Hereford F.C.

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, local businessman John Hale, who had earlier been chairman of HUST, 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.[3] Hale gave an interview with Trevor Owens on BBC Hereford and Worcester on 3 January 2015, citing Hereford United's untenable debts as the reason for the business group's reluctance to engage with the former club. The appointment of Hale as Hereford F.C. chairman was released in an FAQ on 13 January.[4] An open meeting two days later confirmed several appointments, including HUST chairman Chris Williams as vice chairman, Hugh Brooks as finance director, George Webb as commercial director and Phil Eynon as governance director (the latter three being part of the Hale-led group of local businessmen).[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] The Hereford F.C. bid had been the only approach submitted to HUST.[7] Two weeks later, Herefordshire Council confirmed that the club had secured a five-year lease for the city's Edgar Street stadium.[8]

The club opened applications for the position of club manager on 27 February and, following 42 applications, Peter Beadle was announced as the successful candidate by the board on 17 April 2015.[9][10] Beadle, the final caretaker manager of the predecessor club, was joined by assistant manager Matt Bishop, who had served as a national coach developer with The Football Association.[11]

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 which the winning goal was scored by Dale Hodge, 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] The league campaign had started with a shaky start, but they managed to put together a long winning run, which eventually came to an end after 27 wins in a row, in a 1–1 draw at home to Alvechurch on 23 January 2016,[17] and the unbeaten run of 34 games came to an end on 23 February, following a 2–0 loss at home to Highgate United.[18]

Hereford broke their attendance record again in the FA Vase semi-final first leg against Salisbury on 12 March. Hereford won 1–0 in front of a record crowd of 4,683.[19] 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.[20] A week later, the club picked up their second trophy, the Herefordshire County Cup, following a 5–1 win over Westfields.[21] 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.[22] On 22 May, Hereford lost 4–1 in the FA Vase Final to Morpeth Town at Wembley Stadium.[23]

On 12 May 2016, it was confirmed that Hereford would compete in the Southern League Division One South & West, following their promotion from the Midland League Premier Division.[24] The season saw the club make their first appearance in both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy. It was announced on 24 May, that assistant manager Matt Bishop would be leaving the club,[25] and he was replaced by Steve Jenkins on 30 May.[26] The club decided to withdraw from the Southern League Cup in an attempt to focus on the league. The club went out of the FA Cup at the third qualifying round at Tonbridge Angels and exited the FA Trophy in the preliminary round at Salisbury. On 12 October, the club announced that manager Peter Beadle had signed his first contract with the club, on a rolling 12-month deal.[27] On 19 October, it was announced that Chairman Jon Hale had stepped down and was to be replaced in the interim by Chris Williams, who was replaced by Ken Kinnersley on 3 January 2017.[28]

On 4 March 2017, their away match against Didcot Town was abandoned due to crowd disturbances after a few Hereford fans went on to the pitch in celebration of the team taking the lead in the dying minutes of the game. Two men from Hereford were later arrested. After reviewing reports and video footage of the incidents, the FA decided to take no further action against either club,[29] rather highlighting how sensationalised and ill-informed some of the news reporting, at the time, had been.[30][31] Disciplinary action, however, was taken against three Hereford supporters,[32] one of the Didcot players and the Didcot team coach.[33] The Southern League also ordered the game to be replayed – which was subsequently played behind closed doors on 11 April 2017, with Hereford winning 2–1.

Following their promotion in the previous season, it was announced Hereford would play in the Southern League Premier Division. It was also announced that captain Joel Edwards was to be released after two seasons with the club,[34] with Jimmy Oates taking over his role.[35]

Hereford notably had runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy. In the FA Cup, Hereford after beating Godalming Town, Kempston Rovers and A.F.C. Hornchurch, Hereford were drawn a game away to Eastleigh where goals from Mike McGrath and Garyn Preen (who was unable to finish the match) took Hereford into the first round for the first time in their history. In the first round, a John Mills goal progressed the Bulls past AFC Telford United and into the second round, where they were drawn against Fleetwood Town. Hereford earned themselves a replay at Edgar Street. The Bulls lost 2–0 in front of an attendance of 4,235 and the BT Sport Cameras. In the FA Trophy, Hereford beat Weymouth, Potters Bar Town and Oxford City to reach the first round. A 3–2 win over National League side Dagenham & Redbridge 3–2 set up a tie against Wealdstone. A moment of controversy marked a turning point in the Second Round match, when defender Dara O'Shea seemed to bring down a player which resulted in him getting sent off. Footage later on showed O'Shea should not have been given a red card so the FA reversed the decision. Hereford ended up losing that game 1–0.

On the domestic side, in January, Hereford came back from 2–0 down in injury time to salvage a 2–2 draw with promotion chasing Slough Town after goals from Jimmy Oates and Keyon Reffell, the latter coming 6 minutes into additional time. Hereford's away unbeaten run in the league came to an end in January 2018 due to defeat at the hands of King's Lynn. This unbeaten run stretched back to August 2015. In February 2018, Hereford fans were punished after multiple flares were thrown onto the pitch at Farnborough. Farnborough player Lewis Ferrell then retaliated and threw the flare back at Hereford fans, which resulted in him being shown a straight red card. On Tuesday 17 April, Hereford travelled to Biggleswade Town where a 1–0 away victory saw them become league champions for a third consecutive season. They lifted the Southern Football League shield following a 4–1 win against Kettering Town and finished the season with a 6–0 home win over Hereford Lads Club to win the Herefordshire County Cup for a third successive time.

On 13 September 2018, after three league titles in a row, Peter Beadle was sacked as manager of Hereford, a month into the new season with Hereford in 12th place in the National League North.[36] Assistant manager Steve Jenkins also departed, leaving Ryan Green as interim player-manager. On 19 September 2018, Tim Harris was appointed Head of Football,[37] with Marc Richards subsequently taking the Head Coach role on 3 October 2018.[38] They finished the season in 17th after poor performances against teams in positions low-down in the table, including 0 wins from 6 against the three relegated sides.

Three games into the campaign, and with four points from a possible nine, Marc Richards was sacked as head coach on 12 August, with his assistant Will Morford also leaving.[39] The club announced that Head of Football Tim Harris would take interim charge of the side while searching for a new head coach. On 29 August, Russell Slade was announced as the club's new Manager.[40] Andy Whing joined as his assistant on 13 September.[41]

Hereford invested in a new digital scoreboard to improve commercial advertising opportunities in September 2019. Its first game in use on 8 October 2019 [42] coincided with the club crashing out of the FA Cup at the 3rd Qualifying Round stage in a replay against Tamworth, losing 3–1 on penalties having drawn both 90-minute games 0–0. This result was Russell Slade's first home defeat.

Tim Harris resigned as Head of Football on 27 November 2019,[43] with the position of 'Head of Football' subsequently being dissolved.

On 14 January, Assistant Coach Andy Whing left the club with no reason being given for his departure.[44] Just 6 days later on 20 January, Manager Russell Slade left the club after a run of just one win in 18 games.[45] Josh Gowling was named the club's interim manager on 21 January, he appointed Steve Burr as his assistant 3 days later.

The season was eventually abandoned with seven games still to go due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Hereford finishing in 16th place.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the 2020–21 season was cancelled or played behind closed doors. However, the club enjoyed a relatively successful season, finishing in 12th position in the National League North. In cup competitions, they were knocked out of the FA Cup to Stafford in only their third competitive match. In the FA Trophy however, they managed to progress all the way to the 2021 Final, beating higher-tier teams Aldershot in the quarter-final, and Woking in the semi-final. They eventually lost the match at Wembley Stadium to Hornchurch, despite going ahead through Tom Owen-Evans early in the match.[46]

The club announced on 8 May 2021 that Manager Josh Gowling and assistant Steve Burr had agreed new deals with the club, lasting for 2 years.[47] A 2-1 friendly loss to historically bitter rivals Shrewsbury Town marked the first Edgar Street match without social distancing regulations in place.[48] Hereford started the 2021–22 season badly, finding themselves bottom of the table and winless after 6 games in all competitions. They picked up their first three points in a 1–0 win away at York City, in a match that included both a goal by Tom Owen-Evans and a penalty save from goalkeeper Brandon Hall.[49] On 16 October, the club crashed out of the FA Cup, losing 0–1 to Solihull Moors at Edgar Street. Things were brighter for the Bulls in November, going unbeaten (excluding penalty kicks) in all competitions. A final day loss to champions Gateshead[50] meant Hereford finished the season in 12th place, collecting 55 points across 15 wins and 10 draws.

After 1 point from their first two games, Hereford picked up their first win of the season on 16 August, thanks to a late Luke Haines goal as the Bulls defeated Chester 1–0.[51] Wins over Bromsgrove Sporting, Three Bridges and Bromley progressed the Bulls into the FA Cup First Round, where they drew League One Portsmouth at home.[52] It was later announced that the match would be live on BBC Two, making it only the fourth televised match since the club reformed.[53] Despite taking a 1–0 lead in the first half, Hereford went on to lose the game 3–1 and were knocked out of the FA Cup.[54] On 19 November 2022, Hereford were knocked out in the second round of the FA Trophy by Heybridge Swifts, a team two steps below them, losing 3–0 at the Aspen Waite Arena.[55]

Manager Josh Gowling left by mutual consent on 5 February 2023 following a run of three straight defeats, the last of which being a 1–0 away defeat to Farsley Celtic. Player/Assistant Manager Yan Klukowski took temporary charge until the end of the season.

Hereford briefly flirted with the play-offs early in 2023 but ultimately a poor run of form led them to be sucked into a relegation scrap and only ensured their mathematical safety with two matches remaining. A 5–0 away defeat to Blyth Spartans on the final day of the season, a result which secured safety from relegation for Blyth, ensured Hereford finished in 16th with 55 points, the same number of points as the previous season but four places lower.

Before the end of the previous season, Hereford announced former Scotland international footballer Paul Caddis as their new manager, who took the reins from interim manager Yan Klukowski from 1 May 2023.[56] As of 24 June, only one player remains from the previous season's playing squad; young defender Mark Derricott, who had only made eight substitute appearances and spent time out on loan at a lower level the season before, signed a one-year contract extension.[57] In mid-June, Irish forward Adam Rooney was brought in as Player-Assistant Manager to Caddis.[58]

The season started positively, picking up seven points from a possible nine from the first three league fixtures. However, four straight defeats followed, including a 4–0 defeat at newly-promoted Tamworth, leaving them 18th after seven fixtures. They were dealt a double injury blow early in the season, with forwards Andy Williams and Jason Cowley both suffering long-term injuries.[59][60] Following wins over Anstey Nomads, Cambridge City and Rochdale, The Bulls progressed to the FA Cup First Round for the second year running, being drawn against League Two Gillingham at home.[61]

Key

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.[63]

On 5 May 2015, it was announced that the club had signed a two-year kit deal with Italian manufacturer Macron.[64] A vote was cast for the away colours, with a red and black striped kit being chosen by HUST members. 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.[65] Prior to the 2020–21 Season, the club announced a new three-year deal with Adidas.[66] On 9 July 2022, an initial three-year kit deal with Kappa was announced.[67]

Hereford maintain a strong rivalry with Shrewsbury Town, originating with the former Hereford United. It is known as the A49 derby, after the road separating the two and was listed nineteenth in The Daily Telegraph's twenty fiercest rivalries in English football.[93] However, since Hereford's resurrection the two sides have never met in a competitive fixture.

The Bulls also maintain a strong rivalry with Kidderminster Harriers, since Hereford's promotion to the National League North. So far, the clubs share 4 wins each in Head-to-Heads.[94]

Whilst climbing up the English Football Pyramid, the Bulls also developed competitive rivalries against local clubs Westfields, Alvechurch and Gloucester City.

As of 18 October 2023

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ENG Curtis Pond 2 DF  ENG Aaron Skinner 3 MF  SCO Adam Livingstone 4 MF  POR Áurio Teixeira 5 MF  AUS Jordan Lyden 6 DF  ENG Paul Downing 7 MF  GAM Yusifu Ceesay 8 MF  WAL Alex Babos 9 FW  ENG Jason Cowley 10 FW  ENG Andy Williams (vice-captain) 11 DF  WAL Jordan Cranston

No. Pos. Nation Player 12 GK  WAL Shay Sterry 14 DF  ENG Mark Derricott 16 MF  ENG Jack Tolley 18 MF  ENG Connor Stanley 20 MF  GNB Lassana Mendes 21 DF  ENG Oliver Southern 22 FW  IRL Adam Rooney 23 FW  ENG Ethan Freemantle (on loan from Kidderminster Harriers)[95] 24 FW  GHA Koby Arthur 27 DF  ENG Nathan Cameron (captain) 28 DF  ENG Kyle Howkins