Hereford F.C.

This article is about the current football club in Hereford, established in 2015. For its now defunct predecessor, see Hereford United F.C..
Hereford F.C.
Full name Hereford Football Club
Nickname(s) The Bulls
Founded 2014
Ground Edgar Street, Hereford
Capacity 1,000
Owner Unknown
Chairman Jon Hale
Manager Peter Beadle
League Not Yet Known

Hereford Football Club (i/ˈhɛrɨfərd/) is an English association football club based in the city of Hereford, with the club currently playing at Edgar Street. It is unknown what league the team will compete in, although the club are looking to seek entry into the Midland Football League during its inaugural season in 2015–16. They are nicknamed 'The Whites' after their predominantly white kit, or 'The Bulls' after the Hereford cattle breed. The club's 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.

History

Following the apathetic demise and dissolution of Hereford United on 19 December 2014, the Hereford United Supporters Trust (HUST) vowed to rebuild and start a new phoenix club.[1] On 22 December 2014, it emerged that local businessman Jon Hale, who had earlier been chairman of HUST, had registered the name Hereford Football Club with the Herefordshire Football Association, in conjunction with the trust and a group of local businessman.

The new club's Twitter feed has gained over 5,600 followers, with interest and support coming from across the football community.[2] On 22 December 2014, a Facebook page was created, which has amassed over 4,300 'likes'.[3] A new press release followed on 24 December 2014, 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 25% of the new club. The press release stated that HUST's stake would be 'much more' than this 25%.[4] The club's official website went live on 29 December 2014 and added further names to the Jon Hale group, with Phil Eynon, George Webb and Hugh Brooks being mentioned on the club's homepage.[5] The website states that once the club is fully organised, the Hereford United Supporters Trust chairman, Chris Williams, shall be given the position of Vice Chairman of the club.[6] Jon Hale gave an interview with Trevor Owens on BBC Hereford and Worcester on 3 January 2015. Hale cited 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.[7] In a FAQ released on 13 January 2015, it was revealed that Jon Hale shall be the club's chairman.[8] It was confirmed at an open meeting on 15 January 2015 that Hugh Brookes would be the club's finance director, George Webb would be the commercial director and Phil Enyon would be governance director.[9] On 20 and 21 January 2015, HUST members voted in favour of the proposal from the Hale group, with 96.71% voting to accept the plans.[10] On 10 February 2015, HUST confirmed that the Hereford FC bid had been the only approach submitted to them.[11]

On 24 February 2015, Herefordshire Council confirmed that the club had secured a five-year lease for the city's Edgar Street stadium.[12]

On 21 April 2015, it was announced that Hereford FC would be the default team on the new edition of mobile game Football Chairman.[13]

The club has been compared to other phoenix clubs such as Aldershot Town, AFC Wimbledon and Chester.

Crest and colours

Crest

On 1 February 2015, HUST emailed their members announcing a competition for the design of the new crest, with entry closing on 13 February, with a shortlist and subsequent vote to take place at some point after this date. On 26 February, the Hereford United Supporters trust announced the shortlist for the new club badge.[14] It was announced on 1 March 2015, that 89% of the 900+ HUST members that voted, elected the badge designed by Huw Marriott, and his sons Max and Louis.[15] Huw and the boys have also produced a second version of their winning badge – with the scroll outside of the main shield – and it is this version that will adorn the shirts as the ‘Forever United’ scroll needs to be larger for kit embroidery purposes.[16]

Colours

It has been confirmed that Hereford will be playing in white. A competition will be held for the away colours.[17] A kit manufacturer has yet to be confirmed, although several national suppliers have registered interest in the club.[18]

Stadium

After lengthy discussions, it was confirmed on 24 February 2015, that Hereford FC had managed to reach an agreement with Herefordshire Council, on a five-year lease, for the club to play at the city's Edgar Street stadium.[19] In 2014, Hereford United only had a safety certificate to allow 1,000 spectators. On 27 March 2015, the lease for Edgar Street was formally signed.[20]

Support

The supporters are to play a vital role within the club. The Hereford United Supporters Trust will have ownership opportunities of up to 50%, and the trust will also have board members to represent supporters. On 26th April 2015, Hereford FC had sold 624 season tickets for the 2015-16 season. The club has also asked for volunteers to come forward to help in the initial period and the new club marks the return of the fanzine Talking Bull.[21]

Rivalries

Main article: A49 derby

Although the club has no rivalry as an entity itself, for supporters Shrewsbury Town and Cheltenham Town remain the main rivals, as they had been during the time of Hereford United. The rivalry with Shrewsbury is listed as nineteenth in The Daily Telegraph's 20 fiercest rivalries in English football.[22]

Coaching staff

On 27 February 2015, the club announced that it was taking applications for the position of club manager.[23] Forty-two people applied for the position [24] and on 17 April 2015, Peter Beadle was announced to be the successful candidate by the board with his assistant to be Matt Bishop.[25]

References

  1. ↑ "Hereford United cease to exist after court order". ITV News. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "HerefordFC". Twitter.com. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "Hereford FC". Facebook. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Bulls News: Hale Group Plans For HUST To Be Single Largest Shareholder". Bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "The Official Website of Hereford FC". Hereford FC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "About Us". Hereford FC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "BBC Hereford & Worcester – Trevor Owens, 03/01/2015". BBC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". Hereford FC. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  9. ↑ Paul Rogers. "Hereford FC open meeting". Hereford Times. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  10. ↑ Ian Morgan. "New Hereford FC chairman Jon Hale 'humbled' by 96.71% backing from Hereford United Supporters Trust". Ledbury Reporter.
  11. ↑ "Hereford FC Bid Is Sole Approach To HUST". Hereford United Supporters Trust.
  12. ↑ Paul Rogers. "Hereford FC granted five-year lease of Edgar Street". Hereford Times.
  13. ↑ https://twitter.com/F_Chairman/status/590463518232735744
  14. ↑ "Voting Open To Decide New Hereford FC Badge". Hereford United Supporters Trust.
  15. ↑ Chris Ammonds. "HUST Announce Hereford FC Badge Design Winner". Hereford FC.
  16. ↑ "HUST Announce Hereford FC Badge Design Winner".
  17. ↑ "HUST – Hereford FC Q&A Part 3". YouTube. 16 January 2015.
  18. ↑ Paul Rogers. "FOOTBALL: Key points that Hereford FC will present to Herefordshire Council". Hereford Times.
  19. ↑ Chris Ammonds. "Edgar Street Lease Deal Agreed With Herefordshire Council". Hereford FC.
  20. ↑ http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/03/27/edgar-street-lease-deal-formally-completed/
  21. ↑ "Talking Bull – Talking Bull – The Independent Hereford Football Club Supporters' Magazine". talkingbull.org.
  22. ↑ "The 20 fiercest rivalries in English football – by Jonathan Liew". Telegraph.co.uk. 6 February 2015.
  23. ↑ Chris Ammonds. "Applications Invited For Hereford FC Football Manager Position". Hereford FC.
  24. ↑ "Bulls News: 42 Applications For Hereford FC Manager". bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk.
  25. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32340652

External links