Interesting Times At Matlock

Matlock Town owner David Hilton has released the following statement after the departure of manager Graham Drury.

“Firstly, I must apologise. The decision to appoint Graham was mine and mine alone.

Graham has enjoyed success in both the Southern League and the Northern Premier League, and I have long admired his ability to create togetherness and a strong bond within squads. He has consistently achieved results on modest playing budgets.

I had previously tried to bring Graham to Ilkeston and twice to Matlock without success. This time, however, he approached me. He expressed interest in joining at the time of Adam’s departure and attended the semi-final. He understood that had Ryan been successful, he would have retained the managerial position permanently. Shortly after the defeat to Bradford, Graham contacted me and we discussed plans for the season ahead.

I do not usually discuss figures publicly, but I believe full transparency is important in this instance. Last season our playing budget averaged around £12,000 per week and, at times when many players were injured, exceeded £14,000. The club’s sustainable level, based on an average crowd of 700, is approximately £5,500 per week. The shortfall was covered personally by me, not as a loan, so there was no financial risk or debt placed on the club. While we created many fond memories and recorded an excellent points total, we ultimately fell short — and nothing else matters.

This season the budget was reduced to £7,000 per week, rising closer to £9,000 with additions to the existing contracted players. The aim was to build a winning mentality by recruiting hungry, committed players who would fight for the badge every week. Our players last season gave a great deal, but we felt something was missing. I believed Graham would be the gel to bring the squad together and the right man to recruit his own players and provide the long-term consistency every club owner desires.

When Graham’s contract was signed, every detail was thoroughly discussed. He was fully aware we were planning for the East division — something the projections had always indicated. His proposed solution to the increased travelling for a proportion of fixtures was to move training to Loughborough and reduce it to once a week on a Thursday, with coach travel provided for away games. This was agreed and fully supported by the club. Graham repeatedly assured us that he had players lined up and that negotiations were progressing well. As recently as last night, he messaged me ahead of a radio interview, saying how much he was looking forward to the season.

"Earlier this week, I was informed by several players that Graham was struggling to secure commitments. Many players had been released on his instructions from last season, while others had moved to higher-level clubs. A significant number were unable to accommodate the relocation of training further south. Nevertheless, we trusted Graham and believed he would deliver.

Today’s events have come as a complete shock to myself, my staff and the board. I am extremely disappointed by how this situation has unfolded, having placed full faith in a man who had previously shown nothing but honesty and integrity.

I can confirm the club will inevitably face financial consequences as a result of decisions made since Graham signed his contract. These include the loss of valuable playing staff, the potential loss of our training facility, reduced sponsorship and season ticket income, and lost revenue from pre-season friendlies (many of which Graham had rearranged against teams further south).

I apologise again — to our supporters, my hard-working staff and volunteers, and the board of directors — all of whom deserved far better. But this is football.

Moving forward, I want to thank everyone who has supported me at the club. I understand that the move to private ownership was not welcomed by everyone, and I have made mistakes. However, I have supported the club financially as promised. We carry no debt, and while I have funded the club heavily, it owes me nothing.

On that basis, and under the current scrutiny, I am prepared to offer the club back to the supporters if there is sufficient interest. Anyone wishing to pursue this would need to come forward with a credible plan demonstrating how the club could operate sustainably with significantly lower overheads, returning day-to-day control to the fans.

If the support remains, I am still happy to continue, face the challenges head-on, and fund the club as we strive to get back to where we need to be.

Finally, while I will clearly learn from my mistakes, I want to reiterate that nothing was overlooked in our negotiations with Graham. Nothing has changed on our side — Matlock has not moved, and we remain in the division we were always projected to be in. Neither I nor the club can predict another person’s actions, especially when they are entirely unexpected.

We will now move quickly to appoint a new manager and recruit players as soon as possible."

 

Cowley Signs Two Year Deal At Halesowen

 

Former Hereford striler Jason Cowley has signed a new two year deal with Halesowen.

'The striker joined Halesowen last summer from National League side Hereford and quickly became a fan favourite at The Grove.

Cowls enjoyed an outstanding first season in royal blue, scoring 37 goals and registering 14 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.

His season included two hat-tricks against Grimsby Borough and Barwell, with the latter seeing him score four, while his 37-goal return was the best single-season tally by a Yeltz player since Ben Haseley in 2013/14.'

Cowley commented:

"Evening yeltz fans, just want to say I’m buzzing to be staying at the club and already can’t wait to get going again and seeing you all back in the stands, I have unfinished business at the club and I know the gaffa does and the chairman also, the clubs ambitions and vision is what I want to be apart off, the club has big plans and I can’t wait to be apart of that! 

The gaffas played a big part in me staying and happy that we have got it all sorted and we can focus on the upcoming season, I believe the club is in the best hands possible with keith and believe we can do what we set out to achieve this season, hope to see as many as possible on Saturday at the awards evening all the best cowls." 

National League Clubs 2026/27

Following the release of the composition of the three National Leagues this morning, a slightly more detailed look at the clubs in each league.

The FA have announced the club allocations for the 2026/27 season for clubs across the Enterprise National League.

Barrow and Harrogate Town join the Enterprise National League line-up with title winners Worthing and AFC Fylde - with Promotion Final winners Kidderminster Harriers and Hornchurch completing the line-up. 

Relegated pair Morecambe and Brackley Town drop into the Enterprise National League North where they will be joined by Harborough Town, Hebburn Town, Hednesford Town and Spalding United who were all promoted from Step 3.

Braintree Town and Truro City are joined in the Enterprise National League South by Billericay Town, Farnham Town, Folkestone Invicta and Walton & Hersham.

All allocations are subject to appeals - the constitution will be ratified at the National League AGM on Saturday 6 June 2026.

 

Confirmation of next season's allocations

Next season's non-league allocations have been confirmed. 

There are no surprises for National League North.

Under 18's Defeated By Lye Town

Hereford Under 18's lost their league game this evening.

Hereford 1 Lye Town 2 

It was their last league fixture of the season.

They have finished 6th in the table with 28 points from 20 games. 

Lye Town finished top with 52 points from 20 games. 

National League North club go full time on gates of 700

Oxford City are going full time.

The National League North club - who had an average attendance of 707 last season - announced the news within an article stating that assistant manager Andy Ballard would be stepping down.

More here. 

Carragher joins Marine

Sky pundit Jamie Carragher has joined Marine as an advisor.

The former Liverpool defender lives close to their ground in Crosby and has watched them many times 

"Marine is a proper community football club with good people involved and a clear vision for where it wants to go," said Carragher, as reported by the club's website.

"I've enjoyed watching the progress the club has made over recent years and I'm pleased to be able to support the club in an advisory capacity going forward."

Meredith To Leave Leamington

Leamington have agreed that Hereford born Dan Meredith can leave the club. They report that 'Dan will be released from his option agreement to pursue other opportunities'.

Right back Meredith is 26. 

This from Leamington:

Following discussions between Dan Meredith and Scott Easterlow, the club can confirm it has been mutually agreed that Dan will be released from his option agreement to pursue other opportunities.

Since initially joining on loan from West Bromwich Albion at the start of 2019 before making that move permanent in the following summer, Dan has amassed 251 appearances for the club, scoring 4 goals.

Dan has played a vital part in Leamington sides over the years, often referred to as a swashbuckling right back and picked up the Directors’ and Players’ Player of the Season awards for the 2025/26 campaign.

Leamington Manager Scott Easterlow said “Dan has been a fan favourite and one of the most consistent players at the club for a long time. Whilst we are naturally sad to see him leave, he does so with everyone’s best wishes.”

 

Pegasus friendly confirmed

Hereford Pegasus have confirmed they will be playing Hereford FC in a pre-season friendly.

The match will be at Old School Lane on Saturday, July 11 and will no doubt kick off Hereford's pre-season campaign. 

Murray Confirmed To Have Joined Barrow

It's been confirmed that former Kidderminster manager Adam Murray has been appointed manager of Barrow.

Barrow chairman Paul Hornby commented:

“I’m delighted to welcome Adam to the club and can’t wait to see him get started at the club,” Hornby said.

“We as the board identified Adam as a target early due to his track record, current performances, and philosophy.

“We had to bide our time, due to his success with Kidderminster this season which extended into the post-season games but are really pleased to be able to have him on board.

“He’s a young, hungry manager but already has a whole range of experiences in England and in Europe including two promotions into the National League in the last four years.

“We also spoke to people within the game who couldn’t speak highly enough of him as a manager and as a person which speaks volumes of him as an individual. 

“Our ambitions and beliefs for this season align and that culture and togetherness is going to be such a key factor this season and myself and the board are really excited for the year ahead.”

 

New Drainage Installed At Edgar Street

Picture From Ben Bowen

The installation of the new drains at Hereford FC's Edgar Street has been completed and the contractors are now working on the pitch itself.

General manager Jamie Griffiths spoke to BBC Hereford and Worcester's Trevor Owens about how the project was progressing. 

"They've had a few little issues as they expected with a pitch like this but the drainage is now installed.

"They've started to take the top surface off the pitch, they'll take about half this week doing that and top seeding it and drill seeding it.

"Then it's a case of sitting back and letting the grass grow.

"They've gone the opposite direction to the old drainage, they've come across blocked drains, collapsed drains. drains that were below other drains.

"So it was expecting water to go up hill which obviously water is not too fond of.

"They've changed the size of the gravel now, it's slightly bigger allowing more space for the air to draw the water through."

Griffiths said he was impressed how quickly the contractors were getting on.

"They've had some pretty impressive machinery on the pitch doing the job so hopefully come pre-season it will be a nice playing surface  and come winter we won't have the headaches we've had this season."

Both Jarrod Bowen and the club's founding shareholders are helping to pay for the work.

"It's a big help Jarrod and the initial shareholders have dipped into their pockets.

"But it was Jarrod who came to us and said how can I help, certainly there was no expectation from us for Jarrod to do anything so it was fantastic that he decided to come along and help.

"I'm sure he would have seen Ben, his uncle, pulling his hair out at times during the winter and it's certainly made Ben a little bit more relaxed this summer knowing that the job is getting done. 

"Hopefully come winter he will have the normal issues on the pitch to deal with and not the drains." 

 

Murray Leaves Kidderminster

Despite steering Kidderminster to promotion, manager Adam Murray has taken a new post believed to be with Barrow.

On the surface it seems a strange move given Barrow were relegated from League Two to the National League last week whilst Kidderminster were promoted the from National North. 

This from Kidderminster:

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers can reluctantly confirm that Adam Murray is to leave his position as Manager following an approach from another club.

Shortly after the weekend’s final, a club presently in the EFL met a release clause within Adam’s contract to discuss their vacancy, which Adam has expressed a desire to pursue.

We understand the timing of this announcement will come as a disappointment to fans following Saturday’s promotion.

Chairman Richard Lane commented: “Adam has been very open and honest with me since the weekend. While he was a year into a two-year contract and a project with us here, I fully respect that, given the overall financial package on offer, he feels it is an opportunity for him and his family that he cannot turn down.

“While the timing is unfortunate following such a fantastic end to the season, I am sure we all wish Adam nothing but the best for his future.

“At this time and always, our priority is on our fantastic club and its fans; our focus now is on moving quickly with a managerial appointment that will lead us into a new chapter in our history after promotion.”

Richard added to Harriers fans: “Collectively, we have achieved something amazing this season and I want those memories to stay fresh in the minds of our supporters and sponsors, who backed us so incredibly, particularly in those final months of the season.

“We have every cause to celebrate, and we will move forward with nothing but positivity and excitement for our next challenge.”

 

Ex-Bull watch

George Lloyd scoring for Hereford at Telford in October 2018

Shrewsbury Town have made former Bulls Sam Clucas and Ricardo Dinanga available for transfer as they published their released and retained list after a poor season in League Two where they finished 19th with 49 points.

Midfielder Clucas, now 35, made 58 appearances in 18 months at Edgar Street after joining in November 2011, before moving to Mansfield. The former Leicester City youngster then went on to play for clubs including Swansea City, Stoke City and Rotherham United. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Irish forward Dinanga made three appearances for the Bulls on loan from Coventry City in late 2022.

Another former Bull, striker George Lloyd, has signed a new deal to keep him with the Shrews. Now 26, Lloyd had two loan spells at Edgar Street in 2018 and 2019 after coming through the ranks at Cheltenham Town.

Chris Bush, who had a loan spell with Hereford before joining on a permanent basis for the infamous 2013/14 Conference season, has missed out on promotion to the Football League with Boreham Wood. Facing Rochdale at Wembley, Boreham lost 3-1 on penalties with the game 2-2 after extra time.

Dom McHale, who made three appearances for Hereford on loan from Scarborough Athletic in 2024, has said he has had "two unbelievable years" at Hednesford Town.

The journeyman has been released by the club after their promotion to National League North, saying he made more than 80 appearances, helped achieve two promotions and finished as the club's top goalscorer.

"It's been a journey I'll never forget," he said, adding: "Gutted to be leaving, but excited for a new chapter and what's next."

AFC Telford Announce Season Ticket Prices

AFC Telford have announced season ticket prices for the forthcoming campaign.

Adult season tickets will cost £351, Concessions £285, Students £228, and Juniors £100. 

"We have increased season ticket and matchday prices for Adults and Concessions. 

"Increases in our costs, particularly utility and wage costs, have made this necessary, though we have taken other steps to offset some of those increases, including new commercial deals. 

"We have also benchmarked pricing across National League North clubs, and we believe our prices remain competitive at this level."

Match day prices will be adults £18.50, Concessions £15, Students £12 and Juniors £7 

 

Hednesford Offer Terms To Three Former Hereford Players

Hednesford Town have released their retained list. 

The club have offered terms to three former Hereford players, Montel Gibson, Ahkeem Rose and Omari Sterling-James.

 

 

But have released three others, Simeon Maye, Jake Jervis and Dom McHale.

 

On This Day 20 Years Ago

On this day twenty years ago, Hereford United ensured they would be in the Conference Play-Off.

A look back to May 11th 2006.

Guy's the magic match winner

Finally! They've done it! It's taken three attempts, but Hereford United are through to the Conference play off final for the first time! But they made hard work of it and took the lead three times in total, in an enthrawling second leg encounter at Edgar Street, with Morecambe the visitors.

Unchanged from the first leg were The Bulls, and they began where they left off in the second half from the first leg, which finished 1-1. United were dominant from the start and with just six minutes on the clock Tamika Mkandawire sent the home crowd into raptures, with a fantastic header from Alex Jeannin's corner. The Frenchman though, turned from hero to villan in minutes as Morecambe went down the other end a minute later and Jeannin blatantly fouled in the area, and Wayne Curtis equalised from the penalty spot.

United, with the huge home vocal support behind them all the way, didn't dwell on it however, and continued to dominate, and just five minutes later local lad Andy Williams scored a fantastic goal. Adam Stansfield raced away down the left before nipping a ball inside to Rob Purdie. Purdie played the ball into the feet of Williams who, with his back to goal and a defender behind him, somehow managed to turn and fire, all in one motion, into the bottom corner of the net leaving 'keeper Steven Drench stranded.

Minutes later, the visitors were almost on level terms again when Mkandawire headed a long ball straight into the path of the oh-so-dangerous Michael Twiss, and his first time shot flew inches wide of Wayne Brown's post. Simon Travis then went close for Hereford, as he stung the hands of Drench with a drive from twenty-five yards, before he crossed for Williams, but his header was easy for the loanee 'keeper. Morecambe enjoyed a good spell of play for around ten minutes before half time, but they couldn't make anything of it. Hereford though, finished the half more brightly, and went in at the break 2-1 up.

The Shrimpers were to enjoy another good spell after the interval, not because of they're renewed approach after the restart, but because United gave them much more time on the ball in the middle. And Hereford paid the price for this. With eight minutes of the half gone Danny Carlton broke in behind the Bull's backline, forced a save from Brown at a tight angle, but the ball fell into the path of Twiss who netted from a central position.

Hereford should have equalised almost immediately, but first the tenacious Andy Ferrell was denied, following Williams' cross, by a great save at the far post and then, with Drench stranded but a crowd of players to avoid, Purdie struck the foot of the post from the edge of the box before the ball was put behind. Morecambe took control of the game once again for a period in a second half that they had the better of, and so Graham Turner made a double change, on seventy three minutes, with Stansfield and Jeannin - who had a poor game in all honesty - making way for Stuart Fleetwood and Jamie Pitman. Simon Travis went to left back.

Curtis almost grabbed an astonishing second, but his thunderbolt from thirty yards flashed just inches over the bar, and then the man of the moment, Guy Ipoua, was introduced with eight minutes remaining. However, he didn't make his impact until the game had gone into extra time, having finished 2-2 after ninety minutes.

The first half of extra time saw chances for both and Brown had to pull off a good low save from Gary Thompson while Purdie, at the other end, almost stole in as the Morecambe defence left a long ball go through to Drench. In the second half, Twiss forced Brown into another good low save, shooting from the left early on, before Ipoua produced the magic. He raced on to, yes actually ran, a long ball and managed to beat two defenders to the ball and knock it on for himself with his head, before it bounced at a perfect height for him to smash stunningly, from around twelve yards out to the right of the box, into the far top corner of the net, causing scenes of mayhem in the stands among the Hereford fans in a crowd of 6,278 (including 528 away fans).

Hereford played out the rest of the half with their backs to the wall, pretty much, but did it well with the full backing of the Hereford faithful. Fleetwood had a good chance on the break to double the advantage when Purdie played him through, but he failed in rounding the goalie, not that it really mattered. The final whistle was blown after two minutes of injury time - cue mass celebrations, including a pitch invasion from the Hereford fans. Once the pitch was cleared, the players came back out for a lap of honour, and the delight was there to see for everyone!

It was, all in all, a very entertaining game helped by two sides who went out to play football and win. The atmosphere from both sets of fans was a credit to their clubs, and must have been a huge help to both teams. Now we need to do it all again in Leicester!

HUFC: Brown, Green, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin, Purdie, Ferrell, Stanley, Travis, Williams, Stansfield. Subs: Mawson, Pitman, Carey-Bertram, Fleetwood, Ipoua.

I've worked eight years for this says Turner.

A jubilent Graham Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester after last night's game of his joy of getting the Bulls to the Play-off final.

"I've worked eight years to get the club back into the League and we've given ourselves a great opportunity.

"So when you look at eight years work, that's how much it meant in that ninety minutes.

"I thought the atmosphere was incredible and the scenes at the end were fantastic."

Midfielder Craig Stanley summed up the match.

"Each time we went ahead we let them back into the game and, to be fair, second-half I think they were the better team.

"But in extra time we seemed to get second wind and we came back into the game a little bit.

"And then Guy's got the goal and that's what Guy can do. It was a great finish.

"It's fantastic to go through."

 

 

Latest on 'major investment' to replace Merton Meadow

Merton Meadow car park was full as Hereford played King's Lynn last season but it is now becoming a wetland

Herefordshire Council is moving ahead with plans for a new multi-storey car park as it looks to build on Merton Meadow.

The large car park next to Edgar Street has long been eyed for development, with the latest plans for 400 homes. That is being made possible by the current work to build a flood alleviation scheme on the lower section of the car park, which closed in October.

But the £2million project is behind schedule after being delayed due to the wet winter, which also hit Hereford FC hard as its pitch struggled to cope. Conservative council leader Jonathan Lester previously said he hoped the project would be finished by the end of 2025.

As part of a new parking strategy for the next 15 years, Herefordshire Council said it was "progressing plans for a new multi-storey car park in the city as part of wider transport changes".

The new multi-storey, earmarked for the current Country Bus Station off Commercial Road, would "replace parking capacity expected to be lost as parts of Merton Meadows are redeveloped", the plan said.

It would also "support hospital staff, patients and visitors by providing dedicated spaces" and "strengthen access to the railway station, Transport Hub and city centre", with work currently ongoing to build the new hub outside the railway station.

Finally, the plan said the new car park would "improve parking availability for commuters and contractors".

"This major infrastructure investment will ensure that Hereford retains appropriate parking capacity during redevelopment phases, supports economic resilience, and provides a reliable supply of spaces for workers, visitors and businesses," the council added.

As previously reported by Bulls News, the closure of the 650-space car park, which earns Herefordshire Council £2,512.08 a day on average, would push parking in the city to its limits.

Consultants PJA, commissioned by the council to draw up a report, estimated that up to 490 cars could be displaced on a busy Saturday if Merton Meadow closes. Around 193 permit holders, many of them NHS staff, also currently use the site.

The modelling suggests some of that demand could be absorbed by Maylord Orchards and the Garrick multi-storey, which have spare capacity during the week. But on Saturdays, especially in December, the report warns that “all car parks with the exception of St Martins 2 and Wye Street would be expected to operate at the 90% capacity cap” once Merton Meadow is gone.

The 93-space St Martins 2 and 74-space Wye Street car parks are a mile from Edgar Street, near Hereford Leisure Pool south of the River Wye.

The report was blunt about the tipping point: “Once car parks hit 90% capacity, drivers begin to struggle to find spaces,” with queues at entrances and “excessive circulation” on surrounding roads. December is forecast to be especially difficult, with demand exceeding total capacity between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

HUST chairman Richard Tomkins had expressed his concern about parking being lost, especially as only 50 per cent of fans live in the city, but the football club have remained tight-lipped publicly over the plans.

News round up

Sammy Robinson

Darlington striker Cedric Main has completed a move to newly-promoted National League side AFC Fylde. The Dutch forward scored 38 goals in 105 appearances for Darlington after joining in January 2024, including 20 goals last season as the Quakers pushed for the play-offs.

Fylde moved quickly to secure the striker after sealing promotion, with boss Craig Mahon describing Main as “a player with excellent qualities” who will strengthen their attack ahead of life back in the fifth tier.

Former Hereford midfielder Sammy Robinson, who was voted player of the 2024/25 season, is set to stay at full-time Buxton for the new season. The club has exercised an option in the 24-year-old's contract.

The former Manchester City youngster is one of 10 where options have been taken up, with two players under contract already and another two in discussions. Another former Bull, Ryan McLean who left Hereford to join AFC Wimbledon, is one of six players released.

Ex-Bull Zak Lilly is one of five players to be offered new terms at relegated Brackley Town. The Northamptonshire outfit finished 21st in the National League, so will rejoin Hereford in National League North Hereford next season.

The 27-year-old defender spent seven years at AFC Telford United before joining Hereford, but then ended up at Brackley, where he was reunited with former boss Gavin Cowan. Current boss Andy Whing, who was Russell Slade's assistant at Edgar Street, faces the prospect of a huge rebuild with only one player under contract and 11 others leaving St James's Park.

A club statement said: "This summer represents an important reset for the club. With a new direction and a clear vision, Andy Whing is now fully focused on assembling a competitive squad capable of representing Brackley Town with pride."

National League North looks set to have another full-time club, with promoted Hednesford Town hinting at the change. They would join South Shields, King's Lynn, Buxton and Morecambe in being full-time, while Oxford, Macclesfield and Chester have been operating as hybrid outfits. Promoted AFC Fylde and Kidderminster Harriers were also full-time.

Hereford's first friendly

It is understood that Hereford's first pre-season friendly will be at Pegasus on Saturday, July 11.

The Bulls traditionally start with a game at a local Herefordshire club. They last played Pegasus at the start of the 2023/24 pre-season campaign, which Hereford won 4-1. 

Hereford Women Defeat Halesowen

Hereford Women won their league fixture against Halesowen this afternoon.

The game ended: Hereford 3 Halesowen 2

Halesowen were 2-0 ahead at the break but three second half goals, including a penalty, gave Hereford all three points.

Scorers for Hereford were:  Hannah Pritchard (pen) Mylie Jordan and Robyn Mear

Attendance 30. 

Caddis talks King's Lynn recruitment and 'players I've worked with before'

Paul Caddis

Former Hereford boss Paul Caddis says he is determined to prove doubters wrong at King’s Lynn Town after admitting he was not the supporters’ first choice for the role, and has urged fans to give him six months.

Caddis, who guided the Linnets to National League North survival in the final 12 games of the season, secured safety on goal difference with a goalless draw at Chester on the final day. He is now preparing for a major summer rebuild at The Walks.

“I understand I might not have been everybody’s first choice - maybe not even their fifth or sixth,” he told the Lynn News. “I just ask people to be patient, give us an opportunity and get behind us.”

A key part of that rebuild will be recruitment, with Caddis insisting the club will move quickly to identify targets who fit his style of play. He also acknowledged there will inevitably be speculation around players he has previously worked with.

“There will naturally be players linked with us who I’ve worked with before,” Caddis said. “There are players who want to come back, players wanting to step up and others looking to move full-time.”

However, he stressed recruitment will not simply be about familiarity, but suitability and detail in decision-making.

He said: “I don’t just look at a player and think: ‘He’s decent, let’s sign him’. We do background work on everything. What’s his injury history? What’s he like around the group? Has he played full-time before? Can he handle pressure?”

Caddis added that personality and adaptability will be just as important as ability as he reshapes the squad.

“The difficult thing is when you look at a part-time player who’s scored goals in the division below, you’re not just paying wages, you might also have to look at employment opportunities for them as well,” he explained.

“There’s so much to consider. Personality matters. How will they cope in a full-time environment? What are they like when things are tough?”

The former Bulls manager says he is also looking for a more dynamic style of play next season, moving away from the pragmatic approach used during the survival run-in.

“We won’t play in the same style we did during those 12 games,” he said. “It was about simplicity and survival. Now it’s about bringing in players with athleticism, pace and power.”

Caddis, who has assistant Adam Rooney at King's Lynn, has asked supporters to reserve judgement until his squad has had time to settle.

“Get behind us, stick with us and judge us after five or six months,” he said.

Hereford Women Playing This Afternoon

 

According to the FA site, Hereford Women are due to play Halesowen Town Ladies this afternoon at Edgar Street.

However Edgar Street is not available due to work taking place on the pitch.

So it's assumed the game will be played at Bromyard's Delahay Meadow.

Currently Halesowen are 9th in the table with 23 points from 19 games whilst Hereford are tenth with 19 points from 18 games. 

Kick-off is set for 2pm. 

After today's game Hereford should have three more to complete their season. However both the FA Site and Hereford FC site are only showing two more games.

Sunday 24th: Crusaders v Hereford

Sunday 31st: Hereford v Redditch.

Hereford have only played Worcester City once this season so that's the other game that is to be played.

It was set to be played on April 26th but was called off because Worcester could not raise a team.

Hereford have not got a game on May 17th, however Worcester have so if the game is to be played it will have to be take place one evening. 

Unless the FA decide to award the game to Hereford. 

Major progress during week two of Edgar Street pitch overhaul

Work continues on the Edgar Street pitch. Picture: Ben Bowen

Work on the major summer redevelopment of the Edgar Street pitch is continuing with the overhaul nearly reaching its next stage.

The project follows a season in which the playing surface at Edgar Street Stadium caused significant disruption, with multiple postponements and three home games moved to Worcestershire after periods of heavy rainfall left the pitch unplayable.

After the opening week focused on excavation and the installation of the main drainage network, the latest updates show substantial progress has now been made underground.

Sharing updates with social media followers, groundsman Ben Bowen said around half of the drainage work had been completed by day seven, with contractors KMM Hire continuing work across the pitch throughout the week.

Further updates showed drainage pipes being connected, stone laid into the trenches and rootzone — a specialist sand and soil mix — beginning to be added above the newly-installed drainage lines.

By the end of the week, the drainage installation itself was close to being completed ahead of the next major phase of the redevelopment programme.

Attention is now expected to turn towards stripping off the existing pitch surface before replacement work begins later in the summer.

The project is part of a wider effort to improve the long-term condition and reliability of the Edgar Street surface ahead of the 2026/27 campaign after ongoing drainage issues affected much of last season.

The project is partly funded by the groundman's nephew, Leominster-born West Ham and England forward Jarrod Bowen. The 29-year-old made his professional debut for Hereford United towards the end of the 2013/14 season, before scoring his first professional goal in front of the Meadow End in the April.

Hereford's opponents next season and how far you'll have to travel

Subject to ratification, next season's National League North has been sorted after Kidderminster beat South Shields in the Play-off Final.

Below are the teams Hereford will face and their distance from Edgar Street. 

AFC Telford United (53 miles)

Bedford Town (130 miles)

Brackley Town (92 miles)

Buxton (121 miles)

Chester (95 miles)

Chorley (151 miles)

Darlington (230 miles)

Harborough Town (106 miles)

Hebburn Town (263 miles)

Hednesford Town (73 miles)

King's Lynn Town (174 miles)

Macclesfield (122 miles)

Marine (156 miles)

Merthyr Town (43 miles)

Morecambe (166 miles)

Oxford City (79 miles)

Radcliffe (150 miles)

Scarborough Athletic (220 miles)

Southport (157 miles)

South Shields (264 miles)

Spalding United (157 miles)

Spennymoor Town (245 miles)

Worksop Town (141 miles)

Hornchurch promoted to National League

Hornchurch came from behind to beat Torquay 3-2 after extra time in the National League South Play-off Final.

The Urchins - who were in the Isthmian Premier League just two years ago - were trailing 2-1 before scoring in the 92nd minute to take the tie into extra time. They then won it in the 117th minute. 

Hereford lose Kidderminster derby

Hereford will not be playing Kidderminster next season after Harriers won at South Shields today.

Goals from Kieran Connolly and Charlie Cooper saw them beat South Shields 2-0 in the National League North Play-off Final.

It means that Hereford will probably face Merthyr on Boxing Day and Easter Monday instead.

Meanwhile, South Shields miss out on promotion after accumulating 95 points and 99 goals.

Therefore, there will be four north-east teams next season.

Watts To Become Managing Director At Cheltenham

 

Former Hereford FC general manager James Watts is to become commercial director at Cheltenham.

Currently he is chief commercial officer at Swindon Town.

Watts joined Hereford from Newport County in September 2017. He left in October 2020.

In September 2022 he joined Swindon. 

Second Half Pictures Hereford Women Cup Final

A selection of pictures from the second half of Wednesday's Herefordshire FA Women's Cup Final match between Hereford FC and Hereford Pegasus.

First Half Pictures Hereford Women Cup Final

A selection of pictures from the first half of Wednesday's Herefordshire FA Women's Cup Final match between Hereford FC and Hereford Pegasus.

Preparing For Next Season - Aaron Downes

 

Hereford FC manager Aaron Downes has started preparations for next season. Already both Luke Hudson and Kyle Howkins have agreed terms and work on the Edgar Street pitch continues.

Also several pre-season friendlies have been arranged.

"I'm having a lot of meetings with players and agents," said Downes.

"We are working extremely hard behind the scenes to make sure that we get a squad together early so we can have a competitive squad.

"Everything is just about recruitment and planning, planning training, pre-season is already planned, the games will be announced soon. We've got some good games coming up.

"A lot of it is around talking to potential targets and trying to make sure our recruitment process is really really solid.

"We have parameters we want to stick within as regards how we recruit. There are certain things we have to identify and make sure are correct. Staticital work. logistical work and financial.

"We are making sure all those parameters are covered.

"We are getting a lot of work done and meeting a lot of players.

"We want players who are fully committed, lots of energy, giving everything they can to the shirt." 

Downes quotes are from an interview: https://herefordfc.co.uk/2026/05/interview-downes-offers-close-season-update/