Tomorrow Hereford FC play Fleetwood in the second round of the FA Cup.
Three years ago today Hereford United was close to being wound-up in the High Court although chairman Andy Lonsdale said 'I've got the funds' to put into the club.
A look back at Monday December 1st 2014.
The Hereford United winding up
petition has been adjourned until sometime this afternoon after a
proposal was put forward to pay off the creditors.
The Registrar has asked for proof that the money, reported to be £750,000, is there.
BN understands that the proposal has come from a company called Newell Property Ltd.
This company is connected with someone called Doug Carroll.
Reporters are currently trying to find out what time the hearing will take place this afternoon. If the Registrar is satified that the money is genuine he will then give a seven day adjournment.
Company involved is:
Newell Properties Developments Limited
Address: 102 New London Rd, Chelmsford CM2 0RG
62 year old Doug Carroll has a interesting financial history. He has been involved with 14 dissolved companies.
There were seven barristers in the court room, six representing creditors and one for the 'owners'. It's thought Alan McCarthy was there but none of the current Hereford United directors.
The HMRC barrister mentioned that they had already agreed to a six week adjournment and wanted a conclusion. She also mentioned that one creditor had reattached to the petition assumed to be Martin Foyle.
The 'owners' barrister said that a £1.5M investment fell through because of a 'vicious social media campaign'.
The Registrar has asked for proof that the money, reported to be £750,000, is there.
BN understands that the proposal has come from a company called Newell Property Ltd.
This company is connected with someone called Doug Carroll.
Reporters are currently trying to find out what time the hearing will take place this afternoon. If the Registrar is satified that the money is genuine he will then give a seven day adjournment.
Company involved is:
Newell Properties Developments Limited
Address: 102 New London Rd, Chelmsford CM2 0RG
62 year old Doug Carroll has a interesting financial history. He has been involved with 14 dissolved companies.
There were seven barristers in the court room, six representing creditors and one for the 'owners'. It's thought Alan McCarthy was there but none of the current Hereford United directors.
The HMRC barrister mentioned that they had already agreed to a six week adjournment and wanted a conclusion. She also mentioned that one creditor had reattached to the petition assumed to be Martin Foyle.
The 'owners' barrister said that a £1.5M investment fell through because of a 'vicious social media campaign'.
Later that afternoon.
Hereford United have been given a 14 day adjournment following a second hearing at the Companies Court this lunchtime.
It all centres around proving that funds are available to satisfy creditors.
The registrar has seen one letter but has asked to see a further undertaking from the club by 4pm this afternoon.
Chairman Andy Lonsdale has said that they now have a million dollar fund provided by European Finance Guarantee Ltd.
It's understood Newall Property have pulled out after 'receiving threats'.
Update: European Finance Guarantee Ltd is a 'dormant' company.
By December 15th, at the next hearing, the club has to confirm to the Court that a schedule of payments have been agreed.
It all centres around proving that funds are available to satisfy creditors.
The registrar has seen one letter but has asked to see a further undertaking from the club by 4pm this afternoon.
Chairman Andy Lonsdale has said that they now have a million dollar fund provided by European Finance Guarantee Ltd.
It's understood Newall Property have pulled out after 'receiving threats'.
Update: European Finance Guarantee Ltd is a 'dormant' company.
By December 15th, at the next hearing, the club has to confirm to the Court that a schedule of payments have been agreed.
That evening chairman Andy Lonsdale spoke to BBC Hereford and Worcester.
In an interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester, Andy Lonsdale has said why he has decided to put money into Hereford United.
https://audioboom.com/boos/2695626-it-was-last-chance-saloon-hereford-united-s-chairman-andy-lonsdale
"Basically we had an investor Duggie Carroll who was willing to lend the club £750,000 as an investment .
"Between half an hour of me coming outside and going to a coffee shop it was all over Bulls News.
"He got phone calls to his office and pulled the investment.
"So I decided to step in at the last minute and keep the club going.
"Carroll said it was intimidation and ringing him up and basically threatening him and his family.
"They were going to expose him
all over social media and twitter, it's what they've done to a number of
people over the last couple of weeks.
"The voicemail wasn't Tommy Agombar, it was someone involved with the club for a little while who is no longer there.
"As far as I'm concerned it shouldn't have happened but it did. I apologise for that.
"What you've got to realise is that it's a two way street.
"We got lots of phonecalls so this guy decided to retaliate.
"You can't blame him for that, it shouldn't have started in the first place.
"All we've ever come to do is maintain the history and integrity and keep the club going. We haven't come to kill it."
Lonsdale was asked why he had decided to put 'his own money into the club'?
"Last chance saloon.
"Basically I knew today was the last chance.
"We had the investment covered by Duggie Carroll, so I decided to sit in the background.
"They've done all they can to me, they've dug up my past, my families past, disgraceful really.
"They can't intimidate me any more so I decided at half past ten to do the right thing, get the letter from my investment company that holds the money, get it transferred over to the barrister to show I've got the funds to do it."
Later in the interview Lonsdale was asked how confident he was his investment would sort it.
"Very, very confident.
"Moving forward we put out an olive branch to HUST before. HUST have always told us once the debts are paid the boycott will stop.
"So once that happens we will find out the real agenda, why are local Herefordians willing to wave money of their own just to see the club die. I can't believe it's all because of us.
"There's a hidden agenda somewhere, let's get the truth out in the open.
"Carroll was going to give us a revolving line of credit to keep the club going and there are no plans at the moment. There are no plans into the Council for redevelopment. We haven't put any plans in, we haven't applied for any planning permission. It's all nonsense.
"I can't say it isn't in the long term but the next two, three years it isn't.
"Things change don't they. Obviously the potential is there, you'd be mad not to take it up. Definitely not a short term fix.
"If it was we would have had plans in a long time ago. But we haven't and you can check that with the Council."
Lonsdale was then asked why former owner Tommy Agombar was at the Court.
"Tommy is very passionate about the club. Don't forget it was Tommy who bought the club, it was Tommy who invested lot of money into the club. He also lost a lot of money through the Alpha Choice senario.
"He's still a very big supporter of the club and he's a friend of mine."
Finally Lonsdale was asked if they was anyway back for 'yourselves and supporters'
"It's completely down to them. I've offered the olive branch and it was thrown back in my face.
"So I'll leave that to HUST now.
"Chris Williams has read the leases.
"There is no long term development in the middle of the ground. It's staying a football pitch for ever. I don't know where they got that from."
Lonsdale was asked why he had decided to put 'his own money into the club'?
"Last chance saloon.
"Basically I knew today was the last chance.
"We had the investment covered by Duggie Carroll, so I decided to sit in the background.
"They've done all they can to me, they've dug up my past, my families past, disgraceful really.
"They can't intimidate me any more so I decided at half past ten to do the right thing, get the letter from my investment company that holds the money, get it transferred over to the barrister to show I've got the funds to do it."
Later in the interview Lonsdale was asked how confident he was his investment would sort it.
"Very, very confident.
"Moving forward we put out an olive branch to HUST before. HUST have always told us once the debts are paid the boycott will stop.
"So once that happens we will find out the real agenda, why are local Herefordians willing to wave money of their own just to see the club die. I can't believe it's all because of us.
"There's a hidden agenda somewhere, let's get the truth out in the open.
"Carroll was going to give us a revolving line of credit to keep the club going and there are no plans at the moment. There are no plans into the Council for redevelopment. We haven't put any plans in, we haven't applied for any planning permission. It's all nonsense.
"I can't say it isn't in the long term but the next two, three years it isn't.
"Things change don't they. Obviously the potential is there, you'd be mad not to take it up. Definitely not a short term fix.
"If it was we would have had plans in a long time ago. But we haven't and you can check that with the Council."
Lonsdale was then asked why former owner Tommy Agombar was at the Court.
"Tommy is very passionate about the club. Don't forget it was Tommy who bought the club, it was Tommy who invested lot of money into the club. He also lost a lot of money through the Alpha Choice senario.
"He's still a very big supporter of the club and he's a friend of mine."
Finally Lonsdale was asked if they was anyway back for 'yourselves and supporters'
"It's completely down to them. I've offered the olive branch and it was thrown back in my face.
"So I'll leave that to HUST now.
"Chris Williams has read the leases.
"There is no long term development in the middle of the ground. It's staying a football pitch for ever. I don't know where they got that from."
As everyone now knows Lonsdale's promise of money came to nothing and Hereford United failed three weeks later.
Lonsdales Interview : https://audioboom.com/boos/2695626-it-was-last-chance-saloon-hereford-united-s-chairman-andy-lonsdale