Hereford F.C.
File:Hereford FC Badge.jpg | |||
Full name | Hereford Football Club | ||
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Nickname(s) | The Bulls, The Whites | ||
Founded | 2015 | ||
Ground | Edgar Street, Hereford | ||
Capacity | 4,913 | ||
Owner | Unknown | ||
Chairman | Jon Hale | ||
Manager | Peter Beadle | ||
League | Midland Football League Premier Division | ||
Website | http://www.herefordfc.co.uk | ||
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Hereford Football Club (/ˈhɛr[invalid input: 'ɨ']fərd/ ) is an English association football club based in the city of Hereford, with the club currently playing at Edgar Street stadium. The club currently plays in the Midland Football League Premier Division. They are nicknamed 'The Whites' after their predominantly white kit, or 'The Bulls' after the Hereford cattle breed. The club's motto is "Our greatest glory lies not in never having fallen, but in rising when we fall". The club is affiliated to the Herefordshire County Football Association.
History
Following the winding up of Hereford United on 19 December 2014, the Hereford United Supporters Trust (HUST) vowed to rebuild and start a new phoenix club.[1] On 22 December 2014, it emerged that local businessman Jon Hale, who had earlier been chairman of HUST, had registered the name Hereford Football Club with the Herefordshire Football Association, in conjunction with the trust and a group of local businessmen. A new press release followed on 24 December 2014, outlining plans to let HUST members decide on the club's kits and crest. It also addressed the issue of the ownership structure, with the Hereford United Supporters Trust being given the opportunity to become the largest single shareholder, with individuals and corporate benefactors being barred from owning more than 24% of the new club. The press release stated that HUST's stake would be 'much more' than this 24%.[2] The club's official website went live on 29 December 2014 and added further names to the Jon Hale group, with Phil Eynon, George Webb and Hugh Brooks being mentioned on the club's homepage.[3] The website states that once the club is fully organised, the Hereford United Supporters Trust chairman, Chris Williams, shall be given the position of Vice Chairman of the club.[4] Jon Hale gave an interview with Trevor Owens on BBC Hereford and Worcester on 3 January 2015. Hale cited the reason for the business group's reluctance to engage with the final regime at Hereford United as the group benefactors all agreed that the financial position of Hereford United was untenable and the debt was too large to save.[5] In an FAQ released on 13 January 2015, it was revealed that Jon Hale shall be the club's chairman.[6] It was confirmed at an open meeting on 15 January 2015 that Hugh Brooks would be the club's finance director, George Webb would be the commercial director and Phil Enyon would be governance director.[7] On 20 and 21 January 2015, HUST members voted in favour of the proposal from the Hale group, with 96.71% voting to accept the plans.[8] On 10 February 2015, HUST confirmed that the Hereford FC bid had been the only approach submitted to them.[9] On 24 February 2015, Herefordshire Council confirmed that the club had secured a five-year lease for the city's Edgar Street stadium.[10]
On 14 May 2015, the FA confirmed that Hereford would compete in the Midland Football League Premier Division for the club's first season.[11]
The club has been compared to other phoenix clubs such as Aldershot Town, AFC Wimbledon and Chester. Although, unlike Wimbledon and Chester, Hereford are not majority supporter owned.
Crest and colours
Crest
On 1 February 2015, HUST emailed their members announcing a competition for the design of the new crest, with entry closing on 13 February, with a shortlist and subsequent vote to take place at some point after this date. On 26 February, the Hereford United Supporters trust announced the shortlist for the new club badge.[12] It was announced on 1 March 2015, that 89% of the 900+ HUST members that voted, chose the badge designed by Huw Marriott, and his sons Max and Louis.[13]
Colours
Several national suppliers registered interest in the club[14] and on 5 May 2015, it was announced that the club had signed a two-year kit deal with Italian manufacturer Macron.[15] A vote was cast for the away colours, with a red and black striped kit being chosen by HUST members.[16]
On 5 June 2015, Hereford announced that local company Furniture Importers were to become back-of-the-shirt sponsors.[17] On 9 June 2015, the club announced that Jewson would be the club's primary shirt sponsor.[18]
Stadium
After lengthy discussions, it was confirmed on 24 February 2015, that Hereford FC had managed to reach an agreement with Herefordshire Council, on a five-year lease, for the club to play at the city's Edgar Street stadium.[19] On 27 March 2015, the lease for Edgar Street was formally signed.[20]
Support
Hereford's supporters play a vital role within the club. The club has asked for volunteers to come forward to help in the initial period and the new club marks the return of the fanzine Talking Bull.[21] A number of supporters helped with various tasks required to prepare Edgar Street for the 2015–2016 season. The Hereford United Supporters Trust will have the opportunity to acquire a shareholding of up to 50%.
Rivalries
Although the club has no rivalry as an entity itself, for supporters, Shrewsbury Town and Cheltenham Town remain the main rivals, as they had been during the time of Hereford United. The rivalry with Shrewsbury is listed as nineteenth in The Daily Telegraph's twenty fiercest rivalries in English football.[22]
Notable players
- For more information, see List of Hereford F.C. players
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching staff
On 27 February 2015, the club announced that it was taking applications for the position of club manager.[23] Forty-two people applied for the position [24] and on 17 April 2015, Peter Beadle was announced to be the successful candidate by the board with his assistant to be Matt Bishop.[25]
Current management and coaching staff
Name | Role |
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Peter Beadle | Manager |
Matthew Bishop | Assistant Manager |
Rhys Evans | Goalkeeping Coach |
Johnny Evans | Physiotherapist |
In popular culture
On 21 April 2015, it was announced that Hereford FC would be the default team on the new edition of mobile game Football Chairman.[26]
References
- ^ "Hereford United cease to exist after court order". ITV News. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ "Bulls News: Hale Group Plans For HUST To Be Single Largest Shareholder". Bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ "The Official Website of Hereford FC". Hereford FC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ "About Us". Hereford FC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ "BBC Hereford & Worcester – Trevor Owens, 03/01/2015". BBC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Hereford FC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ Paul Rogers. "Hereford FC open meeting". Hereford Times. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ Ian Morgan. [http://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk
/11742561.New_Hereford_FC_chairman_Jon_Hale__humbled__by_96_71__backing_from_Hereford_United_Supporters_Trust "New Hereford FC chairman Jon Hale 'humbled' by 96.71% backing from Hereford United Supporters Trust"]. Ledbury Reporter.
{{cite web}}
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at position 33 (help) - ^ "Hereford FC Bid Is Sole Approach To HUST". Hereford United Supporters Trust.
- ^ Paul Rogers. "Hereford FC granted five-year lease of Edgar Street". Hereford Times.
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32740977
- ^ "Voting Open To Decide New Hereford FC Badge". Hereford United Supporters Trust.
- ^ Chris Ammonds. "HUST Announce Hereford FC Badge Design Winner". Hereford FC.
- ^ Paul Rogers. "FOOTBALL: Key points that Hereford FC will present to Herefordshire Council". Hereford Times.
- ^ http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/05/05/hereford-fc-sign-two-year-kit-deal-with-macron/
- ^ http://www.hufctrust.co.uk/hereford-fc-away-kit-chosen/
- ^ http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/06/05/sponsorship-deal-agreed-for-back-of-players-shirts/
- ^ http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/06/09/jewson-to-become-hereford-fcs-first-main-shirt-sponsor/
- ^ Chris Ammonds. "Edgar Street Lease Deal Agreed With Herefordshire Council". Hereford FC.
- ^ http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/03/27/edgar-street-lease-deal-formally-completed/
- ^ "Talking Bull – Talking Bull – The Independent Hereford Football Club Supporters' Magazine". talkingbull.org.
- ^ "The 20 fiercest rivalries in English football – by Jonathan Liew". Telegraph.co.uk. 6 February 2015.
- ^ Chris Ammonds. "Applications Invited For Hereford FC Football Manager Position". Hereford FC.
- ^ "Bulls News: 42 Applications For Hereford FC Manager". bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk.
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32340652
- ^ https://twitter.com/F_Chairman/status/590463518232735744