A Look Into Histories

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY SEVEN

HEREFORD UNITED’S FIRST HOME FOOTBALL LEAGUE MATCH

Hereford United formed in 1924 and always a professional club had been Southern League Cup winners on three occasions but, surprisingly, never champions. They play at Edgar Street which, in 1972 had a capacity of 16,000 so the ground record of 18,114 in a 1958 F A Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday would not be surpassed. Some four years earlier than this historic occasion they had nearly folded. In season 1971-72 Hereford United were not the champions of the Southern League Premier Division, that accolade going to Chelmsford City by two points. At the very bottom of the First Division South were Woodford Town. That last non league season went down in history for Hereford United who met mighty Newcastle United in a third round F A Cup tie at St James’s Park and drew 0-0 taking them back to a muddy midweek replay and, thanks to Ron Radford with the goal of the season and Ricky George won 2-1 with Malcolm McDonald netting for Newcastle United. 15,500 watched that match, I wonder how many skipped work? One round later and a 0-0 draw with West Ham kept up the momentum but a Geoff Hurst hat-trick in a 3-1 replay at Upton Park put paid to the dreams.

The F A Cup run and excellent stadium would have been foremost in the minds of the delegates at the F A AGM in May 1972 when 16 clubs which did not include Chelmsford City, put their name forward for Football League election. Successful were Northampton Town, Crewe Alexandra and Stockport County with Hereford securing 26 votes along with Barrow, so, in the 2nd vote, Hereford secured 26 and Barrow 20 which meant they were in. Wimbledon only received 1 vote, Wigan Athletic and Yeovil Town Nil votes, their time was yet to come, alas not to be for Romford either (Source: Non League Matters). Amazingly, Hereford United had tried on no fewer than 12 occasions to apply for the Football League never securing more than 4 votes!

Our Match Programme is for the first Home Football League game, priced 5p and included the Football League Review so was a good read, Colin Addison the Player/ Manager opened with his notes, a piece on Reading, their players, Results and fixtures, team in the middle, Supporters Club Jottings, tables, and plenty of small adverts from local companies. The result was a 3-0 home win with Colin Addison back having missed the Colchester game due to illness. One significant mention was given in that Mr Roy Chapman the Chairman of Colchester United, the week before, had presented Hereford Utd with an inscribed clock to commemorate their entry.

In the blue and white Colchester United programme of 12th August besides the usual warmth of welcome to the visitors, mention was made of the clock presentation for their boardroom and that any charity would end there, it did, Colchester winning 1-0. A midweek Football League Cup followed with a 1-4 loss at Division 2, Aston Villa and was an eye-opener but did not unduly worry the club with lots to look forward too.

In a season where only one home game was lost, 1-2 to Barnsley in September, the final position of runners up to Southport was more than they could ever imagine at the season’s start and that 0-1 reverse but from “ little acorns” etc etc. So elevation to Division Three came along with Southport, Cambridge United and Aldershot. Hereford United were up and running!