Hereford are 11/5 to win at Curzon Ashton on Saturday.
Currently Hereford are 4th in the National North League with 19 points from 11 games. Curzon are 3rd with 20 points from 10 games.
Last weekend Hereford won 2-1 at Buxton whilst Curzon defeated Kings Lynn 1-0 in the FA Cup.
Curzon's record at home in League games is 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.
Hereford's away record is 3 wins and 3 draws.
Recent form:
Curzon WLWDW
Hereford LDDDW
Curzon 6/5 Draw 12/5 Hereford 11/5
Blyth Spartans is up for sale.
Current owner Irfan Liaqua.took over just before the end of last season but recent events have led to his decision to sell. He says he has a buyer lined up.
Blyth are currently bottom of the Northern Premier League.
Club secretary Colin Blakett quit his post yesterday after ten years in the job. Several players have left recently and a boycott of the club by supporters has been suggested.
And earlier this afternoon the club said that they were unable to raise a team for Saturday's game against Gainsborough Trinity.
Liaqua had big plans for the club. These included 'Investment in key areas on and off the field – developing a winning mentality and building on the values and ethos of Blyth Spartans'. However it appears supporters don't believe him.
Below is a statement from Liaqua released yesterday:
Dear Fans, Members, and Sponsors,
I am writing to inform you that, after careful consideration and in light of the “current situation” with the ongoing boycotts, and protests, I have decided to sell the Football Club with immediate effect.
I would also like to announce I am in advance stages with a potential sale to a strong party who have the means, and capacity to take the club forward. We will keep you updated with the sale progression accordingly.
I took over a “distressed asset” in May this year, (2 days before relegation) in a desperate attempt to save the club which was clearly in a very difficult situation both financially, and with stability, having avoided relegation over the past few seasons before we took over that you are all aware of (thanks to COVID restrictions)
Despite Tony Platten writing off a £700,000 directors loan which he accumulated over a 25 year period, the Club needed ongoing financial support, with the skill set to stabilise, improve, and grow.
This was an exciting and extremely challenging project that I had agreed to take on with my team.
Proof of funds, along with an effective plan of execution was delivered to Tony Platten ahead of the takeover.
We set out a 5 year plan and hit the “reset button” almost immediately upon arrival.
The plan would have helped stabilise the club, add value, and accelerate in challenging competitions for the future growth of the Football Club over time.
In the short 6 months we have been here, I invested in the team with an initial cash injection by increasing the playing budget from previous years and built a team of 22 players.
Taking relegation into account, attracting higher end players was not a simple task, nor was keeping a hold of some of the squad players we were left with upon takeover.
We took over with 2 players, and had a very short period to build a competitive team of 22 for the upcoming season.
The boycotts and protests are not only damaging the reputation of a long standing and historic football club, but equally having a strong financial impact towards the sustainability and the future of the club.
We lost some key members from our team due to unfortunate circumstances, but we stood strong and pushed for the better of the Club, its future, and it’s amazing fan base.
Some of our key wins in the short 6 months I have been here:
Furthermore, I have personally injected a cash sum of Circa £63,000 via director loans to date as an investment, and took on additional costs totalling over £100,000 towards the sustainability and growth of the Football Club as I had initially commited. And for the avoidance of doubt, I will be writing off all the loans before the Club is handed over to any new owners.
Lastly I would like to request you continue to support this amazing Football Club, and keep backing the players. There is over 30 games to go, and a few wins with strong support will get us out of the relegation zone.
You have a very enthusiastic first team manager who is continually improving the team, and will also drive them with passion and dedication to get the results we need.
This is your Club, and the club needs you now more than ever.
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| Gary Hooper |
Gary Hooper has joined Kettering Town who play in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
The former Hereford United striker is now 37. He came to Edgar Street in January 2008 on loan from Southend.
“KTFC are excited to announce the signing of experienced forward Gary Hooper, among others he has played at Conference South and National level, the Championship, League One, Scottish Premiership (Celtic), Premiership (Norwich City) and the National League.
“Gary has previously played for Grays Athletic, Southend United, Leyton Orient (loan), Hereford United (loan), Scunthorpe United, Celtic, Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday, Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand), Kerala Blaster (India), Omonia (Cyprus), Gulf United (UAE) and Barnet.
“With over 500 appearances and 200 goals throughout his career, Gary
will add his valuable experience to Richard Lavery’s new look and
exciting squad."
The installation of the new floodlights at Hereford FC's Edgar Street has been delayed.
This week's wet weather is to blame.
"This delay is frustrating but unfortunately there is absolutely nothing we can do about the ever helpful British weather," said chairman Chris Ammonds.
Should the work not be completed by the next home game - against Farsley Celtic on October 26th - then the 'old' floodlights will be used.
The weather for the next week is mainly dry other than on Sunday morning so hopefully the work will be completed.
A trip back to the first season in the GM Vauxhall Conference. Jamie Pitman puts Hereford ahead but a late equaliser clinches a point for the visitors. Hereford are in financial peril and there is a protest against Chairman Peter Hill after the game.
The Bring Back United group are pleased to announce that we have sent in our resolutions to be voted on at the Hereford United Supporters Trust (HUST) AGM on 14th November. These votes will see Hereford supporters vote to return to the traditional Hereford United Football Club name the club has played under for most of the last century.
Supporters have been vocal in their wish to help cover the costs of the name change (estimated at approximately £9570) so it will also ensure a ringfenced fundraiser to cover the costs and avoid any negative effects on the club’s playing budget.
HUST will release more details of the AGM in the coming days but if you wish to be eligible to vote then you need to join HUST ASAP. Sign up here - www.hust.org.uk/join-hust-today-and-have-your-say/
The AGM is taking place at the Richmond Club opposite the Edgar Street stadium (19:30 start on Thursday 14th November). If you can’t attend to vote in person then you can vote in advance via a proxy form instructing the chairman of your votes (keep an eye out for more details).
If we are to see the Hereford United name return then it needs everyone with an interest to join HUST today and make sure they vote (either in person on the night or in advance).
Keep an eye on our socials for more information and visit www.bringbackunited.co.uk for information about the name change.
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Defender Sam Robinson has agreed a contract with Hereford.
Robinson has been present in every game to date this season and has proved to be an excellent acquisition by manager Paul Caddis.
"When I first agreed a deal with Sammy I gave him my word when the opportunity presented itself to secure a permanent contract for him and his young family then I absolutely would and now that opportunity has come to fruition and I thank him for showing trust and patience in myself and the football club," said Caddis.
Chairman Chris Ammonds commented 'delighted to get this done'.
Fanhub have produced a fantastic documentary about the demise of Hereford United and the phoenix rise of Hereford FC.
Featuring contributions from match announcer Matt Healey and supporters Ash Jones and Spencer Preece.
Click on the play button below to watch.
Driving to Chester to watch Hereford on November 2nd? Supporters can park at the ground for £3 on a first come, first served basis.
Farsley Celtic chairman Paul Barthorpe had his car damaged last Saturday after his team lost to Kettering in the FA Cup. The tie was played at Guiesley whilst Farsley's pitch is being converted to 4G. Farsley are currently under a transfer embargo.
It will cost Hereford supporters £17 to watch next Saturday's game at Curzon Ashton. Concessions are £12.
Former Hereford player Peter Vincenti is training to become a referee.
He has joined a scheme based at Warwick University along with 15 other former players which is a collaboration between players union the PFA and elite refereeing body PGMOL. It is being funded by the Premier League.
Vincenti had a 14 year long playing career with eight different clubs including Hereford. He hopes his experience as a player will count when as a referee he gets abuse.
“We have already experienced that in our playing careers,” said Vincenti.
“You have situations as a player where your form dips and people are on your back.
“You know it [abuse] is going to happen but we have a thick skin. It’s not at the forefront of my mind, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I prefer to look at the more positive aspects.”
The group will be monitored and if they show promise fast-tracked.
With
the news that Hereford FC are upgrading the floodlights at
Edgar Street, BN looks back to two articles published in 2010 about the
floodlights.
March 7th 2010
It was back in the
1952/53 season that floodlights were first installed at Edgar Street.
Hereford United were one of the first non-league clubs to have them.
The
pylons, on which the floodlights were perched, were presented to the
club by Painter Brothers, a local steel fabrication company.
Then,
according to John Williamson's book 'The Hereford United Story', they
were tried out for a reserve match in the Birmingham League.
The game, played on March 10th, resulted in a 2-0 win for the reserve against Walsall.
The
grand opening was later that week. Some 7508 spectators saw Hereford
United defeat Merthyr Tydfil 3-1 in a Herefordshire Senior Cup replay.
The gate was around 3000 more than average.
However,
according to club historian Ron Parrott, the original pylons went when
Edgar Street was widened in 1968 for the new relief road. The 'new' ones
(pictured) were erected at the end of November, early December 1968 and
to test them out Swansea sent their first team up on Wednesday 11th
December for a friendly, which United won 3-2 in front of a very
disappointing gate of 1,050.
The official opening was to be on
the following Monday against Yeovil Town in the Southern League Cup but
the game was postponed due to a frozen pitch and not rearranged until
Monday 30th December.
In between, United played at home to
Atherstone Town on Wednesday 18th December in a 5-1 win in the Camkin
Cup when the floodlights were used for the first time and a crowd of
only 1,303 witnessed the occasion (Ron Parrott was one of them!).
June 22nd 2010
Ron Parrott, the Hereford United historian, is currently writing a book on the club and he has kindly allowed BN to print a couple of paragraphs about the floodlights in 1953.
Work was due to start today installing new floodlights at Edgar Street after planning permission was finally granted last week.
Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds has spoken to BBC Hereford and Worcester and started by saying it was brilliant news for the club.
"It's been going on for quite some time, the planning application was put in at the end of April.
"There's been a lot of detail required, a lot of information required, quite a lot of it as a club we couldn't possibly understand.
"But after a lot of hard work, particularily in the last two or three weeks there's been a real will and a real urgency from all the parties involved to try and get this over the line.
"The great thing is we've managed to get it all sorted and agreed in time to allow us to start work on Monday.
"We need a two week window (for the work) because you are installing four new pylons in the four corners of the pitch, it's going to require a big lorry delivering everything.
"The poles come in different sections, not in one long piece. There will be a crain required to lift the pieces into place so that's a big job which will take the best part of ten days I think.
"But we've got this window between home fixtures now which should allow us to do it and then carry out the required tests in time to use it.
"The longer we leave it you worry about the weather getting worse and the pitch getting softer and also the clocks go back very soon as well so even on a Saturday afternoon game you are going to need those lights very swiftly. So to get them in now is brilliant."
Should the new lights not be installed in time for the next home game - Farsley Celtic on October 30th - what happens?
"We've still got the current floodlights in place, we haven't unplugged them or anything so if we need to use those we can continue to use those in the short term. Hopefully we won't have to, hopefully the old pylons will just become spectators at matches.
"They can do the installation at the Meadow End in the first instance and then once that's completed doing the Blackfriars End wouldn't involve going over the pitch so it should work out okay."
Despite the delay it looks like the project will be fully grant funded.
"The Football Foundation have been incredibly supportive, we've kept them updated all the way through.
"But you do begin to worry, we first were given confirmation we would get grant funding almost prior to even asking for planning permission so it's been quite a lengthy process.
"But because we kept them involved they've been very supportive and stayed with us.
"But it is a relief, you don't want to see a pot of money that you've worked really hard to secure, you don't want to see it disappear.
"We're hopeful we may land up with the entire project paid with grant funding. we're working through that sat the moment."
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Highlights from Saturday's game between Buxton and Hereford are available to watch.
Please go to: https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/highlights-buxton-1-2-hereford/
Attendance: 9,004
Hereford United: Hughes, Carver, Naylor, McLaughlin, Tucker, Tavener, Evans, Jenkins, Redrobe, Gregory, Mallender.
Opposition: Johnson, Fagan, Farrimond, Moore, Yeats, Stevenson, Tynan, Palios, Loyden, Young, McAuley
League Position: 11th (6 games in), the win for Tranmere sent them top.
Colin's Comments: Some things haven't changed much in 50 years, with Addison acknowledging that the team haven't been at their best at home. Although, I think we could all probably cope with the disappointment of a poor performance in the previous game resulting in only getting a point against visiting Watford.
In the Opposition: Where do you start with their squad? Their Scottish born player manager Ron Yeats who sadly passed away in September won two titles and an FA Cup in a 10 year spell at Liverpool and was made an honorary Scouser in 2009. Fellow Scot Tommy Lawrence had an almost identical career, he passed away in 2018, his latter days though were best remembered for this heart melting interview in 2015.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-31188264
Ray Matthias holds the record for most appearances for Tranmere (637, 64-85). Kit Fagan is the son of former Liverpool boot room member Joe Fagan who would manage Liverpool in the mid '80s. Kit manages to put the "how old am I" boot in by being 74 himself. Brains of the outfit, Mark Palios got a mention in the last programme, a player who would go on to be the FA's main man. The "Meet the Rovers" page has Tommy Tynan in the squad, a name that will be familiar as he was a lower league player that was full of goals, as Hereford found to their cost in the League Cup against a very handy Newport County team in 1980. Anyway it wasn't Tommy, it was a typo. It was a fellow scouser Bobby (misspelt Bobbie on the back page), they were both born in Liverpool on 17th November and 7th December 1955 respectively. Cousins maybe? Hopefully not twins.
Finally, you will be relieved to learn, Ronnie Moore. He would play roughly half of his over 600 games at Tranmere before going into management for 30 years, which would include a double promotion winning spell at Rotherham.
Fan of the Week: Or rather 100 fans of the week, looking at a packed terrace photo. Even the infamous Bulls News photographers struggle to get that many in the net.
Edgar Street Chatter: Plenty going on as ever in and around 1970's Edgar Street, including the programme editor jinxing the evening by celebrating that Hereford had gone 12 months unbeaten at Edgar Street. This puts into context how excellent Hereford were, given Colin Addison had taken the opportunity in his notes to bemoan the fact that they weren't hitting the high notes at home.
Third Division Round Up: This article clocks that Tranmere were on the verge of achieving a rare feat (starting the season with five clean sheets), something that they accomplished in this match despite the efforts of in-form Brian Evans.
Supporters' Corner: It looks like it is full steam ahead with the project of the day, the extension of the main stand with the building of the now Block D and integrated social facilities. The new stand would increase the main stand capacity from 900 to 1,300, with a further 1,200 seats quite literally jammed into the upper deck of the Len Weston. 1970s fans' bladders were clearly made of sterner stuff.
I believe the two new stands gave Hereford the distinction of being the only team outside the top flight of English football to have two stands with cantilevered roofs.
Going by Car: Check out "The Aerobats 73".
In the Charts: Young Love by Donny Osmond is at No.1
He's One of Our Own: Steve Blatherwick was born on 20th September 1973. He played 10 times for Hereford on loan from Nottingham Forest in the 95-96 play-off season, scoring once in a 2-2 draw against Exeter - well twice really, as he also conceded an own goal. His "club" would become Chesterfield where he would play over 200 games, but not before commanding a fee of £150k when Burnley bought him from Nottingham Forest.
Click on photos to enlarge.
A good turn out of Hereford supporters at Buxton yesterday especially given the game was 'televised'.
A later kick off at 3.00pm (2.00pm usual in women’s football) saw Hereford (tier 7) take on Boldmere ( tier 4) at Church Road in the FA Womens Cup on an artificial pitch.
For the first 45 minutes Hereford defended deep, the defence was under constant pressure.
Midway through the first half a good strike from a central position on the edge of the box beat Hannah Pritchard in goal.
HT Boldmere 1-0 Hereford
Second half the Mikes began in the same attacking form as the first, with the striker going down in the box although there appeared to be very little contact.
The resulting penalty was converted.
Boldmere 2-0 Hereford
Hereford made several substitutions late in the game and looked more attacking but it was Boldmere who again found the net from a good strike this time from well outside the box.
Full Time
Boldmere 3-0 Hereford
The FA cup run may be over but Hereford were no way out classed, they looked disciplined and kept to the game plan impeccably.
A selection of pictures from the second half of yesterday's game between Buxton and Hereford.
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