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Hereford United Football Club
2006-07 Season 16th in League Two Highlight: Low Spot: Good: In Brief:
Hereford United Football Club was formed in 1924 with the amalgamation of two local sides St Martins and RAOC. The club joined the Southern League in 1939 although their entry co-incided with the outbreak of the Second World War so they had to wait to make their bow properly. In 1957-58 Hereford thrashed Queens Park Rangers 6-1 in the 2nd round of the FA Cup, a record victory margin for a non league side against a league outfit, which saw them in the 3rd round draw for the first time ever. First division Sheffield Wednesday came out of the hat and proved too strong, winning 3-0 at Edgar Street. In 1965-66 there was disappointment as United reached the 3rd round again only to lose away from home to fellow non league outfit Bedford Town. The club really put themselves on the map in 1971-72. They made it to the FA Cup 3rd round and were drawn away at Newcastle United. After managing a superb 2-2 draw at St James Park Hereford recorded a memorable extra time victory in the replay at Edgar Street. After falling behind Ronnie Radford equalised with a 30 yard screamer which has become the stuff of FA Cup legend. Ricky George then supplied the winner to give Hereford a 4th round tie at home to West Ham. The game at Edgar Street ended goalless before the Hammers won through 3-1 at Upton Park. Crucially these exploits helped Hereford claim a place in the Football League at the expense of Barrow and they made an immediate impact by winning promotion as 4th division runners up behind Southport in 1972-73. Hereford's rapid progress under Colin Addison was continued as John Sillett who took over as manager in 1974. In that year Hereford gained revenge over West Ham in the FA Cup, beating them 2-1 in a 3rd round replay at Edgar Street before losing at home to Bristol City 1-0 in the next round. The signings of veteran Southampton and England winger Terry Paine and the journeyman striker Dixie McNeil proved inspired, with McNeil suddenly banging in goals for fun. Hereford romped to the Division Three title in 1976 with McNeil setting a club record with 35 league goals. The club had risen too far, too soon however and suffered successive relegations and were back in Division Four by 1978. Hereford then spent the best part of two decades in that division, mainly in the lower reaches. There was occasional excitement in the FA Cup. In 1985 Arsenal were held to a draw at Edgar Street before winning the replay 7-2 and in 1990 the club reached the 4th round before losing 1-0 at home to Manchester United. In 1996 Tottenham also needed a replay before easing past the Bulls 5-1 at White Hart Lane. It was the 1995-96 season that also saw Hereford suddenly make the play offs only for them to lose both legs of their semi final 2-1 to a talented Darlington side. The following season the club collapsed, however, and were relegated into the Conference. The final game of the season saw them needing to beat Brighton at Edgar Street to survive at their opponents expense but they could only manage a 1-1 draw. Hereford took time to adjust properly to life outside the league but finished as Cionference runners up for three successive seasons from 2004 and clinched promotion last season with a 3-2 play off final victory over Halifax Town at Leicester's Walkers Stadium. The clubs' best effort in the League Cup came in 1974-75 when they beat Shrewsbury Town and Exeter City to reach the 3rd round where they lost 4-1 at Ipswich Town. Famous names associated with the club include John Charles who played for and managed Hereford in the 1960's and Kevin Sheedy who made his league debut as a young boy for the club before moving to Liverpool and then Everton where he made his name.
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