A phoenix from the Ashes, Hereford Football Club have been gradually on the rise since its inception, the reformed club have now progressed towards the top half of the National League North, and have done so in such a short space of time.
Year Founded: 2014
Nickname: The Bulls
Stadium: Edgar Street
Capacity: 5,250
Manager: Paul Caddis
League: National League North
Origins
The founding of Hereford FC comes from the winding up of Hereford United on the 19th December 2014. A series of off the field issues led to a 90 year history of football in Hereford come to an end, however it wasn’t long until the long held passion of the supporters there came to the forefront, and heeded by the Hereford United Supporters Trust, Hereford FC was born.
High Points
Hereford United were potentially best known for their efforts in the FA cup during the 1971/72 season, where they played 10 games in total, 5 of which were replays. The most famous game of which came in the third round, where the club took Newcastle United to a replay at their Edgar Street stadium, in which they won 2-1 in extra time. Despite getting knocked out by West Ham in the next round, this Fa Cup run had a huge impact on Hereford’s acceptance into the Football League which came at the end of the season.
Tough Times
Following the Hereford United’s invitation to the football league, little progress was made and a period of stagnation began, with poor performances resulting in the club having to re apply for their league status at the end of the 1970s. By the 1990s, the football club’s problems were not only on the pitch, but off it as well with rising debts of over £1 million being accumulated. During this turbulent period, Hereford were relegated back to non league in 1997.
Despite a rare highpoint coming in 2008 where the club would play in English League one for the first time for three decades, the joy would be short lived and only last a season, where Hereford would be relegated back to League two and a couple of seasons later would find themselves back in the conference. The original club was finally wound up in December 2014, following continued financial irregularities and mounting debts.
Modern Era
After coming into existence at the back end of 2014, Hereford FC would be accepted into the Midland Football League for the 2015/16 season. Having been able to continue to play at the historic Edgar Street stadium, maintain the Bulls name and the club’s iconic white strips, the soul of the original club would live on.
The story of Hereford FC is one of great success, with the phoenix club securing three promotions in their first three years of existence, and today are currently members of the National League North. With the club now consolidating in the league and backed by thousands of supporters on a weekly basis, the new club appear to be going from strength to strength, with a potential return to the top tier of non league football on the cards in the next few seasons.