The history of the ground is quite a very interesting one. It was originally owned by the "Hereford Athletic Ground Co." with United playing there from day one in 1924.

Hereford paid their landlord the princely sum of £82 and 2 shillings in rent that first season. I have a programme in my own collection for a Grand Cycling and Athletics event staged at Edgar Street on August bank holiday 1922.

Another little known fact is that United players used to change at the Wellington Hotel and then to walk to the ground!

United struggled financially during those early seasons and had to launch several public appeals to stay afloat and their landlords helped out by reducing their rent until by the 1929/30 season they were only paying £14.7s 0d per year.

However, in June 1931, the City Council bought the Edgar Street ground for £3,000 from the Hereford Athletic Ground Co. and rented it back to United at a much higher rent of £126 per season, reducing each season to £93 at the end of the 1937/38 season just before war broke out.

After the war, the council set the rent at just over £100 until March 1952 when the council granted United a 14-year lease at a 'peppercorn' rate of £1 per season.

From 1966 onwards the council set a revised and realistic rate each year until the ignominious events of the early nineties!

In 2012 Chairman David Keyte negotiated a new 250 year lease on the Edgar Street site.

1924-1949

Hereford United Football Club was formed by the amalgamation of two local sides, St Martins and RAOC in June 1924.

The newly formed Hereford United played its first ever competitive fixture on August 30th 1924, losing 2-3 to Atherstone Town in the Birmingham Combination League. This was closely followed by the club's maiden appearance in the FA Cup against, neighbours, Kidderminster Harriers, but this again ended in defeat as United went down 2-7.

After spending four seasons in the Birmingham Combination, Hereford graduated to the Birmingham League, where they steadily established themselves as one of the top sides, as well as making their first appearance in the First Round of the FA Cup in 1932/33, narrowly losing 1-2 at Third Division (North) side Accrington Stanley.

1939 marked the club becoming a limited company, giving it the official title of Hereford United Football Club (1939) Limited, and also saw them enter the premier non-league competition, the Southern League. The former Derby County player, Eric Keen, was appointed as player-manager but United were only able to play four matches before the outbreak of war led to the suspension of all football nationwide.

When the Southern League resumed in 1945/6, Hereford finished runners-up to Chelmsford City in very controversial circumstances. City rose above United thanks to points they had been awarded in lieu of unplayed fixtures. The result stood, despite vehement protests from all concerned at Hereford. The Bulls reached the Second Round of the FA Cup for the first time three years later in 1948/49 after a 3-0 success at Kidderminster Harriers in front of 9,155 supporters, but were eliminated soon after by Exeter City in a 1-2 defeat.

United reached the Second Round again the following season, recording another 3-0 victory against Bromsgrove Rovers at Edgar Street in front of 10,150 spectators. However, Hereford bowed out 1-2 to Weymouth at the next stage. The Terras went on to play Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Third Round.

1950-1960

The 1950/51 campaign saw United claim the first of what would be many Football League club scalps in the FA Cup when they defeated a strong Scunthorpe United side with a second-minute goal from winger Billy Dodds. However, a Third Round berth continued to prove elusive, when a record Edgar Street crowd of 15,526 saw them lose 0-3 to a powerful Newport County side.

Some consolation was achieved with the runners-up spot in the Southern League, with just the, then, all-conquering Merthyr Tydfil finishing above them.

The Southern League Cup was secured in the 1951/52 season after a two-legged victory over Guildford City and, the following year, Edgar Street witnessed floodlit football for the first time.

Scunthorpe United exacted revenge over Hereford in the FA Cup after their 1-2 defeat the previous year, by beating them 2-1 in a replay to rob the Bulls, yet again, of a Third Round spot.

Hereford took another FA Cup League scalp in 1953/54 by defeating Exeter City 2-0 after a replay, but were handed a tough away tie in the next round. Lancashire Combination leaders Wigan Athletic were the hosts as an unbelievable 24,526 crowd saw United slump to a 4-1 defeat. The attendance still stands today as a record between two non-league clubs and may never be beaten.

Unfortunately, poor results over the next few seasons saw attendances dwindle to an average of approximately 2,500, and it was not until former Arsenal full-back Joe Wade's appointment as player-manager in the summer of 1956 that Hereford United's fortunes began to take a turn for the better.

During his first season in charge United climbed to eighth place in the league and defeated Aldershot in the FA Cup before losing 2-3 at home to Southend in the Second Round. Wade's charges lifted the Southern League Cup for a second time as well as the Herefordshire Senior Cup, after triumphing 2-1 against rivals Newport County.

Joe's efforts, including drawing against a Second Division Swansea side containing six internationals in the Welsh Cup, helped the average gate rise to 3,261.

The 1957/58 campaign was Hereford's most successful in cup competitions. FA Cup victories over Heanor Town and Newport (Isle of Wight) set up a Second Round tie with Third Division (South) side Queens Park Rangers. Having repeatedly failed at this stage in the past, 10,131 spectators at Edgar Street saw United romp to an amazing 6-1 win. Although equalled since, the winning margin still stands as a record for a non-league club against a league club in the FA Cup.

After years of trying, Hereford were finally into the Third Round and were rewarded with a home tie against First Division giants Sheffield Wednesday. Edgar Street's record attendance of 18,114 saw the northerners win 3-0, but gate receipts of £2,996 helped to soften the blow of defeat. United's coffers were further enriched by Arsenal, who swooped to sign two of Hereford's promising youngsters, Freddie Jones (Pictured) and Ronny Clayton for a combined fee of £5,000.

The Welsh Cup also saw United produce some impressive displays and, three weeks after the Sheffield Wednesday tie, Hereford travelled to Ninian Park to take on Second Division Cardiff City. Incredibly, United's part-timers came away with a magnificent 2-0 victory, a win that Secretary Fred Turner described at the time as "the best ever result in the club's history".

The Southern League became regionalised for the 1958/59 season, with Hereford winning the North Western Section before suffering defeat in the playoff to Bedford Town, the South Eastern champions. Consolation for this setback was achieved in the form of a third Southern League Cup after a two-legged victory over Bath City. United had gone unbeaten at Edgar Street in league matches for the first time ever, and repeated the feat two seasons later in 1960/61. No Hereford side to date has managed to match this.

1960-1970

United had gone unbeaten at Edgar Street in league matches for the first time ever, and repeated the feat two seasons later in 1960/61. No Hereford side to date has managed to match this.
In the 1962/3 season, Hereford made the national press by posing a problem for the mighty E.U.F.A. The club had re-entered the Welsh Cup, and after beating Barry Town in a replay and Haverfordwest County, they met Wrexham in the quarter final. The biggest crowd of the season, 3,534 saw Hereford overcome the Third Division side with a 2-1 victory.

The draw for the semi-finals was made, pairing The Bulls with Borough United, to be played at Wrexham's ground. It was at this point that the European FA were put on the spot. A Welsh Cup victory for Hereford would have meant that they would have been nominated by the Welsh FA to compete in the European Cup Winners Cup. A E.U.F.A spokesman said at the time that he did not know what the reaction would be if two English clubs were entered by different associations.
However, Hereford would cause no embarrassment to football administrators when the team from Llandudno won 1-0 and also went on to beat Newport County in the final. It was Borough United, and not Hereford, that went on to compete in the Cup Winners Cup the following season. They knocked out the Maltese team, Sliema Wanderers, before crashing out to Slovan Bratislava.
The rules of the Welsh Cup changed afterwards, specifying that even if an English club won the competition, they would not be allowed to represent Wales in Europe.

Relegation for the one and only time in Hereford United's non-league career was suffered in 1963/64, despite the late intervention of new manager Bob Dennison. Fortunately, it was not as big a disaster as it seemed at the time as United bounced straight back, winning the First Division title with a record number of both points and goals.
Edgar Street favourite Albert Derrick led the way with 37 league goals. At the end of the 1964/65 campaign Hereford received two votes in their bid for election to the Football League, their first votes ever received.

United continued upsetting the odds in the FA Cup in the 1965/66 season, with victory over Third Division leaders Millwall. Despite no one giving Hereford a chance, they pulled off a massive shock by beating the Londoners thanks to a marvellous strike by legendary forward Ron Fogg. The result left only two non-league clubs in the cup and, almost inevitably, they were drawn against each other in the next round. Bedford Town were the opponents, who progressed after a 2-1 win on a snow-covered pitch.

1966/67 was a red-letter season for Hereford United, with the sensational signing of the "Gentle Giant", John Charles (Pictured). His popularity was immediately underlined when the largest opening day crowd for many years, 4,869, turned out to witness his debut. "Big John" didn't let his fans down, scoring in a 5-1 thrashing of Bedford Town. The game was also memorable for another reason. Roger Griffiths became Hereford's first ever substitute, replacing Peter McCall. Despite John Charles' presence, United could only finish the season in tenth place and lost 4-1 at Peterborough in the FA Cup.
An additional record was set during this campaign that may never be bettered. Hereford's goalkeeper, Jock Wallace, left the club to become player/manager of Berwick Rangers, and played for them in their historic Scottish Cup triumph over Glasgow Rangers. His Scottish Cup appearance was added to those already made for Hereford in both the English and Welsh FA Cups, making him the only man to play in all three competitions in the same season.

John Charles succeeded Bob Dennison as manager in December 1967, but his first season in charge would end in disappointment. The team finished a lowly sixteenth, although a money-spinning Welsh Cup Final over two legs was played against Cardiff City, the Welshman winning 6-1 on aggregate. Charles set about rebuilding the team over the next two seasons, but his plans were, tragically, hampered when two of his star players (Roy Evans and Brian Purcell - Pictured Left) were killed in a car crash en route to an away fixture at Nuneaton.

1970-1990

The 1969/70 campaign is predominantly remembered for the signing of United favourite Dudley Tyler. Southern League defences were terrorised by Tyler over the next three seasons, supported by Billy Meadows, Brian Owen, Fred Potter, Alan Jones and Bruce Walker.
At long last, Hereford had a side to be feared. Colin Addison took over the reigns from John Charles and quickly added to the already fearsome squad. After years of being regarded as one of the country's best supported and most successful non-league sides, the 1971/72 season would go down in the club's history as one of the best.

After gaining a highly creditable 2-2 draw with First Division Newcastle United at St James Park in the FA Cup Third Round, the teams met again at Edgar Street in a much postponed replay. After taking a late lead through Malcolm MacDonald, Newcastle looked certain to progress into the Fourth Round. However, Ronnie Radford hadn't read the script, and sent the home fans into frenzy with a thirty-five yard screamer to send the tie into extra time.
Substitute, Ricky George's winner gave Hereford a famous 2-1 win, the first time a non-league side had beaten a First Division club since 1949.

Another top flight club, West Ham United, were Hereford's FA Cup Fourth Round opponents. Hereford hit the post late on in a game that ended goalless in front of a capacity Edgar Street crowd, and the Hammers eventually ended the Bulls' historic cup run with a 3-1 win in the replay. World Cup hero, Geoff Hurst, scored a hat-trick.

A glut of fixtures cost United the league championship, as they eventually finished runners-up to Chelmsford City. However, Hereford's amazing season would end on a high, as on June 2nd 1972, they fulfilled their dream of being elected to the Football League.
Barrow, who had been relegated from the Third Division, tied with United in the election ballot, with both clubs recording 26 votes a piece. The second ballot saw Barrow receive 20 votes, but Hereford's 29 meant that they would deservedly gain entry into the Football League.

In Hereford's first ever season in the Football League; they finished as runners-up to Southport, gaining promotion to the Third Division with record crowds swarming to Edgar Street. Both the 1973/4 and 1974/5 campaigns saw a period of consolidation, but with the added impetus and thrust under new manager John Sillett, United took the Third Division by storm and romped away with the championship, finishing six points clear of rivals Cardiff City.

Much of The Bulls' success was put down to Sillett's inspirational signing, Dixie McNeil, who finished as the Football League's leading marksman in two successive seasons. Unfortunately, the squad was apparently not strong enough and the following year in 1976/77, Hereford were relegated from the Second Division. However, it still remains as United's highest ever League position to date.

With the club in a state of decline, a second successive relegation followed and in 1978, United found themselves back where they had started, in the old Fourth Division. To add insult to injury, the club then had to re-apply for election to the Football League on three occasions, in 1979/80, 1980/81 and 1982/83 when they suffered the ignominy of finishing bottom.

Hereford's struggles continued both off the field as well as on it. A flurry of managers came and went through The Bull's troubled financial times, and the efforts of Tony Ford, Mike Bailey, Frank Lord and Tommy Hughes were all to no avail. A little respite came with the appointment of John Newman, where the popular ex-Herefordian saw his team narrowly miss out on promotion in 1984/85 where they finished fifth in the Fourth Division. This, along with some creditable runs in the FA Cup, Littlewoods Cup and Freight Rover Trophy, were the only consolation for supporters who were desperate for success.

1990-2000

Hereford experienced Cup success in 1990 with victory in the Albright Bitter Welsh Cup against Wrexham at Cardiff Arms Park. Colin Robinson gave United a 34th minute lead after Darren Peacock touched on a free-kick for him to crack the ball home. Wrexham levelled the scores in the 55th minute through Gary Worthington but Ian Benbow's strike restored Hereford's lead giving them a wonderful 2-1 win.

Both Colin Addison and John Sillett gave credence to the old adage that "nothing in life is ever the same going back" when they had unsuccessful second managerial spells at Edgar Street, before ex-Coventry City favourite Greg Downs took over the reigns and built a team that played attractive football.

However, the team failed to make any significant impression on the league table, and suffered embarrassing FA Cup defeats to non-league Yeovil Town and Bath City before Downs was replaced by John Layton Junior. He struggled manfully at the helm of the club for a further season before the still-present Graham Turner took over at the start of the 1995/96 campaign.

Turner's first season was met with a considerable amount of success with creditable runs in both the league and FA Cup.
They reached the Third Round of the cup for the second time in five years, and were drawn at home to Premiership outfit Tottenham Hotspur. In front of a new capacity crowd of 8,800, Ronnie Rosenthal's goal gave the visitors the lead, before United were handed a golden opportunity to level the scores from the penalty spot. Captain, Dean Smith, sent his spot kick over both the crossbar and Meadow End to the horror of the home support, but this was to prove short lived as John Brough rose at the near post to head in the equaliser just minutes later and earn Hereford a very respectable draw.

The replay at White Hart Lane saw The Bulls bow out after a 5-1 defeat, although Gareth Stoker scored a spectacular thirty-yard consolation goal, the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar and going in off 'keeper Ian Walker.

Their exertions in the FA Cup sparked a fantastic league run for United and, after sitting in nineteenth place at the end of February, Hereford finished in a Play-off place (seventh) at the end of the season. Sadly, promotion dreams were shattered with a two-legged semi-final defeat to Darlington.
Dean Smith gave United an early lead in the home leg at Edgar Street, only to see the Quakers hit back to win the game 2-1.

The return leg at Feethams also saw Hereford lose 2-1, consigning them to another year in the Third Division. Despite this setback, fans remained optimistic for the following season. With Hereford's supporters hopeful of another assault on Third Division promotion.

The 1996/97 season could not have been more different and remains the darkest year in the club's history. Severe financial problems had forced Graham Turner to part with his best players and had no money available to strengthen the squad. United had struggled throughout the campaign, but a mid-season slump of thirteen games without a win saw them sink to ninety-first place in the Football League.

Bottom club, Brighton, who had seemed doomed for weeks, had undergone a tremendous revival and were threatening to pull off an amazing recovery. In the final weeks of the season, Hereford were staring down the barrel of relegation and, in their penultimate fixture, travelled to Leyton Orient knowing that a victory would put their destiny in their own hands.

A highly-disputed offside goal handed Orient a 2-1 win and, with Brighton defeating Doncaster Rovers, it meant that relegation to non-league football would be settled on the last day of the season when Brighton visited Edgar Street. A win would guarantee Hereford's safety, but a draw would favour the Seagulls as, although United had a superior goal difference, the goals-scored rule was in operation at the time, with Brighton having scored just a couple more goals than The Bulls over the course of the year.

In the showdown itself, Hereford started the brighter and took a deserved half-time lead thanks to Kerry Mayo's twentieth minute own goal. The hosts continued to be in the ascendancy after the break, but Brighton grabbed an equaliser against the run of play. Goalkeeper DeBont's poor kick lacked distance, and was spectacularly volleyed back towards goal. The ball cannoned back off the post and straight into the path of, the now infamous, Robbie Reinelt, who made no mistake from close range. Despite United's brave efforts, the match finished all square at 1-1, breaking Hereford hearts and condemning them to relegation from the Football League after a twenty-five year reign.

Fans' dreams of a rapid return were quashed in The Bulls' first season in the Conference, and although they finished in a creditable sixth place, it was not enough. The highlight of the season was the ironic, and perhaps inevitable, clash with Brighton in the FA Cup First Round. Two goals from Neil Grayson and a superb penalty save from Andy DeBont helped give Hereford a 2-1 win and a small amount of revenge over the club that had relegated them six months earlier.

In the 1999/2000 campaign, United savoured FA Cup success again. After defeating York City and Hartlepool United at Edgar Street both with 1-0 wins, The Bulls' were drawn at home again in the Third Round, but to Premiership outfit Leicester City. Hereford had by far the better of the play, and almost snatched a late winner when young winger Paul Parry hit the post after carrying the ball from inside his own half.

2000-2010

In the replay at Filbert Street, United did take the lead against their much higher graded opponents with a Paul Fewings header, and were just twelve minutes away from a monumental upset when a controversial goal from Matt Elliott levelled the tie. The former Scotland international appeared to be in an offside position when he bundled home a rebound after an initial shot had been saved by Hereford 'keeper Jones. The linesman's flag stayed down, much to The Bulls' dismay, and the match headed into extra time.

Muzzy Izzet finally headed the Foxes into the lead after over a hundred minutes of football, but United fought bravely and it needed a goal-line clearance in the dying seconds to stop an Ian Wright header from sending the match to penalties.
Leicester went on to draw Arsenal at Highbury in the next round.

In the Conference, the team performed consistently each season without ever mounting a serious promotion challenge until the summer of 2002 when manager, Graham Turner, cleared out all but six of his squad and replaced them with young players who had been released by higher graded clubs and were looking to improve themselves to get back into the Football League.

Hereford finished in sixth place the following season, just one place outside of the Play-offs, but it would be the next campaign where United would show their title credentials.

In 2003/04, under the guidance of Graham Turner and, coach, Richard O'Kelly, Hereford's mix of talented youngsters and fit players took the Conference by storm, setting new records left, right and centre. The Bulls' free-flowing, passing football notched up a record equalling 11 straight league victories, and they scored 103 goals throughout the season, including a record 61 away from home.

United hit 7 goals in a match twice against Halifax Town and Forest Green Rovers respectively, as well as humiliating Dagenham & Redbridge 9-0 on their own ground live on Sky television. However, at the end of the campaign, it would all have, cruelly, resulted in nothing.
The 91 points Hereford notched up was still only good enough for second place in the league, as Chester City also had an impressive season, accumulating one more point and taking both the title and the one automatic promotion place.

As unfair as it seemed, the rules dictated that Hereford settle for a place in the end of season Playoffs, and met Aldershot Town in the semi-finals, who they had finished a huge 21 points ahead of in the league. A very tight first leg at the Recreation Ground ended 1-1, setting up a thrilling return match at Edgar Street.
Unfortunately, the game will forever be remembered by Bulls fans, not for the match itself, but for the dubious sending off of Hereford central defender Andrew Tretton in the 20th minute. Everybody in the stadium seemed to be expecting a yellow card for Tretton after he had bundled over Aldershot forward Aaron McLean, but were stunned to see a red card emerge from, referee, Mr Woolmer's pocket. The decision immediately changed the hosts' approach to the game, tactically, but Hereford could still have been ahead at the interval, with both Danny Williams and Steve Guinan going agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock.

The match eventually finished 0-0 and, with no goals in extra time, the tie was settled with a shootout. Despite the Shots hitting the crossbar with their first spot-kick, they triumphed 4-2 on penalties and progressed to the final at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium, leaving Hereford to ponder how such a wonderful season could go unrewarded.

Aldershot were beaten in the Playoff final (also on penalties) by Shrewsbury Town, who Hereford had finished 17 points ahead of in the league season. Despite the incomprehensible heartbreak of the previous season, everybody associated with The Bulls picked themselves up and prepared for another championship assault. Graham Turner made a number of moves to try and secure the title that everyone craved. Coach, Richard O'Kelly, departed to become the assistant manager at AFC Bournemouth, and was replaced by the equally experienced and respected John Trewick.

Key players, Guinan, Ben Smith, Rose and Baker had all departed over the summer, but were replaced by vastly experienced heads including Graham Hyde, Lee Mills and Jonathan Gould, as well as younger heads Adam Stansfield, Craig Stanley and Tamika Mkandawire.

It was always going to be a near impossible task to replicate anything close to the previous season, and so it proved. However, despite Barnet running away with the league championship, Hereford held out for another Playoff position and, on the final day of the league campaign, pinched second place from Carlisle United to ensure that United had finished Conference runners-up for a second successive year.

Stevenage Borough were the semi-final opponents this time around and, when a tight first leg appeared set to end goal-less at Broadhall Way, Bulls striker Danny Carey-Bertram lit the blue-touch paper with a stunning twenty-five yard shot that went in off the post to give the visitors the lead.

Hereford were minutes away from taking a slender advantage back to Edgar Street for the second leg, when Jon Brady's pinpoint centre was headed home by Dino Maamria to leave the tie on a knife-edge. Hereford dominated the first half of the return match, but could not break the deadlock despite several decent opportunities. Several United fans moaned at the interval that the hosts may get punished for not taking any of their chances, and so it proved in the second period when a single headed goal from Maamria was enough to send the Hertfordshire outfit into the Playoff final.

Anthony Elding's fierce shot from a short corner was tipped onto the bar by Bulls' stopper Craig Mawson, with the ball looping up into the air before being nodded home by the Iranian, Maamria, to send Hereford packing in the Playoffs for a second successive season.

Financial uncertainty has continued to plague the club ever since its relegation in 1997, but the situation has steadily improved over the years. Consistently large attendances in the 2003/04 campaign boosted Hereford's coffers significantly and this, added to the sale of Paul Parry to Championship side Cardiff City in the same season, allowed the club to recently come out of its CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement), meaning that The Bulls are now able to pay a transfer fee for a player - something that they have not done for around ten years.

In 2005/06, with the majority of the squad being retained by Hereford chief Graham Turner, the mood within the city was that it was surely 'third time lucky' for the Bulls, and thankfully, so it eventually proved. Impressive pre-season additions, including Wayne Brown, Dean Beckwith, Andy Ferrell and Guy Ipoua appeared to give United, arguably, their strongest squad 'on paper' for many years.

A 4-0 opening-day drubbing at home to Scarborough saw Hereford top the table, and had the town buzzing; optimistic that the title really could be coming to Edgar Street, but the Bulls would not have it all their own way. Inconsistency hampered United's progress during the autumn, as they only triumphed in four of their next 12 Conference outings, leaving them well outside the Playoff positions after a 2-1 reverse at eventual champions Accrington Stanley in early October.

However, as the new players gelled within the squad, results improved and, after losing 2-0 at home to rivals Exeter City on November 26, Hereford would go on to lose just one more Conference fixture for the rest of the season!
A 2-1 win at Edgar Street over Aldershot Town on February 21 saw United climb to 2nd spot in the table, and that is where they would stay for the remaining 13 league matches, giving Hereford the Conference Runners-Up spot for a third successive season.

The Bulls' opponents for their third Semi-Final appearance in as many years were Morecambe.
Rob Purdie's penalty cancelled out Jim Bentley's first-half header in the First-Leg at Christie Park to leave the tie on a knife-edge at 1-1.
It was the third successive Semi-Final First-Leg that Hereford had drawn by that score-line, leaving supporters with a nagging feeling that, like in the previous two Playoff campaigns, United could crash out on home soil in the Second-Leg.

In the return fixture at Edgar Street, 6,278 spectators saw Tamika Mkandawire head United into an early lead, only for the visitors to reply instantaneously from the penalty spot. Hereford-born Andy Williams restored the home side's lead, before Michael Twiss equalised again midway through the second period for the Lancastrians in a half which they dominated.
But for all their pressure and possession, Morecambe could not find a third goal, and in a repeat of Hereford's Playoff clash with Aldershot in 2004, the match headed for extra-time.

There would be no need for penalties on this occasion though, as two-minutes into the second period of extra-time, substitute Guy Ipoua powered through a tired Morecambe rearguard, and unleashed a rocket of a shot into the back of the net to spark scenes that, arguably, had not been seen since the FA Cup victory over Newcastle United in 1972!
An agonising 13 minutes remained, but the Bulls held on to seal a memorable night at Edgar Street as fans celebrated Hereford's long-overdue place in the Conference Playoff Final.

Halifax Town were United's opponents at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium, where around 10,000 Hereford supporters, travelling by car, coach, train, limousine and aeroplane, made up an attendance of 15,499.
In what was an incredible game, Hereford fell behind on two occasions, only for them to show the character and determination consistently shown since Christmas by equalising twice - substitute Guy Ipoua heading the Bulls' second goal after 80 minutes.

Extra-time followed for the second successive match involving Hereford and, once again, the Bulls struck just minutes into the second period. This time full-back Ryan Green was the hero, curling in from 18-yards to send the United faithful behind the goal into shocked delirium!

As in the Semi-Final, around 13 minutes stood in the way of Hereford and their place back in the Football League, but a concussion to goalkeeper Wayne Brown meant a further six minutes of injury-time would be added on. Nevertheless, Lady Luck was finally going to be on United's side when it mattered most, as the final whistle blew to spark jubilation and relief for Graham Turner, his staff, the players and the supporters.
Hereford United were finally back in the Football League after a nine-year absence!

Financial uncertainty continued to plague the club ever since its relegation in 1997, but the situation has steadily improved over the years. Surprisingly, Hereford's promotion from the Conference to the Football League saw more players leave the club than the previous season, with one or two faces departing that bemused some supporters.

The long-serving duo of Tony James and Jamie Pitman, as well as Playoff hero Ipoua, were released by Graham Turner, whilst Adam Stansfield, Craig Mawson, Danny Carey-Bertram and Craig Stanley all chose to sign for Conference sides.

Ryan Green, who sealed United's promotion in May, chose to sign for, now, League 2 rivals Bristol Rovers. As for new signings, Hereford's obsession with Gillingham continued, as Richard Rose and Jon Wallis joined former Gills, Dean Beckwith and physiotherapist Wayne Jones.
Fans-favourite Wayne Brown joined the club on a permanent deal following his successful loan spell from Chester City, whilst defenders Phil Gulliver, Martyn Giles and Trent McClenahan and strikers, Tim Sills and Alan Connell, also signed up for the Bulls' first season back in the Football League.

2011-2013

The Bulls start to life in League Two got off to a flyer as they announced a new owner at Edgar Street. The new owner, David Keyte, was a well travelled man around Hereford sport. He was a wicketkeeper and batsman at Hereford City Sports and more importantly, he was a Hereford United player signed by the infamous Colin Addison during the 1970‘s. Mr Keyte replaced Graham Turner after 15 years in charge of the club.

David Keyte’s appointment in early June 2010 meant that they would need a new manager as the Bulls went under a mini revamp. The new manager that was chosen to take over the squad was former Barnsley manager Simon Davey.

With Hereford now playing their football in League Two once again, they would need to rise to the challenge and with a supposedly new regime in place, all signs were looking good. The new management brought in 12 players before the start of the 2010 campaign with Joe Colbeck and the return of Stuart Fleetwood being the two most notable signings of the pre season.

The Bulls pre season campaign got off to a great start with a 2-0 win over Swansea, more importantly Hereford got off to a winning start on the 7th August when they travelled to Crewe Alexandra to witness Davey’s new look side pick up a 1-0 win thanks to new boy Janos Kovacs.

However, the mood soon darkened as Davey’s great start came crashing to an end. His Hereford side ended up conceding 24 goals in the next 8 league games and picked up only one point and the Bulls went a full 579 minutes without a goal. The 2-0 defeat to Barnet was the final straw and he was consequently sacked soon after.

Former Hereford midfielder Jamie Pitman was placed in temporary charge of team affairs, Pitman had been physio for the club since August 2008 and he had previously enjoyed two playing spells with the club between 1996-98 and 2002-06. The Hereford bosses were still looking for a permanent replacement for Davey though and Pitman put a very good claim in after a run of 6 matches undefeated in the league including a 4-3 win over Northampton where United managed to score 3 goals in 8 minutes and a superb 5-0 win away to Stockport.

However, the joy of Pitman in charge took a knock after Hereford went through another spell of defeats, this time losing 4 on the bounce. Despite that, on the 16th December 2010, Jamie Pitman was announced as Hereford United’s new manager until the end of the season.

Into the back end of the season and Hereford had a lot of fighting to do and didn’t they fight well! The run in saw the Bulls only lose six games and this great form had seen them rise to 17th by mid April and eventually saw them safe of the drop to survive their first season back in League Two.

However, the 2011/2012 season brought a case of second season syndrome. This wasn’t helped by the sale of 2010/11 top goalscorer Stuart Fleetwood to Luton Town, who conjured up 18 goals the season before. Jamie Pitman tried to fill the void left by Fleetwood but even though Yoann Arquin and Tom Barkhuizen scored 21 goals between them in all competitions, it was not enough to keep Hereford in the football league for another season.

The stand out game of the season was the 3-3 draw against 2011/2012 winners Swindon at the County Ground when Harry Pell scored in the 90th minute to complete a 2-0 comeback and ensure that the two teams shared the spoils.

In early March, Jamie Pitman saw his management stint come to an end as he had only picked up one win in their previous eight games. Former West Brom, Aston Villa and Bournemouth coach Richard O’Kelly took charge for the last 12 matches of the season. Hereford went down fighting, finishing the season strong with only one loss in their last six but they were relegated by two points. O’Kelly was offered to take the job on a full time basis after Hereford were relegated but declined the offer.

On the 30th May 2012, Martin Foyle was appointed manager for the 2012/2013 season. His first signing for the Bulls was current captain Luke Graham on a free transfer from Forest Green Rovers. When Martin came in, he had a small squad to work with, so small that after he arrived he only had 11 players in his squad so he had to get straight to work and did so by signing seven players before the start of the new campaign, including top goal scorer that season Ryan Bowman, ‘keeper James Bittner and re-signed former loanee Marlon Jackson.

The season got off to a very good start with 10 points picked up out of a possible 12 and the good season continued. The Bulls came into some financial trouble and injury trouble and with such a small squad, this was a big problem. However, they got by with some loan signings and free transfers such as Fulham’s James Musa, stand out midfielder Josh O’Keefe and a man who later went onto to sign a full deal with the club, Port Vale’s Kingsley James. The Bulls finished their season in a very respectable 6th, 10 points off the playoffs. Off field problems had overshadowed the on field performances and fans were more concerned about the financial situation and outlook of the club.

Along with the sixth place finish, Hereford also caused an upset in the FA Cup first round against League One outfit Shrewsbury. Former Bulls boss Graham Turner didn’t enjoy his return to Edgar Street as the Blues suffered at the hands of a Ryan Bowman double and a Will Evans goal securing a 3-1 victory and a place in the second round where Hereford were knocked out in the replay by Cheltenham after a 114th minute goal by winger Kaid Mohamed.

On the 10th June 2014 the Football Conference confirmed Hereford expulsion from the league with the following statement

"The Club has confirmed it will not meet the requirements, to which it previously agreed, set by the Board of the Football Conference Ltd on Friday 6 June enabling the Club to retain its membership. As the Club was advised at the above meeting, the Board has exercised its unanimous decision that should the Club fail to fulfil the requirements it would be expelled from the Competition and the Company under Article 5.2.

At the Annual General Meeting on 7 June of the Football Conference Ltd, the member Clubs agreed to an alternative Constitution for the 2014/15 season, in case of the above eventuality.
Chester FC will now be reprieved from relegation from the Premier Division and Hayes & Yeading United FC will be reprieved from relegation from Conference South."

On the 11th June, The Southern league confimred they would consider allocation of Hereford to the Premier division and on the 23rd of June, Herteford satisfied the leagues requirements and were confirmed to the the new consitution.