It's an FA Cup weekend and, as ever, the BBC have played Ronnie Radford's goal as part of a reminder of just why the FA Cup is special to clubs like Hereford United.
Indeed, this afternoon's win by near neighbours Worcester City over Coventry, has once again highlighted the 'magic of the cup'.
Indeed, this afternoon's win by near neighbours Worcester City over Coventry, has once again highlighted the 'magic of the cup'.
Before enforced relegation to the Southern League, Hereford United seldom went a season without at least one or two, sometimes more, FA Cup-ties against higher graded opposition.
For example in the 2001/2002 season, the Bulls defeated Wrexham in Round One and went onto meet Swindon at the County Ground in Round Two.
Here's a reminder of the build-up and the match.
First from the Times dated December 6th 2001:
FOOT-AND-MOUTH has prevented them from parading a bull, the club mascot,
around the ground beforehand, a £1 million loan needs to be repaid
within 18 months and the manager resigned recently. For the club that
helped to invent FA Cup romance, the grim reality of life at the bottom
has bitten.
While the Hereford United players went go-karting in preparation for Saturday’s second-round tie away to Swindon Town, Graham Turner sat writing cheques in his humble office. Two months after quitting as manager and assuming the dual title of chairman and director of football affairs, he is battling to solve the financial problems that are strangling the club.
Having taken a loan from developers keen to acquire the Edgar Street site, Hereford’s future has been clouded by the local council’s insistence that football must stay at the ground where Ronnie Radford scored that goal against Newcastle United almost 30 years ago.
“It’s a fact of life that clubs move,” Turner said. “Ask any Sunderland fan if he’d swap the Stadium of Light for Roker Park. You’ll get a few say, ‘I’ve stood here for 50 years and I am not budging,’ but most see the positive side. It’s logical but, unfortunately, we’ve hit an impasse with the council, who are the freeholders. I feel like a ball that’s been kicked around between the two parties.”
Even Turner’s metaphors betray his love of the game. Football is his lifeblood. It explains why, despite the bureaucracy and occasionally having to forgo his wages, he is still relishing the trip to Swindon. “It’s not about the money,” he said. “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.”
The man charged with making it even more special is Phil Robinson. One of Turner’s players when he was manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the late 1980s, he has been put in charge of first-team affairs until the end of the season. “It was a big shock when Graham stepped aside,” Robinson, 34, said. “We’d had a run of below-par results and things were getting strained on and off the pitch, but I was surprised when he took me to one side and said what he was planning.”
It meant that Robinson, who joined the club in the summer of 2000, was thrust into the difficult world of player-management.
“It’s hard because you’re one of the lads on the pitch and then you try to keep a bit of distance off it,” he said. “It’s also hard to criticise if you’re making the same mistakes.”
Although he is still acclimatising to his new role, Robinson is used to such juggling acts, having spent five years studying for a physiotherapy degree. “I was living in Stafford and playing for Notts County,” he said. “So I’d drive to Nottingham first thing for training and then drive two hours to Salford University. Then I’d spend five hours studying before getting back in the car and spending another hour going home. It was gruelling.” It was worth it, though, and Robinson emerged with a first-class honours degree.
With Hereford struggling in the Nationwide Conference, the game at the County Ground brings much-needed respite. “If we all play above ourselves then we have a chance,” Robinson said. “The way teams cause upsets is by treating these games as special. Before each tie the players have gone karting. There are a few lunatics among them but it’s good for bonding. We’ll also be staying in a hotel the night before, which we wouldn’t normally do. You have to make it feel different.”
Robinson and Turner are hoping that routine will help their team to write another chapter in their rich FA Cup history. Both talk of “the romance of the Cup” but, against the backdrop of financial difficulties, they know that Saturday’s tie constitutes something more. It could be a lifeline.
While the Hereford United players went go-karting in preparation for Saturday’s second-round tie away to Swindon Town, Graham Turner sat writing cheques in his humble office. Two months after quitting as manager and assuming the dual title of chairman and director of football affairs, he is battling to solve the financial problems that are strangling the club.
Having taken a loan from developers keen to acquire the Edgar Street site, Hereford’s future has been clouded by the local council’s insistence that football must stay at the ground where Ronnie Radford scored that goal against Newcastle United almost 30 years ago.
“It’s a fact of life that clubs move,” Turner said. “Ask any Sunderland fan if he’d swap the Stadium of Light for Roker Park. You’ll get a few say, ‘I’ve stood here for 50 years and I am not budging,’ but most see the positive side. It’s logical but, unfortunately, we’ve hit an impasse with the council, who are the freeholders. I feel like a ball that’s been kicked around between the two parties.”
Even Turner’s metaphors betray his love of the game. Football is his lifeblood. It explains why, despite the bureaucracy and occasionally having to forgo his wages, he is still relishing the trip to Swindon. “It’s not about the money,” he said. “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.”
The man charged with making it even more special is Phil Robinson. One of Turner’s players when he was manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the late 1980s, he has been put in charge of first-team affairs until the end of the season. “It was a big shock when Graham stepped aside,” Robinson, 34, said. “We’d had a run of below-par results and things were getting strained on and off the pitch, but I was surprised when he took me to one side and said what he was planning.”
It meant that Robinson, who joined the club in the summer of 2000, was thrust into the difficult world of player-management.
“It’s hard because you’re one of the lads on the pitch and then you try to keep a bit of distance off it,” he said. “It’s also hard to criticise if you’re making the same mistakes.”
Although he is still acclimatising to his new role, Robinson is used to such juggling acts, having spent five years studying for a physiotherapy degree. “I was living in Stafford and playing for Notts County,” he said. “So I’d drive to Nottingham first thing for training and then drive two hours to Salford University. Then I’d spend five hours studying before getting back in the car and spending another hour going home. It was gruelling.” It was worth it, though, and Robinson emerged with a first-class honours degree.
With Hereford struggling in the Nationwide Conference, the game at the County Ground brings much-needed respite. “If we all play above ourselves then we have a chance,” Robinson said. “The way teams cause upsets is by treating these games as special. Before each tie the players have gone karting. There are a few lunatics among them but it’s good for bonding. We’ll also be staying in a hotel the night before, which we wouldn’t normally do. You have to make it feel different.”
Robinson and Turner are hoping that routine will help their team to write another chapter in their rich FA Cup history. Both talk of “the romance of the Cup” but, against the backdrop of financial difficulties, they know that Saturday’s tie constitutes something more. It could be a lifeline.
Secondly a match report from December 8th 2001:
Swindon Town 3 - 2 Hereford United
Two second half Swindon Town goals resulted in Hereford United's elimination from the FA Cup at the second round stage.
The Bulls did their very best and made the travelling support of around two thousand fans proud but couldn't quite find the killer edge to force a replay at Edgar Street.
Hereford captain Ian Wright, who scored the winner in the previous round against Wrexham, passed a late fitness test to make the starting eleven. However, Scott Voice was injured and failed to make the squad.
Swindon, managed by ex-Liverpool boss Roy Evans, took an early lead after a good spell of pressure on eleven minutes. Danny Invincible, the Australian striker, ripped apart the Bulls defence before sliding a low ball past the advancing Matt Baker in the Hereford goal.
Three minutes later, Hereford levelled the score in spectacular fashion. 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.
After the goal, a handful of Hereford 'fans' appeared to jump out of their enclosure behind the goal (only used as an overfill area) and ran towards the Swindon stand. The stewards soon sorted out the problem but the incident will do little to improve the reputation of away Bulls followers.
Swindon searched for a goal as the half progressed with John Snape preventing Steve Robinson when in full flight with a well-timed tackle. Matt Baker coped with a difficult shot from Eric Sabin, palming away the effort for Tony James to clear. Shots rained in from all angles as Swindon dominated. Therefore, it came as a bit of a shock when Hereford took the lead with twenty eight minutes on the clock!
A corner from the left by Williams met Hereford's unmarked captain Ian Wright who jumped to head the ball down and over the line. The Bulls had a surprising lead which Swindon attempted to break down. Two minutes later, a goalmouth scramble saw the ball cleared and further efforts from the home side resulted in Matt Baker earning his bonus before the half was over.
After the break, it took seven minutes for Swindon to level the scores. Matt Baker handled the ball just outside the area and after the free-kick, the ball was half cleared. However, Paul Edwards picked up the ball on the left, weaved through two defenders before knocking the ball home for his first Swindon goal.
Hereford then attemped to hold on for a replay. However, the Conference hopefuls were running out of steam. Wave after wave of attacks from Town saw a penalty appeal turned down, a clearance off the line and two shots across goal which needed the smallest of touches to give Swindon the lead.
With fifteen minutes left, Gavin Williams was brought down in the Swindon box with an elbow. The referee failed to notice the incident, and no penalty was awarded.
A minute later, Bobby Howe picked up a deflected shot from Eric Sabin and, from the edge of the box, gave Swindon the lead they so desparately needed. Hereford United had held on so well but their good luck had run out.
Still, the Bulls fought on in front of a crowd of 7,699. Boss Phil Robinson introduced Danny Davidson and Alex Kevan but it was in vain. The last minute saw goalkeeper Baker again save from Wayne Carlisle, and Tony Capaldi cleared off the line from an Eric Sabin close-range header.
So, the FA Cup is all over for another year at Hereford. The club will be proud of what they have achieved but a diversion is now required - to improve league form. The Bulls are back to the real thing next weekend, as Nuneaton Borough come to Edgar Street.
Hereford United: Matt Baker, Matt Clarke, Tony Capaldi, Scott Goodwin, Ian Wright (captain), Tony James, Jimmy Quiggin (off, 83 minutes), John Snape, Rob Elmes (off, 83 minutes), Gavin Williams, Paul Parry
Subs: Mark Williams, Lee Evans, Alex Kevan (on, 83 minutes,) Steve Piearce, Danny Davidson (on, 83 minutes)
Yellow cards: Matt Clarke (36 minutes, foul) Baker (51 minutes, unsporting behaviour) Parry (65 minutes, foul)
Scorers: Gavin Williams (14 minutes) Ian Wright (27 minutes)
Attendance: 7699
Man of the Match: Gavin Williams
Referee: Mr. P. Joslin (Newark, Notts)
.
Two second half Swindon Town goals resulted in Hereford United's elimination from the FA Cup at the second round stage.
The Bulls did their very best and made the travelling support of around two thousand fans proud but couldn't quite find the killer edge to force a replay at Edgar Street.
Hereford captain Ian Wright, who scored the winner in the previous round against Wrexham, passed a late fitness test to make the starting eleven. However, Scott Voice was injured and failed to make the squad.
Swindon, managed by ex-Liverpool boss Roy Evans, took an early lead after a good spell of pressure on eleven minutes. Danny Invincible, the Australian striker, ripped apart the Bulls defence before sliding a low ball past the advancing Matt Baker in the Hereford goal.
Three minutes later, Hereford levelled the score in spectacular fashion. 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.
After the goal, a handful of Hereford 'fans' appeared to jump out of their enclosure behind the goal (only used as an overfill area) and ran towards the Swindon stand. The stewards soon sorted out the problem but the incident will do little to improve the reputation of away Bulls followers.
Swindon searched for a goal as the half progressed with John Snape preventing Steve Robinson when in full flight with a well-timed tackle. Matt Baker coped with a difficult shot from Eric Sabin, palming away the effort for Tony James to clear. Shots rained in from all angles as Swindon dominated. Therefore, it came as a bit of a shock when Hereford took the lead with twenty eight minutes on the clock!
A corner from the left by Williams met Hereford's unmarked captain Ian Wright who jumped to head the ball down and over the line. The Bulls had a surprising lead which Swindon attempted to break down. Two minutes later, a goalmouth scramble saw the ball cleared and further efforts from the home side resulted in Matt Baker earning his bonus before the half was over.
After the break, it took seven minutes for Swindon to level the scores. Matt Baker handled the ball just outside the area and after the free-kick, the ball was half cleared. However, Paul Edwards picked up the ball on the left, weaved through two defenders before knocking the ball home for his first Swindon goal.
Hereford then attemped to hold on for a replay. However, the Conference hopefuls were running out of steam. Wave after wave of attacks from Town saw a penalty appeal turned down, a clearance off the line and two shots across goal which needed the smallest of touches to give Swindon the lead.
With fifteen minutes left, Gavin Williams was brought down in the Swindon box with an elbow. The referee failed to notice the incident, and no penalty was awarded.
A minute later, Bobby Howe picked up a deflected shot from Eric Sabin and, from the edge of the box, gave Swindon the lead they so desparately needed. Hereford United had held on so well but their good luck had run out.
Still, the Bulls fought on in front of a crowd of 7,699. Boss Phil Robinson introduced Danny Davidson and Alex Kevan but it was in vain. The last minute saw goalkeeper Baker again save from Wayne Carlisle, and Tony Capaldi cleared off the line from an Eric Sabin close-range header.
So, the FA Cup is all over for another year at Hereford. The club will be proud of what they have achieved but a diversion is now required - to improve league form. The Bulls are back to the real thing next weekend, as Nuneaton Borough come to Edgar Street.
Hereford United: Matt Baker, Matt Clarke, Tony Capaldi, Scott Goodwin, Ian Wright (captain), Tony James, Jimmy Quiggin (off, 83 minutes), John Snape, Rob Elmes (off, 83 minutes), Gavin Williams, Paul Parry
Subs: Mark Williams, Lee Evans, Alex Kevan (on, 83 minutes,) Steve Piearce, Danny Davidson (on, 83 minutes)
Yellow cards: Matt Clarke (36 minutes, foul) Baker (51 minutes, unsporting behaviour) Parry (65 minutes, foul)
Scorers: Gavin Williams (14 minutes) Ian Wright (27 minutes)
Attendance: 7699
Man of the Match: Gavin Williams
Referee: Mr. P. Joslin (Newark, Notts)
.