Hereford F.C.
{{short description|Association football club in Herefordshire, England}}
{{About|the current football club in Hereford, established in 2014|its defunct predecessor|Hereford United F.C.}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Hereford
| image = Hereford FC crest.svg
| upright = 0.65
| fullname = Hereford Football Club
| nickname = The Bulls
| founded = {{start date and age|22 December 2014}}
| dissolved =
| ground = Edgar Street
| chairman = Chris Ammonds
| manager = Paul Caddis
| league = {{English football updater|Hereford}}
| season = {{English football updater|Hereford2}}
| current = 2024–25 National League#National League North
| position = {{English football updater|Hereford3}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.herefordfc.co.uk}}
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Hereford Football Club is an English association football club 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.
As of the 2024–25 season, the club plays in the National League North, at the sixth tier of the English football league system. They entered the football pyramid before the 2015–16 season and won three league titles in their first three campaigns—the Midland League Premier Division followed by the Southern League Division One South & West and the Southern 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-12-19/hereford-united-cease-to-exist-after-court-order/|title=Hereford United cease to exist after court order|publisher=ITV News|access-date=16 January 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/hale-group-plans-for-hust-to-be-single.html|title=Bulls News: Hale Group Plans For HUST To Be Single Largest Shareholder|date=24 December 2014|publisher=Bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk|access-date=16 January 2015}}
The club's official website went live on 29 December.{{cite web|url=http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/about-us/|title=About Us|work=Hereford FC|access-date=16 January 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/newsroom/faq/|title=Frequently Asked Questions|work=Hereford FC|access-date=16 January 2015}} 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).{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Paul|title=Hereford FC open meeting|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/11728697.Hereford_FC_open_meeting/|access-date=16 January 2015|work=Hereford Times}}
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.{{cite web|last=Morgan|first=Ian|title=New Hereford FC chairman Jon Hale 'humbled' by 96.71% backing from Hereford United Supporters Trust|url=http://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk/11742561.New_Hereford_FC_chairman_Jon_Hale__humbled__by_96_71__backing_from_Hereford_United_Supporters_Trust|work=Ledbury Reporter}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} The Hereford F.C. bid had been the only approach submitted to HUST.{{cite web|url=http://www.hufctrust.co.uk/hereford-fc-bid-sole-approach-hust/|title=Hereford FC Bid Is Sole Approach To HUST|publisher=Hereford United Supporters Trust}} Two weeks later, Herefordshire Council confirmed that the club had secured a five-year lease for the city's Edgar Street stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/11814458.Hereford_FC_granted_five_year_lease_of_Edgar_Street/|title=Hereford FC granted five-year lease of Edgar Street|author=Paul Rogers|work=Hereford Times|date=24 February 2015}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/02/27/applications-invited-hereford-fc-football-manager-position/|title=Applications Invited For Hereford FC Football Manager Position|author=Chris Ammonds|work=Hereford FC}}{{cite web|url=http://bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/42-applications-for-hereford-fc-manager.html|title=Bulls News: 42 Applications For Hereford FC Manager|work=bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk|date=5 March 2015}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32340652|title=BBC Sport – Hereford FC: Peter Beadle appointed as reformed Bulls boss|author=Ged Scott|publisher=BBC Sport}}
=2015–16 season=
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32740977|title=BBC Sport – Hereford FC: New club to play in Midland Football League|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 May 2015}} 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.[http://bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/hereford-fc-start-life-with-win.html Bulls News] Hereford FC start life with win 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.{{cite news|title=Hereford FC wins first home match in friendly with FC United of Manchester|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-33486464|access-date=14 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 July 2015}} 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.{{cite news|title=Hereford FC attract biggest ever Midland League crowd|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33849147|access-date=14 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 August 2015}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/headlines/hereford-confirm-step-four-promotion-application.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222132759/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/headlines/hereford-confirm-step-four-promotion-application.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 December 2015|title=Hereford confirm step four promotion application|website=Nonleaguedaily.com|access-date=2015-12-14}} 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 consecutive wins, in a 1–1 draw at home to Alvechurch on 23 January 2016,{{Cite news|date=2016-01-25|title=Hereford's 27-game winning run ends|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35137390|access-date=2023-09-12}} and the unbeaten run of 34 games came to an end on 23 February, following a 2–0 loss at home to Highgate United.{{cite news|title=Hereford FC lose 2–0 to Highgate United in the Midland Football League Premier Division|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/14296763.Hereford_FC_s_unbeaten_run_ended_by_Highgate_United/|access-date=12 March 2016|work=Hereford Times|date=23 February 2016}}
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.{{cite news|title=Sell out for the Semi Final for Hereford FC|url=http://www.ross-gazette.co.uk/article.cfm?id=103518&headline=Sell%20out%20for%20the%20Semi%20Final%20for%20Hereford%20FC§ionIs=sport&searchyear=2016|access-date=12 March 2016|work=The Ross Gazette|date=11 March 2016}} 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.{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Paul|title=Hereford FC beat Coventry Sphinx, they are Midland Football League Premier Division champions|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/14451084.Coventry_Sphinx_0_4_Hereford_FC___The_Bulls_are_champions/|access-date=26 April 2016|work=Hereford Times|date=25 April 2016}} A week later, the club picked up their second trophy, the Herefordshire County Cup, following a 5–1 win over Westfields.{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Paul|title=Hereford FC win the HFA County Challenge Cup following a comfortable 5–1 win over Westfields|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/14465700.HFA_County_Challenge_Cup_Final__Hereford_FC_5_Westfields_1___As_it_happened/|access-date=9 May 2016|work=Hereford Times|date=2 May 2016}}
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.{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Paul|title=Hereford FC win the Polymac Packaging Midland Football League Cup after beating Walsall Wood 3–1|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/14483396.MFL_Cup_Final__Walsall_Wood_1_Hereford_FC_0/|access-date=10 May 2016|work=Hereford Times|date=10 May 2016}}
On 22 May, Hereford lost 4–1 in the FA Vase Final to Morpeth Town at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36353452|title=Non-League Finals Day: Halifax Town and Morpeth Town cause double Wembley upset|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 May 2016}}
=2016–17 season=
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/fa-confirms-league-for-bulls-for-1617-season/|title=FA Confirms League For Bulls For 16/17 Season|website=Hereford FC}} 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,{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/matt-bishop-set-to-leave-edgar-street/|title=Matt Bishop Set To Leave Edgar Street|website=Hereford FC}} and he was replaced by Steve Jenkins on 30 May.{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/beadle-names-steve-jenkins-as-bulls-assistant-manager/|title=Beadle Names Steve Jenkins As Bulls Assistant Manager|website=Hereford FC}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/beadle-signs-rolling-contract/|title=Beadle Signs Rolling Contract|website=Hereford FC}} On 19 October, it was announced that Chairman John 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk/sport/football/15000046.new-hereford-fc-chairman-announced/|title=New Hereford FC chairman announced|website=Ledbury Reporter}}
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,{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Paul|title=UPDATE: Hereford FC and Didcot Town to face no further action over abandoned game|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/15173614.UPDATE__Hereford_FC_and_Didcot_Town_to_face_no_further_action_over_abandoned_game/|work=Hereford Times|date=22 March 2017}} rather highlighting how sensationalised and ill-informed some of the news reporting, at the time, had been.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-39172475|title=Arrests after football pitch invasion|publisher=BBC News|date=5 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39172565|title=Hereford FC launch investigation as Didcot game abandoned after crowd trouble|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 March 2017}} Disciplinary action, however, was taken against three Hereford supporters,{{cite web|url=http://bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/three-fans-banned.html|title=Bulls News: Three Fans Banned|work=bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk|date=17 March 2017}} one of the Didcot players and the Didcot team coach.{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Paul|title=Sam Elkins and Sam Parish suspended for improper conduct|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/15189508.UPDATE__Didcot_player_banned_after_being_found_guilty_of_improper_conduct_during_Hereford_game/|work=Hereford Times|date=29 March 2017}} 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.
=2017–18 season=
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,{{Cite news|date=2017-05-12|title=Shock as Joel Edwards released from Edgar Street|work=Hereford Times|url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/15282182.shock-as-joel-edwards-released-from-edgar-street/|access-date=2023-09-29}} with Jimmy Oates taking over his role.{{Cite news|date=2017-08-07|title=Jimmy Oates is new Hereford FC captain|work=Hereford Times|url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/15457989.jimmy-oates-is-new-hereford-fc-captain/|access-date=2023-09-29}}
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 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.
= 2018–19 season =
On 13 September 2018, after three consecutive league titles, Peter Beadle was sacked as manager of Hereford, a month into the new season with Hereford in 12th place in the National League North.{{Cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/breaking-news-hereford-fc-parts-company-with-peter-beadle/|title=Hereford FC Parts Company With Peter Beadle|website=Hereford FC|access-date=2018-09-13}} Assistant manager Steve Jenkins also departed, leaving Ryan Green as interim player-manager. On 19 September 2018, Tim Harris was appointed Head of Football,{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/16895196.hereford-fc-head-of-football-tim-harris-says-club-need-to-be-full-time-sooner-rather-than-later/|title=Head of Football says Bulls need to be full-time 'sooner rather than later'|website=Hereford Times|date=21 September 2018}} with Marc Richards subsequently taking the Head Coach role on 3 October 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/16958300.football-hereford-head-coach-marc-richards-praised-by-tim-harris/|title=New head coach is "special", says Hereford chief|website=Worcester News|date=3 October 2018}} 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.
=2019–20 season=
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/breaking-news-marc-richards-leaves-edgar-street-role/|title=BREAKING NEWS Marc Richards Leaves Edgar Street Role|publisher=Hereford F.C.|date=12 August 2019|access-date=14 August 2019}} 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.{{cite web|title=Russell Slade appointed Manager|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/new-first-team-manager-appointed-at-edgar-street/|website=herefordfc.co.uk|access-date=29 August 2019}} Andy Whing joined as his assistant on 13 September.{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-andy-whing-joins-as-first-team-coach/|title=Andy Whing joins as First Team Coach|publisher=Hereford F.C.|date=13 September 2019|access-date=13 September 2019}}
Hereford invested in a new digital scoreboard to improve commercial advertising opportunities in September 2019. Its first game in use on 8 October 2019{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-new-big-screen-installed/|title=New Big Screen Installed|publisher=Hereford F.C.|date=8 October 2019|access-date=9 October 2019}} 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,{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-tim-harris-resigns-as-head-of-football/|title=Tim Harris Resigns as Head of Football|publisher=Hereford F.C.|date=27 November 2019|access-date=29 November 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-andy-whing-departs-edgar-street/|title=Andy Whing departs Edgar Street|publisher=Hereford F.C.|date=14 January 2020|access-date=14 January 2020}} Just 6 days later on 20 January, Manager Russell Slade left the club after a run of just one win in 18 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/breaking-news-bulls-chairman-confirms-departure-of-russell-slade-by-mutual-consent/|title=Bulls Chairman Confirms Departure of Russell Slade|publisher=Hereford F.C.|date=20 January 2020|access-date=20 January 2020}} Josh Gowling was named the club's interim manager on 21 January, he appointed Steve Burr as his assistant three 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.
= 2020–21 season =
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.{{Cite web|title=Hereford FC 1 Hornchurch 3 FA Trophy final minute by minute updates|url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/19322115.hereford-fc-v-hornchurch-fa-trophy-final-minute-minute-updates/|access-date=2022-10-18|website=Hereford Times|date=22 May 2021}}
= 2021–22 season =
The club announced on 8 May 2021 that Manager Josh Gowling and assistant Steve Burr had agreed new deals with the club, lasting for two years.{{Cite web|title=Gowling & Burr Agree New Deals with The Bulls|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/breaking-news-gowling-burr-agree-new-deals-with-the-bulls/|access-date=2022-10-18|website=Hereford FC}} A 2–1 friendly loss to historically bitter rivals Shrewsbury Town marked the first Edgar Street match without social distancing regulations in place.{{Cite web|title=GALLERY {{!}} Hereford 1-2 Shrewsbury|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/gallery-hereford-1-2-shrewsbury/|access-date=2022-11-01|website=Hereford FC}} 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.{{Cite web|title=REPORT: York City 0 Hereford 1|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/19611397.report-york-city-0-hereford-1/|access-date=2022-10-18|website=York Press|date=28 September 2021}} 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{{Cite web|title=Gateshead 2-1 Hereford|url=https://gateshead-fc.com/matches/gateshead-vs-hereford/|access-date=2022-10-18|website=Gateshead FC}} meant Hereford finished the season in 12th place, collecting 55 points across 15 wins and 10 draws.
= 2022–23 season =
After one 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.{{Cite web|title=Chester 0-1 Hereford|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/updates-chester-vs-hereford-2/|access-date=2022-11-01|website=Hereford FC}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Pompey Visit Hereford in FA Cup|url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2022/october/pompey-visit-hereford-in-fa-cup/|access-date=2022-11-01|website=portsmouthfc.co.uk}} It was later announced that the match would be live on BBC Two, making it only the fourth televised match since the club reformed.{{Cite web|title=Emirates FA Cup Live on TV|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-emirates-fa-cup-live-on-tv/|access-date=2022-11-01|website=Hereford FC}} 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.{{Cite news|title=Portsmouth recover to beat non-league Hereford|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63461110|access-date=2022-11-24}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Heybridge Swifts v Hereford Live Commentary & Result, 19/11/2022, FA Trophy {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ng/match/heybridge-swifts-v-hereford/w7en4uies3g9tnq8w71p6zh0|access-date=2022-11-29|publisher=Goal}}
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 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.
= 2023–24 season =
Before the end of the previous season, Hereford announced Paul Caddis as their new manager, who took the reins from interim manager Yan Klukowski from 1 May 2023. As of 24 June, only one player remained 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.{{Cite web|title=Mark Derricott Signs New One Year Deal|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-mark-derricott-signs-new-one-year-deal/|access-date=2023-06-13|website=Hereford FC}} In mid-June, Irish forward Adam Rooney was brought in as Player-Assistant Manager to Caddis.{{Cite web|title=Bulls Appoint Rooney as Assistant Manager|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-bulls-appoint-rooney-as-assistant-manager/|access-date=2023-06-22|website=Hereford FC}}
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.{{Cite news|last=Lawrence|first=David|date=2023-07-20|title=Hereford striker is set to be out for months due to injury|work=Hereford Times|url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/local/23670304.hereford-striker-set-months-due-injury/|access-date=2023-09-29}}{{Cite web|date=2023-09-13|title=Jason Cowley Injury Update|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/jason-cowley-injury-update/|access-date=2023-09-29|website=Hereford FC}} Following wins over Anstey Nomads, Cambridge City and Rochdale, Hereford progressed to the FA Cup first round for the second year running, being drawn against League Two Gillingham at home in which they were beaten 2–0.{{Cite news|date=2023-11-04|title=Hereford 0-2 Gillingham|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67278994|access-date=2024-04-23|publisher=BBC Sport}}
A run of four consecutive wins over the Christmas period saw Hereford rise as high as 4th, but indifferent form in the second half of the season saw them drop as low as 11th. The final play-off position (7th) was still possible to achieve going into the final day of the season but would have required an 11–0 win over Boston United and two other teams to lose in order to reach it, with the Bulls ultimately losing 2–0 to the Pilgrims which secured a play-off spot for themselves. Hereford finished in 11th on 69 points, their highest ever position and points total in the National League North to date.
=Season-by-season=
class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="11" |League ! rowspan="2" |FA Cup ! rowspan="2" |FA Trophy ! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |Other ! rowspan="2" |Manager | ||||||||||||||
Division | Level (Step) | {{Tooltip|Pld|Played}} | {{Tooltip|W|Won}} | {{Tooltip|D|Drawn}} | {{Tooltip|L|Lost}} | {{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} | {{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} | {{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}} | {{Tooltip|Pts|Points}} | {{Tooltip|Pos|Position}} | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
align="center"
| rowspan="3" |2015–16 | rowspan="3" style="text-align:left" |Midland League Premier Division | rowspan="3" |9 (5) | rowspan="3" |42 | rowspan="3" |35 | rowspan="3" |3 | rowspan="3" |4 | rowspan="3" |138 | rowspan="3" |33 | rowspan="3" |+105 | rowspan="3" |108 | rowspan="3" style="background:gold" |1st {{Up-arrow|alt=Promoted}}
| colspan="2" rowspan="3" |— | style="text-align:left" |FA Vase | style="background:silver" |RU | rowspan="5" style="text-align:left" |Peter Beadle |
style="text-align:left" |Midland Football League Cup | style="background:gold"|W | |||||||||||||
rowspan="10" style="text-align:left" |HFA County Challenge Cup | style="background:gold"|W | |||||||||||||
align="center" | style="text-align:left" |Southern League Division One South & West | 8 (4) | 42 | 33 | 8 | 1 | 108 | 32 | +76 | 107 | style="background:gold" |1st {{Up-arrow|alt=Promoted}}
|3Q |PR | style="background:gold"|W | ||
align="center" | style="text-align:left" |Southern League Premier Division | 7 (3) | 46 | 36 | 5 | 5 | 111 | 33 | +78 | 113 | style="background:gold" |1st {{Up-arrow|alt=Promoted}}
|2R |2R | style="background:gold"|W | ||
2018–19 | rowspan="7" style="text-align:left" |National League North | 6 (2) | 42 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 47 | 58 | −11 | 49 | 17th
|3Q |2R | 1R | style="text-align:left" |Peter Beadle/Marc Richards | |
2019–20† | 6 (2) | 35 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 39 | 56 | −17 | 39 | 16th{{efn|Hereford finished 16th on a points-per-game basis}}
|3Q |3Q | QF{{Efn|Competition was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic}} | style="text-align:left" |Marc Richards/Russell Slade/Josh Gowling | ||
2020–21† | 6 (2) | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 16 | +4 | 20 | 12th
|3Q | style="background:silver" |RU | –{{Efn|Club forfeited participation in this season's competition}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:left" |Josh Gowling | ||
2021–22 | 6 (2) | 42 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 51 | 52 | −1 | 55 | 12th
|4Q |2R | style="background:silver" |RU | |||
2022–23 | 6 (2) | 46 | 15 | 10 | 21 | 47 | 56 | –9 | 55 | 16th
|1R |2R | QF | style="text-align:left" |Josh Gowling/Yan Klukowski | ||
2023–24 | 6 (2) | 46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 62 | 66 | –4 | 69 | 11th
|1R | 5R | style="background:silver" |RU | rowspan="2" style="text-align:left" |Paul Caddis | ||
2024–25 | 6 (2) | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 68 | 51 | +17 | 76 | 10th
|3Q | 2R | QF | |||
colspan="18" align="left" |Source: [https://www.fchd.info/HEREFORD.HTM FCHD] |
† League season was terminated before previsioned date, because of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Key
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
class="wikitable"
|bgcolor=gold|Champions |bgcolor=silver|Runners-up |bgcolor="#DDFFDD"|Promoted |bgcolor="#FFCCCC"|Relegated |
- {{Up-arrow|alt=Promoted}} = Promoted
- {{Down-arrow|alt=Relegated}} = Relegated
{{col-3}}
- EP = Extra preliminary round
- PR = Preliminary round
- 1Q = First qualifying round
- 2Q = Second qualifying round
- 3Q = Third qualifying round
- 4Q = Fourth qualifying round
- 1R = First round proper
- 2R = Second round proper
{{col-3}}
- 3R = Third round proper
- 4R = Fourth round proper
- 5R = Fifth round proper
- QF = Quarter-finals
- SF = Semi-finals
- RU = Runners-up
- W = Winners
{{col-end}}
Stadium
Since reformation as the phoenix club, Hereford have played all their home matches at Edgar Street, the same as its predecessor. The name of the stadium directly derives from the name of the street where it is located, which is also the A49. The club agreed a lease with the council in February 2015,{{Cite news|title=Bulls happy to back at Edgar Street|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/32146316|access-date=2022-11-01}} and won their first match at the ground 1–0 against FC United of Manchester, in front of a crowd of 4,257.
The ground itself has changed little since the mid-1970s, largely outdated and in need of redevelopment, with the Blackfriars End failing a safety inspection in July 2009. The terraced end had fallen into a state of disrepair which steadily reduced the stadium capacity from nearly 9,000 to 7,700 by November 2007. Improvements were made in the later years of the predecessor, to ensure the ground met Football League standards, including new floodlights, dressing rooms and barriers on the terraces.
Hereford FC's record attendance for a home game at Edgar Street is 4,683, for a 1–0 win in the FA Vase semi-finals against Salisbury on 13 March 2016. It hosted televised FA Cup matches twice: a Second-Round Proper Replay against Fleetwood Town in December 2017, and a First-Round Proper match against Portsmouth in November 2022. The 2020–21 FA Trophy Semi-Final between Hereford FC and Woking was also played here, although it took place behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hereford came out 1–0 winners, although failed to beat Hornchurch in the Final.
Crest and colours
=Crest=
It was announced on 1 March 2015, that 89% of the 900-plus HUST members that voted, chose a badge designed by Huw Marriott and his sons Max and Louis.{{cite web|last=Ammonds|first=Chris|date=1 March 2015|title=HUST Announce Hereford FC Badge Design Winner|url=http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/03/01/hust-announce-hereford-fc-badge-design-winner/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504121259/http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/03/01/hust-announce-hereford-fc-badge-design-winner/|archive-date=4 May 2015|work=Hereford FC}}
=Colours=
On 5 May 2015, it was announced that the club had signed a two-year kit deal with Italian manufacturer Macron.{{cite web|url=http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/05/05/hereford-fc-sign-two-year-kit-deal-with-macron/|access-date=5 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703063044/http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/05/05/hereford-fc-sign-two-year-kit-deal-with-macron/|title=Hereford FC sign two year kit deal with Macron|archive-date=3 July 2015}}
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 two years, with a new home kit in 2016–17 alternating seasonally with the away kit.{{Cite web|url=http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/hereford-fc-extend-kit-deal-with-macron/|title=Hereford FC Extend Kit Deal With Macron|website=Hereford FC|access-date=2016-03-25}}
Prior to the 2020–21 Season, the club announced a new three-year deal with Adidas.{{Cite web|url=http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-bulls-launch-adidas-shirts-for-the-upcoming-season/|title=Bulls Launch Adidas Shirts for the Upcoming Season|date=26 June 2020|website=/www.herefordfc.co.uk|access-date=5 August 2021}} On 9 July 2022, an initial three-year kit deal with Kappa was announced.{{Cite web|title=NEW KIT SUPPLIER ANNOUNCED|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/new-kit-supplier-announced/|access-date=2023-04-18|website=Hereford FC}}
= Sponsors =
{{Table alignment}}
Support
Hereford's fanzine is called Talking Bull.{{cite web|url=http://www.talkingbull.org/|title=Talking Bull – Talking Bull – The Independent Hereford Football Club Supporters' Magazine|work=talkingbull.org}}
During Hereford's inaugural season they averaged a league attendance of 2,836, a figure higher than six Football League Two sides.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20152016/regular-season/r31474/|title=League Two attendances 2015–16|work=Soccerway.com}}
= Rivals =
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.{{Cite web|title=The 20 fiercest rivalries in English football|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/0/20-fiercest-rivalries-english-football/|access-date=2022-11-01|website=The Telegraph|date=7 April 2018}} 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 four wins each in Head-to-Heads.{{Cite web|last=Sofascore|title=Hereford FC vs Kidderminster Harriers live score, H2H and lineups {{!}} Sofascore|url=https://www.sofascore.com/kidderminster-harriers-hereford-fc/Pbshc|access-date=2022-11-01|website=sofascore.com}}
Whilst climbing up the English Football Pyramid, the Bulls also developed competitive rivalries against local clubs Westfields, Alvechurch and Gloucester City.
Players and staff
=Current squad=
{{updated|28 April 2025|{{Cite web |title=First Team |url=https://herefordfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/ |access-date=28 April 2025 |website=Hereford FC}}}}
{{fs start|bg=000|color=fff}}
{{fs player|no=2|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Aaron Skinner}}
{{fs player|no=3|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Lewis Hudson|other=captain}}
{{fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Tate Campbell}}
{{fs player|no=5|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Matt Preston}}
{{fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Lawson D'Ath}}
{{fs player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=DJ Campton-Sturridge}}
{{fs player|no=8|nat=WAL|pos=MF|name=Alex Babos}}
{{fs player|no=9|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Jason Cowley}}
{{fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Andy Williams}}
{{fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Jaiden White}}
{{fs player|no=12|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Matt Horton}}
{{fs mid|bg=000|color=fff}}
{{fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Mark Derricott}}
{{fs player|no=15|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Preston Bitemo}}
{{fs player|no=17|nat=IRL|pos=FW|name=Adam Rooney}}
{{fs player|no=20|nat=GMB|pos=FW|name=Yusifu Ceesay}}
{{fs player|no=22|nat=USA|pos=FW|name=Declan McGlynn}}
{{fs player|no=23|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Kieran Glynn}}
{{fs player|no=27|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Sammy Robinson}}
{{fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Kyle Howkins}}
{{fs player|no=29|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Remaye Campbell}}
{{fs player|no=30|nat=KNA|pos=FW|name=Omari Sterling-James}}
{{fs end}}
=Current management and staff=
class="wikitable" |
Name
! Role |
---|
{{flagicon|SCO}} Paul Caddis
| Manager |
{{flagicon|IRL}} Adam Rooney
| Assistant manager |
{{flagicon|ENG}} Shaun Edwards
|Goalkeeper coach |
{{flagicon|ENG}} James Hughes
|Head physio/Lead Sports Science |
{{flagicon|ENG}} Dan Pace
|Head kitman |
Managers
{{Table alignment}}
{{notelist-lr}}
Records
Honours
- Southern League Premier
- Champions: 2017–18
- Southern League Division One
- Winners: 2016–17
- Southern Football League, Champions of Champions Trophy 2016/17
- Midland League Premier
- Winners: 2015–16
- Herefordshire County Cup
- Winners (3): 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
- Midland Football League Cup
- Winners: 2015–16
- FA Trophy
- Runners-up: 2020–21
- FA Vase
- Runners-up: 2015–16
Notable players
A number of full internationals have played for Hereford during the club's history and have either been capped before, during or after their career with the club.
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{flagicon|Sierra Leone}} Mustapha Bundu
- {{flagicon|Bermuda}} Dale Eve
- {{flagicon|Wales}} Ryan Green
- {{flagicon|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} Raheem Hanley
- {{flagicon|Bermuda}} Jahquil Hill
- {{flagicon|Afghanistan|2013}} Maziar Kouhyar
- {{flagicon|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} Rowan Liburd
- {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Samir Nabi
- {{flagicon|Ireland}} Dara O'Shea
- {{flagicon|Barbados}} Krystian Pearce
- {{flagicon|Gibraltar}} Reece Styche
- {{flagicon|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} Theo Wharton
{{div col end}}
A number of players have played for both Hereford United and Hereford. Players in bold currently play for Hereford.
{{Table alignment}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.herefordfc.co.uk Official club website]
{{Hereford F.C.}}
{{National League (English football)}}
Category:Football clubs in England
Category:Football clubs in Herefordshire
Category:Association football clubs established in 2014
Category:2014 establishments in England
Category:Phoenix clubs (association football)
Category:Midland Football League