Phillips Celebrates His First Hereford Goal

Billy Phillips had every reason to celebrate his goal against Radcliffe last night at Edgar Street. It was his first for his new club and it also ensured that, despite going down to ten men, his team continued to attack as well as defend.

 

Phillips Seals Victory Against Radcliffe

A solo run from well inside the Hereford half gave midfielder Billy Phillips the chance to seal victory against Radcliffe last night at Edgar Street.

And he took that chance, bypassing two defenders and the keeper, and firing the ball into the back of the net. 

 

Match Report: Hereford FC 3-0 Radcliffe

Iwunze celebrates Hereford's second 

Hereford FC v Radcliffe in the Enterprise National League North.

The Bulls came into the second of a home double-header against a winless and pointless bottom of the table Radcliffe side boyed by their first three points of the season in the first home game on Saturday over Marine AFC.

Hereford's players wore black armbands as a tribute to former Bulls manager Mike Bailey, who recently passed away.

Harrison Iwunze got the decisive goal, his first for the club on his home debut and also first in senior football. The Notts County youngster was again on the bench with Aaron Downes and Harry Pell naming an unchanged starting line-up and bench going into the clash with the Mancunians.

The Boro had former Bulls loanee goalkeeper Tom Donaghy between the sticks on a loan deal from Sky Bet League Two side Oldham Athletic until January, the shot-stopper had a spell with the whites in the 24/25 season on loan from Fleetwood Town.

Boro came out the traps early with a free-kick near the right corner, Afuye’s delivery to the front post was headed away by Joseph James.

5 minutes gone the visitors had a succession of free-kicks given by referee Jake Allsop which came to nothing before 6 minutes later and the Bulls opened the scoring in fortuitous fashion. Billy Phillips had a go from the edge of the penalty area which took a nick off defender Tom Davies for a corner on the right, Martin delivered towards the back post which Donaghy got two hands to but could only fumble the ball into his own net.

5 minutes later the exact same almost materialised, Martin again hung the ball to the back post but despite the Oldham loanee again missing the ball Josh Seary hacked clear.

Having taken the lead the Bulls had the bit between their teeth, playing some good stuff and pegging the visitors into their own half.

Radcliffe's Rio Clegg had a go from 25-yards out but his strike fell wide.

Almost half an hour in on 26 minutes Luke Spokes did well on the left midway inside the Boro half, beating winger Afuye before cutting onto his right and bending a drive towards the top-right corner fizzing just past the upright.

Four minutes later Harry Tustin did well on the right, cut the ball back to Cox who's first-time shot was straight at Donaghy before the rebound came back out to the Bulls striker but he could only hook the rebound over the crossbar before Clegg had a drive from the edge of the box which whistled narrowly wide of Richardson’s right post.

Radcliffe’s Afuye made a good run across the pitch from left to right before playing in Danny Greenfield with the midfielders drilled shot falling wide.

Cawley Cox did well then inside the box Boro box, the ball fell kindly to Spokes but he drove over the crossbar on 37 minutes before three minutes prior to the interval Tustin drove towards the visitors box unleashing a rasping drive which Donaghy did well to tip away but the ball was loose however no Hereford player was in the vicinity to tuck it away.

You couldn't have faulted any of the Bulls’ performances in the first-half who went into the break with the advantage.

Half-time: Hereford FC 1-0 Radcliffe 

Radcliffe restarted with a spring in their step looking to equalise, Clegg almost latched onto a ball over the top but Richardson was alert to the danger quick off his line to dispossess him and James cleared.

The Bulls had the first corner of the second period, Spokes delivered which was headed on by Howkins before the ball broke to Tustin on the edge who's goal bound strike deflected off Roscoe for another corner.

Phillips and Tustin worked the ball well on the edge of the box before the Cheltenham loanee dragged his angled shot wide.

Hereford continued to push in search of that elusive second to make the game more comfortable with the visitors starting to gain more territory in the Bulls’ half.

Spokes had a powerful strike from the left side of the box which was beaten away Donaghy before Cox’s point-blank rebound was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar once again by the shot-stopper for a corner.

On 64 minutes the first change for the Bulls saw Cawley Cox make way for Saturday's match-winner Iwunze.

The Notts County youngsters first opening came after he found space on the left before cutting onto his right but drilled handsomely wide of the target despite options to his right with Billy Phillips in space.

Then the big talking point the dubious dismissal of Kam Kandola on 73 minutes, a melee incurred after a late challenge by Kandola on Greenfield near the dugouts, initially referee Allsop had the yellow out for the Bulls captain but after the melee he upgraded it to a straight red. The Bulls' second dismissal in the first three games before the man in black proceeded to book both sets of managers Downes and Morley.

Substitute Danny Waldron fed Harry Tustin on the edge of the box but his sweeping effort was wide before shortly afterwards McCarthy crossed from the right finding Jordan Hulme who's glancing header was well plucked out of the air by Richardson to his right.

With 6 minutes of regulation remaining the Bulls got the crucial second when Jordan Hulme tried to usher Danny Waldron out on the right hand touchline but the Bulls forward chasing a lost cause managed to out muscle the former Altrincham man before squaring to Iwunze to score in conservative games slotting into the bottom-left corner despite the best efforts of Donaghy.

Boro’s Brad Jackson crossed from the right flank which was met by the glancing head of McCarthy who's effort looped high over the crossbar.

Into 6 minutes of additional time and Jackson was involved again with Richardson at full stretch to deny his diagonal drive tipping away for a corner.

From the resulting set-piece Hereford sealed the victory in style after Radcliffe failed make any headway with two corners in succession, Merrett won the ball before it fell to Phillips who broke with pace from the edge of the Bulls' own box running the length of the field before cutting inside Davies and drill low and hard past Donaghy to secure back-to-back victories and clean sheets for the first time this season.

Full-time: Hereford FC 3-0 Radcliffe 

Goals scored by Tom Donaghy own goal, Harrison Iwunze and Billy Phillips.

Hereford FC Starting XI:- 1 Theo Richardson, 2 Aaron Skinner, 4 Kam Kandola ©️, 5 Will Merrett, 7 Keziah Martin, 8 Harry Tustin, 9 Cawley Cox, 14 Luke Spokes, 17 Joseph James, 23 Billy Phillips, 28 Kyle Howkins.

Substitutes:- 10 Danny Waldron, 15 Jordan Williamson, 18 Liam Roberts, 19 Harrison Iwunze, 21 Ollie Lewis, 24 Jack Tolley, 25 Harry Jones.

A dodged and battling performance by the Bulls to claim back-to-back victories and clean sheets for the first time this season despite being reduced to 10-men with the dubious sending off midway through the second-half.

Back on the road for the Bulls next on Saturday with a trip to Nottinghamshire to The KC Sofas Stadium to face Worksop Town. COYW

Words: Sam Cummins 

REACTION | Aaron Downes - Hereford FC 3-0 Radcliffe

Aaron Downes gives his post match reaction to tonights 3-0 win over Radcliffe.

Click on the play button to hear his thoughts.

REACTION | Harry Tustin - Hereford FC 3-0 Radcliffe

Man of the match Harry Tustin spoke to the media after tonights win.

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.

Bedford 2 - 1 Buxton
Brackley Town 0 - 2 King’s Lynn
Darlington 0 - 1 Chester
Hebburn Town 1 - 0 Worksop
Hednesford 2 - 2 Southport
Hereford 3 - 0 Radcliffe
Marine 0 - 2 Chorley
Merthyr Town 2 - 2 AFC Telford
Morecambe 0 - 1 South Shields
Oxford City 1 - 1 Harborough
Scarborough 3 - 0 Spennymoor

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

Determined 10-man Hereford overcome Radcliffe

 A determined 10-man Hereford comfortably beat Radcliffe 3-0 to claim their second National League North win of the season so far.

Keziah Martin’s first half corner was dropped over the line by keeper Tom Donaghy, as the Bulls dominated possession and created good chances - with Cawley Cox, Luke Spokes and Harry Tustin going close. While Radcliffe had two chances narrowly wide, the Bulls had them pegged back in their half for large swathes of the first 45. 

After the break, the Bulls continue to keep up the pressure but found themselves down to 10 men when Kam Kandola was given a shocking straight red. Despite the referee initially getting a yellow after the late challenge, it became a red after a melee ensued in front of the dugouts. 

Theo Richardson reacted quickly at full stretch to deny Brad Jackson’s diagonal shot, but the Bulls kept the visitors largely at bay. 

Aaron Downes actually opted for a 4-3-2 formation with the introduction of Danny Waldron and the gamble paid off as fellow sub Harrison Iwunze double his side’s lead after hitting Radcliffe with a counter attack. 

Deep into stoppage time after two Radcliffe corner and with 10-men behind the ball, a lightning break from Billy Philips saw him add a third after a sterling solo run the length of the field. 

Full report, pictures and reaction to follow. 

Bulls ahead at the break

Hereford are 1-0 up in this evening’s National League North match against Radcliffe at Edgar Street. 

Tom Donaghy made a meal of Keziah Martin’s corner, dropping the ball and over the line.

But while Radcliffe threatened and had to effort narrowly wide of the post, the Bulls had the better of the chances but Cawley Cox, Luke Spokes and Harry Tustin couldn’t extend the host’s lead.

Hereford team news as Radcliffe visit Edgar Street

This evening’s Hereford side to take on Radcliffe at Edgar Street:

Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Kandola (c), Merrett, Martin, Tustin, Cox, Spokes, James, Phillips, Howkins

Subs: Waldron, Williamson, Roberts, Iwunze, Lewis, Tolley, Jones

ON THIS DAY 25 YEARS AGO | Hereford United 2-1 Barnet - 18th August 2001

Back in the era when Conference games were shown live on a major channel like Sky Sports, this was the opening game of the season and this match kicked off at 12.05pm that Saturday lunchtime. Barnet had been relegated from the Football League the season before.

Goals from John Snape and Gavin Williams earn the win.

Hereford 1 Baker 2 Clarke 3 M Williams 4 Goodwin 5 Wright 6 T James 7 Rodgerson 8 Snape 9 Voice 10 G Williams 11 Parry Sub Elmes Barnet 1 Harrison 2 Gledhill 3 Flynn 4 Goodhind 5 Heald 6 Arber 7 Niven 8 Strevens 9 Gower 10 Midgley 11 Bell Sub Brown Attendance 2,210

Travel Club Member Stuart Whitehurst wins the Signed Goalie Shirt Draw

Travel Club Member Stuart Whitehurst wins the Signed Goalie Shirt Draw

18 Aug 2026HUSTFront page, Press Releases, Travel, Trust News0

Bulls Fans who signed up to join the Official Travel Club Membership before August 31st 2025 were automatically entered into a draw to win a signed goalie shirt.

The aim was to draw the winner as soon as possible after August 31st…. sadly as we know events took us on another journey that challenged us with consistency of players to sign the shirt and not playing at home either!

All came good in the end as the shirt was signed on the last match of the season by those players who had worked really hard to ensure we stayed up in the National League North for the 2026/27 season! A very special shirt indeed now!

CONGRATULATIONS to Stuart Whitehurst, our first ever winner of this draw!

We are running the draw again this season… Join the Official Travel Club before 31st August 2026 and you will automatically be entered into the draw!

Travel Club Members save up to £180 per season on an adult coach ticket – JOIN TODAY ahead of the Worksop and Southport trips before the end of August!

JOIN HERE: https://www.hust.org.uk/new-season-2026-27-join-the-bulls-on-the-road-official-travel-club/

NEWS | Former Hereford United player Stewart Phllips has paid tribute to his former manager Mike Bailey who has passed away aged 84.

Former Hereford United player Stewart Phillips pays tribute to Mike Bailey

Former Hereford United player Stewart Phillips has paid tribute to his former manager Mike Bailey, who has died aged 84.

Phillips, who was a young apprentice professional during Bailey’s time at Edgar Street, told Your Herefordshire:

“I am so sad. He was such a lovely guy! He was my manager when I was an apprentice professional and he expected high standards all the time. He also believed in me and kept putting me in the team at a very young age.

“I will always remember scoring my first league goal against Wigan in 1979 [pictured]. I was 17 and he was more excited for me than I was — and I was pretty pleased!”

Phillips added:

“I am extremely grateful to him for giving me the opportunity at such a very young age. RIP boss.”

Bailey was known for giving opportunities to young local players during his time at Hereford United, with the likes of Chris Price, Paul Hunt and Andy Feeley featuring in his teams.

He also brought several popular players to Edgar Street, including Winston White and Frank McGrellis.

Hereford United managers in the Football League

Following Bailey’s passing, we have also compiled a list of Hereford United managers during the club’s Football League years, from 1972 to 1997 and again from 2006 to 2012:

• Colin Addison — 1972–1974 — Passed away 31 October 2025
• John Sillett — 1974–1978 — Passed away 30 November 2021
• Tony Ford — 1978
• Mike Bailey — 1978–1979 — Passed away 16 August 2026
• Frank Lord — 1979–1982 — Passed away June 2005
• Tommy Hughes — 1982–1983
• John Newman — 1983–1987 — Passed away 25 November 2025
• Ian Bowyer — 1987–1990
• Colin Addison — 1990–1991 — See above
• John Sillett — 1991–1992 — See above
• Greg Downs — 1992–1994
• John Layton — 1994–1995
• Graham Turner — 1995–1997 and 2006–2009
• John Trewick — 2009–2010
• Simon Davey — 2010
• Jamie Pitman — 2010–2012
• Richard O’Kelly — 2012

Tonight's Fixtures In The National North League

A list of tonight's fixtures in the National North League.

Bedford v Buxton

Brackley v Kings Lynn

Darlington v Chester

Hebburn v Worksop

Hednesford v Southport

Hereford v Radcliffe

Marine v Chorley

Merthyr v Telford

Morecambe v South Shields

Oxford City v Harborough

Scarborough v Spennymoor

Spalding v Macclesfield 

NEWS | Former Hereford United manager Mike Bailey has passed away

Former Hereford United manager Mike Bailey has passed away aged 84.

Bailey made 151 league appearances for Charlton Athletic and became club captain before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 1966 for a fee of £40,000.

He quickly became an important figure at Molineux, helping Wolves win promotion to the First Division in 1967. Under Bill McGarry, the club enjoyed a memorable revival, reaching the 1972 UEFA Cup Final.

Two years later, Bailey captained Wolves to League Cup glory, lifting the trophy at Wembley following a 2–1 victory over Manchester City.

After Wolves won the Second Division in 1977, Bailey moved to the Minnesota Kicks before returning to England as player-manager of Hereford United in the summer of 1978.

The Bulls had suffered back-to-back relegations into what is now League Two, and Bailey guided the club to a 14th-place finish in his first season. He also made 16 league appearances, scoring once.

Bailey left Edgar Street in October 1979, returning to Charlton Athletic as manager. He immediately made an impact, guiding the club to promotion from the Third Division at the first attempt.

He later managed Brighton & Hove Albion, leading the Seagulls to what was then their highest-ever league finish, 13th in the First Division.

He was diagnosed with dementia in late 2020 and passed away yesterday evening.

Review Of Last Saturday In The National North League

 

This review from NL's Sam Elliott:

A sensational second installment of the National League North season left supporters breathless.

Five teams have a perfect record in the Enterprise National League North, and Chester lead the way after a 2-0 win at home to King’s Lynn Town. Tom Peers and Ma'Kel Bogle-Campbell did the damage.

Luke Duffy was at the double for Macclesfield as Radcliffe were beaten by a brilliant late turn around with South Shields’ Paul Blackett, five minutes from time, winning it against Chorley, who went ahead early.

Worksop Town are second after beat AFC Telford with Oxford City also having six points on the board. Tyrone Marsh scored the only goal as Ross Jenkins’ team beat Spalding United. 

Morecambe haven’t got off to such a great start. It’s one point from two games after Harborough Town’s brilliant 1-0 win. Riley O’Sullivan kept his cool from the penalty spot. 

Elsewhere, there were fantastic wins for Hereford over Marine and for Spennymoor Town - Glen Taylor in the 89th and 94th minute flipped the game late on.

There was also incredible late drama as Scarborough won 4-3 at Hednesford - Rio Allen in the sixth minute of time added on sent the away fans wild. There was also an injury time away win for Darlington as Paddy McLaughlin’s clinched broke Bedford Town hearts.

Enterprise National League North

Hereford v Marine - 2,932
Chester v King’s Lynn Town - 2,616
Hednesford Town v Scarborough - 2,509 
Macclesfield v  Radcliffe - 2,321
South Shields v Chorley - 1,732