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Reckless Guide to Hereford

Hereford United v Barnet

Skrill Premier League

Saturday 19th October 2013

Kick-Off 3.00pm

Stadium: The Athletic Ground, Edgar Street, Hereford HR4 9JU

Telephone: 01432 – 276666

Club Colours: Black and White

Nickname: The Bulls

Manager: Martin Foyle has been in charge since May 2012. A striker with Aldershot, Oxford United and Port Vale he has had managerial experience at Port Vale, Northwich Victoria and York City.

Brief Directions by Road: A fairly complicated journey by car to this one  and If you are driving to Hereford you will most likely be on the A49, access via the A40 near Ross-on-Wye which incidentally is well worth a visit for lunch. Signs for Hereford are very frequent at this point. Follow the A49 right into Hereford Town Centre. Follow signs for Leominster and the Cattle Market to Edgar Street which is just off the A465 (which is basically a ring road at the time) in the town centre. You will spot the large floodlights easily.

In my opinion this is one of the most picturesque and pleasant journeys by road to a football ground if you enjoy driving that is, but do allow yourselves plenty of journey time.

Car Parking: The club car park, which is accessible behind the main stand has around 600 spaces available for a small charge.

Directions by Train: You can reach Hereford in around 3 hours from London Paddington with a short change over at Newport (South Wales) or Bristol (Temple Mead). It is a short 10 minute walk to the ground.

Supporters Coaches: Barnet Football Club will be running a coach to every way first team game this season. The 2013-14 Travel Club is now open for fans to join by a monthly fee system or one off individual booking. Monthly Travel Club Memberships cost £38 for Adults, £30 for Concessions & Juniors and just £20 for Under-10s. As a member of the Bees Travel Club, the club guarantee your seat on every trip of the season. All the coaches are stewarded and will depart immediately after the match from Hereford. For further information on the Bees Travel Club, please call the ticket office on 020 8381 3800 and select option two or visit The Hive in person or see the barnetfc.com website.

Eating and Drinking Locally: The Oxford Arms is right next to the ground, although a popular haunt of home fans. The Victory Tavern or Barrells in the town centre are both excellent. But my frequent visits in the past to the Yew Tree Inn in Peterstow on the A49 (Hereford Road) from Ross on Wye will take some beating for ale, menu and friendliness.

There are two club bars at the ground, called Addisons and Radfords named after two high profile ex-players – both allow visiting fans.

Ground Description: From the outside the ground does look rather weathered. The main stand dates from 1968 and is characterised by its glass fronted front extension which gives the players a clear view of the bar and boardroom during the game! To the right is the covered Merton Meadow Terrace for home fans. To the left is the similar Blackfriers End. Opposite the main stand is the renamed Cargill Stand (originally The Len Weston Stand) and half of it is where away fans are accommodated. It offers both seating and standing. It is a very tall and narrow, early prefabricated cantilevered construction and only cost £30,000 when built in 1974. It is literally a couple of yards from the back of the stand to the road and a double decker stand in such a confined space was remarkable in its day for such a small outlay. However concrete pillars impair the view from the terrace.

Admission Prices: Terrace: Adults £16, Concessions £12, U15s £5, U11s £3.

Seating: Adults £18, Concessions £15, U15’s £7, U11s £5

Previous Meetings and Memories: Our last visit was in March 2011 when we returned home with a superb 2-1 win thanks to two goals from Izale McLeod. One of the most famous FA Cup giant killings of all time occurred at Edgar Street when then Southern League Hereford United eliminated Newcastle United in the 3rd round by 2 goals to 1 in 1972. Ronnie Radford’s goal (from about a mile out) won prize after prize and accolade after accolade but the winning goal was scored by Ricky George. Question is, from which other Southern League outfit did Hereford United acquire the said Mr George? Ah…..Yes that’s right the mighty Barnet FC. The great Billy Meadows, later a Barnet player-manager, also played in that Bulls side and he had also been purchased from Barnet.  Where in football history would Hereford United Football Club be without Barnet?