Hudson-Odio Avoided Jail

 

A former Hereford United player was in court earlier this week.

According to The Sun, Bradley Hudson-Odoi avoided jail after terrorising two women with 'vile threats'.

He is said to have told one of them 'I hope you die of cancer'. To another he said 'I hope you die in bleach.'

He was convicted of two counts of sending an obscene or menacing message.and also convicted of two counts of failing to surrender to court after failing to attend his own trial in March.

Hudson-Odoi who lives in a £2million mansion in Tadworth, Surrey, was jailed for eight weeks, suspended for 18 months.

He was also handed a five-year restraining order against both women.

The Judge also ordered him to pay £1,300 court costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

He must also attend a cognitive-behavioural programme with 25 sessions, carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, and undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity.

Hudson-Odoi currently works as a football agent and the FA have received calls to ban him because of his 'harassment-related' offences. 

He joined Hereford in July 2008 scoring 3 goals in 16 appearances. The following March he moved to Greys Athletic.

Read more: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/39583368/prem-stars-brother-terrorises-women-death-threats-hudson-odoi/  

How The Fixtures Are Compiled

The National North League fixtures are released next Friday but how are they compiled?

National League's Tom Scott explains:

The new campaign kicks off on Saturday 8 August and the excitement is building.

Around a month before, the full fixture schedules for the 72 clubs will be announced on Friday 10 July at 11am.

Producing the fixture list is a lengthy and meticulous process that is months in the making, with 1,656 games plotted.

Here we dispel some common myths around why National League supporters have to wait longer than Premier League and EFL clubs for their fixtures.

Here's how the National League fixture list is compiled…

How long does the fixture compilation process take?

The groundwork for the following season's fixtures actually begins before the current campaign has even finished. The starting point is the fixture schedule which is essentially a master calendar that maps out matchdays across all three divisions, incorporating key dates from the Premier League, EFL, FA Cup, FA Trophy, National League Cup and international calendar.

Once the season concludes and each division's makeup is confirmed, clubs receive a fixture questionnaire from the National League. This covers everything from preferred home and away patterns to their longest and shortest travel distances, Christmas and Easter scheduling preferences, and any clubs they'd like to be programmed opposite to.

All of that information is then passed to Atos - an international IT company that also works with, among many others, the Premier League and EFL who run it through specialist fixture-compiling software. The League subsequently meets with Atos, the Football Supporters' Association and the police to work through any conflicts in the initial output and sign off the final schedule.

Why are National League fixtures released later than those in the Premier League and EFL?

Because Atos serves all three competitions, there's a natural order to how things are done - Premier League first, EFL second, National League third. Each tier's fixtures can only be finalised once the one above it is locked in, given the number of overlapping considerations such as shared policing and stewarding arrangements, and the need to avoid travel clashes between rival sets of supporters.

Each season we also receive fixture questionnaires from all clubs, containing hundreds of individual requests and constraints that must be considered alongside operational requirements.

This season alone, 25 clubs submitted detailed additional comments requiring individual consideration including ground works, concerts, events and club bookings while more than 30 clubs identified specific local fixtures, rivalries or geographical considerations that needed to be factored into the schedule. Together this makes hundreds of requests from clubs that also need consideration.

Many requests directly conflict with those of other clubs – including clubs from the Premier League and EFL - which as a result means producing the fixture list is a highly detailed process that involves reviewing and accommodating hundreds of variables before a final schedule can be published. 

NEWS | Former Hereford United player passes away at the age of 63

Paul Dobson has passed away at the age of 63.. He made six appearances for Hereford United during a loan spell from Scarborough in the 1990/91 season. He scored his only goal (pictured) for the Bulls in a 2–0 victory over Scunthorpe United on 22nd December 1990 ⚽️

Across a distinguished career, Dobson made more than 300 Football League appearances and also represented Hartlepool United, Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers, Torquay United, Halifax Town and Darlington.

Our thoughts are with Paul's family, friends and former teammates at this sad time.

📷 MH Archive

You can view footage of his Hereford goal below in the 2-0 win over Scunthorpe. Stewart Phillips scored the other.

Downes Brings In Young Midfielder

Hereford manager Aaron Downes has added to his squad with the signing of 19 year old midfielder Billy Phillips.

Phillips was released by Bristol City recently. 

“I’m really pleased to get Billy signed up with us,” said Downes. 

"He had a great loan spell with Chippenham at the back end of last season and is a lively player. 

"He’s someone who handles the ball in tight situations and is good in one-on-one attacking duels, so will excite our supporters.

"I’m delighted to get the deal over the line and am looking forward to our fans seeing what he can do this season."

This from Chippenham: 

Phillips joined Chippenham in December 2025 on loan from Championship side Bristol City before seeing it extended in January 2026 until the end of the season. He made his first appearance for The Blubirds against Weston-super-Mare.

Phillips has had previous experience at this level, as he played five times for Bath City last season, before being recalled to feature closer to the Robins’ first team setup. He appeared on the bench in City’s 2-0 win at Norwich last season.

He has played four times in the Premier League Cup this season.

He notched his first goal in Chippenham colours in a 2-1 win against Slough Town.

News Round Up

Brackley have signed striker DJ Sturridge from Oxford City. The 24 year old joined Hereford from Farsley in January 2024 but failed to secure a regular starting place.

Keeper Owen Evans has joined Altrincham from League Two Barnet. The Welshman played for the Hereford United youth team, when Peter Beadle was the manager, before signing for Wigan in 2014. 

Morecambe have signed 19 year old striker Ronnie Blois who scored ten goals for Southern League Premier Division Central club Leiston last season.

 

News Round Up

Brad Ash is returning to Weston-super-Mare after six years elsewhere. Ash has scored 179 goals in 414 games which included some with Hereford in the 2019/20 season.

Some of the Hereford squad visited Holmer Park last Saturday. Whilst there, the squad which included manager Aaron Downes and captain Lewis Hudson opened a new outdoor training facility.  

Spennymoor have signed 26 year old midfielder George Cantrill following his departure from relegated Alfreton. 

Tamworth have already signed eleven players this pre-season. The latest is striker Kieren Donnelly who had a spell on loan with Kidderminster late last season. 

Several Clubs Interested In Parker

 

Several clubs are following the progress of former West Brom defender Michael Parker who had a loan spell with Hereford last season.

6ft 4in Parker moved to Orgryte IS last February not long after he returned to West Brom from Hereford.

Amongst those clubs reported to be showing interest in the 21 year old are both Celtic and Rangers. 

News Round Up

Adam Livingstone has joined Forfar Athletic. It's his fifth club since leaving Hereford in February 2024.

Southport have signed defender Harry Perritt who had played for Alfreton for the past three seasons. 

Midfielder Dylan Stephenson has joined Darlington following two years with Dagenham and Redbridge. 

Cheltenham Town have extended the contracts of both Freddy Willcox and Harry Tustin. Both played for Hereford late last season. It's understood they may go on loan again this season.

Former Hereford midfielder Jack Holmes has joined Boston. Last season he was with Rotherham. 

INTERVIEW | Chris Price

Former Hereford United player Chris Price is back in the city for a brief holiday, Click on the play button below to find out more.

A few moments earlier Stewart Phillips joined us, as the pair were reunited for the first time in 40 years.

Daly Moves To Hearts

 

Heart of Midlothian is pleased to announce the signing of attacking midfielder, Cormac Daly. 

The teenager joins the Jambos on a two-year deal after leaving Nottingham Forest, subject to Scottish FA Approval and International Clearance. 

Daly had a very successful loan spell with Hereford last season. 

Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds noted the move.

'Absolutely delighted for Cormac! Really proud to see him and George Munday get brilliant moves having played such an important role in Hereford FC's survival last season. Go smash it lads.'

News Round Up

Former Hereford United manager Martin Foyle is back at Port Vale as their chief scout.

29 year old striker Andre Wright, who had a brief spell with Hereford in 2022, has signed for Rushall Olympic.

Merthyr have signed midfielder Elis Watts from Gloucester. They have also signed Jay Foulston from Torquay.

Buxton have secured the signing of Sisa Tuntulwana from Gainsborough Trinity FC for an undisclosed fee. Also joining is winger Max Woltman who began his career with Liverpool FC.

Matt Richards, who joined Worcester from Hereford last January, has committed with them until the end of the 2026/27 campaign. 

Why Downes Has Hereford Looking Up Again

 

This from the National League:

They may have had games in hand, but plenty of managers would have shuddered at the thought of performing a rescue act at a club 11 points from safety with two months to go.

Talk about throwing yourself in at the deep end. Aaron Downes had been an assistant for the best part of a decade and was “waiting for the right opportunity” to become a number one.

Hereford were happy he applied. The club successfully dodged relegation from the Enterprise National League with a late-season surge playing twice a week, safety sealed on a nail-biting final day.

But as fun as it all was, he doesn’t fancy having to do it all again.

The Bulls are hoping for much better next season, and supporter Matt Hale has explained why optimism has grown despite an almost devastating season.

Sum up your club’s summer so far in three words
Exciting, promising, correcting.

Fixture release day is on Friday July 10 - who’s your ideal first day opponent?
There is never a perfect start to a season fixture wise. But for Hereford this season a home game to start would be huge. Someone like Worksop or Bedford at home is as close as it would get to ideal for me.

What ground are you looking forward to visiting next season?
There are some amazing grounds at the level this season. But the one that I really cannot wait for is Hednesford! A gorgeous stadium that has undergone huge upgrades since my last visit. Will be a top day out.

What one player would you not want to lose this summer, even if a club record bid came in
If I had been writing this a couple of weeks ago I would have been begging for a Aaron Skinner contract extension... and luckily enough my prayers came through and we got the news! But still we can't lose our starman.

You’ve got two minutes alone with your club’s manager - what advice would you give him?
I would tell him to keep doing everything he is doing and stay confident. Aaron and Harry [Pell] have been excellent because they are confident with the players and the players show it back. 

What’s the one thing you would change about your team’s stadium?
I would love us to build the new Blackfriars End stand. This has not been in use for a very very long time and got demolished a couple of years ago.

It’s early days but who’s winning the league in 2026/27?
It will be one of the most competitive league seasons in recent times, the obvious answer is Morcambe but as Scunthorpe United showed a few years ago it is not as easy as it looks. Hednesford look very strong as do South Shields, but if I had to pick one it would be Hednesford, simply off their early summer business.

Who’ll be the surprise package?
I think we will be a fairly big surprise to some after a poor season last season. A big push for top seven could follow - very optimistic I know! Hebburn Town are also looking strong to maybe shock a few.

If you could sign one player this summer from any team in the division, who would it be?
Lewys Twamley at Merthyr Town. He is just unreal and has the stats to back it. Unfortunately, he has just moved to Southend!

What's one thing about your club that opposition fans probably don't know?
The meadow End at Edgar Street is curved due to the ground formerly having a running track around it.  

Revealed - the new kits for next season

Hereford have revealed their new kits.

With Autopack taking over from Dawleys as the main shirt sponsor, the club will be donning new home and away kits ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Bulls fans will asked to vote for their favourite from a series of options.

New home shirt

New away kit

Home goalkeeper shirt

Away goalkeeper shirt

Prices range from £29.50 (baby/toddler/ to £49.50 (adults). You can pre-order yours here.

News round up

Marine have strengthened their defence with the signing of right-back Isaac Abankwah on a free transfer. The 24-year-old arrives with National League North experience after making 24 appearances for Farsley Celtic and most recently featured for Bamber Bridge. 

Abankwah began his career in Burnley's academy before spells with Macclesfield and Wythenshawe Town. He is also the older brother of Watford and Republic of Ireland international defender James Abankwah.

Southend have signed former Welsh Under 19 international Lewys Twamley who was with Merthyr last season.  

Hereford supporter KD Rai is currently watching England progress in the World Cup but has told BBC Sport that 'The costs have been quite hard in America.'  

From The Archives - Unkind To Hereford

 

A look back to an article published on June 28th 2003 in which Hereford United manager Graham Turner talks about the fixtures for the upcoming season.

His views are interesting given Kidderminster have been promoted so it's uncertain whom Hereford will play over the Xmas/New Year period this year.

Unkind to Hereford

Graham Turner feels that the computer that selects the Conference fixtures could have been kinder to Hereford United.

"It seems to be our lot that we get a real challenge on the opening day of the season," Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "To go to Tamworth was always going to be a difficult one, especially a side that won the Dr. Martens League.

"We are particularly disappointed with the Christmas/New Year games. To have to travel to Exeter and for them to come to us, it's a long way for these games. I know they are geographically a long way from any other Conference clubs but for instance we pass Forest Green going south and they are going north past us up to Telford. It leaves me baffled how we've got a fixture like that and I'm sure our supporters will be disappointed with the amount of travelling involved in the New Years game."

Trevor Owens then asked Graham Turner how the fixtures were selected.

"What happens is that you get a form which asks if we want to be paired with anybody, are we close enough to a premiership or league club we want to avoid being at home on the same Saturday. There is no problem with us in that respect. Then we get a choice of games over Christmas. We put down our three preferences which were Shrewsbury, Telford, or Forest Green. So as luck has it we have got none of them.

"And then any other dates we want to avoid so we asked for Grand National Day, to avoid being at home on that day simply because last season it coincided with a big race meeting at Hereford. It wasn't just the National although there is a lot of interest in that but I think we lost a fair bit of support to the local racecourse so we asked if we could avoid that day and they have done that for us."

Returning to the first game of the new season at Tamworth, Turner continued: "It's a big challenge for them and we know what we will face a ferocious game. I made the comment after the game when they played Burscough in the Umbro Trophy might come back to haunt me. Some Tamworth supporters asked me how I thought they would do in the Conference and I said they would be relegated by Christmas on the evidence of what I saw against Burscough.

"But I have seen them other times than that and I know they are a decent side with a lot of experience there. We could not ask for a tougher opening game. It's a tight little ground and there will be plenty of vocal support for them from the terraces but we have got to prepare right through pre-season. We have a well-balanced programme now and we shall be ready for the day and we shall have completed our squad of players by them."

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