End The DAZN Deal Said Boreham Wood Chairman

Boreham Wood chairman Danny Hunter wants the TV deal with DAZN ended.

He feels that the National League are being 'held over a barrel' by the streaming company.

Boreham play Carlisle at 5.30pm this afternoon. The game is being shown by DAZN.

This evening, though, our focus turns to Carlisle United and, in truth, we can have no bigger game at Meadow Park than the visit of our Cumbrian friends. It will give us another barometer of just how far we’ve come over the last few years.

 It will give us another barometer of just how far we’ve come over the last few years.

Tonight, DAZN have again made this a 5:30pm kick-off, and I ask one simple question: how many more times are they going to punish the Carlisle United travelling supporters with these late games?

It’s a complete joke that amazingly loyal fans, especially at Carlisle, Southend and elsewhere, are made to struggle to get themselves to certain away games because of these ridiculous streaming company schedules.

Only last Friday, Carlisle United were made to play at Wealdstone with a 7:45pm kick-off, meaning Carlisle fans who would normally travel by train could not get home. Those fans are again being abused this evening, and it’s now embarrassing that it’s left to club owners like myself, with no backing whatsoever from the League, to constantly highlight this complete and utter nonsense.

In my opinion, National League football, for no real money, is being held over a barrel by a streaming company, while supporters of its larger clubs are being discriminated against almost weekly with these deliberately timed late kick-offs. They appear designed simply to drum up more stream purchases from away supporters, which in turn reduces home attendances – it’s a lose-lose situation.

If I was part of a supporter group at our level – and I’m not – I would encourage my fellow supporters up and down the country to get together and promote a blanket ban on buying anything on the DAZN streams.

I would also encourage our League’s Board, through respectful messaging, to find a way to end this deal with a streaming company who charge loyal fans an awful lot, care nothing for the real fans’ well-being and, in my opinion, give our clubs such poor production value. That includes terrible camera work, often biased commentary and poor sound quality.

Since highlighting all of this last Christmas, after the pathetic DAZN-led “12 Days of Christmas” nonsense, which again disadvantaged Carlisle United fans amongst others, I’ve tried my very best to meet with the National League Board, only to be told by the then Chairman, Jack Pearce, that there was no appetite amongst the Board to meet me.

In truth, I’ve also had very little or no support from other club owners who, in the main, seem completely disinterested in their supporters’ plight and the poor commercial value afforded by DAZN to our member clubs, who’ve had our greatest asset – live football – given away by our Board for a pittance…

I suppose that’s hardly surprising, with more and more new club owners being foreign and, on further inspection, many don’t even live in this country. In simple terms, they don’t understand that our historical football culture is that Saturday football at our level is played at 3pm…

If anyone can tell me, our Managers, Players and Supporters why the National League Board, without consultation, decided to put on a full league programme at 7:45pm last Friday, other than for DAZN, I’d like to hear it.

We are not performing seals, and none of us received one penny extra for having every one of our games televised…

This change from a 3pm Saturday kick-off was done without any thought for you, the supporter, for train times or transport availability, nor was there any discussion with our member clubs.

As such, it’s now very clear to me that DAZN are the ringmasters and care nothing for the clubs who provide the entertainment, while those clubs have become the National League Board’s performing poodles and get literally a pittance, or nothing, for the privilege of working with DAZN.

Anyway, that’s quite enough of my diatribe. Let’s get back to this evening and what is a fantastic fixture to be a part of, other than seeing the Carlisle United fans being abused by this time slot yet again.

Let’s hope for an open, attacking game and may the best team win.

 

This Afternoon In The National North League

A full set of fixtures all kicking off at 3pm.

Bedford Town v Radcliffe
Brackley Town v Harborough Town
Darlington v King's Lynn Town
Hebburn Town v Chester
Hednesford Town v South Shields
Hereford v Spennymoor Town
Marine v Worksop Town
Merthyr Town v Macclesfield
Morecambe v Buxton
Oxford City v Chorley
Scarborough Athletic v AFC Telford
Spalding United v Southport 

Eleven Years Ago Today - Hereford Put Seven Past Heanor

A look back to September 5th 2015. Hereford FC were in their first season and travelled to Heanor for a league fixture.

Heanor Town 2 - Hereford 7

Heanor Town’s 100% win record in the league was brought to an abrupt halt when they faced Hereford FC for this afternoon’s match at The Town Ground. Pete Beadle made 4 changes to the side that drew 0-0 with local side Westfields on Monday; Jimmy Oates, Sol Wheatley, Aaron Birch and new signing Jamie Willets started in place of Sam Gwynne, Nathan Hughes, Rob Purdie and the suspended Tony James.

With Hereford starting the brighter of the two sides, in the 7th minute Pablo Heysham was harshly upended by the last man after his darting run into the box. With Rob Purdie not featuring in today's squad presumably due to the knock he picked up at Westfields, it was left to John Mills to step up and take the penalty; he then coolly dispatched the ball past Heanor's diving keeper.

Pablo Heysham then forced the goalkeeper into making a fine save 3 minutes later; after Adam Page had whipped in a cross from the left, Heysham's powerful strike was acrobatically tipped over by Hannis.

The Bulls’ persistence paid off when they grabbed their second goal just shy of the quarter of an hour mark. After Jamie Hannis saved the initial shot by John Mills, Adam Page got on the end of the return ball before slotting it in just inside the upright. 

In response to Hereford's early goals, Heanor managed to pull one back after the restart; with Kieran Debrouwer’s run into the box, he had time to compose himself in front of goal before picking his spot and firing the ball home.

Hereford regained their two goal cushion with 27 minutes on the clock. After winning possession in the heart of midfield, John Mills broke forward into the danger area. Despite Page being available, Mills sidestepped his man before thundering the ball into the top right hand corner of Hannis' net.

Mills On Target

Cory Bowler and Nick Marriott combined effectively 5 minutes from half time to reduce the deficit. Marriott's cross to the feet of Bowler allowed him to send a low shot across the face of goal and into the back of Rivers’ net.

In the closing stages of the first half, Heysham was fouled 25-yards out which resulted in the referee showing Ryan Booker a straight red after he appeared to lash out at a Hereford player.

Aaron Birch took the free kick short to Adam Page, and as he made a run down the left wing, Mills failed to connect with his cross and the ball was charged away by captain Nick Hall.

HT: Heanor Town 2 - Hereford 3

4 minutes after the restart birthday boy Sol Wheatley received the ball from Mills on the half way line. Wheatley made good progress down the right and after breaking free from his man, his cross was just too far ahead of the incoming Page and the ball harmlessly trickled behind for a goal kick.

Adam Page Can't Quite Connect

With 52 minutes on the clock, Jay Cooper successfully picked a path through the Hereford defence, before his rasping shot from the edge of the area narrowly cleared Rivers' crossbar.

A string of chances ensued for Hereford, the first coming after Adam Page and John Mills linked up well down the right flank. As Page played the ball into the box, Hall dispossessed Mills before he could get a shot away.

Minutes later a cross was whipped in to the head of John Mills, but his effort hit the underside of the crossbar before being cleared to deny him his hat trick.

Skipper Joel Edwards then could've made it 4 for the travelling side, but his long range effort was too wide to trouble the keeper, before John Mills' dinking run into the box resulted in nothing more than a goal kick after his shot cleared the crossbar.

For the second time in the game, Pablo Heysham was brought down within the 18-yard box which left the referee pointing straight to the spot. John Mills stepped up again to take the penalty, and in the same manner as before fired the ball into the roof of the net.

No Mistake

With Pablo Heysham winning possession in midfield, he cut into the box and his cross come shot was punched away by Heanor's young keeper Hannis. Nathan Hughes picked the ball up on the edge of the area and made no mistake in unleashing a shot which left Hannis well and truly beaten.

Nathan Hughes Scoring Hereford's 5th Goal

Three minutes from time, Heanor failed to defend as John Mills cut in from the right. As Mills looked for his fourth goal, Hannis pulled off another fine save from Mills’ powerful shot, before the ball took a deflection off Hall and past the despairing Heanor stopper for an own goal.

Mills With The Shot That Was Deflected Into The Goal

With seconds left, youth teamer Carlos Moreira played a sublime ball through to Nathan Hughes, who was left with just the keeper to beat had no trouble finding the back of the net.

FT: Heanor Town 2 - Hereford 7

Att: 402

Hereford: Rivers, Oates, Edwards (c), Bonella, Willets, Summers, Wheatley (Hughes - 75'), Birch, Mills, Haysham, Page (Moreira - 90).

Subs not used: Kontic-Coveney, Gwynne, Haines.

Heanor: Hannis, Marriott, Shaw, Bettney (Johnson - 69'), Hall (c), Booker, Cooper, Naylor, Benger (Gilson - 86'), Debrouwers, Bowler (Edridge - 46').

Subs not used: Brown, Whittingham.

 

Fantastic Victory For The Boys Said Willets

Jamie Willets With The Headband

Hereford FC's new signing Jamie Willets played the whole 90 minutes in his first game for his new club against Heanor this afternoon but admitted he had felt a bit nervous to begin with.

"To begin with I was a little bit nervous playing for a new team," Willets told BN.

"All the expectations and being keen to impress as well.

"But, on the whole, a fantastic victory for the boys.

"I was very impressed with how our forwards played and they got us out of trouble a little bit after conceeding two sloppy goals.

"None the less, three points is three points. Very happy against a good side.

"I could have done a bit better for their first goal. Long ball was coming in.

"To be fair I was quite happy with my heading in the first half but the one I missed unfortunately it's come to bit me on the backside a little bit.

"But luckily we stuck in there and kept on battling hard and got the victory we throughly derserved in the end."

Willets only joined Hereford earlier this week.

"All the lads have made me very welcome and I'm very appreciative of that.

"All the boys are fantastic footballers, technical ability the best I've ever played with.

"They are all down to earth lads, no big timers, genuinely nice guys. It was a reason why I came here and it made my decision a lot easier."

Willets is set to make his Edgar Street debut next Saturday against Boldmere St Michael's.

"I'm really looking forward to it against good opposition in Boldmere. I've played against them a few times before in this League. They are another, once again like Heanor, very physical side. It will be the same kind of battle but hopefully we can get the fans behind us and get another three points and get the momentum started.

"It will be a bit different for me. Before Stourport played Hereford the other week, the most I'd played in front of would be barely 150 so a bit of difference.

"To play in front of 3000 potentially would be like a dream come true so I'll be really excited but also a little bit nervous.

"But it's a challenge, one I'm really relishing and looking forward to."

 

Non-league Record Fee For Boreham Wood Player

National League Boreham Wood have sold Abdul Abdulmalik for over £1M.

Club chairman Danny Hunter has spoken about the deal which include a number of add-ons.

'In recent weeks, as you’ve possibly heard, we’ve had to make a few tough decisions and deal with a bit of transfer drama involving our own “little maverick”, Abdul Abdulmalik. Though we tried desperately to keep him, it became very clear that was going to be almost impossible, and so the decision was made to sell him – but we wanted it done fairly and on our terms.

In truth, over the last few weeks, Luke and the dressing room have remained very focused and nothing has disrupted them too much. Most of the noise regarding a deal with Djurgårdens IF tended to come from others on social media, which I don’t tend to read.

What I can say is that I laid out the course of events regarding the transfer saga in my last programme notes, and I can now confirm that we have sold Abdul for an undisclosed non-league record fee. We refused to be rushed or railroaded by anything or anybody. We stuck to our guns on a series of fair but achievable add-ons, including a sell-on fee, appearance fees and an international clause.

In truth, negotiations were not always plain sailing, but I’m an experienced Chairman and have very good staff around me who all know their jobs. I knew the true value of this player, as most of you did, and at our level he really was a Rolls-Royce.

That said, in any fluid negotiation you need negotiators who know how to play the game without emotion, who understand what the end game is and who know what value must be put on any fair deal. Once we knew Abdul had made his mind up to leave us no matter what, it became evident that he was prepared, on the advice of others, to down tools for the foreseeable future.

As such, both my mentality and the club’s had to change or, put more simply, we then needed to get the very best deal possible, remain fluid and have the ability to compromise and recalculate our position if need be. At that point, a difficult and sometimes noisy negotiation is never easy to re-evaluate, and you must factor the risk-to-reward element into your thinking.

I feel experience helped us in this instance and, whatever happens, you must ensure you do not make false promises, show others any weakness or allow for any self-doubt.

In truth, both my position and Charlie Hunter’s became slightly easier as others went to the press and social media and showed their hand, while we waited before making our position clear – and only from within my programme notes. We focused solely on the club and Manager’s wants and needs, and we gave NO outside interviews.

I feel that by being a bit pragmatic, old-school and calm, by refusing to deal with the player’s agent throughout, and by having a very clear valuation in my head regarding which add-ons were key, we knew where we would compromise and where we could possibly steer the negotiations. That stance, ably co-ordinated by Charlie Hunter, got us to a place where everyone was happy.

Once the noise and a bit of silly behaviour didn’t get the reaction some people expected, proper negotiations could then take place in earnest between the two clubs. At this point, I’d like to thank Max Hann of Djurgårdens IF for his professionalism in getting the deal done, along with Charlie, with plenty of time to spare and without any further drama.

In terms of what the future might hold for Abdul, who in truth knows? What I can say is: “The sky really is the limit for this very talented player.”

In my opinion, I would expect him to be a Nigerian international before too long, I would expect him to become an exciting regular within the Djurgårdens IF set-up, and I would expect him to go to the very top in Sweden and be sold on for a sizeable profit within three years.

If Abs does all of those things, trust me, Boreham Wood Football Club will have deservedly benefited at all stages of the signed deal because of the time, care, nurturing and development we put into Abdul during his time with us.

So, as that joyous chapter closes, we of course wish Abdul, his family and friends well in everything they do, but our main focus must quickly turn to our own ambitions. Hopefully, that means a successful promotion push and providing whatever is needed for our Manager and dressing room to keep us moving forward.'

 

Downes Pre Spennymoor

 

Aaron Downes has been talking to BBC Hereford and Worcester about the visit of Spennymoor to Edgar Street tomorrow afternoon.

"Hopefully a good game for us." said the Hereford manager.

"We'll be ready that's for sure, we're coming into it with confidence and belief in what we are doing.

"But I'm very conscious that we might have a wounded beast coming to town, a wounded animal so we'll have to be mindful, especially early in the game that they will be up for it.

"They will be fighting for their changing room and themselves. Obviously they have lost their manager.

"They will want to start turning some of the results around so we must be mindful of that.

But I really have to focus on us, especially this weekend, because anything could be thrown at us so I can't prepare too much on what they will do, more so what we will do."  

News Round Up

Expressions of interest in the vacant managers job at Spennymoor must be made by the end of Sunday.

Hereford FC Under 18's will play AFC Wolverhampton City in the FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round. The tie will be played at Edgar Street probably on Tuesday September 15th.

Hereford will be in the draw for the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. The draw takes place next Monday. Details around 1pm. The tie will be played on September 19th. 

AFC Telford have parted company with former Hereford winger Jaiden White. White later said he had left 'on my own accord'.

Spennymoor will be without defender Cam Darcy for the Hereford match as he has been recalled by Hartlepool. But they have added Jack Oram on a short term youth loan from Doncaster.

Kings Lynn have brought in striker Layton Love on a short term loan from Kidderminster. 

Brackley v Hereford On DAZN TV

The game between Brackley and Hereford set to be played on Tuesday November 24 is to be covered by DAZN TV.

The game is one of ten in the National North and South confirmed for coverage this morning. 

A Picture From Wigan

BN posted this picture, from Wigan Today, earlier in the week and asked questions about it.

Where was the game? Wigan

When was the game? November 7th 1981

What was the final score? Wigan 1 Hereford 1

And who were the Hereford players pictured? It's thought they were Keith Hicks, Ian Dobson and Drew Brand.

Moor of the same please

Hereford FC return to the M&M Edgar Street Stadium on Saturday as they host Spennymoor Town, looking to build on the ambition to make that three-sided, outdated, tumbledown, beautiful anachronism of a home ground something of a footballing fortress. Another 4000 gate is unlikely, but 3000+ would suggest that the faith in the potential of this season’s squad is growing. It doesn’t need saying of course that 3000 crowds let alone 4000 crowds at this level is EFL-ishly good. 

Moors have finished just shy of the play-offs in each of the last five seasons, sometimes by the sort of margin Hereford avoided relegation by last season, which is all-in-all a bit unlucky, but those finishes have all come as a result of finally waking up in spring and rocketing up the table from just above the relegation places. They’re notoriously slow starters.

True to form, they’re currently following that same path, sitting in the relegation places after six games. This could, therefore, be an ideal time to play them before they get into their stride post-Christmas.

Spennymoor of course means Glen Taylor. The evergreen goal machine yet again finished as one of the top scorers in the NLN last season, and it says it all about his quality that ‘only’ scoring 22 goals hinted at a slowing down in the striker as he ages. He’s got a couple of goals already this season, and will be looking to add to that tally at what’s been a happy hunting ground for him in recent seasons, although most grounds are. It’s pleasing to note that if he does score, which he won’t of course, he’s far too classy an individual to gloat ridiculously in front of the Meadow End.

George Cantrill was signed from Alfreton in the summer, and brings his Alfreton long-throw with him. His arrival presumably signalled a desire on the part of new-ish manager Tommy Miller to ‘mix things up’ a bit, ie go long and aerial more often, but any speculation as to the tactical inclinations of that new-ish manager is now very much by-the-by as he left the club on Wednesday. ‘Mr Spennymoor’ Jason Ainsley will take charge of the team on Saturday.

The visitors boast a strong record in this fixture going back to 2018, and took all six points from the two matches against Hereford last season. Their 2-1 win at Edgar Street in March was the Bulls’ fourth loss in eight days. That run of games seemed nuts at the time, part of seven straight losses in no time at all, but in hindsight it just seems even more so. An inhuman workload for part-time footballers particularly when those footballers are playing in front of so many people, with the added pressure that brings. Fortunately, both Moors goals that evening were the sort of bafflingly embarrassing and simplistic concessions that are no longer conceded by the Hereford FC defence, marshalled by a Kyle Howkins currently in magisterial form.

So the head-to-head record isn’t great, but If you include the back-end of last season Spennymoor have won just two of their last ten games. Big Kyle will savour the opportunity of slipping Taylor into his pocket for the afternoon as the basis upon which to start improving that head-to-head record.

On Monday Moors drew at home with newly-minted Hednesford, who have spent a lot of money for the right to sit in 17^th position in the National League North. Ex-Bulls Ahkeem Rose and Omari Sterling-James were reportedly prominent for the visitors.

Taylor and some of their other historically reliable performers such as Rob Ramshaw aren’t getting any younger, and ex-Bull Ben Pollock (really lovely man, plays the game the right way) looked a little bit wider than his ‘optimum athleticism’ the last time they were down here. They could be a bit of a creaky outfit ripe to be undone by a pacy, hungry Bulls side.

Monday’s game at Southport wasn’t a classic, but it was a non-classic that delivered three points, and that’s the sort of outcome that brings success to sides who can surf the tougher stuff away when necessary and follow it up with scintillating football back home. To out-Southport Southport in terms of nicking a tight one on their own patch was sweet indeed. Now for the scintillating home performance.

The Bulls sit in second position in the table going into this game, behind a very strong Macclesfield side. With Chester in fourth there does seem to be a suggestion that this season may see some of the names with a past spent significantly higher up the pyramid doing well, but it is of course very, very early days.

This is the last game that Kam Kandola will sit out; he’ll be back on Tuesday at Market Harborough, with at least two of the three long-term injurees gradually edging closer to a place on the bench too.

Ahead of their return, this is a golden opportunity for another three points against a side who are characteristically not yet properly competitive and could be struggling with a bit of upheaval behind the scenes.

COYW

Three Hereford Players In National North August Team

Three Hereford players have been included in the National North League team for the month of August.

They are Kyle Howkins, Theo Richardson and Aaron Skinner. 

To have three players selected must be something of a record for Hereford. 

Two Weeks To Bull

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/aceevents

Hereford 11/13 To Defeat Spennymoor

Harry Tustin About To Shoot Against Spennymoor Last Season

 The bookmakers are offering a price of around 11/13 for a Hereford victory over Spennymoor on Saturday at Edgar Street.

Last Monday Hereford won 1-0 at Southport whilst Spennymoor, at home, drew 1-1 with Hednesford.

Currently Hereford are 2nd in the table with 13 points from 6 games, Spennymoor are 22nd with 5 points from 6 games.

Hereford have won 2 and drawn 1 of their 3 home games to date.

Spennymoor have drawn 1 and lost 2 of their three away games so far.

As regards goal difference, Hereford's is plus 7, Spennymoor's is minus 7.

Hereford 11/13  Draw 14/5  Spennymoor 27/10. 

National North Weekend Preview

Glen Taylor Scored For Spennymoor At Hereford Last Season

National League's Sam Elliott previews this weekends fixtures.

The new season may only be a few weeks only, but we’ve already seen two managerial departures in the Enterprise National League North.

Yesterday, Spennymoor Town announced Jason Ainsley would return on an interim basis following the resignation of Tommy Miller.

Head of football Ainsley is of course well known to the club’s fans but it’s a very demanding start with a trip to second place Hereford on the schedule.

Nicky Adams is still in caretaker charge at Radcliffe and with the club second bottom, they need a performance at Bedford Town.

Kevin Wilkin’s AFC Telford United are propping up the rest, and they could probably do without a demanding trip to Scarborough Athletic.

With five wins from six, Macclesfield are top and looking to extend their three-point advantage when Merthyr Town pay visit.

Last week’s leaders Chester took just one point over the Bank Holiday weekend, and won’t get it all their own way at Hebburn Town while third place Oxford City get a visit from Chorley.

Unbeaten South Shields take their challenge to Hednesford Town, who are now undefeated in four after their slow start while Spalding United play Southport.

Two teams who are happy to get their form back at Morecambe and Buxton - with either grab a third straight three points?

Harborough Town already have three victories to their name and travel to Brackley Town with Andy Whing’s team winless since the opening day.

Darlington’s three-game losing run is over, they now have King's Lynn Town in their sights, with Marine hosting Worksop Town who have work to do after four defeats on the trip. 

Badges On Sale At Spennymoor Match

A large selection of HFC pin badges will be on sale pre match this Saturday v Spennymoor. The badges pictured are available at £1 and £4 each ( cash only ) from a sales point in front of the matchday ticket office. All net proceeds go directly to HFC.

Cowell Stands Down From Post With Hereford Women

 

Malcolm Cowell has made the difficult decision to stand down as head of Women's Football at Hereford FC.

Cowell has had heart surgery recently and his decision means he can focus on recovering.

“This has been a really tough decision, but I feel it’s the right one as I need to focus properly on my recovery and doing all I can to return to good health," Cowell told Hereford's OS.

“I have really enjoyed my time at Hereford FC and am extremely proud of what the women’s team has achieved over the past few years. It has not always been an easy role, but it is one I have done my very best in and we have had some great times.

“I’d like to wish the women’s team all the best for the season ahead and also thank everyone who has played any part in supporting the team, whether on the field or off it.

“I look forward to seeing how the team progresses under Hugh Brookes’ guidance and hope to take in a few games in the near future. After all, once a Bull, always a Bull!”

 

Before being involved with the Women's team, Cowell was kit-man in the last season of Hereford United.

He returned to Hereford as kit-man in November 2020 replacing Stuart Whitehurst. He then gave up the post in May 2023 to join Solihull Moors on a full-time basis.

However in July 2023 he was appointed Head of Women's Football and brought in Jon Nash as coach.