![]() |
| Colin Addison |
Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds has paid tribute to Colin Addison, whose death was announced earlier today.
Addison was manager of Hereford United when they defeated Newcastle United in the FA Cup in 1972.
In an interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester, Ammonds spoke to Andrew Easton.
"Really sad news that has come out this afternoon, it sort of kicks you quite hard.
"We knew Colin had been a little bit unwell for a while so it hasn't come as a complete shock but it is really really sad news.
"He's an absolute legend of football but particually a legend of football in Hereford.
"Many people regard that Hereford United victory over Newcastle United as the greatest FA Cup shock of all time, I definitely say it is.
"It's still in the news now all these years on, it gets brought up every time the FA Cup is played, Ronnie Radford's goal and the muddy pitch.
"But it's almost bigger that than, that FA Cup run for Hereford United it was the catalyst for Hereford United finally getting into the football league in 1972.
"It was difficult to get into the football league back then because it was a re-election, it wasn't just done on field progress.
"I think the publicity and drive that Colin created through the team that he put on the field of play really did lead to Hereford United getting into the football league for the first time.
"I think you only had to spend with him, I was privileged to spend a bit of time with him just to hear him talk about football and the passion that he had and the knowledge that he had.
"He always had time for people, he made you feel like you were the most important person in the world when you were talking to him.
"I often thought if that's how he made his players feel as a manager then it's no real surprise that he had success on the field with his teams that he did.
"When Hereford FC was reformed after the sad loss of Hereford United, I worked there full time for the first 14 months, the number of times Colin wandered in or you would go pitchside and Colin would come in through the tunnel and look around.
"He was incredibly proud of the place, he was so relieved when Edgar Street wasn't lost and football did start again at Edgar Street.
"He was incredibly proud of the club, of Edgar Street.
"When he was around the lads from 1972 you could just see the bond they all had.
"Colin as player/manager, he played on the field as well as off it, you could just see the bond they had.
"He'll never be forgotten by anybody who cares about football in Hereford, football at Edgar Street.
"We're probably doing him a disservice just to talk about Hereford because his reputation in the wider game was extraordinary as well.
"Colin's tales about what happened in the cup run and the lads in the team and how it went, they were just brilliant.
"And he was always immaculately dressed and as much as anything he was a true gentleman.
"And it was a real priviledge for anyone who has ever been associated with Hereford United or Hereford FC to have someone like him around the place still taking an interest, still offering his views, still offering an insight.
"I'm a massive Hereford fan at heart and I always felt a little bit in awe of him when I was around him and that's just the way he maide you feel.
"I would imagine there will be a few glasses raised to Colin in Addisons Bar tomorrow ahead of our game against Curzon Ashton.
"It will be an emotional day tomorrow but I think we'll do a proper tribute to Colin next week at the home game against Southport.
"We've got the Remembrance Day game tomorrow when we will pay tribute to the fallen. We'll acknowledge Colin tomorrow and we'll look to do a fitting tribute next Saturday.
"In our hospitality lounge tomorrow we have a tribute to Peter Isaac, he's a guest with his family and we're going to pay tribute to him and his service for the club over many, many years.
"It will be even more poignant tomorrow given the news today about Colin.
"Colin's name would have cropped up any number of times anyway tomorrow but I think it will crop up even more and I'm sure whereever he is he'll be looking down having a chuckle at some of the stories that are bound to come out tomorrow."
Could a fourth stand at Edgar Street be known as the Addison Stand?
"He is of such significance that we'll got to try and look at doing something that stands the test of time and is significant.
"We're very honoured to have Addisons Bar there already alongside Radfords Bar in honour of Ronnie Radford who played in the same team as Colin.
"We'll be talking about this for a long time, we'll have the initial tributes to look at in the short term to acknowledge how important he is to everybody.
"And then further down the line we can look at where we are with that."
.png)
