Hereford FC Easter Soccer Camps

To book please go to: https://hereford-fc.myshopify.com/products/easter-soccer-camps?_pos=1&_sid=301fef64f&_ss=r

Top Of The Table Clash For Hereford Women On Sunday

A tough game awaits Hereford Women on Sunday with the visit of Kingfisher FC.

Both teams can win the league title.

The game takes place at Edgar Street with a 2pm kick-off.

Entry is just £2. 

Top of the Midwest Counties Female Football League:

1- Ross Juniors 22/52

2 - Hereford Women 18/49

3- Kingfisher FC Women 19/48

Chester Withour Captain Rawlinson

Chester City will be without captain Connell Rawlinson for tomorrow's game at Hereford.

He picked up an injury against Curzon Ashton last week. 

Otherwise neither Chester or Hereford are reporting any new injury problems.

Meanwhile Hereford say there are less than 130 seats remaining in the Main Stand for tomorrow's game.

The Meadow End is filling up but there is some room in the Len Weston.

The Bulls Have Got The Blues

Hereford FC, fresh from doing what they needed to do against Farsley in Buxton last Saturday, face a much more challenging opponent this Saturday in the form of promotion-chasing Chester. It looks to be a much more ‘proper’ game than a lot of the dross that will be served up in the division above this weekend. Yes Maidenhead vs Tamworth, I’m looking at you.

A pessimist may point to the last big home game that Edgar Street hosted this season, Kidderminster on Boxing Day, and worry. An optimist may think it impossible for the same flat performance to be dredged up for this, especially with so much at stake. I’m with the optimists.

It took Chester manager Calum McIntyre a few months to find a successful starting XI this season, but once he did they flew up the table and up until recently were top. Not a huge surprise perhaps as you’d expect Chester to be up their challenging as one of the bigger clubs in the division.

They forked out the princely sum of £12,500 for Connor Woods from Warrington in January. Since signing he’s scored precisely no goals, so princely sum or not, he’s been about as useful as Prince Andrew for them so far. He was an unused substitute last Saturday when they drew 1-1 at home to Curzon Ashton. They also had fellow strikers Kurt Willoughby and Dan Turner on the bench for that game, so maybe they have slightly deeper pockets than Hereford despite there being similarities between the two clubs.

Willoughby was one of the division’s top scorers two seasons ago, earning him a move to Oldham. He hasn’t had the same success in this second spell at Chester though, a season-long loan from the Latics, with just five goals in 33 games.

They lost star player Charlie Caton to Accrington in January, and that has coincided with their recent slight dip. That Curzon game petered out to something of a nothingness after half-time, with the second half played out between two teams who have possibly (hopefully) passed their seasonal sell-by date, although Curzon did edge past Needham Market on Tuesday. Chester have won four and drawn four of their last ten – far from shabby but it’s form that’s seen them slip from the top of the table to fourth, five points above Hereford.

The player who has been scoring their goals this season is Tom Peers, with 17. The striker started his career at Chester before taking in a host of clubs in the northwest, returning to the Deva two seasons ago from Macclesfield.

Ex-Bulls Mitch Hancox and Ben Pollock were recruited in the summer, although Hancox promptly moved on again in January, to Spennymoor, with Pollock following him to the same club in February.

Declan Weeks is as ever the fulcrum of the team, and if he can be nullified the likes of Peers will be starved of opportunities. 

The Blues are typically very, very good defensively at the Deva, and true to form this season they’ve conceded fewer goals than anyone at home, but away they’re really quite leaky, having let in more goals than anyone in the division on their travels apart from South Shields, outside the bottom five. Visiting defenders can no longer coast through games at Edgar Street in the way they’ve been able to do depressingly often in the past, now that Remaye Campbell is giving them something to think about. If Chester do have a weakness away from home, which they very much seem to have, Remaye will exploit it. If they try to rip his shirt to shreds or give him a friendly strangle, hopefully the ref will see it and brandish an early yellow card or two.

Hereford loanee Kieran Coates left Chester last summer having spent a couple of years there, and will presumably be well up for this as a result. The signing of Coates hot on the heels of the arrival of Omari Sterling-James offers more evidence that the Hereford board and manager aren’t content to sit on their hands and hope for the best in terms of play-off qualification. Coates looks to be a player who will add the same sort of quality as OSJ has at the other end of the pitch, and their presence makes the squad look more competitive against the likes of Chester than was previously the case.

If the Bulls do make the play-offs these clubs could be seeing each other again in a few short weeks, so this could be a useful exercise in sizing up the opposition for that. However, that’s all a long, long way into the future in terms of any number of variables still to come before the regular season finishes, so I’ll stop right there with that nonsense.

The visitors will of course be up for this more than if it was someone a bit boring, but given their away record, and the wobbles they’ve experienced lately, it’s utterly winnable if the hosts go into it with the sort of confident mindset that saw them win impressively against Curzon Ashton two weeks ago.

COYW

National North League - Weekend Preview

A preview of Saturday's National North League fixtures from the National League:

Scunthorpe United know that if they’re flawless from now on in, there’s nothing anyone can do to stop them taking the National League North title.

Those chasing will be comforted by the fact Saturday’s opponents Radcliffe have something to play for, sitting just one place above the relegation-zone. Aways games could settle it, with the Iron also on the road at Hereford and King’s Lynn Town in the final month.

The problem for second-place Kidderminster Harriers is that the side they visit on Saturday won’t be on the beach, either. Just two points off the play-offs, Buxton won’t want to let Kiddy close their own two-point gap.

The title hunters are all on the road and Brackley Town fans may feel anything other than victory at South Shields could do significant damage to their championship hopes.

A number of the sides desperate for success in the play-offs come together.

Hereford host Chester, who are all-but out of the race for automatic promotion. King's Lynn Town are level on points with the Bulls but are just outside the top seven. They host Chorley, who are by no means certain of their place.

With Farsley Celtic relegated in midweek, defeat at Curzon Ashton on Saturday will end Warrington Town's one-year stay in the National League North.

It’s almost win or bust for the other two in the bottom four. Alfreton Town stand in struggling Rushall Olympic’s way, while Needham Market must wait with opponents Spennymoor Town in FA Trophy action.

The winner of Southport vs Oxford City will have their place confirmed for next season.

Elsewhere, Darlington face already down Farsley, Peterborough Sports play Leamington as Scarborough Athletic host now-safe Marine.

National League North fixtures:
Alfreton Town v Rushall Olympic
Buxton v Kidderminster Harriers
Curzon Ashton v Warrington Town
Darlington v Farsley Celtic
Hereford v Chester
King's Lynn Town v Chorley
Peterborough Sports v Leamington
Radcliffe v Scunthorpe United
Scarborough Athletic v Marine
South Shields v Brackley Town
Southport v Oxford City

Chester 'Favoured' To Win At Hereford On Saturday

Last Season's Game Was A 1-1 Draw With Andy Williams Scoring For Hereford

The odds are in favour, just, of a Chester win at Edgar Street on Saturday but in truth there's little in it according to the bookmakers.

Chester are 4th in the table with 74 points from 41 games, Hereford are 7th with 69 points from 41 games but have home advantage.

Last Saturday Hereford defeated Farsley 4-0, Chester drew 1-1 at home against Curzon Ashton (6th).

Hereford's home record is won 11, drawn 4 and lost 5.

Chester's away record is won 9, drawn 4 and lost 7.

As for goal difference, Hereford's is plus 18, Chester's is plus 22.

Recent form:

Hereford LLLWW

Chester LWWLD

Hereford  19/10  Draw 23/10  Chester 6/4

Hereford Hope For 4000 At Chester Game On Saturday

Hereford FC are hoping for a gate of around 4000 when Chester visit Edgar Street on Saturday.

The club are having a Fans Zone outside Radfords and the London Bulls are doing a Podcast inside Radfords.

"Attendance wise it's looking to be in and around the 4,000 mark,"said Hereford general manager Jamie Griffiths.

"And up to potentially 500 from Chester, they are close to 350 tickets sales at the minute.

"As for Hereford fans sales are way ahead of where they would be for an average game.

"So it looks like it will be a great atmosphere.

"We've got a fans zone outside Radfords with a couple of food vendors.

"London Bulls are going to do a live podcast in Radfords as well so plenty of reasons to get down here early and soak up the sun and have a couple of drinks."

Club Chairman Chris Ammonds is also looking forward to the game.

"Even the weather look like it might be playing ball.

"It should be a really good day.

"The game itself looks to be an absolute cracker and has the potential to be one of those really memorable afternoons

"So get yourselves down to the club early, enjoy yourselves, have a few drinks in the sunshine, I'm partial to a couple of drinks in the sunshine'

"It will be absolutely fantastic. I'm really looking forward to it."

Quotes from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2W5GZnl_-Y

Badges On Sale At Chester Match

A large selection of HFC pin-badges will be on sale pre match this Saturday v Chester City. All those badges pictured are available at £1 or £3 each ( cash only ) from a sales point in front of the matchday ticket office. As usual all net proceeds go directly to HFC.

THROWBACK THURSDAY | Wrexham 1-1 Hereford United - 3rd April 1991 - Welsh Cup Semi Final 1st leg

Peter Heritage opens the scoring, but a controversial penalty gives Wrexham the opportunity to equalise.

Wrexham 1 Morris 2 Phillips 3 Hardy 4 Thackeray 5 Beaumont 6 J Jones 7 Bowden 8 Murray 9 Armstrong 10 Preece 11 Griffiths Sub L Jones Hereford 1 Wood 2 MA Jones 3 Devine 4 Pejic 5 Bradley 6 R Jones 7 Lowndes 8 Narbett 9 Heritage 10 Robinson 11 Tester Sub S Jones Attendance 1,466

Ronnie Burbeck - A Tribute

Hereford Historian Ron Parrott looks back at the life of Ronnie Burbeck who has died.

I was saddened to hear the news about the passing of Ronnie Burbeck, he was one of my schoolboy heroes and I lived in awe of him. He came to Hereford at the age of 30 and was one of several players that manager Bob Dennison brought down with him from Middlesbrough. They included that wonderful schemer Alan Rodgerson and the colourful character and ex-England winger Eddie Holliday. After retirement from professional football, Alan settled in Ewyas Harold and played Herefordshire League football for them for several years to come. 

BURBECK, RONNIE

Appearances: 61 (61+0 sub.) Goals: 18

Seasons played: 1964/65 to 1966/67

Born Leicester 27th February 1934, died Leicester 31st January 2025, aged 90

 

A right-winger by trade, Ronnie started his career as a youngster with Leicester City and in July 1951, he was one of 20 youngsters selected by the FA for an England Youth training camp. In October that same year, he was selected to represent the North in an amateur international trial and he went on to win a couple of England Youth caps whilst at Filbert Street. During four seasons with the Foxes, his chances were limited and he only managed three first-team appearances. However, Ronnie signed for Bob Dennison’s Middlesbrough in October 1956 and went on to make his name with them. Ronnie broke his wrist in January 1959 and lost his place, ironically, to future England international and future Hereford United player, Eddie Holliday but returned to the side later that same season.  Very popular with the fans, Ronnie scored regularly and also laid on lots of goals for a certain Brian Clough. In one never-to-be-forgotten game in October 1960, Middlesbrough drew 6-6 at Charlton Athletic, with Ronnie not only scoring twice himself but also laying on the crosses for two of Brian Clough's hat-trick goals. In seven happy seasons at Ayresome Park, Ronnie scored 29 times in 152 appearances. He then dropped down a division to the Third, when he spent the 1963/64 season with Darlington, scoring just once in 18 starts.

 

Ronnie then followed Hereford United's new manager Bob Dennison down to Edgar Street and was a regular in Hereford's most successful season ever. Again, Ronnie was popular with fans and became feared in the Southern League for his pace down the right-wing and his ability to put over a string of accurate crosses. He spent three seasons with United, making a total of 61 appearances and scoring 18 goals. Ronnie was also a keen cricketer and twice played for Leicestershire in the 1958 Minor Counties Cricket Championship. After finally hanging up his boots, Ronnie settled in Ewyas Harold and carried on playing for them in the Herefordshire League for many more seasons. Ronnie loved where he lived on the common and didn’t move from there until his wife died and he decided to move back to Leicester in 2020, to be near his son and daughter-in-law.

Former Player Ronnie Burbeck Has Died

Former Hereford United player Ronnie Burbeck died on Monday, aged 90. 

He made 61 appearances for the club between 1964/65 to 1966/67.

Hereford historian Ron Parrott will post an obituary later.

Five League Games For Hereford In April

Hereford, currently 7th in the National North League, have five games to play this month.

Saturday, April 5: Chester (h) - 3pm
Saturday, April 12: Oxford City (a) - 3pm
Friday, April 18: Leamington (h) - 3pm
Monday, April 21: Kidderminster Harriers (a) - 3pm
Saturday, April 26: Scunthorpe United (h) - 3pm 

Next Saturday's game against Chester, who are 4th, is all-important. A win would keep Hereford in the play-off positions. 

Tickets for the game are on sale. Buying in advance is a bit cheaper.

https://herefordfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/chester_2425

 

 

Tonight's National North League Results

Three fixtures took place in the National North League this evening. 

Farsley Celtic 1-3 Oxford City

Needham Market 2-3 Curzon Ashton

Spennymoor 2-0 Warrington 

Curzon move above Hereford into 6th position.

6th - Curzon 40/69 GD+20

7th - Hereford 41/69  GD+18

8th - Kings Lynn 41/69  GD+6 

9th - Buxton 41/67  GD +19

10th - Spennymoor 41/66  GD +22

Realistically Hereford need to win their game against Chester on Saturday or they could drop out of the play-off places.

 

Preview Of Tonight's National North League Fixtures

This from the National League:

Farsley Celtic will be relegated from the National League North tonight if they fail to win at home to Oxford City.

Needham Market know that to avoid going down with them, wins must start coming. They look to make up the seven-point gap with a win at home to Curzon Ashton.

But the Nash have their own agenda - victory takes them into the play-off places.

Warrington Town also know time is ticking down and 13 points from safety, it’ll be all over bar the shouting if they lose at Spennymoor Town later on.

 

Yeovil Chairman To Sell Club Because Of Abuse

The chairman of National League Yeovil has decided to sell the club because of abuse from some fans.

Martin Hellier bought the club nearly two years ago. Stuart Robins will take over as chairman until a new owner is found.

"I am proud of the significant changes made around the club, changes that I believe will benefit it for years to come," Hellier said.

"Helping the club regain its place in the National League was a key milestone, and while the journey has had its challenges, real progress has been made.

"However, due to the pressures placed on myself and my family, I have made the decision to step away from my role."

Earlier he gave his reasons for wanting to sell.

"I fully intend to sell the club and leave as soon as a suitable buyer is found," he said ' 

"It's simply not worth losing the money to be abused and my children abused and so on.

"I would ask in the meantime that you stop the endless online harassment and abuse. You've done enough, it's worked.

"My investment provided the club with the funds needed to get through and provided you with football and promotion to the NL (National League) but has given me nothing but abuse and minus £4m personal deficit," Hellier added.

"So yes, I do not intend to be at YTFC next season. Your abuse has succeeded. Now leave me alone until the end of the season."

Chester Have Sold 300 Tickets For Hereford On Saturday

As of this morning Chester had sold 300 tickets for the game against Hereford at Edgar Street on Saturday.

Chester have been given 348 seated and 352 standing tickets, all in the Len Weston Stand.

Three Midweek National North League Fixtures

All eyes will be on Tuesday's fixtures and in particular the games at Needham and Spennymoor.

Ideally from a Hereford point of view wins for both Needham and Warrington would be appreciated.

Farsley Celtic v Oxford City

Needham Market v Curzon Ashton

Spennymoor v Warrington 

6	Hereford	41				69
7	Kings Lynn Town	41				69
8	Buxton	41				67
9	Curzon Ashton	39				66
10	Spennymoor Town	40				63

Sterling-James In National North Team Of The Week

Omari Sterling-James has been included in the National North Leaue team of the week.

He 'scored' Hereford's second goal in their game against Farsley last Saturday.

We're Not Here To Dream, We're Here To Win - New Talking Bull - On Sale Now

The latest edition of Talking Bull – the Hereford Fanzine – is on-sale now via our online store.

Fans can purchase their printed (whilst stocks last) – or electronic – copy right now.

Alternatively look out, and listen out for our amazing sales team ahead of the clash against Chester which takes place at Edgar Street this Saturday, 5th April.

Don’t miss out on a printed copy – as our last 15 issues have completely sold-out.

So arrive early on the day, or why not receive your copy in pristine condition by ordering by post.

New 8-issue subscriptions can also be obtained via our store.

Talking Bull - Online Shop

Abuse at Farsley?

This from Hereford FC:

Hereford FC Chairman, Chris Ammonds, has expressed his disappointment and frustration after match officials at Saturday’s game at Farsley Celtic received reports of personal and offensive abuse being directed at the home team’s physio by at least one Bulls supporter.

Ammonds said:

“When there has been so much to be positive about at our club in recent times, it is incredibly frustrating to receive reports that an individual, or individuals, from our fantastic travelling support directed offensive personal abuse at a member of Farsley’s staff on Saturday.

“This type of behaviour is completely out of order and can only harm the reputation of everyone associated with Hereford FC.

“Personal abuse or discriminatory language of any sort is unacceptable at any time and if we identify the individuals involved, they will face robust action from the club. We will also involve the police if necessary.

“While on the whole our travelling support is absolutely brilliant, this is not the first time that a small minority have tarnished the name of our club. Setting aside the embarrassment and upset any incident causes, which is the main concern, fans should also remember that every time something occurs it creates a significant amount of work for club staff who have to put together a formal response to any reports or complaints that are raised.

“I’d like to once again remind supporters that every single one of us is an ambassador for our club and while showing passion is brilliant, please regulate your behaviour – and that of your friends – so incidents like the one reported on Saturday do not happen.

“We do not want to start banning individual fans for their behaviour, but it is important that I make it clear that we will not hesitate to do so if the actions of individuals are damaging the reputation of our club, or are putting us at risk of financial penalties that we can ill afford at any time.”

Job Done

 

Harwood Bull watched Hereford gain three points from Farsley at Buxton on Saturday.

On paper this was a match that Hereford should have won easily, and that’s how it turned out. However as we know, matches aren’t played on paper, they are played on grass, or in this case, plastic, and you can never be sure how it’s going to go. The Bulls dominated this one from beginning to end and ran out easy winners but you have to admire Farsley. Despite being in a horrible situation they didn’t lose heart, defended stubbornly and made Hereford work for the victory.

The Bulls lined up with new signing Coates on the right of the back four with captain Hudson on the left, Preston and Howkins in between. Midfield was D’Ath, Tate Campbell and Babos in the 6, 8 and 10 roles respectively. White and Sterling James on the right and left of the front line with the always hard working Remaye Campbell as the focal point of the attack.

The Bulls were on the front foot immediately. After just 3 minutes Sterling-James came close with a free kick and there were chances for Tate Campbell from D’Ath’s cross, Hudson with a low driven angled shot, and efforts from D’Ath and Preston. The Bulls kept up the pressure and it was inevitable that they would score, although when the goal came it was a bit fortunate – White’s shot taking a huge deflection and bobbling into the corner of the net with Will Brook, the Farsley keeper, moving the wrong way.

Half time: Farsley Celtic 0 Hereford FC 1

The second half started well for Hereford. With 48 minutes on the clock, Sterling-James took a powerful free kick just outside the penalty area which curled and dipped against the crossbar, rebounding into the net off the back of Brook. I guess Brook must have realised then it wasn’t going to be his day.

Caddis made full use of his substitutes, presumably for reasons of rest and rotation, and with Ceesay on for Babos he made a good run into the box, with the ball breaking to Sterling-James who hit a strong dipping shot which was heading for the top corner until Brook tipped it over with a spectacular save.

Farsley stuck to their task and started to create one or two moments for themselves, the best of which saw Polwarth head Youmbi’s cross against the post. Had that one gone in the Bulls might have started to get a bit nervous.

However, a few minutes later the result was made safe when Tate Campbell made a break down the left flank and crossed low for Williams, who was on for Remaye Campbell, to tap home at the far post. 

Finally on 85 minutes Ceesay combined with Sterling-James to create himself a shooting chance, the ball appearing to take a slight deflection on its way into the net.

Full time: Farsley Celtic 0 Hereford FC 4

The Teams

Hereford: Richardson, Coates, Howkins, Preston (Skinner 63), Hudson, T Campbell, D'Ath (Mitchell 79), Babos (Ceesay 63), Sterling-James, White (Cowley 74), R Campbell (Williams 63)

Farsley Celtic: Brook, Abankwah, Janneh, Polwarth, Bumhira, Hyde, Monteiro, Mampala, Kondolo, Iwobi, Silva

Subs: Ameho, Youmbi, Emondson, Sheridan, Priestley-Standing

The Bulls needed 3 points badly and got the job done. New signing Coates slotted in well and looked to have something to offer going forward as well. Sterling-James had a strong game and D’Ath was neat and tidy in the holding midfield role. With Farsley not posing much of a threat Tate Campbell was able to get forward and created some chances and got the assist for the third goal.

Caddis received a couple of lengthy lectures from the ref about his behaviour but nothing seems to hold him back, he’s constantly in the ear of the fourth official and frequently has feisty exchanges with the other bench. It’s obviously just his make up and I doubt he’ll ever change, but we want him on the touchline at key moments not banished to the stands, so it would be nice if he could contain himself a bit more.

Quite a bit has been said about Ceesay and him coping with playing through Ramadan. A few years ago a group of Muslim colleagues where I worked invited us non-Muslims to join them in a day’s fast and then for the evening Iftar meal. It was an interesting experience. Not eating wasn’t that hard but not drinking anything was. That year Ramadan was at the height of summer and by the end of a long day I felt really dehydrated and had a thumping headache. Obviously as a practising Muslim he has a lot more experience of dealing with it and adjusting, but being a competitive sportsman under those conditions must be really tough.

The Bulls are still hanging on in the play off positions. I don’t like the term “six pointer” much, but if ever a game deserved that term, next week’s clash with Chester certainly does.

Come on you whites!