Match Pictures From Telford

A selection of pictures from last night's game between Telford and Hereford.

Rooney In Charge For Southport Game

 

Adam Rooney is expected to take charge of Hereford at Southport on Saturday.

Whether he will be considered as a longer term replacement for Paul Caddis, who was sacked this morning, remains to be seen. 

BN understands that Rooney will be part of an 'interim management team' who will take charge until a new manager is appointed.

How long that process will take might depend on the performance on Saturday.  

'Mixed feelings after the wheels fell off': Fans react to Caddis sacking

Hereford fans have been giving their thoughts after Paul Caddis was sacked

Hereford fans have been reacting to the news that Paul Caddis has been sacked by Hereford.

At midday on Wednesday, the club released a statement saying they have parted company with the gaffer after nearly three years in charge at Edgar Street.

There has not yet been an official update on what happens next, including who will take charge of the team at Southport on Saturday.

To leave your thoughts like the fans below, head to the Bulls News Facebook page.

Graham Johnson said: "First season especially when he and the players did a lot to galvanise the fans. Thinking of the occasions when they made a few appearances at the Commercial after games. But he completely lost the plot this season and for that reason should have gone earlier."

David Baker said: "A sad and depressing day. I know he’s had his critics but I believe he gave 110% and no doubt had many sleepless nights. I wish him and his family all the best. Let’s hope whoever takes over can save our season."

Adrian Herbert said: "Right decision however Paul has done a lot of good things for the club, and we should thank him for that. Maybe one of the players step up for now. Maybe players will play for one of their own."

Sarah Mifflin said: "I think we owe him a lot for the two seasons when he came in nearly went out business again but he sorted it and I do feel bit sorry for him he will go elsewhere and succeed you watch"

Kevin Davies said: "Its the right decision, but I feel for him. This season was a tough ask. No right minded bulls supporter would want him to fail, but remaining part time with full time crowds. Training miles from the county, all the money going on a dilapidated three sided ground with seemingly no plans for a replacement stand.

"Problems with the pitch, problems with the installation of the floodlights and the worst pre season I can remember in over 50 years of watching Hereford. The odds were stacked against him.

"It was never going to end well. Now its time for the board to show some mettle. Appoint someone who knows the national league and give him the money to bolster the squad. If we don't relegation will be the only outcome."

Will Morrall said: "Feel sad when any hard working person loses their job, especially when they have a young family but it is the nature of the beast sadly. Wish him well in the future. No hard feelings or long lasting animosity here."

Steven Fitzpatrick said: "'Be careful what you wish for' is a saying that springs to mind.

"Does our Board have sufficient footballing knowledge & experience to identify and bring in a better manager at a time of significant jeopardy?

"A current or ex-player with little managerial experience, a 'he’ll do, the fans like him' scenario would be unnecessary risk if that becomes a consideration."

Mark Rumball said: "Sad to see any manger lose is job but this season just not worked out before the season started he was not coming back apply for a other job and did not get it so he came back to late to get the players as there signed for other clubs we need a new manger full time football you can not run a football club on two nights a week for 2 hours training to think we can go on and win the league."

Mark Philpotts said: "While I feel it had to happen while we have plenty of games left let’s not forget is work the last 2 seasons , brought a great feeling back to the club , but this season started terrible and has not improved , whoever comes in has hell of a task on their hands , this lot are simply not good enough"

Ian Bradley said: "Mixed feelings overall, easy to dismiss the reasonable job he did for two seasons before the wheels fell off. Too much entitlement based on past glories amongst the fan base in my opinion. Our ground and support don't match the level we're playing at but with a part time set up and training elsewhere, it's not straightforward.

"Where's our Ryan Reynolds?"

Richard Powell said: "Very mixed feelings. Preseason and recruitment were awful. He had to go as it has been clear for sometime that he couldn't turn the season around. But how much was caused by factors outside his control? Hard to gain any momentum with so many home games called off.

"But what is of more importance, is what happens next?"

Scott Garrett said: "Credit for what he has done for Hereford the last 2 years … but this season has been awful .. squad no quality , and the football and the club have generally been very poor , the fans deserve better .

"Someone needs to invest but that’s not going to happen … not that I see anyone doing any better than what caddis had at his disposal."

Steve Fowler said: "Very sad. Completely understand the fans’ frustration with this season’s performances but he came across as a decent, honest bloke and it can’t have been easy to have to keep rebuilding the squad every season when players were jumping ship at the first opportunity."

Merton Meadow Flood Project

Given the recent problems with the pitch at Hereford FC's Edgar Street it has be hoped that the new scheme at Merton Meadow will help lower the water table.

This from Herefordshire Council:

Merton Meadow flood project paves the way for new homes and regeneration

Work has begun on an innovative project that marks a major step in transforming city centre land at Merton Meadow, creating the foundations for future homes for people of all ages, publicly accessible wetlands, and the wider regeneration of Hereford.

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Local contractors Speller Metcalfe are now on site as the construction phase of the Merton Meadow flood alleviation scheme gets under way. This scheme takes an innovative, nature-based approach to flood management, establishing a network of connected ponds and wetlands that will reduce flood risk while creating the landscape framework for public green and blue spaces.

The £2 million scheme, funded by central government, will use natural flood management techniques to protect the area, enhance biodiversity and create opportunities for new publicly accessible wetland areas. In addition to addressing the flooding the scheme also provides   drainage capacity for up to 400 new homes, subject to further planning and development decisions.

The long-term ambition for Merton Meadow is to create an urban village for residents of all ages, bringing Herefordshire’s rural character into the city through green spaces, ponds and wildlife habitats and high-quality public realm. The site has the potential to deliver a mix of open-market and affordable homes, including housing for key workers such as NHS staff, teachers and the emergency services.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, Cllr Graham Biggs, joined the Council’s Head of Housing Development, Stephen Holland, and Site Manager, Ben Shakespeare, at the site this week to mark this next phase of the project.

Cllr Biggs said:

“This is an exciting milestone for Merton Meadow. These flood alleviation works are a crucial first step in preparing the site for future development, while also creating the foundations for attractive wetland spaces that people will be able to enjoy. It’s a project that brings together flood protection, environmental benefits and the opportunity to deliver much-needed homes in a sustainable way.”

“The site has the potential to deliver a mix of affordable housing and open-market homes for sale and rent, including provision for key workers such as NHS staff, teachers and the emergency services.”

Cllr Biggs added:

“This project is about much more than flood protection. It’s about creating the conditions for a blue-green neighbourhood where people can walk, spend time outdoors and connect with nature, right in the city centre. We are still very much at the planning stage, but the work that has started on site will allows us to start turning this vision into reality.”

Hereford expected to appoint interim boss as search starts for Caddis's successor

Paul Caddis, centre, with Andy Williams in front and Aaron Skinner behind

Hereford are expected to appoint an interim manager after Paul Caddis was sacked.

A 3-0 defeat at AFC Telford United on Tuesday evening proved the final straw for the club's board as they announced they had parted company with the former Scotland international with immediate effect.

In a statement issued by the club, they said a further update on the managerial position will be provided as soon as possible, but no timescales were given.

There was no mention of Caddis's assistant Adam Rooney, it remains to be seen whether he will take charge in the interim while the search starts for a permanent replacement.

While some fans have already said Andy Williams could be put in charge temporarily, it is also worth noting that captain Lewis Hudson recently got his UEFA A Licence.

Caddis, who was praised by chairman Chris Ammonds for the role he played in helping to stabilise the club after his appointment in April 2023, leaves Hereford one off the bottom of National League North, nine points from safety with up to eight games in hand.

With poor performances in the league, where Caddis's tactics were often called into question, one win in their last 14 National League North matches and problems with the pitch have led to a difficult campaign.

That came off the back of an unusual summer, with pitch problems leading to no home friendlies, a sluggish start to recruitment and rumours of Caddis being interviewed for at least one job - something he denied.

While off-the-pitch problems have made life tricky for Caddis, the board has stuck with him until now and given him time to try and turn things around.

However, last night's defeat, in which the Bulls never really looked like scoring, proved one too many for the board.

Now the Bulls face an uphill battle to avoid their first relegation since reforming.

Match Report Telford 3 Hereford 0

Nigel Preece watched Hereford at Telford last night.

A bit of a last minute decision to get to this one, I didn't convince myself to go until the morning of the game which is about as enthusiastic as I can get at the moment. 

Train from Cardiff to Wellington (via Slop) was uneventful until I plonked myself down opposite a young man in football (player) gear on the last leg of my journey. Curiosity got the better of me and I asked…. Pfa rep, playing for Hednesford …. I was asked the same …. Hereford at Telford ….. oh, I played for them. Jake Jervis, signed by GT after he demoted John Trewick in spring 2010. I recalled him scoring at Saltergate, Chesterfield in an unexpected win; the only time I saw us win there in about 10 visits! A lifetime ago,  certainly for a pro footballer, now playing part time and reaching the end of his career. A pleasant and personable young man, I wish him luck with whatever awaits him. 

A pre match potter round Wellington, courtesy of Al's ale trails; I sort of feared that the Boot, the Pheasant and the Wrekin Inn promised to be the best part of the trip and so it proved. 

A decent turn out on the away terrace, slightly disappointing home support given their comparative decent form (I suppose Slop were at home!). We lined up Richardson,  Skinner, Hudson, Howkins, Preston, Mafuta, Martin, Hamilton, Daly, Donowa, Willo. Plus a full 7 man bench!! 

I was surprised by the reappearance of both experienced centre halves, someone suggested given our fixture backlog, Roberts and Quansah's younger knees may be being saved for any games on plastic at an alternative home venue to be announced. 

The opening 30 minutes or so was pretty uneventful.  We did not threaten at all, the home side a little more, one fine Richardson save from a free kick, but it was fairly turgid stuff; perhaps, as the away side and given our propensity for conceding early goals, that's a good thing but I'd have liked to have felt some hope that we might score. 

Hope! That's why we keep turning up i guess, but much of that was extinguished just after the half hour when the home side were awarded a penalty after Hudson slid in to challenge Stenson. I've seen them not given, but my initial feeling was the decision was correct. Richardson dived the wrong way, Stenson tried to wind up the away fans in the modern pathetic style, I'd have him in our team to be fair. 

If we hoped (that word again) for a post break improvement, it didn't happen. Telford upped their game and appeared to create space with ease. Once again we had to be grateful for Theo keeping us in a game; if only we offered anything tangible at the other end! 

Former Bull Jordan Cranston Fends Off Cormac Daly

I don't scribble many (enough) notes to remind me of match events and I don't know why I did this time as I'd have clearly remembered this one anyway….. 67 minutes, I threw up my arms ready to celebrate as a Willo curler flashed just wide. A brief moment of hope (I used that word again) …. 

Any optimism (bit stronger than hope?) didn't last long. Stenson had been booked for being a tart, then hit the bar when he should have scored before he secured his second of the night; a fairer reflection of the game.

Cisse came on for Daly, Yaya for Hamilton but it made little difference. In Mark Jones's preview he rightly eulogised Jordan Cranston's Rolls Royce style maraudings at Edgar Street in the autumn,  but didn't mention his not so great defensive display, neither Daly or Cisse got any change out of him this time, only the odd burst forward from the ever willing Skinner looked a threat.  

Pavey came on late on for Donowa but it was Telford who came close again, another fine save from Richardson after a mistake at the back.

In injury time Preston summed up the evening for all of us by hurling the ball to the ground in frustration at a decision he didn't agree with and was rightly booked. 

It wasn't the end of our angst, as Armson was free to poke home a loose ball from close range to provoke an exodus from the away terrace.

 

I did stay for the extra minute or so until the final whistle but exited sharply then, I can't imagine the post match reception for the manager was great. 

I scribbled most of the above on my journey home, a lift to Ludlow got me an “earlier” train and I was home by 1, rather than well after 2. 

As I'm editing this the morning after, the news has filtered through about Paul Caddis’ departure. A sad but, frankly, inevitable end. Sometimes things just don't work any more and this was certainly the case. 

I've used the word hope in this report quite often and that's what Paul Caddis gave us, we may not have had the greatest of players, or the most fluent style of football, but just because we went behind it didn't mean we were doomed and I'd like to remember him for that rather than this season's calamity. The togetherness at Oxford last April. Though perhaps my favourite Caddis era moment would be another win from behind, that last 20 minutes at Gloucester on Boxing Day two years ago when the drive and desire on the pitch seemed more reflective of his personality. 

I plan to be at Southport on Saturday for the start of the next chapter of “It's the Hope ….”.

Nigel Preece 

 

Former Hednesford Manager At Telford Last Night

Former Hednesford manager Gavin Hurren was reported to have watched the game between Telford and Hereford last night.

Some supporters have already speculated that he might be considered for the vacant Hereford job.

Meanwhile there was no mention of assistant manager Adam Rooney in the Hereford statement about parting company with Paul Caddis.

Whether that implies Rooney will take charge for the time being is yet to be clarified. 

'A further update on the club’s managerial position will be provided to supporters as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we would encourage anyone interested in the managerial vacancy at the MandM Edgar Street Stadium to contact Hereford FC’s Club Secretary, Nik Marsh, at nmarsh@herefordfc.co.uk'

 

Hereford sack Caddis with Bulls 23rd in National League North

Hereford FC have sacked manager Paul Caddis after a woeful first half to the season, with the Bulls currently 23rd in the Enterprise National League North table.

Despite two promising seasons for the rookie boss, his third campaign at Edgar Street failed to impress many supporters with chants calling for him to be sacked heard at AFC Telford United on Tuesday evening.

The Bulls lost 3-0 in Shropshire, compounding their problems as they are nine points from safety and just four points above bottom side Leamington.

Despite having up to eight games in hand on the sides above them, the 37-year-old Scot has struggled to replace key players like Remaye Campbell, Sam Osborne and Omari Sterling-James in recent weeks, following on from poor recruitment over the summer.

The decision comes after Tuesday’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at AFC Telford United, with Caddis saying afterwards that criticism from fans was understandable and well-deserved.

He said that he believed in the players to escape the relegation scrap, and he would continue doing his job until being told otherwise.

Now, in a statement on Wednesday, Hereford's chairman Chris Ammonds said: “We would like to thank Paul for his hard work and commitment during his two and a half years as manager at the MandM Edgar Street Stadium.

“Our performances in his first two seasons at the helm went a long way to helping to stabilise the club following a very difficult period, and he also played a key role in rebuilding the link between the club and supporters.

“I would also like to personally thank him for the way he has helped me – and the club – deal with some difficult off-field issues this season. His sense of right and wrong is very impressive and is a huge compliment to the type of person he is.

“Everyone at the club would like to wish Paul and his family all the very best for the future – I’m sure fans will join me in saying they will always be welcome at our club.”

A further update on the club’s managerial position will be provided to supporters as soon as possible, a statement said, with anyone interested being asked to email football secretary Nik Marsh: nmarsh@herefordfc.co.uk.

In his first season at Edgar Street, Caddis oversaw an 11th-placed finish with 69 points, building on that to achieve 10th spot with 76 points last season.

During that time, he helped stabilise the club and forged a good relationship with supporters. But that started to fall apart over recent months as the Bulls struggled to compete in the league.

Caddis arrived at Edgar Street in April 2023, controversially telling players their time with the club was up before a 5-0 thrashing at Blyth Spartans on the last day of the season.

Having had a playing career that spanned more than 15 years with clubs including Swindon Town, Bradford City and Birmingham City, the former Scottish international moved into coaching before becoming the Bulls' boss.

You Feel For Paul Said Telford Manager

Following their 3-0 win over Hereford last night, Telford manager Kevin Wilkin spoke about the problems facing Hereford at present.

"You feel for Paul in those situations," he said.

 "It's easy for me to stand here as a manager who's won the game, and maybe they’re having a little bit of a difficult period of it at the moment. Look, that's unfortunate. They're better than the league position, definitely, and we wish them well in the coming weeks and months. 

"They're a better side than their league position would suggest, and clearly, they've got a whole bundle of games there to go and catch up and play, which is tough for them, but they're not a bad side.

"They're capable; they've made life hard for us. We've had to push and be very focused and concentrated to win the game 

"I don't think we ever looked in any real danger in open play, but certainly, soon after we took the lead, we gave at least three restart moments where they could load the ball on us and get the ball into our penalty area, and that was where, if they were going to score, I think that was where it was going to be: from a restart. 

"They've got some big lads in the side and good delivery, but we stayed focused and concentrated in those moments and saw out the danger, fortunately." 

Some Supporters Call For Caddis To Go

As reported last night some Hereford supporters called for manager Paul Caddis to leave following the 3-0 defeat at Telford.

Caddis led the players off the field but the chorus for him to quit could easily be heard not only from the terraces but the seated area as well.

As Caddis approached the tunnel several supporters got close to him shouting at him.

It's thought Caddis then turned to face these supporters but several players and security  shielded him.

Afterwards in his post match interview he addressed the issue.

"You've all got ears, you can hear what everybody is wanting and I absolutely understand that." 

 

Edgar Street Repairs To Pitch

A portion of the pitch at Edgar Street, the home of Hereford FC, has been repaired following damage caused by waterlogging.

Work commenced on Monday and as at yesterday afternoon the main part of the work looked to have been completed.

Whether this work is sufficient remains to be seen but the hope is that next Tuesday's game against Darlington has more chance of going ahead. 

Caddis addresses chants calling for sacking as he dubs season 'brutal, crap, rubbish'

Paul Caddis has said the season has been unacceptable

Chants of 'we want Caddis out' were heard from the away end as Hereford were comfortably beaten by AFC Telford United this evening.

In his post-match interview, Bulls boss Paul Caddis said he was disappointed with the result but felt that there wasn't much in the game.

But despite that, it means Hereford are now without a win in their last six Enterprise National League North games, lying 23rd in the table and nine points from safety.

Albeit with games in hand, the threat of relegation grows every time the Bulls fail to pick up points and fans appear to be growing increasingly frustrated - something which Caddis says is understandable and well-deserved.

Caddis said: "I'm not going to sit here and make excuses. You've all got ears, you can hear what everybody's wanting and I absolutely understand that.

"I'm not going to sit here and try and dress it up. We've not been good enough. I don't think it's been good enough.

"Collectively, as a whole as a football club, this year has just been unacceptable.

"But I can only take responsibility for what's on the pitch, and at the moment it's been nowhere near enough.

"We obviously do still have a lot of games in hand, but I'm not going to shy away and say that we're going to go and win the next 10 games and fight for the playoffs.

"We need to get together and try and do something about it."

After dubbing affairs as brutal, crap and rubbish, he reiterated that he will continue to do his job until he's told otherwise, suggesting he won't be resigning from his post.

When the frustration from fans at full-time was put to Caddis, he said: "Of course, absolutely, and understandable.

"I don't mind the criticism. It's well deserved. I'm not silly."

While he once again said that fans shouldn't make things personal, he added: "Let's be honest, it's been brutal. It's been crap. It's been rubbish. I have no issues with that at all. They turn up the numbers. I thought they were excellent right throughout the game, try to get behind the players. 

"I've got no problems with it."

Matty Stenson's brace and Lewis Hudson's own goal see Telford rise above Scarborough and Darlington to sneak into the play-off places, while Hereford are rooted in the bottom four.

Despite the bleak outlook for the Bulls, with up to eight games in hand, Caddis is hopeful of avoiding the club's first relegation since reforming and backs his players to turn things around.

REACTION | Paul Caddis - AFC Telford United 3-0 Hereford FC

Paul Caddis gives his post match reaction to tonight's 3-0 defeat to AFC Telford United. Click on the play button to hear his thoughts.

Tuesday's National League North results and updated table

This evening's results from the Enterprise National League North:

AFC Fylde (2) 5-0 (0) Spennymoor Town
AFC Telford United (1) 3-0 (0) Hereford
Buxton (0) 0-0 (0) Peterborough Sports
Chester (2) 2-2 (1) Alfreton Town
Chorley (2) 4-2 (2) Southport
Curzon Ashton (1) 4-1 (0) Marine
Darlington P-P Radcliffe
Kidderminster Harriers (0) 0-0 (0) Merthyr Town
King's Lynn Town (0) 0-1 (1) Worksop Town
Macclesfield (0) 3-1 (1) Leamington
Scarborough Athletic (0) 2-2 (1) South Shields

The updated league table can be found here: https://bullsnews.blogspot.com/p/league-table.html

Dominant Telford beat Hereford as Bulls' woes worsen

Hereford have fallen to their 12th league defeat of the season at AFC Telford United.

A dominant display from the hosts saw them earn a comprehensive win at the New Bucks Head as Hereford's woes worsen.

The first chance of the game fell to Telford, but a deflected Charlie Williams cross was kept out by Theo Richardson. Former Bull Jordan Cranston then had a free kick palmed away by Richardson, with Jaiden White's effort from the rebound going wide.

The Bucks broke the deadlock in the 34th minute from the penalty spot. After captain Lewis Hudson brought down Matty Stenson, the marksman made no mistake from the spot to put the hosts ahead.

Into the second half, the home side really upped the tempo with a barrage of shots to deal with. With Stenson firing wide, Richardson pushing a Williams effort round the post and pressure from a corner all within the opening 15 minutes of the second half, the Bulls desperately needed a goal to get back into the game.

But while the Bulls got more of the ball and had half-chances with Cormac Daly and Andy Williams firing wide of the target, Telford did get their second.

After Stenson had a shot blocked on the line, then chipped the ball over Richardson only to be denied by the woodwork, he made no mistake seconds later as he fired low past the keeper.

While Justin Donawa's tame effort was saved by the keeper, and neither Hudson nor Cherif Baba Yaya could get enough on a free-kick to find the back of the net.

But Hereford's night went from bad to worse when, in five minutes of injury time, poor defending saw Hudson turn the ball into his own net.

The Bulls are now without a league win in six games and are still nine points from safety.

Hereford behind at the break

AFC Telford United are 1-0 at half time in this evening's National League North match at the New Bucks Head.

A Matty Stenson penalty after 35 minutes is the difference between the two sides at the break, with Hudson booked for bringing down the forward.

Hereford have put pressure on the hosts without causing the keeper too many problems and, as usual, now face the prospect of coming from behind to get anything from the game.

Hereford team news for Telford

This evening's Hereford side to take on AFC Telford United:

Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Howkins, Preston, Hudson, Mafuta, Martin, Daly, Hamilton, Donawa, Williams

Subs: Lewis, Roberts, Quansah, Yaya, Cisse, Pavey, Rooney

Updated fixture list - including five games in 11 days

All of Hereford's postponed games have now been rearranged.

Earlier today, the Bulls confirmed they will be playing Marine twice in April. 

It means that there will be a really hectic schedule during the first two weeks of the month - with five games played in just 11 days. 

The updated list can be found here. 

Hereford due to announce contingency plan over pitch problems

Hereford FC is expected to announce its contingency plans if the Edgar Street pitch continues to be unplayable.

Persistent rain and failing drains have left the pitch waterlogged, with six games postponed for that reason alone.

With drains partly damaged by the installation of the new floodlights during a dry summer, they are also coming to the end of their life.

During Saturday's fans forum in Radfords bar, chairman Chris Ammonds said nobody was to blame for the problems.

Work has started this week, and should be finished on Wednesday or Thursday, to tackle one of the worst areas by digging out a section of the pitch, refilling it and laying turf which should be ready to play on nearly straight away.

A specialist company is currently on site and carry out that work.

But should problems persist, Hereford have been drawing up contingency plans, but these need to satisfy the National League.

Ammonds said: "We're nearly there with that plan. We will give details of that as soon as we can. It's been complex."

He added: "When Farsley were trying to find somewhere to play last year, they found it really, really difficult because if they went to ground share with a team at a lower level, Farsley's fixtures had to take priority.

"For example, if I just said Gloucester, and us and Gloucester were due to be at home on the same Saturday and we were groundsharing, our fixture would have to be priority over Gloucester.

"If it's their ground, they wouldn't be happy doing that, would they? Clearly, that's just not going to happen.

"We are challenged geographically in terms of a limited number of options, in terms of stadiums within a decent vicinity, but we've identified the obvious ones as the possibilities.

"Nik [Marsh, football secretary] is a decent way down the process of finalising those arrangements.

"Our dream is to play as few games away from here as we possibly can, but it's reached the point where the National League have said to us, you need a contingency plan now. 

"And we've got to be fair to the other teams as well. It's all very well us being stuck playing on the occasional Thursday, but that means another team's got to play us on a Thursday as well.

"So, they aren't going to be happy about that either.

"Hopefully, in the next few days, we will be able to confirm information about that once, obviously, it's been completely finalised.

"What I don't want to do is say something to you all in here now and then the plan changes between now and an announcement. Then I look like an even bigger mug than I do sometimes."

During the fans forum, he said the club would lose "a significant amount of income" if they had to groundshare, not only having to hire the venue, but also losing income from other avenues such as the bars.

He also said there would need to be other matters addressed, such as what to do with season ticket holders and how to transport people to another ground, and there would be "really, really difficult things that might need to be discussed".

Hereford, nine points from safety and just three points above Leamington in 24th, currently have up to nine games in hand over some teams.

With a congested fixture list between now and the end of the season, still having 23 games to play, they need to pick up points to stave off the threat of relegation.

Bulls to play three times in five days

Hereford will be playing three times in five days in April. 

The Bulls have announced that the rearranged away game at Marine will be on Wednesday, April 8.

That fixture comes just after the Easter weekend when Hereford will be playing twice.

First up is an away tie at Kidderminster on Good Friday before they host Merthyr on Easter Monday.

Meanwhile, the rearranged home match against Marine will be on Tuesday, April 21. 

Tonight's National North League Fixtures

Lots of games set to take place in the National North League this evening.

AFC Fylde v Spennymoor

Buxton v Peterborough Sports

Chester v Alfreton

Chorley v Southport

Curzon Ashton v Marine

Darlington v Radcliffe

Kidderminster v Merthyr

King's Lynn v Worksop

Macclesfield v Leamington

Scarborough v South Shields

Telford v Hereford 

Hereford 29/10 To Win At Telford

Ryan McLean Scored For Hereford At Telford In 2022

 Hereford play their first game for ten days at Telford tomorrow evening, however the bookmakers feel they may return without any points.

Currently Hereford are 23rd whilst Telford are 9th. Obviously Hereford have only played 23 games whereas Telford have played 29. But Hereford have just 23 points whereas Telford have 44 points.

Last time out Hereford lost 2-1 at Curzon whilst after a good run Telford lost 3-1 at Worksop last Saturday. 

Telford's home record is won 7, drawn 3 and lost 3.

Hereford's away record is won 3, drawn 4 and lost 7. 

Recent League form:

Hereford LLDDL 

Telford WWWWL

Telford 7/8  Draw 11/4  Hereford 29/10 

Work Has Started On Hereford's Pitch

Work has started on the Edgar Street pitch. Picture: Adam Matravers

The work to repair a section of the Edgar Street pitch started this morning.

Pictures were shown on BBC Midlands Today of workmen lifting soil into a trailer.

General manager Jamie Griffiths spoke to the programme about the loss of fixtures because of the waterlogged pitch. 

  

Away! Hooray!

An away fixture then, whoopee, which means there will actually be a football match taking place on Tuesday night, rather than the now hauntingly familiar ‘P-P’ that follows ‘Hereford’ on the fixture list when they’re at home, as reliably as night follows day, depressing as it is for all concerned.

I don’t know whether Telford can accommodate 2,500 football-starved, rain-drenched away supporters, but presumably the absence of any recent football at Edgar Street will swell the occupation of the away end, second-bottom of the table or not.

Having opened this preview with a bit of positivity, one note of caution should be added as a women’s match was called off at the New Bucks Head on Sunday because of waterlogging, so the surface could be heavy.

A timely and transparent fans forum on Saturday provided a much-needed comms boost and conspiracy theory quashing exercise. Chairman Chris Ammonds suggested that some older and more experienced new arrivals may be on the way to complement the recent influx of youth on loan from Premier League clubs, although whether that will be in time for this game remains to be seen.

The pitch situation is now making the national media, and it was thoroughly discombobulating to suddenly hear Jamie Griffiths’ dulcet tones on BBC Radio 4’s six o’clock news as one of the main stories.

The Bucks have been flying under Kevin Wilkin, a manager who is demonstrating that he can walk the walk at this level even without the funding he got at Brackley. They’ve won seven of their last nine league games, although they unexpectedly slipped up against Worksop at the weekend, losing 3-1 in a game they actually dominated for large periods.

Telford should have won at Edgar Street earlier in the season, and could comfortably have been out of sight at half-time. Ex-Bull Jordan Cranston was somehow able to control the whole game from left back, rampaging up the line like Paolo Maldini on steroids. Alarm bells rang. Concern was expressed. It looked bad, and it has indeed proved to be bad, when multiple games not played are at least multiple games not lost.

Telford can rely on the goals of ex-Halifax striker Matty Stenson, now in his second spell at the Bucks Head. He scored 32 in the Southern League for them last season, and has 14 in 23 league games this time. He has the physique and demeanour of the archetypal NLN centre forward. I don’t mean that dismissively – Hereford don’t have that sort of player on their books, and arguably never truly have had in the HFC era.

Andy Williams has often cut a dejected figure this season, possibly realising that he’s not going to get the service he expects, whereas Stenson, who hasn’t had quite the career Willo’s had, knows the sort of service he’s going to get and makes the most of it. Having said that I seem to remember Willo gesticulating similarly when he had magicians like Ben Smith behind him.

It’s arguably a good time to attract a striker from higher up the pyramid not currently getting a game, maybe feeling like their time might be up at their current club, perhaps out of contract at the end of the season. With the unusual attraction in mid-February of a 20-odd game mini-season to go nuts with goals, get noticed in doing so, and relaunch their career, it could be tempting to give it a go. Someone like a 2026 version of The Shop. It would presumably cost somewhere not too far shy of £50k and would in no way represent long-term sustainable squad planning, but short-term emergency fixes are probably now where we’re at.

In terms of the ongoing conversations around part-time, full-time and hybrid models, nothing seems to trump running at a £1m loss each season knowing that the loss will be underwritten by an ‘investor’ whose business instincts go out of the window when the heavenly prospect of Wealdstone away next season is just one expensive 20-goal-a-season striker signing away from becoming a reality. However, Merthyr and indeed Telford are demonstrating that it’s still possible to compete with the sugar daddy clubs, so it should be possible for Hereford too, although not this season. Hopes will rest solely on staying in the division.

Cormac Daly will give the Telford defence huge cause for concern here, and has the footballing ability and brain to link up with Willo’s. It’s difficult to piece together much else to write about because everything is currently so chaotic, so if it clicks it’ll probably be more by accident than design, like a Hurricane Higgins break, but clicking could mean three points, and points are badly, badly needed; also, Hurricane Higgins breaks were always exciting.

Next time I’m going to try to make something up about Chappell Roan to make my cultural reference points a bit more contemporary than a snooker player from 50 years ago.

COYW