The Fourth HUISA Newsletter

Continuing BN's lookback at Hereford United's first few months in the Conference, here's the fourth HUISA newsletter from that era published at the end of August 1997.

Welcome to the latest HUISA newsletter. After Welling, I felt like sending it out on black edged paper!

SHARES:

HUISA has been offered a potential opportunity to acquire a significant share holding in the Club. I am not able to give any more detail at this time, but it would entail an outlay of up to �. if there are any members who might be interested in this as a joint venture, would they please let me know soonest. The alternative might well be Cosworth Developments getting their hands on them!

LIAISON COMMITTEE:

The latest liaison committee meeting with Graham Turner took place at Edgar Street on 12th August. Whilst it was a relatively quiet meeting, which I put down to PST (Pre-Season Tension), the following issues were discussed.

Player Update:

Hargreaves - Barnet somewhat surprisingly have not followed up their interest. Leyton Orient have also made an enquiry and GT quoted them a "clear" fee of �k and has heard no more! The haircut is on the list at his own request by the way, just in case he tries to tell you different (as he did with me). If he does go, he will be replaced according to GT (How How I hear you ask!!).

Cook and Warner. Reading between the lines, I get the impression that GT may be thinking of cutting his losses with these two and spending the money saved on someone who can actually play.

He is still undecided on Charles West. The consensus around the table was that he should offer him a contract. Given the performances of our keepers so far, we may see him in action sooner rather than later!

The Linton Brown saga seems to have gone cold, as Swansea have reneged on their initial offer, to pay up his contract. Their don't appear to be any other "striker" irons in the fire at the moment and it may be just that Scouser has done enough to convince GT that their is less urgency than he thought. Personally I still think the squad lacks cover in this vital area and would love to see a further addition. GT is �k over his "players budget" already however and this is obviously a factor.

Mackenzie has signed a one month contract designed essentially to prove his fitness. If he comes through this OK he will be offered a longer term deal.

Our Championship Squad is therefore: DeBont, Mackenzie (non-contract), West (probable), Norts, Matthewson, Brough, Walker, Rodgerson, Fishlock, Pitman, Mahon, McGorry, Hargreaves (sort of), Ian Foster, Jordan, Grayson and Agana. Plus Cook and Warner.

We are also allowed 5 Loan Players through the season as we were in the FL.

Bonuses: The players will get no bonus payments when they are outside the top 5 Conference positions, not much when 4th or 5th, with the cash primarily generated when they are in one of the top 3 places. HUFC get �k for winning the Conference, � for coming second. So ten grand it is!

England (Semi Professional) Squad: Don't laugh but apparently the players are now eligible for the England Semi Pro Team. I can hear it now - HARGREAVES FOR ENGLAND!

Commercial Whatevertheyarecallingit: The Club's advert for a young and thrusting person to sort out the Commercial Department has not met with a tremendous response. Whoever they get in, clearly has their work cut out. For example, the reason we had a 32 page programme for the Welling game (and not 48) was that 16 pages of advertising space that they thought had been sold, had not! Reiterating the plea that GT made in his opening programme notes, try and support those companies that do help the Bulls and if you do, tell them why you are doing it!

Open Day: A clear profit of over �0 was made. The intention is to make this a regular pre-season event but with proper organisation and publicity.

FA Cup: We definitely enter at the 4th Qualifying Round, despite what the ever efficient and supportive Hereford Times has to say!

Away Kit: Problems with the production are blamed for the delay in the availability of the new "Andy (3-0) Graham" designed, away kit. It is estimated that they will be available in early September (hands up if you have heard that one before). Yet another commercial cock up.

Brighton Shirts: Would those members who ordered one of these shirts and who has not yet collected/paid for it, please do so, as soon as possible. If not, they will go for re-sale!

Next Meeting: Thursday 11th September 1997. Any points you want raising, just let any of the co-ordinators know.

FANS FORUM: The attendance at the Fans Forum was a little disappointing (I estimated only about 100 people turned up) given the popular call to get Peter Hill in front of the Fans. The lack of questions submitted in advance, by HUISA Members was also surprising, as I would have thought that their was much to tackle or beloved Chairman on. The net result was that we did not put him on the spot as much as perhaps we should have and frankly for him to have got the support, (including a round of applause at one stage) he did on the night, was somewhat bizarre, particularly as some of his statements were in direct "contradiction", to information we had been given by GT at the previous Forum. Quite the biggest surprise of the night however was when he revealed that he had just �k invested in the Club (with �k of that, as a bank guarantee). There were clearly some at the Forum who thought this was adequate: for a man of his (alleged) means and stated "love" of the Club, I cannot agree. The search must continue to find an individual or a Consortium who is/are willing to risk a little bit more.

Jane Simmons' performance at the Forum has been described variously as everything from reasonably impressive to insipid. For myself, I resent her applying the old Robin Sly tactic of blaming the fans for everything and throwing any difficult question back at us with the line, "well what would you do". She outlined her commercial experience at great length, although this seemed to be mostly in the public and voluntary sector, which is of course, light years away from raising funds on a commercial basis. Perhaps most telling is the fact that she admitted to being on the Board for 3 years, without influencing the commercial direction of the Club. Moreover she has been responsible since early summer for this area and yet no major initiatives have been implemented or are seemingly planned at the present time. I can't say that this gives me a warm feeling for the prospects of our commercial operation in the immediate future. And the Leisure ZZZZone continues to resemble a disaster area!

New Board Members: Peter Hill indicated that he is in talks with a group of 5 Herefordshire Businessmen who are "considering his offer" to join the Board. He would not be drawn on their names, although HUISA understands that the group does include Graham Rivers and Mark Ellis. According to our beloved Chairman however, the group do not want to invest any money in the Club and are not prepared to provide any bank guarantees; what they are offering is the provision of their extensive commercial expertise to the Board. It is difficult to know exactly how much of the full story we were given at the Forum, and whilst "commercial expertise" is clearly necessary, some investment (more than �k that is!!) is also essential, if we are to get out and stay out of the Conference. Rumours persist that "the Consortium" are interested in doing just that, but not in direct support of the current regime. If this is the case, I for one, would not blame them. At the Forum, Peter Hill made it clear that he takes no responsibility for what has happened to the Club and has no intention of stepping down as Chairman. In those circumstances it is not difficult to see why others should be reluctant to invest their money!

Relocation: It is essentially shit or bust according to PH. The terms of the deal with the BS Group are such that if relocation has not taken place (or is imminent) within 2 years, then we will be required to pay back the �0k, and will go bankrupt. There are no alternative strategies available to the Board (I don't think they have been looking too hard) and (according to PH) the redevelopment of Edgar Street is a non-started for financial reasons. He quoted a figure of �5m to replace the Meadow End and Blackfriar Street Terraces, with seating, always assuming that we get the necessary planning permission. PH did confirm that Robin Fry would not be involved with the Club or its relocation plans in the future. He may of course make his money, if the further development plans for the Grafton site become a reality (as will PH of course), in his Cosworth Developments guise (so that's all right then isn't it?).

Both PH and JS reiterated the plea (made by RF at the first Forum of the Summer) for fans to write to the Council, voicing their support for the Club's plans. PH said that HUISA should have organised a petition over the summer (it obviously never occurred to him to ask his Fans Representative on the Board to do so!). If however the majority of members feel that this is something HUISA should be doing, then we will. Personally, my answer to PH on the night stands; until and unless he can give us assurances about where the profits to be generated by relocation will go, we are effectively being asked to back him, the current Board and RF, blindly. They do not deserve that degree of trust, in my view. And to ask others to sign a petition, in such circumstances, would clearly be something of a nonsense. I wouldn't sign one - would you?? Even were we to get guarantees, about the money, given his record, PH suffers a lack of credibility, as the man to use it, in the Club's best interests! [This last bit, is of course no more than a personal view:] TELL US WHAT YOU THINK and we will act on the majority view.

HUISA MEMBERS MEETING: Thanks to all those who attended on the 16th. Particular thanks to Mike Worthing, who made the arrangements. Points of interest are as follows:

Structure: The existing HUISA co-ordinators were elected to continue with their existing roles. Details and contact numbers will be on the Membership Cards to be issued in due course. Nick Brade was elected to act as "Entertainment/Events Secretary" (and a fine volunteer he was to!) and any ideas you may have for future fund raising and other social events should be passed to him in the first instance.

Fans Forum: Reg has organised a Forum with GT for 18th September at the Cross Keys Inn, Belmont Road, Malvern starting at 8.00pm. All HUISA members are welcome to attend (what was it Reg, free drinks all round!!). If you want to put your questions in advance (bearing in mind what is said above), please feel free to contact me. HUISA will look to put on a further Forum in October.

Away Travel: In the light of statements made by the Secretary of Morecambe FC, alleging that HUFC has warned them that its away support is potentially troublesome, (as a result of which they were considering banned us from the game), HUISA has written to PH, asking him to investigate and take action against those responsible for the slur and/or to put Morecambe right. We await his formal reply but have already has assurances (direct from PH, no less), that such comments were made and consequently we will not be banned. Also included in the letter were complaints about the change in the Cheltenham KO time (we have asked for compensation for those season ticket holders forced to miss the match) and the treatment of players' sponsors at the end of the season, a renewed request for the Board to re-consider the position of the Fans representative and a suggestion for a change in the format of the Herefordshire Senior Cup (I hope we didn't miss anything). As and when we get his formal response, the details will be passed onto members.

Hereford Times: A letter of complaint regarding the offensive "Opinion" Column (in the issue prior to the Welling game) has been sent to the Editor. It was pointed out, that if the HT did as much as the fans to help the Club, then we might not be in the position we're in!

Lottery Syndicate: An excellent idea from Billy Bollox, which would see say 25 HUISA lines run each draw, with the profits going into the Supporters Fund. There was much support for the idea on the day, which now needs to be translated into a firm commitment to pay the money (�33 per month) by D/D or S/O into the Supporters Fund. If this materialises we will draw up a formal agreement, so that I can't go on a world cruise when the numbers come up. Or was that what you really wanted after all?

Beating Bollox: Not quite as much fun as it sounds, but almost. Billy Bollox will run a matchday quiz from the Carlsberg Suite, before every home game. Answer just 7 questions correctly and you could win �or 10% of the takings, (whichever is the greater), for just 50p a go. How can you resist? All profits to the Supporters Fund (not Bollox)!

Membership Fee: A "voluntary" HUISA membership fee of � for those aged 18 or over (plus Job) was agreed at the meeting. Don't ask me to explain the voluntary bit, just pay up or we send the boys round! The membership fee will be used to meet administrative expenses, such as the production and mailing of the Newsletter and my weekly trip to the local brothel. Would the two chaps who left their fees at the meeting, let me know their names please (and I know it wasn't you Turvey)!

Golf Day: There remain a few spaces left for the above event. Two person teams, to play a 4 ball better ball, with a meal and all for �. Bargain! Hole sponsorship is still available for a minimum of � and a few volunteers to help on the day would also be welcome. All profits to the Supporters Fund. Contact me or Richard Hemmings for further details and/or an entry form.

Date of Next HUISA Members Meeting: 13th September 1997 at 12.00pm. (Before the Northwich Victoria (H) game). Venue as before - the Richmond Place Club, on Edgar Street. Any issues you want to raise please let me know.

HUISA DONATIONS: �0 from 41 members. Plus � in membership fees. HUISA Membership currently stands at 110. Work it out for yourself. (Sorry to Pam for disparaging comments about the Welsh last time - it must be the Scots). HUISA needs all its members to do their bit to help! We are going to have T-shirts made with the slogan "Hello. My name's Peter Hill" on them and they will be sent to all 69 of you with the next Newsletter!

DOVER TRIP: Not much interest as yet. Going once, going twice - cancelled (if nobody replies to this last call)!

XMAS DINNER/DANCE: Nick Brade is now working on this. Further details as and when available.

DONKEY T-SHIRTS: We have had a very reasonable offer for the production of the shirts and 4 volunteers so far. With 9 more we can plan for the big day out at Rushden. Isn't it good to see that Donkey has hit such a rich vein of scoring so early in the season. If you don't want to wear a T-shirt, take a yellow cloth with you to wave as he is caught offside - again!

HAYES TOWN (A): The Club has forwarded a warning letter they have received from a Bulls fan, who lives near the ground. Apparently before a recent game with Halifax, there were pitched battles outside a pub called (appropriately enough) "The Tumbler". One Halifax fan was stabbed and 3 required hospital treatment, after being attacked with a baseball bat! The newspaper article did say however, "that all 3 were thought to have made it to the second have of the game"! Thanks for the warning. Please take care next Saturday!

CENTRAL TV: We wrote and complained about their coverage after the Hednesford game. Tim Russon has written back and apologised, (sort of), promising as much coverage as possible in the future. I think it might help if we kept on at them, through the season. If anybody wants the address, just let me know.


BACK THE BULLS - BACK TO THE LEAGUE

MIKE "GFB" QUARRELL

HUISA CO-ORDINATOR AND FAT BASTARD TO THE GM VAUXHALL CONFERENCE

30th AUGUST 1997

PS Statto, I hope you notice the reduction in swearing in this edition, but f***ing Hargreaves deserves all he gets in my opinion!

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