Recovered from April? Here we go again…

Several months have now passed since Hereford FC avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth, but such was the nerve-shredding nature of April 2026 for Bulls supporters that they’d be forgiven for still being a little bit twitchy.

Well, there’s no time for twitching (as Bill Oddie, RIP, never said), because the new season is here and the Bulls travel to Buxton looking to get off to a significantly better start to the season than they made in 2025/26. As well as a better start, they’ll ideally be looking to improve on the middle bit and the end too.

Full-time Buxton finished fifth last season before losing to South Shields in the play-off semi-finals. Despite that impressive showing, they actually managed to lose more games at home than they won.

Ex-Bull Samson Robinson could be missing here after picking up an injury in the pre-season win at home to Scunthorpe. Their final two friendlies following that one were cancelled, which could either mean they’re fresh or under-cooked.

As ever much of their momentum will be generated through playmaker Connor Kirby, so one or two bracing challenges on him early on could be advisable to let him know he’s in a game.

They’ve lost striker Tai Sodje (18 goals in 24 games last season) to Walsall, and replaced him with Owen Davenport from Fleetwood, who will therefore know Hereford’s left winger very well.

Both dugouts will be accommodating new managers, with ex-Sheffield Wednesday academy coach Jordan Broadbent the new head honcho at the Silverlands Stadium.

Last season, Hereford’s trip to the Peak District and Buxton’s plastic pitch similarly came early in the season, albeit after two defeats and a terrifyingly ‘off the pace’ performance at home to Kings Lynn. However, they came away 2-1 winners that evening in Derbyshire and hinted that perhaps the poor start was misleading. Unfortunately it wasn’t.

Another win this time would suggest that Aaron Downes and Sergeant Major Pell may have built a squad over the summer that can propel the club back to where it was and where it absolutely should be at this level, as an established top-ten play-off challenger.

Supporters will have high hopes that Luke Spokes can contribute at least the same sort of quality that Sammy Robinson did in his time at Edgar Street. The Bristolian could provide some of the midfield presence that was desperately lacking last time, with familiar face Harry Tustin joining him in that midfield on a season-long loan from Cheltenham.

The aforementioned left winger, fleet-of-foot Fleetwood loanee Liam Roberts comes into the Cormac Daly role on the left, hopefully with the same ability to put NLN defences into a blind panic when he runs at them. He’ll be with Hereford until January.

It was pleasing that Joseph James signed for the season following his contribution to the relegation battle last season, as he looked like a youngster who could become a polished and accomplished full back at this level. That experience gained with Hereford in the spring should stand him in good stead as HFC further develop a player Bristol City clearly rated. Fellow-ex-Robin Billy Phillips’ settling-in period will have been helped by already knowing ‘JJ’ well, and he could be a key player this season.

In terms of the defence generally, three of the back four from last season have re-signed, with Kam Kandola arriving from Kidderminster to join them, along with loan signing Will Merrett from FGR. Given the leakiness last season, particularly from corners, the arrival of the latter two looks crucial if the Bulls are to make opposing sides work much, much harder for their goals than was the case in 2025/26.

Club captain Lewis Hudson could be a doubt for this one after limping off last Saturday in the ‘friendly’ with Bromsgrove, which could mean that Aaron Skinner, himself returning from injury, could slot in at left back.

Behind those defenders, Theo Richardson has looked bright in pre-season and will hit the ground running, or hit the ground diving, or however goalies hit the ground metaphorically when they’re on it. He’ll save the side a host of points again this season, anyway.

Up top, Danny Waldren was rested last weekend as a precaution, and should start here. Can he prove to be the elusive 20-goal striker the club has lacked since they reached a level that was too taxing for John Mills?

Another summer signing who could make a big splash this season, Fin Holmes, is frustratingly out for this game and possibly for the next month or so with a hamstring issue. If the side can get through to early/mid-autumn up there or at least in touch with the early pace-setters he’ll offer a big boost to the side when he comes back in the run-up to Christmas (talk of which feels quite surreal as I type surrounded by utterly scorched brown Herefordshire fields).

Fellow newcomer Joe Willis will also miss this one through injury, which could mean a start for Preston Bitemo – it would be lovely to see him establish himself in the side this season. 

Reports that half-time will last for half an hour and feature an on-the-pitch performance by Madonna and some children to illustrate how all-embracingly inclusive the National League North is are understood to be inaccurate.

Here we go again.

COYW