Hereford FC

RE-BORN AND STILL UNITED

It is so good when the unexpected happens. Sometimes a community, or even a part of one, comes together and the effect of it creates a wonderful feeling. This is so when there is a recovery of an institution that has been an important part of a city. If I had mentioned in my first line that I was referring to a football club then I would have lost some readers immediately, but please read on for this is about people focussing on what can be achieved after having recognized a loss.

This does show that communities can connect in times of trouble.

In December 2014 Hereford United FC (1939) Ltd was wound up in The Law Courts in far away London and that was that. They were not even able to complete their fixtures in the Premier Division of the Conference League

Since last week they are actively back in business.

They only had seven contracted players last week (now eleven) and with others are able to form a team. Somehow they found finance, 'tarted' up Edgar Street Athletic Ground because it had been neglected, made it safe and fit for purpose after securing a five year lease from Hereford City Council and now they are back. Officially 'United' are not in business and the new club have the title FC Hereford (Forever United) to take them forward into the fairly recently formed Midland League where those attending maybe no more than a hundred or so spectators. A country mile away from days of former glory and league status.

Now, this is where I start to feel very good for in their first pre-season friendly at Malvern Town over two thousand people went to support their team. There had never been a gate that large there before and 'United' had never had pre-season friendly with numbers of that magnitude. This was only last Tuesday and in the next few days they were able to acquire a safety certificate for the Hereford ground for almost five thousand spectators and that meant they could play their first home game last Saturday. They did not have a capacity gate, but we're only 708 short. They sold 2000 programmes at £2.50 and could have sold more. They must have extended the print run because there will be more on sale for the next home game. I want one.

In recent years their has been objections to the 'big money' clubs and their 'big money' owners. Such clubs, in some cases, have lost their local identity and that is where the real supporters take on the huge task and the risks of putting their club back into their community where it belongs. FC United of Manchester are one of those clubs and they, with 600 hundred traveling supporters, were in Hereford last Saturday. A club and 600 supporters with large hearts. Wonderful for myself as I was brought up on non-league football, the glory of the FA Cup and big dreams. Now more kids can dream on. The "Bulls are running again" with a head of a Hereford Bull as part of the clubs motif on all their shirts. Keep on Running!