It’s back! After an interminable wait for those of us who can’t
get that worked up about a ‘glorious’ national team getting beaten twice by
Belgium and once by Croatia in one short tournament, the proper stuff returns
at 3pm this afternoon at the Stadio del Toro (er, Edgar Street).
Blyth Spartans are the visitors for HFC’s first match at yet
another higher level in the ‘new’ club’s history, National League North.
One of the aspects of promotion most eagerly felt by
supporters was the prospect of the return of some atmosphere at home matches
due to the increase in away support. Well, given that Blyth is widely thought
to be the most northerly permanently populated place on Earth this fixture
probably won’t deliver on that front, with the away section of the Len Weston
stand unlikely to approach an overspill situation.
However, the weather
forecast suggests mass ranks of shirt sleeves in the Meadow End basking in warm
August sunshine, so it’s undoubtedly the place to be even if you won’t have the
opportunity to shout rude things at northerners.
Frankly, there’s no excuse not to get to the game and enjoy
the start of this new chapter in the club’s journey back to that magical moment
we’re all dreaming of: a meaningless mid-table League 2 0-0 draw away at
Christie Park* in February in front of 1200 people in Arctic temperatures.
*It’s probably not called that anymore is it?
This latest promotion delivers perhaps the first true test
for the playing squad and the club generally (Hereford are 16/1 to win the
league), and this, coupled with the fact that there have been more squad ins
and outs over the summer than has previously been the case adds to the
intrigue, and, in some cases, concern.
Influential players from last season such as Pring, Oates,
O’Shea, Mills and Haysham have gone for different reasons, and fans will be
keen to assess how their replacements compare.
One player used relatively sparingly last season, Jamie
Bird, has looked in pre-season like he may be capable of playing a much more
influential role this term, both in general play and in terms of having the
potential to contribute ten goals or more from midfield. Supporters will be
hoping that Calvin Dinsley’s injury problems are behind him, and that he can
form a strong rotating central midfield set-up with McGrath, Murphy and
Richards.
We know what we’ll get from Keyon Reffell, whereas we don’t
entirely know what we’ll get from JMW.
The arrival of Danny Greenslade, tracked for some time by
manager Pete Beadle and widely considered to be one of the best left backs in
the division, and highly thought of Keiran Thomas from Gloucester City, should
mean that the loss of Pring, Bowen and Captain Oates isn’t felt too keenly on
either side of defence.
Greener’s not getting any younger of course, but if he can
stay fit and free of suspensions there’s no reason why he can’t be an
invaluable part of the jigsaw for another season, and help new captain Jordan
Liburd through the stickier situations that will inevitably crop up now against
clubs with considerable financial backing. And if the new captain doesn’t
continue his development and increasingly resemble a modern-day Tamika
Mkandawire it’ll be a surprise.
Several others in terms of the new arrivals could, to be
honest, be anything. Beadle’s ‘rough diamonds’ Sainty and White (there’s a joke
there somewhere about Diamond White) have shown enough in pre-season to suggest
that they may be more diamond than rough, but there’s plenty to prove.
The Beast’s injury absence merely adds to the feeling that
the squad looks a little light up top, and while there’s no faulting Lance
Smith’s endeavour, at this level he’ll be expected to convert some of the
easier chances he missed last season.
As for the opposition, Blyth finished tenth last season and
will be keen to push on into the play-offs this time. In that respect, it could
be the perfect opener in terms of facing properly competitive opponents to
measure the new squad against, and determining whether they have what it takes to challenge
the likes of Stockport, Chester, Telford and neighbours Kidderminster at the
top of the table.
All conjecture stops at 3pm today, and it’ll be fascinating
to finally pick up some clues as to how this season will play out, the first in
which HFC aren’t the promotion favourites, the biggest supported club, the best
funded club, or the club everyone else wants to beat. You never know, it could
work in our favour.
COYW.