There's Bragging Rights At Stake On Sunday Said Purdie

Purdie Scores For Hereford At Wembley

Rob Purdie has been telling the non-league paper that he hopes his Hereford United team will be fit enough for a competitive game at his testimonial on Sunday.

“It’s players from the first three promotions at Hereford FC and then the Conference promotion Hereford United team – with a few others mixed in because I needed to find some players fit enough!," said Purdie as reported by the non-league paper.

“Our old keeper at Hereford United, Matt Baker, says his knee hurts after he walks the dog and then at the other end you’ve got Stuart Fleetwood, who’s still playing at Swindon Supermarine, Ryan Green, who’s just retired. I wanted a competitive game, not just a jolly-up charity match, for at least 60 minutes before we do get tired.

“When I planned it I thought I’d have 45 minutes of HFC v Hereford United and then I’d mix it up. But when I got the Hereford United squad together I thought, ‘I actually fancy them to win’. So I’m going to play for them!

“If you’ve ever been successful in football, it doesn’t matter what you’re playing, you want to win. We’ll all have a laugh before the game and we’ll have a laugh after. But neither team will want to lose. There’s bragging rights at stake.

“Hereford FC had the three promotions and at Hereford United we had good success on a limited budget with Graham Turner.

“The United team I’ve got finished second in the Conference for three years running, so both are very similar in success and both are the best parts of my career.

“Especially the players I played with. If you get a successful team like we’ve had then it’s gold dust."