Saturday, July 01, 2023

First chance to see Caddis's signings today - but he doesn't want 38 players

Mark Derricott is currently the only player still at Hereford from last season
Hereford fans will have their first chance today to see Paul Caddis's new-look Bulls side in action. 

There have been wholesale changes since the end of Yan Klukowski's tenure as interim manager, with only young defender Mark Derricott staying over the summer.

Jack Evans could still stay, he has been offered a deal, but it's looking less likely and he's training with a National League club currently.

Adam Rooney, who helped Brackley Town to the National League North play-off final last season, will be alongside Caddis as his assistant this season.

The pair have a good relationship and Rooney, a striker, has also been signed as a player.

Supporters will also be keen to see Andy Williams back in a Bulls' shirt - joining from Football League club Walsall. Now 36, he's a name popular among supporters thanks to the part he played in securing promotion back to the Football League in 2006.

But he left the Bulls in 2007 after Bristol Rovers, who had already made two bids for the forward, were promoted to League Two.

A reminder of the Hereford team:

Goalkeepers

  • Curtis Pond (joined from Chasetown)

Defenders

  • Aaron Skinner (joined from Bamber Bridge)
  • Ollie Southern (joined from Bala Town)
  • Mark Derricott (signed a year-long extension)
  • Nathan Cameron (most recently at AFC Telford United)
  • Jordan Cranston (most recently at AFC Fylde)

Midfielders

  • Alex Babos (joined from Banbury United)
  • Aurio Teixeira (joined from Alvechurch)
  • Lassana Mendes (joined from Bala Town)
  • Adam Livingstone (joined from Telford United)
  • Stanley Anaebonam (most recently at Stourbridge)

Strikers

  • Andy Williams (joining on July 1 from Walsall)
  • Jason Cowley (joined from Stourbridge)
  • Adam Rooney (player/assistant manager, most recently at Brackley Town)

Hereford have had a big turnover of players in recent seasons, but Caddis wants to change that.

"I've made a turnover straight away when I walked through the door but I don't want a big squad at 25, 26, 27," Caddis told Bulls News yesterday.

"I don't want to come at the end of the season and we've played 38 different players, I don't think that's healthy. I want a tight next squad."

There will be trialists at Pegasus todat as Caddis knows he's still a few players short.

Another centre-back could still be on his shopping list, but the signing of Jordan Cranston was announced this week.

He's a 29-year-old left-back who played for AFC Fylde last season.

Kick off at Old School Lane is at 3pm.

Hereford could have had more players still at the club from last season, but players who had been in talks or had been offered deals have since moved on.

They are:
  • Harry Pinchard (joined Gloucester City)
  • Dale Eve (joined Alvechurch)
  • Ryan McLean (joined AFC Wimbledon)
  • Seb Osment
  • Jared Hodgkiss (joined AFC Telford United)
  • Aaron Amadi-Holloway (contract cancelled)

Caddis made quick changes after being appointed in April, controversially holding talks with players before the last game of the season.

That then ended up being a 5-0 horror show at Blyth Spartans.

The players released: 
  • Tyrone Barnett (joined Leamington)
  • Dino Visser
  • Miles Storey (joined Curzon Ashton)
  • Ryan Lloyd
  • Kane Thompson-Sommers (joined FC Halifax Town)
  • Luke Haines (joined Chippenham Town)
  • Orrin Pendley (joined AFC Telford United)
  • Jethro Hansen (joined Hemel Hempstead Town)
  • Zak Lilly (joined Stourbridge)
  • Harrison Summers (rejoined Westfields)

What do you think about Paul Caddis's signings so far?
 
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