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Hereford F.C.

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This article is about the current football club in Hereford, established in 2014. For its defunct predecessor, see Hereford United F.C.

Hereford F.C.
File:Hereford FC Badge.jpg
Full nameHereford Football Club
Nickname(s)The Bulls, The Whites, The Lilywhites
Founded22 December 2014; 9 years ago (2014-12-22)
GroundEdgar Street, Hereford
Capacity4,913
ChairmanJon Hale
ManagerPeter Beadle
LeagueSouthern League South and West
2015–16Midland Football League Premier Division,
1st (promoted)
Websitehttp://www.herefordfc.co.uk

Hereford Football Club (/ˈhɛr[invalid input: 'ɨ']fərd/ ⓘ) is an English association football from the city of Hereford. They were founded in 2014 as a phoenix club for Hereford United, and inherited their Edgar Street stadium. They are nicknamed 'The Whites' after their predominantly white kit, or 'The Bulls' after the Hereford cattle breed, and their 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.

The club currently plays in the Southern League South and West, in the eighth tier of the English football league system. They entered the football pyramid before the 2015–16 season, and won the Midland Football League Premier Division.

History

Foundation

Following the winding up of Hereford United on 19 December 2014, the Hereford United Supporters Trust (HUST) vowed to start a new phoenix club.[1] Three days later, it emerged that local businessman Jon Hale, who had earlier been chairman of HUST, had registered the name Hereford Football Club with the Herefordshire County Football Association, in conjunction with the trust and a group of local businessmen. A press release followed on 24 December, 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 49% of the new club. The press release stated that HUST's stake would be 'much more' than this.[2]

The club's official website went live on 29 December and added further names to the group, with Phil Eynon, George Webb and Hugh Brooks being mentioned on the club's homepage. The website stated that once the club was fully organised, the Hereford United Supporters Trust chairman, Chris Williams, would be given the position of Vice Chairman.[3] Hale gave an interview with Trevor Owens on BBC Hereford and Worcester on 3 January 2015, citing 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 the club. In an FAQ released on 13 January, it was revealed that Hale would be the club's chairman.[4] It was confirmed at an open meeting two days later that Brooks would be the club's finance director, Webb would be the commercial director and Eynon would be governance director.[5]

On 20 and 21 January, HUST members voted in favour of the proposal from the Hale group, with 96.71% voting to accept the plans.[6] On 10 February, HUST confirmed that the Hereford FC bid had been the only approach submitted to them.[7] Two weeks later, Herefordshire Council confirmed that the club had secured a five-year lease for the city's Edgar Street stadium.[8]

On 27 February, the club announced that it was taking applications for the position of club manager.[9] Forty-two people applied for the position [10] and on 17 April 2015, Peter Beadle was announced to be the successful candidate by the board with his assistant to be Matt Bishop.[11]

2015–16 season

Hereford F.C. inherited Hereford United's Edgar Street ground

On 14 May 2015, the FA confirmed that Hereford would compete in the Midland Football League Premier Division (9th tier) for the club's first season.[12] As a consequence, this meant that the club were entered into the FA Vase and the Midland League Cup.

The first game, a pre-season friendly, took place away at Malvern Town on 7 July 2015, a 3–2 victory for Hereford, in front of a record crowd for the hosts.[13] Four days later, Hereford hosted their first match, a friendly against FC United of Manchester at Edgar Street, with Nathan Hughes scoring the only goal in a victory watched by around 4,250 spectators.[14] They won 4–1 against Dunkirk in their first league match on 8 August, in front of a crowd of 4,062; this broke the league record attendance of 1,280, and was higher than four attendances that day in Football League One.[15]

On 10 December 2015, while in first place in the league, the club announced that they had applied for promotion to the Southern Football League for the 2016–17 season.[16] Fifteen days later, the team again broke the league's attendance record and the club's record, with a crowd of 4,381 in attendance for a 3–0 win against city rivals Westfields, a 24th consecutive victory across all competitions.[17] A winning run of twenty-seven games came to an end in a 1–1 draw at home to Alvechurch on 23 January 2016,[18] and the unbeaten run of 34 games came to an end on 23 February, following a 2–0 loss at home to Highgate United.[19]

Hereford's first complete sell-out came against fellow phoenix club Salisbury on 12 March 2016, in the semi-final first leg of the FA Vase. Hereford won 1–0 in front of a record crowd of 4,683.[20] On 25 April, Hereford clinched the league title following a 4–0 away win at Coventry Sphinx and were subsequently promoted to the Southern League South and West division.[21] A week later, the club picked up their second trophy, the Herefordshire County Cup, following a 5–1 win over Westfields.[22] Hereford secured their third trophy of the season, the Midland Football League Cup, on 10 May, following a 3–1 win over Walsall Wood at Solihull Moors' Damson Park.[23] On 22 May, Hereford lost 4-1 in the FA Vase final to Morpeth Town at Wembley Stadium.[24]

2016–17 season

On 12 May 2016, it was confirmed that Hereford would compete in the Southern League South and West, following their promotion from the Midland Football League Premier.[25] The season will see the club make their first appearance in both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy, as well as the Southern Football League Cup. It was announced on 24 May, that assistant manager Matt Bishop would be leaving the club and thus will not be involved during the 2016-17 season.[26] Bishop was replaced by Steve Jenkins on 30 May 2016.[27]

Crest and colours

Crest

It was announced on 1 March 2015, that 89% of the 900+ HUST members that voted, chose a badge designed by Huw Marriott, and his sons Max and Louis.[28]

Colours

On 5 May 2015, it was announced that the club had signed a two-year kit deal with Italian manufacturer Macron.[29] A vote was cast for the away colours, with a red and black striped kit being chosen by HUST members.[30]

The club's current shirt sponsors are Jewson and a local company, Furniture Importers.

On 25 March 2016, Hereford announced that their deal with Macron had been extended by 2 years, with a new home kit in 2016–17 alternating seasonally with the away kit.[31]

Support

Hereford's fanzine is called Talking Bull.[32] The Hereford United Supporters Trust will have the opportunity to acquire a shareholding of up to 50%.

During Hereford's inaugural season they averaged a league attendance of 2,836, a figure higher than six Football League Two sides.[33]

Rivalries

Main article: A49 derby

Local rivals Shrewsbury Town and Cheltenham Town arguably remain the main rivals, as they had been during the time of Hereford United. The A49 derby with Shrewsbury is listed as nineteenth in The Daily Telegraph's twenty fiercest rivalries in English football.[34]

Players and staff

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK England ENG Martin Horsell
— GK Wales WAL Alex Harris
— GK England ENG Max Harris
— DF Australia AUS Jimmy Oates
— DF Wales WAL Ryan Green
— DF England ENG Joel Edwards (captain)
— DF England ENG Jamie Willets
— DF England ENG Nathan Summers
— DF England ENG Chris Barker (player-coach)
— MF England ENG Jamie Edge
— MF England ENG Ross Staley
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF England ENG Aaron Birch
— MF England ENG Rory Huntbach
— MF England ENG Rob Purdie
— MF England ENG Joe Tumelty
— MF England ENG Anthony Robbins
— MF England ENG Pablo Haysham
— FW England ENG Mike Symons
— FW England ENG Jamie Cuss
— FW England ENG John Mills

Current management and staff

Name Role
England Peter Beadle Manager
Wales Steve Jenkins Assistant Manager
England Rhys Evans Goalkeeping Coach
England Chris Barker Player-Coach
England Jonny Evans Physiotherapist
England Roger Lloyd Kitman
England Ben Bowen Groundsman

Honours

Records

First competitive fixture: vs Dunkirk (8 August 2015)

First competitive win: 4–1 vs Dunkirk (8 August 2015)

Record home attendance: 4,683 including 537 away supporters vs Salisbury (FA Vase) (12 March 2016)

Record home league attendance: 4,381 vs Westfields (26 December 2015)

Lowest home league attendance: 2,006 vs Lye Town (22 September 2015)

Most consecutive wins (all competitions): 27 games (August 2015 - January 2016)

Most games unbeaten (all competitions): 33 games (August 2015 - January 2016)

Most consecutive losses: 2 - Stourport Swifts and Highgate United (August 2015)

Biggest win: 8–0 vs Heanor Town (23 April 2016)

Biggest home win: 8–0 vs Heanor Town (23 April 2016)

Biggest home league win: 8–0 vs Heanor Town (23 April 2016)

Biggest away win: 6–0 vs Walsall Wood (29 September 2015)

Biggest away league win: 6–0 vs Walsall Wood (29 September 2015)

On 21 April 2015, it was announced that Hereford would be the default team on the new edition of mobile game Football Chairman.[35]

References

  1. ^ "Hereford United cease to exist after court order". ITV News. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Bulls News: Hale Group Plans For HUST To Be Single Largest Shareholder". Bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  3. ^ "About Us". Hereford FC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Hereford FC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  5. ^ Paul Rogers. "Hereford FC open meeting". Hereford Times. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  6. ^ Ian Morgan. "New Hereford FC chairman Jon Hale 'humbled' by 96.71% backing from Hereford United Supporters Trust". Ledbury Reporter.
  7. ^ "Hereford FC Bid Is Sole Approach To HUST". Hereford United Supporters Trust.
  8. ^ Paul Rogers. "Hereford FC granted five-year lease of Edgar Street". Hereford Times.
  9. ^ Chris Ammonds. "Applications Invited For Hereford FC Football Manager Position". Hereford FC.
  10. ^ "Bulls News: 42 Applications For Hereford FC Manager". bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk.
  11. ^ Ged Scott. "BBC Sport – Hereford FC: Peter Beadle appointed as reformed Bulls boss". BBC Sport.
  12. ^ "BBC Sport – Hereford FC: New club to play in Midland Football League". BBC Sport.
  13. ^ Bulls News Hereford FC start life with win
  14. ^ "Hereford FC wins first home match in friendly with FC United of Manchester". BBC Sport. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  15. ^ "Hereford FC attract biggest ever Midland League crowd". BBC Sport. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  16. ^ "Hereford confirm step four promotion application". Nonleaguedaily.com. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  17. ^ "Hereford FC beat Westfields 3-0 in front of Midland League record crowd of 4,381 at Edgar Street". Worcester News. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  18. ^ "Hereford FC draw 1-1 against Alvechurch in a top-of-the-table Midland Football League Premier Division clash at Edgar Street". Hereford Times. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  19. ^ "Hereford FC lose 2-0 to Highgate United in the Midland Football League Premier Division". Hereford Times. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Sell out for the Semi Final for Hereford FC". The Ross Gazette. 11 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  21. ^ Rogers, Paul (25 April 2016). "Hereford FC beat Coventry Sphinx, they are Midland Football League Premier Division champions". Hereford Times. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  22. ^ Rogers, Paul (2 May 2016). "Hereford FC win the HFA County Challenge Cup following a comfortable 5-1 win over Westfields". Hereford Times. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  23. ^ Rogers, Paul (10 May 2016). "Hereford FC win the Polymac Packaging Midland Football League Cup after beating Walsall Wood 3-1". Hereford Times. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  24. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36353452
  25. ^ http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/fa-confirms-league-for-bulls-for-1617-season/
  26. ^ http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/matt-bishop-set-to-leave-edgar-street/
  27. ^ http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/beadle-names-steve-jenkins-as-bulls-assistant-manager
  28. ^ Chris Ammonds. "HUST Announce Hereford FC Badge Design Winner". Hereford FC.
  29. ^ https://web.archive.org/20150703063044/http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/05/05/hereford-fc-sign-two-year-kit-deal-with-macron/. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Hereford FC Away Kit Chosen". Hereford United Supporters Trust.
  31. ^ "Hereford FC Extend Kit Deal With Macron | Hereford FC - The official website of Hereford FC". www.herefordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  32. ^ "Talking Bull – Talking Bull – The Independent Hereford Football Club Supporters' Magazine". talkingbull.org.
  33. ^ "League Two attendances 2015-16". Soccerway.com.
  34. ^ "The 20 fiercest rivalries in English football – by Jonathan Liew". Telegraph.co.uk. 6 February 2015.
  35. ^ "Football Chairman on Twitter". Twitter.
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