Former Hereford United Director dies

Ron Jukes, a former Hereford United director and scout, had died aged 79. He leaves a widow, Mollie.

As a tribute to him we republish this slightly edited article about his book. (August 2006)

Former Hereford United scout Ron Jukes has recently seen his new book published: The Ron Jukes Story - Superscout (Tempus Publishing Ltd). My interest in the book was primarily to see what Jukes had to say about his time at Hereford, but I was surprised to learn that Jukes and Graham Turner had worked before while Turner was manager at both Shrewsbury and Wolves.

The two men are obviously good friends to this day. It shows throughout the book. Turner wrote the forward in which he says he has been privileged to have known and worked with him.

"Ron has been a rock and a pal," wrote Turner.

The two first worked together in 1981 at Shrewsbury. Jukes left Walsall to become chief scout for Turner, who at that time was player/manager. Turner already knew Jukes and had told him that he was finding the task of scouting, taking training and playing increasingly demanding. At the time Jukes found Turner "an inspirational motivator."

Turner left Shrewsbury for Aston Villa in the summer of 1984 and asked Jukes to go with him but Jukes didn't think he was ready for the challenge. Jukes was still part-time. He was a school teacher by profession and appeared to love the job so was a little reluctant to go full-time into scouting. The following year he was offered a scouting job at Derby County and gave up his teaching.

In 1986 Turner moved to Wolves who were struggling in the Fourth Divison. Jukes joind him and the pair had a very successful time at the club. That story is contained in a book that Graham Turner wrote called 'The only way is up.'

One of the best known signings the pair made was that of Steve Bull, who had been at West Bromwich at the time. Albion were eager to get rid of several players and Jukes, who had seen Bull playing for the reserves, soon obtained the backing of Turner to sign him.

Later another notable signing was that of Lee Mills whom Jukes had seen playing as a trialist at Walsall. Mills was on the books of a Yorkshire team called Stockbridge Steel and Jukes went to see him play in front of a gate of under 100. By half-time Jukes was impressed enough and although Coventry were also interested in Mills, he was a Wolves player within a few days.

Then in 1994, the parnership split. Wolves had lost 1-0 at Chelsea but two days later lost another game 3-0 at Portsmouth. Jukes wrote that it appeared that Wolves chairman Jonathan Hayward ordered the whole Wolves party back on the bus just after the end of the game. Turner felt that his position as manager was being undermined and so resigned soon after arriving back in Wolves.

Graham Taylor was appointed Wolves manager a few days later and it wasn't long before Jukes was released from his job.

"I shall never cease to wonder whether in due course my parnership with Graham Turner could have helped Wolves back to the top division," commented Jukes.

It wasn't long before Graham Turner joined Hereford United and Jukes was invited along to as Turner put it "to bring some football expertise and a friendly face" to Edgar Street. Jukes had joined Derby County but had found the travelling from his Walsall home excessive. So he renewed his partnership and looked forward to working with Turner "for whom I had the highest regard and respect."

Jamie Pitman was the first player to be scouted for Hereford by Jukes. At the time Pitman, described as a busy blond teenage midfielder, was open to offers at Swindon. Jukes saw him playing for Scarborough reserves at Walsall while on trial.

Scouting for Hereford wasn't easy. Jukes noted that virtually all signings came from the Midlands area at the time and there was little money to spend.

"In general players with a Midland connection were sought as this would facilitate travelling and avoid the difficulties and expense of relocation," commented Jukes.

Then came May 3rd 1997 when, after failing to defeat Brighton, Hereford United were relegated to the Conference.

"Graham Turner offered his resignation but this was not accepted and he resolved that, as he was the manager who took them out of the Football League, he should be the one to take them back. In the course of 1997/78 Graham took over as chairman from Peter Hill and asked me to join the board."

Jukes was reluctant to join as he wasn't happy about employees being board members.

A string of players joined Hereford throughout the early Conference years, most of whom were scouted by Jukes. Those included Neil Grayson, Ian Rodgerson, Richard Walker and Ian Wright, who went on to become club captain.

In 2000 he 'found' Phil Robinson who became club coach at a particularily difficult time for Turner who was desparately trying to keep Hereford United afloat.

Jukes notes that Robinson's contract was not renewed at the end of the 2001/02 season after Hereford came 17th in the Conference. At that time although the board thought that Turner was the man to motivate the team he wasn't even given a vote of confidence.

But then good fortune prevailed with the appointment of Richard O'Kelly as the new coach. Jukes had signed O'Kelly as a player for Walsall from Alvechurch in 1979.

At the time O'Kelly was working for the Post Office after leaving West Bromwich Albion. Jukes approached him and suggested he sent his CV to Hereford and he was taken on. In his first season the Bulls rose to sixth place in the Conference.

"His intelligent approach to the game as a player had carried over into his coaching," noted Jukes. "His bubbly personality made an immediately impact on the dressing room."

However despite the better results on the pitch, Jukes felt it was time for him to move on. His chief worry was the continuing financial problems at Edgar Street which made it difficult to work in "such an economic climate." He arranged a meeting with Turner and handed him his letter of resignation.

"There was no falling out. I left with the greatest admiration for Graham and for secretary Joan Fennessy."

Jukes moved to Telford. Some would say with hindsight this was a poor move but at the time the lure of Andy Shaw and his business empire proved a magnet. As is well known Shaw's luck ran out in early 2004 and Telford had to reform.

One of the last players Jukes signed for Telford was Craig Stanley who came onto Hereford in the Autumn of 2004.

There is much to interest Hereford United supporters in this book. Being about scouting some of the details can be a little repetitive, however Jukes has written it in a style that is easy to follow. His relationship with Graham Turner over the years is emphasised. Both men appear to have a deep respect for each other.

But one can't help wondering why Jukes left Hereford when he did in Spring 2003. He actually resigned on May 20th. At this time Turner and the board were getting to grips with the financial situation at Edgar Street. The losses had been curtailed and Hereford were about to have their best season both on and off the pitch for years. There was light at the end of the tunnel.

The book was published just before Hereford regained their rightful place in the Football League. Jukes was hopeful it would happen. He'll have been as pleased as anyone at the result at the Walkers Stadium last May.

---