going to miss all the fantastic people I’ve met at Edgar Street. It’s been a bit emotional'

Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds noted:

'Thanks for your passionate commentaries and for covering even more miles than usual since your move.

 Good luck and hope to see you again at a game some time in the future.' 

Players Start Their Lap Of Honour

After a few minutes to clean up Hereford's squad re-appeared on the Edgar Street walking over towards the Len Weston Stand and onwards to the Meadow End.

A