The FA Cup run, which had done so much to improve the Bulls finances, sadly came to an end with a defeat against Division One (Now Championship equivalent) side Tranmere Rovers.
The original tie was due to be played on Sunday 4th January 1998, but a waterlogged Edgar Street saw the lunchtime kick off postponed.
The match eventually took place on the evening of Tuesday 13th January, and a crowd of 7,473 witnessed Graham Turner's men bravely go down 3-0 to John Aldridge's side . Tranmere then went on to defeat Sunderland in the next round, before bowing out to Newcastle in round 5.
The footage can be seen on the below link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrfx6VIbKDI
To go with the video here's a look back at the build up to the game and also a report.
From the Times:
JOHN ALDRIDGE and Steve McMahon played together for Liverpool in two FA Cup Finals in the Eighties, but the former will be anxious tonight not to share the latter's experience in the competition this season. Aldridge, player-manager of Tranmere Rovers, faces a tricky third-round tie against non-League opposition, ten days after Swindon Town, the first division club managed by McMahon, were eliminated by Stevenage Borough.
Tranmere travel to Edgar Street, home of Hereford United, whose Clubcall yesterday issued a dire warning of the consequences of defeat for the Vauxhall Conference team tonight. "Hereford, more than ever, desperately need that fourth-round tie," the recorded voice said. "It could even mean the difference between survival and the unthinkable."
The unthinkable, as Peter Hill, the Hereford chairman, explained, is a winding-up order. Hereford, almost £1 million in debt and with a creditors' meeting scheduled for next week, are offering an immediate 40 pence in the pound. Victory over Tranmere could unlock the door to full and swift payment of debts.
Hereford's 1972 victory over Newcastle United, the game of Ronnie Radford, was one of the FA Cup upsets. "When we were drawn against Newcastle, we had financial problems, but that stabilised us," Hill recalled. Two results - a win over Tranmere, a draw at home to Sunderland in the fourth round - could see Hereford from Edgar Street on to Easy Street.
Hereford to follow Stevenage's example? Form suggests that it can be done. Hereford have scored seven goals in their past two matches, Tranmere are without a goal in seven hours. "We have a hard core of 2,000 supporters," Hill said, "but we are saying to people who come for high days and holidays: 'Come now, we need your money.' "
HEREFORD United full-back Ian Rodgerson stands by for a recall for tonights FA Cup clash against Tranmere Rovers at Edgar Street.
The former Birmingham City player missed Herefords FA Umbro Trophy win over Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday due to suspension and is hoping to reclaim the number two shirt.
But Rodgersons recall is not automatic following a good performance from Rob Warner, when the youngster took over against the Ryman League side.
The Bulls director of football, Graham Tumer, said: "Warner did well. I now have to make a decision as to whether he will Start the game tomorrow, or whether I bring back Rodgerson."
Turners decision, however, depends on a fitness check on midfielder Brian McGorrie, who was substituted in the second half against Dulwich due to a troublesome hamstring injury.
If McGorrie is unavailable tonight, both Warner and Rodgerson will be in the starting line-up.
HEREFORD United 0 Tranmere 3 (report by Peter Povall)
The bubble finally burst tonight for United's FA Cup hopes as First Division Tranmere dealt them a fine display of dominance and took away a 3 goal victory.
Hereford fought diligently throughout the first half but were unlucky when Gary Jones got the better of Jamie Pitman and hammered home a headed flick on from David Kelly.
United did attempt replies to this early goal but they were reduced to taking shots from long range as anywhere near the goal and both Neil Grayson and Tony Agana were completely marked out of the match.
One 25 yard curler from Grayson beat both the defence and the keeper but rose just over the bar. A valiant effort from Murray Fishlock was also tipped over by Steve Simonsen just before the break.
The second half saw the match confidently sewn up by Tranmere though as 2 goals in six minutes took them clear of danger and brought severe doubt to the home side.
The first of the killers came from Gary Jones (again) as he received a well placed cross form Parkinson and finished cleanly with a low drive which easily beat DeBont.
The second was more of a scramble goal as Kelly headed against the bar and Clint Hill was in the right place at the right time for a simple finish.
Basically United put up a good fight while there was any real chance of claiming the match but the early goals in the second half made the whole thing seem pointless. Another seasons FA Cup run brought to a close before we could get our hands on the financially beneficial fourth round.
Jan 17th:
GRAHAM Turner has told his Hereford United players to forget all about their FA cup defeat by Tranmere Rovers and concentrate on getting three points from Kettering Town at Edgar Street this afternoon.
"We must put the disappointment firmly behind us and bounce back," Turner told the Birmingham Post.
"While there is still an outside chance of catching the Vauxhall Conference leaders, we should never give up.
"I have also touched on the club's financial problems. Everybody is concerned about what's happening in meetings off the pitch.
"It is only human nature. The players, however, should be capable of putting things to the back of their minds and concentrate on beating Kettering, followed by Stevenage on Monday."
Hereford have the chance to record their third Conference double of the season. They beat Kettering 2-1 in September with two goals from top marksman Neil Grayson.
HEREFORD United 3 Kettering Town 2 (report by Peter Povall)
Hereford claimed their third double of the season, to the cost of Kettering as they claimed the three points with a late from loan striker Richard Leadbeater.
The match had started in some sort of doubt though as United had the game taken to them with an excellent 14th minute goal from Craig Norman. He had collected the ball from a poor move by Chris Hargreaves and curled it superbly around Quy from all of 25 yards out.
Hereford were unmoved by this early goal and seemed quite happy to chase the game without really trying to get the equaliser although Leadbeater did head one over the bar before the break.
The bollocking from Graham Turner had some effect at the start of the second half, even if the equaliser came from an own goal. Colin Vowden was the culprit as he attempted to clear an excellent corner from Murray Fishlock which would have finished in the net anyway.
Just moments later Kettering were away again as Chris Pearson sprinted down the pitch with the ball at his feet, beating the entire United defence and then rounding Andy Quy to drive home his shot from a narrowing angle.
United were again chasing the game and some chosen words from Turner in the dug-out finally got them going.
A quick assault won them a corner which Brian McGorry stepped forward for. His cross flew high over the defence but the rising figure of John Brough met it at the back post and directed it home to equalise once more.
The clincher came in the dying minutes as United were eventually getting themselves sorted out. Ian Rodgerson combined well with Richard Leadbeater in a neat little one-two movement from the right wing, beating the defence, and giving Leadbeater the space he needed to drive home his shot from just outside the six yard box.
A poor performance on the whole which would have resulted in a costly defeat had they been playing anyone else. So often United have been complacent against teams who can quickly rise up and bite you.
To go with the video here's a look back at the build up to the game and also a report.
From the Times:
JOHN ALDRIDGE and Steve McMahon played together for Liverpool in two FA Cup Finals in the Eighties, but the former will be anxious tonight not to share the latter's experience in the competition this season. Aldridge, player-manager of Tranmere Rovers, faces a tricky third-round tie against non-League opposition, ten days after Swindon Town, the first division club managed by McMahon, were eliminated by Stevenage Borough.
Tranmere travel to Edgar Street, home of Hereford United, whose Clubcall yesterday issued a dire warning of the consequences of defeat for the Vauxhall Conference team tonight. "Hereford, more than ever, desperately need that fourth-round tie," the recorded voice said. "It could even mean the difference between survival and the unthinkable."
The unthinkable, as Peter Hill, the Hereford chairman, explained, is a winding-up order. Hereford, almost £1 million in debt and with a creditors' meeting scheduled for next week, are offering an immediate 40 pence in the pound. Victory over Tranmere could unlock the door to full and swift payment of debts.
Hereford's 1972 victory over Newcastle United, the game of Ronnie Radford, was one of the FA Cup upsets. "When we were drawn against Newcastle, we had financial problems, but that stabilised us," Hill recalled. Two results - a win over Tranmere, a draw at home to Sunderland in the fourth round - could see Hereford from Edgar Street on to Easy Street.
Hereford to follow Stevenage's example? Form suggests that it can be done. Hereford have scored seven goals in their past two matches, Tranmere are without a goal in seven hours. "We have a hard core of 2,000 supporters," Hill said, "but we are saying to people who come for high days and holidays: 'Come now, we need your money.' "
HEREFORD United full-back Ian Rodgerson stands by for a recall for tonights FA Cup clash against Tranmere Rovers at Edgar Street.
The former Birmingham City player missed Herefords FA Umbro Trophy win over Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday due to suspension and is hoping to reclaim the number two shirt.
But Rodgersons recall is not automatic following a good performance from Rob Warner, when the youngster took over against the Ryman League side.
The Bulls director of football, Graham Tumer, said: "Warner did well. I now have to make a decision as to whether he will Start the game tomorrow, or whether I bring back Rodgerson."
Turners decision, however, depends on a fitness check on midfielder Brian McGorrie, who was substituted in the second half against Dulwich due to a troublesome hamstring injury.
If McGorrie is unavailable tonight, both Warner and Rodgerson will be in the starting line-up.
HEREFORD United 0 Tranmere 3 (report by Peter Povall)
The bubble finally burst tonight for United's FA Cup hopes as First Division Tranmere dealt them a fine display of dominance and took away a 3 goal victory.
Hereford fought diligently throughout the first half but were unlucky when Gary Jones got the better of Jamie Pitman and hammered home a headed flick on from David Kelly.
United did attempt replies to this early goal but they were reduced to taking shots from long range as anywhere near the goal and both Neil Grayson and Tony Agana were completely marked out of the match.
One 25 yard curler from Grayson beat both the defence and the keeper but rose just over the bar. A valiant effort from Murray Fishlock was also tipped over by Steve Simonsen just before the break.
The second half saw the match confidently sewn up by Tranmere though as 2 goals in six minutes took them clear of danger and brought severe doubt to the home side.
The first of the killers came from Gary Jones (again) as he received a well placed cross form Parkinson and finished cleanly with a low drive which easily beat DeBont.
The second was more of a scramble goal as Kelly headed against the bar and Clint Hill was in the right place at the right time for a simple finish.
Basically United put up a good fight while there was any real chance of claiming the match but the early goals in the second half made the whole thing seem pointless. Another seasons FA Cup run brought to a close before we could get our hands on the financially beneficial fourth round.
Jan 17th:
GRAHAM Turner has told his Hereford United players to forget all about their FA cup defeat by Tranmere Rovers and concentrate on getting three points from Kettering Town at Edgar Street this afternoon.
"We must put the disappointment firmly behind us and bounce back," Turner told the Birmingham Post.
"While there is still an outside chance of catching the Vauxhall Conference leaders, we should never give up.
"I have also touched on the club's financial problems. Everybody is concerned about what's happening in meetings off the pitch.
"It is only human nature. The players, however, should be capable of putting things to the back of their minds and concentrate on beating Kettering, followed by Stevenage on Monday."
Hereford have the chance to record their third Conference double of the season. They beat Kettering 2-1 in September with two goals from top marksman Neil Grayson.
HEREFORD United 3 Kettering Town 2 (report by Peter Povall)
Hereford claimed their third double of the season, to the cost of Kettering as they claimed the three points with a late from loan striker Richard Leadbeater.
The match had started in some sort of doubt though as United had the game taken to them with an excellent 14th minute goal from Craig Norman. He had collected the ball from a poor move by Chris Hargreaves and curled it superbly around Quy from all of 25 yards out.
Hereford were unmoved by this early goal and seemed quite happy to chase the game without really trying to get the equaliser although Leadbeater did head one over the bar before the break.
The bollocking from Graham Turner had some effect at the start of the second half, even if the equaliser came from an own goal. Colin Vowden was the culprit as he attempted to clear an excellent corner from Murray Fishlock which would have finished in the net anyway.
Just moments later Kettering were away again as Chris Pearson sprinted down the pitch with the ball at his feet, beating the entire United defence and then rounding Andy Quy to drive home his shot from a narrowing angle.
United were again chasing the game and some chosen words from Turner in the dug-out finally got them going.
A quick assault won them a corner which Brian McGorry stepped forward for. His cross flew high over the defence but the rising figure of John Brough met it at the back post and directed it home to equalise once more.
The clincher came in the dying minutes as United were eventually getting themselves sorted out. Ian Rodgerson combined well with Richard Leadbeater in a neat little one-two movement from the right wing, beating the defence, and giving Leadbeater the space he needed to drive home his shot from just outside the six yard box.
A poor performance on the whole which would have resulted in a costly defeat had they been playing anyone else. So often United have been complacent against teams who can quickly rise up and bite you.