Cup Run Helped Finances But Problem Remained

We've reached the 2001/02 season in our review of Graham Turner's time with Hereford United.

In July 2001 Sky announced that they were to cover the Bulls first home match of the season against newly relegated Barnet on August 18th.

Turner brought in several new players for the new season including Mark Williams from Rotherham, Scott Voice from Bilston Town and Scott Goodwin from Hednesford.

Off the field plans for the burnt out supporters club were announced.

"We have an approved business plan to build a suite for use by sponsors and as a classroom for training by school and college footballers, as well as by the community sports officer and businesses", said Turner.

The highlight of the pre-season matches was the visit of Manchester United to Edgar Street.

"We want to give them a good game and they are likely to pose different problems to us than the ones which Conference clubs do," said Turner.

"I expect the Manchester United lads to be much sharper, more skilful and better on the ball than those we usually come up against."

The Bulls were defeated 6-0 but the Manchester side did include Phil Neville, Wes Brown, Nicky Butt, Andy Cole, Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke, Denis Irwin and Quinton Fortune.

"I can't thank him (Sir Alex) enough for the team he sent down to play us," said Turner. "It was a wonderful experience for our players to play against some of the best in the world."

The following Saturday the Bulls played an Everton XI but lost 2-1.

Two more new signings in the squad, Danny Davidson and Christian James, were confirmed.

Meanwhile a Sky interview with Turner about his shareholding in Hereford United was shown on August 16th, the day of the Barnet game.

"I wake up every morning and think it was a ridiculous thing to do," admits Turner.

"I'm a football man but circumstances meant I had to do something or the club really looked as if it was going to fold. I thought a few years later, I would be able to sell the shares but so far nobody wants them!

"The real reason I got involved was for the fans. When we dropped out of the league, I felt responsible despite not being allowed to sign players for a lot of that season.

"The fans sent a delegation around to let me know they wanted me to stay on. I doubt that happens to many managers whose team drop out of the league. It was the start of a fantastic relationship with the supporters."

The Bulls defeated the Bees 2-1, however the following Tuesday they lost 2-0 at Nuneaton. Keeper Matt Baker was red-carded. Then came a win at Staylbridge and a home draw against Southport.

Off the pitch Turner was desperate for funds.

"We are in desperate need of financial investment and a more certain future if we are to compete in an ever strenghtening Conference.

"We are in existence because a small group work tirelessly to raise funds and three employees are prepared to delay taking salaries if there is insufficient funds at the end of the month. Already many months in arrears those employees cannot go on working without pay."

He also wanted to repair part of the old Supporters Club.

"When obtaining the leases of the ground, Chelverton and Bristol Stadiums were required to lodge £100,000 to refurbish the Sportsmans Club," said Turner.

"That now is only about 20% of what is required. Nonetheless, we requested £20,000 in order to refurbish part of the club for use by sponsors on matchdays and children during the week.

"What we needed was the council's approval that the money was being used for the right purpose. But there have been so many obstacles. Chelverton are quire adamant the only delay has been the council's approval of the money being freed."

After a 4-1 defeat at Hayes on September 29th, Turner decided to stepaside as manager.

"Following a disappointing start to the season, Graham Turner has decided to relinquish all involvement in Team Matters. He has been unable to devote as much time as is necessary to the playing side of the club, and therefore feels it is inappropriate to continue.

"Coach Phil Robinson will take charge of the team for tomorrow's match against Farnborough."

In truth managing and being chairman was too much for Turner especially with the developers pushing their unwanted plans.

"The biggest problem is that I have not been too involved in the day-to-day coaching this season," he said. "I've had one or two disciplinary problems and the players probably see me as this big ogre that shouts a lot and rarely gets involved. After Saturday's performance I thought it was best if I relinquished control of the playing side.

"The truth is I've been trying to wear too many hats during what has been a crucial period for the club."

Robinson's time in charge started with two wins and two losses and then Scarborough came to Edgar Street and were tanked 6-0. It was the Bulls biggest win in the Conference to that date. However it was their only League win in a run of eight games.

A trip to Dover in the FA Cup produced a 1-0 win for the Bulls and £20,000 but the icing on the cake was the news that the next round had produced a home game against Wrexham which would be televised.

A meeting with Chelverton was arranged at which it was agreed to put the question of relocation to the supporters. It took place on November 10th. Simon Morgan from Chelverton put the case for a move from Edgar Street but when questioned couldn't come up with figures that could convince those present. When a vote was taken a mandate for Morgan's plans was rejected.

In advance of the Wrexham cup game Turner spoke to the press.

"It's a massive spectacle for the BBC," said Turner. "Fifteen cameras are being dotted around the ground, and we will be disappointed if the gate is fewer than 5,000. We are having a big sale in the club shop before the game, and we hope to see colour and reaction on the terraces."

The Bulls won with a goal from Ian Wright but the real hero was Matt Baker in goal. And so to Swindon in the second round.

"It’s not about the money," said Turner. "We’ve made £40,000 for getting to this stage and got £100,000 because the Wrexham game in the first round was on television. But this is about romance. Don’t let anyone tell you that’s gone. The FA Cup is special and always will be."

An exciting game at Swindon saw a 3-2 win for the home side. The game will be remembered by supporters for Gavin Williams's goal.

A Paul Parry corner from the left was turned away, only to find Gavin Williams thirty yards out. The Welshman controlled well before smashing a cracking right footed shot past Bart Griemink into the roof of the net. After the match, new Swindon chairman Willie Carson said it was the best goal that would be seen at the County Ground this season.

However Turner had problem getting Hereford's share of the receipts from Swindon which didn't help his finances. Neither did a gate of just 1347 for the home draw against Nuneaton on December 15th. To make matters worse the Bulls had dropped to 16th in the table.

"We have 20 weeks of the season remaining and 10 home matches remaining, so it doesn't take a genius to see that the club's financial problems will soon gather pace," said Turner. "So it's important that we improve our home form."

Off the field Council chairman Terry James said there was no support for a move away from Edgar Street for the football club. However developers Chelverton were still hoping for relocation.

"The football club finds itself stuck in the middle of warring factions and the situation has to be resolved very quickly," said Turner.

Meanwhile Swindon still hadn't paid up by New Year.

"It's common knowledge that it's been difficult to run the club financially," said Turner. "We've sought investors without too much success. All the vibes suggest that we will remain at Edgar Street. We have to obviously satisfy Chelverton's requirements and we have to redevelop Edgar Street. All those problems are at the background at the moment. We've had a little hiccup with our FA Cup money from Swindon and it's a couple of weeks late. We would welcome that money being paid on time.

"The game appears to be awash with money but you'd like to see a bit more filter down to the lower levels."

On the field the Bulls had a useful run in the FA Trophy. However having dispensed with both Chesham and then Hampton and Richmond, they were defeated at Chester on February 23rd.

On the previous Monday Sky covered the away game at Boston which turned out to be a seven goal thriller with the Bulls having gone 2-0 eventually winning 4-3. Elmes scored the winner with an excellent header.

A small part of the Meadow End roof blow off on March 9th causing the match against Dagenham to be postponed causing the Bulls £3,000.

"It could have been a serious problem in terms of injury so it was lucky it happened at 11.45 rather than 2.45," said Turner.

"From a financial point of view it was a blow because we would have had a decent crowd for the league leaders and now we have to contemplate reduced numbers for a midweek game."

Just one win in seven games meant the Bulls were still in 16th place by Mid-March.

"If the players don’t recognise the dangers, they shouldn’t be playing football," said Turner. "We’ve got to sort it out quickly."

In fact after a 4-0 hammering at Doncaster on April 6th Turner returned to help with training. The Bulls won their next two games but lost the last two of the season and finished in the familiar 17th position.

Whilst several other players had accepted new contracts Gavin Williams was stalling on his. Chester had made a bid of £15,000 for the mid-fielder.

"Gavin was offered a contract at the same time as Matt Baker, Tony James and Paul Parry, but he has not accepted," said Turner. "It's in abeyance at the moment but, as it stands, Gavin will be free to have discussions with other clubs after May 4."

Then on April 29th Turner made this statement.

"I indicated to the board last week that I intended to resign from my position and I think along with that could well be and probably will be the resignation of the company secretary Joan Fennessy. I think it's been very difficult over the last three to three and a half years keeping the club alive. It's been a terrific strain making ends meet and there comes a time when you say hang on - there's no fun in doing this. There's a lot of supporters, quite wealthy ones, who might well be interested in coming and taking on board the problems that we've got."

24 hours later another statement: "It was agreed at yesterday's board meeting that Graham Turner and Joan Fennessy should withhold their resignations pending further meetings next week."

And with player manger Phil Robinson leaving the club, Turner took charge once again.

Director George Hyde summed up the situation.

"We don't know what will happen until we have had a meeting with another party who may be able to offer something financially in the short-term and move the club forward. But we have tried our hardest to keep Graham and Joan to stay and we are hoping that something can be done to ease the financial burden. Basically, the board are praying that the deal will happen and, hopefully, we will be able to make a positive statement sometime next week. In the meantime, I would urge that the supporters will bear with us.

"I don't think it's a secret that Graham and Joan have not been paid for six months and there are not many people who can go on like that. Graham has gone far and above the call of duty and all the board members wanted Graham not to resign. He is the ideal man in the special and unique circumstances of Hereford United. Joan, for her part, has also taken a lot of flack and is a woman with an incredible knowledge of how to run the football club. The pair have struggled with no money and, considering there are debts of £1.3 million, I think the club has done exceptionally well in the circumstances."

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