Today marks one year since the FA Vase final between Hereford and Morpeth Town. Despite being on the wrong end of the 4-1 scoreline, the experience was one that the 20,000 Hereford fans won't forget.
As for the game itself, the Bulls got the afternoon off to a great start as Rob Purdie scored in the 2nd minute with a fantastic strike.
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| Hereford players celebrate the opening goal |
45-year old Chris Swailes became the oldest scorer in a Wembley cup final when he equalised for the Highwaymen before half time.
Second half goals for Morpeth from Luke Carr, Sean Taylor and Shaun Bell meant the day unfortunately ended in heartbreak for Hereford.
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| A tearful Rob Purdie pictured after the final whistle with his daughter |
Despite the outcome of the match, the Bulls remain the first, and only, team to have taken a live mascot to the stadium.
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| 'Ronaldo' the bull was paraded around the pitch before kick off |
Fans also took time during the game to remember Adam Stansfield - a former Hereford United striker who sadly passed away in 2010. In the ninth minute of the game they paid a tribute to the striker who wore the number nine shirt.
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| Supporters remembered Adam Stansfield with a minute's applause |
One supporter told BN that he will never forget it.
"The feeling I had when I could hear people telling others to be quiet just before the beginning of the ninth minute,and then for all of the Hereford fans standing and applauding, is something I personally will never forget."
The interest that the Vase final generated was staggering. Not only the ticket and merchandise sales, but the general buzz around the county. In the summer of 2015, the reformed club were yet to play a competitive game, but less than a year later they were at the National Stadium.
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| Manger Pete Beadle led the team onto the pitch, followed by captain Joel Edwards |
In the post match press conference, Peter Beadle spoke briefly about the benefits of the day.
Beadle said: "The city has bought into it because of the runs we’ve had through the league programme and obviously in the cup have really got people excited again.
"Commercially and financially, as long as we keep attracting the support that we are it’s huge.
"To have 20,000 here, probably 1,000 of them would have had club shirts on, but that doesn’t count for anything unless we continue this momentum next season."
This season the Whites have achieved a second consecutive promotion, retained the County Cup and also lifted the Southern League 'Champion of Champions' trophy.
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| Hereford were presented with the Southern League South and West shield last month |